Bill O’Reilly praises Jon Stewart for advocacy on behalf of 9/11 first responders

Former Fox News host Bill O’Reilly praised Jon Stewart Tuesday for the ex-Daily Show host’s testimony advocating for 9/11 first responders.

“Jon Stewart emerging as a national hero in trying to secure benefits for 9/11 responders with severe health problems,” O’Reilly tweeted Tuesday. “Stewart scolded some Congress people today. Well done.”

Jon Stewart emerging as a national hero in trying to secure benefits for 9/11 responders with severe health problems. Stewart scolded some Congress people today. Well done. Commentary about Stewart tonight on https://t.co/rryWmyXe7C.

— Bill O’Reilly (@BillOReilly) June 11, 2019

Stewart has long advocated for the September 11th Victims Compensation Fund and testified Tuesday following news earlier this year that the fund was running out of money.

Stewart chided members who were not present for the hearing during his testimony, contrasting their absence with their reliable tweets commemorating the anniversary of the attacks.

“As I sit here today, I can’t help but think what an incredible metaphor this room is for the entire process of getting health care and benefits for 9/11 first responders has come to,” Stewart said before a House Judiciary Committee subcommittee earlier Tuesday.

“You should be ashamed of yourselves for those that aren’t here,” Stewart added, “but you won’t be, because accountability doesn’t appear to be something that occurs in this chamber.”

Stewart and O’Reilly frequently clashed during their respective hosting tenures, both separately and in appearances on one another’s programs.

Stewart left “The Daily Show” in 2015 and O’Reilly’s show ended in 2017 after the revelation that he had paid six women nearly $50 million to settle sexual harassment suits.