The Daily Show: Ears Edition

Episode: TDS Time Machine | War In Ukraine - A Look Back

Date: February 20, 2026
Main Theme:
A special retrospective episode on Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, revisiting the shockwaves it sent through the world, the unified international response, stories of Ukrainian resistance, and an in-depth interview with Samantha Power, former US UN Ambassador and current USAID Administrator.

Overview

In this "TDS Time Machine" episode, host Trevor Noah and The Daily Show team revisit the events and impacts of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The episode humorously and incisively explores the initial global reaction, sanctions, stories of Ukrainian defiance, the international backlash against Russia, and features an extended interview with Samantha Power on how the world responded, why some reactions were delayed, and what it meant for global democracy.

Key Discussion Points

1. The Invasion & Initial Global Shock

(02:33 – 05:36)

• Trevor Noah sets the stage, noting how the world was prepared to move past the pandemic when "Putin clearly had very different post-pandemic plans, invading a sovereign country."
• Emphasizes the long-standing expectation of Russian aggression: "It's always been Putin's wet dream to reunite the Soviet Union. Sort of the same way Disney wants to tie all its franchises together." (03:38)
• The Western world's near-universal condemnation: “Almost every nation around the world has gone, yo, my man, that is not cool.” (03:55)
• The EU, for the first time, agrees to fund weapons for Ukraine. The US sends Stinger missiles, and Germany, historically hesitant, commits arms—a significant break from its post-WWII policy. (Michael Kosta, 04:45)

2. Unprecedented Sanctions & Isolation

(05:13 – 07:30)

• Swift global sanctions: kicking Russian banks out of SWIFT, targeting the central bank and oligarchs, banning Russian aircraft from Western airspaces.

• Trevor jokes, “If there’s one thing that tells you how big these sanctions are, it’s that the Swiss have gotten involved. The Swiss don’t get involved in anything! My dad didn’t get involved in my life…” (06:10)

• Clarifies the SWIFT system with a Taylor Swift pun, handling confusion with trademark Daily Show wit.

• Public participation in protest—boycotting Russian vodka, banning Russian teams from FIFA and Eurovision, and stripping Putin of honorary positions in sporting bodies.

  “No World Cup for Putin, No Eurovision Song Contest for Putin, No more being president of the International Judo Federation…”
  — Trevor Noah (08:29)

3. The Effect on Russia & Escalation Fears

(10:17 – 13:30)

• Russian economy falters: the ruble’s value collapses, banks face bankruptcy, Russians endure ATM runs.

• Trevor on historical echoes: "If Putin's goal is to bring back the glory days of the Soviet Union, people waiting hours in long lines is definitely a start." (10:52)

• Putin puts nuclear forces on alert, citing "aggressive statements by NATO leaders." Trevor responds with concern, but also highlights the surreal nature of the moment:

  “He’s pushing his inner circle away. We saw him publicly humiliating his closest advisers. That’s what’s most concerning—nobody there to prevent a catastrophic misstep.” (11:55)

• Jokes about the world being distracted from COVID by the specter of nuclear escalation.

4. Western Media Biases & War Coverage

(13:30 – 15:47)

• Trevor spotlights how news coverage betrays Western biases, quoting reporters who express surprise that war could happen in “relatively civilized” and “European” settings.

  “That was you choosing your words carefully. That was the careful version. So what were you gonna say if you weren't choosing your words carefully?”
  — Trevor Noah (14:14)

• Calls out the subtext of racist double standards in empathy and news reporting.

5. Stories of Ukrainian Resistance

(17:53 – 24:40)

• Half a million Ukrainians flee; Ukrainians endure devastating attacks, including a woman giving birth in a subway shelter.

• Viral defiance: The Snake Island border guards who told a Russian warship to “go fuck yourself,” the man blocking a Russian tank, civilians making Molotov cocktails—even a grandma giving sunflower seeds to a Russian soldier:

  “If a grandmother hands me seeds and tells me that sunflowers will bloom from my corpse, I think it’s time to retreat.”
  — Trevor Noah (20:18)

• Trevor reflects on the surreal nature of war in the social media era, where war footage is interspersed with memes and pop culture moments.

• Everyone joins the fight: citizens take up arms, Molotov cocktails are made on assembly lines, and even TV instructions for anti-tank grenades.

• Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s heroic leadership is celebrated: “I need ammunition, not a ride.” (News reporter, 24:06)

  “That’s hella gangster. I need ammunition, not a ride. That’s some action movie shit right there.”
  — Trevor Noah (24:40)

• Zelenskyy’s transformation from comedian to wartime president inspires both awe and comic dread among The Daily Show’s comedy staff (Michael Kosta, 26:23).

6. Extended Interview: Samantha Power on Diplomacy & the Global Response

(29:48 – 38:44)

• How Russia’s trajectory shifted after the Syria conflict and 2016 election interference.
• The challenge for Western leaders:
  • Many initially doubted Putin would invade, not wanting to bear the costs of sanctions themselves.
  • “But the invasion itself has produced a degree of unity and a willingness to go further than we have seen Europe ever be willing to go and to bear those costs potentially to their own economies, at least in the short term.” (Samantha Power, 33:39)
• Historic severity of sanctions, especially SWIFT.
• The question of China:
  • China’s ambiguous response (“cooler heads”) reflects self-interest, not true support for Russia.
  • “China is not attaching its mast to this sail. It is putting some distance in there… China sees that the rest of the world is horrified.” (Samantha Power, 37:38)
• The “cost-benefit calculus” for Putin may shift as the consequences mount for him and his inner circle.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Trevor Noah’s Swift Banking Joke:
  “One of the biggest moves...is cutting Russia off of Swift. Which is huge. Like, we’re talking no folklore, no 1989. Not even the short version of All Too Well...Oh, it’s a different Swift.” (06:34)

• Calling Out Media Double Standards:
  “That was you choosing your words carefully. That was the careful version. So what were you gonna say if you weren’t choosing your words carefully?...Beyond the racism, right? Like, let’s forget the racism. Oh, how I wish we could.” (14:13–14:30)

• Snake Island Defiance:
  “Those troops...became the country’s first heroes of the resistance, thanks to this stunning exchange with Russian forces…” (19:44)

• Zelenskyy’s Bravery:
  “I need ammunition, not a ride.” — (News reporter, 24:06)
  “That’s hella gangster.” — Trevor Noah (24:40)

• On Putin’s Isolation:
  “He’s pushing his inner circle away. We saw him publicly humiliating his closest advisers. That’s what’s most concerning—nobody there to prevent a catastrophic misstep.” (11:55)

• On Comedians as Leaders:
  Michael Kosta: “This Zelenskyy thing is a disaster for us, Trevor. People are gonna see this comedian being brave, and they’re gonna think we’re all brave.” (26:23)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Global Reaction & Sanctions: 02:33–10:52
• Media Bias and War Coverage: 13:30–15:47
• Ukrainian Resistance Stories: 17:53–24:40
• The Zelenskyy Phenomenon: 23:50–26:45
• Interview: Samantha Power on Diplomacy: 29:48–38:44

Tone & Style

• Humorous and sharp, in classic Daily Show style: Trevor and the team blend news, analysis, and satire seamlessly.
• Conversational and critical, especially when discussing media bias, Western hypocrisy, and the unpredictability of global politics.
• Emphatic storytelling, especially in recounting moments of Ukrainian resistance and leadership.

Conclusion

This episode provides a thorough and engaging retrospective of the world’s immediate response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. It highlights the extraordinary unity among Western countries, the real effects of economic sanctions, the unwavering resistance of the Ukrainian people, and the new global challenges resulting from this crisis. Through comedy, incisive interviews, and pointed commentary, The Daily Show gives listeners both clarity and context on one of the most dramatic moments in recent history.