Episode
The Daily Show: February 24, 2025 - Rupa Bhattacharyya
Overview
Jon Stewart dives into Trump's new Department of Government Efficiency, a.k.a. DOGE, and how the Elon Musk-led project masks its allegiance to corporate overlords and negligence to the American people under the guise of slashing the government's budget. "We shouldn't live in a world where the only programs that get saved are the ones Republicans are willing to put their stamp of approval on." Jon Stewart joins Georgetown Law's Rupa Bhattacharyya, former Special Master of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, to discuss how Elon Musk and the DOGE project's reckless budget cuts are affecting valuable programs like the one she used to oversee. Bhattacharyya explains how federal agencies and programs were typically non-politicized until Trump's second administration, how similar uncertainty is affecting the World Trade Center Health Program, and why these roles are what the government exists to provide.
Details
- Series
- The Daily Show
- Season
- Season 30
- Episode
- Episode 25
- Air date
- 2025-02-24
- Runtime
- 39 min
Episode context
February 24, 2025 - Rupa Bhattacharyya is Episode 25 in Season 30 of The Daily Show. It aired on 2025-02-24. The runtime is 39 min.
Previous / Next
Episode 24: February 13, 2025 - Brady Corbet
Jordan Klepper tackles Trump getting "hot" and heavy with the Kennedy Center, the government confirming RFK Jr. as health secretary, and the president fumbling peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine before they even start. Josh Johnson asks New Yorkers how they're dealing with eggflation and tries to get in on the egg grift. "Audiences do want daring, original, provocative films." Brady Corbet, writer and director of "The Brutalist," joins Jordan Klepper to discuss his ten-time Oscar-nominated film. He explains how Trump's first-term push to "Make Federal Buildings Beautiful Again" inspired the story, why the architect at the film's center, László Tóth, feels so realistic, the connection between Brutalist architecture and the immigrant experience, and how he pulled it all off using VistaVision and a meager $10 million budget.
Episode 26: February 25, 2025 - Wendi McLendon-Covey
Desi Lydic tackles Trump's continued defense of Russia to Fox News's dismay and his captivation with Emmanuel Macron's accent, despite the French president's attempts to sway him. Desi Lydic dives into the recent failures of Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, including the "DOGE ultimatum" issued to federal workers via email. Plus, as government workers protest, Michael Kosta unpacks the symbolism in an AI-generated video circulating of Trump and, uh, Musk's toes. Actor Wendi McLendon-Covey joins Desi Lydic to discuss how her improv background prepared her for a career in comedy and the improvised sitcom pilot they worked on together years ago that led to a misguided boat purchase. McLendon-Covey also talks about the increased appreciation for healthcare workers she's gained from playing a hospital administrator on the new NBC show "St. Denis Medical," and the next fake profession she'd like to play.
More episodes from this season
Episode 23: February 12, 2025 - Colman Domingo
Jordan Klepper covers Trump pushing his Gaza takeover plan even further and the hypocrisy, conflicts of interest, and terrible "jokes" behind the most powerful unelected bureaucrat in D.C., Elon Musk. Marco Rubio was not always the it-girl of D.C. With his humble Florida beginnings and perfect lack of moral integrity, he was able to sneak his way in with Trump's in-crowd. This is the Daily Showography of Marco Rubio narrated by Molly Ringwald. "The only agenda is looking into a person's humanity and filling it with art and hope. That's the agenda of the film." Emmy-winning actor Colman Domingo talks to Jordan Klepper about his Oscar-nominated performance in the film "Sing Sing," which is based on a real rehabilitation through the arts program at Sing Sing prison, including the meta experience of making the film with a cast of formerly incarcerated actors playing versions of themselves and the transformative power of art and theater.
Episode 27: February 26, 2025 - Rosebud Baker
Desi Lydic tackles Trump's first cabinet meeting, which included Elon Musk accidentally canceling Ebola prevention and RFK Jr. downplaying the measles outbreak. Meanwhile, Trump announces $5M "gold card" for wealthy immigrants. Meet Elon Musk's Body Movement Choreographer, Jean Lemón, the mastermind behind Elon's X jump and heart-to-the-crowd salute. Comedian, actor & writer Rosebud Baker sits down with Desi Lydic to discuss her Netflix stand-up special "The Mother Lode." They talk about filming the special before and after giving birth, portraying an honest journey to motherhood, why Baker's daughter is at high risk for becoming a comedian, and how kicking pigeons helps her cope while writing SNL's Weekend Update.
Episode 22: February 11, 2025 - Jesse Eisenberg
Jordan Klepper on Trump's boredom over his own tariffs, Pete Hegseth's half-woke Fort Bragg rebrand, and Eric Adams's "get out of jail" card. Plus, Grace Kuhlenschmidt, Michael Kosta, and Troy Iwata take a lesson from Mayor Adams on how to multi-task at the salon. Jordan Klepper and Ronny Chieng face off in Sports War over the Eagles' blowout Super Bowl win, Shohei Ohtani's interpreter's sentencing, and Kendrick Lamar's brutal takedown of Drake during his halftime performance. Academy Award-nominated actor Jesse Eisenberg sits down with Jordan Klepper to discuss writing, directing, and starring in his Oscar-nominated film, "A Real Pain." They talk about carrying generational grief and grappling with his own life's meaning as a descendant of Holocaust survivors, how he got unprecedented access to film at a concentration camp in Poland, how his relationship with Kieran Culkin mirrors their characters, and how that influenced his role as director.
Episode 28: February 27, 2025 - Gabrielle Union
Desi Lydic rates the Democratic Party's methods of opposing Trump on the cringe-o-meter: from off-key protest chants to interpretive dance to podcasts. Plus, with so many Dems saying "Fuck Trump," Grace Kuhlenschmidt thinks that might just be a great idea. As Black History Month comes to an end, Josh Johnson asks New Yorkers if they can censor Black history just as well as the White House has. "You have to be willing to do the right thing even if it makes you uncomfortable or even if it doesn't actively benefit you, because real equality and real liberation is what benefits all of us." Actor, producer, and entrepreneur Gabrielle Union sits down with Desi Lydic for a conversation about making the new film she stars in, "Riff Raff," and how she uses her power as a producer to enact positive change in the industry and uplift people who are typically overlooked. They also discuss Union's pride in her daughter Zaya's activism work for the queer community and trans rights.
Episode 21: February 10, 2025 - David Remnick
Jon Stewart tackles Trump's attempt to be the Super Bowl MVP and examines the president's rejection of federal agencies, birthright citizenship, and basic constitutional checks and balances. Plus, John Oliver welcomes America to its monarchy era. The New Yorker editor David Remnick sits down with Jon Stewart to discuss the magazine's 100th Anniversary Issue and journey since its inception in 1925. They also talk about the importance of long-form journalism, especially under the overwhelming second Trump administration, as well as how the president is overstepping executive power, the danger of the tech oligarchy, and the need for Democratic politicians and citizens alike to finish licking their wounds and take action.
Episode 29: March 3, 2025 - Matthew Desmond
Jon Stewart dives into the Oval Office meeting between Trump, Vance, and Zelenskyy, which shocked viewers more than John Cena's heel-turn. Plus, Jon calls bullshit on Elon Musk's challenge to an interview. "Investing in American people and stabilizing communities that need it the most is the best way for all of us." Sociologist at Princeton University and Pulitzer Prize-winning author of "Evicted," Matthew Desmond sits down with Jon Stewart to discuss his latest book, "Poverty, by America." They talk about America's welfare state, how society benefits from poverty, the opportunity to close the poverty gap if the top one percent paid their taxes, and empowering the poor with better choices like building worker power, and expanding housing choice. They also highlight how Democrats need to get more serious about economic justice to fully commit to poverty abolitionism.
Episode 20: February 6, 2025 - Ke Huy Quan
Desi Lydic covers Trump's latest executive actions, including a combination walk back/double-down on his Gaza plan, a ban on trans athletes that he probably didn't proofread, and a "National Garden of American Heroes." Plus, Ronny Chieng and Josh Johnson debate which Americans are statue-worthy. Elon Musk needs Democrats to get their heads in the game and for Republicans to open their eyes before Elon Musk destroys the government like it's a SpaceX rocket. "Love Hurts" actor Ke Huy Quan joins Desi Lydic to discuss his upcoming action flick that's like "‘Die Hard' for hopeless romantics." The Oscar-winning actor shares why his character represents a different type of action star, whether co-star Marshawn Lynch went full "Beast Mode" on him, and his tearful onscreen reunion with "Goonies" co-star Sean Astin. Plus, Quan auditions for his dream role as a supervillain with some incredibly evil line readings.
Episode 30: March 4, 2025 - Mae Martin
Michael Kosta tackles Trump launching a trade war with Canada, Trudeau responding to Trump with a "disappointed dad" message, and the GOP blaming Biden for stock market issues. Plus, Grace Kuhlenschmidt unlocks American pride as things with Canada get ugly. Trump voters, Tesla owners, and Yeezy wearers are all suffering from buyer's remorse right now. Ricky Velez offers some advice for dealing with the disappointment and getting rid of your now Nazi-affiliated purchases. Mae Martin, an award-winning comedian, actor, and writer, sits down with Michael Kosta to discuss "I'm a TV," their debut album as a singer-songwriter. They talk about the differences between performing as a stand-up and as a musician, finding new vulnerability as a songwriter after their top surgery, the solemn inspiration behind the song "Big Bear," and that one time they got a tattoo using a stick and poke kit.
Episode 19: February 5, 2025 - Julia Stiles
Desi Lydic tackles Trump's proposal to take over Gaza and push all the Palestinians out to build a resort. Plus, Republicans try to spin the president's plan, and Jordan Klepper gets in on the brainstorming sesh. Don't worry about trade wars, Starbucks's bathroom policy, or egg prices breaking the bank because Michael Kosta is back with guaranteed money-making tips in a new Ko$ta Doin' Business. Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated actor Julia Stiles sits down with Desi Lydic to talk about her feature directorial debut, "Wish You Were Here." They discuss being in the "driver's seat" as a director after years of acting, working with longtime friend Vanessa Carlton, balancing the humorous love story with universal issues, and how becoming a parent prepared her for managing film crews and actors on set.
Episode 31: March 5, 2025 - Julien Baker & Mackenzie Scott aka "Torres"
Michael Kosta explains why Trump's joint session speech felt like a theatrical production with appearances by co-star Elon Musk, over-the-top trolling, and blatant lies as the Democrats helplessly wielded their props. Critically acclaimed musicians, Julien Baker and Mackenzie Scott aka "Torres" sit down with Michael Kosta to discuss their forthcoming album, "Send A Prayer My Way." They talk about banding together during lockdown to create a country album, navigating a spiritual relationship with the divine, and writing a song about the unconditional love of a dog. Julien Baker and Mackenzie Scott perform "Bottom of a Bottle" from their forthcoming album, "Send A Prayer My Way."