Jon Stewart’s Return to ‘The Daily Show’ Sparks Backlash from Democrats
After a nine-year hiatus, Jon Stewart made a triumphant return to hosting The Daily Show on Monday night. However, his comeback was not without controversy, as he drew criticism from Democrats for his scathing monologue targeting both Donald Trump and Joe Biden. Stewart’s remarks, particularly his mockery of President Biden’s recent press conference, ignited a firestorm of backlash from left-leaning individuals and even caught the attention of figures like Elon Musk and the White House.
Stewart, known for his ’90s brand of snark and both-siderism, seemed fully aware that his comments would ruffle some feathers. In a post-monologue interview with correspondent Jordan Klepper, Stewart was asked if he believed he had saved democracy with his style of comedy. This question foreshadowed the blowback that was to come.
Progressives and Democratic supporters took to social media to express their disappointment with Stewart’s return. Podcast host Michael J. Elston tweeted, urging fellow Democrats not to get too excited about Stewart’s comeback. He criticized the first half of the episode for its “both-sides-ing” of the age issue and expressed his disinterest in watching further. Chris D. Jackson, an election commissioner in Tennessee, echoed this sentiment, questioning why Stewart equated Biden’s age with being as bad as Trump. Former MSNBC host Keith Olbermann went even further, calling Stewart a “bothsidesist fraud” and requesting another nine years of absence.
Democratic activists and Biden supporters also voiced their disappointment. One self-described Democratic activist compared Stewart’s return to Bill Maher, expressing their disillusionment with the former host. Another Biden supporter criticized The Daily Show for taking a cheap shot at the president after he had honored Stewart for his work on the PACT Act.
While some Republicans took pleasure in seeing Stewart criticize a Democratic president, with Texas congressman Wesley Hunt tweeting about being in trouble when Jon Stewart turns on you, Elon Musk saw the humor and balance in Stewart’s return.
The backlash even reached the White House, where press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was asked about Stewart’s criticism during a press briefing. Jean-Pierre revealed that the press conference in question was entirely Biden’s idea and emphasized the importance of the president directly addressing the American people. She defended Biden’s decision to defend himself against the special counsel report’s characterization, stating that legal experts on both sides agreed it was wrong.
During his monologue, Stewart had expressed concerns about both Biden and Trump’s capabilities due to their age. He argued that voters should not be silenced in expressing their concerns and criticisms, but rather it is the candidates’ responsibility to assuage those concerns. Stewart made it clear that he was not equating Biden to Trump but believed that scrutiny was necessary, especially given the high stakes of the election.
Despite the backlash, Stewart’s return to The Daily Show proved to be a ratings success. The show garnered its largest audience in nearly six years, with 1.85 million viewers tuning in.
Jon Stewart’s comeback has undeniably sparked a heated debate among Democrats. While some are disappointed with his approach and criticisms of President Biden, others appreciate his brand of humor and believe that scrutiny is essential for any candidate. As the cultural conversation continues, it remains to be seen how Stewart’s return will shape the political discourse moving forward.