Jon Stewart Tells Mitch McConnell to Stop “Jacking Around” 9/11 Victims in Fiery Monologue

Mitch McConnell may think Jon Stewart is “bent out of shape” for caring about the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fun, but the former Daily Show host isn’t going down without a fight. On Monday night, Stewart stopped by The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, where he delivered a scathing takedown of the Senate Majority Leader. Stewart sarcastically apologized for interrupting members of Congress “with their jobs,” and he said that he understands why McConnell hesitates to take action, as “your species isn’t know for moving quickly.” Speaking directly to McConnell, Stewart added, “You won’t jack us around like you’ve done in the past.”

After clips played of Stewart’s moving speech before Congress and McConnell’s Monday appearance on Fox & Friends — during which the Senator said that he doesn’t “know why [Stewart’s] all bent out of shape” — the comedian and advocate popped up from under Colbert’s desk to speak his mind. “I’m not bent out of shape. I’m fine. I’m bent out of shape for them,” said Stewart. “These are the first heroes, and veterans, and victims of the great, trillions of dollars war on terror. And they’re currently still suffering and dying.”

The Late Show then played a clip of McConnell defending congressmen for skipping the hearing, as they “have a lot of things going on at the same time,” and Stewart feigned shock. “I feel like an asshole,” he said. “I didn’t know that they were busy. I didn’t mean to interrupt them with their jobs!” The former Daily Show host then addressed McConnell directly. “Honestly, Mitch McConnell, you really want to go with the ‘We’ll get to it when we get to it’ argument for the heroes of 9/11?” he asked. “Listen, Senator, I know that your species isn’t know for moving quickly.”

Stewart went on to skewer McConnell for only appreciating “the 9/11 community when they serve your political purposes.” He continued, “But when they’re in urgent need, you slow-walk, you dither, you use it as a political pawn to get other things you want.” As the camera zoomed in on Stewart, he continued to speak directly to the Senate Majority Leader. “We’ve spent a year compiling bipartisan co-sponsors and advocates for this bill, all in the hopes that when it finally gets to the great Mitch McConnell’s desk, you won’t jack us around like you’ve done in the past,” he said. “So, if you want to know why the 9/11 community is bent out of shape over these past, let’s call it 18 years, meet with them, tomorrow, as soon as possible, and don’t make them beg for it.”

If McConnell is too “busy” to meet with 9/11 victims, explained Stewart, he needs to understand the consequences. “The next time we have a war or you’re being robbed or your house is on fire and you make that desperate call for help, don’t get bent out of shape if they show up at the last minute, with fewer people than you thought were going to pay attention, and don’t really put it out,” said the comedian. “Just sort of leave it there smoldering for another five years, because that’s how shit’s done around here, Mister. I’m sure they’ll put it out for good when they feel like getting around to it.”

Watch Jon Stewart absolutely destroy Mitch McConnell in the clip above.

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