Former Daily Show host Jon Stewart had some strong words about President Donald Trump’s administration during a recent media event — and it’s not what you’d expect.
The liberal comedian made a fortune attacking conservative causes for 16 years on his popular Comedy Central show.
Now that he’s in the real world, he wants the media to know that the Trump administration is doing an “excellent job” — and Congress isn’t doing enough to help.
And he was so serious, he demanded the media turn on their cameras see his statement.
On the dark day of September 11, 2001, New York City’s first responders selflessly gave up everything to rush into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon to save American lives. It’s a cause near and dear to Stewart’s heart, and he’s fought to make sure these brave heroes have the healthcare costs associated with 9/11 covered by the government.
At a press conference in New York City on Monday, Stewart praised the Trump administration’s commitment to these heroes — unlike former President Barack Obama.
“Are the cameras on? Is everybody on me?” Stewart asked the media at a recent press conference, held to demand Congressional permanent funding for the bill for 9/11 survivors.
“The Trump Justice Department is doing an excellent job administrating this program,” Stewart said. “The claims are going through faster, and the awards are coming through.”
He taped the mic, drawing laughter from the crowd. “The Trump Justice Department!” the liberal comedian repeated.
“I don’t know about anything else, I’m not going to comment on anything else,” he continued. “But that’s why we’re in the problem that we’re in: The program works exactly like it’s supposed to.”
“In the years since 2001, many first responders have suffered from cancer and have other health issues that can be linked to their work at the toxic site,” Western Journalism reported. “The World Trade Center Health Program was passed by Congress in 2010 to help people with illnesses that have been linked to the disaster.”
Since taking office, Trump’s administration has cleared out the bureaucratic red tape that Obama put into place that hurt claim attempts for years.
Trump has done an “excellent job” providing the funds earmarked in 2010 that these American heroes need to ensure healthcare is provided.
So good, the program is quickly running out of the money Congress first provided.
“So now, it’s Congress’s job to fund it properly,” he said.
— The Horn editorial team