Jon Stewart Signals Intent to Stay at ‘The Daily Show’ Beyond 2025 Contract Expiration

By Lila Voss, Entertainment Reporter Published October 28, 2025

NEW YORK — Jon Stewart, the sharp-tongued satirist who redefined late-night political commentary, offered a glimmer of continuity for fans of The Daily Show during a candid onstage conversation at The New Yorker Festival on Sunday. Speaking with New Yorker editor David Remnick, Stewart revealed that he’s “working on staying” as the Monday-night host beyond his current contract, which expires in December 2025. The revelation comes amid seismic shifts in the media landscape, including the recent Paramount-Skydance merger, and underscores Stewart’s determination to keep wielding his comedic scalpel against power.

Stewart, 62, returned to The Daily Show in February 2024 after nearly a decade away, hosting Mondays and serving as executive producer alongside manager James Dixon. His tenure has been marked by biting monologues on everything from election chaos to climate denial, drawing praise for revitalizing the franchise. Last October, he extended his deal through year’s end, but the festival chat—attended by a packed house at Manhattan’s David Geffen Hall—hinted at a longer horizon.

Remnick, probing Stewart’s future amid industry turbulence, asked point-blank if he planned to “sign another” contract. “We’re working on staying,” Stewart replied, his trademark wry smile flashing across the stage. He qualified the optimism with a nod to the complexities: “It’s not as clear-cut as all that… They’ve already done things that I’m upset about.” The “they” likely alluded to Comedy Central’s parent company, now under the Paramount Skydance banner following David Ellison’s $8 billion acquisition earlier this year.

Pressed further on whether he’d stay if it were solely his call, Stewart affirmed: “Yes.” He elaborated on his philosophy toward creative longevity: “You don’t compromise on what you do, and you do it until they tell you to leave.” It’s a ethos that has defined his career, from his 1999-2015 run as full-time host—where he turned the program into a cultural juggernaut—to his recent return, which has boosted ratings by 25% among key demographics, per Nielsen data.

The timing of Stewart’s comments couldn’t be more poignant. Paramount’s merger with Skydance has sparked fears of content austerity, exemplified by the abrupt cancellation of CBS’s The Late Show with Stephen Colbert last month—a move tied to a $16 million settlement with President Donald Trump over a disputed 60 Minutes edit. Disney’s suspension of Jimmy Kimmel amid alleged White House pressure further darkened the mood, prompting Remnick to query how creators navigate such headwinds. Stewart’s response? Defiance laced with dark humor.

A Broader Indictment of Power and Media

The festival dialogue veered seamlessly from Stewart’s contract to his unsparing take on Trump’s second term. “There’s a reason Donald Trump came to power,” he said, “and that is that in the general populous mind, government no longer serves the interests of the people it purports to represent.” He framed the administration’s rise as a symptom of systemic rot, not isolated malice, urging audiences to “fight like hell” against misinformation and institutional erosion.

Stewart didn’t shy from industry-specific gripes either. He touched on the Riyadh Comedy Festival controversy, where comedians like Bill Maher and Shane Gillis performed in Saudi Arabia despite human rights concerns. “I don’t touch other people’s money,” Stewart quipped, adding a punchline about Pete Davidson: “I thought the only person who should’ve done it was Pete, because they owe him money.” The remark, referencing Davidson’s father—a firefighter killed on 9/11—drew knowing laughs, blending levity with critique.

On his podcast The Weekly Show, launched in May 2024, Stewart has already needled his “new boss,” Ellison, with segments roasting corporate consolidation. Yet, insiders say negotiations are progressing amicably, buoyed by Stewart’s proven draw. “Jon’s value to the brand is immeasurable,” a Paramount source told Variety on condition of anonymity. “He’s not just a host; he’s the conscience.”

Fan Reaction and the Stakes for Late-Night Satire

Social media lit up post-event, with #JonStays trending on X, amassing over 150,000 posts by Monday evening. Fans hailed the news as a bulwark against perceived media timidity. “In this clown world, we need Jon Stewart more than ever,” tweeted one user, echoing a sentiment shared by progressives wary of Trump’s media crackdowns. Critics, however, wondered if Stewart’s return risks diluting his legacy. “The show’s edgier without him micromanaging Mondays,” opined a Reddit thread on r/television, though upvoters were scant.

For The Daily Show, Stewart’s potential extension could stabilize a franchise in flux. Post-2015, the program cycled through hosts like Trevor Noah, whose 2022 exit left a void. Stewart’s Monday slots have averaged 800,000 viewers, a 15% uptick from Noah’s era, while his executive oversight has infused the weeknight lineup with sharper political bite.

Yet challenges loom. The merger’s cost-cutting—rumored to include 500 job losses—could squeeze budgets for field pieces and correspondents. Stewart’s outspokenness on Trump, including a September segment decrying “fascist cosplay” in the administration, might test Paramount Skydance’s tolerance. “Jon’s not one to self-censor,” Dixon said in a recent Podcast Magazine profile. “If they want satire, they get the real deal.”

Looking Ahead: Satire in the Trump Era

As December approaches, all eyes are on the contract talks. Stewart’s optimism suggests a deal is feasible, potentially locking him in through 2027 or beyond. In the interim, he’s doubling down on The Weekly Show, which debuted at No. 5 on Apple’s charts and dissects weekly absurdities with guest heavyweights like Rachel Maddow.

Remnick’s festival, now in its 27th year, has long been a haven for unfiltered discourse—from Malcolm Gladwell’s behavioral deep dives to Zadie Smith’s literary provocations. Stewart’s appearance fit the mold, blending levity with urgency. As he wrapped the chat, he implored: “Do not make false idols. Put your hope only in the work.”

In an era where late-night laughs feel like lifelines, Stewart’s vow to persist is more than contractual—it’s a clarion call. Whether battling boardrooms or White House spin, the comedian vows to stay in the arena. For now, America—and The Daily Show‘s desk—can breathe a little easier.