Episode
The Daily Show: February 11, 2026 - Andrew Jarecki
Overview
Attorney General Pam Bondi delivered a tense and unfocused appearance before Congress regarding Epstein‑related questions. An Olympic biathlete admitted to an affair after earning a bronze medal, and Grace Kuhlenschmidt challenged Jordan Klepper on Trump’s sudden opposition to opening a new U.S.–Canada bridge. Troy Iwata highlighted international issues, including a Chinese app used to check on loved ones without direct contact, reports of fries in England washing into the ocean, and Germany’s use of militarized insects. Filmmaker Andrew Jarecki discussed The Alabama Solution, his Oscar‑nominated documentary exposing Alabama’s prison conditions through contraband cell‑phone footage, the activism of incarcerated individuals, the punishment they face, and how Alex Pretti’s death underscores the importance of documenting abuse.
Details
- Series
- The Daily Show
- Season
- Season 31
- Episode
- Episode 22
- Air date
- 2026-02-11
- Runtime
- 35 min
Episode context
February 11, 2026 - Andrew Jarecki is Episode 22 in Season 31 of The Daily Show. It aired on 2026-02-11. The runtime is 35 min.
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Episode 21: February 10, 2026 - Tim Blake Nelson
Jordan Klepper reviews new details from the unredacted Epstein files, noting extensive references to Trump and examining the broader fallout. He covers public backlash toward King Charles, questions faced by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick regarding visits to Epstein Island, and scrutiny of paleontologist Jack Horner’s associations with Epstein. Klepper also highlights RFK Jr.’s past field trip with Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. In a new Sports War segment, Klepper and Desi Lydic debate major sports headlines, including Bad Bunny’s historic Super Bowl halftime show, a Winter Olympian’s protest against ICE, and a figure skater competing in a Minion costume. Actor and filmmaker Tim Blake Nelson joins to discuss his novel Superhero, exploring how his experience on film sets shaped the story, the cultural role of superhero films, and how these narratives reflect America’s polarized views of good and evil.
Episode 23: February 12, 2026 - Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey
Jordan Klepper examines President Trump’s recently promoted “Undisputed Champion of Beautiful Clean Coal” award and the administration’s related policy actions, including directing the Pentagon to purchase electricity from coal fired plants, limiting the EPA’s ability to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, and assuring coal miners of the administration’s continued support. Grace Kuhlenschmidt reports on American remote workers relocating to Mexico City in pursuit of lower living costs and lifestyle benefits, alongside perspectives from local residents concerned about rising rents and cultural displacement. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey discusses the conclusion of Operation Metro Surge and the withdrawal of ICE agents, highlighting the role of community advocacy and collaboration with other city leaders to protect residents’ rights and resist federal overreach.
More episodes from this season
Episode 20: February 9, 2026 - Gov. Andy Beshear
Jon Stewart calls out MAGA’s quick outrage at anything outside their narrow values—from boycotting Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl show to Trump’s racist social‑media attacks on the Obamas and criticism of a U.S. Olympic skier for mild comments about America. He’s joined by Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, who discusses how Trump’s tariffs have killed jobs and raised costs, and how recent bills have harmed rural healthcare. They talk about signs of MAGA’s grip weakening in Kentucky, why Democrats should speak more plainly to connect with voters, challenging the administration in court, and focusing on the deeper purpose behind Democratic policies.
Episode 24: February 23, 2026 - A. Mechele Dickerson
Team USA sweeps Canada for gold in Olympic hockey, Jon Stewart navigates how MAGA interprets this win as proof of America's democratic superiority, and Desi Lydic homes in on the U.S. Olympic team's secret weapon: superior political systems. Plus, Jon explains how the Supreme Court took a wrecking ball to Trump's tariff strategy and examines why the U.S. is on the brink of war with Iran. "It's not just that the middle class is suffering because of one thing; they're suffering because of everything." A. Mechele Dickerson, University of Texas law professor and author of "The Middle-Class New Deal: Restoring Upward Mobility and the American Dream," joins Jon Stewart to discuss how the government created the middle class they've now abandoned, how mortgage interest deductions, HOA exclusions, and school hours hinder the middle class, and how to restore the tentpoles of pension jobs and home ownership that fuel the middle-class American dream.
Episode 19: February 5, 2026 - Jon Shenk & Marcus Capone
Michael Kosta reports on Trump revealing a supposed secret military weapon called the “Discombobulator,” and the impact of newly released Epstein emails on global figures - Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor facing renewed scrutiny, Sarah Ferguson shutting down her charity, and Bill Clinton preparing to testify before Congress. Despite Trump’s frequent mentions in the files, he remains unaffected. Desi Lydic explores Trump’s long running conflicts with the NFL, from reduced violence to team name changes and halftime shows. A 2014 discussion with Stephen A. Smith even raises the question of whether the NFL helped enable Trump’s rise. Kosta also speaks to director Jon Shenk and former Navy SEAL Marcus Capone about Capone’s experience with the psychedelic treatment ibogaine, highlighted in the Netflix documentary In Waves and War, and his work with VETS, a nonprofit helping veterans access similar therapy.
Episode 25: February 24, 2026 - Padma Lakshmi
Desi Lydic covers wild headlines from Trump’s orbit, including RFK Jr.’s odd sauna moment with Kid Rock, JD Vance’s questionable recipe, and Kristi Noem’s controversial deportation flight. After FCC Chairman Brendan Carr calls for more patriotic TV, Jordan Klepper keeps The Daily Show suitably star-spangled with public-domain tunes. With climate change and nuclear war looming, Michael Kosta dives into the science of sex in space with researchers Simon Dubé and Maria Santaguida, even testing his own readiness. Padma Lakshmi discusses launching her CBS series America’s Culinary Kitchen, the freedom to shape it, uplifting chefs worldwide, worries about anti-immigrant policies’ impact on food, and pokes fun at Vance’s cooking skills.
Episode 18: February 4, 2026 - Patricia Lee aka "Ms. Pat"
Michael Kosta dives into Trump's recent moves to steer the country back on track, which include the release of lame new "America Is Back" hats, telling CNN's Kaitlan Collins to get over the Epstein files and smile more, & continuing his D.C. makeover by building a massive arch across from the Lincoln Memorial. Plus, Grace Kuhlenschmidt shares further updates on the president's construction rampage. The state that brought you President Ronald Reagan and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger offer a thrilling new contender for the White House: Governor Gavin Newsom. Patricia Lee aka "Ms. Pat", comedienne, actress, & co-creator of the hit BET+ series, "The Ms. Pat Show," sits down with Michael Kosta to discuss the show's fifth season. They talk about fighting through network pulls for the chance to speak out about immigration, portraying a unique-yet-universal mother to viewers, preparing for a doomsday scenario, & learning to believe in herself after being shot, abused, and incarcerated.
Episode 26: February 25, 2026 - Jonathan Haidt & Catherine Price
Desi Lydic provides a concise overview of Donald Trump’s unusually long State of the Union address, noting its blend of dramatic rhetoric and frequent standing ovations. Jordan Klepper examines LindellTV, a 24/7 outlet created by Mike Lindell, highlighting its mix of partisan commentary, unconventional programming, and technical issues. In a joint interview, authors Jonathan Haidt and Catherine Price discuss their new book, The Amazing Generation, which offers guidance on helping young people build healthier relationships with technology. They emphasize fostering real world connection, establishing structured screen use at home, and encouraging policy action to address tech driven mental health challenges.
Episode 17: February 3, 2026 - Paul Rosolie
Conservatives amp up their mission to MAGA-fy America by overshadowing Bad Bunny's Super Bowl performance with Turning Point USA's own D-list halftime show, and Michael Kosta connects the dots between Trump's call for Republicans to "nationalize" voting and the president's never-ending claim that the 2020 election was stolen. Plus, Troy Iwata explains why Trump's pitch to cancel the midterms is peak comedy. With Amazon's $40 million documentary about the first lady premiering at the Trump Kennedy Center, Jordan Klepper ventured to Washington, D.C., where he chatted with attendees about director Brett Ratner's appearance in the Epstein files, whether the film's purchase was a bribe, and why this is what our country should be focused on right now not Minneapolis. Amazon rainforest conservationist, wildlife filmmaker, and author Paul Rosolie talks to Michael about his latest book, "Junglekeeper: What It Takes to Change the World."
Episode 27: February 26, 2026 - Christa Miller
Desi Lydic unpacks the newest chaos from the Epstein files: Bill Gates blurts out details about past romances, the Clintons deliver closed door testimony on their Epstein links, and an old allegation against Trump resurfaces despite the DOJ’s attempts to bury it. She also highlights Republicans turning a simple snowball fight into supposed NYPD “terrorism,” while Michael Kosta rushes out to gather evidence before it melts. Grace Kuhlenschmidt spotlights oddball tech—from fart tracking underwear to science proven dance moves, Waymo’s human door closer fix, and an AI video pairing Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise to answer who killed Epstein. Christa Miller joins to discuss her Shrinking character’s empty nester arc, embracing vulnerability, collaborating with husband Bill Lawrence, how NYC nightclub work shaped her music supervision skills, and the surprising IMDB credit she shares with Desi.
Episode 16: February 2, 2026 - Heather Ann Thompson
Trump declares himself "absolved" by the latest release of Epstein files, while Elon Musk's Christmas wish for a trip to the sex island is put on blast, and Jon Stewart finds himself on Epstein's list… for documentary voiceovers. Plus, as MAGA continues to shield the president from all accountability, Jon Stewart shines a light on the double standard of sanctuary given to Trump vs. immigrants. Historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Heather Ann Thompson sits down with Jon Stewart to discuss her new book, "Fear and Fury: The Reagan Eighties, the Bernie Goetz Shootings, and the Rebirth of White Rage." They talk about how big a figure Bernie Goetz was in 1980s New York, hailed as a "vigilante" for shooting four young Black men on a subway train despite the attack being unprovoked, the story's parallels to ICE shooting protesters in Minneapolis, the costs of violence, and how these types of injustices paved the way for Donald Trump.
Episode 28: March 2, 2026 - Jafar Panahi
Jon Stewart dives into America and Israel's impromptu attack on Iran, Trump's laid-back war announcement from the Mar-a-Lago basement, and MAGA's refusal to sell the American people on the plan, purpose, and duration of the war. Plus, Jordan Klepper reveals America's calculated war strategy: winging it. Award-winning filmmaker Jafar Panahi sits down with Jon Stewart and his interpreter Sheida Dayani to discuss his latest film, "It Was Just An Accident," which is currently nominated for two Academy Awards. They talk about suffering a 20-year ban from filmmaking under the Iranian regime, the difference between a socially engaged filmmaker and one who caters to audiences, displaying the difference between humanity and authoritarianism through characters' doubt, and why, despite censorship and mass killings, he continues to return to Iran.