Subway Ride Sparks Blunt Comedy From Burr on Immigration and the Wealth Gap
Comedian Bill Burr is no stranger to uncomfortable truths, and during a recent appearance on the viral series “SubwayTakes,” he didn’t hold back. Sitting across from host Kareem Rahma in a New York City subway car, Burr was prompted to share a controversial opinion. With his signature dry tone, he responded with a satirical jab at America’s wealthiest: that mass deportations under Donald Trump would leave billionaires with no excuse but to finally pay workers a decent wage.
Burr’s delivery was unmistakably tongue-in-cheek, but the point cut close to real frustration over income inequality. “When they get rid of all the illegals in this country, white billionaires will then magically become generous,” he said, explaining the joke as a play on how billionaires often blame undocumented workers for keeping wages low. Rahma pushed back, saying he disagreed with the premise “100 percent,” prompting Burr to clarify further: “Because it’s the illegal aliens’ fault, that’s why. They need to come to this country the right way. The way my people came here.”
The comedic tension was unmistakable — Burr wasn’t endorsing anti-immigrant sentiment, he was mocking it. His comments reflect his long-standing use of satire to expose hypocrisy. By pretending to echo right-wing talking points, he was holding a mirror up to those who use immigration as a scapegoat for avoiding fair labor practices.
Satire or Statement: Burr Dismantles Political Division With a Punchline
As the subway car clattered beneath the city, the conversation shifted to deeper issues: political tribalism and the weaponization of media. Burr didn’t stay long on immigration before launching into his views on how Americans are being pitted against each other. “People in red states don’t like California, people in California don’t like Texas. But somewhere along the line we missed that it’s the United States,” he said, underscoring that politicians benefit most from a divided population.
He criticized the news media for feeding this division, pointing fingers at networks on both sides of the aisle. “We are so divided because of CNN and Fox News,” Burr said. “As long as the bullets are going at the countrymen that are wearing the wrong tie, you somehow don’t view them as on your team anymore.” The message was clear: Americans have stopped seeing each other as neighbors, and that loss of unity is what allows those in power to keep stirring the pot.
Despite the grim commentary, Burr expressed hope. He acknowledged how disheartening it is to see Americans villainize each other based on voting records, but he also believes in the potential for change. “I have faith though that through things like this and social media … that we can get on the same page,” he said, suggesting that humor — even uncomfortable humor — can be a tool for healing.
Calling Out Both Sides With Equal Firepower
Burr didn’t spare either side of the political aisle. He mocked people who refuse to forgive Trump voters just as harshly as he ridiculed Trump himself. “One of the things I hate the most is people who write things like, ‘I will never forgive people that voted for Trump.’ And it’s just like, well now you’ve just caused division,” he said. According to Burr, the real danger lies in that unwillingness to engage with those who disagree.
The comedian also took a jab at President Joe Biden, saying bluntly, “You just voted for a guy that should’ve been in a f—king home. He’s on his back porch talking to himself.” It was an equal-opportunity roast, hitting both sides of the political spectrum with the same intensity. Burr’s aim wasn’t to score partisan points, but to dismantle the very idea that one political camp has moral superiority over the other.
To close out the segment, Burr reiterated that real progress starts with personal accountability. Voters, he argued, are all complicit in the system they complain about. While his delivery was steeped in sarcasm and provocation, the underlying message was serious: if Americans want change, they have to stop blaming each other and start recognizing the power of unity.