Jon Stewart reveals why Trump never tried to cancel him like Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert

Jon Stewart acknowledged his past experiences with Donald Trump as he explained why he thinks the president may have overlooked 'The Daily Show'
UPDATED OCT 4, 2025
Jon Stewart doesn't think 'The Daily Show' is on the radar of Donald Trump (Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Night of Too Many Stars)
Jon Stewart doesn't think 'The Daily Show' is on the radar of Donald Trump (Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Night of Too Many Stars)

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Comedian and 'The Daily Show' host Jon Stewart opened up on Thursday, October 2, on 'The Weekly Show with John Stewart' podcast about why Donald Trump hasn’t tried to cancel him, despite targeting other late-night hosts over the years.

Stewart reflected on past encounters with Trump, including a memorable pre-presidency Twitter insult, and concluded that the POTUS doesn't care, probably because he isn't as relevant as Jimmy Kimmel and the others. 

Jon Stewart reflects on Trump’s early attacks

"I’ve had my experiences with him [Donald Trump] in the past," Jon Stewart said, recalling a night when Donald Trump, in a 2.30 am tweet, called him a "p***y." In the 2013 tweet, the presdient had written, "Little Jon Stewart(?) Is a p***y, he would be hopeless in a debate with me!" 

“This is obviously before he was the commander-in-chief of the United States,” 'The Daily Show' host added. He pointed out that Trump's tweet came as they claimed that each should go by a different name.



 

Trump alleged that Stewart's real name was Jonathan Leibowitz and so he should appreciate his Jewish heritage more.



 

To this, Stewart replied, "Well, you know, he doesn’t like people to know, but his real name is F***face Von Clownstick.”

Jon Stewart thinks that he isn't relevant enough for Trump 

Jimmy Kimmel’s ABC show was briefly pulled from the air following threats from FCC Chair Brendan Carr, and CBS announced the cancellation of Stephen Colbert's show in July, saying it was "purely a financial decision."

So, while Trump has mocked or threatened the other late-night hosts, Stewart has mostly flown under the radar. 

This is despite some of the harshest critiques of the president. So, why is that? 'The Daily Show' host offered a self-deprecating explanation, saying on the podcast, "It’s a function of relevance. I don’t think we are on the radar."

Jimmy Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon (Getty)
Donald Trump has repeatedly targeted Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel, and Jimmy Fallon (Getty Images)

The conversation was prompted by a fan question suggesting that Trump may have overlooked Stewart because 'The Daily Show' airs on cable.

Stewart agreed to this as well, noting that Trump has focused his attention elsewhere.

TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - MAY 01: U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks to graduating students at the Coleman Coliseum at the University of Alabama on May 01, 2025 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Trump's remarks come the day before commencement ceremonies. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump delivers remarks to graduating students at the Coleman Coliseum at the University of Alabama on May 1, 2025, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Stewart also expressed hope that the network, Comedy Central, would continue supporting him if he ever faced the Republican leader's wrath in the future.

“We continue to do what we do and the hope is that the company that we work for continues to appreciate what it is that we do,” he said.

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