The Daily Show: Ears Edition

Episode Title: Trump Posts Bizarre AI Videos as Government Shuts Down | Benny Safdie
Air Date: October 2, 2025
Hosts: Ronny Chieng, Michael Kosta, The Daily Show News Team
Guest: Benny Safdie

Episode Overview

This episode of The Daily Show: Ears Edition blends sharp satire with substantive commentary on the latest headlines. Main topics include the U.S. federal government shutdown, President Trump’s unhinged use of AI-generated attack videos, the economic squeeze affecting Americans (from TSA agents to the Tooth Fairy), and an in-depth interview with acclaimed filmmaker Benny Safdie about his new film, The Smashing Machine. The show maintains its trademark irreverent style, blending news analysis with absurdist comedy and biting political commentary.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Federal Government Shutdown

[01:31 – 06:28]

• Shutdown Context & Causes:

  • Democrats and Republicans at an impasse over health care, with the GOP refusing to negotiate until the government reopens.
  • Quote (02:37):
    “Democrats say that the government should help pay for health care, and Republicans say that’s what GoFundMe is for.” — Guest Host
  • Satirical framing: the government as a failed relationship, making parallel jokes about Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban’s breakup.

• Trump’s Response—AI Videos:

  • Trump posted bizarre AI-generated videos that racialize and caricature Democratic leaders, drawing confusion and mockery.
  • Quote (03:43):
    “Trump is making fun of a black man for being Mexican. It’s almost too confusing to be rac… It’s like putting a headdress on the Twin Towers. I mean, I don’t even know what you’re trying to say. I don’t have the racist math skills to solve this equation. I never thought I’d say this, but Donald Trump, can you be better at racism?” — Guest Host

• Democratic Leaders' Reaction:

  • A measured, mature response; decrying bigotry and reaffirming their focus on policy.
    • Quote (04:30):
      “It’s a disgusting video, and we’re going to continue to make clear bigotry will get you nowhere.” — Ronny Chieng (impersonating Democrats)

• Impact on Federal Workers and National Parks:

  • Up to 750,000 furloughed employees; essential workers like TSA go unpaid.
  • Parks remain open, but basic services are halted—leading to a comedic, crude segment on pooping in the Grand Canyon.
    • Quote (07:41):
      “No, they’re pooping directly into the Grand Canyon… It became a viral challenge after that. You know how the Internet is. It’s called the Fecal Furlough Challenge.” — Ronny Chieng as Josh Johnson

2. "Costa Doing Business" — Economy, Savings, and Absurd Financial Advice

[10:48 – 18:50]

• Frugality Fads:

  • Adults increasingly order kids’ meals to save money as inflation rises.
    • Quote (12:08):
      “If you see me eating Lunchables in my car, just know that’s not sad anymore.” — Michael Kosta

• Job Market Realities — "Job Hugging":

  • Trend of employees clinging to jobs out of economic anxiety, lampooned as hugging your desk (or not leaving, ever).
    • Quote (14:13):
      “Have you hugged your job lately? Yes. Job hugging. Not to be confused with hugging on the job, which HR tells you is absolutely not allowed, even though it’s not a sexual thing at all.” — Michael Kosta

• Tooth Fairy’s Economic Woes:

  • Kids reportedly earn less per tooth; satirical investment advice given: switch to "dog teeth" for volume.
    • Quote (16:31):
      “You gotta go all in on dog teeth. ... If you want 9K, you gotta round up some K9s, okay?” — Michael Kosta

• Product Recall Comedy:

  • Costco’s exploding Prosecco bottles and a tongue-in-cheek endorsement for tongue bandages.

3. Interview: Benny Safdie on "The Smashing Machine"

[19:58 – 33:07]

Filmmaking Approach

• Immersive Storytelling:

  • Safdie’s goal: put the audience "ringside" while still maintaining cinematic perspective.
    • Quote (21:03):
      “That was the goal, you know, with this movie, is put you in the best seat in the house, which is ringside.” — Benny Safdie

• Technical Choices:

  • Use of long lens and staying out of the ring to preserve realism.
  • Filmed in a way that evokes the early 2000s—including actual cameras and film stock from the era.

• Working with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson:

  • Johnson altered his gait and physique significantly to authentically portray Mark Kerr.

    • Quote (23:44):
      “I said, Dwayne, as we get closer, maybe you could get a little... puffier, you know, like, bigger.” — Benny Safdie

  • Collaboration with both Johnson and the real Mark Kerr to find the emotional truth of the character.

Storytelling Philosophy

• Focus on Human Experience:

  • Despite being a “fight movie,” it’s about internal pain, perseverance, and the psychological challenges of public life.
    • Quote (26:14):
      “It’s the fact... I know what it feels like to have a kind of deep pain inside of you and have to go out in front of everybody and act like it’s not there, you know, but it’s always there.” — Benny Safdie

• Aesthetic Aims:

  • Wanted to evoke the time period’s vibe through film stock, music, and lighting.
    • Quote (29:34):
      “So I chose 16 millimeter to shoot this on because aesthetically, it has a feeling. Everybody remembers what 2000 feels like.” — Benny Safdie

• Comment on American Film:

  • Disagrees with doom about the current state of American cinema, suggesting focus should be on emotional and human stories amid the overwhelming sheer volume of content (and challenges of AI).
    • Quote (31:53):
      “To me, it’s just about humanity. You have to focus on emotions and human beings because we’re here. This is what’s important.” — Benny Safdie

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Trump’s AI Videos

• “I don’t have the racist math skills to solve this equation. I never thought I’d say this, but Donald Trump, can you be better at racism?” — Guest Host, [03:43]

On Poop in the Grand Canyon

• “It started with a couple people who just desperately needed to go, but then someone posted it online and it became a kind of viral challenge after that. ... It’s called the Fecal Furlough Challenge.” — Ronny Chieng as Josh Johnson, [08:48]

On Economic Absurdities

• “If you see me eating Lunchables in my car, just know that’s not sad anymore.” — Michael Kosta, [12:08]
• “Have you hugged your job lately?” — Michael Kosta, [14:13]
• “You gotta go all in on dog teeth. ... If you want 9K, you gotta round up some K9s, okay?” — Michael Kosta, [16:31]

On Directing The Smashing Machine

• “I wanted you to be there. That was the goal, you know, with this movie, is put you in the best seat in the house, which is ringside.” — Benny Safdie, [21:03]
• “It’s the fact... I know what it feels like to have a kind of deep pain inside of you and have to go out in front of everybody and act like it’s not there, you know, but it’s always there.” — Benny Safdie, [26:14]

Important Timestamps

• Intro & News Setup: [01:31–02:24]
• Shutdown & Trump’s AI Videos: [02:24–05:53]
• Government Shutdown Impacts/National Parks: [05:46–09:24]
• Costa Doing Business (Economy/Job Market/Tooth Fairy): [10:48–18:50]
• Interview: Benny Safdie & Filmmaking Philosophy: [19:58–33:07]

Tone and Style

Irreverent, fast-paced, and satirical, blending absurd hypotheticals and sharp one-liners with moments of genuine insight (especially in the interview segment). The hosts maintain high energy, frequently using self-deprecating humor and pop culture references to engage with often bleak subject matter.

Summary Takeaway

This episode delivers biting comic relief as the U.S. faces government dysfunction and yet another wave of divisive political theatrics. Through ridicule, satire, and a surprisingly warm and nuanced interview with Benny Safdie, the show reminds listeners of the absurdity—and the humanity—at the heart of current events.