Jon Stewart Criticizes Trump's Midterm Closing Message, Urges Caution on Democratic Wave

Comedian Jon Stewart addressed the November 3 midterm elections in two recent appearances, criticizing President Donald Trump's closing campaign message and cautioning against assuming a Democratic victory. On Monday's Daily Show, a week before the vote, Stewart said voters were focused on the economy, the cost of living and the war in Iran, then played clips of Trump on the campaign trail. In one, Trump described the physique of Ohio Senate candidate Jon Husted. In another, at a weekend rally in Michigan, Trump introduced rapper Nicki Minaj and commented on her appearance. Separately, on his podcast The Weekly Show, Stewart, 63, responded to producer Brittany Mehmedovic, who said Republicans seemed nervous and cited Trump's trip to Kansas. Stewart said he hoped so, but argued that national media fixate on the horse race and that polling is often wrong. He added that he knows the country is hurting. Democrats have predicted a large wave that would win them the House and Senate.

The Guardian US, the left-leaning outlet, covers the Daily Show segment. Its headline gives Stewart's claim that Republican candidates cannot defend Trump's record, and it frames the story as late-night hosts mocking Trump's rally. It dwells on the Husted and Minaj clips and Stewart's reaction to them. The right-leaning Daily Mail covers the podcast instead. Its headline says Stewart wiped the smile off a producer who gushed about Republicans getting crushed. It quotes Stewart's caution about media narratives and polling, and it notes Democratic hopes for a blue wave, without the Trump rally remarks in its opening. Both center Stewart and the midterms but differ on whether he is attacking Trump or tempering Democrats. The A.V. Club also covers the Daily Show, adding a Fox News reporter cutting away from a rallygoer who criticized the Iran war, plus Big Oil and veterans.