John Oliver on extremism and bigotry among Republicans: ‘This party is at a crossroads’

Why This Matters

Key context: <p>Last Week Tonight host looked into the rise of bigotry and neo-nazism within the party before critical midterm races</p><p>With just a week to go until the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/us-midterm-elections-2026">US midterm elections</a>, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/john-oliver">John Oliver</a> used the entirety of his latest Last Week Tonight episode to focus on a “worrying trend that’s been on the rise” within the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/republicans">Republican</a> party, which has “found itself answering some uncomfortable questions about Nazi references”, from a New York congressional candidate <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/sep/15/republicans-criticize-texas-candidate-social-media-post">posting</a> a photo of his grandfather in his Nazi uniform to mega-donor Elon Musk’s <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/jan/20/trump-elon-musk-salute">infamous apparent Nazi salute</a> at a Trump rally in 2025.</p><p>“Everything about that screams, ‘Nazi!’” Oliver said of Musk’s gesture. “Well, almost everything. To be fair to the Nazis, unlike Elon, they at least looked sharp in their suits.”</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2026/oct/26/john-oliver-last-week-tonight-midterms-republicans">Continue reading...</a> This development from The Guardian highlights ongoing changes in the sector.