Should Jon Stewart Run for President in 2028? The Movement Is Growing — and It’s No Longer a Joke
Should Jon Stewart Run for President in 2028? The Movement Is Growing — and It’s No Longer a Joke
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.
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.
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
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
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.
The major problem—one of the major problems, for there are several—one of the many major problems with governing people is that of whom you get to do it; or rather of who manages to get people to let them do it to them.
To summarize: 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.
– Some hoopy frood
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.
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.
I mean after Trump got elected, it really did show the world that anyone can become anything, twice.
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.
I would advocate forcing him into the election even if he doesn’t want it.
Are you fucking serious?
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.
If Zelensky is any indication, comedians make for excellent heads of state and ministers of war
:-|
Hey boys, found the Putin Puppet!
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.
Hasan’s reflexive response — please, no more reality hosts — came with one notable exception: “Unless Jon, you’re thinking of throwing your hat in the ring… we can talk about that.”
Stewart laughed. He didn’t deny it. He didn’t wave it off. He just leaned back, smiled, and chuckled — the kind of non-answer that fuels speculation.
You’re saying this is Jon Stewart explicitly implying that he’s considering a run?
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'm going to go with no. I appreciate John 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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
Americans elect a non celebrity challenge (impossible)
Well when you have 24 hours news and you have repelled the law that kept them at least somewhat grounded then you have created a fucking show and so celebrities thrive.
Also electing a celebrity is not automatically a bad thing
I mean we could do a lot worse than Jon Stewart. He is exactly the type of anti establishment candidate that could possibly pull moderate conservatives into the fold. I'm not saying that's the best or only way forward but it seems to be what the DNC are planning.
He's been an advocate for Veterans and First Responders in Congress and at least his forward facing personality is decent.
Also he isn't a pedo grifter.
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.
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.
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:
The major problem—one of the major problems, for there are several—one of the many major problems with governing people is that of whom you get to do it; or rather of who manages to get people to let them do it to them. To summarize: 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.
I am 100% in favor of Jon Stewart for president, especially if he refuses to run.
Well…
Stewart dropped a line that made Hasan pause: maybe Democrats just need “the right reality host” to take over the party.
Hasan’s reflexive response — please, no more reality hosts — came with one notable exception: “Unless Jon, you’re thinking of throwing your hat in the ring… we can talk about that.”
Stewart laughed. He didn’t deny it. He didn’t wave it off. He just leaned back, smiled, and chuckled.
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.
President John Stewart
Vice President Stephen Colbert
I love this idea (edit:) A LOT, but presidency ages people so fast, and I want that man to live a long, healthy, happy life.
Colbert was a dick to Zohran about Israel, right? No thanks.
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
Don't tease me. I just can't take it.
No. We need to stop fetishizing celebrities.
Jon Stewart has his heart in the right place and even knows where the democrats are really lacking
It’s easy to criticize from afar. When he’s actually in the muck, he will be scrutinized for every thing he says. We need more people like him to stay in the media.
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.
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.
Disagree. Democrats need someone who can make Trump look like a loser
He wouldn't be running against Trump anyway.
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.
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.
*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?
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...."
The Daily State of the Union.
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…
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 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.
And AOC as vice, bring youth into office.
I'd vote for them in a heartbeat. Stewart-Ocasio-Cortez 2028
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.
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.
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'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.
Yes. Take my vote, all of them, forever.
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.
Or, hear me out: we abolish the presidency. There’s absolutely no need for so much power to be vested in one person.
Personally, I think that the USA should be divided up into four regional blocs - West Coast, Middle America, East Coast, and all of the external territories like Hawaii, Alaska, and others as an Outer Region. Each of them can have their own president elected by popular vote, and those four presidents select a previous president from one of the regions as a Figurehead President, who represents the nation as a whole - such as diplomacy with the EU, making public national policies the regions have agreed upon, and so forth.
This divides up the executive into branches. Each region can have their own house and court, with a supreme court & senate drawing an equal amount of members from the four regions. This means we get regional laws, and then a national version when 3 out of 4 regions manage to agree on something.
I feel that the root of America's issues comes from too few people representing too many people, which also means the few have too much power and no incentive to really care about folk.
yeah, texas is never gonna agree to be in club with minnesota or michigan or wisco.
it’d be cool if they did, but yeah, no.
The problem with this is you are screwing over liberal bastions (e.g. Chicago) in conservative zones. Or what about somewhere like New Mexico? We'd be grouped with Arizona and Texas? New Mexico is liberal and that'd kill us. The arrangement also gives even more power to sparsely populated sections of the country vs highly populated sections. It is almost like you are suggesting gerrymandering at a regional level.
Keep in mind that we already have regional representation - state governments. They don't work great because of the lack of attention they get vs presidental elections. The here part is that states need to have power, but there are things they are insane to declare as "states rights" issues. How do we divide them up? I don't know. We even have "majority agree" as you suggested via constitutional amendments.
I definitely think the US needs to split up. What’s the point of having another president though? Won’t we just end up with the same problem over time?
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.
He should have run in 2016.
Yes
Why would he want to take the helm of this dumpster fire?
There are certainly worse candidates. Stewart still seems like he has a soul, unlike most republicans.
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.
I’d vote for him twice.
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.
I would host parties just for the debates alone. Please God, let this happen!
Maybe. But the time for Jon Stewart was 2024. There wasn't a single person alive in a better position to take down Trump.
Shawn Fain
No.
Last thing we need is another fucking celebrity in the office
I mean, he passes more bills than most.
Ukraine got Zelensky. We deserve Jon.
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.
He's way too smart to accept that job.
Better than Newsom
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.
Please for the love of anything!
One question, why?
Please.
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?
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.
For fuck's sake, NO.
Why are we countering Trumpism by repeating it.
Obviously Trump is a fascist because he was on TV once
Great Man Theory strikes again.
I would vote for him instantaneously
Ric Flair should run also.. It’s serious and the movement is strong nobody is laughing!
No one is laughing after trump.
I mean he’s better than 99% of politicians but if AOC isn’t the candidate I’m just joining the fascists (haven’t yet but as a straight white “Christian” man at least I have that option open)
"If I can't have a progressive, we might as well kill the minorities"
Doesn't really matter if he's choosing not to run. Besides, things didn't go great for Cenk Uygur.
Not another celebrity.... These people aren't relatable and don't reflect the reality of life I know.
I'm gonna fucking puke.
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.
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.
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!
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.
A quick glance back shows very much no. However, he stepped up for the war.
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.