Jon Stewart Comments on Trump and Maduro Arrest

On Monday, Jon Stewart, the host of Comedy Central, expressed unexpected praise for President Donald Trump, specifically discussing the arrest of former Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro, whom he described as having led a “repressive regime.” Maduro was reportedly apprehended by federal law enforcement in Caracas while the U.S. Army’s elite Delta Force provided protection.

Stewart humorously pointed out a sequence where staffers first showed images of Trump alongside leaders like Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Russian President Vladimir Putin before displaying Maduro’s photo.

“I’m referring to the ex-president of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, who was essentially reverse-ICEd and brought to a jail in Brooklyn. But I mean, don’t feel too sorry for him—he was a feared dictator,” Stewart said, pausing his commentary as a clip of Maduro signing “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” played.

“Bobby McFerrin karaoke? You monster,” Stewart added. “I know that’s a light-hearted clip, but the reality is, Maduro’s regime was harsh; it drove the country into poverty, suppressed dissent, and led to countless deaths.”

Following the Biden administration’s lifting of sanctions in October 2023, Maduro suspended the victory of an opposition leader in the primary elections. His July reelection has not been endorsed by the United States or many other nations.

Stewart remarked on the nature of Maduro’s capture, saying, “His reign of terror ended Friday night when U.S. special forces raided Caracas—Venezuela’s only city, as far as we know—and pulled Maduro from his bedroom, probably before he had a chance to take off his sleep mask.” He humorously noted, “His Oura ring must have been sending alerts like, ‘you had a rough night. Not deep sleep at all.’”

In the wake of the operation, some Congressional Democrats criticized the arrest as an unlawful act of war. Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer from New York mentioned he would be supporting a resolution with Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia and Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky to invoke the War Powers Act, aiming to prevent further actions.

On Monday, Maduro appeared in a Manhattan court for arraignment on various charges, including conspiracy related to narco-terrorism and drug importation, as well as weapon-related allegations. He and his wife have entered not guilty pleas.