Jon Stewart Claims Apple Discouraged Lina Khan Interview Amid Antitrust Scrutiny

Comedy anchorman Jon Stewart revealed that Apple hinted he should not interview FTC Chair Lina Khan on his Apple TV+ program, as the company faces antitrust scrutiny.

The incident came to light during a recent episode of “The Daily Show,” where Stewart engaged in conversation with Khan,  who assumed her role as head of the FTC in 2021. The New York Post reported on the exchange, highlighting Stewart’s account of Apple’s interference.

“I wanted to have you on a podcast and Apple asked us not to do it,” Stewart disclosed during the interview. He further elaborated, stating, “They literally said ‘please don’t talk to her,’ having nothing to do with what you do for a living. I think they just…I didn’t think they cared for you, is what happened.”

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Stewart also mentioned Apple’s attempt to thwart an earlier segment on his show concerning artificial intelligence, raising questions about the company’s sensitivity towards certain topics. “Like, what is that sensitivity? Why are they so afraid to even have these conversations out in the public sphere?” Stewart pondered.

In response to Stewart’s inquiries, Khan emphasized the risks associated with the concentration of power in a few tech conglomerates. “I think it just shows one of the dangers of what happens when you concentrate so much power and so much decision-making in a small number of companies,” she remarked.

Khan’s appearance on “The Daily Show” came shortly after the Justice Department announced legal action against Apple, filing a significant antitrust lawsuit. The lawsuit accused the tech giant of employing anticompetitive tactics to maintain the dominance of its iPhone product.

Source: NY Post