In the latest example of the late night comedy shows degenerating into Democratic strategy sessions, Comedy Central’s Jon Stewart welcomed Kentucky Andy Beshear to The Daily Show on Monday to suggest ways for Democrats to win again and on how Democratic governors can band together to stop Trump and his immigration policies that come with a “body count.”
Stewart lobbed the softball Beshear’s way when he wondered, “Let me ask you this, do you think that the legal system, because, you know—how many Democratic governors are there, 23? Something like that?”
Jon Stewart and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear had a lengthy strategizing session las night with Stewart wondering, "What can the cavalry of Democratic governors do other than lawsuits? To kind of form a coalition of people. I don't want to say confederation—that has a—the… pic.twitter.com/CXOCBYhwsH
— Alex Christy (@alexchristy17) February 10, 2026
After Beshear affirmed Stewart’s count, Stewart continued, “Just under half. You know, what is it they can do? You know, you see what he is doing in Oregon, you see what he's doing in Chicago, you see what he's doing in Minnesota. What can the cavalry of Democratic governors do other than lawsuits? To kind of form a coalition of people. I don't want to say confederation. That has a—the connotations are not great. But how can they force amplify to fight some of these really petty things that are being done?”
Because there isn’t a compelling answer, Beshear was forced to focus on lawsuits and public messaging, “Well, we do. We communicate a lot. And we all know each other well. And what you see is us banding together to go to court, but also to move the court of public opinion. You see right now what is going on in Minnesota.”
As Stewart constantly interjected to voice his approval, Beshear continued, “The videos. The fact that we have an American body count for Donald Trump's deportation plans. You see his other actions in other states, you see the picture of that 5-year-old child. Listen, that is a child of God just like any other one.”
Since the purpose of Beshear’s appearance was to plot strategy to help Democrats win, Stewart did not provide context or fact-checks for the “body count” or the 5-year old that was abandoned by his father when ICE came to get him, not taken by his mother after she was guaranteed she would not be taken into custody, and then reunited with his father according to his wishes.
Here is a transcript for the February 9 show:
Comedy Central The Daily Show
2/9/2026
11:41 PM ET
JON STEWART: Let me ask you this, do you think that the legal system, because, you know—how many Democratic governors are there, 23? Something like that?
ANDY BESHEAR: We are—yeah. Just under half.
STEWART: Just under half. You know, what is it they can do? You know, you see what he is doing in Oregon, you see what he's doing in Chicago, you see what he's doing in Minnesota. What can the cavalry of Democratic governors do other than lawsuits? To kind of form a coalition of people. I don't want to say confederation. That has a—the connotations are not great. But how can they force amplify to fight some of these really petty things that are being done?
BESHEAR: Well, we do. We communicate a lot. And we all know each other well. And what you see is us banding together to go to court, but also to move the court of public opinion. You see right now what is going on in Minnesota.
STEWART: Right.
BESHEAR: The videos. The fact that we have an American body count for Donald Trump's deportation plans.
STEWART: Right.
BESHEAR: You see his other actions in other states, you see the picture of that 5-year-old child.
STEWART: Sure.
BESHEAR: Listen, that is a child of God just like any other one.
STEWART: Right.
