Stewart Slams Trump, Defends Free Speech in Surprise Daily Show Return

Jon Stewart made a surprise return to The Daily Show on Thursday night in New York, using a sharply satirical monologue to mock President Donald Trump’s recent UK visit and push back against ABC’s suspension of fellow host Jimmy Kimmel. In a rare Thursday appearance, Stewart transformed the Comedy Central set into a gilded parody of state media, turning the focus to free speech and media censorship in the wake of Kimmel’s suspension.

Nut Graf

Stewart’s Thursday-night comeback underscored the heightened tensions between late-night comedy and political power. His segment highlighted concerns over FCC threats, affiliate pushback against Kimmel’s remarks, and broader fears about chilling effects on free speech.

Key Moments

• Stewart opened with an “administration-compliant” introduction, praising Trump as “our dear father” amid gold-trimmed decor.
• He lampooned Trump’s state visit to the UK, joking about royal pageantry and the so-called “Talent-o-Meter” that allegedly gauges performers’ loyalty.
• The host directly referenced Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension, framing it as a test of First Amendment protections.
• Nobel laureate Maria Ressa joined via satellite to discuss media freedom under authoritarian pressure.
• Stewart and the show’s correspondents closed with a mock musical number celebrating Trump, underscoring the absurdity of self-censorship.

Free Speech Under Fire

Stewart warned that FCC threats against broadcasters could force networks to muzzle dissenting voices. He noted that Nexstar Media Group’s decision to preempt Kimmel’s show sent a “chill through every desk in every newsroom.” Stewart quipped that critics might call this “a cynical concentration of power”-but he declared, “I think it’s fantastic,” dripping with irony.

Industry Reactions

Representatives from Comedy Central insisted Stewart’s appearance was pre-approved by the network and the FCC. ABC declined to comment further on Kimmel’s status. Meanwhile, other late-night hosts have used varying tones-some solemn, some satirical-to address the suspension and its implications for creative freedom.

What’s Next

The Daily Show airs new episodes weekdays at 11 p.m. ET on Comedy Central and streams on Paramount+ the following morning. Stewart is slated to return to his usual Monday slot next week, leaving open the question of whether his Thursday cameo signals more unscheduled appearances.