Jon Stewart expressed his skepticism regarding the release of the Epstein files after a recent vote in Congress that surprised many observers. During an episode of his Weekly Show podcast, Stewart remarked on the swift action taken by both the House and Senate, highlighting that it demonstrated their ability to act quickly when motivated. He criticized the prolonged discussions surrounding the release, stating, “All their prevaricating and all of the stalling…was absolute bulls–t.”
With the bill now on the desk of President Donald Trump, Stewart anticipated that it would be signed, allowing for public access to the files, albeit with protections for victims’ identities. “And we will finally get to the bottom of all this,” he quipped, before clarifying his sarcastic tone, “I, of course, am lying and being sarcastic, but you know, we will see what we see.”
Stewart is not alone in his concerns about the integrity of the information that will ultimately be released. Mark Epstein, brother of the deceased Jeffrey Epstein, suggested in an interview with NewsNation that the files could be manipulated. He commented on Trump’s sudden support for the release, indicating that it might be part of a strategy to obscure critical details, stating, “I’ve been recently told…they’re sabotaging these files.”
Stewart Critiques Trump’s Saudi Relations
In addition to his comments on the Epstein files, Stewart did not hold back in his criticism of Trump’s welcoming of Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, during his recent visit to the U.S. On the same podcast episode, Stewart addressed a listener’s question regarding the attendance of several CEOs at a White House dinner for the Crown Prince, whose visit came after the contentious murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Stewart condemned the gestures of goodwill extended to bin Salman, which included a military flyover. Trump downplayed Khashoggi’s murder during the visit, telling reporters, “Things happen.” This prompted Stewart to express disbelief, questioning how major business leaders could align themselves with a figure implicated in such serious allegations. He stated, “Honestly, are people surprised by it? I cannot believe that the head of Apple, the head of Meta…would sit at a state dinner with the guy who is funneling billions and billions of dollars into their businesses.”
The conversation took a more personal turn as Stewart reflected on past criticisms he has received for engaging with individuals considered controversial. He recounted a specific incident regarding his interactions with an imam, stating, “For any of those right-wing guys that want to go out there and criticize the associations…look in the mirror.”
As the discourse surrounding the Epstein files and U.S.-Saudi relations continues, Stewart’s candid remarks reflect broader concerns about political accountability and the ethics of association in contemporary governance.
