Jon Stewart tells US news media ‘stop your whining’ and hold Donald Trump accountable

'Instead of worrying about whether Trump is un-American or if he thinks you’re the enemy... do something for yourself'

Jon Stewart has issued a strong rebuke to the media, urging it to “stop your whining” and “get a groove back on” to hold Donald Trump accountable for his actions.

Appearing on Stephen Colbert’s Late Show, the American satirist and comedian did not hold back and made a direct address to the press calling for “self-reflection and improvement”.

This comes a few days after the White House barred several major news outlets from a press briefing, including CNN, BBC, The New York Times, LA Times, New York Daily News, BuzzFeed, The Hill, and the Daily Mail.

Instead, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer hand-picked news outlets, such as Fox News, Breitbart News, One America News Network and The Washington Times, all news organisations with conservative leanings. Other major outlets approved included ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox News, Reuters and Bloomberg.

When asked by the CBS anchor what he thought about mainstream media being banned from the briefing, Mr Stewart said: “I can’t believe these guys have the balls to get away with that. Trump lies more in one press conference than CNN does in a year, and that’s coming from a guy who, as you know, hates CNN.”

Mr Colbert insisted the ban had been “un-American” and turning towards the camera to speak directly to the press, Mr Stewart said: “You know what I say, I say stop your whining press.

“I can talk to the media for a moment? Hi guys, hi media.

“So, I heard Donald Trump broke up with you. Stings a little, doesn’t it? You finally thought you’d met your match: a blabbermouth who’s as thin-skinned and narcissistic as you are. Well, now it’s over! Well, good riddance, I say. Kick. Him. To. The. Curb.”

He called on the media to “get its groove back on” after “letting itself go,” “putting on a few pundits” over time and nurturing an obsession “24 hours a day over this one guy [Donald Trump]”.

“And the whole time you’re all chasing after Donny, the rest of us are thinking, ‘But can’t you see he’s an a**hole?’”

“You try to defend him. ‘Oh, no, no, that’s just primaries Donald. That’s just election Donald. You’ll see. We can change him! He’ll get presidential! Yeah, how’d that work out? It didn’t. You know why? Because 70-year-old men don’t get less cranky or racist as time goes by. Unless they are visited at night by free spirits.”

The comedian compared the media’s relationship with President Trump as a rupture but he said this could end well for the press.

“Look, media,” Mr Stewart said. “I’m not saying the breakup is going to be easy. You’re going to see your ex swiping far-right with every Tom, Drudge, and Breitbart. And, from what I heard, they do anal.”

“But here’s my point, media. This breakup with Donald Trump has given you an amazing opportunity for self-reflection and improvement. Instead of worrying about whether Trump is un-American or if he thinks you’re the enemy or if he’s being mean to you or if he’s going to let you back in the briefings, do something for yourself. Take up a hobby. I recommend journalism.”

“I think this breakup is going to be the best thing that ever happened to you.”

Host Mr Colbert asked Mr Stewart: “You really think the media is going to take this opportunity for self-reflections and then get better at their jobs?”

“I really do,” he replied. “Believe me.”

Earlier on the show, Mr Colbert accused Mr Trump of “lying on purpose”.

“You know why we know how, because he constantly says the phrase 'believe me'. Nobody says the phrase 'believe me' unless they are lying,” he said.