Jon Stewart criticizes Biden and Trump in return as host of ‘The Daily Show’

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Jon Stewart returned to his old seat behind the desk of “The Daily Show” on Monday night after a nearly nine-year hiatus, reprising his role as host of the late-night show just in time for the 2024 presidential election.

Stewart didn’t stop President Biden or former President Donald Trump from making scathing jokes, noting how the frontrunners in both parties are 81 and 77 years old, respectively. And that 2024 will look a lot like 2020.

He showed a suggested slogan for coverage of the 2024 election: “What the fuck are we doing?” Alternatively, she offered: “Indecision 2024: Antiques Roadshow.”

Jon Stewart returned as host of “The Daily Show” on Feb. 12, nearly nine years after leaving office, with a heartfelt monologue about politics and elections. (Video: Naomi Schanen/The Washington Post)

“We are not suggesting that either of you are vibrant, productive or even capable. But they are both pushing the limits of being able to do the hardest job in the world,” Stewart said. “It’s not crazy to think that the oldest people in the history of the country who have ever run for president could have some of these challenges.”

While Biden and Trump would each be the oldest presidents at the end of their terms if elected, previous elections also featured some older candidates, such as former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg and Senator Bernie Sanders (I -Vt.), both 78 years old. while running in 2020.

Greeting an enthusiastic studio audience, Stewart promised he would take advantage of his return as host. to delve into politics, technology and “maybe something a little lighter: Israel-Palestine.”

“The next nine months or so, and maybe longer depending on the timing of the coup, are going to suck,” Stewart said, in a glib reference to the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. “On the bright side, they tell me that at some point the sun will run out of hydrogen,” Stewart said at one point.

In particular, the late-night host focused on a line from last week’s report by special counsel Robert K. Hur that described the president as “an old man with a bad memory,” also mocking the White House’s efforts to later reassure to voters about Biden’s decision. office fitness.

“My memory is fine,” Biden said Thursday, angrily responding to questions about his mental fitness. “I am the most qualified person in this country to be president of the United States and finish the job I started,” she said. At the same press conference, Biden mistakenly referred to Egyptian President Abdel Fatah El-Sisi as president of Mexico during a discussion about facilitating aid to Gaza. “Geography buffs might have noticed that Gaza and Mexico do not share a border,” Stewart joked.

Stewart defended his attacks on Biden, which were intense and swift, as an exercise of his democratic duty. “The stakes of this election do not make Donald Trump’s opponent any less subject to scrutiny,” he said. “That actually makes it more subject to scrutiny.”

Special counsel report paints scathing picture of Biden’s memory

Stewart also criticized Biden’s foreign policy and questioned the president over the language he used to characterize Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Last week, Biden said Israel’s military offensive was “overkill,” marking his harshest rebuke of Israel yet.

“I like how Biden describes Israel’s relentless bombing of civilians the same way my mother describes the Super Bowl halftime show: ‘It was too much,’” Stewart said in response. The Gaza Health Ministry reports that more than 28,000 people have died in the enclave. Israel launched the war after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack that killed about 1,200 people.

After Biden’s campaign announced over the weekend that it was teaming up with TikTok in an effort to appeal to younger voters, Stewart said the president’s first clip seemed to have the opposite effect.

In a series of quick answers to questions Regarding the Super Bowl, Biden refused to “choose” between football brothers Jason Kelce and Travis Kelce, who are playing for the Super Bowl. Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs respectively. He said his favorite Kelce was “Momma Kelce.” “I understand she makes excellent chocolate chip cookies,” Biden said in the uploaded video.

“How do you get on TikTok and end up looking older?” Stewart asked out loud in response.

Stewart will headline the popular Monday night show during the 2024 election cycle, with rotating hosts for the rest of the week. He previously hosted the show from 1999 to 2015. During that time, the show transformed the late-night comedy landscape, winning 24 Emmy Awards and frequently going viral on social media. Last year, Comedy Central said the show’s next permanent host would be announced in 2024, filling a position vacated by Trevor Noah since December 2022.

Stewart noted that it’s not just presidential candidates who have aged. “Look at me,” she said. “Look what time has done. Give the kids a gift from the lunar surface here,” she said, motioning for the camera to zoom in on her face.

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