Trevor Noah responds to French ambassador who slammed him for saying “Africa won the World Cup”

e_trevor_noah_07202018

Brad Barket/Comedy Central(NEW YORK) — Daily Show host Trevor Noah had a quick and clever response to the U.S. French ambassador who slammed the comedian on Wednesday for saying Africa deserved credit for France‘s 2018 World Cup victory due to the large number of black players on the team.

Gerard Araud wrote a scathing letter, posted on Facebook and addressed to Noah, accusing him of “legitimizing” racist ideologies and denying the players’ “Frenchness” with his comments about their race and backgrounds.

“I get it, they have to say it’s the French team,” Noah had said on Monday. “But look at those guys. You don’t get that tan by hanging out in the south of France, my friends.”

Araud said he was watching “with great attention” on Monday, but he wasn’t laughing.

“They were educated in France, they learned to play soccer in France, and they are French citizens,” Araud said. “They are proud of their country, France.”

After Araud’s letter became viral, Noah was quick to respond.

“When I’m saying ‘African,’ I’m not saying it to exclude them from their French-ness — I’m saying it to include them in my African-ness. I’m saying, ‘I see you, my French brother of African descent,” Noah said, later captured on video.

“I will continue to praise them for being African because I believe they are of Africa — their parents are from Africa — and they can be French, because I believe they can both at the same time,” Noah explained. “And if French people are saying they can’t be, then I think they have a problem and not me.”

“America’s not a perfect place,” he added, “but what I love about this country is that people can still celebrate their identity in their American-ness.”

Copyright © 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.

staticsocialfacebookpr1200x630ironmaiden2024regionalmodacenter1014-0ff3a5d9-4f55-4498-a398-e4c76d0af8e8

Iron Maiden Live in Portland at The Moda Center

Don’t miss the most explosive live spectacular ever as Iron Maiden brings their legendary British heavy metal sound to The Moda Center on The Future Past Tour! Get ready for an unforgettable night filled with pyro, lights,

static_digital_928x288_korn_2024_regional_modacenter_1008

KORN with Gojira, Spiritbox

Get ready for an epic night of rock as KORN takes the Moda Center on October 8th! Joining them will be special guests Gojira and Spiritbox for a night of high-energy that you won’t want to miss.

1972bd2c-ec92-4f33-80b9-ed51276b7445

Snotty Nose Rez Kids – Hot Planet Tour

Snotty Nose Rez Kids – Snotty Nose Rez Kids tore into the music scene with unmistakeable talent and an unforgettable name. Showing off their lyrical prowess and natural storytelling ability, Yung Trybez and Young D jumpstarted the