Egypt

Jon Stewart defends Bassem Youssef, mocks Morsy

The US Embassy in Cairo on Tuesday posted an episode of the Daily Show in which the show's host, well-known American comedian Jon Stewart, expressed solidarity with Egyptian satirist Bassem Youssef, who presents an Egyptian show modeled on Stewart's.

Stewart also slammed President Mohamed Morsy for his sensitivity to criticism and jokes.

“Making fun of the president’s hats and less than fluent English? That was my entire career for eight years,” he said, in a nod to former US President George W. Bush, frequently a target of Stewart's ridicule.

Stewart followed with a stream of clips of him making jokes about current US President Barack Obama, "whom we supposedly like."

He added, "Without Bassem and all those journalists, and bloggers, and brave protesters who took to Tahrir square to voice dissent, you, President Morsy, would not be in a position to repress them. For someone who spent time in jail yourself under Mubarak, you seem awfully eager to send other people there for the same non-crimes, and just like you, they will only emerge from prison stronger and more determined."

Youssef was recently interrogated on charges of insulting the president and Islam and released on LE15,000 bail.

Related Articles

Back to top button