During a recent appearance on "The Daily Show," Jon Stewart unveiled a surprising encounter with Apple, claiming the tech giant obstructed his plans to interview Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chair Lina Khan for his podcast. This revelation gains significance in the context of the U.S. Justice Department's recent lawsuit against Apple, accusing the company of exploiting its monopolistic power within the smartphone domain—a position allegedly detrimental to free speech.
In a detailed discussion, Stewart recounted his attempt to feature Khan on a podcast linked to his Apple TV+ series, "The Problem With Jon Stewart." However, according to Stewart, Apple explicitly discouraged this, hinting at an apparent disapproval of Khan's regulatory stance. "They said, 'Please don't talk to her,' having nothing to do with what you do for a living. I think they just… I didn't think they cared for you, is what happened," Stewart explained, expressing perplexity over Apple's sensitivity and apparent fear of public discourse on such matters.
This episode is unveiled against the backdrop of Stewart's return to "The Daily Show," where he has resumed his role as executive producer and host for Monday editions through the 2024 election cycle, following his departure in 2015. The incident also follows the discontinuation of Stewart's Apple TV+ show late last year, reportedly due to creative disagreements between Stewart and Apple executives, particularly regarding the show's coverage of sensitive topics like China and AI.
The situation underscores the ongoing challenges comedians and journalists face in navigating the coverage of their corporate affiliates. This struggle is not unfamiliar to figures like John Oliver and Jimmy Kimmel, who have previously criticized their parent companies. As the debate around corporate influence on media content and freedom of speech intensifies, Stewart's experience with Apple adds another layer to the discourse, highlighting the complex dynamics at the intersection of technology, regulation, and media.