Comedian and television host Jon Stewart criticized Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer on Monday night for his remarks during a press conference on the ongoing federal government shutdown, calling the senator a “human flat tire.”

As The Independent Journal Review reported, the federal government entered a partial shutdown at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on Oct. 1 after the Senate failed to approve a continuing resolution to keep agencies funded.

The measure, which had already passed the House of Representatives on Sept. 19, fell short of the 60 votes needed to overcome a Democratic filibuster.

During Monday’s episode of The Daily Show, Stewart played footage of Schumer defending the filibuster, in which the senator emphasized Democratic priorities in health care funding. “Democrats are adamant that we must protect the health care of the American people,” Schumer said.

Stewart responded, “Uh… good points. Not crazy about this. Solid framing, delivered with clarity. Really could have done without the ‘Americans demand’ — but if you had stopped there, that would be great. But you are going to keep talking, aren’t you? Aren’t you?”

Schumer went on to reference new health data from the Kaiser Family Foundation. “New data came out today from KFF — and that is not Kentucky fried French fries. KFF, could be Kentucky French fries, hmm? Yeah. I know,” Schumer said, attempting to make a lighthearted joke.

Stewart interrupted the clip, reacting sharply: “Who is that joke even for? Six-year-olds that watch C-SPAN? What the f**k are you doing? Chuck Schumer is a human flat tire.”

The clip drew widespread attention online, with viewers sharing the exchange across social media platforms.

Democrats have called for more than $1 trillion in new funding tied to the stalled legislation. The proposal includes continuing enhanced Obamacare subsidies that were enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as restoring funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB).

Funding for CPB was rescinded as part of a budget reduction package passed in July.

Republicans in the House had advanced a short-term spending measure to maintain government operations through mid-November while negotiations over a broader funding plan continued.

The Senate’s inability to move the bill forward triggered the partial shutdown, affecting multiple federal departments and agencies.

The shutdown marks the latest in a series of funding standoffs between the two chambers, with each side blaming the other for the lapse in appropriations.

Stewart’s segment, while comedic in tone, echoed broader criticism directed at both parties for what many see as repeated failures to manage the federal budget process without disruptions.

As of Tuesday morning, negotiations were continuing, with no agreement yet reached to reopen affected government operations.