Jordan Klepper Is Back In His Own Personal Hell

I love the Stephen King miniseries Storm Of The Century. It’s one of his best works. In it, an island of people is preyed upon by a murderous charlatan who may or may not possess otherworldly powers. The character’s name is André Linoge, and one of the first things he tells a citizen of the island is that “Hell is repetition.” I think about that a lot. I was raised Catholic, so the threat of hell is always hiding in the back of my mind. The idea that my damnation could consist of something that could cause me great pain happening again and again and again is terrifying.

At least I won’t have (directly) chosen that option. I won’t be subjecting myself to a neverending and repetitive sequence of torture while cameras capture my every exasperated sigh. Jordan Klepper, however, seems to welcome the torture. At the very least, he knows that people like me will flock to these videos with wonder. How can he put himself through this time and time again? Even TFG’s supporters are starting to feel less committed (relatively speaking).

I’ve seen Jordan square off with people who use numerology to justify Trump’s rise to power. He’s spoken to supporters that tout white supremacy and violence the way some people order breakfast. He was at the January 6th insurrection! This rally, following mounting indictments, felt subdued. Yes, there are still deeply troubled people. They just don’t seem to have the energy at this one. Maybe they’re starting to question their favorite wannabe dictator’s chances (even if they won’t admit it).

The movement isn’t over. Klepper speaks to a supporter in a mugshot shirt who looks to be in his 20s. He makes a joke I’ve seen made on Twitter several times already, but it’s the slack-jawed reaction that makes it sing. The dude’s shirt says, “Never surrender.” Klepper points out that it is a picture of Trump surrendering. He is met with stunned silence, then a confused, “huh?”

I don’t know how much longer Klepper can keep doing this. My only reasoning for him to continue is that he is also a lapsed Catholic, fears he may go to hell, and wants to make it easier on himself in advance. “Hot pokers in my various holes? Have at it! I’ve spoken, at length, to people who proudly wear a convicted rapist’s mugshot on hats and t-shirts.”