Former Daily Show host Jon Stewart dismissed the argument an indictment against former Republican President Donald Trump could work in Trump's favor during the 2024 presidential race.
Stewart made the comments during an interview with CNN's Fareed Zakaria on Sunday. Zakaria mentioned Republican politicians said campaign finance fraud charges for a hush money payment made to adult film actor Stormy Daniels could be a boon for Trump's campaign.
Stewart sarcastically responded the law "should always take into account someone's popularity." He later added America either has the rule of law or it does not and consistency in accountability is what he desires.
You can hear what Stewart said in the video below.
Stewart said:
“[Trump] could become president anyway. Fareed, we either have the rule of law or we have no rule of law. The rule of law does not take into account if that might make you a martyr to somebody.” ...
“I don’t see him ever actually going to jail. I personally don’t even care. I just want a system that somehow finds consistent accountability.”
Trump's indictment is expected to relate to a $130,000 payment made to porn star Stormy Daniels in the final days of Trump's 2016 presidential campaign.
It is one of several potential criminal cases facing Trump, with investigations into his handling of classified documents and his role in the Capitol riot—a calculated attempt by him and his supporters to overthrow the government that resulted in several deaths and millions of dollars in damages—also underway.
Naturally, Trump's biggest supporters have attempted to excuse the hush money payment and campaign finance fraud violations that were in part what landed Trump's former attorney and fixer Michael Cohen in prison.
Many applauded Stewart's response and called for Trump to face consequences.
Stewart's comments lie in stark contrast to remarks made by comedian Chris Rock.
This month, Rock quipped arresting Trump would only make him more popular and boost his 2024 presidential campaign, comparing it to imprisoning the late rapper Tupac Shakur.
Rock was criticized for saying arresting Trump would, like Tupac, lead to him "sell[ing] more records."
