Jon Stewart Defends Phil Robertson's Free Speech

December 23, 2013|4:42 pm

(Photo: Comedy Central Screenshot)

Jon Stewart discusses "Duck Dynasty" on "The Daily Show" on Dec. 19, 2013.

Comedy Central "news" pundit Jon Stewart voiced his support for the free speech argument that some "Duck Dynasty" fans had used to defend Phil Robertson, after A&E suspended the reality television show star for comments he made about homosexuality.

"I think what the guy said was ignorant. But I also have an inclination to support a world where saying ignorant s- on television doesn't get you kicked off that medium," Stewart toldan applauding audience.

"But I guess I stand with the free speech absolutists at Fox News who don't believe you should pressure people to have to adhere to culture norms of speech mostly," said Stewart, who had earlier conceded that he did not watch the show.

Stewart went on to point out that Fox News seemed in favor of free speech when it came to "Duck Dynasty," but drew the line at the "war on Christmas." He showed a series of brief segments of the cable news network channel hosts and guests expressing outrage whenever Christmas had seemingly been scratched from the holiday lexicon.

"[Fox News'] belief in free speech doesn't extend to the holidays, when the word 'Christmas' is mandatory," Stewart quipped.

Stewart also took on Robertson's claims that among the black people he had witnessed in pre-Civil Rights Louisiana, "no one was singing the blues."

"[He's] forgetting of course, that there was where the blues were invented," said Stewart.

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Jon Stewart Defends Phil Robertson's Free Speech