Stewart mocks Trump's focus on Minaj's body over $40,000 grocery bills

Voters facing high grocery prices and the ongoing war in Iran watched a campaign rally on Monday where the central topic was a rapper’s rear end. Jon Stewart opened the latest episode of The Daily Show by contrasting the economic concerns of American families with Donald Trump’s recent remarks. Stewart noted that the president is campaigning with an intense focus on issues that voters care about least.

The host played a clip from a rally in Michigan on Saturday. In the video, Trump told the crowd he looked at a beautiful ass belonging to Nicki Minaj. He added that the feature was hard to miss. Stewart reacted with disbelief, asking how the comment was real and suggesting the president wanted Minaj to stand up and turn around for a look.

Stewart described Trump’s expression during the event. He said the president was transfixed and staring at Minaj. Stewart compared the leader to Yogi Bear floating toward a pie on a windowsill. The host argued that this fixation distracts from the inflation and cost of living that dominate the midterm election discussion.

The show also covered a political ad from Vivek Ramaswamy, the Republican candidate for governor in Ohio. The ad features Amy Acton, the Democratic opponent. Acton is shown with her estranged mother. Stewart pointed out that the mother has not spoken to her daughter in 50 years. He explained the reason involves the mother losing custody of her children after her husband was indicted for raping the daughter.

Trump defended the ad in a separate clip. When a reporter asked if the sexual abuse allegations meant nothing to him, the president called the journalist a horrible little reporter. Stewart likened Trump’s defensiveness to the character Miss Hannigan from Annie.

The broadcast marked another appearance for Stewart, who returned to The Daily Show in February 2024. The host’s contract was set to end in late 2026. A one-year renewal was signed in November 2025. Stewart announced last week that he will remain the host through 2028. The show’s ratings increased after his return in 2024. He originally hosted the program from 1999 to 2015.

The monologue aired on Monday night. It focused on the midterm elections and the specific issues voters are addressing. Stewart highlighted the disconnect between the candidates’ messaging and the daily financial realities of working families.