Jon Stewart Calls Kash Patel a 'Make-a-Wish Man' for Hockey Celebration

Variety

by Jack Dunn

February 24, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Jon Stewart humorously criticized FBI Director Kash Patel for joining Team USA’s locker room celebration after their gold medal-winning hockey victory at the Olympics. During a segment on *The Daily Show*, Stewart mocked Patel’s presence at the event, questioning his role and even jokingly referring to him as a “Make-a-Wish man.” Stewart contrasted the unifying joy of the hockey win with America’s broader societal challenges, suggesting that the victory briefly united the country despite ongoing political divisions. However, he quickly shifted focus to the conservative reaction to the win, which he described as an embrace of “masculinity and celebration” in contrast to progressive values. Stewart highlighted how the hockey win was being framed by the Right as a symbolic triumph over perceived cultural decline, with some commentators even attacking Canada’s national identity. He humorously referenced HBO’s *Heated Rivalry*, a queer hockey series, to point out the irony of conservatives claiming hockey as a bastion of traditional values while simultaneously criticizing LGBTQ+ representation in sports. Stewart questioned why the U.S. was focusing on such trivial matters when it has real enemies and challenges to address. The comedian also poked fun at how quickly public sentiment toward hockey shifted—from indifference to obsession—over the course of four months. He mocked the notion that hockey could “save” America from a dystopian future, calling it one of the strangest developments in recent cultural history. Stewart’s commentary reflects his signature style of blending humor with political critique, offering a satirical take on how sports can become entangled in larger societal and geopolitical narratives. For readers interested in entertainment and politics, this piece underscores Stewart’s ability to use comedy as a lens to examine broader cultural trends. By addressing the intersection of sports, politics, and identity, Stewart provides a witty yet insightful perspective on how public sentiment and media coverage shape perceptions of national unity and conflict. His critique of Patel and the conservative response

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Originally published on Variety on 2/24/2026