Liberal fans of The Daily Show are heated about Jon Stewart’s criticism of President Joe Biden’s declining mental competency.
Stewart, known for his left-leaning commentary, didn’t hold back during Monday’s monologue, which marked his much-anticipated return to the late night Comedy Central show.
While he did target both prospective 2024 candidates, liberal viewers were shocked when he fixated on Biden’s response to special counsel Robert Hur’s report.
Stewart whimsically suggested potential slogans for the show’s ‘Indecision 2024’ coverage, including zingers like ‘Electile Dysfunction’ and ‘American DeMockracy’.
Jon Stewart kicks off The Daily Show's election coverage with a wellness check on America's two chronologically challenged candidates: Joe Biden and Donald Trump. pic.twitter.com/RPmFodvVAy
— The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) February 13, 2024
The comedian’s long awaited return to the show was marked by his blatant critique of Biden’s recent press conference, where he blasted Hur for questioning if he remembered the date of his son Beau’s death, but failed to reassure Americans of his mental acuity.
Stewart also took aim at the president’s own team’s unconventional choice to avoid a traditional Super Bowl pre-game interview in favor of starting a TikTok account.
“Fire everyone!” was Stewart’s verdict after showing a clip of Biden’s TikTok attempting to engage Super Bowl viewers.
He questioned how it was possible for Biden to go on Gen Z’s favorite social media app and “look older” by doing so.
“So, yes, everyone spent the entire weekend talking about whether the Democratic choice for president is mentally up to the challenge of the world’s most demanding job,” he remarked.
The central point of Stewart’s show was his relentless drilling into the questions surrounding the Democratic front-runner’s fitness for the presidency.
He pulled no punches in suggesting it’s not irrational to consider the state of faculties of the oldest individuals to ever seek the presidency, stating, “It is not crazy to think that.”
Stewart saved some barbs for Trump, who he suggested faced similar challenges to Biden, highlighting his deposition performance and shocking rally speeches.
“Biden’s lost a step but Trump regularly says things at rallies that would require a wellness check,” he sniped.
The comedian showed clips of Trump saying that he couldn’t remember while on the stand.
It turns out the leading cause of early onset dementia…is being deposed. @jonstewart pic.twitter.com/v41xUYkIg2
— The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) February 13, 2024
“It turns out that the leading cause of early onset dementia is being deposed,” Stewart quipped.
However, he didn’t miss the chance to lampoon an uncomfortable press conference of Biden’s, following the Justice Department’s report, which cited the president’s “diminished faculties” as why they couldn’t press charges for mishandling classified documents.
“This guy couldn’t remember stuff during his deposition. Do you understand what that means? He had no ability to recall very basic things under questioning,” Stewart skewered.
“The footage of the president unable to recall simple facts must have been brutal to watch.”
“So Joe Biden had a big press conference to dispel the notion that he may have lost a step and, politically speaking, may have lost three to four steps,” he zinged.
The comedian showcased clips numerous Democratic leaders, including Vice President Kamala Harris, affirming Biden’s mental agility—with a heavy dose of sarcasm.
Jon Stewart tearing into Biden on Gaza 👏 pic.twitter.com/Ys9fRhbW0c
— Siddharth (@DearthOfSid) February 13, 2024
“Did anyone film that?” Stewart inquired. “That would be good to show to people.”
Stewart also didn’t let Biden’s geographical gaffe—urging Mexico to open borders with Gaza—go unnoticed.
“Now, geography buffs might have noticed Gaza and Mexico do not share a border,” he joked.
The fervent left-wing supporters of The Daily Show didn’t exactly embrace Stewart’s hot takes, with some voicing clear frustrations on social media.
“Jon Stewart complaining that 2024 is ‘two old guys’ again is like me complaining that it’s ‘two white guys’ again. It misses the point and minimizes the stakes,” someone criticized.
“He like SNL and CNN, forget that the switch to [both sides] is not what the core audience is here for,” another added. “He will continue to struggle.”
Stewart hosted The Daily Show for 16 years, before retiring in 2015.
During his tenure, the series snagged itself over 20 Primetime Emmy awards.
After Stewart’s departure, Trevor Noah took over but left after seven years amidst a noticeable dip in viewership.
The show has since operated without a permanent host, with various comedians taking turns at the reins.