Commotion: Jon Stewart's Comments on the Lab Leak Theory

Comedian and former host of The Daily Show, Jon Stewart recently appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, where he described his thoughts on the idea that the coronavirus pandemic escaped from a lab instead of originating in nature. 

The comedian introduced his opinions by claiming that science had eased the suffering of a pandemic, “which was more than likely caused by science.” Over the next five minutes of the show, he elaborated on why he believed that the coronavirus came from a lab. In particular, he cited that Wuhan, China, where the disease was first detected, is home to a lab that studies coronaviruses. He jokingly compared it to a hypothetical chocolate outbreak in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

Stewart’s statements created significant reactions online, with some praising him and others condemning him for sharing misinformation. A YouTube upload of the discussion gained over 2.5 million views within 24 hours. A YouTube upload achieved 2.9 million views over a similar period of time. Additionally, a range of articles in leading publications has speculated upon Stewart’s statements, with some considering the idea that his comments were made in jest and others highlighting medical professionals who have condemned Stewart’s words.