Jon Stewart hasn't changed, and that's the problem. As far as his comedy, no notes. He's undeniably funny. But his politics just leave a sour taste. His enlightened centrist voice of reason shtick hits different now.
He's defended people like Rogan and Chapelle. And I get it, they're his buddies. He doesn't see them as public figures, but as flawed individuals. And that's a valid perspective, just a rarefied one.
His first guest upon his return was the editor of The Economist magazine who gushed about Reaganomics and Thatcherism. She framed the rise of right-wing politics in the West as first and foremost a threat to the neoliberal world order as Jon nodded along. And we all know that progressiveism is just the other side of the horseshoe to people who think this way.
I'll be watching Stewart, and I really do admire him. But never meet your heroes I guess.
It's bizarre to me to hear someone so polarised but let's try to talk it out
You raised a few things.
No democrats want to turn kids trans. I've personally met people who are so pro trans that they encourage their kids to transition. It is a thing. Yes I think it's morally reprehensible. I struggle understanding this but I think it's their way of supporting trans people?
Republicans are nazis. Nazis exist and are largely right wing. They're extremely rare though. Keep in mind a few things too. The left wing has identical institutions with the same methods and level of racism, just slightly switched goals. I think everyone willing to use violence against a particular people or race are bad and I see no distinction whether your politics are left or right. I'd encourage you to realise the violence and prejudice are the problem regardless of the politics.