What did Jon Stewart say about Trump? Daily show host slams President over Stephen Colbert Late show cancellation

Jon Stewart, during the July 21 broadcast of The Daily Show, slammed Donald Trump over the CBS network’s decision to cancel Stephen Colbert’s Late Show. While Stewart criticized CBS over their decision, he linked it directly to the Trump administration. Stewart further went on to say that the President was “insecure” and “fragile.”

In his trademark style, Stewart pointed out the contradictions in the network’s decision, while slamming CBS and taking pot shots at Trump. Stewart said,

“The fact that CBS didn't try to save their number one rated network late night franchise that's been on the air for over three decades is part of what's making everybody wonder, was this purely financial or maybe the path of least resistance for your $8 billion merger was killing a show that you know rankled a fragile and vengeful President so insecure, suffering terribly from a case of chronic p**** insufficiency. It’s a terrible disease.”

On July 17, CBS announced that the network would not be airing The Late Show with Stephen Colbert any more. CBS further announced that it would be cancelling the entire franchise soon.

CBS’ decision was attributed by the network to be of a financial nature.

The perfect end to this perfect day pic.twitter.com/Oy6hV8VmjO

— Jon Stewart (@jonstewart) July 28, 2022

However, Stewart during the Monday episode of the The Daily Show, found it hard to believe that it was merely financial reasons that guided CBS’ decision. Stewart directly connected CBS’ decision to cancel The Late Show with what he alleged was the “preemptive compliance” of institutions with the Trump administration.

Making reference to the fact that CBS’ parent company Paramount Global will be undergoing a financial merger soon, Stewart alleged that the network’s decision to cancel The Late Show was an attempt to placate the Trump administration, given the fact that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert has been critical of Trump and his government in the past.

Jon Steward on the need to take a stand

Jon Stewart was sensitive to the fact that finances play an important role in entertainment and the news industry. However, he was quick to point out that networks and corporations also need to consider the fact that shows which may be critical of the government and which the corporations fear may result in financial losses due to the current political environment are the very same shows which have significantly contributed to the company’s fortune.

Making direct references to shows like The Late Show and 60 minutes, Stewart said,

“I understand the fear that you and your advertisers have with $8 billion at stake. But understand this. Truly, the shows that you now seek to cancel, censor, and control, a not insignificant portion of that $8 billion value came from those f***ing shows. That's what made you that money.”

A bet is a bet. See you tonight @jalenbrunson1 https://t.co/WYqxrRdo7a pic.twitter.com/PUhUuiNBaI

— Jon Stewart (@jonstewart) February 1, 2025

Stewart also pointed out the fact that many of the decisions made by corporations did not make financial sense in the long run, and he further went on to criticize the strategies of corporations which have allegedly decided to placate the administration.

Making a reference to Fox News, and the upcoming legal battle between President Trump and media magnate Robert Murdoch, who owns Fox News, Stewart claimed that it is difficult to continuously placate Trump. Stewart said,

“And if you believe, as corporations or as networks, you can make yourselves so innocuous that you can serve a gruel so flavorless that you will never again be on the boy king's radar…you are f***ing wrong.”

This is not the first time that Jon Stewart has used the platform of The Daily Show to launch a critique of the way politicians and corporations are dealing with the changes in the political climate.