President Joe Biden faced a challenging night during his first presidential debate of the year, with his performance marked by numerous gaffes and stumbles. Jon Stewart, the host of “The Daily Show,” did not hold back in his critique of the 81-year-old president’s showing against his rival, former President Donald Trump, 78.
Stewart went live following the debate, humorously dissecting Biden’s performance. At one point, Biden misspoke while defending his healthcare policy accomplishments, claiming his administration had “finally beat Medicare.” Trump quickly seized on the error, quipping, “Well, he’s right. He did beat Medicare. He beat it to death, and he’s destroying Medicare.”
Stewart joked about the high-pressure situation, suggesting that confusing saving Medicare with beating it was understandable. However, he noted that Biden’s missteps were not isolated incidents, causing Democrats nationwide to react with dismay.
Biden’s troubles extended beyond his verbal gaffes. Stewart highlighted Biden’s grimacing, stunned expressions, and open-mouthed reactions while Trump spoke. He humorously coined the term “resting 25th Amendment face,” referencing the constitutional provision for presidential succession in case of death or incapacity.
Stewart questioned Biden’s preparation, wondering if anyone had informed him that he would be on camera in a split-screen format. This isn’t the first time Stewart has commented on the advanced ages of both Biden and Trump. In his return to “The Daily Show” in February, Stewart’s monologue touched on the fitness of both candidates for the Oval Office, noting that their ages presented unique challenges.
Last month, during the “Netflix is a Joke Fest,” Stewart bluntly stated that Biden is too old to be president. He acknowledged the fear of Trump but emphasized that Biden’s age was a significant concern.
Representatives for both Biden and Trump did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Stewart’s live election special on Comedy Central featured a range of cringeworthy clips from the debate, with a particular focus on Biden’s performance. He mocked Biden’s expressions and reiterated the “resting 25th Amendment face” joke, referencing the constitutional amendment for presidential succession.
Stewart appeared horrified by the debate, suggesting that both candidates should be on performance-enhancing drugs. He criticized both Trump and CNN, calling the debate rules “dumb” and the entire hype machine surrounding the event excessive.
Biden’s performance left Stewart unable to defend him, as the president often appeared weak and raspy. Stewart’s commentary included a supercut of Biden’s faces reacting to Trump, further emphasizing the “resting 25th Amendment face” joke.
Stewart questioned whether anyone had informed Biden that he would be on camera during the debate. He also criticized Biden for failing to effectively counter Trump on key issues like abortion and immigration, making it seem as though Trump was poised to reclaim the White House.
Stewart’s critique extended to Trump, whom he accused of lying throughout the debate. He also took issue with CNN’s debate rules, which included no audience, severe time limits, and a refusal to stick with interesting issues.
Stewart concluded that both Biden and Trump should be using performance-enhancing drugs to improve their lucidity, problem-solving abilities, and, in Trump’s case, truthfulness and morality. He humorously suggested that if such drugs didn’t exist, he could use some recreational ones to cope with the reality of the debate.
Stewart has consistently suggested that neither Biden nor Trump should be running for president. Since returning to “The Daily Show” in January, he has expressed concerns about their fitness for office.
The Democratic Party has been thrown into a state of panic following Biden’s dismal debate performance. Behind the scenes, there are calls to replace the 81-year-old president on the ticket, as his meandering and mumbling performance raised doubts about his ability to lead.
Biden’s hoarse voice and repeated throat-clearing were evident from the moment he took the stage. Throughout the 90-minute primetime face-off on CNN, he struggled to finish sentences and complete talking points, often looking blankly into the camera or down at his notes while Trump spoke.
CNN moderators Jake Tapper and Dana Bash repeatedly reminded Biden to use the rest of his time, as he frequently cut his answers and responses short.
CNN’s panelists were scathing in their assessment of Biden’s performance. Anchor John King declared the debate a “game-changing” event, noting widespread panic within the Democratic Party. Political analyst Van Jones expressed his disappointment, emphasizing that Biden had failed to restore confidence in the country and the party’s base.
Former White House communications director Alyssa Farah Griffin suggested that Biden lost the debate within the first three minutes, raising concerns about his ability to take on Trump and defend democracy.
In summary, Jon Stewart’s critique of Biden’s debate performance highlighted the president’s struggles and raised questions about his fitness for office. The Democratic Party faces a challenging road ahead as it grapples with the implications of Biden’s performance and considers its options for the 2024 election.
Source: Business Insider, The Independent, Daily Mail, The Hollywood Reporter
