Jon Stewart used the monologue on the Monday, July 20, episode of The Daily Show to roast President Donald Trump‘s conduct at the FIFA World Cup final, mocking his decision to remain on stage during Spain’s championship celebration before turning his attention to an unidentified man standing behind the president in a separate video clip.
Stewart opened by discussing Sunday’s final, in which Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
“Of course, the World Cup ended yesterday, finito, with Spain defeating Argentina 1-0 on the pitch, in the footy,” Stewart said. He then joked, “The Spain-Argentina final was like a reverse Super Bowl, where the players spoke Spanish and the halftime show was in English.”
He then turned to the halftime show, which featured Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber and the Muppets, including Sesame Street’s Count von Count.
“You got all the Muppets to choose from. Why in God’s name would you make the vampire work during the day?” Stewart said. “Not only is it in the bright glare of the afternoon sun, but for most of the game, the score was 0-0! You’re taunting this poor b******! I sat in traffic for one, two, three hours for this? I’m burning alive.”
Jon Stewart targets Donald Trump’s extended stage presence
The show aired footage of Trump joining FIFA President Gianni Infantino in presenting the World Cup trophy to Spain before lingering on stage as the players celebrated instead of stepping aside.
“They celebrated receiving the World Cup trophy with a trophy hoist, which is traditionally, it’s a moment that is shared really only by the players. A special moment that is only for the players,” Stewart told viewers.
Reacting to the footage, he said, “What the f*** are you doing on the stage? It’s for the players! Godd***! Why must everything be tainted by the overinflated ego of Cankles Muldoon? Why?”
Stewart has repeatedly used the nickname Cankles Muldoon to mock Trump’s appearance during his second term.
The ‘back-up Trump’ bit
Stewart’s attention then shifted to an unidentified man standing behind Trump in post-match footage.
“What’s up with the guy behind Trump? Can we see that again? Can you bring that out?” Stewart asked as producers replayed the clip. “Who the f*** is this guy? Who the f*** is this? Is this… What? Who in the world is it? Oh my God! Is that a back-up Trump?”
“Wait, what? Wait, who? What? Is that a back-up Trump or is that Trump? Wait, is the one we’ve been dealing with back-up Trump or is that Trump?!” he continued.
As Stewart spoke over another graphic, an image of Trump still standing on the World Cup stage appeared on screen.
“God, you’re not in this graphic. You’re not in this graphic!” Stewart said. “What! We have talked about this. You’re not in this graphic!”
He then told his production team, “Get him out of the graphic.”
Donald Trump’s reception at the World Cup final
Trump received a mixed reaction from fans at MetLife Stadium, with sections of the crowd booing his arrival before the match.
Argentina defender Cristian Romero was also seen in a widely circulated clip declining to shake Trump’s hand during the post-match ceremony.
Infantino was later seen ushering Trump off the stage after the president remained with Spain’s players following the trophy presentation.