The Daily Show: Ears Edition
Democrats' Cringey Opposition, DEI Ban Black History Quiz | Gabrielle Union
Fri, 28 Feb 2025
Desi Lydic rates the Democratic Party's methods of opposing Trump: from off-key protest chants to interpretive dance to podcasts on the cringe-o-meter. Plus, with so many Dems saying "F**k Trump," Grace Kuhlenschmidt thinks that might just be a great idea. Josh Johnson asks how NYCers honor black history without breaking DEI bans. Actor, producer, and entrepreneur Gabrielle Union sits down with Desi Lydic for a conversation about making the new film she stars in, “Riff Raff,” and how she uses her power as a producer to enact positive change in the industry and uplift people who are typically overlooked. They also discuss Union’s pride in her daughter Zaya’s actvisim work for the queer community and trans rights.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Chapter 1: What are the main themes discussed in this episode?
Welcome to The Daily Show. I'm Desi Lydic. We've got so much to talk about tonight. Democrats can't remember where they put their riz. America whitewashes Black History Month. And Donald Trump loses a fight to a girl. So let's get right into it.
I've been a cop.
Since taking office, Donald Trump and the Republicans have been making a lot of big changes, in the same way that Godzilla made some big changes in Tokyo. But there's also been a liberal opposition growing over the past few weeks. People have started taking to the streets and making their voices heard.
Chapter 2: How are Democrats opposing Trump?
Hundreds of federal employees gathered on Capitol Hill for what they called a rally to save the civil service.
Which side are you on? Which side are you on? We'll fight against Joe's.
We'll fight Elon Musk. Which key are we on? Oh, sorry, but that sounded so bad I had to cleanse my ears with an RFK Jr. speech. Were there any protests that aren't just singing?
There is a unique protest getting underway at the Kennedy Center. Two dance companies are staging a dance protest, as they're calling it, against the Trump administration's recent takeover of the Kennedy Center.
Chapter 3: What is the significance of protest in the current political climate?
We have started to see dancers show up here to the Kennedy Center doing a dance called the Nelken Line. It's by a German dancer that is pretty popular, they tell me.
Is this how white ladies protest now? I demand to dance for the manager. You know what? At least they're getting out there. And these are regular citizens doing their best. It's not their responsibility to block the Trump agenda. That's on the Democratic Party. They have the talent and experience honed from decades of asking me for money. They'll know.
They will know exactly the most effective way to fight Donald Trump.
We need to change the conversation. And that's why I'm launching a new podcast.
Cool. California Governor Gavin Newsom is starting a podcast. I can't believe they rebuilt L.A. that fast. Glad you have the time. I mean, forgive me for not subscribing to the Gavin Newsom pomade hour, but I think the moment calls for a little more than polite conversation, although some Democrats are taking that very literally.
If you could speak directly to Elon Musk, what would you say?
Donald Trump and Elon Musk. I'd say Trump.
Ooh, okay. You guys kissed your lobbyists with that mouth? That's right, the Democratic strategy written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. Look, I get the spirit behind it, but cursing in politics doesn't exactly age well. The Gettysburg Address wouldn't have been the classic it became if it went four score and a f*** ton years ago. Not to mention dropping the F-bomb isn't really for everyone.
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Chapter 4: How does humor play a role in political commentary?
I noticed Congresswoman Maxine Dexter had a little bit of trouble.
I am going to tell you that we do have to... I don't swear in public very well, but we have to f*** Trump.
Oh, you are right. You don't swear in public very well. There are a thousand ways to say f*** you, and you found literally the only wrong one. I mean, unless she meant, we have to Trump. There's a sign-up sheet next to the stage. Suck him off. Suck him off. But not all Democrats are filling up the swear jar. Some have gone much more highbrow with a little resistance wordplay.
Every time you hear Doge, the Department of Government Efficiency, you just remember It is the Department of Government Evil.
DOGE, which actually stands for Destruction of Government by Elon. Just stands for Department of Gutting Education.
Dangerous oligarchs grab everything.
All right. Okay. I see what you did there. I'm just glad that Maxine Dexter didn't join in. She'd be like, more like the Department of Glory-Holing Elon. Oh! So... All right. Shh. This is what happens when you're the party of liberal arts majors. MAGA stormed the Capitol, and Democrats are doing creative writing exercises.
But, hey, if clever acronyms aren't your thing, Democrats are also pulling out some timely pop culture references.
We also know, of course, that Elon Musk is sending his unqualified Doge staff to carry out this agenda across all of these agencies. And in some cases, actually teenage staffers. They're trying to rob you, and they're probably a minor. Thank you, and I yield back.
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Chapter 5: What strategies are being suggested for Democratic success?
Bernie Sanders has been on an anti-oligarchy tour, and his town halls have been drawing huge, huge crowds. Remember, he's been warning us about the oligarchy way before Elon Musk was wearing a MAGA hat, so this really feels like his moment. Too bad he'll be 87 years old by the time the next election rolls around, unless we can give him the substance... I'm halfway through that movie.
I assume it all works out. I'll tell you one Democrat who took it to Trump face to face. The governor of Maine, Janet Mills. Last week, Trump held a meeting at the White House where he called her out for refusing to comply with his ban on trans athletes. And once he did that, she made it clear that she wasn't going to comply with any of his bullshit.
The NCAA has complied immediately, by the way. That's good. But I understand Maine. Is Maine here, the governor? Maine, I am. Yeah, I'm here. Are you not going to comply with it?
I'm complying with state and federal law.
Well, we are the federal law. Well, you better do it. You better do it because you're not going to get any federal funding at all if you don't. And by the way, your population, even though it's somewhat liberal, although I did very well there, your population doesn't want men playing in women's sports. You better comply because otherwise you're not getting any federal funding. See you in court.
Every state. Good, I'll see you in court. I look forward to that. That should be a really easy one.
Yes! Andy Cohen will never make a show just as good as what I just watched. That's how you do it. Forget singing, forget dancing. This is how you confront Trump with tipsy ant energy. Define the issues and force the court to pick a side. No, no, no, no, no, no, no.
Stop that.
Stop that. Stop that. Get it out of here. Stop. For more on the Democratic resistance, let's go to Washington, D.C. with our very own Grace Kuhlenschmidt. Grace, it seems like the governor of Maine has the best strategy here for Democrats. Confront Trump and take him to court.
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Chapter 6: How is Black History Month being affected by current politics?
Grace, that's not how volcanoes or the male body works. Yes, it is.
But maybe if the Democrats f*** him so good, he'll get that post-nut clarity. He'll be like... Wait, why am I cutting funding to stop Ebola? And why is Elon doing here? I hate this guy.
No, Grace, come on. There are better ways to stop Trump than an orgy.
Okay, I didn't say orgy, but I like it. You're a freak. Look, it's not like anything else has worked. Voting didn't work. Indicting him didn't work. They even lost the election after getting an endorsement from America's sweetheart Liz Cheney. The only option left is to run out the clock four to seven minutes at a time. That seems very ambitious. Fine. Three to five minutes at a time.
Chapter 7: How are people adapting to DEI bans in education?
Face it, Desi, you want Dems to take action? They gotta give Trump some action. You want Dems to stop jerking off and get to work? They gotta get to work jerking him off. You want Dems to not blow at their jobs? Yeah, no, I get it. I get where you're going. I get it. I bet you get it, you sex monster. But if this isn't the strategy, I literally don't know what is.
Well, they could just embrace a younger generation who can clearly make the case for a pro-worker, progressive America.
No, I think you were right. Your group f*** fest idea is the only option. No, no, no, no, great. That wasn't my idea.
Forget it. Grace Kuhlenschmidt, everybody. February is Black History Month, but has the Trump administration changed the way we commemorate it? Josh Johnson hit the streets to find out.
What up, world? It's Josh Johnson, and it's also Black History Month. Except this year, Trump is back in the White House, and any mention of anything diverse, equitable, or inclusive, a.k.a. black, is absolutely taboo. So I'm out here to see if we can find some people to help us celebrate the new history month.
I said it.
Can you hit me with the story of Martin Luther King Jr. without saying stuff like or is a tough one.
Okay, so he was a leader of the at the time? You shy away from that word?
I mean, is going to get people asking questions. OK. Tell me the story in a few sentences of Rosa Parks without saying stuff like .
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