Trump Cabinet Chaos, Sports Feuds, and Saving Democracy

Summary

The Daily Show: Ears Edition - Episode Summary
Title: Trump Cabinet Chaos, Sports Feuds, and Saving Democracy
Release Date: November 13, 2024
Host/Authors: Comedy Central and iHeartPodcasts
Description: Jon Stewart and The Daily Show News Team tackle today's biggest headlines with humor and insight. This episode delves into the chaos surrounding Donald Trump's potential cabinet appointments, heated sports debates, and the crucial topic of saving American democracy.

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1. Trump Cabinet Chaos

Overview:
The episode opens with host Jordan Klepper dissecting the tumultuous state of Donald Trump's potential second-term cabinet appointments. Klepper humorously critiques the qualifications and suitability of Trump's nominees, highlighting a perceived lack of coherence and experience among the picks.

Key Discussions:

• Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security ([01:26]):
  Jordan Klepper: "Kristi Noem for Homeland Security. Are you kidding me? She's supposed to get the border under control. She couldn't even train her dog."
  Insight: Klepper mocks Noem's lack of national security experience, questioning her ability to handle critical responsibilities.

• Lee Zeldin for the Environmental Protection Agency ([03:29]):
  Jordan Klepper: "At EPA, we have the ability to pursue energy dominance... Where's the environment in all this?"
  Insight: Criticism centers on Zeldin's environmental track record, suggesting his priorities may not align with the EPA's core mission.

• Elon Musk's Involvement ([07:02]):
  Jordan Klepper: "The world's richest man is helping the president elect run the country... It's corruption waiting to happen."
  Insight: Klepper highlights concerns over Musk's unofficial role, implying potential conflicts of interest and lack of accountability.

Notable Quotes:

• Jordan Klepper: "Donald Trump's a style icon. A style icon." ([05:46])
  Context: Sarcastic remark underscoring the superficial nature of Trump's appeal.

• Robert Putnam: "He is the toughest man that I have ever met." ([05:33])
  Context: Over-the-top praise from a guest, used to juxtapose the comedic critique.

Conclusions:
Klepper underscores the disorganization and lack of strategic planning in Trump's cabinet selections, suggesting that the appointments may hinder effective governance rather than enhance it.

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2. Sports Feuds

Overview:
Transitioning from politics to sports, the "Sports War" segment offers a comedic take on recent developments in the sports world, particularly focusing on the legalization of sports betting in Missouri.

Key Discussions:

• Missouri's Sports Betting Legalization ([13:06]):
  Robert Putnam: "Voters have approved Amendment 2 legalizing sports betting... This is great news for Missouri's underfunded public schools."
  Insight: The segment humorously downplays the significance of the amendment, juxtaposing serious implications with light-hearted commentary.

• Aaron Rodgers as a Presidential Bet ([15:10]):
  Jordan Klepper: "Betting on the 2028 presidential election has already begun. Aaron Rodgers is among the favorites to win the presidency."
  Insight: Klepper satirizes the intertwining of sports figures and politics, questioning the credibility of such bets.

Notable Quotes:

• Robert Putnam: "Which animal's penis does Jordan most resemble?" ([18:04])
  Context: Dark humor exchanged between co-hosts, exemplifying the show's irreverent style.

• Jordan Klepper: "Aaron Rodgers will not be president. Head of the CDC, sure. But president? Get real." ([15:22])
  Context: Mockery of unlikely political scenarios involving sports personalities.

Conclusions:
The segment uses humor to highlight the absurdity of certain sports developments, while subtly critiquing the commercialization and sensationalism within the sports industry.

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3. Saving Democracy

Overview:
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to an in-depth interview with Harvard professor and social scientist Robert Putnam, author of "Bowling Alone." The discussion revolves around the decline of American community connections and its impact on democracy.

Key Discussions:

• Decline of Social Capital ([20:21]):
  Desi Lydic: "Over the last 50 years, we have become steadily more polarized, steadily more unequal, steadily more disconnected."
  Insight: Highlighting the erosion of community bonds and increasing social fragmentation as threats to democratic stability.

• Impact on Elections ([24:00]):
  Desi Lydic: "The more socially isolated you were, the more likely you were to vote for Trump."
  Insight: Connecting social isolation with susceptibility to populist movements, emphasizing the need for rebuilding community ties.

• Bridging vs. Bonding Social Capital ([26:22]):
  Desi Lydic: "Bridging social capital are my ties to people who are different from me... Bonding social capital is easier to build than bridging social capital."
  Insight: Explaining the distinction between connecting with similar vs. diverse groups and the challenges associated with fostering inclusive communities.

Notable Quotes:

• Robert Putnam: "Trump was the consequence of that. And if Trump goes away, we're still going to have that problem." ([32:14])
  Context: Emphasizing that the issues of social disconnection predate and extend beyond Trump's influence.

• Desi Lydic: "America was becoming steadily more fragmented, more isolated... That is to say, the more socially isolated you were, the more likely you were to vote for Trump." ([24:00])
  Context: Correlating social isolation with political tendencies, underscoring the broader societal implications.

Conclusions:
Putnam advocates for intentional efforts to rebuild community connections, emphasizing that strengthening social bonds is essential for a healthy democracy. He suggests focusing on local initiatives and diverse group formations to bridge societal divides.

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Final Thoughts

The episode adeptly balances sharp political satire with insightful social commentary. Through humorous critiques of Trump's cabinet choices and lighthearted sports debates, it engages listeners while seamlessly transitioning into profound discussions on democracy's fragility. The interview with Robert Putnam serves as a compelling call to action, urging Americans to reconnect and rebuild the social fabric essential for sustaining democratic ideals.

Notable Overall Quote:

• Jordan Klepper: "America, get your friends, pull them together, sit in front of the television and watch the film and understand. And we can do this together because, dear Lord, who else is going to move the snow off of our drive line?" ([33:23])
  Context: A humorous yet earnest appeal for community engagement, blending comedy with genuine concern.

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Availability:
Listeners can watch "The Daily Show: Ears Edition" weeknights on Comedy Central at 11/10c or stream it on Paramount+. Additionally, exclusive content and extended interviews are available through the podcast platform.

Discount Offer:
Use discount code "TDS20" for 20% off all The Daily Show products at ParamountShop.com.

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This episode of The Daily Show: Ears Edition masterfully intertwines humor with critical societal issues, offering both entertainment and enlightenment to its audience.

Transcript

[Seth Doan]

When 60 Minutes premiered in September 1968, there was nothing like it.

[Jordan Klepper]

This is 60 Minutes.

[Desi Lydic]

It's a kind of a magazine for television.

[Seth Doan]

Very few have been given access to the treasures in our archives. But that's all about to change.

[Desi Lydic]

Like, none of this stuff gets looked at. That's what's incredible.

[Seth Doan]

I'm Seth Doan of CBS news. Listen to 60 Minutes. A second look. Wherever you get your podcasts.

[Jordan Klepper]

You'Re listening to Comedy Central from the most trusted.

[Michael Costa]

Journalists at Comedy Central.

[Jordan Klepper]

It's America's only source for news. This is the Daily show with your host, Jordan Clippers. Welcome to the Daily Show. Jordan Klepper, we got a great show for you tonight. America has chosen a direction, and now we are heading into it. Barreling towards it, some might say. So let's get right into it. In our new segment, Trump 2.0 coming for the White House.

[Desi Lydic]

I'm going to come.

[Jordan Klepper]

Four more years of that. Now, we all know Trump has big plans for his second term. Mass deportations, tariffs, and finally, building that statue of Arnold Palmer's. So that's to scale. The question is, who's going to come to the White House and help Trump carry out his glorious agenda? And you know what? The man has won the popular vote. He's earned the right to pick his new team. We owe it to him to hear him out without, you know, nitpicking. South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem is expected to be tapped as the Secretary of Homeland Security. I'm sorry, I'm sorry. If I could nitpick for just a sec. Just a second. Christy Noem for Homeland Security. Are you kidding me? She's supposed to get the border under control. She couldn't even train her dog. Although I will say, I guess we know at least one Mexican who's not making it over the border. I know. Very sad, very sad. This is our new reality. I mean, this woman has no national security experience. She's the governor of South Dakota. That isn't even the best Dakota. It goes north. Fanning Johnson, then the building John Lennon was shot outside of, then South Dakota. But I will say Noem does have experienced striking fear in the hearts of terrorists. Wait, I read that wrong. Terriers. Fear in the hearts of terriers. Yeah, sorry, sorry. You know what? I said I wouldn't interrupt. So who else is on board? I promise, promise, promise, promise not to nitpick. The former president.

[Robert Putnam]

Also turning to a former House member.

[Jordan Klepper]

Lee Zeldin of New York, to lead.

[Robert Putnam]

The Environmental Protection Agency.

[Jordan Klepper]

Okay, just a nitpick For a second here, Republican Congressman Lee Zeldin. Now, the last I remember, he wasn't a big advocate for the environment. You know what? You know what? Maybe he has some good ideas.

[Robert Putnam]

What do you plan to do?

[Jordan Klepper]

At epa, we have the ability to pursue energy dominance, to be able to make the United States the artificial intelligence capital of the world, to bring back American jobs to the auto industry. We have the opportunity to roll back regulations that are forcing businesses to be able to struggle. So the head of the EPA's top priority is protecting the auto industry, boosting artificial intelligence, and boosting business in general. Where's the environment in all this? Does the. Does the E. I mean, look at this, look at this. Does the E and EPA just stand for Eh? It. It's pretty cool how our nation's climate policy as like a battle over a thermostat. Dad comes in and turns it down, then four years later, mom turns it back up over and over until we drown. The truth is, when you look at Trump's cabinet picks so far, they're kind of all over the place. You got mainstream politician Marco Rubio as Secretary of State, far right weirdo Stephen Miller as Deputy Chief of staff, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik as UN Ambassador, even though she has no diplomatic experience. I mean, what common thread could there possibly be that would explain why Trump hired all of them? President Trump risks everything for us. Leading us in this fight will be a man who, although wounded and facing danger, he stood up and raised his fist.

[Robert Putnam]

He is the toughest man that I have ever met. Nobody has endured more than what he has gone through.

[Jordan Klepper]

Nothing, absolutely nothing, will stop president from.

[Robert Putnam]

Standing and fighting for our great country.

[Jordan Klepper]

Donald Trump's a style icon. A style icon. Stephen Miller wants to put kids in cages, but that is perhaps the most offensive thing he has said. But I guess that's the uniting factor. These people are kissing Trump's ass so hard, they've got bronzer on their nose. And yes, he puts it on down there. He covers his whole body in it. You know, except for right here. For some reason, the most important person on Trump's team right now doesn't have a cabinet position. Elon Musk, world's richest man and guy who looks like a wax statue of himself that you'd look at and say, man, that's a bad whack statue. Now, since the election, Trump's been getting something that Elon's 11 children will never receive his full attention. Elon Musk, who's been spotted at Mar a Lago, basically, since Election Day. He's been seen golfing with Trump and hanging out there at dinner. He's one of the few people sitting in this makeshift situation room that they built in Mar A Lago.

[Robert Putnam]

Elon Musk has been weighing in on some of Donald Trump's potential picks, making it clear to the president and elect who he believes should have that role.

[Jordan Klepper]

Ooh, good, good. The world's richest man is helping the president elect run the country. I'm sure by the time Elon's done, his businesses will be unregulated, he'll have billions in new government contracts, and it'll be illegal to point and laugh at a cybertruck. Don't do it. Don't do it.

[Desi Lydic]

Don't do it.

[Jordan Klepper]

Don't. Don't make fun of this. Don't make fun of it. I want to know what else. What else is going on in the Mar A Lago makeshift situation room he's.

[Robert Putnam]

Also been sitting in many times when he's been with Donald Trump on some of the calls from foreign leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Musk happened to be at the club when Zelensky called, and Trump put him on speaker.

[Jordan Klepper]

Poor, poor Zelensky. Hasn't Ukraine been through enough? He's in a bunker. Russian troops are amassing outside, and he's like, don't put Elon on. Don't put Elon on. Don't. Don't. Hey, Elon. Yes, Yes, I did see you jump very high. Yes. Very cool, man. Very cool. Oh, yeah, the hat looked radical, man. Cool, I guess because Elon provides Ukraine with Internet through his satellites. This was basically a customer service call, which means when they put Elon on the phone, Zelensky was probably like, uh, I hate it when these things make you talk to a robot. Human operator. Human operator. So now Elon is by the President elect's side with no oversight or security clearances or even a title. Responding to speculation about his position in.

[Desi Lydic]

The new administration, Musk posted on X. I'm happy to be First Buddy.

[Jordan Klepper]

Oh, you know what? Let's go back to not having a title First Buddy. Sounds like a sequel to Air Bud, where we elect a golden retriever to be president, which, frankly, I'd take at this point. Just looks nice. It looks nice. Just keep it away from Kristi Noem, you know? For more on the relationship between Trump and Musk, let's go live tomorrow with Michael Costa. Michael. Michael. The world's richest man and the President of the United States are colluding out of the public eye. This is. This is corruption waiting to happen.

[Michael Costa]

God, you're cynical, Jordan. You know, for you, the glass is half empty, but for me, the glass is a shiny mirror covered in cocaine. You. You may see Trump and Elon as two billionaires colluding to promote their own self interest, but I see a blossoming friendship between two men. And in a time when male friendship is in recession, I think that's something that we should be celebrating.

[Jordan Klepper]

What are you talking about? No, these are two wealthy moguls taking advantage of the system.

[Michael Costa]

Okay, so there's going to be some conflicts of interest. Yes, we're all going to have Elon's computer chips installed in our brains. But what's more important? Government mandated neurosurgery or two old bros viciously vibing.

[Jordan Klepper]

The brain surgery thing is more important.

[Michael Costa]

You know what I think? You know what I think? I think you're just jealous that you don't have a male friendship like they do. When was the last time you hung out with a male friend, Jordan? And I mean. I mean really hung out.

[Jordan Klepper]

Okay, I mean, I guess before the pandemic. A few years before the pandemic. Does my dad count?

[Michael Costa]

Aw, no, definitely not. See, you're lonely, okay? But lucky for you, I'm right here. How many times have I said that you should get me a drink after work or that you should let me. Let you buy me dinner or that we should do a trip for the boys to Cancun that you pay for? I mean, male friendship is right there, my guy. You just have to reach out with your Visa Capital One venture card and grab it.

[Jordan Klepper]

Very generous. My new best friend, Michael Costa, everybody. When we come back, we'll find out who won fourth. Don't go away.

[Seth Doan]

When 60 Minutes premiered in September 1968, there was nothing like it.

[Desi Lydic]

This is 60 Minutes. It's a kind of a magazine for television.

[Seth Doan]

Very few have been given access to the truth treasures in our archives. But that's all about to change.

[Desi Lydic]

Like, none of this stuff gets looked at. That's what's incredible.

[Seth Doan]

I'm Seth Doan of CBS news. Listen to 60 Minutes a second look wherever you get your podcasts.

[Jordan Klepper]

Welcome back to the Daily Show. The election dominating the news cycle. Let's take a break from politics to cover the one thing that really affects your life. Sports. For a full recap of the biggest stories in the world of jocks and straps, we turn to Sports War. Get ready for battle. It's time for Sports War, brought to you by Gambling. Gambling. Don't worry. It's our little secret. What's up, morons? I'm Jordan Klemper.

[Robert Putnam]

And I'm Desi Lydic. This is Sports War, the show where we are legally not allowed to agree with each other.

[Jordan Klepper]

So if I say Travis Kelce is the sexiest man in sports, I say.

[Robert Putnam]

No, thanks, Mr. Met can still get it.

[Jordan Klepper]

I weep for your children. This is a special post election episode of Sports War. It's a historic day for America. Desi has broken the glass ceiling and become the first female co host of SportsWar.

[Robert Putnam]

Thanks, Jordan. This completely makes up for Kamala not winning. Instead, I get the thrill of arguing about sports with an asexual balloon animal. Let's start with the biggest issue for women on the ballot in Missouri. A woman's right to choose which team she bets on. Just in. Voters have approved A Missouri Amendment 2 legalizing sports betting. The yes votes won by just 0.3%. Missouri is the largest state to allow gambling on major sporting events. There will be a 10% sports betting tax rate. That money will then go to Compulsive Gamblers Prevention Fund and also Missouri schools. Wow. It used to be that the only way women could gamble in Missouri was with a high risk pregnancy. But this is great news for Missouri's underfunded public schools. Congratulations to all the kids at Fanduel Elementary.

[Jordan Klepper]

Desi, Desi, Desi, your take is as lame as that blonde wig look. Missouri does not deserve the majesty of legalized sports gambling. As the owner of a riverboat casino near Kansas City, this is really going to destroy my bottom line. Some very bad people are not going to be happy. Bye bye, thumbs.

[Robert Putnam]

That brings us to my ring.

[Jordan Klepper]

A ding.

[Robert Putnam]

Sure thing bet of the week. Which one of Jordan Klepper's family members will receive his thumbs in the mail? Brought to you by Gambling Gambling. Is your marriage too stable? Try gambling. By the way, if I could just be serious for a moment. If you or a loved one has a gambling problem, use promo code Desiwins. And I get 10 bucks when you place your first bet.

[Jordan Klepper]

Good luck. And if you're a newly minted gambling addict in Missouri, good news. Betting on the 2028 presidential election has already begun. Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers is among the favorites to win the presidency in 2028. According to betting sites, oddsmakers are giving Rogers a 30 to 1 or 3% chance of becoming the next president. Meaning if you bet $100, you could win 3,000 if Rogers is elected. Ooh. Mark my words. Aaron Rodgers will not Be president. Head of the cdc, sure. But president? Get real. His name is Aaron. We can't have a president named Aaron. That's like having an army general named Skyler. Or a co host named Desi.

[Robert Putnam]

Jordan, you anemic twizzler. You're as tall as you are dumb as you are feminine. Aaron Rodgers would make a great president. America has to elect someone crazier than Donald Trump in 2028, otherwise we'll lose our momentum. President Trump removes fluoride from our water, then President Rogers removes hydrogen from our water.

[Jordan Klepper]

Wouldn't that just make it oxygen?

[Robert Putnam]

That's right, Oppenheimer. Last time I oxygen wasn't making our kids gay. And yes, Aaron Rodgers has taken a lot of hits to the head. But some of our best presidents have had brain damage. Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy.

[Jordan Klepper]

Now th. Those guys. Those guys were shot in the head.

[Robert Putnam]

Agree to disagree.

[Jordan Klepper]

Okay. Which brings us to my money. Go. Boom. Boom. Bet of the night. Is America ready for its first CTE President? As always, that bet is brought to you by gambling. Gambling? You won't know if you have a problem until you try it.

[Robert Putnam]

Finally, let's move on from odd mental decisions to odd physical ones. Last weekend, a fitness influencer was banned from the New York City Marathon for life. His crime? Loving cinema. A fitness social media influencer is banned for life from the New York City Marathon. 29 year old Matthew Choi ran the 26.2 mile route, followed by a camera crew on e bikes. It was all to film content, including video posted here on Instagram. This guy is a pioneer. The whole point of exercising is to rub it in everyone's faces.

[Jordan Klepper]

Desi. Now, the whole point of exercise is to get in shape.

[Robert Putnam]

And what shape are you? A drinking straw?

[Jordan Klepper]

Hell, it.

[Robert Putnam]

It's about content. Which is why my Christmas card this year is just a picture of me bench pressing my family. Do you know how heavy Mr. Met is?

[Jordan Klepper]

Desi, Desi, Desi. You've done the impossible. You've made me actually miss Ronnie Chang. A marathon is not about content. It's about running away from your personal demons. If you're running, there's no time to stop and think about how the kids in seventh grade said your body type was giraffe penis. And then everyone, including your teacher, started calling you G.P. they printed giraffe penis on your diploma. Now you have to put it on your resume. It's your nickname at work. Your fiance puts it in her wedding vow. She yells it out every time she pretends to climax. What's going on? Theoretically.

[Robert Putnam]

All right, settle down, GP which brings us to my big baller BET blitz bonanza. Which animal's penis does Jordan most resemble? As always, bet is brought to you by gambling. Gambling hit rock bottom. Maybe there's some money down there.

[Jordan Klepper]

Well, that's all the time we have for sports war.

[Robert Putnam]

Join us next time when we debate whether basketball should have more balls.

[Jordan Klepper]

I mean, you mean like multi ball, like pinball? I mean, that's a stupid ide.

[Seth Doan]

When 60 Minutes premiered in September 1968, there was nothing like it.

[Jordan Klepper]

This is 60 Minutes.

[Desi Lydic]

It's a kind of a magazine for television.

[Seth Doan]

Very few have been given access to the treasures in our archives. But that's all about to change.

[Desi Lydic]

Like, none of this stuff gets looked at. That's what's incredible.

[Seth Doan]

I'm Seth Doane of CBS news. Listen to 60 Minutes. A second look wherever you get your podcasts.

[Jordan Klepper]

Welcome back to the Daily Show. My guest tonight is a Harvard professor and social scientist who wrote the seminal book Bowling Alone. He's featured in the new documentary Join or Die. Please welcome Robert Putnam. Professor, welcome. Welcome to the show.

[Desi Lydic]

Thank you. Good to be here.

[Jordan Klepper]

You wrote a very influential book, Bowling Alone, a few decades ago, which sort of chronicled the demise of the American community.

[Desi Lydic]

Right.

[Jordan Klepper]

To catch us up, what essentially is the thesis of that book and why is it still resonant today?

[Desi Lydic]

Well, the story basically is that over the. This book was published now, 25 years ago, over the preceding 25 or 30 years. In other words, about a half century ago, Americans who had historically been connected with one another. That's what this French philosopher Tocqueville said. We were the most connected nation in the world. That began to change, and we started knowing our neighbors less well. We started knowing our families less well. We started. We began to slacken our involvement in community affairs, politics, but not just politics. We started going to fewer. We bowled as much as ever before. Bowling Alone. But you may not know this. Bowling is big in America. You know that half of more Americans bowl than vote in America. So it's a big.

[Jordan Klepper]

And bowling, that's the one where you throw the ball in the air and you hit it with a racket. Is that the one.

[Michael Costa]

Is that what it is?

[Desi Lydic]

Right.

[Jordan Klepper]

Well, you noticed that people, people are still bowling, but the trend was starting that they weren't bowling in groups anymore.

[Desi Lydic]

That's right.

[Jordan Klepper]

They were bowling essentially alone.

[Desi Lydic]

Right.

[Jordan Klepper]

Yeah.

[Desi Lydic]

Anyway, that's the story of the book. Declining all these measures of the degree to which we were connected with one another or even trusted one another. Going down, down, down. And then the book went on to say, why is that? And we had a. We had. I would change my views a little bit about what caused it.

[Jordan Klepper]

Is it just because people got worse and they suck a little bit more? So we don't want to. We don't want to hang out with people anymore.

[Desi Lydic]

You want to see them? The pie chart in the book that shows percentages. I would.

[Jordan Klepper]

I love me a good pie chart. Yeah, show me. Oh, yeah, I got. Oh, I got a pie chart for you. You want to see this pie chart in this book?

[Desi Lydic]

Please.

[Jordan Klepper]

Pretty nice. So why is it.

[Desi Lydic]

Well, it was. It's a lot of different things. Partly people sending more time commuting and less time for, you know, hanging out with friends. I thought then, am I allowed to say this on this show?

[Jordan Klepper]

Let's see. Let's hear what it is.

[Desi Lydic]

The television. Television was most of the. No, it turns out that's not true. But I mean, I did see television.

[Jordan Klepper]

Was part of the problem.

[Desi Lydic]

Yeah, we were hap. We were.

[Jordan Klepper]

Oh, no. It's done only wonderful things for our community. We elected a person who became fake famous on television. No, it's warped everybody's mind. We're doing it right now. You're currently warping people's mind right now. There are people who, instead of spending time with their family, were like, I'm going to watch Robert Putnam alone on television.

[Desi Lydic]

Well, we. Instead of having friends, we started watching friends. That's the basic picture you may not remember. There was a program called.

[Jordan Klepper]

Oh, I know. That was the one with George went. They all hung out at a bar. I know everything about culture. Yes.

[Desi Lydic]

In any event, that was. And the worst of it is I thought this might continue. Of course, I was writing the book because I wanted people to not going down this trend.

[Jordan Klepper]

Yeah.

[Desi Lydic]

And do you know what happened?

[Jordan Klepper]

We continued to bowl alone.

[Desi Lydic]

It's gotten worse in every way.

[Jordan Klepper]

Well, it does feel like we are disconnected from communities. I think people are talking about this election. I want to get your take on what you saw. People like Steve Bannon was talking about how influential this book was. Even AOC just yesterday was talking about how we need to form these communities. People are still talking about your book. And what resonates there. Do you see what happened in this last election as connected to the trends that you saw?

[Desi Lydic]

Yeah. So Steve Bannon is Trump's guru.

[Jordan Klepper]

Yeah.

[Desi Lydic]

And I'm.

[Jordan Klepper]

And Taylor, I think, too. Well, he's definitely part of his fashion icon.

[Desi Lydic]

So I. I'm the guru's guru. Is that the way it is. I hate that idea. But that's true. What I said then was that America was becoming steadily more fragmented, more isolated, more. Less connected with our less trusting of people around us. And. And that was true. And Bannon advised Trump that that was their path to victory, was to look for those people who were just completely isolated, fragmented, and didn't have any connections, and they were going to give them some real connections. And actually, the data show. I believe in data. The data show they were right. That is to say, the more socially isolated you were, the more likely you were to vote for Trump.

[Jordan Klepper]

I know there's. There's a famous quote that says, like, dictators prey on loneliness.

[Desi Lydic]

Yeah.

[Jordan Klepper]

And essentially plays off of that idea.

[Desi Lydic]

That's right.

[Jordan Klepper]

I mean, do you see. I mean, when I hear this, the ideas behind Bowling Alone and by the documentary that is out right now. It does. It points to what is good about joining communities. I mean, I've always felt that when I am a part of groups, I don't know if the answer to Save Our Democracy is me joining yet another improv team. I don't know if that helps. I don't know if that saves everything. But I also see. I go into the Trump world a lot. I go to MAGA events, and I see in these groups, I see connection, but I also see, like, a lack of accountability for people. Yeah, we talk about how cruelty can fester in these. Like, I hear this question in this. That is posed in this film, which is like, you need to join a group to save American democracy. Yeah, but what do you say to people who are like, well, the Oath Keepers are letting people in? Like, how do you. How do you find the right group? Or is this a time that's reflective of people finding the wrong groups or people feeling alone and therefore being manipulated by others who want to utilize that for untoward means?

[Desi Lydic]

It's a little bit of all of that. Can I use some jargon on this show?

[Jordan Klepper]

I love jargon. This show is so pro jargon. Oh, we love pie charts and jargon on this show. The kids, they.

[Desi Lydic]

My people.

[Jordan Klepper]

Throw it out. Come on, professor, give me some.

[Desi Lydic]

Well, the distinction is between bridging social capital and bonding social capital. So bridging social capital are my ties to other people, just like me. So my ties to other white, male, elderly, Jewish professors, that's my bridging, bonding social capital. We're all bonded together because we're all similar. And. And bridging social capital are my ties to people who are different from me. Like my ties to, you know, I don't know, to people of a different race or a different gender or a different age or whatever. I'm not saying bridging good, bonding bad, because if you get sick, the people who bring you chicken soup will be your bonding social capital. But I am saying that a society like ours, which is very diverse, needs a lot of bridging social capital. With me so far, I mean, and so bridging good, bonding bad, you don't.

[Jordan Klepper]

Have to dumb it down that much.

[Desi Lydic]

But here, wait a minute. It's also the case that building bridging social capital is harder than bonding social capital. My grandmother actually knew that. She said, bobby, birds of a feather flock together. She meant, bobby, bonding social capital is easier to build than bridging social capital. She didn't think I'd understand what I meant, which is why she used the avian metaphor. But, okay, so we're stuck down in a situation in which the kind of connections we need are hard to build and the kinds of connections, you could say, sort of substitute connections. That is the bonding social capital. That's what the proud boys are. I tried to answer your question.

[Jordan Klepper]

You did it. You used jargon and you used a nice little anecdote about the birds. I understand, I understand. The bridging capital is going to be more difficult. Where are examples where that is successful? I think right now you have a lot of people here who feel perhaps lost, disconnected from culture and, or society and or their neighbors. Like, what are examples that you're seeing of, of bridging this divide and finding that capital?

[Desi Lydic]

Well, first of all, can I say there is a documentary movie that is the occasion for our getting together and talk, and they have a lot of. In the movie, you talking about your.

[Jordan Klepper]

Movie, the movie that you're in that follows you.

[Desi Lydic]

Yeah.

[Jordan Klepper]

You don't have to be coy about it. This medium is all about being blunt. Just say it. Like, watch my movie, kids.

[Desi Lydic]

What I meant was the people who produced the movie, Pete and Rebecca Davis, highlight groups that any of us could form right now. New kinds of groups. Not the old fashioned Rotary clubs or whatever. New kinds of groups, but they. And they're bridging and they're not about politics. Can I emphasize that? We don't want to begin. This is what AOC said. We don't want to begin now by having a. If we're trying to move the country back in a better direction, we shouldn't begin thinking we've got to start with the politics. We've got to Start with just knowing our neighbors. She meant to say bowling leagues. She didn't. What she said was knitting leagues. Okay, but.

[Jordan Klepper]

So are you mad she didn't reference your book? Is that what you're saying right here?

[Desi Lydic]

No, no, because authors don't care whether we become famous. We just want to make sure we get the facts right.

[Jordan Klepper]

That's not been the case as far as I've seen it, but yeah, that's okay.

[Desi Lydic]

So back. What do we do now? So we have to begin local. We have to begin with kids because that's the next generation. We have to begin not necessarily with politics. And you asked me about how do we bridge. Can I just use a personal example? I live up in a little neighborhood in neighborhood out in the sticks in New Hampshire. We have a little neighborhood association. That's my one group. And we have a lot of things in common. We all have to worry about the snow. And I want to make sure that someone's going to help me. I'm getting a little old, so I can't. I need to help somebody else shovel me out when it gets bad.

[Jordan Klepper]

Yeah.

[Desi Lydic]

And we were having a neighborhood association meeting a couple of weeks ago, and I discovered that one of these people was a Trump supporter. Now, hold on, I'm making a. I know you know that I'm making a subtle point here. So here's the theoretical point. When you want to bridge, look for something that bonds across that. Right. So what bonds me and this guy are who's going to shovel out, you know, and are we going to help one another shovel? And can we get the snowplow to actually come? Yeah, that's our bonding. But just for a moment, I was putting my shovel. I was enabled to put myself in his shoes and him in my shoes because we were bonded by all these other things. But bridging political divide, maybe that's a little too personal as a story, but it's a story that illustrates that's how you do it. You don't try to force yourself to sort of make friends with people who you think are evil. You make. You make encounters with other people who you know are decent people. He actually would come over and shovel my sidewalks, but he turns out also to be a Trump supporter. Is that. I don't know if that makes sense or not.

[Jordan Klepper]

Probably not. Oh, I believe it. I feel like as somebody, somebody who can do very little physical labor, I'm constantly looking for other people to do it for me.

[Desi Lydic]

Yeah, me too.

[Jordan Klepper]

And if I were to bet the people who own snow plows and that type of equipment. It doesn't necessarily happen on the blue side of the aisle. So make some friends because you're going to need some help down the line.

[Desi Lydic]

And we've. I just want to go back a little bit to the big picture because I don't do like current events. I want to give a historical framework and historical.

[Jordan Klepper]

How far back are we going?

[Desi Lydic]

Well, before you were born, 50 years.

[Jordan Klepper]

Ago, Bob, this is, I mean, TikTok, buddy. Tick tock. Take me there.

[Desi Lydic]

I'll be quick. Over the last 50 years, we have become 50 years, not over the last five or 10 years we've become steadily more polarized, steadily more unequal, steadily more disconnected. That's the bowling alone part. Steadily less, more narcissistic. 50 years. Trump did not cause that. Trump was the consequence of that. And if Trump goes away, we're still going to have that problem that we don't know our neighbors and don't trust our friends don't have friends. And moreover, it's class biased, by which I mean people who are college educated, people like you and me and maybe the audience, we have a lot of friends still. But people, the two thirds of Americans who are not college educated, they are very likely to have no friends at all. Now that is a time bomb. And I talked about it already 10, 15, 20 years ago. I've not yet had success, but I'm hoping that tonight will be the beginning of my success.

[Jordan Klepper]

America, get your friends, pull them together, sit in front of the television and watch the film and understand. And we can do this together because, dear Lord, who else is going to move the snow off of our drive line? Join or Die is available now on Netflix. Robert Putnam. We're going to take a quick drive. That's our show for tonight. Now here it is. People keep bringing up this loyalty garbage. I don't. You do need someone that's loyal to your agenda. Absolutely. And who doesn't want to, you know, listen and unequivocally so, you know, if I want. Like you're the managing editor of Fox Business, right? What time is it? No, you are. Suppose I hated you and I worked every day to undermine you.

[Desi Lydic]

I should be fired.

[Jordan Klepper]

You don't want to hire somebody like that. Why are you here? Explore more shows from the Daily show podcast universe by searching the Daily Show. Wherever you get your podcast, watch the.

[Michael Costa]

Daily show weeknights at 1110 Central on Comedy Central and stream full episodes anytime.

[Jordan Klepper]

On Paramount plus Paramount podcasts.

[Seth Doan]

When 60 Minutes premiered in September 1968, there was nothing like it.

[Jordan Klepper]

This is 60 Minutes.

[Desi Lydic]

It's a kind of a magazine for television.

[Seth Doan]

Very few have been given access to the treasures in our archives. But that's all about to change.

[Desi Lydic]

Like, none of this stuff gets looked at. That's what's incredible.

[Seth Doan]

I'm Seth Doane of CBS news. Listen to 60 Minutes a second look wherever you get your podcasts.