Amna Nawaz
@PBSNewsHour·5.3M subscribers·62.2K videos
WATCH: The connecting power of U.S. satire in divided times
Posted
July 11, 2026
Views
4,741
Likes
407
Engagement
8.58%
July 11, 2026
4,741
407
8.58%
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2:33Now PlayingThere's a reason Americans have long used satire to process politics and power.
The Onion's Joshua Johnson said the art form is "amazingly powerful" in creating community and cohesion.
"It lets you know that the culture that you are in that seems insane has sanity within it and that there are people within the culture who share your views and your values, who are offended by the things that offend you," he told PBS News' Judy Woodruff.
Johnson, along with Penn State University's Sophia McClennen, joined Judy Woodruff for the latest episode of PBS News' podcast, "In Pursuit of Happiness." They discussed how Americans use satire to process politics and power.
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