Comedian Jon Stewart has spoken out on the recent attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, stating that the nation “dodged a catastrophe” but still suffered a tragedy. In an emotional and candid interview, Stewart reflected on the shocking event, calling the President’s response to the incident “inadequate” and “disturbing.”

The attempted assassination occurred on Tuesday, when a man armed with a gun and a knife was arrested at the White House, allegedly attempting to make his way to Trump’s residence. The situation was swiftly resolved, with the would-be assassin being taken into custody without incident. President Trump took to social media to express his gratitude to the Secret Service and law enforcement for their quick response, but many have criticized the administration’s handling of the situation.

Jon Stewart, a renowned comedian and former host of The Daily Show, has been a vocal critic of the Trump administration throughout his presidency. In his recent comments, he expressed his relief that the President was not harmed, but also expressed dismay at the broader implications of the incident.

“We dodged a catastrophe, and for that, we should be grateful,” Stewart said. “But let’s not forget that this was still a tragedy. This was a reminder of the very real and very present threat that violence and extremism pose to our democracy. And yet, instead of coming together to address the root causes of this toxicity, we were instead treated to a tweetstorm of finger-pointing and division.”

Stewart went on to criticize the President’s response to the incident, saying that it was “inadequate” and “disturbing.” “We were told that the President was ‘attacked by a very violent person,’ as if he’s the one who was the victim here,” Stewart said. “We were told that this was a ‘sad day’ for the country, but we were not told what the President would do to prevent such a tragedy from happening again in the future. That’s because there is no plan. There is no recognition that the President’s own words and actions have helped to create a culture of violence and division in this country.”

Stewart’s comments have sparked debate among politicians and the public, with some defending the President’s response and others criticizing his perceived lack of empathy and leadership. The incident has also raised questions about the security protocols surrounding the White House and the need for increased vigilance in the face of growing threats to national security.

As the country continues to grapple with the aftermath of the attempted assassination, Jon Stewart’s words serve as a stark reminder of the importance of coming together to address the underlying issues that contribute to such tragic events.