In the latest episode of “The Daily Show”, a familiar face made a surprise appearance. John Oliver, once a correspondent for Jon Stewart, appeared on the show to revel in the fact that Donald Trump’s unprecedented use of executive power has seemingly ushered in a “monarchy era” in America.
Stewart, after unsuccessfully attempting to find anyone capable of standing against Trump’s wave of executive orders and government cutbacks, commented, “America has had a good run. We are transitioning from the constitutional republic we’ve been for the past 250 years into a monarchy, which we once fought to break free from. But the crucial thing–”
Before Stewart could finish his thought, he was interrupted by sarcastic clapping from off-stage. Oliver then made his entrance, smirking.
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“The lost son seems to have made his return,” Oliver stated, met with applause from the audience.
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“Wait a moment,” Stewart interjected. “Am I mistaken, or is that young John Oliver? Have you come here to impart your wisdom and advice?”
“Absolutely not, Jon, I’m here to gloat,” Oliver responded. “America had its brief flirtation with democracy, didn’t it? You fought so hard to break away from [the British Empire], even dumping all that tea into the harbor? You still owe us for that, by the way. Allow me to be the first to welcome America to its monarchy era. Congratulations!”
Stewart then cut in, coming to the defense of the United States. He argued that although “we are having some trouble with democratic governance,” it seems drastic to “abandon our republic and adopt an imperial model.”
“Don’t resist becoming a monarchy, Jon, welcome it! Monarchs get stuff done,” Oliver retorted. “Is it what you wanted to get done? Not necessarily. But they do move fast! They taste cumin at lunch, and they’ve conquered an entire continent by dinner. That’s how the British did things, Jon. Forget everyone else. They’re not like us. In fact, allow me to quote a line from Mr. Kendrick Lamar.”
Stewart stopped Oliver before he could start rapping and countered again: “No offense intended, but I’m not sure the imperial model is our style.”
“Have you seen anything America has done over the past 50 years? Because for a country that claims not to want to be an empire, you’re doing a pretty convincing impression of one,” Oliver pointed out. “Invasions, economic exploitations, and now, proposing to turn Gaza into a beachfront casino? Even King George would be saying, ‘I don’t know, guys! The situation seems a bit more complex than that. And I’m literally dying of a medieval brain disease.'”
Stewart then faced the camera with a grimace and admitted, “We truly have become our father.”
You can watch the entire segment below.
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