I’m not sure whether or not the android Data could be considered autistic from an in-universe perspective, but I would say that as a character Data was inspired by autistic humans and written in a way that neurodivergent viewers would empathize with. At least that’s how he’s always come across to me, as a neurodivergent trekkie.

Is it possible you’re thinking of that time Jon Stewart was on Tucker Carlson’s show, rather than vice versa?

That shot of the waiter cackling madly as he fills the bottles has stuck with me for years.