Republicans Desperately Spin Yemen Group Chat Fumble | Mayor Michelle Wu

Summary

The Daily Show: Ears Edition – Episode Summary

Release Date: March 26, 2025
Title: Republicans Desperately Spin Yemen Group Chat Fumble | Mayor Michelle Wu
Host/Authors: Ronny Chieng, Roy Choi, and Jordan Klepper

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I. Opening Segment: Trump Administration’s Group Chat Security Lapse

The episode kicks off with Ronny Chieng and Roy Choi delving into a significant security breach within President Donald Trump's administration. The discussion centers around Secretary of Defense Peter Hagseth's inadvertent inclusion of journalist Jeffrey Goldberg in a Signal group chat intended for planning a large-scale attack on Yemen.

Key Points:

• Operational Security (OPSEC) Failure: Hagseth shared tactical details such as "forthcoming strikes, weapons deploying, and attack sequencing" (01:25) on the encrypted app Signal, mistakenly adding Goldberg to the conversation.

• Implications of the Breach: Roy Choi emphasizes the gravity of the situation, stating, “This shows a major lapse in national security” (02:07), and humorously compares it to personal group chat leaks, highlighting the sensitivity of such information.

Notable Quote:

Roy Choi (02:00): "You think that's funny, don't you? That the stupid Secretary of Defense is so stupid... they texted while clean on OPSEC with a reporter in the group chat?"

II. Comedic Critique and Analysis

The hosts transition into a comedic critique of the incident, focusing on the absurdity of using emojis for serious military communications and the overall incompetence displayed by the administration.

Highlights:

• Emoji Misuse in Warfare: The hosts mock the use of emojis like "fist the flag 🔥" for planning military actions, questioning the appropriateness and clarity of such communications (03:50).

• Accountability and Mistakes: Roy Choi challenges the notion that acknowledging a mistake should suffice, drawing parallels to everyday errors and emphasizing the disproportionate response to this security breach (05:22).

Notable Quote:

Ronny Chieng (04:54): "It's a mistake and it happens. Yeah, it was a mistake and we gotta move on."

III. Speculation on Journalistic Integrity

The conversation shifts to theorizing whether Goldberg fabricated the incident, casting doubt on his credibility and the reliability of the report.

Key Points:

• Questioning the Reporter: Roy Choi accuses Goldberg of being a "deceitful and highly discredited so-called journalist" (08:32), suggesting potential motives behind the leak.

• Impact on National Security Perception: The hosts discuss the broader impact of such reports on public trust in national security measures and journalism.

Notable Quote:

Roy Choi (08:32): "You're talking about a deceitful and highly discredited so-called journalist who's made a profession of peddling hoaxes time and time again."

IV. Transition to Sports: March Madness Commentary

Shifting gears, the hosts engage in a humorous analysis of the March Madness tournament, lamenting the lack of unexpected upsets and excitement typically associated with the event.

Highlights:

• Predictability of the Tournament: Roy Choi remarks on the "tame" start, noting that a high number of top-seeded teams have dominated the first rounds (12:16).

• Amir Khan’s Rise: The spotlight turns to Amir Khan, McNeese State’s student manager, whose viral moments have garnered significant attention and endorsement deals (14:55).

Notable Quote:

Roy Choi (13:23): "Wow, just like Jordan over here. This year's tournament sucks."

V. Exclusive Interview: Mayor Michelle Wu of Boston

The latter half of the episode features an in-depth interview with Mayor Michelle Wu, celebrating her historic election as Boston’s first female and Asian mayor. The conversation explores her background, motivations, and the challenges she faces in leading a diverse and dynamic city.

Key Sections:

1. Background and Rise to Mayorship (20:28 - 22:00):

   • Mayor Wu shares her immigrant family roots, educational journey through Harvard Law School, and personal experiences that fueled her passion for public service.
   • Emphasis on community support and the importance of accessible healthcare and education (21:25).

2. Leadership Philosophy and Community Engagement (22:04 - 26:50):

   • Wu discusses her approach to inclusive governance, highlighting neighborhood meetings and policies aimed at affordable housing and public safety.
   • She underscores the significance of making everyone feel part of the decision-making process, fostering a sense of belonging and collective responsibility (25:10).

3. Addressing Political Polarization (27:29 - 31:59):

   • In response to Roy Choi’s skepticism about Democratic outreach, Wu explains Boston’s diverse electorate and the city’s commitment to safety and inclusivity.
   • She debunks myths linking immigration to crime, advocating for evidence-based policies that support immigrant communities as integral to the city’s prosperity (30:40).

Notable Quotes:

Mayor Michelle Wu (26:18): "Everyone has to feel part of the decisions that are being made."

Roy Choi (24:44): "How do you connect to what seems like a large percentage of your constituency that probably voted Republican and MAGA and Trump?"

Mayor Wu (31:59): "We're really focused on being that home for everyone... It’s about a false narrative that immigrants are somehow more likely to commit crimes or cause harm. And that is just simply not true."

VI. Closing Remarks and Reflections

The episode concludes with the hosts reflecting on the interview, reiterating Mayor Wu’s dedication to her role despite widespread political disillusionment. They humorously navigate the complexities of political leadership and public perception, ultimately appreciating Wu’s efforts to bridge community divides.

Final Thoughts:

• The hosts recognize the challenges faced by modern politicians in maintaining public trust and effectively addressing diverse community needs.
• They commend Mayor Wu’s proactive engagement and transparent policies as a model for contemporary governance.

Notable Quote:

Roy Choi (35:28): "Thank you for making the city of Boston great. Appreciate all you do. I know it's a very thankless task."

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Conclusion

This episode of The Daily Show: Ears Edition masterfully intertwines sharp political satire with insightful discussions on national security, media credibility, and effective leadership. Through comedic banter and a substantive interview with Mayor Michelle Wu, the hosts offer listeners a nuanced perspective on current events and exemplary public service. Whether dissecting a high-profile security breach or celebrating groundbreaking political achievements, the episode delivers both laughs and thoughtful commentary, enriching listeners' understanding of the intricate dynamics shaping today’s political landscape.

Transcript

[Ronny Chieng]

You're listening to Comedy Central from the most trusted journalists at Comedy Central. It's America's only source for news. This is the Daily show with your host, Ronnie F.

[Roy Choi]

Hey, welcome to the Daily Show. I'm Ronny Chang. We got so much to talk about tonight, so let's get right into today's top story. I know you goddamn hippies like to blame Donald Trump for everything up in the country, but hey, not everything that happens is his fault. He has a whole administration that can up for him. So let's find out the latest in our new segment. The worst.

[Jordan Klepper]

What a bunch of losers.

[Roy Choi]

By now we all know the story about how Trump's team included a reporter in their war planning group chat. And we don't need to hear it again, but it is super funny. So let's hear about it again this morning.

[Ronny Chieng]

Fallout from that stunning lapse in national security. Secretary of Defense Peter Pete Hagseth, along with other top members of President Trump's national security team, sharing details about a planned large scale attack on Yemen earlier this month on the commercial message app Signal, and inadvertently including journalist Jeffrey Goldberg. On that chain, Hegseth shared operational details of forthcoming strikes, weapons deploying, and attack sequencing. Goldberg also reported that when it comes.

[Roy Choi]

To security, Hexseth wrote at one point.

[Ronny Chieng]

We are currently clean on opsec. That's the acronym used for operational security.

[Roy Choi]

Oh, ha ha, ha, ha ha. You think that's funny, don't you? That the stupid Secretary of Defense is so stupid and all drunk that he texted while clean on OPSEC when there's a reporter, right in the group chat? Yeah, well, laugh it up, people, because unlike you, I have human empathy for these people who are just trying their best to kill other humans. All right? And I guarantee if anyone in this audience had their group chats leaked, it would ruin every single one of your lives. I personally have chats that are actually more sensitive than a missile attack on the Houthis. Okay, if you told me that my group chats leaked and then told me it was just my missile attack one, I'd be like, oh, my God. Thank God, thank God. And by the way, it wasn't even Pete Hegseth who added him. It was some other incompetent guy at the highest levels of government. Okay, like what you think Hegseth has the editor of the Atlantic magazine saved in his phone? No way. All right, if Hegseth Auto filled a contact into a group chat, it would be like Tampa Bay blonde with Bugs Bunny tattoo. But still, you gotta ask, how did this happen? I mean, don't you guys have tech support in the government? I mean, what? Oh, oh, okay, well. Okay, well, if you ask me, adding a reporter wasn't even the embarrassing thing to happen on this group chat.

[Jordan Klepper]

According to Goldberg, the administration officials reacting after the strikes.

[Ronny Chieng]

Excellent. A good start. Waltz. Even sending several emojis.

[Roy Choi]

Is anyone else kind of upset that we're conducting war by emoji now? I mean, what. What does this even mean? What, I'm gonna fist the flag and then light it on fire? Like there's a reason why you don't use emojis for life and death situations. It's too open to interpretation. Okay, like, imagine if your doctor texted you a crab emoji, right? And now you're going, oh, my God, I have crabs. And your doctor has to be like, lol. No, it's the astrology sign for cancer. You have cancer. But now everyone is yelling at them about this breach of national security or whatever, and the Department of Defense is having trouble defending themselves. Luckily, all of MAGA is there to help them. Counter argument one, nobody's perfect.

[Ronny Chieng]

Well, it's a mistake. You know, we make mistakes. We all make mistakes. That's right. It made a mistake and it happens. Yeah, look, it's a mistake and we gotta move on. Well, it was a mistake. Like I said before, it was a mistake. Everyone makes mistakes. Is that sufficient accountability to you to recognize that someone made a mistake and moving on? Because I don't see that same standard being held. Boris gave me the sound bite already. I gave you the sound bite already.

[Roy Choi]

Boris, I gave you the sound bite. Stop asking follow up questions. If I wanted to talk to a journalist, I'd be on a private have a group chat with Pete Hegseth. Okay, cut it out. Like, come on. What, we're just calling this a mistake now? Like, look, my doordasher for getting straws is a mistake that can be rectified with one star and no tip. Okay, but this feels like a major up, and they're acting like nobody will care about this. And honestly, they're probably right. I mean, nothing seems to matter anymore anyway. And everyone will forget this in a few days when Trump sends the new Snow White to Gitmo. And even if they didn't accidentally add a journalist into this group chat, they weren't supposed to be talking about this stuff on Signal in the first place. Okay, Signal might be a good app for you and me and our local drug dealer, but it's not for the Pentagon to plan wars on.

[Jordan Klepper]

One former White House official told Politico their personal phones are all hackable, and it's highly likely that foreign intelligence services are sitting on their phones watching them type the shit out.

[Roy Choi]

That's right. Foreign adversaries could be watching whatever Pete Hegseth types into his phone, like bar near me or how to fool breathalyzer or how to uncrash car. But if you're not satisfied with it, it was just a mistake. They have another defense. It was just a mistake. That was awesome.

[Ronny Chieng]

The bigger takeaway for me is it's an insight, a transparent insight into the thought process and dialogue of our national leaders. If you read the content of these messages, I think you'll come away proud that these are the leaders making these decisions in America. What you did see, though, I think was top level officials doing their job, doing it well, and executing on a plan with precision.

[Roy Choi]

Wait, precision? I mean, even your techs weren't hitting the intended targets. All right, like, like, forget the Houthis. I'm surprised they didn't accidentally blow up Hootie and the Blowfish. This is like if your sex tape leaked and you're like, hey, I'm glad you saw all of it. Okay? This proves my dick works. By the way, Mike Johnson, if you're watching a sex tape is when two people love each other very, but they also want to masturbate later. Just to summarize, the Trump administration admitted this happened, but it was a small mistake and it was a good thing that it happened. But also, what if the reporter made the whole thing up?

[Ronny Chieng]

Not a good reporter. Jeffrey Goldberg from the Atlantic, one of the biggest hoax artists around, happened. No, the guy's a total sleazebag. The Atlantic. The Atlantic is a failed magazine, does very, very poorly.

[Roy Choi]

You're talking about a deceitful and highly discredited so called journalist who's made a profession of peddling hoaxes time and time again.

[Ronny Chieng]

This is the guy that peddles in garbage, right?

[Roy Choi]

So this reporter who is dishonest and sucks is also correct. And also, we added him to our group chat because he's a fun hang. I mean, you can't use. It was a mistake and it was fake news. You gotta pick one, okay? You gotta get together and figure it out. Okay, but not in a group chat. No more group chats. But you know, but you know. You know what? All's well that ends well. The good news is that no one got hurt except for the people of Yemen. And I guess it'll be okay as long as everyone involved learned Their lesson.

[Ronny Chieng]

Peter, exit question, and I don't know if you know the answer. Are they ever going to use signal again for something like this? It seems like, yes, they will. Okay, good enough.

[Roy Choi]

Okay, good enough. Yep.

[Ronny Chieng]

Good.

[Roy Choi]

Good, good, good. We solved it. Good. Of course, everyone is wondering what this scandal means for America's national security under Donald Trump. But there's another important question. What does it mean for journalism? And the answer is something that's gonna make a great movie.

[Ronny Chieng]

Last time, the president broke into Watergate. This time, he's gonna steal the whole damn hotel. My God, I can't believe it. It's not about what you believe. It's about the truth. Little intense reporting. This story will take all the skills you have.

[Roy Choi]

All right, I'm gonna hit the streets.

[Ronny Chieng]

Work the phones, meet sources at underground parking garages. Oh, wait, the President just added me to a group chat. I have the whole thing right here. What? No, that's too easy. I got you this whole disguise. Yeah, I don't need it. It's all here. Break in plans, cover up payments. Whoa. What? It's a lot of dick pics. But we have a source. In a trench coat.

[Roy Choi]

Follow the money.

[Ronny Chieng]

Yeah, we don't need to. They posted the checks. Wow, a lot of dick pics. This doesn't make sense. Why would they just add you to. Oh, they added me, too. After we steal the hotel, let's bomb emoji, Iran flag emoji. Then we all rain spurt emoji, bitches. Do we even have to write the story? I think we can just put out the screenshots. That doesn't really sound like work. Maybe if you put on the disguise. Yeah, this is better.

[Roy Choi]

Drinks.

[Ronny Chieng]

Yeah, that's a lot of dicks.

[Roy Choi]

Get all the Oscars.

[Ronny Chieng]

Now.

[Roy Choi]

When we come back, Jordan and I get mad about March Madness, so don't go away. Welcome back to the Daily Show. I think I speak for everyone when I say politics drools and sports rules. For a full recap of the biggest stories in the world of jocks and straps, we turn to Sports War.

[Ronny Chieng]

Get ready for battle. It's time for Sports War, brought to you by gambling. Gambling, the addiction of champions.

[Roy Choi]

What's up, numb nuts? I'm Roy Chan.

[Ronny Chieng]

And I'm Jordan Klepper. This is sportswar, the show where we are legally not allowed to agree with each other. For example, if I say that athletes should be allowed to take steroids to.

[Roy Choi]

Get bigger, then I say that athletes should be getting smaller, like Ant Man. I want teeny, tiny, little athletes that's nuts, Ronnie.

[Ronny Chieng]

Come on. How would they even pick up a basketball?

[Roy Choi]

Well, ants can lift 50 times their body weight. Try culturing yourself and watching a Marvel movie, you moron.

[Ronny Chieng]

I watched your Marvel movie. What was it called? Nobody remembers.

[Roy Choi]

Oh, really? Well, how many Marvel movies were you in?

[Ronny Chieng]

I'm more of a theater guy, thank you very much. Ibsen. Or something like that. Anyway, let's start things off with March Madness. The time of year when people yell Gonzaga. And not just during orgasm. But this year, the ides of March didn't bring much of the madness.

[Jordan Klepper]

It's actually been an oddly tame start to March Madness.

[Roy Choi]

We didn't get those typical upsets that.

[Ronny Chieng]

We'Re used to it.

[Roy Choi]

The top four seeds in each region, a combined 160 in the first round for the first time since 2017.

[Jordan Klepper]

Of the first 32 games in the first round, 20 were won by double digits.

[Roy Choi]

Wow, just like Jordan over here. This year's tournament sucks.

[Ronny Chieng]

Okay, we get it, we get it, we get it, okay?

[Roy Choi]

Where's the drama? Where's the crazy upsets? The only reason I watch these games is to see Duke fans crying to their ascots. Where are my Cinderella stories at? Usually there's at least one fairytale underdog with a starting lineup of guys that all have heart conditions and whose team is just integrated for the first time.

[Ronny Chieng]

Ronny, I can't tell which is more busted, your bracket or your face. Look, this has been an incredible tournament. I only want to watch major colleges, not some team like Mount Sinai bum getting shellacked by a top dog in the sweet 16. Honestly, this is the most excited I've been for a sweet 16 since Ronnie's quinceanera.

[Roy Choi]

Okay, quinceanera is at 15, pendejo. Also, mi quincendera muy eggsilante.

[Ronny Chieng]

Wow, that layover in Madrid did some wonders, Ronnie. Which brings us to our super sweet 16 bet of the night. Which college mascot will be the first to do over the pants stuff at the. As always brought to you by gambling, it's the fun way to sell your house.

[Roy Choi]

Moving on. Despite the lack of March Madness upsets, there was one Cinderella story that the entire world could get behind.

[Ronny Chieng]

One of the biggest stars of March Madness in the men's side isn't even a player. 12 seed McNeese State's Cinderella run is over, but people fell in love with their student manager, Amir Khan, AKA Ara. He's like their hype man. Popularity reportedly landing amir at least 10 nil deals with major brands earning into the six figures. Khan going viral this season for leading his team out to play carrying a boombox. K, I love this kid. Ora Khan deserves these endorsement deals because he's done the impossible. He put McNeese on the map before Khan. I thought McNeese was the name of the third Culkin brother. Now. Now I know it's the best school in the state. I want to say McNeese. I don't know.

[Roy Choi]

Jordan, did your brain tear its ACL? Okay, we shouldn't be giving an equipment manager endorsement deals. It's against the natural order of things. The jocks get the endorsement deals and the glory. And the girls and the nerds get to get beat up by the jocks. Then start social media companies that warp the brains of the jocks to eventually vote against their own interests. Which brings us to my bracket buster. Better the night random nerd will get an endorsement deal. Next. Brought to you by Gambling. Gambling. As Thomas Jefferson once said, it ain't gay if it's a parlay. Now it's time for our sportswar halftime report with Grace Kuhlensmith.

[Ronny Chieng]

Thanks, Ronnie. So far, it's been a pretty underwhelming performance by both hosts. There is one major upset to report. I'm very upset. I had to witness.

[Jordan Klepper]

But now I'd like to give everyone.

[Ronny Chieng]

An update on the NCAA women's basketball tournament. Thanks, Grace. Wow. Of course. Whoa. About to blow my brains out over there. Yikes. Yeah. Wanna come right to the line? Oh. Anyway.

[Roy Choi]

Whoo.

[Ronny Chieng]

Moving on from the balls on the court to balls off the court, away from the basketball arenas, a different kind of March madness is underway. Every year around this time, doctors see a surge in men scheduling vasectomies. Men figure if they're gonna be laid up on the couch for a couple of days, it might as well be at a time when there's something to watch on TV. Like 48 basketball games in four days. Urologists are catching on, even offering deals with slogans like, it's hip to get snipped. Others offer basketball shaped I. Bravo.

[Roy Choi]

Bravo. I love dudes. This is exactly what vasectomies are all about. Watching sports alone with a bag of frozen peas on your junk. I mean, me. I'm on my 11th vasectomy this year.

[Ronny Chieng]

Is that why you missed my wedding?

[Roy Choi]

No, I missed it because I don't like seeing you happy, okay?

[Ronny Chieng]

Right. Look much like your penis. Your argument is completely mangled. Look, these vasectomies are a disaster. If people are having vasectomies, they aren't having kids. If People aren't having kids, then those kids aren't playing sports. And if they're not playing sports, then I can't bet on their Little League games. Now I look like a psycho betting on Little League games when there's no children on the field. I'm not a psycho, Ronnie. I just need little arlo to bat over.500 so daddy can get back to even. Which brings me to my ball buster bet of the night. Will the Bakersfield Junior Astros score more than 22 runs in the Pee Wee quarterfinals? Brought to you by gambling. It's like a vasectomy for your wallet.

[Roy Choi]

Okay, before we go, let's throw it back to Grace for our post game report.

[Ronny Chieng]

Thanks, Ronnie. Looking at the numbers, we had three swear words, 17 dick jokes, and two men wasting what little life they have left. And now a quick update on the women's bracket.

[Jordan Klepper]

Thank you.

[Ronny Chieng]

That's it. That's all the time. We join us next week when we debate whether Vanessa Trump would look better with Tiger woods or Tony the Tiger.

[Roy Choi]

Okay. It's hard to say, Jordan. Tony the Tiger is a massive dog. All right? I've seen it when you eat cereal. He's naked. He's naked. Welcome back to the Daily Show. My guest tonight is the first woman, first Asian, first Michelle to be elected mayor of Bastard. Please welcome Mayor Michelle Wo. Standing ovation, Yo. Standing ovation in New York for the mayor of Boston. That's very hard to get. That's the first time I did. Yeah. Love you. I don't usually make demographics such a big deal, but, like, how did you become mayor?

[Jordan Klepper]

You know, many days I asked Boston of Boston. I asked myself that question, too, but what's the answer?

[Roy Choi]

How did you.

[Jordan Klepper]

So I grew up in an immigrant family and. And it was never, ever in the list of things that you were supposed to think about or do. I just did what my parents wanted. Worked hard, played piano, played badminton, did all the things.

[Roy Choi]

Yeah. Went to Harvard, went to Harvard Law School.

[Jordan Klepper]

And so I found my way to Boston for school. And in the midst of all that, my mom began to really struggle with mental health challenges. So I found myself in my early 20s raising my two younger sisters, taking care of my mom. And Boston has really given me everything that I cherish in my life. The healthcare that saved my mom's life, the schools that helped me and my family get to where we are. And now I get to raise my family with my husband Connor. We have two boys in the schools, a two month old little girl, and it's the best City in the world.

[Roy Choi]

Okay, okay, that's great. First of all, first of all, New York forever. And second of all, second of all, so how did you become the mayor of Boston? You still haven't answered. Like, I don't know if you've been to Boston, but this is not the demographic for mayor of Boston. Like, you came to my show when I was there, when I was doing Stand up there. You were very nice. You came store shows at Wilbur. Not to brag. And you came, and my DJ was there. My DJ is like a Chicago Korean American guy. And I was like, oh, that's the mayor of Boston. And he was like, what?

[Jordan Klepper]

You might be surprised by Boston next time you come. We'll have to take you around a little more.

[Roy Choi]

But how did you convince these guys.

[Jordan Klepper]

We'Re an incredibly diverse, welcoming, beautiful city? Okay, that's nice. We are majority people of color. We're 28% people born from another country. And Boston is a place where people have always come for almost 400 years to make good in the world, but also. Okay, don't make me go against New York here. Better sports teams, better quality.

[Roy Choi]

They gave you a standing ovation. Why did you. No, no, this isn't about New York.

[Jordan Klepper]

This.

[Roy Choi]

This is not about New York versus Boston. Cause New York is clearly better. I'm saying. I'm saying. No, no, no. It's not about that. It's not about who's a better city, which we clearly are. It's more that. How did you get those guys to vote for you? Because that's. This is not the demographic that. How did you convince them to put you in charge?

[Jordan Klepper]

I've been through a lot with my family, and in those hardest moments, it often felt like government was the place we had to fight against instead of something to help us through, you know, in the middle of the emergency room or. Or trying to navigate the school system. And there are so many families out there who are working their hardest, trying to do their best. And in many ways, we just have to make sure that the supports that are needed are not only there, funded, but also connected to every community. That's what I've been fighting for. I got to serve on the city council for eight years, and that's why.

[Roy Choi]

I ran for mayor. Okay. But right now, it feels like everyone. You know, politicians. Everyone hates politicians now more than ever. Like, why did you get, like, what made you want to put yourself out there to get into this? You know, it's a very thankless job.

[Jordan Klepper]

It's not a new thing. I would say, I remember all the time growing up, my parents would say to me and my siblings, we hate the mayor in Mandarin. When you become, when you grow up, get a job that pays well, is very stable, and won't get you in trouble. So I've now been dragged before Congress, threatened with criminal prosecution, Working really hard, but at the end of the day, this is where it matters. All of the programs that we put in place to keep the streets clean, to make our schools actually supportive for our students, to protect people in our communities in a really scary moment. That is what city government is for sure.

[Roy Choi]

And so again, like you, you, I think you won your. I had 64% of the vote. Is that right? Is that wrong? So you're incredibly popular in Boston and they trust you to run the city. How did you convince these Boston people?

[Jordan Klepper]

How hard do I have to say it? I ran to make sure that families would have a place in my city.

[Roy Choi]

And they just believed you? They just believed you.

[Jordan Klepper]

And you back it up with work. Every day that I served on the city council, I was out in neighborhood meetings, I was writing policies that we now have in place to protect our communities and give people opportunity. And it's about making sure that everyone feels part of the decisions that are being made.

[Roy Choi]

Okay, you see this optimism. I'm not, I can't. So you became mayor of Boston at like 36, which is pretty insane. Like that's, it's like, you know how the.

[Jordan Klepper]

You're saying I did just turn 40. Yes, I did just turn 40.

[Roy Choi]

I know. Cause you're born in the same year. So I'm like, damn, this woman became a mayor already. I'm still here telling dick jokes, but like this. No, but like something about Boston. You're like the youngest successful Boston person running Boston since like Theo Epstein, the best of the Epstein's. He was like the youngest GM of. I don't know why they trusted you. I mean, obviously you're very good at your job. What's the toughest thing you face in Boston?

[Jordan Klepper]

Boston is a very passionate city. We cheer hard for our sports teams and people look at politics and government and being involved in the community the same way. And it's pretty hard to make the greatest city on earth even better. But we are working every day to make sure that housing costs can be brought down.

[Roy Choi]

You're mayor, you're running the day to day of the city. Right? What's the hardest thing day to day, like mayoring in Boston?

[Jordan Klepper]

I think it's that. That people have a lot to say, and everyone's voice has a place in our community. And when you have so many decisions that come after a long history also of being a place where, for 400 years, people have stood up for the right thing, fought hard to make a difference, finding that consensus is complicated. It's beautiful. It's a hard job. You can't fake it in Boston. People will call you out. So you have to show up everywhere and keep working. And. And it's a hard job, but it's the best job, and I love it.

[Roy Choi]

Okay, so, like, I just. All right, so right now, you know, you ran as a Democrat as well. Democrats. I don't know if you've seen the news lately. Incredibly unpopular in this country. I could not be less popular. Everyone hates everything they're doing. So how do you. Everyone hates that? Like, I don't know what they're, like, 10% popular. Whatever it is, it's horrible. Uh, how do you, as a Democratic mayor, like, do outreach to what I assume is a large percentage of your. Of your constituency that probably voted Republican and MAGA and Trump?

[Jordan Klepper]

Yeah, we have a lot of different views in Boston. Like, in every community, I think we tend to be a place that speaks our mind and remembers our history as the community that's always invested in the greater good. We're home to the first public school in the country, the first public park, the first library, free and open to all. And so, you know, at the end of the day, we might not vote the same way or worship the same way or watch the same types of shows or follow the same influencers or whatever.

[Roy Choi]

Yeah, yeah.

[Jordan Klepper]

But you still want your streets to have potholes filled. You want your kids to go to the best schools, and you can't get away at the local level with just talking the talk. You really have to be out there making a difference.

[Roy Choi]

So you're saying you outreach by focusing on doing the work, doing the work that everyone agrees that should be done. Is that your method for success, actually? Just.

[Jordan Klepper]

Yeah. And you just have to keep the little things.

[Roy Choi]

Yeah. So that's actually what you found. I'm genuinely curious how I know you don't find this weird. I'm telling you, most people watching this are like, how the hell is this?

[Jordan Klepper]

Let me tell. Okay, let me tell you a little bit more about Boston.

[Roy Choi]

You didn't tell me Boston. Boston is my childhood Chinatown. Okay. I know Boston. That's true. Yeah. I used to live in Manchester, New Hampshire. We would drive to Boston for. That was like, our local Chinatown. We would go there for supplies to bring it back to New Hampshire. I don't know if, you know, there's not a lot of Malaysian grocery stores in Manchester, New Hampshire. So we would go to Boston to get it, so. I know, I know Boston. That's why I'm even more surprised that you became Boston.

[Jordan Klepper]

Even today is probably different from those days. We are the safest major city in the country and it's. Thank you. But our historically low crime levels now were at the lowest levels in at least 70 years when we first started reliably tracking. And that has come at the same time that we have invested the most in affordable housing, created more affordable housing than in 25 years, invested in the most ever young people in paid summer jobs, early college, child care.

[Roy Choi]

Do you think people are feeling this on the streets in Boston?

[Jordan Klepper]

There's a lot of work to do everywhere.

[Roy Choi]

Okay.

[Jordan Klepper]

But I think generally we want everyone to be involved in Boston. We talk about where we've been, where we need to go, and there's a neighborhood meeting every other day or multiple a day.

[Roy Choi]

No. So sorry for hopping on about this because I. Obviously you're very popular in Boston. My thing right now is I'm wondering whether I can get a Democrat who's actually popular, which is very rare in this country. Every time I get to sit to someone who actually. It seems like both sides of both tribes seem to get behind, such as yourself, I kind of focus on the kind of. The outreach to the other tribe more. So, for example, if someone was to tell you, you know, like recently you got, I guess you got. You testified in Congress about sanctuary cities, you know, which is one issue in many things, and you defended yourself well, what do you say to the people who. In your constituency who might feel like, hey, why are we doing this? What's the big deal with this sanctuary city thing? If people are illegally in the country, shouldn't we arrest them and get rid of them? What is the big deal?

[Jordan Klepper]

Yeah, we are. Again, we're the safest city because we're safe for everyone. In a community where over a quarter of your residents come from, were born in another country. If people are afraid to drop their kids off at school or call 911 when they need help or share information, when they actually have information to report about a crime that happened, that makes everyone less safe. Whether or not you are an immigrant, whether or not you're here in this country six generations or just arrived. So we're really focused on being that home for everyone. And it's worked. And so all of the buzz around whether these kinds of cities that are more welcoming for immigrants are more dangerous. It's about a false narrative that immigrants are somehow more likely to commit crimes or cause harm. And that is just simply not true. We know that in our city, where our immigrant communities are, entrepreneurs are holding up our health, the best hospitals in the country, the universities and jobs that we all rely on. And in order to make sure that we can keep that progress going, everyone has to feel part of, of it.

[Roy Choi]

So I guess, I guess, I mean, look at these, I don't know, these people from Boston or something. I don't know what's happening here. As people came in from Boston. So what, what advice would you give to the Democrats running now about how to not be such losers or, like, connect to the, connect to the people more? It seems like that seems, I don't know, I, I, I truly don, I don't understand what's happening. Cause every day on this show, we talk about some bullshit that happened, and then nothing seems to matter. And then I'm like, I guess nothing matters anymore. So there's clearly a disconnect between the Democratic Party or maybe politics in general, if you're being generous, and the common people. Right. There's some kind of, there's something weird happening. Like, is that, do you feel that way?

[Jordan Klepper]

Yeah. And I mean, in some ways, my entire life, I've felt that way in my family. Growing up with immigrant parents, Government was scary. Government was the thing you're supposed to stay away from. It was parking tickets and taxes and all sorts of things that, you know, just try to do your thing and stay out of trouble.

[Roy Choi]

And now you're the government.

[Jordan Klepper]

But I got into it because this is how to make a difference. And you can change people's lives every single day by just doing the work, by trying your hardest to focus on what is stressing out the residents in your community. And day by day, building on it, to turn that around, involving people in the conversation and becoming a city where, again, we are home for everyone. And I think that's what it comes down to. If we do the work, if we listen to what people are saying about what's challenging in their lives, and we really focus on not just today, but tomorrow and the generations to come after us, that is the legacy of Boston, and that's a legacy that I'm really proud to be able to carry on every year.

[Roy Choi]

Okay, so, well, look, I mean, I don't know if you can be, become the mayor of Boston. Maybe, you know, one of Arguably the most racist cities in America. Then maybe there's hope for everyone yet. I mean, I don't know what I mean. I hear that there's a.

[Jordan Klepper]

Next time you come to Boston, you're gonna have to schedule an extra day, and then I will take you around all the city and get yelled at.

[Roy Choi]

By racist white women.

[Jordan Klepper]

We are an incredibly diverse and welcoming city.

[Roy Choi]

Yeah.

[Jordan Klepper]

And we're a city that really is the example of how everyone in our community, again, majority people of color, you.

[Roy Choi]

Can all get together and tell immigrants and make friends. I don't know. I got a lot of love for Boston. I just, you know, they were nice to me when I was. But there is a stereotype of the city, which you are totally. I don't know. So I don't know how you. I still don't understand how you got elected. I mean, obviously you're good at your job and you're charming, all that, but that was enough for them to convince.

[Jordan Klepper]

Them the Boston of today is a different city than a lot of people think. But even the Boston of today, we. We have a lot of work to do. Just like every city, just like every community.

[Roy Choi]

But no New York City is perfect. I'm not sure if you. I'm not sure if you've been out. This place is great. We got, you know, we got rats and feces. I hear that there's a. I hear that there's, like, a secret WhatsApp group of Asian mayors. I met the mayor of Cincinnati.

[Jordan Klepper]

A very small group. Yes. Aftab and me and Bruce and Todd.

[Roy Choi]

Can I join this group chat? Put me in. I'll help you guys out. Okay, look, you're male Wolf. You're the best. Thank you for representing all as. Thank you for making the city of Boston great. Appreciate all you do. I know it's a very thankless task. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, everybody. Okay, we're gonna take a quick break, but we'll be right back after this. Hey, that's our show for the night. Now here it is, your moment of Z.

[Ronny Chieng]

That's a fist American flag fire. So I'll just. From now on, when we do things where, like, we agree, I'll just hold this up rather than giving, like, a really big, long speech. So job well done, guys. Would you explain where that comes from? Yeah. So this is how we. When we are. When we're in, like, a chat with friends, and we're just, like, you know, you know, hamming about who we're gonna bomb and all of that, but we agree we fist American Flag Fire.

[Roy Choi]

Explore more shows from the Daily Show.

[Ronny Chieng]

Podcast universe by searching the Daily Show. Wherever you get your podcast, watch the Daily show weeknights at 1110 Central on Comedy Central and stream full episodes anytime on Paramount plus Paramount Podcasts.