Jon Stewart: “Authoritarianism” Is Biggest Threat to Comedy

The 2022 Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor was awarded to Jon Stewart on Sunday night. He’s the first recipient of the award in more than two years due to the pandemic.

It’s one of comedy’s top honors – Stewart becomes the 23rd person to receive it – and the event drew some of the biggest names in comedy and politics at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C., reflecting the comedian’s reach and cultural influence.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg walked the red carpet alongside Samantha Bee and Jimmy Kimmel. Pete Davidson and Kim Kardashian were also among the attendees, and Dave Chappelle and Steve Carell were among the presenters during the ceremony.

Pelosi, more than once the subject of Stewart’s ribbing in the past, acknowledged that she enjoys his work.

“I’m excited about Jon Stewart for his humor of course,” Pelosi said, “but from the standpoint of his impact on public policy, he’s been focused on what he knows about and cares about. He doesn’t just come at it as a celebrity.”

Stewart has been a dedicated activist on behalf of veterans and 9/11 emergency workers.

In his acceptance speech, Stewart spoke about the purpose and future of humor, as well as its greatest threat.

“There’s a lot of talk right now about what’s going to happen in comedy. You know, there was the slap (of Chris Rock by Will Smith at this year’s Oscars). But it’s not the fragility of audiences,” said Stewart referring to the threat to comedy, “it’s the leaders. It’s not the Fresh Prince, it’s the crown prince,” he continued.

“Authoritarianism is the threat to art, theater, poetry,” Stewart said. “What we have is fragile and precious, and the way to guard against it isn’t to change how audiences think, but to change how leaders lead.”

The 2022 Mark Twain Prize ceremony will be broadcast June 21 on PBS.