After taking a short break, Jon Stewart made a comeback on The Daily Show and wasted no time in calling out Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary. Stewart didn’t hold back in criticizing the Canadian businessman for his comments regarding Donald Trump’s NY civil fraud case. O’Leary had referred to the case as a victimless crime, a statement that didn’t sit well with Stewart. The Comedy Central host didn’t hesitate to mock O’Leary, especially after the latter mentioned that the case against Trump could lead to anyone being targeted in the investment community.
Stewart went on to highlight O’Leary’s hypocrisy by pointing out his calm demeanor towards Trump overvaluing his assets, despite his harsh attitude towards entrepreneurs on Shark Tank who overvalue their companies. Clips from the ABC show were shown, depicting O’Leary being critical of the entrepreneurs for making claims about the value of their companies. Stewart humorously remarked, “Canadians are so vulgar,” in response to O’Leary’s behavior. He questioned why O’Leary wasn’t as outraged about overvaluations in the real world, emphasizing that such actions are not victimless crimes.
Stewart delved further into the issue by explaining that tax evasion has repercussions for everyone, as it deprives the government of much-needed revenue. He highlighted how Trump’s actions in evading taxes had a detrimental effect on New York City, which could have used the lost revenue for public services like building more stores. Stewart didn’t mince words as he criticized O’Leary for his nonchalant attitude towards such financial crimes, labeling it as “the quiet part out loud.”
During an interview on CNN, O’Leary was confronted with the details of Trump’s civil fraud case, which included accusations of falsifying business records, issuing false financial statements, insurance fraud, and conspiracy. O’Leary attempted to downplay the severity of these accusations by suggesting that such actions were common among real estate developers worldwide. Stewart wasn’t impressed with O’Leary’s response, likening it to “a f***ing entitled arrogance.” He pointed out the double standard that exists, where ordinary citizens would face serious consequences for similar actions, unlike those in the investment community who prioritize profit above all else.
Stewart wrapped up his critique by condemning the mindset prevalent in the investment community, where making money takes precedence over ethical considerations. He expressed his frustration with the idea that rules can be bent and principles can be disregarded as long as profits are being made. Stewart’s impassioned speech highlighted the disparity in how financial crimes are viewed depending on one’s social standing, with ordinary Americans bearing the brunt of the consequences while the wealthy escape unscathed.
Jon Stewart’s scathing commentary on Kevin O’Leary’s dismissal of financial crimes serves as a stark reminder of the inequalities present in society when it comes to accountability and justice. His sharp wit and pointed criticism shed light on the hypocrisy of those who prioritize profit at any cost, regardless of the impact on others.