For it to be -phobic, it must by definition, be driven by fear.
You're being overly restrictive. While most -phobias are indeed defined by fear, words such as
homophobia and
xenophobia have clearly evolved past that constraint.
A dislike or prejudice are sufficient, it doesn't have to be rooted in fear.
wouldn't the joke be just as funny/sensical if, hypothetically, the name 'drumpf' was an english name? how would the bit be any different?
Hypothetically, yes; but that ignores like half of society. You wouldn't find an English name that sounds like
something something being slapped across the face with wet money???, because you're already familiar with English names. The unfamiliarity is pretty much required for the joke to work. (And likely the reason why I'm not finding it funny no matter how hard I squint my eyes - I don't find German names to be unfamiliar or uncommon)
Onomatopoeia can easily be another explanation, which is the reason John Oliver offers, so why do you dismiss that out of hand?
I don't dismiss it - I simply point out that it's completely irrelevant. The explanations of "German names are funny" and "German names are funny because they sound like farting noises or whatever" both share the same element of xenophobia.
You have to work really hard to assign racism to what Oliver said, really hard. But the master hair splitter has put in that work, and it’s a marvel. Missing/twisting the point is an art form only this boy has the motivation to master, or perhaps I am being ungenerous, and when he says “I don’t get it” maybe this is the case, humour (going on every post of his I’ve read) does seems an alien concept (racism?).
Ah yes, another fantastic response of the "it's just a prank bro!!!!" variety. Thank you for your excellent contribution.
I'll have you know that I have an excellent sense of humour. I have the best humour. Everyone knows that, and everyone loves my humour. And I can make America humorous again. We will have jokes again if I win. And I will win, because I'm a winner.