Jon Stewart Stands Up for Trevor Noah After Facing Backlash for Controversial Tweets—Watch Now!

Daily Show host defends his successor and urges fans to give him a chance

By Francesca Bacardi Apr 07, 2015 4:45 PMTags

Trevor Noah is coming out of some hot water after facing backlash for controversial tweets, but current Daily Show host Jon Stewart is coming to his aid.

Before delving into his show, Stewart opened up with a segment regarding Noah's Twittergate scandal and urged fans to give Noah a shot once he takes over as the official host of the Comedy Central show. "I know there was a large kerfuffle on Tweeeeeeeeeeter. But I can say this without hesitation: Trevor Noah will earn your trust and respect…or not," Stewart said.

"Just as I earned your trust and respect … or did not," he added.

The Big Daddy actor went on to explain how he inexplicably gained and lost the trust of his faithful viewers over the years, and ultimately praised Noah as a comedian and a future host even though he thinks he'll probably go through the same thing. Stewart ended his opening monologue gushing about Noah.

Byron Keulemans/Comedy Central

"I do hope you give him an opportunity to earn that trust and respect because my experience with him is that he is an incredibly thoughtful and considerate and funny and smart individual, and, man, I think you give him that time and it's going to be well worth it," he said. "I'm excited for where he's going to take this thing."

He also joked that he would be setting his DVR for when his successor ultimately takes over, "After 17 years, I'm going to record the Daily Show!"

Comedy Central is also standing behind its new leading man.

"Like many comedians, Trevor Noah pushes boundaries; he is provocative and spares no one, himself included," the network replied to the controversy. "To judge him or his comedy based on a handful of jokes is unfair. Trevor is a talented comedian with a bright future at Comedy Central."

One of the tweets that got Noah into trouble read, "Behind every successful Rap Billionaire is a double as rich Jewish man. #BeatsByDreidel." But one user, who was seemingly unaware that Noah's mother is half-Jewish, responded, "The guy seems to have a problem with Jews....What's that called again? #DailyShow @Trevornoah."

Are you looking forward to Noah's Daily Show takeover? Sound off in the comments below!