Episode
The Daily Show: February 25, 2026 - Jonathan Haidt & Catherine Price
Overview
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.
Details
- Series
- The Daily Show
- Season
- Season 31
- Episode
- Episode 26
- Air date
- 2026-02-25
- Runtime
- 34 min
Episode context
February 25, 2026 - Jonathan Haidt & Catherine Price is Episode 26 in Season 31 of The Daily Show. It aired on 2026-02-25. The runtime is 34 min.
Previous / Next
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 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.
More episodes from this season
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 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.
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.
Episode 29: March 3, 2026 - Geeta Gandbhir
Michael Kosta breaks down the chaotic first days of Trump’s clash with Iran: the U.S. offering bus evacuations for Americans in the Middle East, Trump gearing up for another possible forever war, conservatives arguing over what counts as “war,” and a friendly fire incident that destroyed $300 million in U.S. fighter jets. Leslie Jones tackles the eternal question of what’s going on with men, digging into loneliness, misogynistic podcasts, non human girlfriend stand ins, and the questionable hygiene habits holding men back—before dishing out some tough love therapy. Filmmaker Geeta Gandbhir joins Kosta to discuss her two Oscar nominated documentaries, covering raw body cam footage in The Perfect Neighbor, the grief of gun violence survivors, the racial bias enabled by stand your ground laws, and how The Devil Is Busy explores the intersection of faith and reproductive rights, using filmmaking to reflect society’s deeper truths.
Episode 22: February 11, 2026 - Andrew Jarecki
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.
Episode 30: March 4, 2026 - Erika Alexander
America’s war on Iran spirals within five days, with Trump weighing worst‑case scenarios, a nepo baby suddenly floated as a potential Iranian leader, Sen. Markwayne Mullin fumbling his war talk, and Michael Kosta pushing Pete Hegseth to reconsider his cartoon‑villain “no mercy” speech. Meanwhile, a very drunk Grace Kuhlenschmidt jokingly nominates Trump as Iran’s new supreme leader. Josh Johnson recaps the messiest awards show imaginable, after a Tourette’s activist involuntarily shouted the N‑word at Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo during their BAFTA presentation, sparking chaos between Black Twitter and Neurodivergent TikTok—though Josh insists the real culprit is the BBC. Later, Erika Alexander, star of NBC’s The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins, talks with Michael about returning to TV, confronting Hollywood’s discriminatory systems after Living Single, building opportunities through Color Farm Media, and advising rising Black actors to stay authentic and work relentlessly.
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 31: March 5, 2026 - Mychal Threets
Michael Kosta breaks down the latest chaos in Trump’s cabinet as DHS Secretary Kristi Noem is fired amid ICE turmoil, corruption claims, and swirling affair rumors. RFK Jr. somehow picks fights with both Dunkin’ and Starbucks, while Pete Hegseth finds time—despite a war in Iran—to push his personal mission of stripping Scouting America of its supposed wokeness. Jordan Klepper even flatters Hegseth in hopes of earning the ironic “Bros Before Hoes” badge. Meanwhile, Grace Kuhlenschmidt explores America’s first car free neighborhood with controversial “freedom fighter” Katie Hopkins to uncover the truth behind rising 15 minute cities: visionary walkable havens or government run traps? And librarian and new “Reading Rainbow” host Mychal Threets joins Michael to share his mental health journey, the life saving role libraries played for him, and the message behind his book, I'm So Happy You’re Here—a celebration of library joy and a reminder that no one is alone.
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 32: March 16, 2026 - Mayor Matt Mahan
Trump's war in the Middle East rages on, with Iran closing the Strait of Hormuz and Americans gearing up to face the infamous R-word: recession. Plus, FCC Chair Brendan Carr and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth aren't happy with the news media's confused coverage of the war in Iran, so Jon Stewart gets some truth and clarity from a panel of experts: President Trump, Donald J. Trump, DJT, and John Barron. "We've got to ask our government to do better before we ask people to give more." Mayor Matt Mahan of San José sits down with Jon Stewart to discuss his candidacy for governor of California. They talk about building constituents' trust by reducing homelessness, crime, and delivering on housing promises, regulating AI to help the industry boom in a way that protects people's livelihoods and privacy, and what his background in public school teaching and tech start-ups taught him about examining data to create pragmatic solutions in government.