Legendary American comedian Jon Stewart has been spotted in the European Parliament, arousing excitement as well as media speculation over what the former host of The Daily Show is up to in Brussels.
The comedian was seen meeting with controversial left-wing Irish MEP Mick Wallace in an apparent TV interview. According to The Journal, an Irish online newspaper, the interview formed part of a broader TV programme about the Ukraine war.
"It's understood [Stewart and Wallace] spoke about NATO involvement in the war and what the Irish people think of the issue," the newspaper wrote.
There's @jonstewart in the European Parliament π pic.twitter.com/1oF6sLbIwd
β Kevin Purcell (@KevinPurcell_) March 8, 2023
On Twitter, Stefan de Koning, a Press Officer for Dutch MEP Sophie in 't Veld, posted a picture of Stewart but claimed he was "too embarrassed" to strike up a conversation with the 60-year-old American.
Just saw @jonstewart pacing up and down the corridor, inches away from me. Was was too embarrassed to approach him and start talking; story of my life. pic.twitter.com/Tb4ulso9Cq
β Stefan π (@StefandeKoning1) March 7, 2023
On its Brussels Playbook newsletter, Politico alleged that Stewart's team "had ghosted us when they got to Brussels" despite having contacted them prior to the comedian's arrival to "seek help on everything from learning about the EU to tips for whom to interview."
According to Manus Carlisle, a parliamentary assistant to Irish Green Party MEP Grace O'Sullivan, Stewart has interviewed over 40 MEPs since his arrival in Brussels, with several more interviews scheduled for this Thursday. In addition to Wallace, Stewart is reported to have met with fellow left-wing Irish MEP Clare Daly; he has also been photographed interviewing European Parliament President Roberta Metsola.
Ehm I just passed Jon Stewart interviewing Roberta Metsola in a corridor pic.twitter.com/9WTh9rligi
β Manus Carlisle (@manus_carlisle) March 8, 2023
Stewart made his name on The Daily Show, which he hosted from 1999β2015. His show was particularly well-known for its trenchant criticisms of the George W Bush administration, as well as its opposition to the Iraq war.
He is currently the host of The Problem with Jon Stewart, which is available on Apple TV+.
This article has been updated to include Manus Carlisle's tweets.
