Jon Stewart is firing back at Elon Musk, rejecting the billionaire’s claims that he’s “too partisan” and openly calling out his hypocrisy. The veteran comedian and host of The Daily Show made it clear he’s willing to sit down for an interview—if Musk is actually up for it.
Stewart’s response came after Musk publicly criticized him for his recent segment attacking the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the controversial agency Musk spearheaded under President Trump’s administration. During the segment, Stewart mocked the agency’s aggressive cost-cutting measures and even injured his hand in the process, an accident that quickly became symbolic of his take on Musk’s governance approach.
“We are DOGE-ing in the wrong place if we really want to change the system,” Stewart quipped, slamming Musk’s sweeping reductions to the federal workforce under the guise of efficiency.
Following the segment, Musk initially appeared open to discussion. “I will do it if the show airs unedited,” he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. But within days, Musk’s tone shifted dramatically. He dismissed Stewart as a “propagandist,” implying that The Daily Show lacked neutrality.
On Monday night’s show, Stewart wasted no time addressing Musk’s sudden change of heart.
“Musk tweeted—or X’d, I guess—that he would like to come on here and talk to me as long as the show airs unedited,” Stewart told his audience. “After thinking about his offer, I thought, you know, hey, that’s actually how the in-studio interviews normally air, is unedited. So, sure, we’d be delighted.”
But Stewart wasn’t about to stop there. He doubled down, challenging Musk to an extended interview, throwing in some sharp-edged humor along the way.
“Let me sweeten or unsweeten the pot: The interview could be 15 minutes, it could be an hour, it could be two hours,” Stewart offered. “I’ll be honest, I don’t think this network makes any other programming. So we can do whatever the f*** we want as long as we wrap before the new season of South Park, which comes out in like May or June of 2026.”
Then Stewart took aim at Musk’s latest accusation that he was merely a political mouthpiece.
“The guy who custom-made his own ‘Dark MAGA’ hat that he wears to opine in the Oval Office with the president, who he spent $270 million to elect, thinks I’m just too partisan,” Stewart said, referencing Musk’s well-documented financial and ideological backing of Donald Trump.
Stewart wasn’t done yet. He went on to dismantle Musk’s claim of political neutrality, exposing the contradiction in the billionaire’s actions and words.
“I’m really not sure what he thinks bipartisan means, but it’s generally not, ‘I support Donald Trump and also Germany’s AFD Party.’ That’s not bipartisan. That’s just the same s***,” Stewart said, calling out Musk’s flirtation with far-right politics.
The comedian then reiterated his position on DOGE, making it clear that his issue wasn’t with government efficiency itself, but rather Musk’s version of it.
“Look, Elon, I do have some criticisms about DOGE,” Stewart admitted. “I support, in general, the idea of efficiency and delivering better services to the American public in cheaper and more efficient ways. And if you want to come on and talk about it on the show, great. If you don’t want to, sure.”
But Stewart wasn’t buying Musk’s excuse for avoiding the interview. Instead, he called out the real reason: Musk’s own fear of real debate.
“Can we just drop the pretense that you won’t do it because I don’t measure up to the standards of neutral discourse that you demand and display at all times?” Stewart asked, before delivering the final blow.
“Because, quite frankly, that’s bull****. You know it, I know it. Bull****.”
Musk’s decision to back away from the interview has fueled speculation about his ability to handle tough conversations. While he frequently engages with right-wing media and sympathetic interviewers, he has shown an aversion to being pressed on his policies, his political influence, and his business decisions when challenged by more critical voices.
Stewart’s takedown was not just about Musk’s reluctance to appear on The Daily Show—it was a broader critique of the billionaire’s pattern of posturing as an anti-establishment figure while wielding enormous power within the very system he claims to oppose.
With Stewart making it clear he’s ready for a real discussion, the ball is now in Musk’s court. Will he accept the challenge and engage in an open conversation? Or will he continue to hide behind accusations of “propaganda” while selectively choosing his platforms?
If Musk is as fearless as he claims to be, he might just have to sit across from Jon Stewart and answer some real questions. Otherwise, Stewart’s words will stand as a brutal indictment of a man who loves to talk—but only on his own terms.
