Should Jon Stewart Run for President in 2028? The Movement Is Growing — and It’s No Longer a Joke
https://allchronology.com/2025/08/13/should-jon-stewart-run-for-president-in-2028-the-movement-is-growing-and-its-no-longer-a-joke/Open linkView original on lemmy.sdf.org1033
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Zelenskyy did it. Ukraine would no longer exist as a sovereign nation today if he didn't; it would have been entirely annexed into Russia right now.
Exactly. In the US right now, only a comedian is capable of getting the joke. It works everywhere else it's been tried. Vote Stewart!
Nice! How could I have forgotten this guy? Great reference
How did real life end up more grimdark than Watchmen?
It'd be a better analog if everything else Zelenskyy has done as president wasn't eclipsed by Russia invading. Would he have been considered a good president if that hadn't happened? We'll never know.
He stepped up as a leader when his nation needed him. That is one of the best qualities to have. Anything else is just whatsboutism that can be applied to anyone.
Nobody is questioning his bravery or accomplishments, but peacetime politics require particular skills.
The US is in far from normal times. It may not be a military war (yet) but this sure as hell isn’t “peacetime”
The question is moot. He was the right person at the right time
A quick glance back shows very much no. However, he stepped up for the war.
I'm curious why you didn't think he was a good president.
He made a lot of very popular moves between 2019 and 2022.
I mean, Trump did it and he was a fucking TV clown. The bar is really, really, reaaaaaaally low for who can become the next US president.
Probably not. It's pretty common in history that leaders that are great In crisises aren't as great in peace times. But it doesn't really matter because what Ukraine needed was the president they had.
Jon could absolutely destroy anyone on a debate stage. Mainly because it's a popularity contest, and he's spent his entire life learning to be popular on screen and stage. He's also a smart guy with great insight into a lot of situations.
None of that means he would be a good president. It's a different set of skills.
The bottom line though, would he be better than the alternative? And I hear what you're saying. Those nazi crack monkey's put on a hell of a show, how could Jon possibly do a better job? I'm not sure, but given the option, I think I'd give him a shot.
I think the Jon for president thing is copium, but to be fair Jon does have two of the most important traits in a president: conviction and a good bullshit detector. Whether he'd be able to do the day to day work aside, there's no reason to believe he wouldn't be able to lead the country in a better direction in a big picture sense.
I think Jon would have the intelligence and humility to have very qualified, intelligent people to advise and challenge him.
My only concern for him is he would take it very seriously, and not be able to let anything go. He would burn himself out hard in 4 years.
And not in the way that Trump has convictions.
He would mop the floor at the debates but I’m not sure debates matter anymore. I remember “they’re eating the cats” not mattering as much as it should have.
Oh it mattered, it became a chuckle line used in memes that I couldn't enjoy even at the time because I knew that his stupid, racist bullshit would not be interpreted in a normal way by most of the electorate.
Debates matter. Remember when Biden beat medicare?
I would say the most important skill is listening to experts, and knowing when you aren't one. Jon has this down.
You don't want a president who thinks they're an expert in everything. You want one who knows that aren't and is willing to bring experts in to guide them.
If Jon Stewart became the Ronald Reagan of progressiveness, I wouldn't complain.
Of course. Current Mr President is clearly way more skilled at presiding.
He's too conciliatory to win debates. He'd have to seriously change his personality because I don't think he likes face to face conflict, given how he softballs interviews with asshats like Jeffries.
He softballs when he wants to get more guests. If he goes after every politician, they all run and hide. To see him actually debate you have to see him off his own show. He's given very compelling addresses to congress as well.
And seriously, he's one of the most popular TV personalities in the country. What you're saying is you don't like Taylor Swift's music, so she must be a shitty entertainer. Maybe you're just not the target audience?
Watch him mop the floor with Tucker on Crossfire.
I remember seeing that and it was funny, but arguing Tucker on ethics is like arguing quantum mechanics with a microencephalic.
Yes, yes, yes. He’s not just a TV show host. He legitimately puts his time, money, and reputation where his mouth is. I have a lot of respect for Jon Stewart as a person with moral character, intelligence, and influence. I would advocate forcing him into the election even if he doesn’t want it. In fact, that he doesn’t want it is all the more reason to push. We need someone like him desperately.
Anybody that doesn’t want the job is imminently more qualified that anybody who does in my opinion.
– Some hoopy frood
Simple solution, we execute every president as they leave office! Secondary solution, we vote on whether to not execute the president as they leave office, 2/3rds majority needed to abstain the execution
Didn’t Robert basically say this on Behind the Bastards two episodes ago lol
I dont think so but it fits for him. Ive been saying it for years though.
But, you know who shouldn’t be killed in order to limit the corruptions that infect political power?
The Ecksian tradition of jailing them immediately upon election has merit
I couldn't remember if they was Douglas Adams or Kurt Vonnegut. Both work
They both were rather hoopy
I'm not sure if this is some idiomatic usage I've not encountered, but "eminently" would seem more appropriate than "imminently". If only because John's already more qualified than he apparently needs to be.
You’re probably right. I’m a tech geek not a writer so I’d never trust my grammar.
Rite gooder docemtation
Ooo so you're saying I'm qualified? That's a shit job I don't want. Fucks up your hair and ages you. Plus there's a good chance I might send some reps I don't like on a scouting trip to Mars.
...
Oh dang, I AM qualified!
Fairly stupid opinion considering the breadth of people that would encompass.
There's no such thing as unqualified anymore. I think picking a random person off the street and having them do the job would have statistically been more likely to perform better than Trump has done so far in either term. Even if that random person chose to do NOTHING and just continue to allow the government apparatus to churn unimpeded, it would have been preferable to what we got.
He'd crush it IMHO.
Are you fucking serious?
I mean, there are precedents...
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Franken
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Servant_of_the_People_(2015_TV_series)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volodymyr_Zelenskyy is a Ukrainian politician and former entertainer
God it escapes me...
There was another politician whose only real claim to fame was some b-teir TV and movie spots..
I think they had a cameo in home alone II
Reagan?
Maybe it was one of these guys?
(I'll be honest, I can never tell these two apart..)
Arnold S. is not eligible.
We need to hurry up and pass the 61st amendment! (/s)
What about this guy?
Yes, he created Servant of the People.
I loved when Al Franken was my senator. He was a sacrifice to main the high road against some shithead right-wing pedophile whose name I forgot. There's been so many since
Or, hear me out: we abolish the presidency. There’s absolutely no need for so much power to be vested in one person.
Americans elect a non celebrity challenge (impossible)
If Zelensky is any indication, comedians make for excellent heads of state and ministers of war. A good leader not only has wits, but also the voice to convince people of a vision.
Comedians have a day job of making people agree with them, without needing bribes or institution to back them.
Zelensky is actively censoring Ukraninan journalists from reporting any criticism on the war. Is this what you mean by comedians being good at making people agree with them?
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/18/world/europe/ukraine-press-freedom.html
:-|
Hey boys, found the Putin Puppet!
Oh yeah cause any critic is a Russian spy.
Slow down on the koolaid, bud.
A lot of people here are condemning celebrity in US politics, and I get it... but at this point in time we might need someone who is already famous yet consistent and trustworthy. Stewart has shown himself to be a good person for decades. He's also politically informed, progressive, and whip smart.
We need a candidate who wants real change for the betterment of the working class. Somehow people thought that was Trump... I guess because he said he would be, a few times? And people were hoping hard? And not looking at his track record at all? Also racism? More importantly though: people didn't think that candidate was Harris, who got pushed through by the Democratic party and ran an uninspiring campaign. Those people didn't vote. Those people were excited about candidates like Bernie, who's track record on class issues is indefatigable. Those people could potentially be excited about Jon Stewart tearing shit down for the actually betterment of the poor, and might trust that he would try.
That's my read, anyway. A Mamdani could come along and stir up some real enthusiasm, but I think it's harder for a no-name without a proven record to win a national election. Last time that happened we ended up with Obama, and people still feel burned by his lack of progressive action.
Just have him be White House Spokesperson. Perfect role for him.
No.
Don't do this. Let him be. Jon deserves a break, not more work
Read the article. This has come up before and Jon always says no. Here he implies he's considering pretty explicitly. Zelensky has done pretty well for a man who played penis piano on TV.
You’re saying this is Jon Stewart explicitly implying that he’s considering a run?
Yes. I've watched Jon for 20+ years. His answer to that question has always been explicitly, verbally "No." Often followed by a short explanation why. In context this is a huge departure for him.
Isn't that an oxymoron?
Obligatory Link.
He took a break during trump's first term. Now, he's up to bat.
Fuck that. If he's the one that can do it, then he NEEDS to do it.
I'd normally say "hells no, stop electing celebrities!" but this is a person who is actually politically informed (savvy even) and at this point possibly bthenonoy person why might get the US out of this miserable shit it's in and on to a path towards an actual representative democracy.
If anything, Jon Stewart might be the only person able to get the US to stop electing celebrities in the first place
So yeah, Jon 2028!
Well....that's what conservatives said about Trump. Not saying John wouldn't be amazing though.
It's not though. Yes, the two are not only diametrically opposed in their political beliefs but their actual commitment to public service as well. But when Trump first ran he was just a reality TV star, being backed by the GOP machine of course. The real difference is that in contrast, the DNC would likely do everything in it's power to sabotage Stewart if he tried to run like they do with any and all progressive leaning people.
The reason we lose is these unfounded Bernie-Bro conspiracy theories. Just the liberal version of Trump supporters.
If you actually read the poling data, most Bernie supporters voted for both Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden in the general election. This Bernie bro bullshit is a lie made up by Clinton and her associates when she blew the 2016 election.
Not to mention the Clinton campaign helped Trump because they thought he’d flame out and damage whoever the nominee was. Look where that fucking got us
Exactly what they said about Trump.
I'm going to go with no. I appreciate Jo
hn Stewart, but can we please stop having TV stars run for office? Same goes for career politicians.I will raise the point that he REALLY doesn't want the job. One thing about leaders is that the person who most wants it is often least qualified for the position. The reverse is true as well. As much as I agree about pop stars in politics, he has a record of political action and commitment. He's not just talk.
The Beeblebrox paradox
He's been saying he doesn't want the job, but did you read the article? He brought up on his own the idea of a reality show host taking over the Dems; and when Mehdi Hasan (his interviewer) asked if he meant himself, Stewart didn't deny it. Didn't push back.
Just chuckled.
It sounds to me like he's reconsidering, and testing the waters.
This is true, and I'm not saying I wouldn't support him as a nominee. Depending on who else would be running during the primary, he might truly be the best pick.
I’d go for al franken. He was a very intelligent person who was a good senator. The me too movement took him down. He stood too close to a girl/ fan during a photo shoot. He then. Resigned. After all that uproar the country knowingly elects pedophiles and rapists
He definitely shouldn't have pretended to grab that lady's tits while she was sleeping (
I believe she was a soldier???she was a reporter) and taken a photo, but honestly in hindsight he probably should have just apologized, and put in a lot of effort to making up for doing something like that instead of resigning.He did something really dumb, but he still wasn't a rapist or a pedophile. America has set a very low bar in his absence.
It was more than that. He pretended to grope a girl while she was asleep and also coerced her to practice making out in preparation for a skit.
You mean the right wing radio host who alleged that he made out with her? The propagandist who is in bed with the fascist party?
Sure, the joke in that photo was in poor taste, which is why I'm shocked that the Groping Old Pedophiles didn't absolutely love it. Right on brand for them.
The license to grope girls of any age only belongs to white dickheads, apparently.
My understanding is that she didn't think he should resign, tho.
I think it must be possible for anyone to be "rehabilitated" through restorative service and at least the outward appearance of inner change. If you make it impossible to "come back", that just encourages bad actors to band together AND get worse.
I'm not convinced that Al Franken has done enough, but I really haven't paid attention / researched anything around him or the events since he resigned.
This is my take as well.
If someone's misdeeds mark them for life then they will have no choice but to wear the mantle of those misdeeds.
I agree, but clearly lack of executive competence isn't a blocker for much of the electorate. Jon Stewart does seem genuine informed and engaged on current political topics, so he'd certainly be better than someone that's "simply" well-known and well-liked.
I think TV stars could be valuable resources to a campaign, but I don't think they should generally be the candidate. I'd actually prefer a "career politician" that has a career they celebrate.
On the other hand, someone who doesn't have the background and has a good head on their shoulders is just the right kind of person to be a figurehead instead of a driver. The idea SHOULD be that they surround themselves with a competent cabinet and advisors to offload the requirement for deep personal expertise. For someone who isn't an expert, that should make them more inclined to ask for help. Of course... current tv personality excluded.
The the office holder is where the power resides and where the decision is made -- they aren't a figurehead after the swearing-in, no matter what their role was in the campaign.
But, sure, depending on their background how "good" their head is, they certainly don't have to previously have been a chief executive to make a good president.
I'm mostly unaware of Jon Stewart's roles other than being on-camera / eye-candy, except for possibly some non-scripted interview questions (with him on either side). But, from the entertainment world, I think a directing experience probably does exist in the same "space" as chief executive.
He spent a long time as producer and director on The Daily Show as well as it's host, and it looks like he's got some other producer/directory credits as well.
If Jon Stewart was the nominee, I'd vote for him. I'd honestly prefer him to someone like Buttigieg bc he seems more genuine, but I wish America would just give a scientist or an economist (or really anybody that can make educated decisions about the policies being created) a shot before we turn to another TV star. I know it's never going to happen in my lifetime, but that would be my preference.
Interesting. I think Buttigieg is one of the most genuine people in politics. Do you recall the moment you first noticed him lacking the quality?
Probably around 2020
https://www.cbsnews.com/video/warren-and-buttigieg-had-a-tense-exchange-over-fundraising-and-more-from-the-democratic-debate/
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/buttigieg-leads-2020-rivals-wall-street-contributions-n1106161
https://time.com/6255811/elizabeth-warren-buttigieg-monopoly-antitrust/
To be fair my problem with him is the same problem I have with most politicians. I would vote for him if it came down to him vs Vance no question, but just seems like at the end of the day his loyalty is with his donors before anyone else.
This definitely didn't help change my mind on how genuine he seems https://www.commondreams.org/news/just-tell-us-what-you-believe-buttigieg-torched-over-non-answer-on-israel-palestine
Please accept a giant thank you for the clear and helpful answer. To me he seems genuinely centrist and in support of "the status quo but slightly better". I can certainly see how accepting donations from big finance while talking about regulating finance can feel disingenuous. Trying to support Israel as a strategic ally while also denouncing genocide is an impossible line to walk and hate watching him try but he does seem to be genuine in his sad attempt.
I like AOC, Bernie Sanders, Kat Abughazaleh, and Zohran Mamdani more than Buttigieg but I love how he speaks and I still feel like I could happily support him.
When I say career politician, I mean the not so great aspect of politicians. Jon Stewart actually seems like a genuinely caring and empathetic person, and I would prefer someone like that to someone who is willing to compromise their values for a check.
I would vote for him if he was the nominee, it's just not ideal to keep having TV stars at the helm of a country. He probably would make some really well informed and bad ass cabinet picks. I'm kinda picturing him as the anti-Reagan.
If we eliminate career politicians with term limits you can expect to see more celebrities, billionaires, CEOs etc running.
If you want normal people to run and you don't want career politicians, elections need to be publicly funded and your job needs to be guaranteed when your term is done similar to maternity leave and military service. Otherwise who is going to throw their career away and go to Washington besides celebrities and people who are already rich?
I mean I feel like Walz is a pretty good example of someone who had a career and then became involved in politics.
I don't think you necessarily need to throw your career away, and I'm not sure we really need term limits for house and Senate seats (although 6 years between reelection is a bit ridiculous).
There are definitely some career politicians who have proven that they earned and deserve their seat, it would just be nice to see a bit more variety in the track most people take to politics.
We should really get off this train of pushing only career politicians into high office. Seems like the liberals hold this high bar so we end up with old farts that don't know how to use the bully pulpit. I don't care at all that they have no experience in office, I care if they are smart enough to listen to their staff that does.
"Jon".
We've already decided our political system is basically satire so why not have fun with it?
Why not? The fuck Ronnie Reagan, an actor, made it into office. Like many have indicated below Zelensky is another good example. If Stewart runs, who should be his running mate. I would choose AOC.
Isn't there some thing where the pres and VP can't be from same state?
It's not a requirement. It's a political strategy. If the candidate is from a "liberal elite" coastal state, then the running mate has to be from flyover country. It's pandering.
Read the 12th Amendment. That being said, one of the two could easily pull a "Cheney maneuver" and buy a house in a different state. Problem solved.
They already live in different states; New York for AOC, New Jersey for John Stewart. They both start with 'New', but they are not the same state.
Seems like the 12th amendment says that EC electors cannot cast a vote for two people from their state.
John lives in Jersey, actually.
Then make it so.
They could be from the same state but picking a VP candidate from another part of the country is seen as one way to balance a ticket. They could pick someone from a swing state in the hopes it would help win that state, or try to balance out the ticket on the political spectrum by picking someone further left or right than the presidential candidate. In 2008 the Democrats balanced out the young black candidate with an old conservative white VP candidate, so there are other ways to balance a ticket.
Electors cannot cast a vote for 2 people from their state according to 12th amendment. It's not an outright ban say if it was CA or FL the VP might not get enough votes.
That's not a requirement, it's more a tradition because the "electoral math" is better.
The 12th amendment says that electors cannot vote for 2 people from their state.
They can both be from the same state and electors from all the other states except their own can vote for both of them if they win that state (Potus and VP are actually voted on as separate votes). BUT electors from their own state could only cast their votes for one of them!
Per the 12th Amendment:
Just another stupid thing about the Electoral College system. Say for example Newsom ran for POTUS and his VP pick was also from California. California electors could only cast their votes for one of them (obviously they'd choose to apply them to the POTUS seat. So the VP might lose to the VP of other party! So stupid. When Bush picked Cheney, Cheney was a resident of Texas and moved to Wyoming so Texas electors would be able cast their votes for him.
It's so cute that Americans think there will be a 2028 election.
Stuart Colbert 28'! My fingers would break I'd vote so hard for that.
President John Stewart
Vice President Stephen Colbert
I'd vote for him. Even when we disagree on stuff-- a rarity-- he is still leagues better than anyone in the Pedo Party. John is more of a man and a human being than that scum sucking pig drumple thinskin could ever be.
He's way too smart to accept that job.
Why the fuck are people so obsessed with celebrities? Elect someone actually competent for the job. Idiots.
Jon himself is not behind this idea, he constantly reminds people he's just a comedian. We need to stop confusing age, fame, whiteness, and being male with actual experience.
Counterpoint from Douglas Adams:
I am 100% in favor of Jon Stewart for president, especially if he refuses to run.
Well…
As another commenter brought up, when the idea has been suggested in the past, Jon has unequivocally and instantly shut it down.
Big “Hmmmmm” vibes here.
Actual experience is irrelevant to the office of the President.
Being able to listen, learn, and discriminate between lies and truth are what matters.
got it, Tom Hanks for president.
Well, the Ukrainians elected a comedian and got a true leader.
Are you familiar with Jon? He's qualified. The Rock or Tom Cruise would be poor choices. So would Mark Cuban. But Jon knows government and all the individual assholes that make it up at the top. The only other hope the democrats have is AOC. Bernie and Warren are too old.
Having Jon only excites me in that he could get things done using his popularity. Biden got a lot done, but he used backroom deals and clever policy negotiations. But he's one of the worst communicators of our generation. And his stubbornness may have lead to Trump (no guarantees Trump would have lost, but Biden almost guaranteed he won).
Honestly, I would have been excited to have Biden a second time over Trump, and I don't love him to begin with.
Hell, at this point if Trump dropped dead and we somehow got Romney as president instead of the nut jobs in the maga party, I'd be pretty stoked.
TLDR: I want anyone who can move us back towards okay.
This is more fetishizing good people. Something that is in severely short supply.
He’s a comedian, yet less of a clown than anyone in the current admin.
Ukraine got Zelensky. We deserve Jon.
Oh Jesus more celebrities in politics is the last thing you guys need
People really think there will be an election in 2028?
Well either way, ya'll better be showing up somewhere when we're supposed to be voting
Election, yes. Fair election, no.
Ya know Russia technically still has elections
So finaly, you will get Stewart instead of King
I mean, ideally we shouldn't be just running celebrities but after 8 months of this shit I don't give a fuck anymore. Mentally I am here:
If it works I literally could not care less. Clearly the people want vibes so let's just give them the fucking vibes and deal with THAT issue when things aren't actively on fire.
Whatever else Stewart is, he's knowledgeable, charismatic, willing to fight for a cause, and DOES genuinely seem to give a fuck about the average person. That's a damn good start at least.
And all of THAT is even under the assumption we get something at least vaguely resembling a normal election, which at this point I think is entirely dependent on when exactly Diddler on the Roof finally strokes out on the shitter.
The Venn diagram overlap of personality characteristics of modern politicians and celebrities is extraordinarily large. Pure charisma drives success in modern media-driven politics. It's sad, but I believe it's truth now.
Just an interesting observation I've had about the comments here: everyone against this is misspelling his name
Fucking yes. YES.
I wish he ran against Joe.
I love John Stewart... but this is a terrible idea.
edit: Based on the responses to this I'm just gonna be thankful I'm not American. You guys apparently have so little clue what is actually involved in civics that you're unironically doubling down on reducing the entire system to a reality tv debacle.
His 911 advocacy is common knowledge. Bringing it up like that automatically makes him the ideal candidate to run the worlds largest economy and military is ludicrous.
Similarly people comparing Zelensky in Ukraine to a potential Jon presidency are comparing apples to coconuts.
Honestly I don't even know why I said anything. Americans slept while their democracy devolved into the world shittiest reality show. Expecting them to see the folly in tripling down on populism was clearly my mistake.
He wouldn't be running against Trump anyway.
And if Trump did try to pull a third term, I'd hope the democrats would have the guts to put Obama up again.
At least we hope he won’t be
I think even if he isn't, which is not as sure a thing as it should be, Trumpism will still be a central facet of the campaign and needs to be thoroughly defeated, reversed, and ridiculed. Whoever the Republican candidate is will be running to be a continuation of Trumpian fascism and cannot stray too far from it, so being ready to win that battle, not with politicianspeak but passion and charisma, will be important.
Disagree. Each and every political party needs to focus on finding leaders that have made their name through action, not through commentary and grandstanding. We don't need another TV president with infinite experience hiding behind words and cameras, we need a person that can fulfil the executive function of the executive branch government.
I mean… of the TV personalities out there who could potentially run for office… John Stewart has actually put his money and hard work where his mouth is.
Nice. +1 to viable exceptions then.
Jon Stewart has taken actual political action and enacted change because of it (eg. for 9/11 survivors).
I mean you are just showing your whole ass here that you really don't know what you are talking about.
You realize that Jon Stewart literally spent almost a decade lobbying both sides of congress to get support for 9-11 first responders. He's literally gotten laws passed through congress.
Which is a more significant contribution than fucking Buttigeig or any other number of political animals that get trotted out when its time for us to be told who its "allowed" to run for president. Ire for someone like Stewart is ridiculous if we're also expected to take a small college town mayor (like Buttigeig who couldnt even win a down-ballot state race).
And honestly, a real political read and understanding of where people are at is the most important quality right now, Jon has that in spades.
You just don't know what you are talking about.
"it is a well-known fact that those people who must want to rule people are, ipso facto, those least suited to do it. To summarize the summary: anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job." -Douglas Adams.
He doesn't want the job. He'd be the best President since Teddy Roosevelt.
👆
This attitude right here is the attitude that put Trump into office.
Why? He already has a history of involvement with politics. He got legislature passed to provide support for 9/11 first responders who weren’t getting medical help they needed.
See, this whole “I wont support anyone short of the absolutely perfect candidate” is just the most bizarre thing to me. Like a man dying of thirst in the desert unwilling to drink unless he knows the water is bottled spring water blessed by the pope and certified by at least 3 notaries.
Stewart would be better than probably anyone else the Dems would run next election.
But that is the sentiment, no? If he did run you wouldn’t support him because he’s a comedian and any political work he’s done holds no weight in your eyes.
It’s the same bullshit as with Kamala. People wouldn’t vote for her because of x y z issues so instead we got the worst fucking clown and government in the history of the US, because god forbid the candidate available isn’t the most perfect ideological fit.
No matter who the Democratic nominee is the right will attack him or her in the exact same way, calling them radical communists that want all of our boys turned into girls and all of our murderers to have taxpayer funded penthouses. I just want a candidate who understands the severity of the situation and isn't going to fuck around. Jon Stewart definitely fits the bill.
You can tell it scares the right by how quickly they showed up in this thread. Very funny to see.
They get that charisma is the most dangerous trait in an opposing politician. Same reason they lose their shit over AOC. There are other progressives with similar politics, but she's a danger because she's charismatic. They know that and that's why they've been working since she got elected to try to take her down.
Why, Zelensky has been awesome. Same deal.
Yeah, I wouldn't vote for Bill Burr either. Have you seen what Jon has to say about Palastine or how he stuck up for the 911 first responders? Jon is better than any politician you can name. He's honest, smart and knows what's going on.
*Jon
I think the biggest determinant of a politician's success is their ability to delegate to the right people, and a big determinant of that is their ability to assess other people and to question them critically. Stewart’s interview skills suggest he wouldn’t be terrible at that.
Jon Stewart has been working politics for decades as essentially a pundit. I get that you want to think your politicians are better and educated for the position but that's a lie you're telling yourself.
There is not one nation on this earth who's politicians are chosen for being exceptionally qualified. Politics is at it's core theater. Because while you may(think) you're always chosing based on logic that logic is always perception driven.
Also money. Duh.
Please elaborate...I gotta hear this
I wish I wasn’t American with this BS.
You’re right, except I’d say comparing apples to screws or something. Zelenskyy and Stewart, Ukraine and the US like our situations…. Are only similar in that they are in fact people and those are in fact nations.
Also, yes can we stop electing ….. tv personalities?
Yes please. I've been wanting him to run for decades and I was hoping when he left the daily show he might end up on the path. I know he doesn't want to do it, but no one who SHOULD have the job really WANTS the job, because they know what it means to do that job properly.
Zelensky was an actor who started in a hit sitcom about a teacher who gets elected president to fight corruption, and Ukrainians responded by making him president.
I look at John Stewart, and see how that could happen. I'd for Stewart in a second, over ANY MAGA candidate.
Yes. He would make the hard choices we would understand we needed to make. Not the choices of self-preservation most all politicians make.
Edit: would we be willing to sacrifice him to force him into the position? It would probably wreck the man…
That's my thinking. When the job is done well, it becomes very stressful and puts all of your morals and ethics to the test. Most people tend to cave at least a little bit and drift to the side of corruption. (our current flung itself headfirst to that side)
He was on that side before he became president. Always was a scumbag, rapist and child molester.
I hope he still would have time to do the Daily Show on Mondays if he was president.
TBH we need to bring back fireside chats. A more direct communication from President to people. Imagine if that was just the expectation
For my part, if I were President, I would explain what I am working on and who is in my way. Just every week. "This week, my main goal is still universal healthcare. I want everyone to be able to get the medical care they need. Here is a list of the senators currently opposing, and the state they represent...."
I'm uh...
glances disdainfully at Truth Social
not so sure that's the best idea we could come up with
I think we all know what the weak link is there.
Probably because the POTUS isn’t posting to it with a TrumpPhone.
The Daily State of the Union.
I think it would burn him out. So while I think he'd do a good job, I don't think he'd be the right candidate.
If we have to elect a comedian, I would prefer Colbert. Not least because it would be a really funny twist given that Trump basically bullied the network into firing him because Stephen hurt his fee-fees with his jokes. Plus, the debates would be really spicy.
Plus so many republicans are fans of his not understanding that his work was satire. So he'd get a good bunch of their votes.
I don't think there exists a person who would both take the job seriously and not be burned out by it.
And AOC as vice, bring youth into office.
I'd vote for them in a heartbeat. Stewart-Ocasio-Cortez 2028
What's a joke is thinking you are going to get there when you haven't even seen what's going to happen during the midterms, or that there is still over a year to get to even that.
Americans dont really know how to judge a persons character... Look at the choices for the last few decades... They have all been horrible people, except maybe Joe Biden who was unable to function instead.
Yes, Jon seems like a good person but I dont think good people are attracted to career politics. Its for the snakes and the lizards.
But yeah, he would be a good fit if he wanted to sacrifice his happiness for that role. I think he is way too smart for that.
Yes. Take my vote, all of them, forever.
Why the fuck not
I doubt he'll run, if he runs, I doubt he'd get the nomination. But, there are much worse choices. I'd vote for him. I think he'd have a better chance than AOC, because he's an old white man. That's not what people want to hear, but I think it's true.
I've said for years that I wish he would run for any office. I'd vote for him comptroller if I could and I dont even know what that job is. But for real, he has a great mind, a good viewpoint, a take no shit attitude and a massive fan base for more than just his jokes. Plus he has already spent a lot of time as a successful advocate for 9/11 first responders and other groups that the government has failed to take care of despite their culpability in their situations. I would be shocked if he didn't have an incredibly successful career as a Representative in the house at least. Though, I think he has no desire for that amount of stress and responsibility.
I love Jon Stewart as much as the next guy. I think he could do a better job than Trump is doing, but that’s setting a very low bar. Surely there’s someone more qualified than comedy news host John Stewart.
Did I time travel to 2000?
Eh, I trust Stewart's motivations, but not necessarily his judgment. I listened to him interview Ezra Klein and Stewart fell for his neoliberal Abundance bullshit without any pushback of critical thought. I could see him getting led astray by some of the same Democratic hacks that destroyed the party.
Jon needs to run as a Democrat, and he needs Colbert to be his running mate ars a Republican for teh lulz
God, I hope we can do better than Jon Stewart.
I love the guy, but a Bush Jr. era comic is not what we need right now.
There are certainly worse candidates. Stewart still seems like he has a soul, unlike most republicans.
Whoa, this thread has the most comments I've ever seen on Lemmy, I think.
The fact that anyone still believes there will be anything resembling "fair" elections by 2028 is baffling to me.
The american capacity to stick their head in the sand as long as they have the newest gadget in front of their face and an endless stream of tiktok content to look at is fucking insane.
There are some pretty big claims that the 2024 election wasn't fair either. I'm not talking about the obvious GOP actions to disenfranchise minority voters, calling in bomb threats to Dem leaning areas, purging voter rolls a few weeks before the election, rejecting many votes due to minor inconsistencies, etc.
I'm talking about Election Truth Alliance's claim that there was active vote flipping just for president. It's a huge claim, so it needs irrefutable evidence, but I would fully believe that a guy who has cheated and lied his whole life, who was surely going to prison from the 4 cases he was being investigated for, would cheat with Elon to rig the elections in a few swing states.
I 100% agree. And I think that, if America survives this and gets back to normal, future historians will most certainly discover this to be true.
But as say, without evidence, how it happened just becomes less important that stopping it by any means necessary.
Yes
So says “allchronology.com” — whatever the fuck that is.
It's reporting on an interview. I've watched that interview and Stewart for years and the quotes and commentary about how he usually emphatically refuses are accurate.
I would host parties just for the debates alone. Please God, let this happen!
I’d vote for him twice.
Last thing we need is another fucking celebrity in the office
Why would he want to take the helm of this dumpster fire?
In the grand scheme of things I don't think Jon Stewart wouldn't be that different from Gavin Newsome as president. I'd prefer Stewart 100x more than Newsome, just on a personality level, but the direction of the office would be pretty much the same. Newsome is a slimeball but he's not the worst Dem option on the progressiveness & electable matrix. I'm pretty sure Stewert isn't to far from Newsome on the spectrum overall. I'd much rather have AOC personally. I think she's far to the left of either Jon and Newsome.
Newsom has been leaning into transphobia recently, he's a slimeball and I don't trust him to not throw the trans community under the bus for some bullshit.
Newsom would straight up push the DNC to abandon transpeople
Well unlike Newsom. John isnt a transphobe
Maybe. But the time for Jon Stewart was 2024. There wasn't a single person alive in a better position to take down Trump.
Sure, if they let him.
I'd want someone to represent the populace, not the power. I'd want them to be competent in how society works more so than how money works. I'd want them to have both compassion and charisma. Changes should piss off the minority of the electorate, not the majority. Change should be progressive and forward thinking not the old..."How can we capitalize on this and produce a revenue stream?". I don't care if they are famous or not. That being said, I do like to be entertained. I am really tired of the sell, sell, sell business shit that goes on nowadays. Hell, you can't even write and perform a nice pop song anymore without automatically having a new scent and a clothing line. Hawks everywhere, picking apart the dying corpse of mother earth.
I love this idea but what if he was bernie sanders vice president first?
My biggest complaint for people saying sanders should be next is that I think he's too old, But if john Stewart was his vice president I would love that idea. And then immediately follow up with two terms of Stewart
I can't imagine I will be alive to see the day that the US elects two Jews to the White House.
Sure, why not. We're in uncharted waters anyway.
The bar is now so low that you could even have a thief, a serial killer or a regular rapist of adults, and it still wouldn't top having a PDFile Rapist Nepo Baby megalomaniac with authoritarian and racist, genocidal tendencies.
Seriously, worse than him I'd think only the likes of Hitler. And there's still a lot of time and leeway for him to become worse than Mr. Funny Mustache in the history books, if allowed. Imagine surpassing the worst man in history by triggering mass nuclear destruction across the globe, ending billions of lives, and for what it'd likely be the pettiest of reasons from a small excuse for a human stain.
Better than Newsom
But we like Jon Stewart. Why ruin a good thing?
Please.
I mean, he passes more bills than most.
Shawn Fain
No.
It worked for 2 tv stars why not¿
No.
Please for the love of anything!
I would vote for him instantaneously
No.
The entire point of having a democracy is to avoid gambling on the next heir of a bloodline dynasty being fit to rule. So, a popularity contest among celebrity television entertainers isn't the worst, but the qualities of personality this population selects for are generally those that assist maintaining distracting fantasies rather than engaging with harsh realities.
This was written by someone who has never seen Jon passionately speak about something.
Literally 0 lessons learned. Lmao. The US is so fucked
One question, why?
Why not Naomi Murakawa?
At this stage of US history, only a sadist or a scam artist would want the job of President.
Stewart doesn't strike me as either.
I mean it'll still be a joke even if he gets elected, but it's a bigger joke that's largely independent of him.
Great Man Theory strikes again.
I would normally say "no, absolutely not," but he might be a little better than Gavin Newsom or Pete Buttigieg. I think Stewart's centrist instincts are not what this country needs.
For fuck's sake, NO.
Why are we countering Trumpism by repeating it.
Obviously Trump is a fascist because he was on TV once
No one is laughing after trump.
I would say it's still a joke even if he goes through with it
"If I can't have a progressive, we might as well kill the minorities"
No.
If this is what we've come to where you have to be a popular TV star to win, then somebody get AOC her own TV show ASAP.
No
Doesn't really matter if he's choosing not to run. Besides, things didn't go great for Cenk Uygur.
An informed, competent, liberal? A successful communicator? Noooooooo.
“lefties”: hE sUpPoRtS iSrEaL! hE’S dOnE NotHiNg fOr tHe WoRkiNg cLAsS!!
Jon Stewart supports Israel? Source?
I'm gonna fucking puke.
Americans, seriously, fucking stop it. You look like the dumbest cunts in the world right now. Stop looking to celebrities to fix your problems. Look at yourself, look at how you are letting yourselves be influenced into thinking everyone else a cunt, and youre the most perfect thing to every live. This is text book how the democracy fails. Once you start thinking the other side is all cunts who are cheating, you'll never trust the system again. Look at Trump, lost in 2020, none of his followers believed it. Its rigged, the dems stole it, etc etc etc. In 2024, Harris lost. None of her followers believed it. Musk rigged the voting boxes, MAGA stole the election, etc etc etc.
When you lose, or when you win, youre just supposed to go on with your day. Youre not supposed to think and act like its the end of the fucking world, and that you only lost because someone else cheated. Youre supposed to look at your opposition, still as countrymen. Sure, they disagree with you on some issues, but they are still Americans, like you. But whats happening now is the same thing thats happened many times before. The extreme polarisation of party identity politics. Instead of arguing with people, you write them off as evil. You forget the core principle of democracy is compromise. You vote, you win, you lose, you get on with it. But that only works when you dont look across the aisle and see literal nazis. Look at the Spanish in the 1930s. Same thing. The saw each other as evil, it only took 6 years to go from arguments to violence in the streets to full blown civil war.
You all need to stop doom scrolling and thinking everyone you dont agree with on every single issue is a cunt, and should be murdered. And Im not speaking to just one said, both sides are dong it. Creating the extremism thats started to turn super ugly. The United states is currently run by a paedo. Instead of this being a huge issue, what we are seeing is next to nothing being done by any of the safe guards in place. This is on you. All of you. You didnt vote for people, you voted for party. Not all of you, but enough of you. And whats worse, some of those on the right think this is the best thing ever. Which is usually what happens before Hugo Chavez types completely fuck the country.
And if youre right wing, and going to spin some bullshit about how Chavez is left wing, please. Continue reading. Donald Trump and Hugo Chávez, though ideologically opposed show the very same political behaviours and leadership styles, particularly in their use of populism, media manipulation, and personalization of power.
Both leaders employed a populist strategy centred on portraying themselves as avenging outsiders battling a corrupt elite to restore national greatness. They used vulgarity and humour to break political norms and forge visceral connections with their supporters. Chávez famously hosted the marathon TV show, where he improvised for hours, blending policy, personal anecdotes, and political attacks. Trump mirrored this with unscripted rallies, freewheeling speeches, and prolific use of Twitter to dominate media cycles, often attacking opponents and the press.
Their rhetoric was marked by personal insults and inflammatory language. Chávez called opponents “assholes,” “squealing pigs,” and likened George W. Bush to “a monkey with a razor blade,” while Trump labelled critics “pussies” and “disgusting”. Both used sexualized comments for political effect: Chávez once leered at the camera telling his wife, “you’re going to get yours tonight,” and Trump bragged about his penis size.
They also both vilified journalists, expelled reporters, and promoted their own versions of reality. Chávez built a state-funded media network to amplify his message, while Trump weaponized social media and sympathetic outlets to bypass traditional journalism.
The also both turned their illnesses into political performances. After being diagnosed with cancer, Chávez portrayed himself as a Christ-like figure enduring suffering for his people, especially during the 2012 election. Trump, after contracting COVID-19 in 2020, staged a dramatic return from the hospital, proclaiming a “total cure” and calling the infection “a blessing from God,” using it to promote unproven treatments like Regeneron. Both turned their illnesses into political performances.
Ultimately, while their ideologies diverged, their methods, polarization, media dominance, personalization of power, and the use of crisis for political gain, reveal a shared playbook of populist leadership.
If anyone is looking to the future of American politics. Might I suggest a radical option? Vote for people who actually know what they are doing! John Stewart, Im sure, is great guy. Hes certainly funny, and knowledgeable. But hes not someone who knows how to be a politician. But more to the point, the last fucking thing the America needs is another old man running the country. Look to GenX, Look to Millennials. Who there speaks to the good of America, not just "your side", but the country as a whole? Find that person, and start some grass roots shit. And never again look to populists to fill the shoes of people who should be making your lives better, not making others lives worse.
Not another celebrity.... These people aren't relatable and don't reflect the reality of life I know.
What about the Rock? He's way more famous and has more money.
Jon Stewart is kind of meh. I guess I'd vote for him though.
I'll take "kind of meh" over Trump anyday.
Hell, a stinking turd floating down the Potomac river would make a better POTUS than Trump...
I was talking as compared to other democrats. Hes not as progressive as people think.
That said yeah obviously I'd be to the moon if he was president right now.
Right now because Trump won a second time I'm dead inside. And I think I'll probably be dead inside forever because even if we elect someone better in 2028 I'll know we elected Trump twice. That will haunt me forever.
Ric Flair should run also.. It’s serious and the movement is strong nobody is laughing!
For every Zelenskyy, there's a Trump. So no.
We already have Trump, so we're due a Zelensky.
The dude that chastised those calling out fascism because "it's what we voted for"? Yeah, that's a terrible idea.
liberals want to lose more and more elections. might as well continue to roll out the red carpet for these nazis.
Trump would bulldoze Stewart and spike his ass. Make it happen!