Jon Stewart has provided a critical commentary on the Trump administration, doing so in the driest possible manner.

Stewart and his late-night colleagues, including Jimmy Fallon and the outgoing Stephen Colbert, are likely feeling pressure following ABC’s controversial decision this week to “indefinitely” suspend Jimmy Kimmel Live, after comments made during his monologue about Charlie Kirk, the assassinated conservative pundit.

President Donald Trump celebrated that news with a post on Truth Social, and Federal Communications Commission chair Brendan Carr issued a warning that the authority would revoke the licenses of any network affiliates choosing to air Kimmel’s remarks, which he labeled as “news distortion” and “the sickest conduct possible.”

Once there was an imaginary line that mustn’t be crossed. Now talk-show hosts can see it.

If he was sweating, Stewart wasn’t showing it, as he took hosting duties, a change from his typical schedule, and dissected the situation on The Daily Show — in his own unique style.

“We have another fun hilarious, administration-compliant show,” he said at the top of his opening gambit, while donning a Republican-approved red tie and wearing a face dripping with satire.

Stewart spent part of his opener playing a line-toeing sycophant, referring to Trump as the “great leader,” “sun god,” and even “your lordship.”

The Daily Show‘s veteran host is, of course, a master of the double entendre and can snark with the best of them.

Though measured, Thursday night’s edition was classic Daily Show. The team let video do the talking, as clips played of conservative talking heads supporting the Constitutional right to free speech while contradicting themselves when they dislike that speech. Additionally, Fox News’ interpretation of the Jan. 6 Capitol attack as a “sightseeing” excursion was featured, along with future Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth making light on-air about the 2023 hammer attack on Paul Pelosi, husband of then House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

“Our great administration has laid out very clear rules on free speech,” remarked Stewart. “Now, some naysayers may argue that this administration’s speech concerns are merely a cynical ploy, a thin gruel of ruse, a smokescreen to obscure an unprecedented consolidation of power and unitary intimidation, principle-less and coldly antithetical to any experiment in constitutional republic governance. Some people would say that.” And then came the punchline: “Not me though; I think that it’s great.”