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.