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Jon Stewart has shared a candid response to a fan who asked if he'd ever run for office
The Daily Show host said during a recent taping that the question itself speaks to a "desperation and dissatisfaction that we have with the status quo"
"And so then you see somebody on television who's saying some of the things that resonate with you and you think, 'Well, f--- it,' " he said
Jon Stewartunderstands viewers may be turning to him in times of "desperation and dissatisfaction" — and some are even considering him for the Oval Office.
The Daily Showhost, 63, was asked whilefilming a recent episodeof the Comedy Central show if he'd "ever consider running for office" himself. And in a clip posted to YouTube on Sunday, Jan. 18, the comedian shared that he believes the question speaks to how voters are feeling amid the current political state of the U.S.
"That's very kind of you. And by the way, I cannot tell you how wild it is to have people even think that having the power over their lives is something they'd appreciate that you have," Stewart began. "But I do know, all the folks in the media like this, likeStephen [Colbert], likeJimmy [Kimmel], we get this. This is a question that comes up a lot."
He added, "And I think it speaks to, if I may, and I don't know the motivation — it speaks to this desperation and dissatisfaction that we have with the status quo. And so then you see somebody on television who's saying some of the things that resonate with you and you think, 'Well, f--- it.' "
Stewart then jokingly added that the line "I think you should be president" is one that often comes "right after" the phrase, "f--- it."
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"It's almost like you're cursing me with aTwilight Zone, like, 'Make him!' I so understand the feeling," Stewart said. "I think what's happening right now, with all of us — myself included — because having the ability to have a catharsis and talk about it or work with people every day is emotionally sustaining. But I think we have a shared feeling of helplessness."
"The institutions may be wanting and may be failing, but the people aren't. People keep saying, 'Oh, this guy is Hitler.' No, he's not," Stewart added, referring to PresidentDonald Trump. "And I'll tell you why he's not: Hitler was popular, this guy is not."
As Stewart explained, "the one institution that I think has been the bulwark in a way that nothing else has, has been the people. And that's been really heartening to me."
Stewart isn't the only television personality who has been asked about a future presidential bid.
Most recently, Colbert, 61, was presented with the question during a December appearance atSlate's Political Gabfest event, when he quipped: "Absolutely, I should not run for president."
"I understand why you'd want me to," he told the audience. "I'd have to discuss with my faith leader and my family to see if, once my service on theLate Showends in May, if I could be of some greater service to this nation that I love so much."
The Daily Showairs weeknights at 11/10c and on Comedy Central and is available the next day on Paramount+.
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