Jon Stewart slams Harris over Buttigieg remark in memoir discussion

Comedian-turned-host Jon Stewart slammed Vice President Kamala Harris on his podcast The Weekly Show on Sept. 25, 2025, for her explanation in the memoir 107 Days about why she did not select Pete Buttigieg as her running mate in 2024. Stewart drew a direct parallel to Harris’s own remarks, calling the rationale "reverse affirmative action" and arguing that such statements undercut voters' sense of authenticity in national politics.

Harris writes in 107 Days that Buttigieg was a "risk" as a gay man, and that the country was already asking a lot of Americans to accept an historic ticket. "We were already asking a lot of America: to accept a woman, a Black woman, a Black woman married to a Jewish man. Part of me wanted to say, ‘Screw it, let’s just do it.’ But knowing what was at stake, it was too big of a risk," she wrote. "And I think Pete also knew that — to our mutual sadness." The remarks, highlighted by Stewart as part of a broader debate over authenticity, touch on the complex calculus politicians face when balancing identity, risk and public trust.

Stewart’s critique intersected with broader commentary about the Democratic message. He drew attention to how party figures discuss inclusivity while making strategic choices that appear to downplay those very identities. The exchange underscores a year of intense public scrutiny over how Democratic leaders present themselves and whether voters feel their leaders stand behind the promises they seek to sell.

Rahm Emanuel, the former White House chief of staff, weighed in by saying Harris was wrong to skip Buttigieg and urging her to "trust in your gut." Emanuel’s criticism adds to a chorus from party veterans who argue that consistency between words and actions is essential to maintaining public confidence as the 2026 cycle approaches.

Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin, seen alongside Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker at a Chicago event, has framed the authenticity debate as a core test for the party: "Strength is action. It's action and it's authenticity. Do you really, really believe the s--- you're selling?" His remarks, paired with Stewart’s comments about public perception, highlight ongoing tensions within the party about how to project credibility in an era of rapid media scrutiny.

The exchange comes as Harris faces continued scrutiny over the groundwork and messaging of a potential 2024 ticket and as critics question whether the memoir’s framing will endure beyond its media cycle. The notes accompanying the coverage indicate that Fox News Digital reached out to Harris’s representatives for comment, indicating that the story remains a live topic of discussion across political and media circles.

The overall moment reflects a broader question about authenticity in politics: can a message resonate if voters doubt that leaders truly believe in what they are selling? Stewart’s remarks, echoed by party figures and observers, suggest that voters increasingly demand consistency between a candidate’s stated values and their decision-making, especially on issues that touch identity and inclusion. As the political calendar moves forward, this tension between perception and action is likely to persist as a central theme in both Democratic messaging and its critics.