‘I Find That Guy Very Funny’: Jon Stewart Defends Trump Rally Roast Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe For ‘Doing What He Does’

The Daily Show host Jon Stewart mocked news networks reaction to comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, who faced heavy criticism after performing roast-style jokes at former President Donald Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally.

Hinchcliffe’s performance, which included calling Puerto Rico a “floating island of garbage” and played on other jibes at Hispanics and Black people in a set that was the focus of condemnation by political figures and media pundits alike on Monday.

Major cable news networks aired clips of Hinchcliffe’s routine, with one anchor labeling the jokes “distasteful and inflammatory,” echoing sentiments shared by high-profile entertainers like artists Bad Bunny and singer Jennifer Lopez, as well as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY).

Unfazed, Stewart used Monday’s episode to push back, remarking, “For the media, there was one moment in particular that raised the alarms.” He played a supercut of outraged news anchors critiquing Hinchcliffe’s jokes before diving into his defense of the comedian’s style.

Defending Hinchcliffe, however, Stewart said: “Obviously, in retrospect, having a roast comedian come to a political rally a week before election day and roasting a key demographic – probably not the best decision by the campaign politically.”

“But to be fair,” he added, “the guy’s just really doing what he does.”

Stewart even brought up Hinchcliffe’s earlier Roast of Tom Brady set, subjecting those on stage to jokes at their expense in which he joked about slavery and Jews.

Laughing off the reactions, the host said: “Yes, yes, of course, terrible, boo.”

Laughing he continued: “There’s something wrong with me. I find that guy very funny. I’m sorry, I don’t know what to tell you.”

Stewart likened the controversy to inviting a pop icon like Beyoncé to speak at a rally, which Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris did, and expecting her not to sing – quipping that expecting Hinchcliffe to tone down his roast humor was similarly incongruous.

Stewart spent the rest of his opening monologue lambasting Trump and other “underlings” who spoke at the rally for ramping up the rhetoric, taking aim at the former president’s promise of “mass deportations” on day one in the White House, should he win the election.

Watch above on Comedy Central.