TDS Time Machine | Civil Unrest

Summary

The Daily Show: Ears Edition – "TDS Time Machine | Civil Unrest" Summary

Release Date: June 14, 2025
Host: Jon Stewart and The Daily Show News Team
Published By: iHeartPodcasts and Paramount Podcasts

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1. Introduction

In the "TDS Time Machine | Civil Unrest" episode, Jon Stewart and The Daily Show News Team delve into the tumultuous landscape of civil unrest in the United States. Covering movements from Occupy Wall Street to the Ferguson protests and the Charlottesville incident, the episode analyzes the underlying causes, media portrayals, and governmental responses to these pivotal events.

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2. Occupy Wall Street Movement

The episode opens with a discussion on the Occupy Wall Street (OWS) movement, a four-week-long protest in downtown Manhattan that quickly spread nationwide. Jon Stewart critiques the media's portrayal of the movement, likening reporters to characters from "21 Jump Street," thereby minimizing the protesters' seriousness.

Jon Stewart (02:47): "This is an ill-disciplined, highly trained, weed-smoking, fascist organization."

The conversation highlights the protesters' primary aim:

Lester Holt (02:48): "Bring attention to the pervasive influence that corporations have in the political process."

However, the panel questions the coherence of OWS's message, suggesting a lack of clear objectives compared to the Tea Party.

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3. Congressional Efforts on Economic Policy

Transitioning to government responses, the team examines the Simpson-Bowles plan and Senator Coburn's proposals to cut the deficit. They criticize the lack of substantial progress in implementing financial reforms post-Dodd-Frank.

Jon Stewart (09:36): "Derivatives from almost all those measures were either rejected outright or watered down to almost near meaningless."

The discussion underscores the frustration with political inaction, emphasizing that despite numerous proposals, meaningful change remains elusive.

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4. Ferguson, Missouri and Police Brutality

A significant portion of the episode addresses the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, and the subsequent protests. Jon Stewart skeptically dismisses the incident as a civil rights issue, framing it instead as an isolated encounter between an "unarmed black teenager" and a police officer.

Jon Stewart (23:04): "Michael Brown was the bad guy in this case."

The panel critiques the media's focus on race, arguing that similar violent incidents involving police are not receiving equivalent attention.

Jon Stewart (16:18): "This isn't all about just one man killed in one town."

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5. Charlottesville and White Nationalist Protests

The episode shifts focus to the Charlottesville, Virginia protests, where white nationalists clashed with counter-protesters. Jon Stewart criticizes President Trump's handling of the situation, accusing him of legitimizing white supremacists.

Clinton Jost (33:09): "Donald Trump did his thing, but 67% are like, yeah, yeah, you know, he did his thing."

The team highlights the dangers of equating peaceful protesters with violent white supremacists, emphasizing the exacerbation of racial tensions.

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6. Government and Police Response to Protests

Jon Stewart and the panel scrutinize the militarized police response to recent protests, drawing parallels to post-9/11 tactics. They present numerous instances of excessive force used against unarmed protesters and journalists, questioning the transformation of police roles from community protectors to enforcers of authoritarian measures.

Jon Stewart (39:09): "If you're not moving, you have to get out of the way."

Lester Holt cites viral footage of police using tear gas, rubber bullets, and physical force against demonstrators, underscoring a troubling trend of aggression.

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7. Media and Press Freedom Issues

The team also addresses the alarming rise in press freedom violations, with over 300 journalists facing aggression from law enforcement during protests. They argue that this crackdown undermines democratic principles and the essential role of the media in holding power accountable.

Jon Stewart (42:36): "Police are attacking unarmed protesters, defenseless reporters."

The discussion points to a blurring of lines between public safety and suppression of dissent, raising concerns about the future of free journalism in America.

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8. Conclusion

In wrapping up, Jon Stewart criticizes the divisive rhetoric perpetuated by certain political and media figures, asserting that race has been weaponized to fuel unrest rather than foster genuine dialogue. He calls for a reevaluation of societal values and governmental policies to address the root causes of discontent and restore trust between communities and institutions.

Jon Stewart (31:19): "Victim mentality is what's causing this."

The episode serves as a comprehensive critique of the current state of civil unrest in the U.S., challenging listeners to consider the complexities behind protests, media narratives, and governmental actions.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Jon Stewart (02:47): "This is an ill-disciplined, highly trained, weed-smoking, fascist organization."

• Lester Holt (02:48): "Bring attention to the pervasive influence that corporations have in the political process."

• Jon Stewart (09:36): "Derivatives from almost all those measures were either rejected outright or watered down to almost near meaningless."

• Jon Stewart (23:04): "Michael Brown was the bad guy in this case."

• Jon Stewart (16:18): "This isn't all about just one man killed in one town."

• Clinton Jost (33:09): "Donald Trump did his thing, but 67% are like, yeah, yeah, you know, he did his thing."

• Jon Stewart (39:09): "If you're not moving, you have to get out of the way."

• Jon Stewart (42:36): "Police are attacking unarmed protesters, defenseless reporters."

• Jon Stewart (31:19): "Victim mentality is what's causing this."

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Note: This summary excludes advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections to focus solely on the episode's substantive discussions.

Transcript

[Jon Stewart]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Trevor Noah]

This episode is brought to you by WhatsApp. Your personal messaging is also your personal space. Completely private. That's why it's nice to know that on WhatsApp, no one can see or hear your personal messages. So the calls with your mom, chats about the latest work drama, late night voice messages, and all those photos and videos of your dog, every personal message stays private because no one, not even WhatsApp can see or hear your personal messages. WhatsApp message privately with everyone. Are you still quoting 30 year old movies?

[Jon Stewart]

Have you said cool beans in the past 90 days? Do you think Discover isn't widely accepted? If this sounds like you, you're stuck in the past. Discover is accepted at 99% of places that take credit cards nationwide. And every time you make a purchase with your card, you automatically earn cash back. Welcome to the now it pays to Discover. Learn [e-mail] credit card Based on the.

[Trevor Noah]

February 2024 Nielsen report, the NBC Nightly.

[Jon Stewart]

News legacy isn't handed down or NBC News. I'm Tom Brokaw.

[Desi Lydic]

We hope to see you back here.

[Lester Holt]

I'm Lester Holt.

[Jon Stewart]

It's carried forward. Tom Yamas is there for us. Firefighters are still working around the clock. As the world changes, we look for what endures. We are coming on the air with breaking news. Right now, we look for a constant and from one era to the next, trust is the anchor. For NBC Nightly News, I'm Tom Yamas. A new chapter begins. NBC Nightly News with Tom Yamas. Evenings on NBC.

[Jordan Klepper]

You're listening to Comedy Central.

[Jon Stewart]

We begin right here in New York City. There was a march on Wall street today sponsored by the group Occupy Wall street and oddly enough, Sonny D for extreme protest thirst. The Occupy Wall street movement has basically been a four week downtown Manhattan live in which has spread to cities all around the country causing the media to move its coverage dial from blackout to circus. It's too bad those are the only two settings. It has intrepid reporters from all the major networks and went down to talk with the protesters. Of course, the reporters changed into their undercover 21 Jump street outfits. What's up bro testers? Mind if we chillax with you in hd? Because the aspect ratio on the shot is going to be badass. Why are the protesters there? Well, the answers ranged from extremely earnest college roommate y to powerful and cogent.

[Roy Wood Jr.]

What do you guys want?

[Jon Stewart]

Bring attention to the pervasive influence that.

[Lester Holt]

Corporations have in the political process. What do we as Americans agree on? What can we do about it? We the People are here to take.

[Jon Stewart]

The power back now, after 30 years of having our living standards decrease While the wealthiest 1% have had it better than ever, I think it's time for maybe, I don't know, some participation in our democracy. Jam that mother brought game.

[Lester Holt]

Mm.

[Jon Stewart]

Mm. You know what he's saying. What's up, Tea Party? I see your tri corner hat and I raise you a union soldier Kepi. So those are the protesters. Or to put their words another way, I think if you put every single.

[Desi Lydic]

Left wing cause into a blender and.

[Jon Stewart]

Hit power, this is the sludge you'd get.

[Desi Lydic]

I saw one guy with a guitar and they asked him, you know, very.

[Lester Holt]

Hippie, like Woodstock meets Burning man meets. People with absolutely no purpose.

[Jon Stewart]

They are some of the most uninformed people.

[Lester Holt]

If you listen to them, they're all over the map. Demolition of capitalism. If we learn to share, we can.

[Jon Stewart]

All live in prosperity.

[Lester Holt]

All of those quotes could have been said in 1789 France before the French Revolution or the Russian Revolution or. Or with only slight modification, when the Nazis were coming to power. This is always the beginning of totalitarianism.

[Jon Stewart]

This group is a laughable gang of disorganized, confused Nazis. This is an ill disciplined, highly trained, weed smoking, fascist organization. But the protesters do have some surprising defenders.

[Desi Lydic]

You know, the average American taxpayer knows that at the end of the day, they're going to be on the hook for the trillions and trillions of dollars that we're using to bail out these companies, some of whom have been irresponsible. And they are expressing their frustration, which I think is quintessentially American.

[Jon Stewart]

Bravo, Bravo. Sean Hannity breaking ranks with your conservative friends. Oh, that's a clip from 2009 about the tea Party. What does Sean Hannity think about these protesters? Frustration.

[Desi Lydic]

They hate corporations, they hate capitalism, and in the end, ultimately, they want statism over free markets. So they really don't like freedom.

[Jon Stewart]

Oh, all right. So rage against duly elected government is patriotic, quintessentially American. Whereas rage against multinational shareholder accountable corporations is anti American. Gotcha. Okay, that's good. I don't get it. Here's a group of Americans, disenchanted, railing against big government bailouts, angry because they played by the rules, worked hard, now they're in debt from student loans and they're unemployed. I mean, look, if this thing turns into throwing trash cans into Starbucks windows, nobody's going to be down with that. We all love Starbucks. But these protesters, how are they not like the Tea Party? All right, some of them you know, smoke and have pants made out of pot. So call them the THC Party. Aren't these folks real citizens with real problems? Aren't they also speaking for America? These folks aren't speaking for America. Just your basic green, anti capitalist, anti bank, anti Wall street, anti America demonstration. That's Tea Party behavior. That's not America loving behavior. They probably don't even masturbate to the Constitution. That's what I think. All right, I'll bite. Why? Why are the Occupy Wall street folks unworthy of Tea Party respect and ideals?

[Trevor Noah]

They're not law abiding citizens.

[Lester Holt]

They're camping in a park where camping isn't allowed. They're breaking the laws on the Brooklyn Bridge.

[Jon Stewart]

That's not Tea Party behavior. Everything you described there, I believe is a misdemeanor. The actual Tea Party was a felony. Do you know how much trouble. I mean, do you know what the Tea Party actually was? You know how much trouble you'd get in if you broke into a ship, stole the cargo from the ship's owners and just threw it overboard? Not to mention the EPA fines and the damage it would do to to your Indian costume? The Tea Party namesake. You're named after the most celebrated act of theft and vandalism of private property in our nation's history, and you can't stomach a little park camping. But if there is one criticism that nearly everyone, even their supporters seemed to share, it was this.

[Lester Holt]

When you look at the message though, what is it these protesters are trying to get across here? Because it doesn't necessarily seem a very cohesive one. Seems like they're really going to have to crystallize their message. The message is muddled.

[Jon Stewart]

What the did you just call the protesters? Muddles. But I watch a lot of movies. But this guy brings up a good point. We cannot expect a bunch of disenfranchised park dwellers to come up with a coherent solution to our nation's economic woes. We have a political ruling class to do that.

[Desi Lydic]

Congress demanding answers on what caused the economic meltdown. A bipartisan group of senators known as the Gang of Six is working on a proposal to cut the deficit.

[Lester Holt]

The Congressional super committee created to cut the deficit.

[Jon Stewart]

The Simpson Bowles plan.

[Lester Holt]

Senator Coburn's plan.

[Jon Stewart]

Doesn't this sound like a great idea?

[Lester Holt]

Simpson Bowles sound like a great idea? The Bowles Simpson dead on arrival. The 10 of you spent months working on this though, and now you have this significant dissent.

[Jon Stewart]

I think what we should do is break these banks up to break up every institution right now. Could have been destabilizing.

[Desi Lydic]

You haven't put your own budget together.

[Jon Stewart]

You're sitting on the sidelines blaming the.

[Desi Lydic]

The truth of the matter, Howard.

[Roy Wood Jr.]

Gentlemen.

[Jon Stewart]

Just kidding. I think I got it. I think I got it. Yeah, I think I got it. That's. For God's sakes, people. Now I see why you're mad at them for being muddled and incoherent. That's your job. Although, wait, we did pass Dodd Frank. The greatest Wall street reform since the Great Depression.

[Lester Holt]

In just over two weeks, the Dodd.

[Michael Che]

Frank law will be a year old.

[Lester Holt]

And we're not really any closer to fully implementing it. The stuff that would have addressed the.

[Jon Stewart]

Fraud, too big to fail.

[Lester Holt]

Derivatives from almost all those measures were either rejected outright or watered down to almost near meaningless. Out of an estimated 400 regulations to be written, just 38 are complete.

[Jon Stewart]

And those 38 were the easy ones. No spitting. Don't take your D out before five on the wall. You know what? If the people who were supposed to fix our financial system had actually done it, the people who have no idea how to solve these problems wouldn't be getting for not offering solutions. And while we all fight, the real victims, as always, continue to suffer.

[Lester Holt]

I was up in Boston this weekend and they had Occupy Boston. There were a thousand people at 2 do a protest. I was just driving by, I was trying to get to supper and 1,000 people were between me and a steak dinner.

[Jon Stewart]

Steve Doocy reacting to the revolution. Let me eat steak. But first, obviously, the big news of the past few weeks. The town of Ferguson, Missouri, where the shooting by police of teenager Michael Brown has sparked a series of protests which in turn sparked a, let's say, stern response by police who appear to be auditioning for RoboCop. It's a story that has a lot of people outraged and upset.

[Desi Lydic]

I came back from vacation because I am furious.

[Jon Stewart]

Of course you are. An unarmed black teenager gunned down in the street by police under suspicious circumstances who wouldn't cut their vacation short to register their fury. You'd have to be a monster. Or in my case, enjoying a particularly nice vacation. But good on you, Mr. O'Reilly, for coming back. Unless of course, you're furious about something else.

[Desi Lydic]

Furious about how the shooting death of 18 year old Michael Brown is being reported and how various people are reacting to it.

[Jon Stewart]

Yes, that is the outrage. The shooting of Michael Brown and any lack of transparency from the police department responsible for said incident is outrageous in how it has been reported. And I guess that's not the only reason to be angry.

[Lester Holt]

Is he gonna get a fair shake, this officer? There has been a rush to judgment. Eric Holder flies into Ferguson, you know, with his, with his, you know, superhero cape. This mantra of the unarmed black teenager shot by a white cop. You know, that description in and of itself actually colors the way in which we look at this story.

[Jon Stewart]

Yes, describing the actual facts of the case really does color the way we look at it. White cop shoots unarmed black teen does sound terrible. Whereas, say, hero cop kills alien. Hunting humans for sport would put a completely different spin on things. Which though a very accurate description of the plot of Predator 2 is in this case, not what happened. And you know what, there's so many other stories out there.

[Lester Holt]

Why aren't we covering New York? Why aren't we covering black on black crime?

[Jon Stewart]

Yes, why all the interest in holding police officers to a higher standard than gangs? They both flash colors and yes, one of them has been sworn to protect and defend.

[Desi Lydic]

But still, this weekend, 42 people were shot in Chicago. You know, I don't see the protests, I don't see the anger.

[Lester Holt]

If I were African American, I would be outraged that more journalists aren't covering what's happening in Chicago and more outraged that people like Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson don't head to those areas.

[Jon Stewart]

Yes. What could explain the lack of outrage about Al Sharpton and his ilk not doing anything about black on black violence in Chicago?

[Lester Holt]

With Chicago's violence making national headlines, a group led by the Reverend Al Sharpton plans to convene an anti violence summit of national civil rights leaders here.

[Jon Stewart]

Oh, that's right. Because African American leaders did hold a summit about that in November and have met at least three times in the city just in the last 13 months. Which is not to say it's been effective, but taken along with the President's My Brother's Keeper initiative, which attempts to address this violence in the countless vigils and marches within these violence torn communities, means they are trying actually to do something. You see, you being ignorant of those attempts doesn't mean the issue itself is being ignored. In the same way that when it snows where you live mean the world isn't getting hotter. Oh, you know what? There's something else bothering you, isn't there?

[Desi Lydic]

When a cop pulls me over, I say I put my hands outside of the car. If I'm carrying a weapon, which I'm licensed to carry in New York, the first thing I tell the police officer is, officer, I want you to know I have a legal firearm in the car.

[Jon Stewart]

And Then I brace myself for the Taser. Well, without getting into the fact that you get pulled over so much by the cops that sometimes you're carrying a weapon, sometimes you're not. I don't know. Just depends on how I'm feeling that day. But continue.

[Desi Lydic]

I often would even take my step out of the car, lift my shirt up so he could see where the gun is.

[Jon Stewart]

You really do have no idea, do you? You really do. Basically. Basically you're saying, oh, if only Michael Brown, instead of holding his hands over his head, had reached down to his waist and lifted up his shirt to show the gun he did not actually have. This whole tragedy could have been avoided. Do you not understand that life in this country is inherently different for white people and black people?

[Lester Holt]

A lot of people are trying to make this, Dana, about black and white and trying to make this about race. This is part of this effort to make it everything about race.

[Desi Lydic]

Is this a story about race? Do we know that?

[Lester Holt]

I think it is playing the race card and I think it's disgraceful.

[Trevor Noah]

The only racial divide that is created.

[Jon Stewart]

Here is being created by the race baiters. You know who talks about race? Racists. Did you just. He who smelt it, dealt it racism. Did you really? He who smelt it Delta racism. All right, hang on. Forget that in Ferguson, 94% of the police are white and 63% of the people are black. Forget that 92% of police searches and 86% of car stops are for black people. Forget that the white municipal government finances nearly a quarter of its annual budget through the fines and penalties and disproportionately leveled against the black portion of the population. Forget that the history of this town includes this tasty nugget. A 52 year old man named Henry Davis said that four Ferguson police officers beat him, then charged him with damaging government property because his blood had gotten on the officers uniforms. So let me get the street. You guys got tanks. But you can't keep a couple of tide sticks around. Because here's the problem with everything that's going on in this conversation. This isn't all about just one man killed in one town. It's about how people of color, no matter their socioeconomic standing, face obstacles in this country with surprising grace. Look at, look at how upset you all get about certain things tonight. Christmas under attack.

[Desi Lydic]

Why are we allowing anti Christmas madness?

[Lester Holt]

Why do I have to drive around with my kids to look for nativity scenes and be like, oh yeah kids, look, there's baby Jesus behind the Festivus pole made out of beer cans. It's nuts. Remember.

[Jon Stewart]

Remember you were, you were furious that America's 11 month long celebration of Christmas wasn't enough. But now if you can just imagine that instead of having to suffer the indignity of a Festivus pole blocking something you could have just set up in your own yard anyway, imagine that instead of that on a pretty consistent basis, you can't get a cab even though you're a neurosurgeon. Cause you're black. I guarantee you. I guarantee you that every. I guarantee you that. That every person of color in this country has faced an indignity from the ridiculous to the grotesque to the sometimes fatal at some point in their, I'm gonna say, last couple of hours because of their skin color. Quick story. So we live in New York City, a liberal bastion recently. Let me finish. Recently we sent a correspondent and a producer to a building in this liberal bastion where we were going to tape an interview. The producer, white dressed in what could only be described as homeless elf attire and a pretty strong five o' clock from the previous week, Shadow strode confidently into the building preceding our humble correspondent, a gentleman of color dressed resplendently in a tailored suit. Who do you think was stopped? Let me give you a hint. The black guy. And that happens all the time. All of it. Race is there and it is a constant. You're tired of hearing about it. Imagine how exhausting it is living in.

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[Trevor Noah]

This episode is brought to you by WhatsApp. You know, privacy isn't just a feature on WhatsApp, it's built into everything WhatsApp does. Your personal messaging is also your personal space completely private. That's why it's nice to know that no one can see or hear your personal Messages, not even WhatsApp. So the calls with your mom, chats about the latest work drama, late night voice messages, and all those photos and videos of your dog. Every personal message and call stays private like they should between you, your friends and your family. Because no one, not even WhatsApp, can see or hear your personal messages. WhatsApp message privately with everyone.

[Jordan Klepper]

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[Jon Stewart]

The grand jury in Ferguson, Missouri was deciding that Ferguson police officer, now former Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson, did nothing indictable when he shot unarmed but large, Michael Brown. The angry reaction to this decision was swift and sustained with protests breaking out throughout the country. But if those who took to the streets thought that they were speaking out against systemic injustice, it could not have been more wrong. This is not a civil rights issue.

[Desi Lydic]

It's not a black white situation.

[Jon Stewart]

It's a thug police officer situation.

[Desi Lydic]

People forget he had committed a robbery.

[Jon Stewart]

Michael Brown was the bad guy in this case.

[Lester Holt]

And please America, let's not turn this.

[Jon Stewart]

Kid into some kind of civil rights martyr because that he is not Ferguson, Missouri is not Selma, Alabama. Right? Almost by definitely Ferguson, Missouri is not Selma,. Alabama. Of course, if Fox had been around for Selma, Alabama, the headline would probably have been, relax, Selma isn't slavery. So this isn't a civil rights thing. Although, I don't know, the protests I saw seemed pretty civil rightsy. From those in Los Angeles to the NFL, to the streets right here in New York. Anger, the love of voices. And they pick people along the way. You can hear they exactly love another.

[Lester Holt]

These people are to protest.

[Jon Stewart]

I feel you, but I get what you're saying there. This is an isolated incident like the police shooting of Tamir Rice in Cleveland or Dante Parker in San Bernardino county, or Kendrick McDade in Pasadena, or Armand Bennett in New Orleans, or John Crawford. What time does Colbert start? What time does his show start? It's in like a half hour, right? All right, we'll just move on. The point is these shootings are clearly not a manifestation of systemic inequality and mistrust between the African American community and the somehow always justified police American community. But these are merely an unending, bizarrely similar series of isolated incidents. But if there's nothing to justify the anger and protest in these communities, why would so many individuals around the country spend their precious hard earned pre Christmas sale stampeding time protesting a non existent problem? You look at Ferguson, they had a community that really worked, or it seemed to have worked. And now all this hatred's coming out. You have so many other people inciting and trying to get their own 2 cents in and they're trying to incite.

[Lester Holt]

Problems pitting whites against blacks. I think the racial arsonists in this.

[Jon Stewart]

Country have worked these people up so.

[Desi Lydic]

Much with propaganda that facts don't matter.

[Jon Stewart]

Oh, that's why they take to the streets. They were incited by racial arsonists. You know, I have a dream that one day we can evolve as a people to a time when arsonists no longer see race but see really only the beautiful, consuming fire they are criminally compelled to like when an arsonist can say the only color I see is orange. But I get it. There obviously wouldn't be a problem if a racial arsonist. If a racial arsonist hadn't racial arsonist had lit the fire under Ferguson with his telling of what happened. Match. And by the way, racial arsonists were not the only inciters.

[Desi Lydic]

These racial racketeers, race hustlers, race grievance.

[Jon Stewart]

Industry leaders, your race grifters, your race counterfeiters, your race litterers, your race financial advisors, your race. You're race sommeliers. What's wrong with a nice white? But. But the point is these protests may look like a spontaneous groundswell of frustration, grief and anger amongst a community that feels disenfranchised, but they're actually just the prescribed bidding of America's race grievance puppeteers. And who might they be? You ask? Professor, the floor is yours.

[Desi Lydic]

The President and Eric Holder and Al Sharpton. I think they've been terribly irresponsible. Ferguson Burns. Because of. In part, a mindset was created by Al Sharpton, by Eric Holder and the President.

[Jon Stewart]

Be honest, my friend. Are those the three people responsible or did you just name the only three black guys you could think of? Which one? Ferguson Burns. Ferguson burns, my friend. In part because of Jay Z, the guy who plays Urkel and let's say Hank Aaron. I don't know. Now here's where it gets interesting. What is the mindset that has been instilled that creates the conditions for this upset within the African American community.

[Desi Lydic]

The head of this network, Roger Ailes.

[Lester Holt]

Has brilliantly said that if you see yourself as a victim, then you'll become a victim.

[Desi Lydic]

But if you see yourself as a.

[Lester Holt]

Winner, then you'll eventually win.

[Jon Stewart]

Keep a dream journal, folks. Victim mentality is what's causing this. A victim mentality. A gentleman on Fox. A gentleman on Fox News said that black people have been convinced by a network of shrewd propagandists that they are somehow victims. And that is wrong. To agitate a population, to scare them. Utilizing all the tools of modern communication, graphics, music, etc. To stoke these people into a resentful frenzy. Fox News feels that's just damaging to this great nation and tears at our very fabric. I can't imagine anyone would do such a thing. Just roll the tape.

[Lester Holt]

The president is selling class warfare.

[Jon Stewart]

Is there a growing anti white people movement in America?

[Lester Holt]

The feds and many state governments are working hard to take away your guns.

[Jon Stewart]

Meanwhile, they'll take your money.

[Desi Lydic]

The invasion of illegal immigrants.

[Lester Holt]

We have terrorists crossing the Mexican border.

[Jon Stewart]

Singled out for its Christian message.

[Lester Holt]

We can pick on white guys. We can pick on Christians in the food stamp.

[Jon Stewart]

Abusers feeding on taxpayers.

[Lester Holt]

The United States of entitlement. They're stealing our money.

[Desi Lydic]

And the taxpayers should rise up.

[Michael Che]

We are under a tyranny now.

[Lester Holt]

All hail King Obama.

[Desi Lydic]

An imperial president.

[Lester Holt]

America's freedom is slipping away.

[Desi Lydic]

America's best aides are behind her. America, you have a choice to make.

[Michael Che]

It is time that we take our country back.

[Lester Holt]

You need to get angry. Our worst fears might very well be here.

[Jon Stewart]

I don't know. I don't know if I'm supposed to overthrow the government or get one of them panic rooms. I don't know what to do, but either way, I'm just happy to not be incited. It almost makes you think that the crime that they're really upset about over there isn't race pimping or race arson. It's race plagiarism.

[Colin Jost]

So I thought, you know what? I'm gonna go back to America and just chill. Turns out I left the Third world and landed in the Third Reich.

[Jon Stewart]

White nationalists descending on Charlottesville, Virginia, to protest the removal of a statue of Confederate leader Robert E. Lee.

[Lester Holt]

In Charlottesville, Virginia, where protests are turning violence.

[Michael Che]

At least one person is dead after.

[Lester Holt]

A car plowed into a group of counter protesters.

[Jon Stewart]

President Trump turns an infrastructure event into.

[Lester Holt]

A rambling rant, blaming both sides for the violence.

[Jon Stewart]

You had some very bad people in that group. But you also had people that were very fine people on both sides. I think there's blame on both sides. You look at, you look at both sides. I think there's blame on both sides. And I have no doubt about it. And you don't have any doubt about it either.

[Colin Jost]

Like, I, I know he was trying to convince us, but Trump just looks like an untrained Jedi failing hard. You know, he's just like, you don't have any data, but you don't. Nazis and the people protesting are equivalent. And also, KFC is a vegetable.

[Desi Lydic]

You know?

[Colin Jost]

You know, and you know what? Like, I know that this happened a week ago, but I'm not gonna lie. I'm. I'm still processing everything. You know, first of all, a racist neo Nazi killed a peacefully protesting woman with his car.

[Jon Stewart]

Right?

[Colin Jost]

Then the President of the United States defended the neo Nazis who that dude was marching with. And this is the thing. It's not once, but twice. Like Donald Trump said it. Then three days later he came back and said, hey, hey, you know how I, I said that Nazi defending thing? Well, I just realized that I, I messed up. I didn't defend them enough. Yeah, yeah, my, my support was here and I was, I was trying to get it here.

[Jon Stewart]

Yeah.

[Colin Jost]

And I'm not gonna lie, I don't know about you, but it seemed for a moment that, okay, this was it. This was clearly not what presidents do. You know, after tragic national events, a leader, even a mediocre leader, says the things to unite the country, to calm the tensions, not inflame them. And especially not express sympathy for Nazi sympathizers. Even in South Africa. This is how crazy this is. In South Africa during apartheid, right? We had a Nazi organization known as the awb and they wanted an all white country. They had their own hip new swastika, right? It was full on Nazi, full on Nazi organization. And back then, South Africa was under apartheid, but the government, right, the apartheid government, they had restricted where black people could live. It didn't allow them to study. Most importantly, it stripped away their right to vote. And, and even then, in the midst of apartheid, when the AWB would hold its rallies, the apartheid government would be like, no, no, no.

[Desi Lydic]

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

[Colin Jost]

Nazis. No, no, no, no, no, no, no. I mean, come on. I like racism just as much as the next guy, but come on, Nazis, Nazis. Come on, people. I think we can all agree as humans or as black people, that Nazis. It's a step too far. Even in apartheid South Africa. But today, in America. We're not even at that point. Seven months into his term, 41 months to go, by the way, and the President of the United States has officially legitimized white supremacists, basically saying, we need to see things from the Nazis point of view. You know, march a mile in their boots. And you would think, you would think that surely this would be the straw that broke the camel's back. Well, it turns out that the president's party has a lot of camels.

[Jon Stewart]

A new CBS News poll out this week showed that 67% of Republicans approve.

[Desi Lydic]

Of the way President Trump handled the.

[Jon Stewart]

Response to the Charlottesville attack.

[Colin Jost]

But how, but how? Like, 2/3 of Republican, 2/3 of Republicans thought that Trump handled Charlottesville well. Like, I know it sounds crazy to say this, but that's the shocking part for me. You know, Donald Trump did his thing, but 67% are like, yeah, yeah, you know, he did his thing. Like, let me put it this way, anyone can fart, right? Person can fart, they do their thing, they fart. But it takes a special group of people, 2/3 of them, to be like, nicely done. Yeah, I like the way you handled that. That was nice. That was really nice. I like that. Who are you? And here's the thing. If so many of Trump's supporters are willing to give Nazis the benefit of the doubt, then clearly anything goes. There's no line that they won't cross, and clearly no cross that they won't burn.

[Michael Che]

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[Trevor Noah]

This episode is brought to you by WhatsApp. You know, privacy isn't just a feature on WhatsApp. It's built into everything. WhatsApp does. Your personal messaging is also your personal space, completely private. That's why it's nice to know that no one can see or hear your personal Messages, not even WhatsApp. So the calls with your mom, chats about the latest work drama, late night voice messages in all those photos and videos of your dog. Every personal message and call stays private like they should between you, your friends and your family. Because no one, not even WhatsApp, can see or hear your personal messages. WhatsApp message privately with everyone Balancing work.

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[Colin Jost]

You know, with all these protests sweeping across America, people have been comparing this moment to the civil rights movement of the 1960s. And much like the 1960s, law enforcement officers have met these calls to end police brutality with even more police brutality.

[Lester Holt]

Across the country, peaceful protests have too often devolved into standoffs with heavily armed police using military style tactics.

[Jon Stewart]

If you're not move, you have to get move out of the way.

[Lester Holt]

Flashbangs, tear gas, rubber bullets, helicopters, armored vehicles, law enforcement in riot gear approach a barrier. Protesters on the other side, hands up in the air, chanting don't shoot. But that's exactly what they did, shooting tear gas and rubber bullets. The threat of terrorism after 911 convinced many departments to stock up. Now those departments are facing off against their own citizens.

[Colin Jost]

Just take a moment to think about that. The police department got this heavy duty equipment to fight terrorists. That's why they got the equipment post 9 11. And now they're using it against Americans who are exercising their right to protest. And I'm I'm sorry, what about these people screams terrorists to you? Like maybe I've forgotten my history, but I don't remember the part where Al Qaeda attacked America with cardboard signs and an argument I've heard some people make is that the only reason the police are doing this is because the protesters are looting or being violent? That's what they say. No, they're doing this because the people are violent. But as happens so often, the police's story never matches the actual footage because for the past week The Internet has been full of videos of police officers attacking protesters with no provocation whatsoever.

[Jon Stewart]

Caught on camera from coast to coast. Alleged excessive force by police officers. Attacks against protesters who are demonstrating against police brutality.

[Lester Holt]

In New York, police drove a vehicle into a crowd of people protesting there.

[Michael Che]

In Los Angeles, police swing batons at.

[Lester Holt]

People who witnesses say were simply standing with their hands up. A New York police officer caught on camera pushing a woman who was demonstrating. An officer pulling a man's face mask off and spraying him with pepper spray. This unsettling image of an officer kicking a woman who was maced.

[Jon Stewart]

Caught on camera. A protester run over by an HPD mounted patrol unit at the height of the protest.

[Lester Holt]

We as black people deal with this every day.

[Jordan Klepper]

Black and brown people are treated brutally every day.

[Colin Jost]

I don't care who you are. Those images have to be upsetting to watch because these images are the antithesis of what America is supposed to stand for.

[Jon Stewart]

Right?

[Colin Jost]

This is supposed to be the country where you have the freedom to say whatever you want. A democracy. Right? You can say whatever you want, whether it's Black Lives Matter or let's all drink bleach. The government is not supposed to physically punish you for that. And that hasn't always been the case in America, but that is the ideal. All right? When people were protesting in Michigan saying that they want to go out, they want to go back to work, they want to get haircuts, they don't care about the coronavirus, they weren't getting beaten up. And that's what America is, the freedom to protest. And the freedom to protest isn't the only American ideal that the police have been trying to suppress lately. It seems like they've been really making a concerted effort to go after the free press.

[Lester Holt]

More than 300 journalists have faced press freedom violations across the United States. The cameras rolling when law enforcement seem to be targeting journalists.

[Jon Stewart]

I am press, please.

[Lester Holt]

We identified ourselves as press and they fired Tier 2 gas canisters on us.

[Jon Stewart]

At point blank range.

[Lester Holt]

This Australian cameraman and reporter were shoved and hit while live on air. Police now advancing on protest.

[Jon Stewart]

Oh, my gosh. We're moving. We're moving.

[Colin Jost]

I'm getting shot.

[Jon Stewart]

I'm getting in Louisville. Pepper balls fired at a crew on live tv.

[Lester Holt]

Who are they aiming that at? Us. Like, directly at us?

[Colin Jost]

Yeah. Those videos are what's happening in America right now. Cops are just openly firing tear gas and pepper bullets and everything on journalists. And, I mean, I can't blame them if I was doing the shit that the police have been doing. I wouldn't want anyone recording it either. So the police are attacking unarmed protesters, defenseless reporters. I mean, at this point you might be wondering, is there anyone, Is there anyone non threatening enough that the police would not get violent with them? And what we're learning is that the answer is no.

[Lester Holt]

A Salt Lake City police officer in.

[Michael Che]

Full riot gear using his shield to push an elderly man with a cane.

[Lester Holt]

The man falls face first onto the ground. Two officers in Buffalo, New York pushing a 75 year old man who falls to the ground, hits his head and starts bleeding. None of the officers in the video appear to help him.

[Colin Jost]

I don't care how many times I see that video, I will never get used to it. Cause it's bad enough that these cops push an old man who's walking over to them, but the fact that they walk over him, they walk past him while he's bleeding out on the sidewalk, like who are you protecting and serving if not that old man? And think about it. These were just two that were caught on video. Now, as usual, when videos like this come out, the excuse is always the same. People always want to defend those police by saying those are just a couple of bad apples. That is not. That is not a signifier. That is, that is not representative of the entire police department. The only issue is that argument falls apart when you see what happened after they pushed this old man to the ground.

[Lester Holt]

A police statement released before the footage was posted online said only that a man tripped and fell. But after the video surfaced, the police commissioner ordered an internal affairs investigation and the immediate suspension of the officers without pay. As the officers leave, the courthouse cheers from a crowd of fellow officers and law enforcement. In another show of support, all 57 members of the Buffalo Emergency Response Team resigned. But they remain on the.

[Colin Jost]

Think about this for a second. Not only did the police department try to cover up what happened, not only did they try and lie about something that we all saw on camera, but once the truth got out and those cops were punished, the entire team resigned to protest those police being held accountable. In fact, they even showed up at the courthouse to cheer them on as they came out. What are you cheering? That Buffalo is finally safe from old men walking around in public. What are you cheering? What are you cheering? The fact that you've come out, the fact that you stay like. It's a scary thing to think about. What are they cheering for? And something I think people need to understand about the police is that in a way, they have the same code that a gang does in that above all, you are loyal to your crew. That is a culture that is within every police department. And that's the heart of this issue. If good police are willing to look the other way or even join in when the bad police abuse their powers, you can make new rules and regulations all you want, but it won't matter. America's not gonna be able to fix this problem until we have police whose first priority is. Is protecting and serving the people instead of protecting and serving themselves.

[Roy Wood Jr.]

I'm here in D.C. it's an exciting day. Almost half the adults in our country are asking for a do over. I suppose if you bought all of these flags and all of these garments, you gotta do something like this. I mean, they've been prepping for this, at least sartorially for years. Tell me about your. What's on your back?

[Lester Holt]

Q. Flag.

[Roy Wood Jr.]

Q, Flag.

[Lester Holt]

Q.

[Roy Wood Jr.]

Enough.

[Lester Holt]

I'm one of those crazy people.

[Roy Wood Jr.]

You're one of those.

[Lester Holt]

Q. Q is somebody who just helped wake us up. It makes you ask questions.

[Roy Wood Jr.]

It makes you ask questions. It makes all of us ask questions. It's like, why would people believe in this conspiracy that a 12 year old in a basement put on the Internet? And now it's affecting our country.

[Lester Holt]

I mean, people can think, whatever. Joseph Biden and Kamila, your buddy Kamila Harris are not legitimate. You know what I think this is? This is a gang rape of our nation. We are watching our country be gang raped. Like, look into your heart, okay?

[Jon Stewart]

It's not a joke.

[Roy Wood Jr.]

Look, you make a good point, but you are wearing. You're wearing.

[Desi Lydic]

Pissed off right now.

[Roy Wood Jr.]

A onesie. That is a flag. So it doesn't.

[Jon Stewart]

Because I like.

[Lester Holt]

Because I'm about what I represent here.

[Roy Wood Jr.]

Yeah. How'd you get your bike in? Right over here. What kind of bike best works for a futile attempt to thwart democracy? Like a Crosstrek situation?

[Jon Stewart]

That's just a weird question. I don't.

[Roy Wood Jr.]

Yeah. The revolution will not be televised. They will also not be providing chairs, so bring your own.

[Lester Holt]

Hey, there's no. This chair is up there for everybody.

[Roy Wood Jr.]

Great, thanks.

[Lester Holt]

Pilot's a chair.

[Roy Wood Jr.]

Planning ahead.

[Jordan Klepper]

People are mad about it.

[Jon Stewart]

They came here to make a statement. I want a redo.

[Roy Wood Jr.]

You want a redo?

[Jon Stewart]

I want a redo.

[Roy Wood Jr.]

The good news is the Constitution has set aside a way to do a redo and that's. We'll just come back and do it again in four years.

[Jon Stewart]

I don't. Usa. Usa.

[Lester Holt]

Usa.

[Jordan Klepper]

Explore more shows from the Daily show podcast universe by searching. Searching the Daily Show. Wherever you get your podcasts Watch the Daily show weeknights at 1110 Central on Comedy Central and stream full episodes anytime on Paramount. Plus, this has been a Comedy Central podcast.

[Michael Che]

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[Danielle Fishel]

Hi, I'm Danielle Fishel from Pod Meets World. So for my two boys I got Samsung Galaxy Watch for kids and I'm not saying I'm kind of jealous of my kids tech. I'm saying I am definitely jealous of my child's tech. This thing lets them call, text and explore all from their wrist. No smartphone required. And don't worry, you're still the boss. You control who they can talk to and yes, you can totally stalk their location in real time. Get Galaxy Watch 7 on T mobile now. Kid Rest ready with a new paired line. Visit t mobile.com to order yours today. Parent and child must have a Samsung account and Google account with family link. Requires initial pairing with a compatible Samsung smartphone and qualifying wireless plan with LTE service activated. Please check with your carrier for more information. Trusted contact applies to compatible apps. It does not restrict communication through third party or other communication apps. Emergency services and contacts remain accessible. Location sharing is dependent on network connectivity and device being recently active. T mobile terms via 24 monthly bill credits when you add a qualifying paired watch line. See additional Offer terms on T mobile.com.

[Michael Che]

Does friendly have a taste? If it does, it's probably like hello's peppermint flavored anti plaque and whitening toothpaste. Brush away plaque, show tartar who's boss and remove surface stains to naturally whiten. Hello's thoughtful and flavor forward products make brushing your teeth feel like a confetti filled bathroom dance party. So say hello to hello with the always cruelty free, never tested on animals toothpaste that's made to spread smiles. Visit helloproducts.com and let hello add some everyday yay into your life.

[Jon Stewart]

This is an I Heart podcast.