Salman Rushdie - “Knife” & Freedom of Expression | The Daily Show

“There is a fight about free expression in America too, at the moment and I feel like I’m in that fight, I have a dog in that fight.” Esteemed author, Salman Rushdie speaks with Jon Stewart about his memoir, “Knife,” recounting his brush with death along with the subsequent journey of healing and the fight for free expression currently happening in the United States from the ongoing protests on college campuses to critiques of Taylor Swift’s music. #DailyShow #JonStewart #SalmanRushdie
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[@BlueHooloovoo]

What happened to Salman Rushdie is a wake-up call to fight against religious and political extremism in all its forms.

[@fabamatic]

No, no correction needed

[@marshalldamons2663]

@@fabamatic Oh you woke are you coz I don't see Christianity or any other religion doing such things

[@dthomas9230]

@@marshalldamons2663Christians killed masses in Buffalo, El Paso, Vegas, Parkland, Synagfogues, and Black Baptist church, etal.

[@donaldmcbride3673]

​@@marshalldamons2663Jesus would actually disagree with you. If you read your book. Practice your faith in private.

[@AvaNightingale]

​@@marshalldamons2663 what exact difference is there that makes Islam any worse than the others? It's simply newer than Christianity. That's it. It's all dangerous bunkum, that's obvious to anyone with functional brain cells, but religion inherently imposes itself on others lives by virtue of poisoning the person infected with it with cruel, sadistic ideas about the world and themselves and others. What actually is so much worse about Islam? Cause child marriage is still legal in many states purely because of religion.

[@MartinAlvito1]

What separates Jon as an interviewer is the empathy he lets shine through behind the mask.

[@gordonchapman5654]

And he lets the person answer the question without interruption.

[@domb8448]

In this case, they have a long friendship too..

[@mr.o8539]

@@gordonchapman5654he actively requests guests to continue even if he accidentally interrupts them

[@Traderbear]

Yeah it was one of my favorite interviews of his.

[@reamiger1]

I wish he would go on Timcast for a discussion!

[@bononista3999]

I love his attitude and the approach that the person who did this will not be named; do NOT make 'celebrity' of such people. Thank you Mr. Rushdie (and thank you Jon).

[@oldreprobate2748]

Jerod Kushner

[@joelananna1116]

​@@oldreprobate2748no but you made me laugh Ty

[@helios7212]

👏👏👏💯💯🙏

[@keksi6844]

Islamic prophecy says Antichrist will have one eye.Bible prophecy says he will survive fatal wound then whole world will adore him.

[@artemisqueen2]

Rushdie is a vile bigot. He wrote a hateful garbage book. If he wrote that about Judaism he would’ve been wiped out without a single peep

[@JanHellqvist]

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is what doing your homework on a guest looks like. Best talk show interview of Salman by far

[@cykkatt1]

🎉Absolutely

[@naylas3908]

The interview with Stephen Colbert was great, too.

[@Kitty8791]

​@@naylas3908 Much of it was re-hashed from his 60-Minutes interview w/ Anderson Cooper. Both those interviews were shorter than this so perhaps time constraints led to focusing on particular points.

[@cofloinn]

Couldn't agree more, Jan. Very well said

[@AntiSkill42]

P000

[@MichaelRussell3000]

We have few heroes left, and to see two of them communicating so openly for our entertainment, makes me feel hope.

[@stephanieclark6154]

FACTZ.

[@michaeloftaoism]

❤❤❤

[@tyronevaldez-kruger5313]

Heroes are not few. We rather see them in entertainment & politics than in parents, siblings, friends, neighbours and teachers.

[@Baxxter101]

It's not just for entertainment... It's just the vehicle.

[@jesipohl6717]

the whole incident can be described as follows; two bigots, one got violent, who cares.

[@brianvernon7754]

This is what Courage looks like, what a hero

[@jesipohl6717]

this is what BPD looks like for a wealthy white guy.

[@robertgeish5641]

Tell him to speak about Israeli. Freedom of the speech is the speech whites like.

[@ems4884]

Indeed. Imagine hating this man. The state of religious fervor that you must have to do that. Mind-blowing.

[@MrLee-cy1pw]

No, his wife is.

[@KrisVesel]

He supported bombing of Yugoslavia even though the threat of genocide was far far less than in Gaza, but he NEVER supported bombing of Israel. A brave man in the West stands up to ZioNazis.

[@eugenefullstack7613]

The scene on Curb where Larry and Salman eat at the restaurant and all the ladies are swooning over them lives in my head rent free.

[@GenRN]

Same. 😂 I absolutely love that entire episode.

[@brokenglassshimmerlikestar3407]

smart grunpy old men, wooooooo (I do love them, no irony

[@alliedatheistalliance6776]

Check his marriage history, he kills it

[@MathEnthusiastss]

A real life example of a pen being mightier than the sword. Mad respect.

[@arenc5619]

Salman Rushdie is an international treasure. What an incredible interview by Jon. We need more quality convos like this.

[@florete2310]

💯👍

[@DrTorbjorn]

Wish he’d do a talk show where he just interviews people for an hour. Could still be in front of audience

[@naylas3908]

Also watch the interview with Stephen Colbert.

[@KrisVesel]

He supported bombing of Yugoslavia even though the threat of genocide was far far less than in Gaza, but he NEVER supported bombing of Israel. A brave man in the West stands up to ZioNazis.

[@markgigiel2722]

Salman is so quick witted they played off each other so well and still had a deep interview.

[@llongone2]

Salman Rushdie is a true hero. He has fought against theocracy and superstition for decades. We need more like people like him.

[@KrisVesel]

He supported bombing of Yugoslavia even though the threat of genocide was far far less than in Gaza, but he NEVER supported bombing of Israel. A brave man in the West stands up to ZioNazis.

[@edezagon]

And he has a great sense of humor! ❤

[@juniper150]

With respect, he’s not a hero. He has expressed some terribly bigoted views over the years, as have his inner circle (not least Amis)

[@gitadasgupta7488]

He is one of a kind, though. Gifted and courageous, and resilient

[@touringthecitywalking9209]

He is NOT a hero, but 100% a zero, lol!!

[@patrickmcdermott7754]

In the late 90's I had an amazing English teacher in high school, she was also a best friend's mom. She put Haroun & the Sea of Stories on our reading list. That book is near perfect for a teenager going on their own personal journey. This man, and his works are gifts.

[@marylinnmaione9556]

That was one of my all-time favorite books that I read to my kids. Just an absolute joy to read out loud for all of us.

[@nancya7289]

Love Haroun!

[@TheHotEgg]

My step dad read that to me when I was growing up. We finished on my birthday. Such a great book!

[@RobertLouisMoore]

Thanks for the mention

[@damamae950]

Jon is a better informed and more sophisticated interviewer than most 'real' news anchors

[@MakeSomeNoiseAgencyPlaylists]

oh really ?

[@juvedoo99]

@@MakeSomeNoiseAgencyPlaylistsreally

[@sfkid30]

Jon is the best

[@Alpha23TV]

Gahhh!! John is the most genuine interviewer. So unpretentious and honest. Such honest and simultaneously truly humorous banter between two auteurs! Thank you!

[@tiberseptim8434]

You can tell that John not only actually read that book, but tried his best to connect with and understand what it wants to say. And then he just has a genuine conversation with the person about it (in which he is naturally charming), based around a couple actually thought-through points. There aren’t many interviewers like that. It‘s always fantastic to watch.

[@3mobcom]

His attack is symptomatic of how a huge section of the US public gets angry about things they have little to no information on

[@hackrabiyah]

It’s scary that people can live online only. I’m so glad Mr. Rushdie is still with us!

[@missd2657]

I'm so pleased to have the fantastic Salman Rushdie back doing what he does best and he hasn't lost his humor. A real beacon of freedom of expression.

[@osheaeimear83]

"Its a very much American attack" nail on the head

[@foto21]

HA HA HA. It's a VERY RELIGIOUS attack, by the most violent ignorant religion on earth.

[@sacha9593]

I am not sure. In France American style school shootings are almost unheard of but we have those kind of "small scale" Islamist attacks quite regularly.

[@arj-peace]

"The level of anger is crazy right now." Indeed.

[@isabt4]

The attack on Salman Rushdie felt eerily profound, almost personal, so that my heart went out to him as though he formed part of my loved ones. It is such a joy to see him strong and recovering, and with a new book out! Way to go Mr. Rushdie! You are fighting for all of us who believe in free speech etc. etc. I just keep screaming out : YES! (“Knife” is my next read) Most of us do not have the brilliant minds that Rushdie and Stewart have, but many of us have enough to recognize it, and appreciate the value such minds represent for all of us. Both these men are so brilliant in such different ways, it is soothing to the soul to hear them interact , even if for a brief interview. The level of anger Salman Rushdie refers to is terrifying, because it cannot lead to wise decisions or voting; we live in very perilous times. That is also why I am so thankful that Jon Stewart decided to come back now! May voices such as theirs help us all! ❤️🙏🙏🙏

[@TheNudeBrewer]

That moment around @16:34 reminds me of a funny quote Mr. Rushdie's friend, the great Christopher Hitchens, used to say. He said "people remark on things I say with 'that's offensive!' to which I say 'that's not an argument. And since I'm not running for anything, I don't care that you're offended." RIP Hitchens. btw... a solid 20min interview with no commercials, all completely intelligent back-and-forth discussion ... just took my breath away.

[@inigo9000]

Hé also said a similar thing once “ a gentleman is never rude unless it’s on purpose”

[@sethzwicker3631]

I wish we had Hitch today. He'd have a field day with the current state of affairs.

[@isabt4]

Indeed! Aren’t we lucky we had Christopher Hitchens in this world! He is dearly missed! And I also feel this back and forth intelligent conversation is soothing to the soul. I love your comment ❤

[@travisearl771]

@@isabt4there is no soul

[@TruthrConsequences]

HItchens was a waste of human resources.

[@TC-ht9gl]

Picked the book up Saturday afternoon, wound up reading it entirely through by that night. An amazing piece of work. I'm so glad we still have this man with us.

[@curseyoujordanshow]

I was thinking only just yesterday that I haven't seen or heard anything about him since the attack, and was hoping he was doing okay. Aside from the obvious physical aftermath of what happened, he seems almost like nothing happened. What a guy.

[@izabelamsztuka7297]

14:53 "Everybody is so angry right now, that nobody can listen or talk to anybody else so people just shout at each other". This is the most accurate measure of the mood I've heard, and that to some extent it is a function of the algorithm.

[@Heliosphan15]

Human beings have become the next evolutionary step for computer viruses.

[@jonmendelson1104]

I love the irony of someone with the last name Rushdie talking about planning his 100th birthday.

[@Omni0404]

I get it! It took me a minute... but I get it!

[@scipioafricanus5871]

@@Omni0404 Not in a rush to die?

[@TJfromEarth]

oof

[@savannahm.laurentian1286]

I couldn't watch ANOTHER interview about Knife. Then, was reminded of the gift that Jon Stewart has for extraordinary interviews. Rushdie is as we know him to be--an incomparable voice in writing, speaking & in this world. Stewart is an incomparable interviewer--his intelligence, compassion & humor, readily available in the very same instance. I needn't have worried, as the combination of these two people is so much more than the sum of their parts.

[@erinmac4750]

Love the candor and heart in this interview! Jon and Salman could be having coffee at a local diner, and we're just flies on the wall. Salman Rushdie is such a unique writer and has had such an interesting impact on our culture. I had forgotten that 1989 was the year of the Fatwa, the fall of The Wall, Tienamen Square..... Can't wait for that 100th dance party! 💜

[@interdimensionalsteve8172]

Unregulated corporate algorithms created to confirm biases for profit are a MAJOR problem.

[@tempestive1]

Specially when so many people see faith as a reliable pathway to truth. Using faith, anyone can justify ANYTHING. even contradictory positions. If you have evidence for something and are trying to convince another of it, will you present that evidence... or faith?

[@TruthrConsequences]

Mass consumption of their bile is the leading source of division in our world.

[@jeffb1880]

@@tempestive1 Ideology can be just as bad as faith in that regard.

[@piconano]

As an Iranian, I always loved Rushdie. Specially when Ayatollah Assaholla put a death warrant on him. "Religion is the last refuge of human savagery." ~Alfred North Whitehead

[@pjg3953]

I think this could be updated to "Ideology is the last refuge of human savagery" as the worlds greatest mass murderers were non-religious.

[@master_spike]

@@pjg3953 I'd go further and say that human savagery is a product of material conditions, relations and exploitation in society and that ideology and religion play a role in mobilizing the masses in support of those material interests. Whether it be capitalism, imperialism, feudalism, or even movements in the exact opposite direction, religion and ideology play a role in mobilization of the masses to support/oppose it.

[@touringthecitywalking9209]

As a Muslim, I hate this old disoriented punk!

[@alliedatheistalliance6776]

Salman has long been a living symbol of the repression in Iran. So many people murdered by the regime, and now an amazing musician due to be murdered for spekaing against the regime and in defense of the people. I hope Iran can be free soon.

[@alliedatheistalliance6776]

@@master_spike Interesting. And when it comes to Fascism, that's just the same as Islamism, right? Material conditions, blah de blah, same excuses?

[@lindaoheff9169]

I’ve never seen Jon so humbled…

[@BambooCoffin]

You haven't seen him with First Responders.

[@michaeltudyk8660]

Seems like normal Jon.

[@akarmoussaittizi3012]

I once had a conversation with a imam about Salman Rushdie's satanic verses and his conclusion was why the big fuss about this book ?It wasn't even a book against islam .It's just a novel but people without reading it decided that it was blasphemy.

[@seanpatrick1243]

What everyone misses about this conversation about the difficulty engaging in dispassionate discourse is that a high percentage of accounts on the internet are not real and are solely designed to seed division and stoke anger.

[@AvaNightingale]

What proof do you have for that statement?

[@seanpatrick1243]

@@AvaNightingale There are numerous studies that have been performed on the subject. Lone Skum even tried to use the elevated number of false accounts on Twitter to get out of his ill-advised purchase of the platform. I'm not sure why you are taking exception to such an obvious point, but in no way did I suggest that this was the only cause for the rising tension in debate.

[@isabt4]

I agree, this is part of the problem with the general rising anger.

[@TrueMAGA]

​@@AvaNightingaleYOU😵😵😵❌❌💲💲

[@tempestive1]

I don't feel the fake ones are significative. There's plenty of actual ignorant, bigoted theocratic fascists out there with a platform.

[@nellwhiteside3042]

Brilliant. TWO (!) intelligent people in the same room - WOW. Most significant - Salman Rushdie does not resort to being a victim.

[@KrisVesel]

He supported bombing of Yugoslavia even though the threat of genocide was far far less than in Gaza, but he NEVER supported bombing of Israel. A brave man in the West stands up to ZioNazis.

[@beebeeguy69]

The best interview I have seen on "TV" in what feels like a millenium. Love these men.

[@jtg2323]

The “temperature has risen”. Literally. The hotter the planet gets, the angrier humans will get.

[@Clarisse451]

Oh - climate change is to blame for people being angry and not feeling they get enough respect? 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@tempestive1]

​@@Clarisse451also yes. Higher temperatures mean higher hear rates, different metabolic function and hormone production.

[@dahliafully]

@@Clarisse451 It's not to blame but it already is pushing people into corners where they are forced into mass migrations with little sympathy at the other end, it's already brought the threat of famine in several key locations, and the extreme stresses on people being able to live are definitely producing a righteous anger as they are not getting enough respect for their very survival.

[@jtg2323]

@@Clarisse451 Facts are inconvenient. When the temperature goes up, crime goes up. Deal with it. Fox Propaganda has already been feeding the gullible people a steady diet of crime based fear. Wait till you climate deniers finally figure out that it’s gonna get worse the hotter the earth gets. We told you so.

[@Waverlyduli]

Big fan of Salman Rushdi: the writer and the man. Wonderful to see you so well, strong, even lighthearted, Salman.

[@helios7212]

Agreed 💯 Glad to see him doing well, even with all he's been through 🙏 Great man with a kind soul, almost taken from us and the world to soon, all because of some nutzo radicalized by propaganda and the internet 😔

[@thebagelsproductions]

When did this happen?

[@lifesbutastumble]

@@thebagelsproductions When did what happen?

[@thebagelsproductions]

@@lifesbutastumble the attack on Rushdie

[@thebagelsproductions]

@@lifesbutastumble it's fine I looked it up

[@meganann3876]

Salman brings something we need to start teaching and practicing. Fighting against the algorithms. The amount of people I personally know that will not entertain something that doesn’t share their view. Fight the algorithms! Learn everything you can, on every stance imaginable, to gain a better understanding.

[@KrisVesel]

He supported bombing of Yugoslavia even though the threat of genocide was far far less than in Gaza, but he NEVER supported bombing of Israel. A brave man in the West stands up to ZioNazis not someone as powerless like Serbs.

[@bun197]

cool, so you accept religious people practicing their beliefs and speaking about them?

[@TylerWardhaha]

​@@bun197That's a fundamental 1st amendment right, as well as a protected class in the bill of rights. Not only does it protect religious beliefs, it also protects the absence of those beliefs. It also guarantees citizens that the law won't be religious, and that religion won't be exempt from the law if it infringes on their rights under the law.

[@meganann3876]

@@bun197 YES!

[@aviramvijh]

What a hero. A national treasure.

[@laboo62]

He is the true meaning of courage, being able to laugh and live after all that happened to him.

[@grandpoobahofthewest]

Thank you for this amazing interview with inspiring and brilliant Mr. Rushdie! I loved what he said about revisiting the place he was harmed and also going to see the prison that his stabber is held! That takes courage! He is a very brave exceptional man! I hope he lives the rest of his life with complete sense of security and keeps on writing! ❤️

[@rezakargar2143]

As an Iranian -for those who know about the Rushdie-Khomeini history - I really look up to Mr. Rushdie. He's a real hero for standing up for free speech. But I just don't get why he didn't take those threats more seriously and ended up getting attacked. I feel for him and his family.

[@dyhidrogenmonoxide]

He went into hiding for years after the major threats, but the satanic verses was published in 1988. His attacker wasn’t even born then. You heard him say he’s been living a free life again for 25 years and nothing has happened, so he thought he was safe.

[@halaassi4431]

Your a Zionist unit 8200

[@alliedatheistalliance6776]

He (wrongly) assumed that there was a limit to the violent nature of Islam.

[@donwilliams2858]

These 2 men, Salman Rushdie and Jon Stewart, are amazing to watch and follow. They show us their well-matched intelligence, empathy, and humor as they go on talking and thinking together. Such a treasure !

[@annacapa]

I wish the internet could be this reflective and thoughtful. Such a great conversation to listen to.

[@ramdularsingh1435]

Here is a true hero speaking to Media !!!... Love you Salman Rushdie Sir !!!...

[@Xeonerable]

There is no better interviewer in the modern times than Jon Stewart.

[@bbrowngrooms]

What an incredible joy to hear and see Salmon Rushdie and Jon Stewart have a genuine conversation! I have goosebumps. 💖🙏🏾

[@globalpeace5870]

Salman Rushdie's mindset has basically been built on his personal hate and angerful childhhod when his father lost his job as a lawyer and they lost their luxury life in India. For knowing the validity of someone's idealogy accurately, psychology requires us to check the background and the seed of mind of them not the masked face they represent.

[@bbrowngrooms]

@@globalpeace5870, human beings grow and change. I’m not who I was 20 years ago. I hope you aren’t either. Blessings,

[@kimtravis308]

A discussion between intellectuals. Wonderful.

[@jeffpatterson4061]

🇨🇦 Now there's a man completely in touch with his mind and perfectly equipped to show us how to touch our own.

[@kab2599]

Well said fellow 🇨🇦

[@norcodaev]

Love from Canada, Salman. I’m glad you’re fully recovered.

[@breakshot7451]

tell that to his right eye. soooo not really fully, but hey i know what you ment

[@norcodaev]

@@breakshot7451 If you knew what I meant, why write a comment stating that I’m wrong? You think I didn’t notice his eye, or remember that he lost it during the attack? During the interview, didn’t Salman himself say he’s fully recovered?

[@user-tu1yv8ib3d]

​@@norcodaevWhy do you hate the Cross?

[@breakshot7451]

@@norcodaev hahaha we seem to have a millenial in total offended mode here

[@norcodaev]

@@breakshot7451 Dude, I’m almost 50. I just don’t get the point of your comment.

[@susan-meaaz4879]

Hearing him talk about this incident versus like the years he spent in isolation due to the fatwa, it's like all pretension has shed from him. I've always been a big fan of his work, but hearing him talk about the stuff is just amazing, and its like day n night

[@seansmith3058]

Did you read Joseph Anton?

[@ilsevandervelden1186]

incredible that he dares this, in front of a live audience! How courageous, what a great spirit!

[@therealdachshunddjangosmom]

What a combination! I always had huge respect for Mister Rushdie, but now I admire him even more! Best wishes, Sir❤

[@Doomchild2XL]

Oh, how I missed these conversations. I'm so effin' glad Jon is back. (As well as Salman for that matter.)

[@DelightLovesMovies]

That's so cool. You don't see Mr. Rushdie go on many shows.

[@lamoinette23]

Also Colbert

[@naylas3908]

He was on Stephen Colbert’s show. That was also a great interview.

[@KanLuxiang]

He just went on 60 Minutes as well.

[@jaccochrysler]

I am amazed by what this program pulls off. A thoughtful, empathic, intellectual conversation about life and literature in an entertainment context. It's delightful to see Rushdie doing so well. He is such a humble, playful joy to watch. Jon makes this into a real conversation. It gives me hope. Thank you.

[@Kokuswolf]

I like the incredible silence when he talks. You realize everyone is listening with full concentration, even though he didn't say something special everytime. (Please read that positively.)

[@canarynew]

John is just the smart and logical voice that we all need

[@xoazaja653]

That YOU need. You need guidance and someone to think for you.

[@dayegilharno4988]

@@xoazaja653 Since you brought this up as a response to someone simply acknowledging the beauty of another person's mind: Are you sure you're not projecting, because that's exactly how YOUR mind works?

[@xoazaja653]

@@dayegilharno4988 Sure, my mind is a beauty, no doubt. Thank you. I know you don't understand what projecting means in psychology and are just parroting the term, but you're still very nice to me. I hope one day, once you finish the third grade, that I can repay your kindness with a little wisdom you can understand.

[@naylas3908]

@@xoazaja653, your mind is a horrible cesspool of hatred.

[@isabt4]

@@xoazaja653oh dear! I suggest you do a little introspection. I do it all the time, it helps a little. And I am not being facetious ❤

[@doctorbeanis]

What a great interview, Jon! Such an amazing individual

[@petergiaschi35]

Thanks a lot, Jon. Rushdie is a hero and perhaps the finest writer in the English language.

[@uchicago7851]

And one of the finest pirates around.

[@KrisVesel]

He supported bombing of Yugoslavia even though the threat of genocide was far far less than in Gaza, but he NEVER supported bombing of Israel. A brave man in the West stands up to ZioNazis not someone as powerless like Serbs.

[@laurie113]

What an amazing man ❤️🇨🇦

[@xoazaja653]

Thanks.

[@batgurrl]

What a fantastic show tonight. He’s a humble living international treasure . Salman Rushdie is a hero, as is his wife. What a inspirational couple. ☮️😇

[@anitasubramans]

#TeamPadma🤷🏽‍♀️🥭

[@moletrap2640]

A true profile in courage and decency. He's right on the mark of people being too easily offended and using that to justify anger and attack.

[@agilemind6241]

I disagree, it's not the problem of people being "offended" it is how quick we are to jump to anger & attack. People have always gotten "offended" all the time for all time, but for a long time they would just be silent about it (usually out of fear), now they aren't silent about it, but rather than showing compassion and seeking understanding, they instantly jump into anger & attack. But in addition to that, the other big problem with modern society is the people who are now making a living by being professionally outraged about stuff. Many of them aren't even honestly offended by the thing, they are just acting outraged because that's what their audience wants and is paying them to do. The internet has democratized media, and what people are voting for with their click & eyeballs is overhyped fabricated outrage content.

[@dahliafully]

@@agilemind6241 Thank you for pointing to the Professional Outrage Machine. The tech industry likes to claim that the internet democratized media, which at first it seemed to, but as the Friedman economics took over the corporate monoliths that actually run it, the main search engine took down their "Don't Be Evil" slogan in the lobby. It's no longer neutral therefore no longer a shred of being democratized. It's a surveillance economy where these very sentences are quietly being judged for their value or danger just as in a totalitarian society. For now, we're sometimes allowed to say them. Three cheers for Rushdie when he pushes back on algorithms. But it's a weak point for him if he thinks it's because he's too old. Stewart is more savvy here, slyly inserting that the algorithms aren't as ageist as Rushdie suggests.

[@BehaviorCoachNeysa]

Jon is genuinely curious and interested in Salman's thoughts, feelings, and experiences. They interact with warmth, humor, and compassion. Emotional intelligence at its finest.

[@NewMessage]

There was something once said about a pen vs a sword, I believe.....

[@candacemildred9906]

now the sword has found a way to hide behind the pen. Or rather the ones and zeroes

[@susanhenry6834]

The pen is mightier than the sword.

[@repealthepatriotact]

Yeah, and whoever came up with that never used a pen to stop a sword attack.

[@Coolestmovies]

@@repealthepatriotact Which is why it’s a metaphor. Wow.

[@duroxkilo]

@@repealthepatriotact :)) what, like really, what???

[@moonbeanification]

What a lovely man, Salman Rushdie. Very Intelligent, funny and gracious. So grateful for Jon Stewart's deeply human interviews.

[@richardhedd3080]

To think the attacker believes he was doing god's will. This is what religious fundamentalism of any kind can do.

[@fuckgoogle8661]

Religion is the evil in the world.

[@nerag7459]

"I need to unalive this guy, my deity is too lazy to get off his cloud to do it."

[@fuckgoogle8661]

Religion is the evilest thing in the world.

[@erinmac4750]

That and too many years in the basement without IRL or touching grass, so to speak. Isolation generally does a body bad.

[@duroxkilo]

@@erinmac4750 also if i recall correctly his mother said that after a visit to his father in Lebanon she could tell something has changed as he began to isolate himself...

[@laura-gp3gv]

Watching this for a second time Rushdie's sympathy for his attackers state of mind is just incredible. Rushdie is a remarkable man.

[@JamesKovacic]

U2 introduced me to him through a hidden gem of theirs based on his book The Ground Beneath Her Feet, I’m so grateful for that

[@El-wv1tf]

Oh, that’s so great to see the man behind very strong and wonderful books. How strong he is.

[@Martinbeef]

Salman is a hero for all of us: free speech, for a big proportion of us in the world is worth fighting for, and sometimes dying for. I wish him peace in his life, and I hope he continues to speak his mind.

[@happywarrior1219]

I love how they been searching for a host for years and didn't realize Jon Stewart was inside them all along

[@travisearl771]

Stewart was inside them?

[@dm-dx7hs]

Thank you for this interview. The respect and honour was obvious. ❤

[@phantomallen1]

I have missed Jon Stewarts' outlook on life, people and the world. 💌

[@judithgaar217]

I felt fortunate to sit in the airport waiting for the same plane as Salmon Rushdie. That was until I returned home to learn that he had been speaking at my church and I had missed it. I usually watch any program where he is being interviewed or on a panel. Now I will finally read his book. I think this one will be a page turner. I assume all of his books are excellent, but this one is part of his story. I am a slow reader and that looks like the size book I can handle at my age (almost 79). ❤

[@jeanneratterman]

I enjoyed this interview more than any other in a long while. I wish it had gone even longer. Thank you, Jon and Salman. You are among my heros ❤️❤️

[@jamesdelcol3701]

I really like Salman. I am really happy he bounced back. I used to talk to Chris Hitchens about history in emails. I was hooked in to the whole scene back then. I was very surprised when this happened to Salman

[@BenjaminGatti]

Salmon Rushdie is a living reminder of why we cannot ignore the fatwa.

[@mous7181]

What is the fatwa ?

[@naylas3908]

@@mous7181, In 1989, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a fatwa condemning Salman Rushdie to death for alleged blasphemy in his novel “The Satanic Verses.”

[@BenjaminGatti]

@@mous7181 google is your friend

[@cheechwizard6541]

And you separate “the fatwa” from Islam how, exactly? Islam is the problem.

[@globalpeace5870]

Salman Rushdie's mindset has basically been built on his personal hate and angerful childhhod when his father lost his job as a lawyer and they lost their luxury life in India. For knowing the validity of someone's idealogy accurately, psychology requires us to check the background and the seed of mind of them not the masked face they represent.

[@ericthompson3982]

Fun fact: watching this qualifies you for a Ph.D. Legitimately, however, I put this man in a fellow category with Solzhenitsyn. And Stewart is probably the most astute and important interviewer of the 21st century. So this is a legitimate masterclass. And it's an excellent reminder to maintain the mind of an amateur, even and especially as an expert.

[@user-pj6rs1gp2l]

I think along with freedom of speech is the freedom to listen and hear. That’s where algorithms have come in. Coupled with basically any negativity, preconceived notions and just bias itself, can create chaos. What I enjoy and dislike about myself is that even if I have an aversion to someone, topic or place, I’ll visit and decide for myself. We want the right ideas to spread but we do need to have time on our side, actually listen to the development of someone’s though process over the years and leave plenty of room for individuals to have friendships that can survive tough times. Right now, there’s none of that. So for now, it’s just the necessities of life.

[@GenRN]

Rushdie is one of my favorite atheists. So glad he survived. So glad he is thriving.

[@globalpeace5870]

Salman Rushdie's mindset has basically been built on his personal hate and angerful childhhod when his father lost his job as a lawyer and they lost their luxury life in India. For knowing the validity of someone's idealogy accurately, psychology requires us to check the background and the seed of mind of them not the masked face they represent. Think Smart Americans !

[@timoe.7509]

What a funny list you have... 😅 Who else makes it on there

[@GenRN]

@@timoe.7509 Christopher Hitchens, Richard Dawkins, Julia Sweeney, Neil Degrass Tyson, Sam Harris, Ricky Gervais. Those are a few, there are definitely more. ❤️

[@preenaloomba1676]

Such a beautiful, brilliant conversation. Thank you, Jon

[@Jenny_Oblivion]

We’re lucky to have this man. His writing is brilliant as well as his speaking. ❤ his ❤ & bravery

[@NotSteve1992]

Thank you both for this. Sanity, humor and reason are rare things to find these days. This interview gave us plentiful amounts of all three.

[@BubblewrapHighway]

Rushdie has always been a hero of mine. He and Hitchens shaped my young mind away from the absurd contradictions of religion.

[@majesticpbjcat7707]

What a stud for coming out on the other side of this event the way he did! If it were me, I'd have to sleep with one eye opened...

[@LSA223b]

Jon is an amazing interviewer. His questions, intelligence and presence are untouchable.

[@MichaelSchlinge]

This is why I watch Jon's Interviews. He has such passion and insight into his guests and really seems invested so that it always becomes a fascinating and thoughtful discussion with him and his guests.

[@VictarisGX]

An excellent interview! Salman Rushdie is one of my favorite authors. Truly a living legend. I can't believe he still has a jihad on him for writing The Satanic Verses.

[@Steevee14]

A "jihad"? Or a fatwa?

[@VictarisGX]

Also, the narrative of KZbin brainrot is very real here. We need to be more careful of what we watch and believe here. So many great quips by Rushdie here, but my favorite had to be how "I'm not scared of being in the courtroom with him, he should be scared of being in the courtroom with me!" 😅

[@VictarisGX]

​@@Steevee14My bad, I meant fatwa.

[@tempestive1]

I can. Have you read any of the Qu'ran?

[@Ultimaton100]

@@tempestive1The Quran has just as many verses calling for love and violence as the Bible. Religion as a whole is filled with contradictions.

[@namj8145]

Rushdie moves from a figure of high esteem into an iconic realm now. The discussion of how we automatically grow stupidly offended to so much and respond with hostility should be shown to every student in America. And then to every adult. Then translated and played to those in every nation.

[@speedmachine69]

I could have easily listened to another hour of these two gentlemen discussing matters...

[@Eric_Kabucha_]

Watching This Show especially with John back, makes me feel A billion times smarter. Thank you both Salman and Stewart

[@michaelbreeze9548]

Another brilliant interview where serious things can be talked about with humour.

[@lizlorraine463]

Great interview!! Thank you.

[@muylae]

what a beautiful person. happy he is still around.

[@Abydos1star]

I missed Jon's deep dives into books. So many great authors I was introduced to by Jon. Thank you, sir!

[@jmbutler5]

what a lovely thoughtful man and I’m so sorry he’s had to go through such a terrible time💖

[@elsiebartlett6808]

“Oh he’s got that New Jersey brain…” 😂

[@asma.nooruddin]

Right! Thank you for writing 'Knife!' And thank you for hosting the show as well.

[@joofmagoof2841]

I've missed Jon's interviews. Glad he's back

[@BlueSky-zq5ob]

I respect John because he doesn't spread hate like other journalists🤑 do😌❤️✌️