"The Daily Show" host and comedian Jon Stewart was under fire Tuesday night for having former Fox News host Bill O’Reilly on the popular show to talk about political fanaticism and extreme rhetoric.
Earlier in the show, Stewart shredded Republicans for calling for "unity" and "healing" despite doing the opposite in the wake of the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump that left one person slain. He then hosted O'Reilly for a 12-minute discussion on the state of politics that led to the shooting, and to discuss his new book “Confronting the Presidents.”
O'Reilly made the case that today, "hatred is rewarded."
"The hate brigade is now pulling back a little bit, because they have to, but they're going to be back in two weeks," he said. "Because they get paid to do this."
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As Stewart and O'Reilly started to talk over each other, O'Reilly interjected, eventually saying "We are able to disagree without hating each other."
"Now, I truly hate him," O'Reilly joked, to laughs from Stewart and the audience. "But I don't show it!"
That type of "detente," he said, is no longer rewarded.
"The haters get the big money," said O'Reilly.
O'Reilly continued blasting everyone from "conspiratorial nuts" in their basements to corporations that label people racists and Nazis.
An introspective Stewart joked that he and O'Reilly both made fortunes by pushing the envelope and being "provocative."
"Shouldn't the argument be, we have to start arguing with each other in good faith?" noted Stewart.
The two agreed they made a "nice living" confronting others, whether through making fun of them or via "serious debate."
"But we don't want to see them destroyed," noted O'Reilly. "That's the difference."
But the internet wasn't buying what Stewart (and O'Reilly) were selling.
"Well this is disappointing," wrote @davidzack on X.
"Ugh!!! @jonstewart !!! Really, Bill O’Reilly ?!?" a stunned @amooredunn wrote. "Find a respectable conservative… I know the pickins’ are slim but try harder!"
"Boooo!!!" wrote @CapndblA, adding three thumbs-down emojis.
Multiple users pointed out that O'Reilly, once a top-rated cable news host, was forced out in 2017 from Fox News after a series of sexual harassment allegations against him came to light.
"so you can have a sexual harasser on as long as he has a book to sell," wrote @gimponastick. "how f---ing gross."
"It’s so cool to platform sexual predators. Do Harvey Weinstein next!" jabbed @merlnich1.
Watch the clip below or at this link.
