Jon Stewart, known for his sharp political commentary, took aim at the attendees of President Trump’s inauguration during a post-ceremony segment on The Daily Show. The late-night host didn’t hold back, especially when it came to Democratic lawmakers who chose to attend the event, despite their prior criticism of Trump. Stewart ridiculed these figures for participating in the traditional inauguration celebrations as though it was just another day in Washington, DC.
In his segment, Stewart showcased footage of various Democratic leaders arriving at the event and engaging in the usual pleasantries, which he deemed contradictory to their previous condemnation of Trump. He sarcastically remarked, “Look at me, Ma! Oh, let’s go see Hitler and get a quick selfie first! Hello! Look at us! A quick one for the ‘Gram!’” He specifically called out former President Obama and other prominent figures such as George Bush and Mike Pence, who were also present. Stewart emphasized that, of all the politicians, Michelle Obama seemed to be the only one with consistent principles, jokingly saying, “Only Michelle Obama seemed to have the consistent ethical stance of saying, ‘When they go low, I stay the f*** home.’”
The remarks were a clear jab at the apparent hypocrisy he saw in some Democrats attending the event, given the extreme rhetoric some had used against Trump during his campaign and early presidency. While Stewart did acknowledge the decorum of the event, his comments highlighted the growing dissonance between what politicians say in public and how they act in practice.
Stewart also had some biting words for tech billionaire Elon Musk, who was spotted making a controversial gesture during the inauguration. The moment became a topic of heated debate on social media, as many speculated about the nature of Musk’s hand movement. Stewart played the footage during his segment, offering a somewhat charitable interpretation by suggesting it was “just an awkward ‘My heart goes out to you’ gesture.” However, he didn’t let Musk off the hook entirely, humorously adding, “Please try not to use it again.”
But after showing another clip of Musk repeating the same gesture moments later, Stewart’s sarcasm intensified. “Son of a bitch! You really want to make sure that people in the back can see it,” he joked. Stewart, ever the master of comedic exaggeration, then speculated that the gesture could have been Musk’s attempt to “Dab on the Haters,” adding another layer of humor to the situation.
The segment quickly gained attention, with Stewart’s humorous yet critical remarks about the political elite and their actions resonating with viewers. His ability to blend humor with pointed political critique continues to make him a powerful voice in political comedy, offering both laughter and thought-provoking commentary on the state of modern American politics.
