The BEST episodes of The Daily Show season 31
Every episode of The Daily Show season 31, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of The Daily Show season 31!
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 - Jason Rezaian
Season 31 - Episode 12 - Aired 1/26/2026
After the second murder of a Minnesota ICE protester by federal agents, Jon Stewart breaks down the increasingly unhinged gaslighting from Trump officials who are trying to paint victim Alex Pretti as a "domestic terrorist" & ICE agents as innocent kittens despite clear video evidence to the contrary. As MAGA & Kristi Noem ignore even their precious Second Amendment in their attempts to justify the shooting of a legally armed citizen, Jon points to the real weapon threatening this administration: cameras. Director of Press Freedom Initiatives at The Washington Post, Jason Rezaian discusses the deadly protests in Iran and the importance of collecting details of the Iranian experience despite the impermeable internet blackouts. How Trump's desire to make a deal with Iran would only empower the current oppressive regime, the benefits of including Iranian dissidents in the U.S. in policy conversations, and the humor that carried Rezaian through his 544-day wrongful prison sentence in Iran.
#2 - Aziz Abu Sarah & Moaz Inon
Season 31 - Episode 43 - Aired 4/13/2026
Jon Stewart dives into the backlash over Trump Jesus-ifying himself with AI, the president claiming he was just depicting himself as a "doctor" (treating a bedridden Jon Stewart?), and Trump starting an Easter beef with Pope Leo. Plus, JD Vance fails to secure a deal with Iran while ALSO failing to get Hungarian strongman Viktor Orban reelected. "We don't have to be on opposite sides. We can be on the same side, fighting for justice together, fighting for peace together." Peace activists and authors of "The Future Is Peace," Aziz Abu Sarah and Maoz Inon sit down with Jon Stewart to share their inspirational story of family loss and choosing reconciliation over revenge in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Through honest dialogue, visits to Holocaust and Palestinian sites, and confronting painful stories, they spread the message of how empathy can break cycles of violence and war. They also challenge the idea that empathy is naive and share what it was like meeting Pope Francis.
#3 - Jake Sullivan
Season 31 - Episode 36 - Aired 3/23/2026
Trump’s eventful weekend of golfing, sightseeing, and ignoring the imploding effects of the war in Iran has Jon Stewart wondering who the hell the president has been claiming to negotiate with overseas, and whether this "top person" even exists. Plus, airport chaos amid a government shutdown has ICE filling in for the TSA as part of Trump's escalating chaos rampage. Jake Sullivan, former National Security Advisor, Harvard Kennedy School professor, and co-host of “The Long Game” podcast, joins Jon Stewart to break down the war in Iran, U.S. foreign policy, and the future of nuclear negotiations. Sullivan shares his insights on President Trump’s approach to Iran and Iran’s “coherent and clear” strategy. Plus, Sullivan reflects on his time working on secret negotiations with Iranian officials during the Obama administration and tells the story of a historic first direct contact between U.S. and Iranian presidents since 1979.
#4 - Sen. Mark Kelly
Season 31 - Episode 1 - Aired 1/5/2026
Jon Stewart dives into the Trump administration's abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Trump's collusion with oil companies to exploit Venezuela's resources, and the emergence of the "Donroe Doctrine" as Trump threatens more international takeovers. Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona, who also served in the Navy as a captain and combat pilot, joins Jon Stewart after news broke that he was being censured by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth for telling U.S. service members to refuse illegal orders. They discuss the president's "major ego problem," why he stands by his message as the Trump administration continues to levy attacks against free speech, frustrations with Democratic leadership, and the importance of Democrats taking control of the House and the Senate to put President Trump in check.
#5 - Heather Ann Thompson
Season 31 - Episode 16 - Aired 2/2/2026
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.
#6 - Ben McKenzie
Season 31 - Episode 50 - Aired 4/23/2026
Michael Kosta dives into America’s naval blockade of Iranian ports as the U.S. Navy frays at home. After Pete Hegseth fires Navy Secretary John Phelan, Trump swaps the unqualified rich guy for Hung Cao, known for anti-witch remarks and calls for more “alpha males and alpha females” in uniform. Desi Lydic explores Trump’s long-running vendetta against wind turbines, tracing how a 2012 eyesore near his Scottish golf course became, to him, the cause of everything. Then Ben McKenzie discusses his documentary “Everyone Is Lying to You for Money,” arguing crypto isn’t real money and that hype, celebrity ads, and opacity mask risk. He says criminals permeate the industry and calls for regulation and jail time for bad actors.
#7 - Gov. Andy Beshear
Season 31 - Episode 20 - Aired 2/9/2026
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.
#8 - Jenin Younes
Season 31 - Episode 5 - Aired 1/12/2026
on Stewart digs into Trump announcing himself as Venezuela's acting president via Wikipedia, dividing Venezuela amongst cooperating oil companies, making a game-time decision to involve himself in Iran, and setting his sights on conquering Greenland so Russia can't have it. Plus, Trump's rules for January 6th rioters don't square with the MAGA rhetoric around the January 7th ICE killing of Renee Good. Civil liberties attorney and co-host of the podcast, "Previously Prohibited," Jenin Younes, joins Jon Stewart to discuss how MAGA's rewriting of the Minneapolis ICE shooting signals a perpetual escalation in violating civil liberties. They talk about how Trump has transitioned from protecting free speech to supporting censorship, JD Vance's justification over the legality of the Minneapolis shooting, how the Right's anti-immigrant rhetoric appeals to working-class Americans' frustrations, and why ICE is targeting blue states and sanctuary cities while exaggerating their "non-compliance."
#9 - A. Mechele Dickerson
Season 31 - Episode 24 - Aired 2/23/2026
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.
#10 - Mikie Sherrill
Season 31 - Episode 14 - Aired 1/28/2026
Desi Lydic dives into the Trump administration's scramble to blame each other for the handling of Alex Pretti's shooting by federal agents in Minnesota, Trump's rally against Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, who was attacked at a town hall in the wake of his demonizing rhetoric, and the president's rollout of Trump Accounts, which he announced alongside MAGA's newest spokeswoman, Nicki Minaj. In this edition of In My Opinion, Whitney Cummings profiles the Democratic politicians lined up for the 2028 presidential race, from Josh Shapiro to Gavin Newsom, and the quirky penchants for cosplay, veganism, and convicted felons that they bring to the table. New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill, who recently became the nation's first woman veteran to be elected governor, sits down with Desi Lydic to discuss how her time serving in a gridlocked Congress motivated her to run for governor and the difference she's already seen in her ability to create change.
#11 - Dr. Mary Claire Haver
Season 31 - Episode 42 - Aired 4/1/2026
Desi Lydic takes on Trump’s appearance at Supreme Court oral arguments on birthright citizenship as he argues the constitutional right should apply only to “billionaires,” while also pushing ahead with construction of the White House ballroom despite a federal judge ordering it stopped. Trump also unveils plans for a presidential hotel brary. Lewis Black breaks down prediction markets, where people are now betting on everything from future wars to Trump’s next insult, with some markets giving Jesus better odds of returning than the New York Jets have of winning a Super Bowl. Desi is also joined by board certified OB/GYN Dr. Mary Claire Haver, founder of The ‘Pause Life, to discuss her book The New Perimenopause. Dr. Haver explains what perimenopause is, why early mental and neurological symptoms are often misdiagnosed, and how women can advocate for their health and navigate this “second puberty” without suffering.
#12 - Christa Miller
Season 31 - Episode 27 - Aired 2/26/2026
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.
#13 - Jon Shenk & Marcus Capone
Season 31 - Episode 19 - Aired 2/5/2026
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—Prince Andrew 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 with 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.
#14 - Rebecca Traister
Season 31 - Episode 35 - Aired 3/19/2026
Trump bombs a Pearl Harbor joke at a meeting with Japan's prime minister after a reporter asked him about the Iran war, and Jordan Klepper finds the optimism in Afroman winning a defamation suit against the police who raided his home, preserving free speech through relentless mockery, brutal infidelity jokes, & lemon pound cakes. Michael Kosta delivers the latest get-rich-now opportunities from the hottest business headlines: The Fast Food Wars get a greasy relaunch, Topo Chico mineral water dries up in the U.S., and rare Pokemon cards have collectors collecting fat stacks. Rebecca Traister, author and writer for New York Magazine, talks to Jordan about her latest book, "Angry Girls Will Get Us Through." They discuss the constructive power of anger to bring people together & affect social change, and the mission of her book to tell the under-recognized stories of angry women, girls, & nonbinary people who sparked some of the most impactful moments of change throughout American history.
#15 - Geeta Gandbhir
Season 31 - Episode 29 - Aired 3/3/2026
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.
#16 - Artis Stevens
Season 31 - Episode 9 - Aired 1/20/2026
After receiving a secondhand Nobel Peace Prize from the real winner, Maria Corina Machado, Trump decides peace is for chumps and doubles down on his plans to take over Greenland, angering both Emmanuel Macron and Emmanuel Macron's eye. Plus, while Josh Johnson thinks the president's plan to extort Greenland out of Europe's hands through tariffs will only hurt Americans, Michael Kosta demonstrates how kicking one's own ass is the ultimate fighting strategy. Trump still wants Greenland and is threatening our European allies if they don't go along with his plan, but this story has been brewing for a while. As Jordan Klepper's recent trip to Norway showed us, the president's anti-peace reputation has long been the talk of the town. President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Artis Stevens, sits down with Josh Johnson to discuss the power of mentorship.
#17 - Paul Rosolie
Season 31 - Episode 17 - Aired 2/3/2026
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."
#18 - Ms. Pat
Season 31 - Episode 18 - Aired 2/4/2026
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. Ms. Pat, comedian, actor, & 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 in the current administration, & learning to believe in herself after being shot, abused, and incarcerated.
#19 - Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey
Season 31 - Episode 23 - Aired 2/12/2026
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.
#20 - Wagner Moura
Season 31 - Episode 8 - Aired 1/15/2026
Jordan Klepper covers the latest on Trump's whole milk antics, the president's push to take over Greenland that has Europe mobilizing, and Mayor Zohran Mamdani's burgeoning communist reign in New York City, which has unleashed terrors such as expanded access to childcare and free public restrooms. Grace Kuhlenschmidt breaks down the latest tech from the CES conference: candy that puts voices in your head, razors that botch your haircut for you, robots that can see you but can't hear you, and a chance to fulfill your dreams of beating up a machine! Actor Wagner Moura joins Jordan Klepper, fresh off his Golden Globe win for his performance in "The Secret Agent." Moura, a Brazilian native, describes how the film, which takes place in 1977 Brazil during a heavy dictatorship, was a way for him and director Kleber Mendonça Filho to process their perplexity after their country's return to dictatorship values with the election of far-right president Jair Bolsonaro in 2018.
#21 - Jonathan Haidt & Catherine Price
Season 31 - Episode 26 - Aired 2/25/2026
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.
#22 - Langhorne Slim
Season 31 - Episode 7 - Aired 1/14/2026
Donald Trump gives a Ford factory worker the middle finger and delivers a message of "keep protesting" but only for Iranians, immigration raids escalate in Minnesota, ICE engages in blatant racial and accent profiling, and Jordan Klepper highlights the Minnesotans fighting back with music, costumes, and bologna. Musician Langhorne Slim joins Jordan Klepper to talk about his new album, "The Dreamin' Kind." They discuss the importance of dreamers and creativity, especially during uncertain times, how politics have changed the way his older music resonates, collaborating with Greta Van Fleet, and his mission to make joyful music that'll have you wanting to "shake it." Langhorne Slim performs "Rock N Roll" from his upcoming album, "The Dreamin' Kind," which drops on January 16.
#23 - Park Chan-wook
Season 31 - Episode 2 - Aired 1/6/2026
Ronny Chieng unpacks former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's abduction and first day in court, where he and his wife got some good couples, time pleading not guilty to cocaine trafficking charges. Meanwhile, MAGA attempts to justify Trump's intervention by downplaying the episode, citing Christianity, and downright playing the bully. The latest scientific studies show that microplastics are just about everything, and we're ingesting them at an alarming rate. Thankfully, there's a new product that's sure to help us take advantage of all the plastic we're downing each day — eventually. Legendary Korean filmmaker, Director Park Chan-wook, sits down with Ronny Chieng (without any translation help from Ken Jeong) to discuss his new film, "No Other Choice," which he adapted from an American novel. They discuss what attracted him to this story, which follows a devoted company man who is fired and directs his rage toward his competitors on the job market.
#24 - Simu Liu
Season 31 - Episode 10 - Aired 1/21/2026
Trump closes out his first year as president (again) with a finger-crushing book of accomplishments while he leans into his goal for Year 2: acquiring Greenland. Josh Johnson tracks how Trump's mumbling about his need to own "Iceland" in Davos morphed into a vague "concept of a deal" with the president who never hears the word "no." In another edition of Everything Is Stupid, Ronny Chieng details the rise and fall of an alleged scam that anyone with a sane mind could've seen coming: former New York City Mayor Eric Adams's risky unregulated crypto token, which he compared to Betsy Ross before it crashed spectacularly. "The Copenhagen Test" star Simu Liu sits down with Josh Johnson to discuss his new series on Peacock and his upcoming Broadway debut in "Oh, Mary!" He shares what it's like to portray Mary's Teacher on stage, the similarities and differences between acting in film and for a live audience, his experience in stunt performance inspired by the greats like Jackie Chan & Jet Li.
#25 - Tim Blake Nelson
Season 31 - Episode 21 - Aired 2/10/2026
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.