Podcast Summary: The Daily Show: Ears Edition

Episode: MTG Claps Back at Trump as House Votes to Release Epstein Files | Hikari
Date: November 19, 2025
Host: Ronny Chieng (and The Daily Show team)
Guest: Hikari, award-winning filmmaker
Special Segments: Commentary from Leslie Jones, field reporting by Josh Johnson
Theme: Satirical analysis of current political news (Epstein files, MTG vs Trump, Saudi relations), air travel woes, and a conversation about connection with filmmaker Hikari.

Overview

This episode is a classic Daily Show blend of sharp political satire, investigative comedy, and current event commentary. The team covers the House’s unanimous vote to release Jeffrey Epstein’s files, the unexpected political rift between Marjorie Taylor Greene (MTG) and Donald Trump, and Trump's relations with foreign leaders. Comic relief breaks up the heavy headlines, with Leslie Jones diving into the miseries of holiday air travel. The show concludes with an insightful interview with Japanese-American filmmaker Hikari about her movie "Rental Family," exploring Japan's unique surrogate family industry and the universal need for connection.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Epstein Files Release & Political Fallout

[01:04–09:37]

• House Votes to Release Epstein Files:
  • The House passes a vote (427–1) to release the DOJ’s Epstein files.
  • Only Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA) votes no, prompting Ronny to joke, “Does Clay Higgins represent the 3rd congressional district of Epstein Island?” [04:32]
• Trump’s Flip-flopping:
  • Trump first tried to block the release, then changed stances when defeat was obvious.
  • Satirical take on Trump’s handling: “He tried persuading Republicans, then he tried threatening them, then he pointed up at the sky and went ‘whoa, what’s over there?’” [03:42]
• Marjorie Taylor Greene (MTG) Claps Back:
  • Despite being a Trump loyalist, MTG votes for the files' release. Trump labels her a “traitor,” leading her to fire back:

    “A traitor is an American that serves foreign countries and themselves.” — MTG [05:44]

  • Ronny lampoons her sudden anti-Trump stance and likens her transformation to being bitten by a radioactive Rachel Maddow [06:12].

2. Trump & MBS: America First… or Saudi First?

[06:41–08:24]

• Trump’s Deference to Saudi Crown Prince:
  • Hikari notes Trump “rolled out the red carpet” for MBS [06:41].
  • Ronny mocks Trump’s etiquette, “Why are you asking him about the journalist he bone sawed?” [07:20].
• Shifting Blame for Epstein Scandal:
  • Trump claims the Epstein files are “a Democrat problem,” reframing responsibility [09:06].
  • Interview parody: Josh Johnson doubles down on this deflection, satirizing the right’s talking points and absurd rumors (e.g., Clinton and Summers “double-teaming a goat”) [09:51].

3. Satirical Segment: Penny Abolishment & Government Delay

[09:48–11:37]

• Parody news: Trump wants to get rid of pennies, but keeps finding reasons to delay the release of incriminating files.
  • “He wants it out there now... right after the House signs the petition so the Senate can sign the petition…” — Josh Johnson [11:13]
• Satire on bureaucracy and political grandstanding.

4. Leslie Jones on Thanksgiving, Air Travel & the FAA

[13:44–21:21]

• Thanksgiving Gripes:
  • Leslie lampoons the holiday as “just a meal where families argue over which race should be deported next” [13:47].
• First Class vs Economy:
  • Complains about travel “hacks,” and jokes that the only real solution is to “be rich, bitch” [15:34].
• Airlines' Extravagance:
  • Skewers luxury airline features (caviar, champagne, pyjamas), noting “farts are immediately vacuumed back to the economy class” [16:08].
• Air Traffic Controller Crisis:
  • Points to dangerous staff fatigue and obsolete FAA technology (“1950s technology. Bitch, my Tamagotchi is newer than that.”) [19:36]
  • Suggests airlines could recycle confiscated TSA cocaine to perk up overworked controllers [18:32].
  • Concludes airlines should pamper air traffic controllers, not just passengers.

5. Interview: Hikari on "Rental Family," Japanese Surrogate Family Services, and Cultural Connections

[22:25–35:28]

Hikari’s Journey to America:

• Moved from Japan to Utah at 17 for the “American Dream”— inspired by Hollywood movies (not news) [24:16].

  “I wanted to get on the yellow school bus… I just watched all the heartwarming, good feeling, good movies.” – Hikari [24:21]

• Initial passion in theater and photography, eventually leading to filmmaking at USC [25:10].

Rental Family: Exploring Japan’s Surrogate Family Business

• The film follows a white actor in Tokyo (Brendan Fraser) who joins a "rental family" business (agencies that hire actors to stand-in as relatives) [26:54].
• Hikari explains the real phenomenon of renting surrogate family members to fill emotional needs due to loneliness. Anecdotes include:

  “There’s a guy called 'Mr. Do Nothing.' He doesn’t… his job is just sit next to you and just, like, eat ramen with you.” – Hikari [30:24]

• Even Hikari, as a Japanese person, found the existence of such businesses shocking (“I was just like, what the f*** is happening?”) [29:06].

On Making the Film & Its Message

• Chose narrative fiction over documentary out of love for cinema and to universalize the story [31:15].
• The movie’s theme: “This movie talks about the importance of having this true connection… Even though you’re not related, it’s a found family that they create.” [32:52]
• On balancing Japanese and English in the script: “I just kind of let it be… I wanted to make this movie for the world.” [33:45]
• Directed one of her acting heroes, Akira Emoto (making him audition at 77!) [34:28–34:51].

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Larry Summers and Epstein:

  “Larry Summers just asked Harvard to do a study on how to make you…” — Ronny Chieng [02:31] “Here’s a tip on girls: they don’t like guys who talk like Yoda.” — Ronny Chieng [02:38]

• On Trump’s Deflections:

  “Don’t talk about it too much 'cause honestly, I don’t want to take it away from us. It’s really a Democrat problem.” — Trump Impressionist [09:06]

• On FAA Technology:

  "1950s technology. Bitch, my Tamagotchi is newer than that." — Leslie Jones [19:36]

• On Surrogate Family Services:

  “They’re focusing so much on luxury, they’re forgetting the most important part of luxury: getting from A to B in one piece. It doesn’t matter how much my seat reclines if I’m using it as a flotation device.” — Leslie Jones [20:58]

• On the Universal Desire for Connection:

  “People are like, always constantly talking through phones or computers. There’s always something between us. But this movie talks about the importance of having this true connection…” — Hikari [32:52]

Important Timestamps

• 01:04 – Show opens, covers Epstein files and House vote
• 05:44 – MTG’s response to Trump calling her a traitor
• 06:41 – Trump’s relationship with MBS
• 09:33 – Josh Johnson on Trump’s shifting positions
• 13:44 – Leslie Jones segment on Thanksgiving/air travel begins
• 17:51 – FAA controller crisis & tech woes
• 22:25 – Interview with Hikari begins
• 26:54 – Hikari explains rental family business concept
• 29:47 – Discussion of loneliness epidemic in Japan
• 31:15 – Why Hikari shot a narrative film vs documentary
• 32:52 – On the universal themes of connection in "Rental Family"
• 34:23 – Directing Akira Emoto, Japanese acting legend

Tone & Style

• The show maintains its trademark satirical, irreverent humor, often punctuated by parody impressions (especially Trump).
• Leslie Jones delivers unfiltered comic commentary, mixing personal anecdotes with biting social critique.
• Hikari’s interview is earnest, thoughtful, and frequently self-effacing, offsetting the otherwise raucous tone of the episode.

Conclusion

This episode offers a biting, laughter-filled take on headline politics, the absurdity of political loyalty shifts, and the darkly comic side of US-Saudi relations. Leslie Jones brings razor-sharp wit about Thanksgiving and air travel’s class divide, while Hikari provides a heartfelt counterpoint, discussing loneliness, connection, and the making of her new film "Rental Family." The episode is a dense blend of comedy, social commentary, and poignant exploration of what it means to feel connected in a disconnected world.