The BEST episodes of The Daily Show season 30
Every episode of The Daily Show season 30, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of The Daily Show season 30!
The Daily Show's intrepid news team dives into the biggest headlines of the day, providing fearless coverage, expert analysis, and no-nonsense commentary.
#1 - Rainn Wilson
Season 30 - Episode 99 - Aired 9/11/2025
Michael Kosta dives into the aftermath of Charlie Kirk's assassination, including Trump's inflammatory response, bizarre takes in the media, and a predictable partisan blame game, and reflects on what we can learn from violent tragedies on the anniversary of 9/11. Why are governments around the world so concerned with bovine blasts? Grace Kuhlenschmidt dives into the science of livestock emissions by speaking with Washington state Rep. Lisa Parshley, who is hoping to start a tax on cow farts, farmer Jake Yancey, who doesn't give a fart, and the OG experts on burps: children. "If we simply turn to compassion, and really harness it as an energy, we can affect some transformation." Actor Rainn Wilson sits down with Michael Kosta to discuss his new movie, "Code 3."
#2 - Christopher McDonald
Season 30 - Episode 91 - Aired 7/24/2025
Josh Johnson covers the aftermath of revelations that Trump knew he was on the Epstein list: Pam Bondi bails on her CPAC appearance, videos connecting Epstein to Trump surface, and everyone in the MAGA-verse, from GOP lawmakers to the QAnon Shaman, want answers. Jordan Klepper takes on conservative CNN commentator Scott Jennings, a former White House aide for George W. Bush who quickly ditched his establishment-bucking opinions to spew MAGA talking points for "the fun party." "I think you must have a bad guy to feed your leading man, especially in ‘Happy Gilmore'." Emmy-nominated actor Christopher McDonald sits down with Josh Johnson to discuss revisiting his career-defining role as Shooter McGavin in "Happy Gilmore 2." They talk about how the actor is known as "Shooter" among fans, the responsibility of playing a bad guy, and his dream storyline for "Hacks."
#3 - Peter Beinart
Season 30 - Episode 92 - Aired 7/28/2025
Jon Stewart dives into Trump's golf shenanigans in Scotland, the Republican "caddies" providing him cover on the Epstein scandal back home, and the possibility of a pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell. Plus, Jessica Williams will NOT allow Beyoncé to be roped into Trump's use of exceptional Black people as a distraction. Editor-at-large of "Jewish Currents," who writes "The Beinart Notebook" on Substack, Peter Beinart sits down with Jon Stewart to discuss his book, "Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza: A Reckoning," and speaking out against Israel. They talk about learning from Jewish history to be the saviors rather than the oppressors, America and the U.N.'s failure to hold Benjamin Netanyahu accountable, the urgency of engaging in critical discourse with other Jews, and how listening to Palestinian stories can illuminate the dehumanizing conditions.
#4 - Jenny Slate
Season 30 - Episode 93 - Aired 7/29/2025
Desi Lydic covers Trump opening a new golf course in Scotland before tending to his side hustle of president of the United States to strike a new trade deal with the E.U., which will finally bring product prices to... another all-time high? Plus, Michael Kosta and Grace Kuhlenschmidt take advantage of the government's latest workplace policy: Take Your God to Work Day. Ever wonder what happens when 911 calls YOU? In this edition of "Everything Is Stupid," Ronny Chieng roasts the 911 dispatcher who messed with a real-life Karen by awarding her a Booby Prize for incessant calling, and suffered the consequences. Actor Jenny Slate joins Desi Lydic to discuss her Emmy-nominated role in "Dying for Sex." They talk about the show's powerful story, based on a podcast about a woman going through Stage 4 breast cancer (portrayed by Michelle Williams), and her experiences playing the woman's best friend, Nikki.
#5 - Alison Brie & Dave Franco
Season 30 - Episode 94 - Aired 7/30/2025
In another installment of The Worst Wing, Desi Lydic tackles Lee Zeldin telling everyone in the EPA to be more chill about climate change, Marco Rubio lighting a birth control bonfire, and Kristi Noem finding another animal to scare. Plus, Pete Hegseth's got a new addiction: polygraph testing Pentagon insiders to see who's talked sh*t about him. From his humble beginnings in Newark to his scrappy days in Boston, Joe Rogan has always pushed his brains to the limit. Rogan's stand-up comedy led him to a career in television, eventually inspiring him to start his own podcast where he could ask the really important questions, like, "Wouldn't it be crazy if a wolf wore a fedora?" This is The Daily Showography of Joe Rogan. Actors and producers Alison Brie and Dave Franco sit down with Desi Lydic to discuss starring in the new horror movie "Together."
#6 - Tony Hale
Season 30 - Episode 95 - Aired 7/31/2025
Desi Lydic takes on the only story big enough to eclipse the Epstein files: Sydney Sweeney's controversial denim ad. Public pushback over the ad's supposed white supremacy undertones has the GOP spinning out of control, while Megyn Kelly rebuilds the glass ceiling with accusations that America is jealous of Sweeney's "hotness." Trump's association with Jeffrey Epstein has been all over the news lately, but Jordan Klepper knows from years of talking to MAGA that if Trump does come out in the files, we can expect a very rational response. Emmy Award-winning actor and producer Tony Hale talks to Desi Lydic about his new film, "Sketch," sharing how the film's story about a child's drawings coming to life was inspired by writer-director Seth Worly's sister, and how the movie can open up conversations for adults and kids alike about the importance of expressing emotions.
#7 - Spike Lee
Season 30 - Episode 96 - Aired 9/8/2025
Rumors have been swirling about the president's potentially failing health, and between his cankles, a tribute video from the White House, and global leaders throwing Nobel Prize nominations at the guy like he's the oldest Make-A-Wish kid in the world, Jon Stewart can't help but wonder: IS Trump dying? Academy Award-winning filmmaker Spike Lee joins Jon Stewart to discuss his new movie, "Highest 2 Lowest," in theaters and now streaming on Apple TV+. They talk about Lee's experiences over the years working with the film's star, Denzel Washington, the high-stakes story, what he learned from his parents growing up in Brooklyn, and if it's the Knicks' year.
#8 - Patrick McEnroe
Season 30 - Episode 97 - Aired 9/9/2025
With Trump's cryptic and sexually suggestive birthday card to Epstein revealed, Michael Kosta dives into a lazy cover-up by the White House, a possible quid pro quo to buy Ghislaine Maxwell's silence, and an excuse to blame it on Biden. Michael Kosta and Ronny Chieng spar over the biggest headlines in sports, including drunk crowds at the U.S. Open, Jalen Carter's spit-tacular start to the NFL season, and AI coming for jobs in minor league baseball. Former professional tennis player and International Tennis Hall of Fame president, Patrick McEnroe, and fellow former pro tennis player, Michael Kosta, dissect last week's U.S. Open, which McEnroe commented on for ESPN. McEnroe discusses the men's final between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner and how the two powerhouses are pushing each other and the sport forward, the importance of players like women's finalist Amanda Anisimova being open about their mental health.
#9 - Michael Grunwald
Season 30 - Episode 98 - Aired 9/10/2025
Michael Kosta breaks down Trump's Department of War, a.k.a. the new billion-dollar nickname for the Department of Defense, and Josh Johnson is hyped up for the president to go to war with America's biggest enemy: America. Thanks to Trump, Canadian tourism is way down, with many citizens scared to visit the U.S. So Jordan Klepper visits the city of Burlington, VT, to see just how desperate Vermonters are to win back the Canucks and drink some beer. Michael Grunwald, award-winning journalist and bestselling author of "We Are Eating the Earth: The Race to Fix Our Food System," sits down with Michael Kosta to discuss how agriculture is our biggest climate issue. They discuss the deforestation caused by pasture for cattle, how to make more calories on less acreage, the meat and energy alternatives providing hope, and how to maintain appreciation for farmers while searching for a better way.
#10 - Samara Cyn
Season 30 - Episode 90 - Aired 7/23/2025
Josh Johnson covers the breaking story that the DOJ informed Trump he was on the Epstein list, newly unearthed photos of Trump's friendship with Epstein, and the president's wild pledge to lower drug prices by 1000%. Plus, Michael Kosta explains why Trump's Epstein drama is all Obama's fault. Samara Cyn, a recording artist making her late-night television debut, joins Josh Johnson to discuss her new EP, "backroads." They talk about her raw and real lyrics, why her new EP is more lighthearted than her last release, how her music touches on the "really weird" state of a world going back on immigrant, LGBTQ+, and women's rights, and her song "hardheaded," which tackles privilege head-on. Samara Cyn makes her television debut with a performance of "hardheaded" off her EP "backroads."
#11 - Tristan Harris
Season 30 - Episode 111 - Aired 10/6/2025
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. "This does not have to be our destiny." Co-founder of the Center for Humane Technology Tristan Harris sits down with Jon Stewart 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.
#12 - Jay Duplass & Michael Strassner
Season 30 - Episode 100 - Aired 9/16/2025
Desi Lydic unpacks the toxic internet landscape in the aftermath of Charlie Kirk's assassination, where members of the Trump administration have called for people to lose their jobs for criticizing Kirk, the attorney general has seemingly forgotten the meaning of free speech, and Trump only wants to discuss White House renovations. Plus, Michael Kosta offers some solid reasoning for going back to the ‘80s. After siccing the National Guard on Washington D.C., Trump is chomping at the bit to militarize other Democrat-run U.S. cities, including New York. Grace Kuhlenschmidt asks New Yorkers if they think the National Guard has what it takes to make it in the Big Apple. "I'm so happy I'm here, because I almost missed it." Michael Strassner and Jay Duplass sit down with Desi Lydic to discuss the critically acclaimed independent film they co-wrote, "The Baltimorons,".
#13 - Cooper Hoffman
Season 30 - Episode 101 - Aired 9/17/2025
Desi Lydic covers Congress grilling Kash Patel over buried details of the Epstein files and Trump's attempt to put an ocean between himself and the Epstein controversy via a castle-filled king cosplay in the U.K. Lewis Black has learned what a Labubu is, and he's pissed. He roasts every aspect of Labubu culture, from Labu-baptisms to toy theft, and offers Americans an equally stupid doll alternative to waste their money on. Actor Cooper Hoffman sits down with Desi Lydic to discuss his role in the new film, "The Long Walk." They talk about how Stephen King's dystopian novel feels relevant today, the physical challenges of walking 15 miles a day while acting, learning to lean into humanity with Hoffman's co-star David Jonsson, and the importance of having people walk beside you through life.
#14 - Maria Ressa
Season 30 - Episode 102 - Aired 9/18/2025
A humble, obedient Jon Stewart heaps praise upon America's Glorious Leader, Donald J. Trump, and provides an FCC-approved refresher on the rules of free speech in the wake of Jimmy Kimmel's suspension. Plus, the TDS News Team serenades the world's greatest, large-penised leader. "It's both deja vu and PTSD." Maria Ressa, Nobel Peace Prize-winning journalist and author of the book "How to Stand Up to a Dictator," sits down with Jon Stewart for a conversation about Trump's authoritarian attacks on free speech in the wake of Disney taking Jimmy Kimmel off the air in fealty to the president and his hand-picked FCC Chair. Ressa, who in 2020 was jailed in the Philippines for her journalism criticizing the country's former president Rodrigo Duterte, warns about the similarities between the dictatorship she lived under and the Trump administration.
#15 - Jacinda Ardern
Season 30 - Episode 103 - Aired 9/22/2025
Jon Stewart unpacks Jimmy Kimmel's return to television amid outcry over his suspension, a sign of the times in an era where President Trump isn't even hiding his flagrant attacks on free speech, retaliation against his political enemies, and the brazen corruption in his administration. "We need more leaders who are willing to be humans while they're in the job." Jacinda Ardern, the former Prime Minister of New Zealand, sits down with Jon Stewart to discuss her experiences in office, which she chronicles in her memoir, "A Different Kind of Power," and upcoming HBO documentary, "Prime Minister." They discuss making progress on issues like child poverty and climate change while also managing a domestic terrorist attack and the Covid pandemic. She emphasizes the importance of politicians spending their political capital on "doing the right thing," the globalization of political polarization, and how it's a courageous act to be optimistic in these times.
#16 - John Fugelsang
Season 30 - Episode 104 - Aired 9/23/2025
Jordan Klepper recaps Trump and RFK's latest pseudo-scientific bombshells: Tylenol causes autism, vaccines flood baby bodies, and the Amish are leading the world in modern medicine. Plus, which Daily Show correspondents made the list for Rapture Tuesday? Jordan Klepper dives into Trump's appearance at the United Nations General Assembly, where global diplomacy and updates on Ukraine played second fiddle to his grudge against an out-of-order escalator. "Jesus's movement was about humility, it was about service to others, it was about uplifting the marginalized, not about total right-wing domination." John Fugelsang, host of "Tell Me Everything" on SiriusXM Progress and author of the New York Times Bestseller "Separation of Church and Hate," talks to Jordan Klepper about how MAGA and the far-right have wrongly co-opted Christianity as a cloak for authoritarianism and bigotry ."
#17 - Sebastian Murphy
Season 30 - Episode 105 - Aired 9/24/2025
Jordan Klepper covers how Putin's f**kboi antics pushed Trump into Ukraine's arms, while Grace Kuhlenschmidt and the rest of MAGA unravel a sick plot to prank the president in a conspiracy that starts at the bottom of a malfunctioning U.N. escalator and goes all the way to the top. Sebastian Murphy, the frontman of Swedish punk band Viagra Boys, sits down with Jordan Klepper to talk about their latest album, "viagr aboys." They discuss how the band got its name, the Mariah Carey song that brought them together, moving to Sweden after growing up in America, and the band's satirical and often hypermasculine-parodying resistance music that lets audiences know "freaks are welcome." Swedish post-punk band Viagra Boys performs "Pyramid of Health" from their latest album, "viagr aboys."
#18 - Regina Hall
Season 30 - Episode 106 - Aired 9/25/2025
Jordan Klepper dives into Trump's latest adventures in pettiness, from framing Biden's autopen signature among portraits in the Presidential Walk of Fame to framing James Comey for crimes despite getting a political assist from the former FBI director in 2016. Plus, Troy Iwata explains how Lindsey Halligan's appointment to U.S. Attorney despite her lack of experience is giving major "Legally Blonde" vibes. Trump and MAGA want to whitewash the history of slavery in the U.S. from Smithsonian museums because they think racism is talked about too much, but Leslie Jones says we're actually not talking about racism enough. She shows how racism persists in the country, seen everywhere from train cars to Congress, and explains how racism won't be solved unless everyone gets a better education about Black people in the classroom and in the media. Actor Regina Hall joins Jordan Klepper to talk about her new movie, "One Battle After Another," directed by Paul Thomas Anderson.
#19 - Michael Luo
Season 30 - Episode 81 - Aired 7/8/2025
The Department of Justice (and Michael Kosta) try to gaslight Ronny Chieng about a suddenly "nonexistent" Jeffrey Epstein client list, Trump lists Benjamin Netanyahu as a reference on his Nobel Peace Prize application, and the TSA ends their foot fetish. Ronny Chieng checks in on the status of Trump's trade war, including the president's half-firm decision on another tariff delay and his new international trade pen pal, "Mr. Japan." "History is written by the powerful, and the powerless are often left out of history." Michael Luo, author of "Strangers in the Land: Exclusion, Belonging, and the Epic Story of the Chinese in America" and executive editor at The New Yorker, joins Ronny Chieng to discuss the untold stories of Asian American persistence and resilience in the face of bigotry.
#20 - Stephen A. Smith
Season 30 - Episode 73 - Aired 6/9/2025
Jon Stewart examines chaos in the MAGA-verse, as escalating ICE raids in Los Angeles erupt in protests, Stephen Miller hunts for nonviolent immigrants, Elon plays the Epstein card on Trump, and the Trump-Elon alpha male war reveals itself as a sensitive baby feud. "I want to be a major player in terms of a voice and a conduit for change. I want to make sure that people know that the BS has got to stop." Stephen A. Smith, bestselling author & host of "The Stephen A. Smith Show," sits down with Jon Stewart to discuss why he would rather be a hellraiser than an elected official, how politicians have divided and contributed to the demise of this country, and why the messenger matters in politics.
#21 - Bryan Cranston
Season 30 - Episode 74 - Aired 6/10/2025
Desi Lydic has the latest updates from the L.A. ICE protests, including Trump's outsized military deployment to the city, which defies both California Governor Gavin Newsom and the... "P***y Comitatus Act"? Plus, one soldier sends a letter home from the frontlines of the L.A. war. Where does the public stand on Trump vs. Elon? Grace Kuhlenschmidt and Josh Johnson head out to ask New Yorkers to pick: Team Douche or Team Pedophile? Bryan Cranston joins Desi Lydic to discuss his new movie, "Everything's Going To Be Great," and a busy year of work, including his third film with Wes Anderson and playing a hilarious exec on "The Studio." He shares how he navigates portraying vastly different characters, why he had to really sell himself to get the role of Walter White, and his passion for live theater.
#22 - Atsuko Okatsuka
Season 30 - Episode 75 - Aired 6/11/2025
Desi Lydic tackles Trump's politicized Fort Bragg rally, which screened soldiers for loyalty and waist size. Plus, Trump plans a $45 million military parade for his birthday, and Ronny Chieng is pumped to sit courtside at a display of America's military might. Corporate America has been suspiciously quiet this Pride Month due to fear of backlash from the Trump administration. Desi Lydic and Troy Iwata discuss the current muted tones of Pride Month, and how the corporations will have to prove themselves when the pendulum swings back to the gays. Comedian Atsuko Okatsuka talks to Desi Lydic about her new Hulu stand-up special, "Father," including how her lack of housework partly inspired the title, as well as the intentional juxtaposition of her colorful clothes and set with the deeply personal stories she mines for levity.
#23 - Jeff Hiller
Season 30 - Episode 76 - Aired 6/12/2025
Desi Lydic tackles Elon Musk's vague apology to Trump, RFK Jr. putting his conspiracy buddies in charge at the CDC, and Tulsi Gabbard getting AI to do the FBI's homework. Plus, Trump celebrated deploying the military on Angelenos with tickets to "Les Misérables," so Jordan Klepper, Michael Kosta, and Josh Johnson debate whether the president is a Jean Valjean or a Javert. Stephen A. Smith is the King of Takes, but how did he begin his reign? From the Fashion Institute of Technology to Winston-Salem State University, Smith went from the basketball court to print media, ensuring that everyone knew he had all the best takes. After getting a job at ESPN, Smith taught everyone the difference between talking s**t and taking s**t. Actor, writer, and comedian Jeff Hiller sits down with Desi Lydic to discuss his new memoir, "Actress of a Certain Age."
#24 - John Mulaney
Season 30 - Episode 77 - Aired 6/16/2025
Jon Stewart breaks down Netanyahu's "urgent" strike on Iran's nuclear program, MAGA's sustained focus on battling protesters and immigrants in Democratic cities, and how Trump's unattended parade of weaponry explains America's muted response to the Minnesota assassination. "This isn't the most important message you'll hear tonight, but everyone should fight three teenagers once a year." John Mulaney, actor, writer, comedian, and host of the Netflix show "Everybody's Live," fought three 14-year-old boys on the finale of his talk show and lived to tell Jon Stewart the tale. They get deep into fighting strategies, masculinity, father-son competition, the guy who threw his shoes at George W. Bush, and more. Plus, a game of Daily Show Interview Guest Jeopardy.
#25 - Bill Clinton & James Patterson
Season 30 - Episode 78 - Aired 6/17/2025
Jordan Klepper dives into Trump's Irish exit from Canada's G7 Summit to explore a "better than a ceasefire" between Israel and Iran, and how Trump's threats against Iran's ayatollah started an intra-MAGA beef with Tucker Carlson. Plus, Michael Kosta finds a delicious way to capitalize on the situation in Iran. Was Trump's parade a military celebration or a show of authoritarian power? Jordan Klepper hit the streets of Washington, D.C., to talk to MAGA during Trump's $45 million military parade. Klepper asks folks how they feel about DOGE cuts, the L.A. protests, and whether they showed up to celebrate the military or the president's birthday. "If you don't like who's being elected, and you don't like what they're doing, you got to get out there and fight for it. And one of the things that we try to do in this book is to make people see that."