Jon Stewart tells audience ‘it will pass’ in hopeful off air message about US election
‘The Daily Show’ host had one of the strongest rebukes to Trump’s win
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Jon Stewart called his studio audience a “beautiful distraction” and thanked them for their “dedication” after his US election show went off the air on Tuesday following Donald Trump’s shock victory.
The host of The Daily Show had one of the strongest reactions to Trump’s win, which saw the Republican sweep many of the swing states, handing him a stunning return to the White House.
Lashing out at pollsters, Stewart told them “You don’t know s*** about s***, and I don’t care for you.”
“My point is this: F***!,” yelled Stewart. “But this isn’t the end. I promise you, this is not the end. And we have to regroup, and we have to continue to fight, and continue to work day in and day out to create the better society for our children, for this world.”
Variety has since reported what Stewart told his studio audience after the show went off the air.
“Can I tell you what a joy you were, how happy I am to have spent the evening with you and not sitting at home throwing shit at my television screen,” the comedian said.
“You have helped us all have a beautiful distraction, and you’re gonna leave here, and you’re gonna look at your phone, and you’re gonna go home, and you’re gonna have that weird feeling where your knees feel wobbly, and you’re like, ‘Do I have hypoglycemia?’ But you don’t! You just have a temporary anxiety and paralysis that comes with disappointment and just a soupçon of despair.”
The 60-year-old added: “It will pass. And we will be back, digging ditches for democracy once again in the way that we have always had to do, and I thank you guys for your dedication, and I thank you for being here. Get home safe.”
Stewart was among the many late-night TV hosts in the United States who gave despondent messages to their audiences about the election results.
As supporters of Harris, each presenter, ranging from Jimmy Kimmel to Stephen Colbert, shared anti-Trump sentiments, with Kimmel struggling to hold back tears on Wednesday night (6 November).
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled
Kimmel, acknowledging the fact that Trump was convicted of a crime earlier this year, said of the result: “We chose the criminal.”
Seth Meyers promised to bring viewers joy amid times of uncertainty in the wake of the election result.
“We’re not gonna let anything take that joy away, even when we’re not talking about things that are particularly joyful,” he said, adding: “For example, here’s something: I don’t think Donald Trump’s a good person. I’d even go so far as to say he’s a bad person.”
Stephen Colbert was more frank in his approach, calling Trump “a monstrous child surrounded by cowards and grifters”
He said it was “hard to see a bright side”, and joked that he was wearing his “fundamentally questioning my belief in humanity: sticker.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments