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Jon Stewart Takes Aim at Senator Schumer’s Public Persona
On Monday’s broadcast of “The Daily Show,” host Jon Stewart offered sharp criticism of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., following a series of public appearances that Stewart found less than effective. Stewart notably likened Schumer to a “human flat tire” after a recent attempt at humor by the senator failed to resonate during a press conference concerning the ongoing government shutdown.
The moment in question occurred when Senator Schumer, attempting a lighthearted moment, introduced new data from KFF. “New data came out today from KFF, and that is not Kentucky Fried French Fries. KFF,” Schumer quipped, then giggled to himself before turning to Senator Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and adding, “That’d be Kentucky French Fries, hm?”
Stewart was quick to react to the joke, questioning its intended audience. “Who is that joke even for?
Six-year-olds who watch C-SPAN?” he remarked, suggesting the humor was misplaced.
He further commented on Senator Klobuchar’s visible reaction, humorously implying her discomfort.
Beyond the ill-fated joke, Stewart also focused on Schumer’s physical delivery during the same press conference. The late-night host played a clip of Schumer emphatically stating, “Democrats are adamant that we must protect the healthcare of the American people,” while repeatedly raising and slamming his fists at his sides in an exaggerated manner.
Stewart, after a deep breath, dryly commented, “Um, good points. Not crazy about this,” while mimicking the senator’s hand movements.
This recent critique is not an isolated incident for Stewart, who has previously voiced concerns about Schumer’s effectiveness as a Democratic Party spokesperson. In February, Stewart urged Democrats to reconsider “trotting Schumer out” to speak after the senator responded to proposed tariffs by highlighting their potential impact on beer and guacamole costs.
Stewart pointed out the obvious, “Your response to the trade war is to tell us guacamole is made of avocados?” after Schumer had been seen holding up a can of Corona and an avocado.
Stewart continued his commentary in March, once again criticizing Schumer for what he perceived as an inability to effectively counter the agenda of President Trump and congressional Republicans. Stewart famously compared the Democratic Party’s efforts to a “stationary bike,” symbolizing intense effort without forward progress.
He further elaborated on this metaphor by referencing a 2019 clip where Schumer claimed to frequently speak with Republican members at the gym. Stewart quipped that in such a setting, Republicans might only be agreeable to be left alone, concluding that “pedaling really hard and not going anywhere, it’s a great metaphor for the Democratic Party right now.”