Jon Stewart hosted the first edition of The Daily Show since fellow late-night host Jimmy Kimmel was suspended by ABC. Marketing itself as the 'all new government approved Daily Show', Stewart appeared in a studio adorned with gold trimming, in an apparent nod to President Trump's goldening of the Oval Office.
Promising a 'fun, hilarious and administration-compliant show', Stewart at times seemed to channel Ri Chun-hee, North Korea's famed news anchor, as he spoke of America's dear 'father' with his legendary 'warmth and radiance', who is always 'perfectly tinted'. After a recap of Trump's state visit to the United Kingdom, Stewart addressed Kimmel's suspension, airing a clip of ITV journalist Robert Peston asking Trump whether free speech was more under threat in the UK or the US.
Stewart then aired clips providing a refresher on the new 'rules of free speech', including a two-month-old social media post from Trump in which the president threatened that Kimmel's show would be 'next' to be axed. The FCC chair, Brendan Carr, appointed by Trump, has been doing media rounds after comments interpreted as lighting the fuse for Kimmel's suspension. Carr said his goal was to ensure broadcasters were 'serving the public interest', and warned of consequences for ABC affiliates if action was not taken against Kimmel.
Journalist Maria Ressa, who won the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize, told Stewart that the speed at which Trump has 'collapsed' America's institutions has happened much faster than she anticipated. She drew comparisons between the Trump administration and the government of former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte, pointing to the targeting of individual justices and attacks on the rule of law. Ressa said that power is consolidated through 'fear, anger and hate', and that social media 'spreads lies'.
