The Daily Show host Jon Stewart and longtime correspondent Jordan Klepper compared President Donald Trump‘s role in the MAGA movement to Iron Man’s role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The analogy came with a sharp question: what happens to that universe when the hero is gone?
At an intimate FYC event in New York on Tuesday, the hosts got to comparing Trump’s universe to the MCU. It started with Klepper’s own place in the story. Klepper, who often interviews and humiliates Trump fans outside rallies and conventions, is a recurring villain in this universe. “I’m not the good guy in that universe, but I’m a part of it,” he said, adding that “MAGA heads” often recognize him and ask for photos at Republican events.
Stewart then pushed the analogy further.
“By attaching [MAGA] to the MCU, that feels like it’s going to be non-transferable,” he said. “Once they lose Iron Man” — in this case, Trump — “they can try and throw him back in there as Dr. Doom or some other fucking thing.” Referencing Robert Downey Jr.’s return to the franchise after Iron Man died in Avengers: Endgame. “But do you think that audience is going to buy somebody else running that universe?”
Klepper’s answer was a flat no. “It is personality-based through and through,” he said, implying the MAGA movement may not survive after Trump’s presidency.
Iron Man & The MCU
Since Iron Man was killed off in Avengers: Endgame, the rudderless MCU has struggled to find its footing. Leading Marvel to bring Downey Jr. back in a new role as Doctor Doom. Stewart’s point was that MAGA faces a nearly identical problem.
Stewart followed with a prediction of his own, saying political analysts are wrong to assume that either Vice President JD Vance or Secretary of State Marco Rubio will inherit the MAGA mantle. His take was more direct. “It’s either going to be somebody with the Trump name and it’s a family heirloom that’s passed down, or whoever is the next leader of the Republican party will be inheriting an entirely different machine,” he said.
Stewart and Klepper were joined at the event by Ronny Chieng, Desi Lydic, Michael Kosta, and Josh Johnson. As part of Comedy Central’s Emmy campaign for The Daily Show.
It’s a smart and direct observation. The MCU comparison works because it’s built around one irreplaceable person. Replacing Tony Stark required more effort than Marvel anticipated. Whether MAGA will have a hard time replacing Trump is the question that Stewart’s really asking.
