Jerry Springer entered the 2016 fray Thursday because, honestly, why not? The politician turned trashy TV host swatted trashy TV host turned politician Donald Trump after the latter criticized Hillary Clinton’s “bad” temperament.
“C'mon Donald... you complaining about Hillary's temperament is like me complaining about the quality of television!” tweeted Springer, himself a Clinton supporter.
The Springer zinger reminded us how 2016 has turned into a months-long, chaotic talk show rife with braying, brawling and lewdness. Try to guess which of the below are actual segment titles from The Jerry Springer Show and which is from Trump’s mouth:
Answer: The first two are from Springer’s show. The third is a thing the next GOP nominee for president actually said.
Paul Ryan issues public display of affection for Trump; friends are concerned
After will-they-won’t-they drama that made The Bachelor look like C-SPAN, Paul Ryan came out and declared publicly that he kind of likes that Donald Trump fella. Is it love? No. But can the House Speaker see a future with Trump? Definitely.
In his hometown paper, Ryan described how House Republicans are “offering a bold policy agenda” and how “Donald Trump can help us make it a reality.”
Yet Mitch McConnell, Ryan’s Senate counterpart, questioned Trump’s helpfulness.
Thursday on CNN, McConnell called Trump’s “attacks” on Latinos “a big mistake” that could turn off voters. He also called Trump’s proposal to temporarily ban Muslims from entering the U.S. “a really bad idea.”
“I do know that now we have a choice — a choice between two very unpopular candidates, very unpopular,” he added.
The summer of Clinton's discontent?
Bernie Sanders is cuckoo for California, the state with the most delegates up for grabs in the Democratic primaries. His campaign basically hinges on him winning there Tuesday.
The goal: Win big to show the hordes of supderdelegates currently attached to Clinton that he’s a more viable candidate and get them to switch sides, dramatically shifting the tides of the Democratic.
If Sanders wins California, one Democratic consultant told us, he could create a “summer of agony” for Clinton, forcing her to fight Trump and Sanders simultaneously.
That said, Sanders needs a really convincing win there. If he doesn’t sway any superdelegates, Clinton stands just 71 delegates shy of the nomination – a number she’s likely to reach on Tuesday.
"Sometimes you just have to give up," Democratic Senate leader Harry Reid said of Sanders this week. "I've never been too good at math but I can figure that one out. I think he better do a little mathing.”
Trump's son: You gotta see this Michael Bay movie
Eric Trump argued Thursday that all voting Americans should have to watch the latest movie by Michael Bay, the man who brought you Transformers, the remake Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Coyote Ugly.
That movie is 13 Hours, based on the Benghazi attacks that killed four Americans.
"I think in order to vote in this next election, you should have to watch that movie. I was livid," Trump said.
Another movie that will make you livid: Ghosts Can’t Do It, the 1990 romantic comedy featuring Donald Trump about a ghost who convinces his wife to kill a man so he can possess his body. You can see Trump’s scenes here.
(FYI: A USA TODAY investigation found Donald Trump would be the first president to have appeared in a romantic comedy about a ghost who convinces his wife to kill a man so he can possess his body.)
More from the campaign trail
- A new Trump super PAC locked down $32 million (USA TODAY)
- Hillary Clinton has that, plus $10 million, in the bank (USA TODAY)
- Texas opened a deceptive trade practices investigation on Trump University back in 2010, finding it made ‘impossible’ promises (USA TODAY)
- CNN graphic calls out Trump; Trump gets mad (USA TODAY)
Jerry’s final thought
With all the vitriol this election season, we leave you with this surprisingly touching segment from Springer’s 25th season. Yes, this election has turned America into a giant dumpster fire, but it’s a dumpster fire we’re all in together. Be kind, friends.
