The Electoral College is a uniquely American institution and one that can be a little confusing: Why don’t we just count every vote and let the person with the most be president? The Daily Show’s Trevor Noah had the same question, so naturally, he conjured the spirit of Thomas Jefferson—who in this incarnation bears a striking resemblance to Jordan Klepper—for answers.
Jefferson explains that the whole idea behind having electors was “to ensure America would never elect a dangerous, charismatic lunatic” or a “populist demagogue.” But as Noah points out, that didn’t work out so well this time around, considering the Electoral College secured the victory of “a racist white guy” over a far more qualified woman who recieved more than 2.5 million more votes than her opponent.
“Sounds like it’s working perfectly,” replied Jefferson.
Noah will have a chance to debate the matter with another president—this one decidedly alive—on Dec. 12, when Barack Obama is a guest on the show for the first time since Noah began hosting. Obama’s last Daily Show appearance was in July of 2015.
