Elon Musk agreed to come on “The Daily Show” after host Jon Stewart delivered a takedown of DOGE, the cost-cutting initiative he unofficially leads.
Corrections and clarifications: A previous version of this article misstated how many federal workers have lost jobs.
Elon Musk could be headed to “The Daily Show” to go toe-to-toe with host Jon Stewart, a frequent outspoken critic of both the Trump administration and the billionaire’s efforts to slash government spending.
Calls have been growing online for Musk and Stewart to face off on Comedy Central’s flagship satirical news program ever since Stewart delivered a tirade of the Tesla and SpaceX CEO so impassioned, he sliced his hand open. Stewart sustained the injury Monday while railing against the Department of Government Efficiency, the effort Musk unofficially leads at the behest of President Donald Trump that has drastically been culling the federal workforce.
After the episode aired, Musk’s supporters began clamoring on social media site X, which he owns, for the tech mogul to go on “The Daily Show” for a one-on-one conversation with Stewart. Musk appeared to accept the challenge, replying Tuesday to one user, “I will do it if the show airs unedited.”
“The Daily Show” took notice, reposting the message Wednesday from its official account accepting the terms.
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“We’d be delighted!” read the response, which tagged Musk.
.@elonmusk we’d be delighted! https://t.co/thMOOeLpeZ
— The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) February 26, 2025
Whether Musk will indeed be booked on “The Daily Show” remains to be seen. USA TODAY left a message Thursday with representatives for the show.
DOGE news:DOGE said it cut $881 million at the Education Department. The real savings are much less.
Jon Stewart rips DOGE on Monday episode of ‘The Daily Show’
Jon Stewart poses with an Emmy in September during a ceremony in Los Angeles.
Stewart’s beef with Musk escalated Monday when the comedian slammed the seemingly indiscriminate firing of tens of thousands of federal employees across multiple agencies – regardless of the importance of their jobs.
During the segment, Stewart tallied up what he perceived as missed opportunities for DOGE to make meaningful cuts without targeting workers. Near the end of the segment, Stewart pulled out props, including a lamp and a white mug, to set up an office for himself to help DOGE with cutting government waste.
That’s when, as he became frustrated, he smashed the mug onto his desk, slicing his hand. Though Stewart finished his monologue with his bleeding hand under his desk, he quipped, “I’ll be going to the hospital soon.”
Watch Stewart’s full monologue here.
Elon Musk talks DOGE at Trump’s first cabinet meeting
Musk, who last week appeared at the Conservative Political Action Conference wielding a prop chainsaw to symbolize cutting waste, defended his efforts to reduce the federal workforce most recently Wednesday during Trump’s first Cabinet meeting in Washington D.C.
A staunch ally of the president, Musk made the appearance following his controversial directive to federal employees via email asking them to list their recent accomplishment or face termination. Following the email, 21 DOGE staffers resigned in protest earlier this week, saying in a joint letter they will not use their skills to “dismantle critical public services.”
Musk’s ultimatum prompted government-wide confusion and concern, with several departments issuing clarifications that responses to the email were voluntary even though Musk said their jobs depended on it. Later, the Trump administration clarified that it was not mandatory to respond.
But on Wednesday, Trump reaffirmed his support of Musk.
“Is anybody unhappy with Elon?” Trump asked his secretaries after a reporter asked the president if any Cabinet members were dissatisfied with Musk’s role. “If you are, well, throw them out of here.”
Contributing: Brendan Morrow, Joey Garrison, USA TODAY
Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com
