Jon Stewart Crowns Trump the "Imitation Crab of Kings" on The Daily Show

Jon Stewart recently returned to "The Daily Show" desk, and he didn't hold back, taking on the massive "No Kings" protests and Fox News's wild reactions, all while hilariously dubbing Donald Trump the "imitation crab of kings."

TL;DR: The Royal Rundown

• Jon Stewart dissected the "No Kings" protests on "The Daily Show," highlighting their peaceful nature despite initial media hype.
• He slammed Fox News for flip-flopping on their coverage, first predicting chaos, then complaining about "old white people" and "silly" costumes.
• Stewart drew parallels between Donald Trump's actions and the Declaration of Independence's grievances against King George III, making a strong "king-adjacent" case.

Jon Stewart Returns to His Rightful Throne: The "No Kings" Monologue

If you've been missing Jon Stewart's razor-sharp political commentary, you were in for a treat this past Monday. On October 21, 2025, Stewart took center stage on "The Daily Show" to tackle the weekend's nationwide "No Kings" protests, and boy, did he deliver! It was everything we love about him: hilarious, insightful, and unafraid to call out hypocrisy.

The "No Kings" rallies saw an incredible turnout, with reports from CNN estimating around seven million Americans participating in events across the country. And get this: despite some initial fear-mongering, these protests were "largely peaceful" and "often joyful," featuring everything from dancers to creative skits mocking government overreach. Stewart even pointed out the truly remarkable statistic: "zero mass shootings." Yeah, you read that right. Seven million people, zero incidents.

Fox News's Ever-Shifting Narrative About the Protests

One of the juiciest targets for Stewart's wit was Fox News and their, let's just say, fluid coverage of the protests. Before the weekend, some Fox News pundits, along with figures like House Speaker Mike Johnson and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, were painting a picture of impending "chaos." We heard promises of "crazy" rallies filled with "Antifa members and Marxists" – a "terrifyingly shit-your-pants protest," as Stewart later quipped.

Stewart hilariously recounted the build-up: "And so this weekend we sat in our bunkers, doors locked, windows boarded, muskets and cyanide pills at the ready, prepared for whatever the hardest-core had in store. Do your worst! Display your Marxism to its fullest!"

But when the protests turned out to be, well, peaceful and even a bit whimsical with "absurdist costumes" and people singing "This Land Is Your Land," Fox News had to pivot. Hard. Suddenly, the narrative changed. Protesters were now "silly" and "dumb," not "serious." And then came the real kicker: many Fox reporters started complaining that the rallies were made up of "old white Boomers."

Stewart, of course, couldn't let that slide.

"Make up your mind, Fox! You complained it would be a terrifyingly shit-your-pants protest. And now you are complaining about how boringly unpants-shitting it was?"

— Jon Stewart on "The Daily Show"

He added, with a smirk, "Extra, extra! Read all about it: This country has too many angry old white people, says—hold on—Fox News! Fox News says, ‘Why are old white people so angry?’ Fox News, mad that there are so many old white people in America. I don’t think Fox News is mad. I think they’re jealous." He even playfully showed footage of past Tea Party protests, highlighting the irony.

Trump's Bruised Hands and Kingly Denials

Beyond the media critique, Stewart also delved into why the "No Kings" moniker felt so fitting for Donald Trump. Trump himself had taken issue with the protests' name, repeatedly insisting he's "not a king" and "not a king at all" to Maria Bartiromo and other reporters. He claimed he just "worked his a-- off" to make the U.S. great, while also calling the demonstrators "whacked out" and "not representative of this country."

But Stewart had a visual aid to support his argument that Trump indeed acts like a king: his consistently bruised hands. While the White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt tried to explain these as "minor soft tissue irritation from frequent hand-shaking and the use of aspirin," Stewart wasn't buying it. "Look... I’ve been in the business a long time. I’m not the president, but I’ve shaken a lot of hands. And I’m pretty sure it doesn’t cause gangrene."

Drawing Parallels with the Declaration of Independence

Stewart then pulled out the ultimate source for the "No Kings" movement: the Declaration of Independence. Reading directly from the historic document, he skillfully drew parallels between the grievances against King George III and many of Trump's actions. It was a masterclass in political satire:

• "He has kept among us in times of peace, standing armies without the consent of our legislatures." Stewart showed news headlines detailing Trump's deployment of federal troops in cities like Chicago and the use of the National Guard.
• "Cutting off our trade with all parts of the world." A picture of Trump's reciprocal tariff list from April 2025 appeared on screen, a clear nod to his trade wars that impacted global commerce.
• "He has obstructed the administration of justice." While a general point, Stewart's implication was clear given recent political events.
• "He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us." An image of the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots flashed on screen, a stark reminder of the consequences of political incitement.

Stewart concluded, "I mean, come on! I’m calling it. Look, maybe Trump isn’t an all-powerful king, the kind who can do whatever he wants, but he’s undeniably king-adjacent, king-esque, moving for more." He cemented his argument with the now-iconic line: "He’s the imitation crab of kings right now. The 'I-can’t-believe-it’s-not-king.'"

From King-Adjacent to Deity: The "Jesus or Trump" Challenge

Stewart didn't stop at just "king-adjacent." He observed that for some Republicans, even calling Trump a "king" might be a "demotion." In their minds, he's "a deity—a Jesus-like figure." Stewart highlighted clips of pundits calling Trump a "miracle worker" who is "saving Christianity."

This led to a brilliant "Who Said It?" game of "Jesus or Trump," where Stewart presented quotes and challenged viewers to guess the source. For example, "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" was Jesus, while "I moved on her like a bitch" was Trump. The segment underscored the vast ideological chasm and the almost religious fervor surrounding Trump among some supporters.

Other Late-Night Hosts Join the Royal Roast

It wasn't just Stewart having a field day. Other late-night hosts also piled on the "No Kings" protests and Trump's reaction. Stephen Colbert titled his "Late Show" episode "Reign Check" and featured Laura Benanti returning as Melania. He even showed Trump's "grotesque AI video response" that depicted him "carpet-pooping his own citizens," noting its factual accuracy despite its disturbing nature.

Seth Meyers, on "Late Night," tackled Trump's threat to invoke the Insurrection Act, deadpanning, "I like that his response to the No Kings rally is to remind everyone why it was a good idea to have a No Kings rally." Even Jimmy Fallon, typically more politically cautious, dipped his toe in with a few jokes. It seems the "No Kings" protests provided plenty of material for a solid night of satire across the board.

Jon Stewart's return monologue was a powerful reminder of his unique ability to blend humor with hard-hitting political commentary. He managed to synthesize the complex events of the weekend into an easily digestible, incredibly funny, and profoundly insightful segment that left audiences both laughing and thinking. Here's hoping for many more such royal roasts!

FAQ: What You Need to Know About Jon Stewart's Return When did Jon Stewart's "No Kings" monologue air? Jon Stewart's monologue on the "No Kings" protests aired on Monday, October 21, 2025. Where can I watch "The Daily Show" with Jon Stewart? "The Daily Show" airs weeknights at 11 p.m. ET on Comedy Central. You can also likely find clips and full episodes on Comedy Central's website or streaming platforms that carry the channel. What were the "No Kings" protests about? The "No Kings" protests were nationwide demonstrations that took place over the weekend before Stewart's monologue, aimed at protesting against perceived authoritarian tendencies and "king-like" behavior in leadership, specifically referencing Donald Trump. How many people participated in the "No Kings" protests? According to CNN reports cited by Jon Stewart, approximately seven million Americans participated in the nationwide "No Kings" demonstrations.

Sources:

• "Jon Stewart Reveals What Donald Trump’s Bruised Hands Really Say About Him" by Michael Boyle (Published Oct. 21, 2025)
• "Jon Stewart Slams Fox News for Complaining About Too Many ‘Old White People’ at No Kings Protests: ‘Make Up Your Mind’" by Jack Dunn (Published Oct 20, 2025)
• "Jon Stewart Crowns Donald Trump the ‘Imitation Crab of Kings’" by Emily Zemler (Published October 21, 2025)
• "Jon Stewart Plays 'Jesus or Trump' to Figure Out If Trump Is a King or the King of Kings" by Matt Schimkowitz (Published October 21, 2025)
• "Jon Stewart Went Back 250 Years To Check On Trump After 'No Kings' Protests" by Ed Mazza (Published October 21, 2025)