Jon Stewart Proposes Democrats Replace Biden, Points to European Precedents

"The Daily Show" host Jon Stewart shared strong opinions about President Joe Biden’s debate performance and his chances in the upcoming election. Stewart began by criticizing the lengthy period between primaries and elections in the U.S., comparing it to shorter European election cycles.

“Four months is for-f***ing-ever!” Stewart exclaimed during his monologue on Monday’s show.

Unlike other Hollywood figures, Stewart did not explicitly call for Biden to end his campaign or resign. However, he did suggest that a dialogue should occur following Biden’s shaky debate performance last month.

“Can’t we stress test this candidacy?” Stewart asked. “Can’t we open up the conversation? Do you understand the opportunity here? Do you have any idea how thirsty Americans are for any hint of inspiration or leadership, and a release from this choice [between] a megalomaniac and a suffocating gerontocracy?”

Stewart described Biden’s debate performance as “a shocking display of cognitive difficulty,” likening it to the struggles faced by aging parents. “It’s a hard watch,” he added.

Stewart claimed that former President Donald Trump performed as expected during the debate, highlighting Biden’s perceived incompetency. “The difference is Trump delivered at the debate to expectation. We expect him to be f***ing crazy. But Biden’s performance, and inability to articulate at times, was stunning. I could not believe what I was watching… But then it got worse,” Stewart continued.

He criticized the lack of honest discussion following the debate, saying, “Rather than respecting the American people and having an honest, at least partial conversation about what we had all seen, we were told immediately, ‘these are not the droids you’re looking for.’”

“Authoritarianism and Donald Trump aren’t the only threats our democracy faces… ‘Get on board or shut the f*** up’ is not a particularly compelling pro-democracy bumper sticker,” Stewart argued.

Stewart also pushed back against claims that there isn’t enough time to replace Biden as the Democratic candidate, citing examples from European elections. “Britain just held an election in two months. France had two in one month, defeated fascism and still had time to have an affair with Denmark… Four months. It’s 119 days,” he said.

Stewart suggested that the Democratic Party could hold a rapid primary process, saying, “On Tuesday, the winners could move on to the next round and then face Biden… Thursday, the party emerges, energized, unified, sanctified. You could televise the entire proceeding for four days.”

He concluded his monologue by referencing Biden’s own words, “So, feel free to ignore any obvious weaknesses in your team’s existential fight for freedom and democracy, and then just white-knuckle this thing till November. Or take the advice of your own candidate.”

Stewart then played a clip of Biden mentioning that there were “about fifty” Democrats who could defeat Trump.

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