The Best Trump-Era Advice Masha Gessen Gave Samantha Bee

Image by Getty

By Thea Glassman April 26, 2017

Lena Dunham interviewed Samantha Bee for The Hollywood Reporter this week, and the two fiercely funny, politically engaged women tackled everything from “Full Frontal” to President Trump.

Bee, however, came up short when Dunham asked about how private citizens can use their voices during the current political administration.

“I have no idea,” the comedian said. “I am so sorry to not have any answers for you.”

She did have some valuable words of wisdom from political activist Masha Gessen to contribute, though.

“She is probably the only person who has said anything helpful to me that made me feel better or made me understand this process,” Bee said. “And what she said was, ‘In the months and years to come, you have to draw a line for yourself. The things you will accept, and the things you will not accept, and you, for yourself, can never cross that line. You can never compromise your values even if you seem like the craziest person in the world, even if you seem like the hysteric in the room.’”

Another important thing to remember, Bee added, is not to get too comfortable.

“It’s hard when the sun starts shining, the blossoms are on the trees, people start to get OK with things they would never be OK with before,” Bee said.

Thea Glassman is an Associate Editor at the Forward. Reach her at [email protected] or on Twitter at @theakglassman.

Thea Glassman was an associate editor for the Forward. Follow her on twitter @theakglassman.

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO