There have been many names in the Epstein Files. Some of them we expected, and some of them we definitely didn’t. One of those was a late night show host.
The Daily Show’s Jon Stewart was mentioned in the Epstein Files once. Now sure, initially that leads to confusion and surprise, but then you look at the reason for the inclusion. In fact, Stewart brought it up during The Daily Show on Monday, Feb. 2, and it’s pretty clear that it had nothing to do with him being on the island or involved in anything Epstein did.
Why was Jon Stewart in the Epstein Files?
Jon Stewart decided to get ahead of the situation, sharing that he is definitely in the files. It turns out that his name being included was a shock to him as well, because he didn’t have dealings with the man.
Then he went into the details of his name being there. He did it with a lot more storytelling, but in short, Epstein was thinking about Woody Allen doing a stand-up special, and then he thought about doing it as a “true biographical experience,” and that would mean a narrator was needed.
Epstein suggests that “somebody like Jon Stewart” could host or narrate the biographical part, and so, Stewart’s name is in the files on that one occasion.
Stewart was somewhat offended by the inclusion, but not for the reason you’d think. He wants to know if it’s “somebody like” him or if he gets the job.
"“Excuse me…? I am offended. ‘Somebody like Jon Stewart,’ or Jon Stewart? My point is, do I have the offer or is this an audition?”"
You can jump to around 4 minutes and 30 seconds to get to Stewart's commentary on his name in the files.
Jon Stewart is not the only late night mention
It turns out that The Daily Show’s host is not the only one to get a mention from the late night side of things, according to LateNighter. Don’t panic! It’s all in the context of things.
Sure enough, Saturday Night Live is mentioned a few times, with various members of the cast named, and it’s all due to the comedy sketches. There were various instances of Epstein and his acquaintances commenting on takes about #MeToo, Donald Trump, and even Epstein.
For example, Fred Amisen got a mention for his portrayal of Michael Wolff, with Epstein thinking the performance was great. Then the “Next: For Men” sketch, which focused on the #MeToo movement, was included due to emails between Woody Allen’s wife Soon-Yi Previn and Epstein.
It’s important to look at the details of the names, and this isn’t to try to let people off for their inclusion. It’s to get the full context of the matter, because context is important if we’re going to go on some sort of hunt for people. Otherwise, it would be easy to overlook commentary compared to people he actually had dealings with.
The Daily Show airs on weeknights at 11/10c on Comedy Central.