Los Angeles—Comedian Josh Johnson, a co-host on Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show,” faced a wave of booing from a studio audience on Thursday night after he made a controversial remark. Johnson suggested that former President Donald Trump should be nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize following recent developments in the Middle East, specifically a peace agreement between Israel and Hamas. The accord was heralded as a significant milestone, potentially paving the way for the release of remaining hostages held by Hamas.

At the start of his monologue, Johnson asserted, “A peace deal has been reached between Israel and Hamas, based on a framework proposed by Donald Trump. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I have to give him some credit.” He went on to compare this unexpected acknowledgment to a short list of rare instances where he felt compelled to praise Trump, including the COVID-19 vaccine and a memorable scene from “Home Alone 2.”

While delivering his jokes, Johnson quipped about the irony of Trump brokering peace at a time when past controversies surrounded his presidency. “If this holds true, it means the man who couldn’t mediate a spat between Gary Busey and Meat Loaf brokered peace in the Middle East,” he joked, pointing to the often tumultuous nature of Trump’s political history. However, he also noted that Trump had played a role in the conflict itself, thereby complicating the narrative.

Johnson’s suggestion that Trump could be eligible for a Nobel Peace Prize was met with significant backlash in the form of audience disapproval. “This is a reason to celebrate,” Johnson continued, attempting to steer the conversation back to the peace agreement. He added, “But maybe instead of a prize, we let him burn the Epstein files. He only gets one, but he gets to choose.”

On Friday, the Nobel Committee announced that the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize would be awarded to Maria Corina Machado, a prominent opposition leader in Venezuela, overshadowing Johnson’s earlier remarks. The announcement indicated that calls from various political figures for Trump to win the prize were not answered this year.

Supporters of Trump have pointed to his diplomatic efforts in the Middle East, claiming he has achieved peace in various contexts across the globe. They argue that his administration’s policies have altered the landscape of international relations, leading to agreements involving several nations previously thought to be deeply unfriendly towards one another.

The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas went into effect shortly after the announcement, with the Israeli Defense Forces confirming the agreement. As reactions to Johnson’s comments continue to reverberate, they highlight the complex intersection of politics and entertainment, especially when addressing polarizing figures in current events.