UPDATE: Jon Stewart is expressing outrage as Senate Democrats have just crossed party lines to end a government shutdown that lasted for 41 days. This decision comes without any guarantees that Republicans will extend the expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies, which Democrats have been fiercely advocating for.
In a fiery monologue aired Monday night, Stewart exclaimed, “I can’t f—ing believe it! They f—ing caved on the shutdown,” criticizing Democratic leaders for their lack of resolve just days after major election victories in states like New Jersey and Virginia. “You had the wind at your back. Election victories all over the country,” he said, highlighting the apparent lost opportunity.
Stewart specifically targeted Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, questioning his motives. “Either all eight senators who voted to capitulate coincidentally are not up for re-election in 2026, or Chuck Schumer worked behind the scenes to give in to the Republicans while still protecting vulnerable Democrats, including himself,” Stewart argued. The eight Democratic senators who voted to end the shutdown include Dick Durbin, Maggie Hassan, Tim Kaine, Jeanne Shaheen, Catherine Cortez Masto, John Fetterman, Jacky Rosen, and Independent Angus King.
Stewart’s comments come amid rising tensions within the Democratic Party, with Schumer facing mounting calls to step down as Senate Minority Leader. “This is what the Democrats have squandered,” he said, lamenting that party leaders have sapped voters’ enthusiasm and squandered their leverage during a critical moment.
In a striking analogy, Stewart compared Schumer to Brian Daboll, the recently fired head coach of the New York Giants, emphasizing the Democratic Party’s failure to capitalize on favorable circumstances. “That’s right,” Stewart said to the audience, suggesting that like the Giants, the Democrats seem to repeatedly lose their leads.
As the fallout continues, Stewart’s criticism reflects a broader discontent within the party. “And it’s just too bad that we are now stuck with these leaders that we have on that side, and there’s nothing that can be done about it,” he concluded, leaving viewers to ponder the future of Democratic leadership.
With the political landscape rapidly changing, all eyes are now on how Democrats will respond to internal dissent and the implications of their recent decisions. The urgency of the situation is palpable as both party unity and their legislative agenda hang in the balance.