Jon Stewart Addresses L.A. Forest Fires and Political Controversy on The Daily Show

On the January 13 episode of The Daily Show, Jon Stewart delved into the recent Los Angeles forest fires, highlighting both the devastating impact and the political debates surrounding relief efforts.

The fires, which began in Pacific Palisades on January 7, have caused widespread destruction in the Los Angeles area. Stewart opened the episode by acknowledging the “incredible moments of human compassion and kindness” that have emerged amid the tragedy. He praised the efforts of local communities, firefighters, and charitable contributors.

“Neighbors are looking after neighbors, and donations are pouring in from all over the world,” Stewart remarked. He specifically commended the bravery of firefighters, including prisoners who have been assisting in firefighting efforts, and acknowledged rescue workers from outside the United States, including Mexico.

Stewart used this point to critique conservative calls for stricter border policies, sarcastically commenting, “L.A. received rescue workers from Mexico! Mex-i-co! Damn your open borders Biden!”

The episode also addressed Republican lawmakers who have proposed attaching conditions to federal disaster relief funds for California. Stewart played clips of Republican representatives suggesting that aid should come with strings attached, including one saying, “I think there will be strings attached to money that will ultimately be approved,” and another claiming California “doesn’t deserve anything” without policy changes.

Stewart strongly criticized these statements, calling them “psychotic” and hypocritical. He pointed out that many of the same lawmakers have previously supported unconditional aid for disasters in red states. A clip of a Republican senator demanding federal assistance for their state was cut short by Stewart, who said, “Shut the [expletive] up… Red states are always the tragic victims of circumstances outside their control, and Democrats always vote for their aid. Whereas blue state disasters are a function of their flawed morality and policy.”