One of Jon Stewart’s biggest regrets as ‘Daily Show’ host: Not pushing Donald Rumsfeld harder

Donald Rumsfeld on “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart” in 2011. (Comedy Central)
Donald Rumsfeld on “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart” in 2011. (Comedy Central)

Jon Stewart doesn’t have many regrets as he approaches the end of his 16-year run as host of “The Daily Show.” But he does have one: not pushing Donald Rumsfeld harder when he had the chance.

The former secretary of defense appeared on “The Daily Show” in 2011 for an interview, which the comedian says he squandered.

“He just went into the general gobbledegook,” Stewart told The Guardian. “‘Mnah mnah mnah, well, you have to remember, it was 9/11 mnah mnah.’ I should have pushed, but he’s very adept at deflecting.”

Rumsfeld, who was on the show to promote his memoir, “Known and Unknown,” dodged Stewart’s questions about faulty U.S. intelligence leading up to the Iraq War.

“The intelligence always is never perfect,” Rumsfeld said. “You have to question it.”

According to The Guardian, Stewart looked “genuinely crushed” while reflecting on the exchange.

“That interview with Rumsfeld went s---ty, but it’s still just an interview,” Stewart said. “He’s the one who has to live with the repercussions of what he really did, so there’s nothing that could happen on my show that carries that same level of regret.”

In February, Stewart announced that he would step down from “The Daily Show” later this year.

“This show doesn’t deserve an even slightly restless host, and neither do you,” he told the audience. “In my heart, I know it is time for someone else to have that opportunity.”

Last month, Comedy Central named Trevor Noah, a 31-year-old South African comedian, as Stewart’s replacement.

Watch Stewart’s full interview with Rumsfeld below: