Comedian Jon Stewart recently addressed corruption in politics during a segment titled, “How Dumb Is You?”, where he called out former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Bob Menendez, and Hunter Biden. He expressed his disbelief at the alleged crimes Menendez was involved in, criticizing the legal corruption present in Senate that makes illegal activities unnecessary. Stewart also highlighted insider trading in Congress that has not been addressed through legislation.
Specifically targeting Pelosi, Stewart pointed out her controversial stock trading practices and showed a video of her defending the ability of members of Congress to participate in the “free market.” Stewart questioned the fairness of this practice, stating that everyone should have equal access to information in a truly free market. Additionally, Stewart mentioned a $2 billion investment received by Jared Kushner’s company from Saudi Arabia, tying it to questions about Hunter Biden’s involvement with the Burisma board.
Stewart humorously highlighted the transparency of Hunter Biden when answering questions about his connection to the Burisma board and contrasted it with the evasive responses of other politicians. He emphasized the blatant corruption in Menendez’s alleged actions, pointing out that government patronage and influence are widespread issues in politics. Stewart also mentioned Sen. Tommy Tuberville and former GOP Sen. Richard Burr, who faced investigations for selling stocks before the COVID-19 pandemic.
The segment also noted that jury selection for Menendez’s second federal corruption trial had begun, with him facing charges alongside businessmen Fred Daibes and Wael Hana. While Menendez, Daibes, and Hana have pleaded not guilty, a fourth businessman, Jose Uribe, has pleaded guilty and agreed to testify against the others. Menendez has announced that he would not seek re-election as a Democrat but did not rule out running as an independent.
Stewart’s commentary shed light on various instances of corruption among politicians, pointing out the hypocrisy and ethical issues present in their actions. By highlighting high-profile cases like Menendez’s and linking them to broader issues such as insider trading and political patronage, Stewart encouraged viewers to consider the pervasive nature of corruption in government. The comedian’s satirical take on serious political matters aimed to entertain while also prompting discussion and reflection on the state of ethics in politics.
