Jon Stewart, the renowned host of “The Daily Show,” recently opened up about his professional future during an interview with editor David Remnick at the New Yorker Festival. With his current contract at Comedy Central, now under the newly-merged Paramount Skydance Corporation, set to expire in December, Stewart confirmed that he is actively “working on staying” and exploring an extension to his tenure.

Speculation regarding Stewart’s future has intensified, particularly in the wake of Paramount’s announcement that CBS’ “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” would conclude in May 2026. Both Stewart and Colbert have been vocal critics of the corporate merger and former President Donald Trump on their respective programs, including Paramount’s settlement with Trump concerning Kamala Harris’ “60 Minutes” interview. Despite these criticisms and his own expressed dissatisfaction with some company actions, Stewart conveyed a nuanced perspective on his decision to remain.

“Look, the other thing to remember is it’s not as clear cut as all that… They’ve already done things that I’m upset about,” Stewart told Remnick. He pondered the ethical dilemma of leaving versus staying to advocate for his principles: “But then if I had integrity, maybe I would stand up and go, ‘I’m out.’ Or maybe the integrity thing to do would be to stay in it and keep fighting in the foxhole.” He firmly asserted his commitment to his craft, stating, “You don’t compromise on what you do, and you do it until they tell you to leave.”

Beyond his contract discussions, Stewart also delved into his critique of the Trump administration. He articulated a core belief that fueled Trump’s rise to power, observing, “There’s a reason Donald Trump came to power, and that is that in the general populous mind, government no longer serves the interests of the people it purports to represent.” Stewart highlighted the broad sentiment that “the system is rigged,” which resonated with many and bolstered Trump’s narrative.

While acknowledging the scrutiny faced by late-night hosts, Stewart adamantly clarified that they are not the primary victims of the administration. “We are a visible manifestation of certain things, but the victims are the people that are struggling to have any voice and are being forcibly removed from streets by hooded agents,” he concluded, emphasizing his focus on those truly marginalized and impacted by the political climate.