'He blew it': Hasan Minhaj faces backlash for humorously addressing 'Daily Show' departure amid fact-checking scandal

At the 'Netflix Is a Joke' comedy festival on Thursday, Minhaj hosted a showcase highlighting various comedians
PUBLISHED MAY 4, 2024
The New Yorker article scrutinized several stories from Hasan Minhaj's comedy specials (ABC News screenshot/YouTube)
The New Yorker article scrutinized several stories from Hasan Minhaj's comedy specials (ABC News screenshot/YouTube)

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: At the 'Netflix Is a Joke' comedy festival on May 2nd, Hasan Minhaj curated a showcase that featured a diverse array of comedians.

During the event, Ronny Chieng closed the lineup with a humorous remark: “I’m surprised Hasan's able to do this show. I guess 'canceling' isn’t what it used to be.”

Hasan Minhaj on The Blocks Podcast
(Neal Brennan via Wikipedia)
Hasan Minhaj on 'The Blocks Podcast' (Neal Brennan via Wikipedia)

The quip refers to a controversy ignited by a September New Yorker story that sought to fact-check Minhaj's stand-up comedy.

Minhaj and Ronny Chieng reflect on 'Daily Show' experience

Previously, Variety had reported exclusively that Minhaj was the leading candidate to succeed Trevor Noah as host of 'The Daily Show,' but the scandal resulted in him losing the opportunity.

In a different arrangement, Jon Stewart came back to host Monday night episodes, while other correspondents took charge for the remainder of the week.

At the festival, Minhaj humorously heckled Chieng from the audience, jokingly accusing him, "You planted that story about me!"

(FUNG BROS. via Wikipedia)
On May 2, Hasan Minhaj joined Ronny Chieng onstage (FUNG BROS via Wikipedia)

He then joined Chieng onstage, jesting about their time as 'Daily Show' correspondents and the lost hosting opportunity, saying, "Who the f**k fact-checks stand-up comedy? Only Ronny Chieng would set me up with some f**king mouth-breathing journalist."

They reminisced about their initial meeting as correspondents on 'The Daily Show' in 2015, during which Minhaj jokingly brought up the hosting position. When Chieng mentioned the show's name, Minhaj playfully responded, "Job you f**ked me out of."

“We’ve all failed in our lives, but have you ever failed so bad, that you brought back Jon Stewart?” he continued. “I saved a dying institution. You’re welcome.”


 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Hasan Minhaj (@hasanminhaj)


 

To add context, The New Yorker article fact-checked numerous anecdotes from Minhaj’s comedy specials, prompting him to confess that he had embellished certain details from his life.

However, he maintained that while there might have been embellishments, the essence of his stories remained grounded in "emotional truths."

Indeed, Stewart's return revitalized 'The Daily Show,' bringing it to viewership heights not seen since his departure in 2015.

Minhaj is presently on his 'Off With His Head' stand-up tour, slated to record a special this summer, while Chieng is touring with 'Love to Hate It.'

Netizens react strongly to Hasan Minhaj's controversial remarks

Social media erupted in outrage over Minhaj's controversial comments, sparking a viral storm of criticism.

One X user noted, "Well Jon is reasonably talented and you aren’t."



 

Another commented, "Yep, it’s still all about him and his 'failure.' He still doesn’t care about the people he defamed."

(Vaariety/ Facebook)
Social media erupted in outrage over Minhaj's controversial comments, sparking a viral storm of criticism (Variety/ Facebook)

One more user noted, "Jon Stewart is unbeatable, but if they want a new host, Jordan Klepper is by far the best one."

One person commented, "He has a point. The Daily Show cannot work without Jon Stuwart..." [sic]

Another user observed, "He was condescending at best doing his show talking like someone with authority and expertise on his topics and that was far from the truth. Glad he is gone."

(Variety/ Facebook)
(Variety/ Facebook)
(Variety/ Facebook)
(Variety/ Facebook)

One tweet read, "He was the best host but he blew it."

This article contains remarks made on the internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.  

MORE STORIES

The post Khloe Kardashian liked featured Charlie Kirk speaking with a fan at an event about his devout Christian faith
Sep 13, 2025
Whitney Cummings sparked widespread outrage after posting a controversial tweet about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk
Sep 13, 2025
Prince Harry was spotted entering King Charles’s London residence, months after saying his father had ignored his calls
Sep 11, 2025
Rosie O'Donnell said Ellen DeGeneres’ friendship denial hurt so much she printed T-shirts for her staff reading, 'I don’t know Rosie, we’re not friends'
Sep 10, 2025
A post alleged that Karoline Leavitt called Patti LaBelle 'just a singer,' leading LaBelle to deliver a seven-word response that froze the studio
Sep 10, 2025
Jennifer Lopez feels free channeling emotions into music, but Ben Affleck is embarrassed and sees it as crossing a line, according to the source
Sep 9, 2025
Howard Stern added that he missed last week’s show due to illness, not contract talks, and addressed rumors of being fired from his own show
Sep 9, 2025
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement in August 2025 triggered a wave of pregnancy chatter after an ultrasound photo went viral
Sep 9, 2025
Ed Sheeran, 34, revealed that he was leaving Suffolk with his wife Cherry Seaborn and their two daughters, Lyra and Jupiter
Sep 9, 2025
From Ice Spice’s chaotic corset to Paris Hilton’s flame dress, see the celebs who landed on the worst-dressed list at the 2025 VMAs
Sep 8, 2025