The Daily Show: Ears Edition

Episode Title: Trump Flips the Bird & Minnesota Tells ICE to F**k Off with Pickle Rick and Bologna | Langhorne Slim
Release Date: January 15, 2026
Host: Jordan Klepper
Guest: Langhorne Slim

Episode Overview

This episode of The Daily Show: Ears Edition, hosted by Jordan Klepper, blends sharp satire with a heartfelt interview. The main theme centers on President Trump's explosive visit to Minnesota amid heightened ICE enforcement and community backlash, painting a chaotic portrait of current American politics. The episode also features acclaimed musician Langhorne Slim, who discusses the importance of staying creative, connected, and hopeful through music.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Minnesota Visit and Viral Middle Finger

• [01:06–02:43] Jordan Klepper recaps President Trump’s visit to a Ford manufacturing factory in Minnesota, highlighting an incident where Trump flips off a protester after being called a "pedophile protector."
  • Quote (Jordan Klepper, 01:56): “Whoa, whoa, whoa, Mr. President, you can’t flip off a citizen that way, not with your delicate hands. They’ll be bruised for weeks.”
• Satirical commentary frames Trump’s inability to handle criticism, with comedic speculation about what could have been said and why Trump was so triggered.

2. Confusion Over Trump’s Support for Protesters

• [02:43–03:14] A misleading quote from Trump appears supportive of protesters—until it's revealed he’s referring to protesters in Iran, not Minnesota.
  • Quote (Jordan Klepper, 03:14): “Ah, he’s talking about Iran. Okay, my mistake.”
• Klepper lampoons Trump’s inconsistency and the administration’s double standards.

3. ICE Raids and Police Brutality in Minnesota

• [03:33–05:55] Reports detail aggressive ICE raids: flashbangs, pepper spray, racial profiling, and the targeting of U.S. citizens and even Native Americans. The news team satirically exposes the government's claim that they’re only “taking out the worst of the worst.”
  • Quote (Langhorne Slim, 03:34): “Flashbangs lighting up the Minneapolis skies. Agents seen descending on protesters.”
  • Quote (Jordan Klepper, 04:56, on ICE detaining Native Americans): “Native Americans? ‘Americans’ is right in the name, sir. How long have you lived here? Oh, I don’t know. Since Pangea.”

4. Minnesota’s Community Response & Protest Innovations

• [06:26–08:00] The show highlights grassroots resistance, including delivering groceries to immigrant families, blowing whistles to alert neighborhoods of ICE raids, and creative protest tactics like throwing bologna (“lunchables”) at ICE vehicles.
  • Quote (Jordan Klepper, 06:50): “The protesters are fighting back and their weapons are launchable—sorry, I read that wrong—lunchable. Their weapons are lunchables.”
• Humorous takes on the resilience and inventiveness of Minnesota protesters.

5. Confronting Right-Wing Media and Iconic Protesters

• [08:00–10:09] Residents deliver bold face-to-face confrontations with both ICE and right-wing media correspondents. This includes memorable protester personas, such as "Pickle Rick."
  • Quote (Jordan Klepper, 08:08): “Can this guy be my dad?... I can’t believe this dude is from Minnesota and not from a Quentin Tarantino movie.”
  • Quote (Pickle Rick, 09:51): “I’m out here tonight because they are terrorizing Minnesota. They are terrorizing my friends, neighbors, and my clients.”

6. Satirical Segment: "America's Fascist Home Videos"

• [10:56–12:27] A comedic montage lampoons ICE agents' missteps (slipping on ice, making mistakes during raids), suggesting that even “ice” itself is rebelling against ICE.
  • Quote (Correspondent, 11:23): “Some liberals want to abolish ICE. Well, apparently, so does Mother Nature.”

Feature Interview: Langhorne Slim

[12:27–19:54]

The Power of Dreaming and Connection

• Jordan sits down with Langhorne Slim, who muses on the role of dreamers and the essential need for creativity and human connection.
  • Quote (Langhorne Slim, 14:18): “We are inundated and conditioned and taught to use more logic than creativity. And I think that in some ways makes our souls a bit sick… love over gold, curiosity over certainty, connection over separation.”
• Discussion about music as a form of “divine medicine,” especially poignant when Langhorne shares stories of performing at his grandmother’s assisted living facility.
  • Quote (Langhorne Slim, 16:03): “The connection is like the divine medicine. That’s why I play music. That’s why I love art.”

Navigating Political Times Through Performance

• Langhorne Slim describes how older songs have taken on new political significance on tour, reflecting the current cultural climate.
  • Quote (Langhorne Slim, 17:03): “There’s a line to the song ‘Changes’ that just says, ‘things could be stranger, but I don’t know how.’ And the crowd went wild for that.”
• Klepper and Langhorne riff on aging, artist identity, and evolving their craft.
  • Quote (Langhorne Slim, 17:28): “The beauty of calling myself Langhorne Slim, is that if I become very large, it’s just sort of an ironic name.”

Musical Evolution and Joy

• The conversation explores Slim’s musical growth, spanning folk, Americana, and new rock influences through collaboration with members of Greta Van Fleet.
  • Quote (Langhorne Slim, 18:08): “The impetus is just to keep changing and growing… as I get older, I want to keep ripping it open and just having fun.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Trump’s gesture:

  • “You can’t flip off a citizen that way, not with your delicate hands. They’ll be bruised for weeks.” — Jordan Klepper [01:56]

• On ICE's racial profiling:

  • “Are you seriously trying to question a person’s citizenship because they have an accent in Minnesota where people sound like this?” — Jordan Klepper [05:21]

• On protest tactics:

  • “The protesters are fighting back and their weapons are launchable—sorry, I read that wrong—lunchable.” — Jordan Klepper [06:50]

• On protest personalities:

  • “Why are you out here today, Pickle Rick?” — Jordan Klepper [09:37]
  • “They are terrorizing my friends, neighbors, and my clients.” — Pickle Rick [09:51]

• On art and change:

  • “The dreaming kind is like love over gold, curiosity over certainty, connection over separation… and I think that’s a groovy way to roll.” — Langhorne Slim [14:48]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [01:06] — Show starts; Trump’s Minnesota trip
• [01:43] — Trump’s middle finger incident
• [03:14] — Clarification on Trump's protest comments
• [03:33] — ICE raids in Minneapolis, protester abuse
• [05:55] — ICE detaining Native Americans
• [06:26] — Community resistance in Minnesota
• [08:00] — Protesters confront media/ICE
• [09:37] — Interview with “Pickle Rick”
• [10:56] — Satirical “America's Fascist Home Videos”
• [12:27] — Langhorne Slim interview begins
• [14:09] — The importance of dreamers and connecting through art
• [17:03] — Songs’ shifting political relevance
• [18:08] — Musical evolution, collaboration, and fun

Tone and Style

• The episode weaves The Daily Show’s trademark sarcasm and wit with genuine empathy and introspection, especially during the interview portion. Jordan Klepper’s sardonic humor balances with Langhorne Slim’s warm, hopeful outlook.
• Satirical segments lampoon the absurdity of current events while also underlining real tensions and injustices, especially regarding government overreach and the resilience of local communities.

This summary provides a comprehensive, engaging walkthrough of the episode’s news, satire, and guest interview, capturing its most significant discussions and the spirit of The Daily Show’s cultural commentary.