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 - 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.
#2 - 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.
#3 - Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong
Season 30 - Episode 88 - Aired 7/21/2025
Jon Stewart dives into Trump's crude birthday card to Epstein and his desperate attempts to distract MAGA with Hillary's emails, the release of the MLK files, and the return of racist football mascots. Plus, Jon reacts to CBS cancelling "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" and calls upon corporations, advertisers, and institutions to "sack up" with the help of the "Go F**k Yourself" choir. Chairman of the Los Angeles Times and of ImmunityBio, Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong sits down with Jon Stewart to share how his groundbreaking work in cancer research and his surprising purchase of the Los Angeles Times in 2018 are both part of his vision to heal the country and give everyone an opportunity at the American dream. He offers a background to his work in finding cancer treatments that harness the body's natural immunity – a departure from decades of the harmful, money-making chemotherapy standard – and shares how growing up in apartheid South Africa gave him a deep appreciation for news media.
#4 - Bernie Sanders
Season 30 - Episode 115 - Aired 10/20/2025
Jon Stewart examines the "No Kings" protests that failed to meet Fox News's violent expectations, why Trump fits the mold of a gold-smeared monarch, and how even the Declaration of Independence foreshadowed Trump's king-ish antics. "It's got to be a bottom-on-up revolution, not a top-down." Senator Bernie Sanders sits down with Jon Stewart to discuss his latest book, "Fight Oligarchy." They talk about harnessing the energy of the "No Kings" rallies to build a clear vision for the Democratic party, prioritizing universal healthcare and affordable housing expansion, how Trump has embraced some socialist policies, the danger of corporations and oligarchs regulating the government, and making AI work for working people.
#5 - Kyla Scanlon
Season 30 - Episode 84 - Aired 7/14/2025
Jon Stewart delves into the MAGA furor over Trump's handling of the Epstein case, Trump's cheap distractions-turned-threats against Rosie O'Donnell, and the president's double standard on red state vs. blue state relief. Plus, Jon demands accountability from Elmo for his antisemitic rant on X. "Most economic problems are political problems at the end of the day." Economic commentator Kyla Scanlon sits down with Jon Stewart to discuss her book, "In This Economy? How Money and Markets Really Work." They talk about the importance of teaching Americans about the economy in accessible ways, how the government has weaponized people to justify Medicaid cuts under Trump's Big Beautiful Bill, why labor and capital don't have to be mutually exclusive, and why she's optimistic about the future.
#6 - Steve Kroft
Season 30 - Episode 80 - Aired 7/7/2025
Jon Stewart covers the passage of Trump's Big Beautiful Bill: Republicans bashing then endorsing the megabill, trading tax cuts to sway senators, giving a $40 billion infusion to ICE, boosting billionaires at the expense of Medicaid and SNAP, and more. Former CBS "60 Minutes" correspondent and Emmy and Peabody Award-winning journalist Steve Kroft joins Jon Stewart to discuss a $16 million settlement in President Trump's lawsuit against Paramount Global, CBS and Comedy Central's parent company. They discuss how an incoming corporate merger and pressure from Trump's FCC may have influenced the settlement, why journalists and legal experts consider it a "shakedown," its impact on freedom of the press, and the one thing Trump didn't get: an apology.
#7 - Malala Yousafzai
Season 30 - Episode 139 - Aired 12/8/2025
Trump contradicts his phony FIFA peace prize by cranking up the heat on military action in Venezuela, a country Newsmax host Greg Kelly couldn't find on a map, and Jon Stewart gets an assist from The Daily Show archives and a time-traveling Rob Corddry to show how MAGA's drumbeat for war with Venezuela is Iraq all over again. "True bravery is still doing what you believe in, even when you're scared." Malala Yousafzai, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, education activist, and bestselling author, returns to The Daily Show to chat with Jon Stewart about her new memoir, "Finding My Way." They talk about how much her life has changed since she first visited the show at 16, including graduating college and getting married, and how she came to realize she doesn't have to be perfect. She also opens up about managing mental health and societal projections while pursuing activist work and the school for women she founded in Pakistan, which just graduated its first-ever class.
#8 - Rep. Chris Deluzio & Rep. Pat Ryan
Season 30 - Episode 127 - Aired 11/10/2025
In the wake of Democrats' decision to end the government shutdown, Jon Stewart returns to his prediction that they were going to piss away last week's hard-earned electoral victories. With nothing to gain from caving, momentum on their side, and a deeply unpopular president, Jon compares the Democrats to the New York Giants, who at least had the good sense to fire their coach. "A lot of politicians who voted to send guys like us to places like Iraq, spending trillions, all of a sudden want to count pennies when it's time to care for the veterans they sent to fight." Rep. Chris Deluzio of Pennsylvania and Rep. Pat Ryan of New York, who are both Iraq war veterans and members of the House Armed Services Committee, talk to Jon Stewart about how the Trump administration prioritizes a trillion dollar military budget over the livelihood of veterans and service members.
#9 - Joe Manchin
Season 30 - Episode 123 - Aired 11/3/2025
Between Trump throwing a lavish "Great Gatsby"-themed party on the night that SNAP benefits ran out for millions of Americans, dragging his feet to open court-ordered emergency funding for food stamps while throwing billions of bailout dollars at Argentina, and the GOP's general racism-tinged disdain for SNAP recipients, Jon Stewart seriously doubts that the president's "big heart" goes out to anyone but himself and the toadies on his VIP list. Former U.S. senator and West Virginia governor Joe Manchin sits down with Jon Stewart to discuss his memoir, "Dead Center: In Defense of Common Sense." They talk about whether centrism exists in the Trump era, Manchin's experience working across partisan lines in the Senate, the state of the Democratic Party in West Virginia, why he never voted for a government shutdown, and how he thinks the country can move forward.
#10 - 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.
#11 - Rob Franklin
Season 30 - Episode 89 - Aired 7/22/2025
Josh Johnson kicks off his first day behind the host desk with possible new intel from Ghislaine Maxwell and Trump's latest batch of Epstein distractions: a 2016 Obama conspiracy, releasing the MLK files, and even admitting that he's not a medical marvel. Plus, you won't believe the 100% real Epstein bombshells that Grace Kuhlenschmidt found in the MLK files. Charlamagne Tha God unpacks the 79-year-old Trump's recent memory loss, agitation, inappropriate behavior, confusion, and disorientation, all of which just so happen to be symptoms of dementia. Fiction and poetry writer Rob Franklin sits down with Josh Johnson to discuss his critically acclaimed debut novel, "Great Black Hope." They talk about exploring respectability politics through the main character, Smith, the tension between race and class in the justice system, and how not knowing your height is true tall privilege.
#12 - 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.
#13 - 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.
#14 - Zohran Mamdani
Season 30 - Episode 119 - Aired 10/27/2025
After Trump echoes a complaint that he's unappreciated by Americans for his "sacrifices," Jon Stewart looks at all the things the president has accomplished without getting proper recognition, like going against protocol to tear down the East Wing of the White House for an ostentatious ballroom, or blowing up Venezuelan boats without due process. Jon also takes a look at the Republicans properly eating s**t for the president and determines that a third term is the only appropriate show of gratitude for this poor little billionaire. New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani sits down with Jon Stewart to discuss building a campaign on delivering politics that "aspire for more than what you're living through," ensuring his tax plans aren't just popular but precedented, taking safety beyond the NYPD to job and housing security, reaching the hearts of young voters with inviting rhetoric, and whether the days of endorsements deciding elections have come to an end.
#15 - Asi Wind
Season 30 - Episode 137 - Aired 12/3/2025
Josh Johnson tracks Trump's flimsy war on narco-terrorism, from threatening more war-crimey attacks on suspected Venezuelan drug traffickers to pardoning the Honduran ex-president who smuggled enough cocaine to get the whole world high, and Troy Iwata just wants a clear answer: drugs good or drugs bad? Is the AI bubble at risk of popping? Ronny Chieng sits down with Peter Wildeford of the Institute for AI Policy and Strategy to investigate the risks of AI taking our jobs and tanking our economy as the "circle jerk" of AI companies goes all-in on robots. "People have a desire to see magic, I'm only there to help them." Award-winning magician and mentalist Asi Wind talks to Josh Johnson about his "More Than Magic" U.S. and Australia tour, the trick that (literally) sparked his passion for the craft, and why he sees magic as a collaboration with his audience. Plus, Wind treats Josh Johnson to a few mind-blowing tricks.
#16 - Jill Lepore
Season 30 - Episode 107 - Aired 9/29/2025
After a string of mass shootings across the U.S., America swaps out "thoughts and prayers" for a left vs. right blame game, Republicans hypocritically criticize the Democrats' "violent rhetoric," and Trump escalates a nonexistent problem by deploying troops to Portland. "Just because we've written [the laws] down doesn't mean that we can't aspire to make things better." Harvard law professor and staff writer at The New Yorker, Jill Lepore, joins Jon Stewart to discuss her new bestselling book, "We the People: A History of the U.S. Constitution." She points to the years-long process of trial and error that went into writing the Constitution as an example of how the document was designed with the intention to be changed and improved upon, and emphasizes the foundational right to amend the document as Americans see fit.
#17 - 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."
#18 - 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.
#19 - Sanna Marin
Season 30 - Episode 124 - Aired 11/4/2025
As Election Day wraps up, Jordan Klepper recaps the suspenseful NYC mayoral race infused with Islamophobic fearmongering of Zohran Mamdani and an uphill battle for Andrew Cuomo, culminating in an 11th-hour scandal over a Billy Joel song. Plus, Ronny Chieng reports that Cuomo is feeling confident, thanks to his lucky O.J. Simpson-style Ford Bronco and other criminal-lookalike charms. The eyes of the world seem to be on the New York City mayoral race, so Grace Kuhlenschmidt conducted her own Times Square exit poll to ask non-New Yorkers which candidate they endorse for an election they can't vote in. "There's always hope if there's action." Former Prime Minister of Finland, Sanna Marin, talks to Jordan Klepper about her new memoir, "Hope In Action."
#20 - Ken Casey
Season 30 - Episode 138 - Aired 12/4/2025
Images of Epstein's island reveal a penchant for creepy decor and a commitment to oral hygiene, Pete Hegseth gets cagey about turning over his phone for the Signalgate investigation, the Pentagon's press team is replaced by MAGA personalities, and Jordan Klepper investigates Trump's commitment to being labeled a "president of peace," signage and all. Afraid of the woke leftists' war against Christmas? Keep the sanctity of the holiday season alive with the brand-new Trump Tinsel, made from recycled shreddings of the Epstein files. The president promised he was going to release them, but he never said how! Frontman of the band Dropkick Murphys, Ken Casey, sits down with Jordan Klepper to discuss their latest album, "For The People." They talk about the roots of punk in political activism, getting inspiration from bands who sang about Reagan, Bush, and the Queen of England.
#21 - 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.
#22 - Miguel
Season 30 - Episode 130 - Aired 11/13/2025
In the wake of new Jeffrey Epstein emails implicating Trump, the GOP unhelpfully backed up the president by releasing 20,000 new Epstein files of their own, and Josh Johnson unpacks new revelations, including the two men's frenemy relationship and apparent connection to cosmetics heiress Celina Midelfart, as well as conservative pundits like Megyn Kelly's attempts to downplay the bombshell. Plus, Troy Iwata offers a scathing critique of Epstein's email grammar. The AI revolution is integrating chatbots like Grok and ChatGPT into all aspects of life, from education to friendship, so Ronny Chieng fights the dumbing effects of AI on college campuses by transforming himself into a real-life chatbot. Grammy award-winning artist Miguel talks to Josh Johnson about returning to music after an eight-year break with his new album, "CAOS." Miguel shares how that time of personal reflection and connection to his Mexican heritage informed his new album through celebration of his culture.
#23 - Thomas Chatterton Williams
Season 30 - Episode 85 - Aired 7/15/2025
With MAGA and Democrats demanding answers about the Epstein files and Trump denying their existence, Jordan Klepper charts the president's well-documented history with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, which might be why the president wants the entire thing to blow over. Plus, Michael Kosta offers up a defense from Mar-a-Lago. Do you have a moment to talk about the environment with Nick Offerman? "To talk about it only as a matter of identity actually limits our ability to engage non-Black people in the struggle, which is that no American should be OK with law enforcement being able to break somebody, especially a poor person without any resources, the way that they broke George Floyd, whatever color you are." Thomas Chatterton Williams, staff writer at The Atlantic and author of the forthcoming book, "Summer of Our Discontent: The Age of Certainty and the Demise of Discourse," joins Jordan Klepper to discuss his analysis of America's fall from Obama-era optimism.
#24 - 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 ."
#25 - Scott Galloway
Season 30 - Episode 125 - Aired 11/5/2025
Jordan Klepper dives into the big wins for Democrats across the country last night, including in the hotly contested mayoral race in New York City, which ended in a historic victory for Zohran Mamdani that sparked threats of a mass exodus of Cuomo supporters from the city. Plus, nobody is more eager to get out of the city than Eric Adams, the guy who's still in charge at City Hall, so The Daily Show takes a final look back at the legacy the outgoing mayor is leaving behind. In the Art of the Altercation, Desi Lydic unpacks Donald Trump's long and tumultuous relationship with New York, a home he once called "the greatest city in the world," but now, as president, thinks is a crime-infested hellhole that needs to be punished. NYU professor, co-host of the Pivot podcast, and bestselling author, Scott Galloway, joins Jordan Klepper to discuss his latest book, "Notes on Being a Man."