Jon Stewart, host of The Daily Show, reacted with laughter to a Fox & Friends clip that depicted an unsuccessful attempt by a host to steer former President Donald Trump away from a lengthy rant during a segment honoring the late Senator Lindsey Graham.
Stewart shared the montage on Monday's episode, featuring Trump's appearances on various news networks following Graham's death on Saturday night. Graham, a South Carolina senator, died at age 71 due to an aortic dissection, according to a preliminary medical examiner's report.
Trump, whom Fox & Friends referred to as one of Graham's closest friends, appeared on multiple networks, offering both remembrances and criticisms of the senator. Trump described Graham as a "workaholic politician" who talked too much.
"It takes a lot of balls for Donald Trump to gently roast someone for yapping too much," Stewart commented. "He's the one who toasted his friend on Meet the Press, CNN's State of the Union and Fox & Friends."
During his appearance on Fox & Friends, Trump recalled his relationship with Graham, stating, "He was a great guy and he was a friend. He would call me all the time. He would just - I'd say, 'Stop calling me, Lindsey.'"
Stewart, adopting a Trump impersonation, quipped, "I'll never forget the way that I always let him go to voicemail." He then added, "Obviously, he's just opening the eulogy on a lighthearted note. I'm sure the poignancy follows."
The clip then showed Trump launching into a discussion about election fraud, repeatedly disregarding host Lawrence Jones' efforts to redirect the conversation back to Graham.
"These people suffer from a very fine disease known as Trump derangement syndrome. And yeah, he was seeing that," Trump said, before Jones attempted to interject. Trump continued to speak, discussing the filibuster and election processes.
Jones tried multiple times to steer the conversation, asking, "Mr President, did you notice any-" and "But Mr. President, did you notice anything different?" but Trump persisted with his remarks on election integrity.
Stewart stopped the clip at this point, expressing amusement. "Oh, no. I'm sorry, Mr President. The TV station's going through a tunnel. Boop!" he said.
Graham's sister, Darline Graham Nordone, was appointed as his temporary replacement in the Senate. She will serve for the remaining months of Graham's term, which concludes in January. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster announced this appointment on Monday, and Nordone was scheduled to be sworn in the same afternoon.
Graham, who did not marry or have children, was reportedly close to his sister. She was often present during significant career moments and appeared in his campaign advertisements. After their parents died at a young age, Graham became his sister's legal guardian.
A special election will be held next month to select a new Republican nominee for the general election in Graham's bid for a fifth term.