Jon Stewart: Trump waiving Russia sanctions ‘insane’ and ‘incoherent’

Jon Stewart blasted President Trump for waiving sanctions on Russia to allow more of its diesel to come to market, calling the move “insane” and “incoherent.”

The president signed an executive order last week that waived the sanctions bill he signed into law in September. The legislative package, which was passed by Congress with bipartisan support and named after the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), would have imposed tariffs on top Russian energy purchasers and other countries helping Moscow to evade sanctions.

The bill’s supporters had said its aim was to target resources needed by Russia in its continued war against Ukraine.

Earlier this month, Trump announced a deal he said he struck with Russian President Vladimir Putin for Russia to “immediately” supply 300,000 tons of diesel to the U.S. and the global marketplace.

“Why would we motivate a group to sell diesel when we just put sanctions on them for selling diesel?” Stewart asked as he hosted Monday’s “Daily Show” on Comedy Central.

“Doing the opposite within a month is insane,” Stewart exclaimed.

“It is illogical. It is incoherent,” the comedian said.

Responding to comments made in a recent CNN interview by Energy Secretary Chris Wright defending Trump’s move and saying, “This is pressuring Russia,” Stewart said, “By giving them money? How is this punishing Russia?”

Stewart unveiled a prop, a set of Russian matryoshka dolls, to provide what he called “a physical demonstration of the many layers of stupidity that must be behind this decision.”

In response to additional comments by Wright backing the president, Stewart opened up one of the dolls to reveal a smaller one inside.

“I think I might’ve discovered the real reason,” Stewart said, as he opened the smallest of the nesting dolls to reveal a tiny photo of Trump and Putin standing side by side.