Jon Stewart says Trump is 'a reaction' to both Democrats and Republicans

Jon Stewart has spoken.
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Jon Stewart has some choice words to say about both Republicans and Democrats.

In making his press rounds to promote his new book, The Daily Show: An Oral History, the longtime political comedian was asked by Charlie Rose of CBS This Morning about his reaction to the surprising victory of President-elect Donald Trump.

"I don't believe we are a fundamentally different country today than we were two weeks ago," Stewart told Rose on the show, "The same country with all its grace and flaws, and volatility, and insecurity, and strength, and resilience exists today as existed two weeks ago. The same country that elected Donald Trump elected Barack Obama."

"I feel badly for the people for whom this election will mean more uncertainty and insecurity, but I also feel like this fight has never been easy," he continued.

The comedian then took aim at Republican leaders, calling out Senator Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Paul Ryan specifically, who, Stewart claims, have made entire political careers on the stance that the government doesn't work, and then using their power to ensure that it doesn't.

"Donald Trump is a reaction not just to Democrats, but to Republicans," he explained, "He is not a Republican - he's a repudiation of Republicans, but they will reap the benefits of his victory."

The former Daily Show host had harsh words for his fellow liberals as well. "There is now this idea that anyone who voted for [Trump] has to be defined by the worst of his rhetoric," he said.

"In the liberal community, you hate this idea of creating people as a monolith," the comedian explained, "Don't look at Muslims as a monolith. They are individuals and it would be ignorance [to say] everybody who voted for Trump is a monolith, is a racist. That hypocrisy is also real in our country."

Stewart claimed America wages a fight "against ourselves" because it is not "natural."

"Natural is tribal," he said. "We’re fighting against thousands of years of human behavior and history to create something that no one’s ever - that’s what’s exceptional about America...this ain’t easy.”

Mashable Potato

Recommended For You
Jon Stewart hits back at MAGA's reaction to Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show
A man in a suit sits behind a talk show desk. In the top left is a screenshot of a Truth Social post.

Jon Stewart has a brutal reaction to Trump waffling about pens
A man in a suit sitting behind a talk show desk looks angry. In the top left is an image of the president holding up a pen.


Jon Stewart shares his blunt thoughts on Trump and Venezuela
A man sits behind a talk show desk looking unimpressed. In the top left is an image of the president.

Jon Stewart analyses Trump's Iran war announcement
A man in a suit sits behind a talk show desk. The caption at the bottom reads, "This is how we're doing this?"

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 3, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 4, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 3, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone

Google launches Gemma 4, a new open-source model: How to try it
Google Gemma

NYT Strands hints, answers for April 3, 2026
A game being played on a smartphone.
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!