In a scathing Monday night monologue, Jon Stewart, host of The Daily Show, argued that the intensifying pressure surrounding the release of documents related to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein is visibly affecting former President Donald Trump.
Trump's Reversal on Epstein Files Release
Stewart highlighted a significant pivot in Trump's position. While the former president had once campaigned on a promise to release the Epstein files, he has spent months actively working to block their disclosure. However, with the U.S. House of Representatives expected to easily pass a discharge petition to force the release, Trump has abruptly changed his tune.
He is now urging the same Republican lawmakers he previously pressured to block the petition to instead support it, claiming “we have nothing to hide.” Stewart was quick to dismantle this justification.
Stewart's Simple Rebuttal
“If he had nothing to hide, he could have declassified and released these files himself at any time,” Stewart stated. To prove his point, he rolled a clip from 2022 where Trump insisted a president can declassify anything, at any time, “just by saying so” or “even by thinking about it.”
Stewart concluded that it is “very clear” Trump does not want the files made public, pointing to what he called “nonsensical answers” from Trump whenever the Epstein subject arises. “Is it possible that Trump’s whole bullshit facade is crumbling?” Stewart asked. “Right now, all he can do is distract from one lie with what is clearly another lie.”
Faltering Under Pressure
The comedian then illustrated his point by playing a clip where Trump attempted to change the subject to his record on affordability. “All I want is I want for people to recognize a great job that I’ve done on pricing, on affordability,” Trump said. Stewart fired back incredulously, “What planet do you live on? My Taco Bell order is now $72!”
Stewart argued that Trump is uncharacteristically off his game. “This dude is flailing,” he said, noting that the normally reliable political attacker is even struggling with his signature talent: crafting cutting nicknames. Stewart pointed to Trump's attempt to nickname Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, which resulted in him calling her “Marjorie Taylor Brown” on social media, with a parenthetical explanation that green grass turns brown when it rots.
“You know, I’ve always said that the best nicknames are the ones you have to explain in parentheses,” Stewart snarked. The full analysis can be seen in the Monday night episode of The Daily Show.
