Jon Stewart to Dems: Quit calling everything Trump does 'fascist'

Jon Stewart is urging President Trump's critics not to reflexively call every move he makes "fascist," saying it clouds the ability to warn about actual authoritarian actions.

"This is the cycle we find ourselves in. First law of Trumpodynamics: Every action is met with a very not equal overreaction," Stewart said Monday on Comedy Central's "The Daily Show," after playing clips of top Democrats criticizing Trump's decision last week to fire independent inspectors general.

The "overreaction," Stewart said, is "throwing off our ability to know when s‑‑‑ is actually getting real."

After playing a clip of Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) decrying Trump's mass pardons for rioters charged in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol as "sick" and "un-American" and MSNBC's Rachel Maddow calling it a move from a "textbook authoritarian takeover 101" playbook, Stewart said, "Should you have let some of those terrible people out? No! Is it an abuse of pardon power? I don't f‑‑‑ing know. But that is his constitutional power."

"We are facing a deluge of these executive actions. And certainly we must be prepared for those most vulnerable to the consequences of these actions," the 62-year-old comedian said.

"But the 'this is all fascist' argument has become almost a reflex for the left," he continued.

"I have a lot of fear that as this term goes on, things are going to get a little fascisty. And we must be vigilant. But part of vigilance is discernment," Stewart told the audience.

As a counterexample, he pointed to Trump's executive action attempting to curtail birthright citizenship, a move that goes against the 14th Amendment. But he pointed out that a federal judge promptly froze that order, indicating the government's checks and balances are still in place.

"Republicans control the House, the Senate, the executive and the judiciary. And just about every move that has been made until this point we have granted them electorally. It's our f‑‑‑ing fault," Stewart exclaimed.

"The constant drumbeat of encroaching fascism will erode the credibility we will need if — hopefully if, and not when — it hits," he said.

"The truth is, for now," Stewart said, "[Trump's] most objectionable actions have taken place almost entirely within our designed democratic system."

Topics

Jon Stewart Can’t Keep Up With the Purges

As many as 17 inspectors general were fired by President Trump. “That only leaves — no one knows how many left,” Stewart said. “I have no idea.”
The New York Times - 1d
Everything that's coming to Call of Duty Black Ops 6 in Season 2

Players will encounter brand new maps in Season 2 of Black Ops 6 -- and some old familiar favorites.
ESPN - 6d
Stewart Rhodes, Oath Keepers leader freed by Trump, seen on Capitol Hill

Stewart Rhodes was serving an 18-year prison sentence for seditious conspiracy when he was freed by President Trump.
CBS News - Jan. 22
Jon Stewart on tech moguls at Trump inauguration: 'Are we just open-source Illuminati now?'

Comedian Jon Stewart on Monday criticized the appearance of tech moguls at President Trump’s inauguration. “Yes, taking the place of seats normally reserved for Democratic or Republican governors, ...
The Hill - Jan. 21
Jon Stewart applauds Michelle Obama for skipping Trump inauguration

Jon Stewart is defending former first lady Michelle Obama for displaying a "consistent ethical stance" by skipping President Trump's inauguration. "Former President Obama was there, George Bush ...
The Hill - Jan. 21
Trump Commutes Sentence of Stewart Rhodes, Oath Keepers Founder

The move, in effect, validated the far-right leader’s defiant claim that his criminal prosecution was a kind of political persecution.
The New York Times - Jan. 21
Breanna Stewart has won everything. What does she do next?

The Olympic, NCAA and WNBA champion is one of the greatest of all time. Now she has helped found a league she hopes can transform the sport she loves. Whether you’re on Broadway, in the audience at ...
The Guardian - Jan. 14
Jon Stewart: Harris overseeing Trump win certification 'like attending your own funeral'

Jon Stewart says Vice President Harris overseeing President-elect Trump's electoral victory as a tally of states was read on the House floor Monday had a funereal feeling to it. Harris ...
The Hill - Jan. 7
Dr. Jon LaPook unpacks surgeon general's call for cancer warnings on alcohol

The U.S. surgeon general is calling for cancer risk warning labels to be added to alcoholic beverages. In an advisory released Friday, Dr. Vivek Murthy said that, given the conclusive evidence on ...
CBS News - Jan. 3

More from The Hill

Hegseth touts Guantánamo Bay as 'perfect spot' to house migrants

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said Guantánamo Bay is the “perfect spot” to house deported migrants, after President Trump signed a memo Wednesday ordering a facility there be prepared for that ...
The Hill - 4h
Vance lauds Trump’s second term approach: ‘All gas, no brakes’

Vice President Vance praised President Trump’s approach to his second term, touting the quick and broad actions of the new administration as well as the stamina of the president compared to his ...
The Hill - 5h
Watch: Local authorities respond to airplane collision near Reagan National Airport

A regional jet and helicopter collided near Reagan National Airport shortly before 9 p.m. local time on Wednesday evening. The Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) said that a PSA Airlines regional jet, ...
The Hill - 5h
Regional jet carrying 64, military helicopter on training flight collide near Reagan National Airport

A regional jet carrying 60 passengers and four crew members collided with a military helicopter on Wednesday night as it approached Reagan National Airport. The flight was en route from Wichita, ...
The Hill - 5h
Zuckerberg hails Trump administration on Meta earnings call

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg on Wednesday praised President Trump’s administration and said he looks forward to “redefining” the relationship the tech giant has with governments. “This is also going to ...
The Hill - 6h