Comedian Jon Stewart has accused Apple of refusing to let him have Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan on his podcast for a show he hosted on its Apple TV+ streaming platform, after reports of discord between Stewart and company executives led to the show’s cancellation last year. Stewart, who recently returned to the Daily Show, interviewed Khan about ongoing antitrust scrutiny facing tech giants like Apple. During the interview, Stewart claimed that Apple asked him not to have Khan on the podcast, as well as prevented him from discussing certain issues related to major AI platforms.
Last month, the Justice Department and several states filed a lawsuit against Apple, accusing the company of violating antitrust laws through restrictive policies that harm competition and customers. The lawsuit mentions Apple’s control over content creators and newspapers, as well as its expanding role as a TV and movie producer. Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter highlighted the hefty fees paid by developers, artists, and content creators to Apple, as the company gains more control over content creation and distribution.
Stewart hosted two seasons of the current affairs talk show “The Problem with Jon Stewart” on Apple TV+, where he addressed single political, social, or economic issues per episode. The show was abruptly canceled in October due to reported creative differences between Stewart and Apple, with concerns raised about topics like China and artificial intelligence. This issue prompted Congress to question Apple’s content decisions and urge the company to publicly commit to welcoming content critical of the CCP or PRC on Apple TV+ and other services.
Apple has not publicly commented on the situation, and Stewart’s recent comments were his first public remarks on the matter. The comedian pointed out that Apple’s refusal to allow certain discussions on his show highlights the dangers of concentrating power and decision-making in a small number of companies. Stewart and Khan’s conversation suggested that tech giants like Apple may be afraid of public conversations on various issues due to their influence over content creation and distribution.
Forbes reached out to Apple for comment on Stewart’s claims but has not received a response. The comedian’s situation with Apple sheds light on the complex relationship between tech giants and content creators, as well as the impact of concentrated power on public discourse. The ongoing antitrust scrutiny facing companies like Apple underscores the importance of fostering competition and protecting consumers in the rapidly evolving digital landscape. Stewart’s experience with Apple serves as a reminder of the challenges and responsibilities that come with navigating the intersection of media, technology, and power in today’s society.
