Jon Stewart Tears Apart Tucker Carlson

Jon Stewart has hit out at Tucker Carlson's trip to Russia, dubbing the former Fox News host a "d***" in a savage 10-minute monologue.

The 61-year-old returned to The Daily Show on February 12, following Trevor Noah's departure.

The comedian previously hosted the late night talk show from 1999 to 2015, and is back on a part-time basis to cover the 2024 general election. However, he faced fierce backlash following last week's season premiere, after mocking likely candidates Joe Biden and Donald Trump.

Stewart opened Monday's episode by responding to claims that he's "bothsidest," with many viewers condemning his takedown of Biden alongside Trump.

Embracing the "particulars of unquestioning propaganda," Stewart took a page from Carlson's interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The conservative commentator's recent visit has been criticized for its positive depiction of the country, with the interview airing on Russia State TV.

Newsweek has reached out to Tucker Carlson and Jon Stewart for comment via email.

Stewart shared a clip from Carlson's trip, which was originally broadcast on the Tucker Carlson Network (TCN), in which the 54-year-old explains his decision to interview Putin.

"First, because it's our job, we're in journalism," Carlson said. "It's our duty to inform people."

Jotting down notes on a pad, Stewart muttered: "Step one: Lie about what your job is. Step two: Lie about what your duty is."

Carlson continued: "Americans have a right to know all they can about a way they're implicated in," adding that "freedom of speech is our birthright."

In response, Stewart said "Kudos, sensei, that was deep," before writing: "Disguise your deception and capitulation to power as noble and moral and based in freedom."

Next, the show moved on to Carlson's interview with Putin, in which he appears to agree with the politician's claims that World War II was Poland's fault, after the country refused to "amicably" submit to a German invasion.

Carlson also toured the capital city of Moscow, seemingly enamored with the amenities, including a shopping cart, a grocery store and a subway "that's nicer than anything in our country."

Musing over the shopping cart, Carlson highlights the coin slot that allows customers to rent the cart, getting their ₽10 if they return it.

"So, it's free, but there's an incentive to return it and not just bring it to your homeless encampment," he said, eliciting shocked noises from the audience.

"I know I've said this before, but you're such a d***," Stewart said. "I didn't realize that America's homeless problem was caused by easy access to shopping carts."

While in the store, Carlson enthusiastically sniffs some freshly-baked bread, to which Stewart joked: "This guy really likes bread. If being a free speech warrior means you have to bang the occasional sourdough, nostrovia."

Summarizing his grocery store trip, Carlson said: "Coming to a Russian grocery, the heart of evil, and seeing what things cost and how people live, it will radicalize you."

"It will radicalize you," Stewart responded. "Unless you understand basic economics."

Stewart then slammed Carlson's rave review of the country, referencing the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

The leader of the Russia of the Future party died in prison from "sudden death syndrome" on Saturday. He was serving a 19-year sentence for extremism charges in IK-3 penal colony in the Arctic Circle, known for its brutal conditions.

A representative for Navalny said the 47-year-old's body is currently being held for chemical analysis, with Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs accusing the Kremlin of killing the anti-corruption activist.

Stewart then moved on to a CBS news clip, which shows Russian forces attacking and arresting citizens publicly honoring Navalny.

"The difference between our urinal-caked subways and your candelabra'd beautiful subways is the literal price of freedom," Stewart said, before accusing Carlson of supporting Russia because it's "unwoke."

"The old civilizational battle was communism vs capitalism, that's what drove the world since World War II," he said.

"Russia was the enemy then, but now they think the battle is woke versus unwoke. In that fight, Putin is an ally to the right.

"He's their friend. Unfortunately, he is also a brutal and ruthless dictator."

"Liberty is nice," Stewart added. "But have you seen Russia's shopping carts?"

Speaking to The New York Times, Carlson described Navalny's death as "barbaric and awful," adding that "no decent person would defend it."

Stewart agreed with Carlson's assessment, suggesting that the journalist "would have gotten away" with his positive portrayal of Russia, if it "weren't for those meddling assassins."