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The 2024 presidential election might only be four months away — but according to Jon Stewart, that’s more than enough time for Democrats to figure out a new game plan.
The comedian’s stance comes amid calls for President Joe Biden to step down following his disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump, which has left many high-profile Democrats questioning his ability to serve a second term in the White House.
“Authoritarianism and Donald Trump aren’t the only threats our democracy faces,” Stewart said on Monday night’s (June 8) episode of The Daily Show. “An arthritic status quo, unable or unwilling to respond in any way to the concerns of voters who just received new and urgent information about their candidate also erodes confidence and faith in the system of government.”
Stewart added, “‘Get on board or shut the fuck up’ is not a particularly compelling pro-democracy bumper sticker,” referring to Biden’s refusal to step aside for a new candidate.
The talk show host noted that four months is “for fucking ever” — and if Britain can hold an election in two months and France can hold “two in one month,” there’s no reason why the United States can’t change course with “119 days” left until the election.
“There are contestants on The Bachelor, who haven’t even met yet, who will get married and divorced between now and the election,” he joked. “We have nothing but time!”
Stewart assured viewers that he was not calling for Biden to “drop out” of the race, but wanted politicians to “open up the conversation” for a different Democrat to run against Trump.
“Do you have any idea how thirsty Americans are for any hint of inspiration or leadership and release from this choice of a megalomaniac and a suffocating gerontocracy? It is crushing our fucking spirits!” he said, before quipping, “All we want is for someone to keep it 100. The percentage. Not the age.”
Stewart suggested that Democrats get together and each one give a sales pitch on how they plan to “make democracy more responsive to the people it is supposed to serve,” before moving on to face Biden in their own debate.
“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 until November,” he directed toward Democrats. “Or take the advice of your own candidate.”
He concluded the segment by pulling up a video of a December 2023 press conference in which Biden says “probably 50” Democrats other than himself could beat Trump.
The Daily Show airs weeknights at 11/10c on Comedy Central.