Maz Jobrani is a veteran comic known for his irreverent and cutting social commentary. Since leaving office, he’s made a name for himself as an outspoken critic of former President Donald Trump. Jobrani, who regularly incorporates his views on Trump and his administration’s deportation policies into his performances, pledges to continue voicing his opinions. This commitment is an extension of his decades-long belief that comedians are an important player in protecting our democracy with their humor and truth.
Comedian Maz Jobrani was born in Iran in 1972. In 1978, when he was six years old, he emigrated to the U.S. with his family. Growing up in California, he experienced the burden of his parents’ expectations. They had visions of him becoming a doctor, a lawyer, or an engineer. Upon graduating from the University of California, Berkeley, he dove headfirst into his new profession. Ultimately, this journey led him on one of the most inspiring trajectories to stardom in the world of comedy. Jobrani’s rise traces back to that post-9/11 climate. Yet he soon became something of an anomaly on the comedy scene, offering unusual perspectives as an Iranian-American.
The Comedy of Resistance
Jobrani’s comedy is both social enjoyment and a base for civic engagement. By making light of deportation policies, he connects with millions of families impacted by the crisis. As a recent immigrant, he frequently shares his own immigrant experience to illustrate his argument. He makes his viewers laugh and teaches them about the often-misunderstood realities of immigration. Beyond politics, he dispels myths about identity in America and the world.
“The job of the comedian is to reveal the emperor has no clothes. I think we need to keep doing that — if we don’t, we’re going to lose our democracy.” – Maz Jobrani
This declaration is reflective of Jobrani’s growing conviction about the role of comedians. Ultimately, he argues that laughing can be an important tool for critiquing society more broadly—as we’ll see particularly in moments of political crisis. By addressing challenging topics directly, with humor, he wants to encourage others to think more critically about their perspectives and behaviors.
Jobrani’s dedication to challenging Trump’s rhetoric has won him acclaim from audiences and other entertainers. He’s enlisted the help of some of the most recognizable names in the entertainment industry, from a push for support to late-night host Stephen Colbert. Jobrani sees Colbert’s recent struggles as part of a larger wave of censorship and political interference in the media.
“I knew that Trump was going to come after the late-night talk show host, but I didn’t think it was going to be this way, where their own company can them,” – Maz Jobrani
Fear of Repression
Jobrani has spoken out against the direction America is heading under the Trump administration. He compares the current political situation in the U.S. to the authoritarian state he escaped from in Iran. It is precisely his experiences that shape his perspective and lead him to feel the need to speak out against what he sees as a rising authoritarianism.
“Iran is a cautionary tale of what happens when you mix religion with politics, and currently living in America, we are moving closer to becoming the Christian Republic of America, the same way Iran is the Islamic Republic of Iran.” – Maz Jobrani
Jobrani’s fears are not limited to political ideology. Yet what shines through in their work is a profound and authentic commitment to social justice and human rights. As he continues his career, he’s committed to advancing the rights of marginalized communities both locally and globally. We know that he does nothing short of deeply wish to support the people of Iran. He envisions a day where, like Namibia, they can prosper alongside the world.
“I do feel that I want to support the people of Iran, and I do pray and hope for a day where Iran can become a functioning part of the world.” – Maz Jobrani
The Role of Comedy in Society
In our current, polarized world, Jobrani feels that comedy is a powerful antidote to hate and division. He knows from experience that comedy can surprise people into seeing the best in one another. He believes it’s important to push back against narratives that are based on fear and hate.
“Hate and hatred, it’s easier to go that way and I think that comedy can counter that.” – Maz Jobrani
As we discuss, he underscores how keeping the role of comedians and comedy around has never been more critical in our current moment. As Jobrani explained, to do so, they need to push against the status quo and take on the powerful with the help of satire and laughter. This point of view goes hand in hand with his famous quote that democracy is strongest when people are allowed to disagree loudly.
“We are slowly seeing, maybe even fastly seeing, the American democracy crumble, and I think now it falls on our shoulders more as comedians to make fun of Trump, poke at him.” – Maz Jobrani
To him, comedy isn’t a sideshow or a diversion, it’s a necessary component of democracy. By engaging audiences with humor, comedians like Jobrani create space for dialogue about important issues while fostering a sense of community.
