Jon Stewart has launched a scathing critique of Republican lawmakers who briefly opposed Donald Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” before ultimately voting in favour of it. Speaking on Monday’s episode of The Daily Show, Stewart called the legislation a “legislative coup” and lambasted the performative nature of the opposition.
The bill, which Trump signed on July 4, includes deep cuts to Medicaid, renewable energy, student loans, and food stamps, while increasing defence spending and providing tax relief for the wealthy. Stewart noted it adds $3.4 trillion to the national deficit. He mocked a clip of Republicans dancing to “YMCA” after the vote, joking it was “the party they had for the Epstein list not being released.”
Stewart attacked the hypocrisy of Republicans who rushed the bill through Congress after previously criticising Democrats for not allowing enough time to read legislation. He also criticised the ineffective Democratic response from Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries, and the media’s credulous coverage of Republicans who voiced opposition but voted yes.
The host argued that the opposition was “scripted to allow certain senators plausible deniability, without putting any part of that agenda actually at risk.” He showed clips of Senators Josh Hawley, Ron Johnson, Tim Burchett, and Lisa Murkowski speaking out before voting in favour, calling it “all pro wrestling.”
Stewart also targeted House Republicans Steve Scalise, Pat Fallon, and Troy Nehls for pushing “a bulls*** gospel of austerity,” noting Nehls smoked a cigar while backing cuts to healthcare and school lunches. “Somehow, it is fiscally irresponsible to build a stronger floor for everyone to stand on if it may, in any way, lower the already astronomical ceiling height experienced by the rare few,” Stewart concluded.
