The Daily Show: Ears Edition

Episode: Kash Patel Gets Grilled on Epstein & Trump Lives Out His King Fantasies in the U.K. | Cooper Hoffman
Date: September 18, 2025
Host: Desi Lydic (with Lewis Black and news team)
Guest: Cooper Hoffman

Episode Overview

This episode of The Daily Show: Ears Edition dives into the latest headlines, focusing on the lingering Jeffrey Epstein scandal’s impact on Donald Trump, the Congressional grilling of FBI Director Kash Patel, and Trump’s lavish state visit to the UK as he attempts to escape controversy. The episode also features Lewis Black’s “Back in Black” segment, lampooning the viral Labubu toy craze, before wrapping up with an insightful interview with actor Cooper Hoffman about his new film, The Long Walk.

Top Headlines & Key Discussion Points

1. Kash Patel & the Epstein Files

[02:26–04:33]

• Desi Lydic opens with the latest developments tying Donald Trump to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, focusing on Congressional testimony by FBI Director Kash Patel.
• Patel is mocked for his evasive and awkward handling of questions regarding how many times Trump’s name appears in the Epstein files.
• Notable banter between Kash Patel (portrayed comedically) and questioners, with Lewis Black and Cooper Hoffman riffing on legalese and Patel’s unconvincing answers.

Quote:
"That's maybe the most offensive thing you could say to me."
—Lewis Black (as Kash Patel), [03:42]

• The running joke becomes how many times Trump’s name is found in the files, with Patel consistently dodging specifics.

Quote:
"The President's name appears in the pedophile sex crime report a normal number of times, okay? Somewhere between one and... hey, look over there."
—Desi Lydic, [04:33]

2. Trump’s State Visit to the UK

[05:01–09:13]

• Trump departs for the UK, described as his “happy place,” fleeing scrutiny at home.
• Emphasized is Trump’s love of royal treatment and his claims of personal closeness to King Charles, with jokes about the competitive nature of British palaces.

Quote:
"Well, my relationship is very good with the UK. And Charles, as you know, who's now King, is my friend."
—Lewis Black (as Trump), [05:32]

• The show pokes fun at Trump’s obsession with “ultimate” castles and VIP honors.
• During the visit, chaos follows—even Air Force One has a close call with Spirit Airlines.

Quote:
"It's Spirit Airlines. How's the pilot gonna Google how to fly a plane?"
—Desi Lydic, [07:03]

• British protestors project Trump’s image beside Epstein’s onto Windsor Castle, underscoring he can’t escape scandal even overseas.

Quote:
"Donald Trump went all the way to England and still couldn't escape the Epstein scandal that haunts him back home? I mean, come on!”
—Desi Lydic, [08:47]

3. Lewis Black’s ‘Back in Black’: The Labubu Craze

[10:13–17:02]

• Lewis Black returns with a fiery rant targeting adult collectors obsessed with Labubu, the season’s viral toy.
• He skewers the toy’s aesthetics, wild demand, thefts, and rumors of demonic possession associated with it.

Quote:
"What the is a Labubu? ... They're not even cute. It's just a Teletubby on meth. They're what Marjorie Taylor Greene thinks Jews look like."
—Lewis Black, [11:22]

• Describes adults waiting in line for Labubu, customizing with designer outfits, and even performing exorcisms to “cleanse” the dolls.
• Jokes about criminal behavior, likening Labubu thefts to more serious crimes.

Quote:
"If something is highly coveted, don't leave it out and dangling. Have you learned nothing from Lenny Kravitz's penis?"
—Lewis Black, [14:30]

• Closes with tongue-in-cheek promotion:

"Introducing my officially branded Lewis Black Lou Boo Boos. Available in angry, very angry, and horny... Give me your money, assholes."
—Lewis Black, [16:45]

4. Interview: Cooper Hoffman on 'The Long Walk'

[18:18–25:57]

• Desi Lydic welcomes actor Cooper Hoffman, star of the new film The Long Walk, adapted from Stephen King’s first novel.
• They discuss Hoffman’s auspicious start (breakthrough in Licorice Pizza) and the challenge of filming the physically demanding new project—walking 15 miles per day, one long take at a time.

Quote:
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's crazy that, like, I'm very privileged and lucky to have that one as my first ever acting job."
—Cooper Hoffman, [19:15]

• The conversation explores the film’s dark premise (a dystopian competition where kids walk to survive), but also its theme of hope and human connection.

Quote:
"Do you want to walk with me for a while?...I really do appreciate that line in the movie because it does feel like the heart of it, of, like, within this darkness, what kind of light do you find?"
—Cooper Hoffman, [22:15]

• Hoffman reflects on the importance of friendship and empathy in bleak times—both in the film and in real life.

Quote:
"Life is so terrifying and scary...to have someone walking beside you doing that with you is a really nice thing."
—Cooper Hoffman, [23:13]

• The duo also jokes about Hoffman’s 1970s-era on-screen vibe and dreams of performing in various eras.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote/Highlight | |-----------|-----------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:42 | Lewis Black (Patel) | "That's maybe the most offensive thing you could say to me." | | 04:33 | Desi Lydic | "Somewhere between one and... hey, look over there." (On Trump's name in Epstein files) | | 05:32 | Lewis Black (Trump) | "Well, my relationship is very good with the UK. And Charles, as you know, who's now King, is my friend." | | 07:03 | Desi Lydic | "It's Spirit Airlines. How's the pilot gonna Google how to fly a plane?" | | 11:22 | Lewis Black | "It's just a Teletubby on meth. They're what Marjorie Taylor Greene thinks Jews look like." | | 14:30 | Lewis Black | "If something is highly coveted, don't leave it out and dangling. Have you learned nothing from Lenny Kravitz's penis?" | | 22:15 | Cooper Hoffman | "Do you want to walk with me for a while?...within this darkness, what kind of light do you find?" | | 23:13 | Cooper Hoffman | "Life is so terrifying and scary...to have someone walking beside you doing that with you is a really nice thing." |

Segment Timestamps

• Kash Patel/Epstein Scandal: [02:26–05:01]
• Trump’s UK Visit: [05:01–09:13]
• Lewis Black on Labubu (Back in Black): [10:13–17:02]
• Cooper Hoffman Interview: [18:18–25:57]

Episode Tone

The episode is sharp-witted, irreverent, and satirical—true to The Daily Show’s spirit. Desi Lydic and Lewis Black mix biting political commentary, absurdist humor, and passionate rants, while Cooper Hoffman brings earnestness and insight in his segment.

Summary

For listeners craving a hilarious yet pointed breakdown of the latest political drama—along with a detour into pop culture oddities and an engaging celebrity interview—this episode balances it all with the signature Daily Show blend of satire, skepticism, and humanity.