Jon Stewart Says Apple Blocked FTC Chair Interview on Podcast

Comedian Jon Stewart recently stated that Apple prevented him from featuring Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan on his podcast, which was part of a show he hosted on Apple TV+. This follows reports of disagreements between Stewart and Apple executives regarding the canceled show.

Stewart, who returned to hosting the Daily Show on Comedy Central in February, interviewed Khan on his latest episode about antitrust scrutiny facing tech giants like Apple. During the interview, Stewart mentioned wanting to have Khan on his podcast but said Apple asked him not to do it. He also claimed Apple told him, “Please don’t talk to her.”

Stewart referenced an earlier segment of the episode where he discussed issues related to major AI platforms backed by Silicon Valley giants, stating that Apple wouldn’t even allow them to do the segment on AI.

In a crucial quote, Stewart asked Khan why Apple and other big tech companies were hesitant to have public conversations on various issues. Khan replied, “I think it just shows one of the dangers of what happens when you concentrate so much power and decision-making in a small number of companies.”

In a recent lawsuit, the Justice Department and several states accused Apple of violating antitrust laws through restrictive policies that stifle competition and harm customers. The lawsuit also mentions Apple’s control over content creators and newspapers, stating that its conduct affects the flow of speech.

Stewart hosted two seasons of “The Problem with Jon Stewart” on Apple TV+, where he addressed single political, social, or economic issues per episode. The show was abruptly canceled in October due to reported creative differences between Stewart and Apple, with topics like China and artificial intelligence causing concern among Apple executives.

Stewart’s comments on Monday were his first public remarks on the matter. The issue raised concerns in Congress, with lawmakers from both parties stating that the coercive tactics of a foreign power should not influence Apple’s content decisions. They requested that Apple publicly commit to welcoming content critical of the CCP or the PRC on Apple TV+ and other Apple services.