Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
David Letterman and Sen. Al Franken at the 92 St. Y in New York.
Sen. Al Franken continued to harp on his favorite target on Tuesday in a wide-ranging chat with David Letterman.At an event promoting his new book "Al Franken: Giant of the Senate" at the 92nd St. Y in New York, the Minnesota senator fielded Letterman's questions about President Donald Trump, potential collusion between the president and the Russians during 2016, his history as a comedian, and his political aspirations.
But the former "Saturday Night Live" cast member also repeatedly poked-fun at Sen. Ted Cruz, whom Franken joked about at length in his book and described as a "sociopath" and "singularly dishonest" for his policy positions and willingness to break senate protocols while seemingly in pursuit of higher office.
In recent months, Franken has become more comfortable returning to his comedic roots after attempting to cultivate a veneer of seriousness throughout his 2008 and 2014 campaigns and first term in the Senate.
Franken went viral during an innuendo-laced exchange with now-Department of Energy Secretary Rick Perry during his confirmation hearing and appeared onstage with comedian Sarah Silverman during last year's Democratic National Convention.
"Giant of the Senate" recounts Franken's attempts to suppress his humor, including several anecdotes in which his staff attempted to strip jokes from speeches and relegate his sarcastic asides to car rides in between events.
Franken's high profile has stoked speculation about his presidential aspirations, but the former comedian denied that he is interested in running for president in 2020.
"I'm not going to do that," Franken said on Tuesday, recounting a conversation with his son in which he described running for president as a "stupid" idea.
"That's what I tell people," Letterman replied. "It's not going to happen because his son will beat him up."
Franken does his bit about Ted Cruz, says he's a "toxic guy in the office...the guy who microwaves fish." pic.twitter.com/DRUpC14Frh
- Max Tani (@maxwelltani) May 31, 2017