'Democracy dies in discussion': Jon Stewart mocks Dem backlash over Joe Biden criticism on 'Daily Show'
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Jon Stewart is unapologetic about his criticism of President Joe Biden, addressing the left-wing backlash during the second episode of his return to 'The Daily Show.'
Refusing to backtrack, Stewart dove into the controversy before turning his comedic focus towards Tucker Carlson's Russia propaganda tour.
Navigating the Twitterverse
"The response to the first show last Monday was universally glowing," said Stewart sarcastically.
In his return to 'The Daily Show', Stewart was scathing in his criticism of both the presidential contenders - Biden and Donald Trump.
However, Stewart faced massive backlash from Democrats over his comments about Biden.
Commentator Keith Olbermann tweeted, "Nothing else to say to bothsideist fraud Jon Stewart bashing Biden, except-- please make it another nine years."
Chris D Jackson added, "Sorry, but I won't be watching you either.'"
Mary Trump tweeted, "Not only is Stewart's 'both sides are the same rhetoric not funny, it's a potential disaster
for democracy.'"
Stewart responded humorously to the criticism, "Okay, maybe not universal... But [the backlash was] on Twitter! Everything on Twitter gets a backlash. I’ve seen Twitter tell Labradoodles to go [expletive] themselves. I just think it’s better to deal head-on with what’s an apparent issue to people."
He added, "I mean ... we’re just talking here! It was just one [expletive] show! It was 20 minutes! I did 20 minutes in one [expletive] show! But I guess as the famous saying goes: ‘Democracy dies in discussion.’ 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 then brain."
Deconstructing Tucker Carlson's Russia visit
Shifting gears, Stewart then critiqued Tucker Carlson's controversial interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin and mocked his praise for Moscow's infrastructure.
With a satirical tone, he questioned Carlson's motivations and his attempt to equate the systems of Russia and the United States.
"See, $104 for groceries sounds like a great bargain unless you realize Russians earn less than $200 a week. But that’s the kind of context that a — what did you call yourself earlier? A journalist would have provided.
But here’s the reality: You [expletive] know all this because you aren’t as dumb as your face would have us believe. Perhaps if your handlers had allowed, you would have seen there is a hidden fee to your cheap groceries and orderly streets. Ask Alexei Navalny or any of his supporters."
Stewart unmasks Carlson's narrative shift
Stewart speculated on Carlson's motives, "It’s because the old civilizational battle was communism vs capitalism — that’s what drove the world since World War II. Russia was the enemy then. But now they think the battle is woke vs un-woke.
And in that fight, Putin is an ally to the right. He’s their friend. Unfortunately, he is also a brutal and ruthless dictator. So now they have to make Americans a little more comfortable with that. I mean, liberty is nice, but have you seen Russia’s shopping carts? And Tucker would have gotten away with it if it weren’t for those meddling assassins [killing Navalny]."
Despite the controversy, Stewart's return to 'The Daily Show' attracted significant viewership, reaching 1.85 million viewers, marking the show's largest audience in nearly six years.
