Key Takeaways:
– Jon Stewart expressed his anger at election pollsters who wrongly predicted the 2020 US Presidential Elections.
– He pointed out the incorrect prognostications made by pundits after election results.
– Stewart stressed the importance of continuous endeavor to create a better society.
– CNN’s Jake Tapper also showed disbelief at the unexpected election results.
Stewart Slams Failure of Pollsters
Jon Stewart, renowned for his time on “The Daily Show,” condemned the election pollsters following President Donald Trump’s reelection. During his live special on election night, he unleashed his anger at pollsters for predicting close competition and failing to foresee the comeback of Trump.
As the host poured out his frustrations through a profanity-filled outburst, he emphasized his dissatisfaction with the incorrect predictions during the high-stakes election. Criticizing the pollsters, he boldly declared, “We don’t know anything.” He added that they only pretend to comprehend current events and the future trajectory of the country.
Stewart: Lessons Will Be Wrong
Stewart, who took the hosting reins temporarily in February, further elaborated his point by shattering some widely accepted post-election interpretations. He retrospectively pointed out the over-optimistic declarations made by ABC News commentator George Stephanopoulos after Obama’s victory in 2008 and by Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly when Obama got reelected in 2012.
He deconstructed the image of a young new generation being ushered in after Trump’s tenure by introducing a clip of then 78-year-old Joe Biden receiving the 2020 election nomination at the Democratic National Convention. In a short span, these soundbites contributed to a national narrative that, according to Stewart, led to the disturbing insurrection on January 6.
“This Isn’t the End”
In a fitting, defiant conclusion, Stewart reassured the audience that this chaotic scenario was not the end. “We have to regroup and continue to fight and work towards creating a better society for our children, for this country — because it’s possible,” he proclaimed.
TV Personalities Taken Aback
Stewart wasn’t the only one finding the election results hard to digest. CNN’s Jake Tapper echoed similar sentiments following the surprise outcome. When CNN’s election map did not show Vice President Kamala Harris outperforming Biden as expected, Tapper was left shocked, uttering a disbelieving “holy smokes” on live television.
National correspondent John King hastily clarified that he had clicked the wrong button, causing the map to display the states instead of the performance data. When corrected, the map visibly showed Harris surpassing Biden by 3% or more in a few counties, causing utmost astonishment among the CNN team.
In Conclusion
Jon Stewart’s outburst was a palpable expression of anger and disappointment at the ineffective election predictions. While his rant made waves, Stewart presented an essential lesson: the need for continuous effort and belief in creating a better and more equitable society. Despite the unprecedented twists of the political realm, the course of the nation’s progress relies heavily on the populace’s resilience, underscoring Stewart’s potent proclamation, “This isn’t the end.”