The BEST episodes of The Daily Show season 30

#1 - Peter Wolf

Season 30 - Episode 36 - Aired 3/20/2025

Jordan Klepper covers Trump's anti-DEI fallout, including the Pentagon's erasure of Jackie Robinson and The Enola Gay. Plus, Troy Iwata joins the Republicans' campaign to revive Tesla stock and keep Elon Musk rich. With many Americans preparing for doomsday, the apocalypse has become good business. Michael Kosta visits Fortitude Ranch, a post-apocalyptic survival community where preppers can wait out the end times in country-club glamour with their own rooms, artillery, and food supplies…for a hefty amount of cash. Legendary musician, artist, and New York Times best-selling author Peter Wolf joins Jordan Klepper to talk about his new memoir, "Waiting on the Moon." The former J. Geils Band frontman recounts the era in which he wrote their album "Full House," and how he strived to write a "not-boring" memoir by sharing vignettes about the people he idolized.

#2 - Rupa Bhattacharyya

Season 30 - Episode 25 - Aired 2/24/2025

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.

#3 - Bowen Yang

Season 30 - Episode 48 - Aired 4/10/2025

Desi Lydic tackles Trump's cabinet of ass-kissers, his war on water pressure, and Kristi Noem's viral gun photo-op. Plus, Troy Iwata breaks down the White House's top issue: temperamental showers. Michael Kosta dives into America's mad money problems in the face of Trump's tariffs: panicked shopping on the rise, price hikes on everyday toys and goods, and the uncertainty around those precious iPhones. "Saturday Night Live" star and "Las Culturistas" co-host Bowen Yang sits down with Desi Lydic to discuss his new rom-com, "The Wedding Banquet." He shares the process behind his portrayals of hilarious "SNL" villains like JD Vance and George Santos, whether his pop-culture podcast has changed over the years, and why his new film feels like a "warm hug of a movie."

#4 - Richard Reeves

Season 30 - Episode 3 - Aired 1/8/2025

Desi Lydic covers conservative media's support for Trump's Greenland invasion idea, Trump blaming Gavin Newsom for the LA wildfires, and Trump's plans for pardoning the Jan. 6 insurrectionists. Desi Lydic tackles New York's controversial new congestion pricing toll, while Josh Johnson hits the street to hear from real New Yorkers. "People say men don't have problems. They are the problem." Founding president of the American Institute for Boys and Men and "Of Boys and Men" author, Richard Reeves, sits down with Desi Lydic to initiate a national conversation about the issues facing America's young men. They discuss creating a space for dialogue about men's issues without blaming women, how the phrase "toxic masculinity" pushes men from productive conversation, increasing the amount of men in teaching and mental healthcare, and how Trump acknowledged men's issues but encouraged America to move backward.

#5 - David Remnick

Season 30 - Episode 21 - Aired 2/10/2025

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.

#6 - Oren Cass

Season 30 - Episode 41 - Aired 3/31/2025

Jon Stewart checks in on the state of democracy after Trump considers an unconstitutional third term in office, then takes a look at how all the national security officials involved in Signalgate have managed to skirt any accountability and keep their jobs, all while thousands of hard-working government employees lose theirs in DOGE layoffs. Oren Cass, chief economist at American Compass, who writes the "Understanding America" newsletter, sits down with Jon Stewart to discuss conservative economic policies of the New Right, which will be outlined in his forthcoming book, "The New Conservatives." Cass describes a conservative shift from faith in markets, using tariffs as incentives to pursue profit that supports society, how livable wages are the key to a strong economy, and the U.S.'s ideal economic and security alliance that includes balanced trade, owning defense burdens, and keeping China out.

#7 - Mark Carney

Season 30 - Episode 5 - Aired 1/13/2025

Jon Stewart examines how Trump's finger-pointing, and the GOP's threats to withhold disaster relief for the L.A. wildfires are missing the bigger picture: nature is f**ked, and helping those in pain shouldn't be a political issue. Mark Carney, Canadian economist and former Governor of the Bank of Canada and Bank of England, chats with Jon Stewart about his country's response to Donald Trump's desire to annex Canada: "It's not going to happen." They also discuss the impending financial crisis Canada faces if Trump follows through on his tariff threats and how the country's upcoming election involving the leader of the opposition Conservative Party Pierre Poilievre mirrors the 2024 U.S. presidential race. Carney also discusses his bona fides as he considers entering the race to replace Trudeau as the leader of Canada's Liberal Party.

#8 - Sen. Chris Murphy

Season 30 - Episode 33 - Aired 3/17/2025

Jon Stewart highlights how the Democrats' divisiveness over Trump's budget bill is emblematic of their lack of vision, plummeting approval ratings, and continued losses against the MAGA cult. Third-term Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut sits down with Jon Stewart to talk about the Democratic party's path moving forward. He explains why he disagreed over the Dems' decision not to filibuster the GOP budget, why his colleagues should be willing to take more risks, how misaligned priorities cost them voters to Trump, and the need to rally behind long-lasting ideas.

#9 - Elissa Slotkin

Season 30 - Episode 56 - Aired 5/1/2025

#10 - Mo Amer

Season 30 - Episode 17 - Aired 2/3/2025

Jon Stewart examines Trump's attacks on trans people, Canada, and DEI as his first presidential orders of business and asks: How is that making America great again? Plus, the Best F**kin' News Team debate on where they rank in the DEI hierarchy. Mo Amer, a writer, stand-up comedian, and co-creator and star of "Mo," sits down with Jon Stewart to discuss the second season of his Peabody Award-winning Netflix series, inspired by his own refugee experience. They discuss how the series explores the complexities of statelessness and asylum, the absurdities of the immigration process, and how he leaned on Jon for support while figuring out whether to talk about Oct. 7 on his show.

#11 - Tom Suozzi

Season 30 - Episode 8 - Aired 1/16/2025

Jordan Klepper covers Biden's ominous farewell address, in which he warned about the end of democracy and formation of an oligarchy. Plus, Desi Lydic and Michael Kosta try to sort out the most important detail of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire: Who gets the credit? Grace Kuhlenschmidt revisits famed election prognosticator Allan Lichtman, who wrongly predicted a Harris victory, to demand answers on why Trump was victorious and educate him on the impact of Charli XCX. "We've gotta figure out how do we resist when essential, but how do we try to work together to get stuff done when we can?" Representative Tom Suozzi of New York's third Congressional District sits down with Jordan Klepper to discuss what he thinks is the best strategy for Democrats during Trump's second term, including a willingness to meet Republicans halfway when appropriate, and avoiding the GOP's culture war distractions to focus on building up the middle class.

#12 - Vince Beiser

Season 30 - Episode 16 - Aired 1/30/2025

Michael Kosta on the tragic Washington D.C. plane crash and Trump's baseless blame of DEI for the catastrophe. Plus, the Best F**kin' News team breaks down which of Trump's nominees was least qualified at their Senate hearings. Dry January is ending, but Lewis Black can't figure out why it started. From Dry January to Damp January, Lewis Black asks the over-labeled generation why they'd pick the coldest, most chaotic month to go sober in this installment of Back to Black. Journalist and author Vince Beiser sits down with Michael Kosta to discuss the paradox of electric vehicles and renewable energy and his latest book "Power Metal: The Race for the Resources That Will Shape the Future." They talk about how preventing climate change has led to a rush for "critical" metals, how China has dominated the field of mining and manufacturing, the minerals and metals behind Trump's Greenland obsession, recycling electronic waste, and the importance of reusing and repairing gadgets.

#13 - Bill Murray

Season 30 - Episode 40 - Aired 3/27/2025

Ronny Chieng covers the upcoming Wisconsin Supreme Court election, including Elon Musk's $20 million intervention in Republican Brad Schimel's campaign, attack ads against the wrong Susan Crawford, and alternating pro-pedophilia smear campaigns. Plus, Grace Kuhlenschmidt sees how billionaires are turning elections into games. Ronny Chieng on JD and Usha Vance's big trip to Greenland, where native protestors are chanting "MAGA: Make America Go Away." Bill Murray sits down with Ronny Chieng to discuss his latest film, "The Friend," as well as his legendary career in TV and film. Murray talks about his philosophy of trying to stay in the moment, why he moved to France with his family after starring in a string of comedy blockbusters like "Ghostbusters," his pivot to working with independent filmmakers like Wes Anderson, Jim Jarmusch, and Sofia Coppola, and what he gained from being a part of comedy institutions at The Second City and "Saturday Night Live."

#14 - Halina Reijn

Season 30 - Episode 2 - Aired 1/7/2025

Desi Lydic discusses Trump's imperialist push ahead of his inauguration, including making Canada the 51st state, renaming the Gulf of Mexico, and possibly invading Greenland. Plus, Jordan Klepper is hyped about colonialism's apparent comeback. Desi Lydic breaks down how companies like Meta, McDonald's, and Amazon are doing everything from ditching facts to bribing Melania with a documentary to get in the president-elect's good graces. "My movie is sort of a letter to myself to kind of encourage myself to be more unapologetically my authentic self, without shame." Writer and director of the new film "Babygirl," Halina Reijn sits down with Desi Lydic to discuss the questions she set out to explore through the film about shame, sexuality, and authenticity, subverting the tropes of the erotic thriller genre, and how her background as an actress informs her directing.

#15 - Scott Glenn

Season 30 - Episode 44 - Aired 4/3/2025

Michael Kosta recaps Trump's tariffs fallout, from a stock market crash to cabinet officials taking to the airwaves to cheerlead the move. Plus, Grace Kuhlenschmidt checks in on the penguins who now find themselves in a trade war. Jordan Klepper profiles Brian Glenn: Chief White House Correspondent of Real America's Voice, boyfriend of Marjorie Taylor Greene, and the man famous for asking Zelenskyy, "Why don't you wear a suit?" in the latest News To Meet Ya! Legendary actor Scott Glenn sits down with Michael Kosta to discuss playing the mysterious Jim Hollinger on HBO's "The White Lotus." Glenn talks about turning down the role before falling in love with the hit show, preparing for the rhythm of Thailand by learning Thai martial arts, how Off-Broadway opening night is scarier than skydiving, and why he's uninspired by the "slash" career mentality in Hollywood. Glenn also advises Kosta on motorcycle safety.

#16 - ALOK

Season 30 - Episode 7 - Aired 1/15/2025

Jordan Klepper reports on the Israel-Hamas ceasefire and TikTok's final days. While Americans wait to find out if Trump or Elon Musk will come to TikTok's rescue, Michael Kosta joins the ranks of those turning to Chinese alternative apps like RedNote. Why go to jail when you can get elected president? At James & Carino Law Firm, experts follow Trump's lead in keeping their clients out of the slammer with their new slogan: "Stop trying to beat the law and start putting yourself above it." "All living is just stand-up comedy." Comedian, actor, and poet ALOK sits down with Jordan Klepper to discuss their new comedy special, "Biology!" They explain how reckoning with mortality inspired their set, embracing humor as a practice of resistance against transphobia, getting performance advice from Christopher Guest, and why Meta bending the knee for Trump is actually a trans allegory.

#17 - Mae Martin

Season 30 - Episode 30 - Aired 3/4/2025

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.

#18 - Rahm Emanuel

Season 30 - Episode 45 - Aired 4/7/2025

Jon Stewart on the fallout from Trump's tariffs, a stock market in a near-recession free fall, and the GOP's spin of the economic turmoil as "no biggie." "Nobody will ever trust us. In eight weeks, he's destroyed 80 years of reputation that America built." Rahm Emanuel, former ambassador to Japan under Biden and a current advisor at investment-banking firm Centerview Partners, joins Jon Stewart to talk about the United States' international trade predicament in the wake of Trump's tariffs. They discuss why it's one of the most "reckless" things done by a president, why he thinks these policies gave China a "get-out-of-jail-free" card, his experience under the Obama administration, and why he believes a Democratic governor could be the one to turn the party around.

#19 - Melissa Arnot Reid

Season 30 - Episode 43 - Aired 4/2/2025

Michael Kosta recaps surprising wins for the Democrats, including a victory in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race despite Elon Musk's financial interference, and a record-breaking 25-hour speech by Cory Booker. Plus, Trump launches his "Liberation Day" tariffs, and Republicans scramble to supply cover. In the first installment of "Mysteries of Donald Trump's Very Very Large A-Brain" Trump explores the word "groceries," a concept he calls "old-fashioned." Then, Grace Kuhlenschmidt educates New York shoppers on the new Trump-era food store lingo. "We can be flawed and still be deserving of achieving great things." Melissa Arnot Reid, the first American woman to summit and descend Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen, talks to Michael Kosta about her new memoir, "Enough: Climbing Toward a True Self on Mount Everest." She opens up about using high-level climbing as a sometimes unhealthy coping mechanism and why her journey to inner peace is a "forever climb."

#20 - Rachel Mason

Season 30 - Episode 15 - Aired 1/29/2025

Michael Kosta tackles RFK Jr.'s confirmation hearing for health secretary, including protests from his family and medical professionals, his questionable stances on vaccines and AIDS, and Bernie Sanders's onesie interrogation. Plus, the polio virus (Troy Iwata) shares his excitement about returning to work. Now that Trump-aligned billionaires run various social media platforms, Grace Kuhlenschmidt asks New Yorkers if they will finally delete their apps. Filmmaker Rachel Mason sits down with Michael Kosta to discuss her new Max docuseries, "An Update on Our Family." She explains what attracted her to the story of the Stauffer family, popular YouTube vloggers who shared their overseas adoption online, the ethics of profiting off your children via content, and how she navigates oversharing on her own social media accounts.

#21 - Talib Kweli

Season 30 - Episode 11 - Aired 1/22/2025

Ronny Chieng covers Trump's face-off with a woke pastor, his lukewarm review of church, and a "f**k-it" approach to the Jan. 6 pardons. Plus, Troy Iwata investigates if the GOP's amnesia for insurrectionist violence is really a disease. Triumph the Insult Comic Dog goes to the People's March to talk to protestors about ways they can mobilize against the Trump administration, from new logos to Jimmy Carter conspiracies to storming a nearby coffee shop. Legendary hip-hop artist Talib Kweli sits down with Ronny Chieng to discuss the future of the music industry and his latest album "The Confidence of Knowing." They talk about supporting artists outside of streaming, how hip-hop is deeply rooted in social justice, understanding the political divide beyond Democrat vs. Republican, and how tech billionaires profit off our social media engagement.

#22 - Wendi McLendon-Covey

Season 30 - Episode 26 - Aired 2/25/2025

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.

#23 - Ezra Klein & Derek Thompson

Season 30 - Episode 34 - Aired 3/18/2025

Jordan Klepper breaks down how Trump's attempt to mass-deport Venezuelans by invoking a racist wartime law has led to a feud with the federal judge and an all-out constitutional crisis. Plus, Troy Iwata checks in on sick MAGA children who have just learned that their letters from the president were signed by... an autopen. The recent string of plane crash catastrophes has air traffic controllers overworked and travelers worried. In an all-new "Back In Black," Lewis Black breaks down America's airline problem, the insufferable ways fliers ease their anxiety, and how Elon Musk is making it all worse. New York Times Opinion columnist Ezra Klein and staff writer for The Atlantic, Derek Thompson, talk to Jordan Klepper about their new book, "Abundance," which details how lawmakers can solve the affordability crisis by "building and inventing more of what we need."

#24 - Royal Ramey

Season 30 - Episode 13 - Aired 1/27/2025

Jon Stewart discusses China's new A.I. tool "DeepSeek," and urges Democrats to convince voters of THEIR plan rather than react to Trump's "fascist" first week of executive orders. Chief Royal Ramey, a formerly incarcerated firefighter, and CEO and co-founder of the Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program, joins Jon Stewart to discuss how his program helps other formerly incarcerated people find a career in the fire sector. They discuss the hands-on training he received while incarcerated, why the work appeals to those currently serving time, and how helping a community and experiencing the "prison-to-public servant pipeline" changed his life.

#25 - Antoni Porowski

Season 30 - Episode 32 - Aired 3/6/2025

Michael Kosta on Trump doubling down then ditching Canada and Mexico tariffs, the GOP pretending the plunging stock market is normal, and the president pissing off China. Plus, Josh Johnson takes inspiration from Trump flip-flopping on tariffs. These days in America it's easier to get a gun than get rid of one. Desi Lydic headed to Michigan to get to the bottom of the state's "buy back" initiative that turned out to be refurbishing guns instead of destroying them. Bestselling author and culinary expert Antoni Porowski talks to Michael Kosta about hosting his new National Geographic show, "No Taste Like Home," which uses a dish significant to each guest as an entry point to a journey through their family and ancestral history. They discuss the extensive research process that goes into the show, some of the most emotional moments of the season, and why food is so important to Porowski and how he connects with his own family.