Major Controversies Surrounding Jon Stewart: A Detailed Timeline

A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Jon Stewart.

Jon Stewart is a multifaceted American entertainer, best known for hosting 'The Daily Show' from 1999-2015 and part-time since 2024, a satirical news program that significantly influenced political discourse. He also hosted 'The Problem with Jon Stewart' on Apple TV+. His work is characterized by sharp wit, political satire, and social commentary. Stewart's contributions have earned him numerous awards, including multiple Primetime Emmy Awards, Grammy Awards, Peabody Awards, the Bronze Medallion, and the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Controversies & Scandals

October 15, 2004: Crossfire Appearance

On October 15, 2004, Jon Stewart appeared on CNN's Crossfire and criticized the state of television journalism. He pleaded with hosts Tucker Carlson and Paul Begala to "stop hurting America" and referred to them as "partisan hacks".

2004: Criticism of Crossfire

In 2004, Jon Stewart criticized the show Crossfire for failing to inform and educate viewers, accusing it of partisan hackery. The exchange became widely viewed online.

January 2005: CNN cancels Crossfire

In January 2005, CNN announced the cancellation of Crossfire. CNN's incoming president, Jonathan Klein, cited Jon Stewart's appearance as contributing to the decision due to the show's "noise level".

April 4, 2006: Stewart confronts John McCain on The Daily Show

On April 4, 2006, Jon Stewart confronted US Senator John McCain on The Daily Show about McCain's decision to appear at Liberty University, an institution founded by Jerry Falwell.

2007: Ted Nugent's Violent Rhetoric

In 2014, Stewart criticized Hannity for supporting Ted Nugent's violent rhetoric toward Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton in 2007.

March 4, 2009: CNBC controversy on The Daily Show

On March 4, 2009, The Daily Show ran a segment showing CNBC giving poor investment advice after CNBC canceled Rick Santelli's scheduled appearance on The Daily Show.

Loading Video...

March 18, 2009: Tucker Carlson Criticizes Stewart

On March 18, 2009, Tucker Carlson wrote a blog entry criticizing Jon Stewart for his handling of the CNBC controversy, recounting the CNN incident and claiming Stewart lectured the staff for an hour.

April 28, 2009: Statement on Harry Truman and the atomic bomb

On April 28, 2009, Jon Stewart stated that former President Harry S. Truman was a war criminal for his use of the atomic bomb on Japan during World War II, but apologized for the statement on April 30, 2009.

November 2009: Criticism of Fox News for distorting news about Tea Party rally

In November 2009, Jon Stewart called out Fox News for using footage from a previous Tea Party rally during a report on a more recent rally, which made the latter appear more highly attended than it was. The show's anchor, Sean Hannity, apologized for the footage use the following night.

2009: Face-to-face confrontation with Jim Cramer on The Daily Show

In 2009, Jon Stewart had a highly anticipated face-to-face confrontation with Jim Cramer on The Daily Show, following media coverage of their exchanges. The episode became the second most-viewed episode of the show, trailing only the Inauguration Day episode. The show's website saw its highest day of traffic that year. Cramer acknowledged some of Stewart's criticisms of CNBC but later called Stewart's criticism of the media "naïve and misleading" on The Today Show.

Loading Video...

2010: Increased Criticism of Fox News

In 2010, Jon Stewart stepped up his criticism of Fox News. Within five months, The Daily Show had 24 segments criticizing Fox News coverage. Bill O'Reilly, host of The O'Reilly Factor on Fox News, responded by calling The Daily Show a "key component of left-wing television."

Loading Video...

2010: Rally in 2010

In 2014, Sean Hannity called out Stewart for associating himself with Cat Stevens during his Rally in 2010.

June 2011: Daily Show bit about Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain

In June 2011, The Daily Show ran a bit about Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain.

June 19, 2011: Chris Wallace Interview

On June 19, 2011, Jon Stewart called Chris Wallace "insane" for saying that Stewart's comparison of a Sarah Palin campaign video and an anti-herpes medicine ad was a political comment. Stewart also stated that Fox viewers are the "most consistently misinformed" viewers of political media, a comment later rated as false with conditions by PolitiFact, which Stewart accepted.

August 2014: Criticism of Fox News coverage of Ferguson shooting

In late August 2014, Jon Stewart criticized the manner in which Fox News portrayed the events surrounding the shooting of teenager Michael Brown by police officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, Missouri, and the subsequent protests from citizens.

July 2015: Wyatt Cenac Discusses Uncomfortable Daily Show Bit

In July 2015, Writer Wyatt Cenac said that Jon Stewart cursed him out after Cenac acknowledged he was uncomfortable about a June 2011 Daily Show bit about Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain.

2023: Criticizes Biden's handling of Gaza war

In 2023, Jon Stewart criticized Joe Biden's handling of the 2023 Gaza war, citing a reluctance to condemn the Israeli occupation of Palestine while condemning Russian aggression towards Ukraine. Stewart described the Israeli policy towards Palestinians as a genocide.

April 2024: Claim of Apple Restricting Interview with Lina Khan

In April 2024, Jon Stewart claimed that Apple restricted him from interviewing Lina Khan, the Chair of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), on his podcast.