Stewart told the tech billionaire to drop the pretense
The Daily Show has hosted some of the most powerful figures in politics, from Jimmy Carter to Barack Obama and Joe Biden, all of whom have faced Jon Stewart’s trademark tough questions. Yet, despite being one of the most talked-about figures in America, former President Donald Trump has yet to take the hot seat opposite Stewart. But even though Trump hasn’t made an appearance, his name continues to dominate discussions on the show.
Elon Musk, another high-profile figure who has yet to face Stewart’s probing interview style, also finds himself in the spotlight, thanks to his role as a “special government employee” and head of the Department of Government Efficiency. While Musk has no issue delving into wild conspiracy theories about Fort Knox with Joe Rogan, he seems more hesitant to sit down for a chat with Jon Stewart. It’s clear that The Daily Show has no shortage of intriguing figures in its sights.
The drama began when Jon Stewart took aim at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and its push to cut $2 trillion from government spending. On The Daily Show, Stewart tore into the initiative, suggesting profits from Big Pharma should be targeted instead. In the heat of his rant, Stewart dramatically smashed a coffee cup—and ended up cutting his hand in the process.
After Stewart’s takedown of DOGE, Musk responded to a fan’s suggestion that he appear on the show to defend his side. But Musk had one condition: “I’ll do it if the show airs unedited.” The Daily Show quickly accepted, expressing eagerness to have the world’s richest man as a guest.
Stewart, seemingly amused, agreed to Musk’s terms, adding: “After thinking about his offer, I realized, that’s how in-studio interviews normally air. So, sure.” He even joked that they could make it a marathon session: “We can do 15 minutes, an hour, two hours, whatever… As long as we wrap before the new season of South Park comes out.”
But things took an unexpected turn when Stewart noticed another Musk post, in which the billionaire seemed to backtrack on the idea of appearing. Musk claimed, “Jon is too set in his ways. He used to be more bipartisan.”
This didn’t sit well with Stewart, who fired back, “The guy who custom-made his own Dark MAGA hat, that he wears to opine in the Oval Office with the president he spent $270 million to elect, thinks I’m too partisan?”
Stewart wasn’t done yet. He continued, “Look, Elon, I’ve got criticisms about DOGE… If you want to come on and talk about it, great. If not, fine. But let’s drop the act that you won’t come because I don’t meet your standards of ‘neutral discourse.’ Because honestly, that’s bullst. You know it. I know it. Bullst.”
If Musk and Stewart can finally work things out, it could be a Daily Show episode that fans will never forget.
