The Daily Show delivered its strongest third-quarter performance in years, thriving even as the Trump administration continued its attacks on late-night television. According to Nielsen, the Comedy Central program achieved its highest-rated quarter since early 2021, posting a 0.45 rating among viewers aged 18 to 49 and capturing a 3.22 share, the best in a decade.
Online engagement also hit new highs, with 1.7 billion social media views between July and September—up 26 percent from last year. Viewers streamed a total of 3.2 billion minutes of content, a 20 percent increase, according to Paramount.
Some of the boost may have come from the temporary absence of ABC host Jimmy Kimmel, who was pulled off the air after Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr reportedly threatened Disney, ABC’s parent company. Kimmel returned a week later to strong ratings, but not before The Daily Show seized the moment with Jon Stewart’s return to the anchor desk.
Stewart introduced a biting new segment under the title “The All-New Government-Approved Daily Show.” During the September 18 broadcast, as Trump traveled abroad, Stewart joked, “If you felt a little off these past couple of days, it’s probably because our great father has not been home.”
He continued, “For father has been gracing England with his legendary warmth and radiance, gazed upon him with a gait even more majestic than that of the royal horses that pranced before him. He wowed the English with charm, intelligence, and an undeniable sexual charisma that filled their air like a pheromone-packed London fog.”
Another highlight came when correspondent Desi Lydic criticized Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi for vowing to “target” people involved in “hate speech” following the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Lydic replied, “First of all, you would think that the attorney general would know that hate speech is protected by the First Amendment. Even if you’re not a big reader, it is the first one. You have to read it to get to the one you like.”
The Daily Show’s resurgence arrives as Trump renews his long-standing hostility toward late-night hosts. In recent months, he has attacked Kimmel, CBS’s Stephen Colbert—whose show is ending next May—and NBC’s Seth Meyers.
“There is a sick rumor going around that Fake News NBC extended the contract of one of the least talented Late Night television hosts out there, Seth Meyers,” Trump wrote in August. “He has no Ratings, Talent, or Intelligence, and the Personality of an insecure child. So, why would Fake News NBC extend this dope’s contract? I don’t know, but I’ll definitely be finding out!!!”
Despite the criticism, late-night comedy seems to be gaining strength, with The Daily Show once again leading the charge.
