The Daily Show: Ears Edition

Michael Kosta dives into the alleged involvement of Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat star Terry Rozier in illegal gambling schemes. Plus, Donald Trump continues to defend the construction of his mega-sized White House ballroom as he fully demolishes the East Wing. And Josh Johnson thanks the contractor-in-chief on behalf of waltz-loving podcast bros everywhere. Jordan Klepper dives into "Fox & Friends" co-host Lawrence Jones, who is breaking the mold as a Black libertarian at a conservative, white-centric network. However, Jones’s unusual interview skills and angry MAGA undertones suggest he really is one of them. Jeff Tweedy, Grammy award-winning frontman of the band Wilco and bestselling author, sits down with Michael to discuss his new solo album, “Twilight Override,” named to evoke his feeling of getting older and watching a world that “appears to be getting darker.” Tweedy also discusses why he’s glad to have spent his formative years as a musician in the midwest, his theory that repressed trauma after Covid is one cause of present-day chaos, and the need for everyone to spend less time on their phones and more time with people who love them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

While thousands of government employees are working without pay during the ongoing government shutdown, Donald Trump is squeezing $230 million from the Department of Justice as compensation for the "damage" of being federally investigated. Michael Kosta breaks down the conflict of interest that's so bad, it even has legal experts saying "duh," and Troy Iwata gives a peek into what new grifts the president is cooking up in his corruption lab. Protein is everywhere now: Doritos, ice cream, cereal, air. Lewis Black takes a look at the new health craze tricking Americans into thinking they can have their protein-filled cake and eat it too, and asks what could happen if you consume too much protein (hint: it involves s**tting your pants). Ryan Holiday, creator of “Daily Stoic” and author of "Wisdom Takes Work," sits down with Michael to discuss teaching children Stoicism by example, how wisdom calibrates courage, discipline, and justice, the difference between schooling and true education, and the spectrum of Stoicism in public figures from Abraham Lincoln to Elon Musk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Michael Kosta checks in on Trump's latest White House makeover, which includes demolishing the First Lady's quarters to build a gigantic ballroom in the East Wing. Plus, while a Democrat apologizes for problematic Reddit posts, Trump's nominee for special counsel blames his pro-Nazi text messages on AI, and Ronny Chieng teaches politicians how to get away with racism. From Fox News to Trump, everyone on the Right is calling NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani a "communist.” Desi Lydic sits down with Joe Sims, the co-chair of the Communist Party USA, to discuss how we’re using the C-word all wrong. Catherine Bracy, author of “World Eaters: How Venture Capital is Cannibalizing the Economy,” talks to Michael about the evolution of venture capital, from its origin as a mid-20th-century funding solution for risky companies with big potential for technological advancement, to the harmful economic backbone of the tech industry it has become today. She describes how the investment structure of venture capital pressures companies to “move fast and break things,” has made for a tech industry that prioritizes investors, often at the expense of consumers, how that model has festered into other corners of the economy, including housing, and how the organization she co-founded, TechEquity, is working to put guardrails on Silicon Valley to ensure that tech benefits everyone, not just a few people at the top. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jon Stewart examines the "No Kings" protests that failed to meet Fox News’s violent expectations, why Trump fits the mold of a gold-smeared monarch, and how even the Declaration of Independence foreshadowed Trump’s king-ish antics. “It’s got to be a bottom-on-up revolution, not a top-down.” Senator Bernie Sanders sits down with Jon to discuss his latest book, "Fight Oligarchy." They talk about harnessing the energy of the "No Kings" rallies to build a clear vision for the Democratic party, prioritizing universal healthcare and affordable housing expansion, how Trump has embraced some socialist policies, the danger of corporations and oligarchs regulating the government, and making AI work for working people. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week's host Michael Kosta joins Daily Show writer Zach DiLanzo to break down all the news they missed, and preview the week to come. They dig into Trump's Nobel Peace Prize campaign fail, Time Magazine's unflattering flattery, the short deployment of overweight Texas National Guard troops, what to wear to a protest, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

While President Trump weighs a bailout for farmers hurt by the trade policies of (checks notes) President Trump, take a listen to The Daily Show's coverage of farms and farmers through the years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tensions are high in the nation right now, and The Daily Show has never been afraid to ask the tough questions. Questions like: what's up with celebrities? Find out, with TDS's coverage of celebrity scandals through the years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What do President Zelenskyy, Governor Gavin Newsom, and Harvard have in common? They've all had beef with Donald Trump. Here's a rundown of Trump's latest face-offs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Josh Johnson dives into the peace deal Trump brokered between Israel and Hamas, and the president's heightened focus on a supposedly more dangerous and local enemy: Antifa. As troops menace Portland, Trump uses the Antifa bogeyman to justify military invasion, suspension of habeas corpus, and a bunch of other random agendas. On “Tech Yeah,” our expert Grace Kuhlenschmidt breaks down the biggest news in innovation, including the realer-than-life Sora 2 video generation tool, new big-screen It Girl (and AI actress) Tilly Norwood, and the first-ever robot Olympics, where the athletes come pre-programmed with CTE. Content creator, ICU nurse, and “Stories From a Stranger” author Hunter Prosper sits down with Josh to discuss his book, inspired by videos in which he interviews strangers about their lives. They talk about the importance of going deeper than small talk, the similarities between his work as a nurse and as a creator, finding a silver lining in every story he hears, and what it was like immortalizing his grandfather’s experiences in the book. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Josh Johnson shares the latest updates on the government shutdown as the Trump administration searches for files on Amelia Earhart, the FAA faces staff shortages due to unpaid workers, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy lends an unhelpful hand, and the president issues an ominous message to furloughed government workers. Plus, Jordan Klepper decodes the president’s apparent taunts. Between women getting trapped in game machines, beloved mascots being arrested in front of kids, and joyless, boozeless grown-up arcades, Ronny Chieng lays out how Chuck E. Cheese makes adults act stupid. Broadway star, singer, and actor Anthony Ramos joins Josh to talk about his new movie, “A House of Dynamite,” directed by Kathryn Bigelow. They discuss the intense thriller in which he portrays Major Daniel Gonzalez, a military officer in charge of the battalion that monitors intercontinental ballistic missiles, how he unwound during filming, and what he would do if, like his character, he thought he only had 19 minutes before a strike. Plus, Anthony gives Josh a quick lesson in harmonizing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Josh Johnson dives into AG Pam Bondi's refusal to answer questions about Epstein during a fiery Senate hearing, Trump pretending to forget Ghislaine Maxwell’s name while also not ruling out a pardon for her, and the president's recent obsession with whether he’ll make it to heaven. Plus, Troy Iwata reveals what it really takes to earn an afterlife. Burmese pythons are decimating the ecosystem of Florida's Everglades, but Amy Siewe, a.k.a. the Python Huntress, is on a mission to take out this slithery problem. Michael Kosta joins her on a python hunt and gives this hero the thankssssss she deserves. Founder and Executive Director of Black Girl Environmentalist, Wawa Gatheru, sits down with Josh to discuss her organization’s mission to build a pipeline in the climate sector for Black women and gender expansive people to create more environmental equity and provide resources for the next generation of green leaders. She shares how she stays optimistic in the face of the climate crisis by reframing the narrative as an opportunity to inherit the wisdom of past movements and restructure our world into something better, and emphasizes the importance of telling inspiring stories of climate work to make it more exciting and accessible for everyone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jon Stewart dives into the emerging effects of the government shutdown, the battle over healthcare that has Republicans and Democrats pointing fingers, and Trump's delight in using the shutdown to continue steamrolling Democrats and the Constitution. Co-founder of the Center for Humane Technology Tristan Harris sits down with Jon to discuss how AI has already disrupted the workforce as current iterations of the technology have dropped entry-level work by 13%, tech companies prioritization of their first-to-market stance over product and human safety, and how reliance on AI is stifling human growth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week's host Josh Johnson sits down with Daily Show writer Ashton Womack to preview the week to come, and recap the headlines they missed. They break down Trump's fake videos, the real pain of a government shutdown, the ethics of performing comedy for foreign governments, the anticipation of a Bad Bunny half-time show, and Cardi B's latest beef with Nicki Minaj. If you want to think critically about the news you consume, check out Ground News through our link: http://groundnews.com/ears You’ll get 40% off their Unlimited Access Vantage Plan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The government may be closed, but your ears are open. Take a listen to The Daily Show's coverage of past government shutdowns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's a big day in America (Taylor's Version) as Taylor Swift drops a new album. Take a listen to The Daily Show's previous coverage of the life of a showgirl... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ronny Chieng covers Day 2 of the government shutdown: Republicans and Democrats are dueling via sombrero and cat memes, Trump is going after blue cities with a vengeance, and his administration is surprisingly joyful. Plus, Michael Kosta joins with expert analysis of MAGA’s unconventional shutdown strategy. White House advisor Thaddeus Mandible Crowley excavates America's ancient laws to justify whatever insane idea jumps into Trump's head, be it fornicating for national security or banning uggos. Author and features editor at The Verge, Kevin Nguyen, sits down with Ronny to talk about his new book, “Mỹ Documents: A Novel.” They discuss the story’s timely premise about “a far-fetched dystopian future where the government is detaining people for no reason,” the title’s nod to the Vietnamese language, the importance of learning your family’s history, and how the book tackles nuanced ideas around Asian American identity. Keep it classic and cool this fall—with long-lasting staples from Quince. Go to https://Quince.com/DAILYSHOW for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With a government shutdown fully in effect, Ronny Chieng takes a look at Trump's confusingly racist AI videos of Democratic leaders and braces for how the shutdown will impact everything from the TSA to national parks. Plus, Josh Johnson reports live from the Grand Canyon, which is already turning into a literal s**thole. Michael Kosta has the hottest moolah-making tips for how to capitalize on recent economic headlines, like adults ordering off the kids' menu, the tooth fairy short-changing kids, and a recall on exploding prosecco bottles from Costco, in the latest installment of Ko$ta Doing Business. Writer and director Benny Safdie talks to Ronny about the inspiration and creative process behind his new film, “The Smashing Machine,” which is based on the life of MMA fighter Mark Kerr. He describes collaborating with Kerr and the film’s star, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, to portray the authentic experience of a fighter while telling a human story about pain and resilience, and breaks down how the film’s unique cinematography connects the audience to the character. Keep it classic and cool this fall—with long-lasting staples from Quince. Go to https://Quince.com/DAILYSHOW for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ronny Chieng recaps Pete Hegseth and Donald Trump's sudden gathering of top military leaders, where the president announced his intention to use Democrat-run cities as training grounds for the National Guard, and where Secretary of War Pete Hegseth fat-shamed troops, hawked his book, and made cringey jokes. Ricky Velez unpacks how the ubiquity of online sports betting has become a problem for Las Vegas casinos and an even bigger problem for American men, and how, instead of trying to protect people from these billion-dollar gambling apps, Trump is just taking a cut for himself. Comedian Cristela Alonzo sits down with Ronny to discuss comedy institutions, the American dream, and her new Netflix special, "Upper Classy." They talk about paying homage to comedy and participating in its evolution, using joy as an act of resistance, how politicians focus on the middle class and forget the lower class, and what she learned growing up in Texas with an undocumented mother. Plus, a special appearance from Ronny’s mom! Keep it classic and cool this fall—with long-lasting staples from Quince. Go to https://Quince.com/DAILYSHOW for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After a string of mass shootings across the U.S., America swaps out “thoughts and prayers” for a left vs. right blame game, Republicans hypocritically criticize the Democrats' “violent rhetoric,” and Trump escalates a nonexistent problem by deploying troops to Portland. Harvard law professor and staff writer at The New Yorker, Jill Lepore, joins Jon to discuss her new bestselling book, “We the People: A History of the U.S. Constitution.” She points to the years-long process of trial and error that went into writing the Constitution as an example of how the document was designed with the intention to be changed and improved upon, and emphasizes the foundational right to amend the document as Americans see fit. Lepore also explains how the conservative “originalist” movement has discouraged the addition of any new amendments since the 1970s, how conservatives continue to use originalism as a way of bending the Constitution to their political will through the courts, rather than going through the much harder amendment process, and how this dynamic has put issues like abortion rights and environmental protections at risk. Go to https://www.Strawberry.me/daily to connect with a certified career coach today! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week's host Ronny Chieng and Daily Show writer Matt Koff preview the week to come, which may or may not include a government shutdown and/or a societal shutdown to welcome a new Taylor Swift album. They also weigh in on the headlines, including Trump and RFK's Tylenol announcement, whether the UN should move to avoid New York traffic, and if it was Epstein's ghost that stopped Trump's escalator. If you want to think critically about the news you consume, check out Ground News through our link: http://groundnews.com/ears You’ll get 40% off their Unlimited Access Vantage Plan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices