A potential interview between Jon Stewart and Elon Musk on ‘The Daily Show’ appears to have fizzled out after the Tesla and SpaceX CEO stopped responding to Stewart’s messages.Stewart discussed the failed attempt on a recent episode of The Weekly Show podcast, indicating that Musk had seen his direct message but never replied. “I got left on read, man,” Stewart said.

The exchange began after a user on X suggested a sit-down between the two, following Stewart’s on-air criticism regarding DOGE, a cryptocurrency heavily promoted by Musk, during which Stewart accidentally cut his hand with a coffee mug. Musk responded to the post,stating he would appear on the show “if it airs unedited.”

From Offer to ‘Propagandist’ Accusation

The ‘Daily Show’ account promptly accepted Musk’s condition. Though, the situation soured when Musk labeled Stewart a “propagandist,” making the prospect of an interview increasingly unlikely. “He said, ‘I’ll come on the show if you air it unedited.’ And we went, ‘Sure, fine. That’s how most of them are, so sure, what the f—?’” Stewart recounted. “And then he said, ‘You’re propaganda,’ and he started to back away. I said, ‘Look, you come on or don’t come on, but don’t pretend like it’s, I don’t live up to a standard.”

Stewart addressed Musk’s change of heart on ‘The Daily Show,’ saying “The guy who custom-made his own Dark MAGA hat, that he wears to opine in the Oval Office with the president he spent $270 million to elect, thinks I’m just too partisan.”

Despite Musk’s accusations, Stewart attempted to salvage the potential interview. “I did DM him,” he said on the podcast. “I texted him and just said like, ‘Hey man, so is there somebody I should, you know, have our guys reach out to, to make this happen?’ And I got ghosted.”

Behind Musk’s Retreat: Political Pressure or Business Concerns?

Adding another layer to the narrative,one of Stewart’s producers referenced a recent Washington Post report suggesting that Musk is reducing his involvement in political matters due to “a slew of nasty and unethical attacks from the political left.” The report contrasts this clarification with speculation that Musk’s retreat is linked to the financial struggles of Tesla.

stewart responded sarcastically,“I’m sure undeserved,in no way reflective of standing on a stage with a chainsaw celebrating the loss of livelihoods for tens of thousands of well-intentioned government workers. I’m sure.” He added, “If there’s one thing that this governance does better than anybody I’ve ever seen, it’s play the victim. I’ve never seen any people ever, including when my kids were three and two years old, evade accountability and responsibility and blame others in the way that these people do. It’s truly shameless.”

The Shifting Landscape of Political Discourse

The failed interview underscores the increasingly polarized landscape of political discourse in the United States, particularly concerning the intersection of media, technology, and politics. Musk’s initial willingness to appear on ‘The Daily Show,’ contingent on an “unedited” broadcast, highlights a growing demand for unfiltered content. Though, his subsequent labeling of Stewart as a “propagandist” reflects a broader trend of distrust and accusations of bias that plague modern media. This tension raises questions about the role of comedy and satire in political commentary and the challenges of engaging with influential figures who control vast media platforms.

One could argue that Musk’s backing out was a strategic move to avoid further scrutiny, particularly given Tesla’s recent performance and the ongoing investigations into his business practices. appearing on a show known for its sharp wit and critical analysis could have exposed him to uncomfortable questions and perhaps damaged his public image further. Data from the U.S. Securities and Exchange commission reveals that tesla’s stock price has seen a significant drop in recent months, coinciding with increased scrutiny of Musk’s leadership.

The Power of the Platform: Musk’s Influence on Public Opinion

Musk’s use of X, formerly twitter, as a platform for expressing political opinions and engaging with the public has been a subject of considerable debate. His pronouncements have the power to move markets,influence political discourse,and shape public perception. For example, his endorsement of certain political candidates has been linked to noticeable shifts in their poll numbers, according to data from FiveThirtyEight. This influence raises concerns about the responsibility of tech leaders in shaping public opinion and the potential for misinformation to spread rapidly through social media channels.

Examples abound of Musk’s influence, with one notable case demonstrating the impact of a single tweet. In 2023, Musk tweeted about a little-known cryptocurrency, which then saw its value surge by over 1,000% within hours. This illustrates the immense power he wields and the potential for market manipulation through his social media activity.

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