Jon Stewart Calls Out Trump Over Receiving ‘Completely Made-Up’ Peace Prize

Jon Stewart took aim at Donald Trump on this week’s episode of “The Daily Show,” criticizing the president for accepting FIFA’s new Peace Prize while tensions with Venezuela were escalating.

At the start of Monday’s episode, Stewart focused on last Friday’s FIFA World Cup draw. But instead of debating which teams ended up in difficult groups, Stewart joked that the bigger question was, “who would win FIFA’s first Peace Prize?”

He added, “Because when I think of one sport that fosters peaceful coexistence, it’s the beautiful game. All right, here we go! Who’s it going to be?”

During the draw, FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced Trump as the inaugural recipient of the Peace Prize. Stewart reacted sarcastically, saying, “Oh, my god! Oh, my god! Oh, my god! He won the prize specifically created to appease him! The FIFA appease-prize!”

Stewart didn’t stop there. He pointed out the irony of the award by showing news clips reporting that the U.S. was “on the brink of war with Venezuela” and that Trump was “ramping up the pressure” on President Nicolás Maduro.

“The brink of war? President Trump, did this meaningless award mean nothing to you?” Stewart asked. He also quipped about the Pentagon’s military moves, “Not including, of course, your friend Stephanie’s destination bachelorette party. That is the largest show of force.”

The FIFA Peace Prize was introduced in November as an annual award given to individuals who take “exceptional and extraordinary actions for peace and by doing so have united people across the world.” Despite the announcement, FIFA remained quiet about how the winner would be chosen. Unsurprisingly, Trump was named the recipient during the World Cup draw.

Infantino presented Trump with a trophy, a medal, and a certificate, praising him for helping “end wars and save lives.” Trump accepted the award, calling it “truly one of the great honors of my life” and thanking his family.

While Trump has cited his involvement in brokering several international agreements, some of the conflicts he claims to have helped resolve have been disputed by the countries involved, including the India-Pakistan conflict he mentioned during his speech.

The award also highlighted the growing public friendship between Trump and Infantino. The two have been seen together multiple times recently, including at Trump’s inauguration and at the Sharm El-Sheikh peace summit earlier this year.

This episode of “The Daily Show” underscores Stewart’s criticism of the Peace Prize as largely symbolic, pointing out the contrast between Trump accepting a global peace award while the U.S. was showing military force abroad.

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