Jon Stewart on 'The Daily Show': Biden and Trump should use performance-enhancing drugs

"They should be taking whatever magical drugs can kick their brains into gear," quips Stewart after the debate.

In a strikingly candid live episode of The Daily Show following Thursday's presidential debate, comedy veteran Jon Stewart expressed his astonishment at the performances of both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. 

The debate, aired on CNN and moderated by Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, left Stewart in disbelief. "This cannot be real life," he declared. "It just can't. We're America!"

During the show, Stewart criticized Biden's lackluster performance and Trump's propensity for falsehoods, a sentiment echoed by many media outlets. 

The comedian, who has previously criticized both candidates for their age—Biden at 81 and Trump at 78—joked about their need for performance enhancement. 

"Let me just say after watching tonight's debate, both of these men should be using performance-enhancing drugs!" Stewart exclaimed. 

"As much of it as they can get, as many times a day as their bodies will allow. If performance-enhancing drugs will improve their lucidity, their ability to solve problems — and in one of the candidates' cases, improve their truthfulness, morality, and malignant narcissism — then suppository away. They should be taking whatever magical drugs can kick their brains into gear, ’cause this ain't Olympic swimming."

Stewart also took aim at the debate moderators for not pressing the candidates harder on key issues. 

His reaction to Trump's denial of past allegations was filled with irony: "I didn't have sex with a porn star," Trump had claimed, prompting Stewart to quip about the absence of a third-party candidate from the debate. 

"Really makes you wonder, What's RFK Jr. doing tonight?" he mused, before making a jest about needing to call a real estate agent in New Zealand after a particularly confusing moment from Biden.

The veteran comedian is set to return for another post-debate special on The Daily Show on September 10, where he will cover the debate rematch between Biden and Trump.