The Daily Show: Ears Edition Episode: Ted Cruz & Tucker Carlson Battle Over Iran While Trump Enters His Decorating Era | Matt Berninger
Release Date: June 19, 2025
Host/Authors: iHeartPodcasts and Paramount Podcasts

1. Opening Monologue: Trump’s Indecision and MAGA Rift

[00:37] Jordan Klepper

Jordan Klepper kicks off the episode by addressing the simmering tension within the MAGA base, primarily sparked by former President Donald Trump's hesitancy to RSVP to Israel's call for war. This indecision has ignited a fierce debate between two prominent right-wing figures: Senator Ted Cruz and media personality Tucker Carlson.

Key Highlights:

• Cruz vs. Carlson: Ted Cruz advocates for military action against Iran, while Tucker Carlson criticizes Cruz’s understanding of Iranian demographics.

  • [01:34] Tucker Carlson: “How many people live in Iran, by the way?”
  • [01:36] Ted Cruz: “I don't know the population at all. No, I don't know the population.”
  • [01:48] Jordan Klepper: Pokes fun at Cruz’s lack of knowledge, highlighting the absurdity of the debate.

• Escalating Conflict: The exchange devolves into a mock battle of wits, showcasing the deep divisions and lack of consensus within the MAGA faction regarding foreign policy decisions.

  • [03:02] Ted Cruz: “They are Persians and predominantly Shia.”
  • [03:12] Tucker Carlson: “You just said we were [supporting Israel].”
  • [03:14] Jordan Klepper: Illustrates the confusion and fragmentation within the group.

2. Trump’s Flagpole Project: A Diverting Distraction

[04:08] Donald Trump

As the nation awaits a decisive move from Trump on the Middle East conflict, he makes an unexpected announcement about installing new flagpoles at the White House.

Key Highlights:

• Flagpole Installation: Trump describes the project with exaggerated pride, diverting attention from the pressing geopolitical issues.

  • [05:22] Donald Trump: “We will be putting up two beautiful flag poles on both sides of the White House north and south lawns.”
  • [05:35] Jordan Klepper: Sarcastically comments, “That will be something for the groundskeepers to take care of while you're busy in the Situation Room dealing with more important matters.”

• Mockery and Satire: Jordan and the team humorously critique Trump’s focus on trivial projects amidst international tensions.

  • [07:01] Jordan Klepper: Jokes about Trump’s supposed fear of using the word “erection,” tying it back to his flagpole talk.
  • [08:09] Donald Trump: “I may do it. I may not do it. I mean, nobody knows what I'm gonna do.”

3. Sports War Segment: Betting and Ballparks

[10:25] Sportswar with Jordan Klepper and Desi Lydic

Transitioning from politics to sports, the "Sports War" segment features Jordan Klepper and Desi Lydic engaging in lighthearted debates about various sports topics, infused with their signature humor.

Key Highlights:

• Caitlin Clark’s Injury Impact:

  • [11:12] Alex Pfeiffer: Reports on Caitlin Clark’s return and its effect on the WNBA.
  • [11:17] Jordan Klepper: Humorously criticizes fans for abandoning the WNBA over a single player’s injury.

• DeMarcus Cousins’ Antics:

  • [12:48] Jordan Klepper: Describes Cousins’ suspension in Puerto Rico’s league after an altercation with a fan.
  • [13:16] Jordan Klepper: Jokes about Cousins’ outrageous behavior, including inappropriate gestures.

• Aaron Rodgers’ Marriage:

  • [14:03] Jordan Klepper: Mockingly discusses Aaron Rodgers’ move to the Pittsburgh Steelers and his secret marriage.
  • [15:09] Jordan Klepper: Continues with playful jabs about Rodgers’ personal life and professional decisions.

4. Special Guest Interview: Matt Berninger on "Get Sunk"

[16:12] Matt Berninger

The episode features an in-depth interview with Matt Berninger, the Grammy-winning frontman of The National, discussing his new solo album "Get Sunk." Berninger delves into his creative process, personal struggles, and the transformative journey behind his latest work.

Key Highlights:

• Creative Evolution:

  • [17:00] Jordan Klepper: Compliments Berninger’s new album and probes into the Midwest influences present in his music.
  • [17:28] Matt Berninger: Shares personal anecdotes about growing up on the Cincinnati-Indiana border and how his uncle’s Christmas tree farm inspired his songwriting.

• Overcoming Personal Struggles:

  • [19:08] Matt Berninger: Opens up about battling depression during the pandemic and the challenges of redefining his identity outside of The National.
  • [20:30] Jordan Klepper: Engages in a humorous exchange, highlighting the candidness of Berninger’s revelations.

• Innovative Writing Techniques:

  • [22:07] Matt Berninger: Explains his unconventional method of writing lyrics on baseballs as a way to break free from traditional notebook writing and engage creatively.
  • [23:16] Jordan Klepper: Teases the uniqueness of Berninger’s approach, emphasizing the blend of creativity and personal influence.

• Intergenerational Connection:

  • [27:23] Matt Berninger: Discusses the surprising alignment between his music and the tastes of younger audiences, drawing parallels with Taylor Swift’s songwriting style.
  • [29:33] Jordan Klepper: Expresses excitement for Berninger’s upcoming song “Inland Ocean” and the themes it explores.

• Notable Quotes:

  • [21:42] Jordan Klepper: “I think this is total bullshit right here.”
  • [25:23] Matt Berninger: “It's putting yourself in a constraint of some kind is really beneficial for creativity.”

5. Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts

[30:25] Jordan Klepper & Desi Lydic

The episode wraps up with humorous banter and promotional segments, highlighting the diverse range of topics covered and teasing future discussions.

Key Highlights:

• Promoting Matt Berninger’s Album: Jordan invites listeners to check out "Get Sunk," adding a personal touch to the endorsement.
• Teasing Future Segments: A playful mention of debating absurd sports ideas, such as playing hockey on pogo sticks, ensures listeners stay tuned for more engaging content.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Jordan Klepper on Ted Cruz:
  [01:34] “How many people live in Iran, by the way?”
  [01:36] Ted Cruz: “I don't know the population at all. No, I don't know the population.”

• Tucker Carlson’s Rebuke:
  [01:48] “You don't know the population of the country you seek to topple.”

• Trump on Flagpoles:
  [05:22] “At 11 o' clock, we're lifting the flag, but we're going to lift the pole now.”

• Matt Berninger on Depression:
  [19:08] “I went through a really long period of depression and stuff.”

• Jordan’s Humor on Creativity:
  [23:29] “I imagine seeing you and most people are like, this crazy guy is scribbling some sort of manifesto out of baseball.”

Conclusion

This episode of "The Daily Show: Ears Edition" masterfully intertwines political satire with lighthearted sports commentary and a profound musical interview. From dissecting internal MAGA conflicts and mocking presidential distractions to exploring the creative depths of a renowned musician, the show offers a comprehensive and entertaining take on current events and personal narratives. Notably, the inclusion of timestamped quotes enriches the listener’s experience, providing key insights and memorable moments that encapsulate the episode’s essence.