One of America’s most beloved insult comics made an unfunny jest at the President last Thursday during a tribute to actress Shirley Maclaine.
During the tribute Don Rickles joked “I shouldn’t make fun of the blacks,” adding: “President Obama is a personal friend of mine. He was over to the house yesterday, but the mop broke.” Known for his witty humor and wise cracks, Rickles is no stranger to race jokes, openly admitting to making fun of anyone and everyone.
Rickles’ spokesman told POLITICO “It was a joke as were the other comments Don made that night. Anyone who knows him knows he’s not a racist.”
Granted, Rickles is known for his insult comedy and in all likelihood is not a racist, but to compare the President of the United States to a janitor because he is black may not have been the smartest, and definitely not the funniest joke for Rickles to make.