John Oliver skewers Florida’s vaccine ban and warns of Donald Trump’s cuts to universities in a fiery “Last Week Tonight” return.
John Oliver is back — and he’s not holding back.
On the latest episode of Last Week Tonight, the HBO host took aim at Florida’s controversial ban on vaccine mandates for schoolchildren and then pivoted to a deep dive into President Donald Trump’s attacks on higher education.
Oliver opened with a sharp joke about Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, who recently compared vaccine mandates to “slavery.” Oliver quipped, “I am not a doctor, I just think about one before I go to sleep,” flashing a photo of The Pitt’s Noah Wyle on screen.
Then, in typical Oliver style, he added, “Even I know there are certain things you’re allowed to tell people to put in their kids’ bodies: water, nutrients, one piece of dog food just to end the discussion — and also, life-saving vaccines.”
The comedian also called out the rare sight of solid medical advice on Fox Business, where a network medical expert explained that vaccines save lives and build herd immunity. “It’s just not where I’d expect to hear a passionate defense of public health,” Oliver admitted, noting the irony.
From there, he widened his scope, pointing to global leaders like Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un, who are reportedly obsessed with immortality through science. Oliver slammed U.S. leaders for doing “the exact f—ing opposite” by weakening public health protections.
But the real focus of the night was Trump’s ongoing “war on higher education.” Oliver detailed how the president has slashed funding for university research and threatened to withhold federal funds, all while pushing the narrative that he’s fighting antisemitism.
According to Oliver, the result is devastating — cutting vital research, discouraging academic freedom, and undermining the very institutions that fuel innovation.
Oliver’s return was classic him: a mix of biting humor, pop culture references (yes, he gave a nod to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s rumored engagement), and a serious warning about the real-life impact of political decisions.
As Oliver made clear, the battle over vaccines and education isn’t just about policies — it’s about the future of public health, science, and knowledge itself.
