Jon Stewart Mocks Trump’s Comments on Nicki Minaj in Monday Monologue

Jon Stewart opened the Monday night episode of The Daily Show by targeting Donald Trump’s recent comments about Nicki Minaj. The president’s remarks, which focused on the rapper’s physical appearance, had spread widely online before the show aired. Stewart used the segment to discuss how the president is currently on the campaign trail for the midterm elections. He noted that Trump is making his closing arguments on issues voters care about, such as the economy, the cost of living, and the war in Iran.

Stewart played a clip of Trump discussing a man’s physique. In the video, the president said he looked at a man’s ass and described it as a big piece of muscle. Stewart then cut to footage from a rally in Michigan on Saturday. In that clip, Trump said he had looked at a beautiful ass before, specifically naming Nicki Minaj. He added that it was hard to miss.

Stewart reacted to the clips with visible disbelief. He questioned how the situation was real and asked viewers to stand up and twirl around to see the result. He joked about the need to talk about inflation instead. The host pointed to Trump’s face in the video as Minaj spoke. Stewart described the president as transfixed and staring. He compared Trump’s demeanor to Yogi Bear floating towards a pie on a windowsill.

The monologue also covered a political ad from Vivek Ramaswamy. The Ohio Republican gubernatorial candidate’s ad features Amy Acton’s estranged mother. Stewart called the ad compelling but noted mitigating factors. He explained that Acton’s mother has not spoken to her daughter in 50 years. The reason for the silence, Stewart said, was that the mother lost custody of her children because her husband was indicted for raping his daughter. Stewart then played a clip of Trump defending the ad. The president called a reporter who asked about the sexual abuse allegations a horrible little reporter. Stewart asked when Trump became Miss Hannigan.

Stewart’s hosting role is set to continue through 2028. An announcement prior to last week’s show confirmed his contract extension. His original contract was set to end at the close of 2026. He had signed a one-year renewal in November 2025. Stewart first hosted The Daily Show in 1999 and left in 2015. He returned to the program in February 2024. Ratings for the show increased after his return.