The “Daily Show” has taken a keen interest in President Donald Trump’s recent claims regarding a purportedly extravagant gift from Iran.
On Tuesday, Trump boasted about receiving a “very big present” from Iran, suggesting it signaled the nation’s willingness to negotiate an end to ongoing hostilities.
“They’re gonna make a deal. They did something yesterday that was amazing, actually,” Trump stated during the swearing-in ceremony for Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin. “They gave us a present, and the present arrived today. It was a very big present worth a tremendous amount of money. I’m not gonna tell you what that present is, but it was a very significant prize.”
While referring to the gift as a “significant prize” might evoke images of a cereal box toy, “Daily Show” host Josh Johnson found Trump’s description of this enigmatic gift strikingly reminiscent of historical tales.
“Wait, you got a gift from the people you are currently at war with?” Johnson remarked. “When I was at school and they made us read the ‘Odyssey,’ I couldn’t believe the Trojans fell for that Trojan horse. And now I’m watching it happen in real time.”
Johnson proceeded to conjure a rather mythical scenario involving Trump and his Iranian gift, one that feels almost plausible.
“The Secret Service is going to be like, ‘Mr. President, please don’t bring that [gift] to the situation room,’” he quipped.
Imagining Trump’s retort, Johnson added:
“But it’s expensive! And it’s ticking, I bet it’s a watch.”
Whether or not Trump actually received a gift from Iran remains uncertain; however, it is evident that Iranian officials are not inclined to resolve the conflict anytime soon.
Trump claimed on Monday that he had engaged in discussions with Iranian leaders over the weekend, yet Iranian representatives have refuted these assertions, labeling them as “fake news.”
