In the recent installment of The Daily Show on Comedy Central, Jon Stewart offered a spirited response to his critics who accused him of undermining democracy through his approach to President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. Employing a satirical and self-deprecating tone reminiscent of televangelist Jimmy Swaggart, Stewart addressed the substantial backlash he received following his return as a part-time host last week.
During the episode, Stewart, known for his irreverent take on political matters, openly criticized both Biden and Trump, focusing on aspects such as their ages and amplifying contested criticisms from special counsel Robert Hur’s report on Biden’s handling of sensitive documents. This drew sharp criticism, particularly from Mary Trump, a vocal Trump critic and host of The Mary Trump Show podcast, who labeled Stewart a “danger to democracy” on Twitter and dedicated an entire edition of her newsletter, The Good In Us, to elaborate on this perspective.
In response to the backlash, Stewart chose to address the criticism on Monday night’s episode. Employing his trademark humor and making references to figures like Jimmy Swaggart and a popular Bush-era meme, he took a humorous swipe at Tucker Carlson in the process. The satirical exchange included a portrayal of the exaggerated reactions on Twitter, where Stewart was portrayed as facing a “massive backlash from Democrats” with tweets from individuals like Olbermann and Chris D. Jackson expressing their disapproval.
JON STEWART: “I don’t mind because, quite frankly, the response to the first show last Monday was universally glowing.”
NEWS ANCHOR: “Jon Stewart is facing massive backlash from Democrats over his comments about Joe Biden. Olbermann tweeted ‘Well, after nine years away, there’s nothing else to say to the both-sideist fraud Jon Stewart bashing Biden except please make it another nine years.’ Chris D. Jackson tweeted ‘Sorry, but I won’t be watching you either.'”
JON STEWART: “Okay. Maybe not universal, but that was on Twitter. Everything on Twitter gets a backlash. I’ve seen Twitter tell labradoodles to go f**k themselves. Labradoodles. I just think it’s better to deal head-on with what’s an apparent issue to people. I mean, we’re just talking here.”
The exchange continued with references to Mary Trump’s tweet, where she asserted that Stewart’s “both sides are the same rhetoric” was not only unfunny but also a “potential disaster for democracy.” Stewart humorously emphasized the limited scope of his show, stating, “It’s one fkin’ show! It was 20 minutes. I did 20 minutes of one fkin’ show! But I guess as the famous saying goes, democracy dies in discussion.”
To add a playful twist, Stewart apologized with a touch of sarcasm, stating, “But look. I have sinned against you! I’m sorry! It was never my intention to say out loud what I saw with my eyes and brain. I can do better. I can haz learning! I can haz it! But I don’t even know where to start with that. Where do I go to study the particulars of unquestioning propaganda? I would need mentorship.”
The segment concluded with a satirical nod to Tucker Carlson’s reporting from Moscow, humorously exclaiming, “We’re in Moscow tonight. We’re here to interview the president of Russia, Vladimir Putin. Saints be praised!”
Stewart’s response showcased his ability to navigate criticism with humor while maintaining his perspective on the nature of his commentary. The satirical elements served as a tool to address and deflect the critiques, demonstrating Stewart’s unique approach to engaging with his audience and detractors alike.
