Jon Stewart Roasts Trump's Third Term Dreams: 'Third Time's the Charm?'
In a recent NBC interview, Jon Stewart hilariously mocked Donald Trump's bid for a third term, questioning if the ex-president is trying to 'order off the Constitution's menu'—despite the fact that it’s a take-out only.
Stewart's comedic roast comes on the heels of Trump's serious claims about shadowing a potential third presidential term, a move that's constitutionally prohibited by the 22nd Amendment. With Trump suggesting his VP, JD Vance, might help him achieve this improbable comeback, Stewart's jabs highlight the absurdity of attempting to rewrite the rules of democracy and serve up a side of political catapults along the way.
In the NBC News interview that sparked Stewart's comedic onslaught, Trump insisted he was 'not joking' about the likelihood of a third term. The statement was met with raised eyebrows and a chorus of laughter from political observers, but for Trump, it appears nothing is off the table—except perhaps adhering to the Constitution. Stewart highlighted the sheer absurdity of Trump's assertion, quipping, "What are you trying to order off menu from the Constitution? A side of extra terms on that?"
Trump's remarks took a curious turn when he suggested that Vice President JD Vance might run in 2028, win the race, and then conveniently give the presidency back to him. This strategy, however, brings a new meaning to the phrase 'dynamic duo.' Perhaps Trump envisioned them in a buddy cop film, with Vance as the rookie cop who finds a way to sneak the veteran back into the driver's seat after taking a bye week.
Stewart's wit doesn't just stop at menu items; he drew attention to the January 6, 2021, insurrection as a far too vivid reminder of the extents to which individuals might go to cling to power. He remarked, 'If you need a catapult for a power grab, you might want to reconsider your career options.' The joke resonates deeply with history, where rather extreme methods have been employed to ensure leaders stick around a little longer than expected.
As Stewart continued to dissect both Trump and the current political climate, he directed some of his ire toward tech mogul Elon Musk. While Musk is busy making headlines with Twitter escapades and rocket launches, Stewart questioned the state of democracy, ironically wondering if we'd need to crowdfund it at this rate. "Is Elon Musk running democracy like it's a wild-haired startup where everyone can bid on the next big idea?" he pondered. A fair question when the future of governance seems to hinge on a series of jokes and memes curated by billionaires.
Despite the comedic nature of Stewart's critiques, they do shed light on serious matters. The idea of a third term, particularly in light of historical contexts of power and control, isn't just comical; it’s unsettling. Stewart’s humor serves to remind us that while the political landscape is often a circus, the rules—particularly those outlined by the founding fathers—remain grounded in a constitution that necessitates respect, even if it comes with a side of comedy.
To summarize, Stewart brought a well-deserved dose of skepticism to Trump's aspirations, making clear that while one may dream awake, the reality remains that these ambitions would require a legal Hail Mary of Shakespearean proportions. President or not, bringing back catapults for political gains might be a bit too on the nose even for the Trump era—let's leave the artillery to history and focus on the voting booths. With all the laughter that Stewart incited, he might have just made the world of politics a bit less daunting, or at least provided a much-needed laugh track amid the chaos.