Brent N. Clarke/FilmMagic(NEW YORK) — Jon Stewart teased a possible return to political satire on Monday, just not the one fans had been hoping for.
During an appearance at the University of Chicago’s Institute of Politics for a taping of The Axe Files, the former Daily Show host told institute director and former adviser to President Barack Obama, David Axelrod, that Donald Trump’s rise and his potential election battle with Democrat front-runner Hillary Clinton doesn’t have him itching for a new platform to discuss politics.
“I’m not restless,” Stewart told Axelrod in response to his comment that Stewart is no longer engaged in the national conversation over politics.
“I feel like I’m engaged now,” insisted Stewart. “When you’re not on television, you’re still alive and you’re still engaged in the world. And I feel more engaged now in the real world than I ever did sitting on television interviewing politicians.”
However, Stewart did hint at plans to make short political cartoons starting in September. “We’re working on technology and animation to try and do interesting and little small bits,” said the 53-year-old comedian. But he downplayed any effect they might have on the outcome of the November election, noting, “The October surprise in this election is not going to be a two-minute cartoon that I’m going to release.”
That didn’t keep Stewart from offering his thoughts on Trump and Clinton.
“I would vote for Mr. T. over Donald Trump,” joked Stewart.
He also questioned Trump’s eligibility to run for president, noting, “I’m not a constitutional scholar so I can’t necessarily say, but are you eligible to run if you are a man-baby? Or a baby-man?”
“I’m not here to be politically incorrect, if they’re referred to as man-baby Americans…but he is a man-baby,” Stewart continued, drawing laughs from the crowd. “He has the physical countenance of a man and a baby’s temperament and hands.”
Stewart also warned that Clinton is going to be in “big trouble” if she doesn’t find a way to convince voters of her “authenticity.”
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