Lawmakers Concerned Over Apple’s Handling of Jon Stewart’s China Content

Lawmakers are pressing Apple for answers as to why they abruptly canceled The Problem With Jon Stewart on its Apple+ streaming service, and whether the decision had to do with the topics of China and AI. 

In a bipartisan letter sent Wednesday by House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party to Apple executive Tim Cook, Chairman Rep. Mike Gallagher and Ranking Member Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi asked the tech giant if their decision to part ways with the former Daily Show host had anything to do with their relationship to China. 

An October report from the New York Times previously suggested that the host and execs at the company could not agree on some of the guests and topics, per multiple sources.

"If these reports are accurate, it potentially speaks to broader concerns about indirect Chinese Communist Party (CCP) influence over the creative expression of American artists and companies on CCP-related topics," read the letter via the Hollywood Reporter. "We support the ability of artists, writers, studios, and streaming services alike to create content without fear of potential CCP retaliation and punishment."

The letter continued: "If Jon Stewart can potentially be impeded from offering commentary on the CCP, what does this mean for less prominent personalities? While there is a chance that a high-profile individual like Jon Stewart can locate another streaming service where he can express his views on PRC-related matters, an aspiring comedian who wants to use satire to make broader points about human rights and authoritarianism faces even bleaker prospects. Respectfully, we believe that this needs to change and responsible creative professionals should be able to freely write and perform on PRC-related topics."

The Messenger's request for comment from Apple+ was not immediately returned.

After a six-year hiatus, Stewart returned as a talk-show host with the Apple show in 2021. During his run hosting The Daily Show from 1999 through 2015, Stewart transformed the little-known Comedy Central late-night program into a cultural juggernaut, as he became one of TV's best-known political pundits in the process.

Though The Problem had a slow start attracting a following, the show's second season created more buzz with some viral highlight clips online, and even earned multiple Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Talk Series, Outstanding Hosted Nonfiction Series or Special and Outstanding Writing for a Nonfiction Program.