If Donald Trump is the leader of the MAGAverse, what will happen after he becomes president?
At an intimate FYC event in New York on Tuesday, “The Daily Show” host ended up comparing the world of POTUS to the MCU. That makes Jordan Klepper, who often interviews (and humiliates) Trump fans outside rallies and conventions, a perennial villain.
“I’m not a good guy in that world, but I’m part of it,” Klepper said, adding that “MAGA heads” recognize him at Republican events and often ask for photos. “I’m a heel and they want to fight me, they want to yell at me, they want to take selfies with me.”
Jon Stewart extended the analogy further. “I feel like tying[MAGA]to the MCU makes it inalienable. Once they lose Iron Man,” in this case Trump, “they might try to put him back there as Doctor Doom or some shit,” he said, referring to Robert Downey Jr.’s return to the franchise after Iron Man’s death in Avengers: Endgame. “But do you think viewers will buy anyone else running that world?”
Based on Mr. Klepper’s expertise, the answer is no. “It’s thoroughly character-based,” he said, suggesting the MAGA movement may not survive a Trump presidency.
“All the political pundits are talking about whether the heir to this movement is going to be (Marco) Rubio or (J.D.) Vance,” Stewart said. “Actually, no, either someone with the Trump name will inherit it and make it an heirloom, or the next Republican leader will inherit a completely different machine.”
Stewart and Klepper were joined on the Metrograph panel by “Daily Show” deskmates Ronnie Chen, Desi Riddick, Michael Costa and Josh Johnson. The event was designed to raise awareness of the Comedy Central Talk Series’ Emmy Awards campaign. “The Daily Show” has won dozens of Emmy Awards since Stewart took over as host in 1999. Since returning as a part-time presenter in 2024, he has won two trophies.
