Ronny Chieng Jokes About U.S. Citizenship, Compares America to an "Evil Empire"

Ronny Chieng, a correspondent on The Daily Show and a successful stand-up comedian, recently shared his thoughts on becoming a U.S. citizen and his experiences in America during an appearance on Variety’s "Awards Circuit" podcast. Chieng, who was born in Malaysia and experienced both life in America as a child and a return to his birth country, offered a humorous yet insightful perspective on his journey to becoming an American citizen and his observations on the political climate since his return.

Chieng’s path to U.S. citizenship was a long and winding one. Born in Malaysia, he moved to the United States at a young age before returning to Malaysia at age seven. His eventual return to America in 2015, he said, was "30 years in the making." Chieng explained that his primary motivation for returning to the U.S. was to pursue his career in stand-up comedy. He acknowledged that it was a "weird time" to become an American, given the political landscape at the time.

Despite the political climate, Chieng emphasized his commitment to building his life and career in the United States. "I turn down offers to tour overseas all the time," Chieng stated. "I’ve got no interest in it, because I came from there. I’ve been trying to come here… so it makes sense for me to get citizenship, because if I do leave the country, I know I can come back in to the stuff that I’ve been building here."

Chieng’s reasons for wanting to become an American citizen, he explained, were rooted in the cultural appeal of the United States. He cited iconic American films and television shows like Back to the Future and Seinfeld as major influences. "It’s like you’re joining this evil empire, but that’s not why you joined it. It just so happened, the evil empire had some really nice TV shows, and they do stand-up comedy in The Death Star," he joked. This statement, while humorous, also reflects a more nuanced perspective on America’s global image and its complex relationship with power and influence. Chieng’s analogy highlights the allure of American culture while acknowledging the country’s often-controversial role in international affairs.

Since joining The Daily Show in 2015, Chieng has been immersed in the tumultuous world of American politics, particularly during the era of Donald Trump. He noted that "this Trump thing" is all he’s known since returning to America. "Since I came to America, President Donald Trump’s shadow has been looming or in charge," he said.

Chieng shared his observations on how the constant presence of Trump has shaped the media landscape and the public’s perception of political discourse. "He’s [Trump’s] been talking s— for a long time now. We’re used to him talking s—," he explained. "He’s been throwing chaos in the mix for a long time now. So in that sense, it doesn’t feel like anything new in terms of coverage."

Reflecting on the experience of covering Trump’s second term, Chieng drew a striking comparison to working in an emergency room. The non-stop coverage of the president, he explained, felt "outlandish." "You kind of get numb to it, because it’s always a car wreck every day. It’s something new coming in, and it’s something you have to comment on," Chieng said. "It seems outlandish, but at the same time, it’s been outlandish for nine years. So is it outlandish? That’s the feeling."

Chieng’s comments offer a glimpse into the challenges and absurdities of covering politics in the age of Trump. His analogy of an emergency room captures the sense of constant crisis and the relentless demands on journalists to react to a never-ending stream of breaking news and controversial statements. The comedian’s ability to find humor in the midst of political chaos highlights the resilience and adaptability of those who work in comedy and media.

In summary, Ronny Chieng’s interview on Variety’s "Awards Circuit" podcast provided a unique perspective on the experience of becoming an American citizen, particularly in the context of contemporary American politics. His humorous observations about the allure of American culture, his acknowledgement of the country’s complex global role, and his reflections on the challenges of covering the Trump era offer a nuanced and thought-provoking commentary on what it means to be an American in the 21st century. His journey, from Malaysia to America and back again, ultimately culminating in his decision to become a U.S. citizen, underscores the diverse motivations and experiences that shape the American identity.