Trump Renames Persian Gulf, Teases a “Big Announcement” & Loses Another Fighter Jet | John Green

Summary

The Daily Show: Ears Edition - Episode Summary

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Daily Show: Ears Edition
• Host: Desi Lydic
• Produced by: iHeartPodcasts and Paramount Podcasts
• Description: Jon Stewart and The Daily Show News Team cover today's biggest headlines. The “Ears Edition” features full episodes, extended content, exclusive interviews, and more.
• Episode Title: Trump Renames Persian Gulf, Teases a “Big Announcement” & Loses Another Fighter Jet | John Green
• Release Date: May 8, 2025

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1. Donald Trump's Mysterious Big Announcement

The episode kicks off with Desi Lydic delving into President Donald Trump's latest move to shift the media narrative amidst a series of personal and political setbacks. Trump has teased a significant announcement without revealing its nature, sparking curiosity and skepticism.

• Trump's Tease:
  Donald Trump [02:21]: “We’re going to have a very, very big announcement to make. Like as big as it gets.”

Desi humorously critiques Trump's vague messaging, comparing his teasers to "teaser trailers for world events."

• Desi's Commentary:
  Desi Lydic [03:30]: “It's really positive, but I want to temper my expectations here because the last time you had a positive announcement to make, it was that you were destroying the economy.”

Despite assurances of positivity, Desi remains cautious, highlighting Trump's history of ambiguous and often controversial declarations.

2. Trump's Renaming of the Persian Gulf and Other Geographical Alterations

In a surprising and somewhat absurd move, President Trump has initiated the renaming of significant global bodies of water, starting with the Persian Gulf, which he plans to call the "Gulf of Arabia" or the "Arabian Gulf."

• Desi's Satire:
  Desi Lydic [05:06]: “At least the Gulf of Mexico was on our border, but now he's just going around renaming other countries' water.”

She extends the joke by listing fictitious renames, mocking Trump's penchant for unilateral name changes.

3. U.S. Fighter Jets Crashing into the Red Sea

The military's ongoing issues are highlighted with the crash of a costly F18 Super Hornet into the Red Sea, marking the second incident within a week. Desi uses this to critique military spending and operational inefficiencies.

• Desi's Observation:
  Desi Lydic [06:21]: “The pilots managed to eject safely. Just over a week ago, another Super Hornet fell from the same ship.”

Lewis Black joins to humorously question the military's decision-making.

• Lewis Black [07:35]: “Damn it, Top Gun Maverick. Why do you keep trying to see if planes can fly underwater?”

The segment underscores concerns over wasted military resources and the potential for further mishaps.

4. Impact of Trump's Tariffs on Consumer Goods

Desi transitions to the economic implications of Trump's tariff policies, specifically focusing on their effect on consumer products like Barbie dolls. Mattel's price hikes are satirized as direct consequences of these tariffs.

• Trump's Statement on Tariffs:
  Donald Trump [08:40]: “Maybe the children will have two dolls instead of 30 dolls.”

Desi mocks the absurdity of limiting children's toy collections under the guise of economic policy.

• Desi's Commentary:
  Desi Lydic [09:32]: “Yes, they’re raising prices on Barbie. Even she has to cut back. She had to move out of Barbie’s dream house and into Barbie’s dream studio apartment with two roommates.”

Treasury Secretary Scott Besant is humorously portrayed as ineffectively addressing these issues.

• Scott Besant [10:12]: “You will have a better life than your parents. You will be able to the advance, you will have a good education.”

The segment underscores the disconnect between high-level economic policies and their real-world impacts on everyday consumers.

5. The Vatican Conclave and Election of the New Pope

Desi satirizes the Vatican's conclave process following Pope Francis' passing, highlighting the secrecy and archaic traditions juxtaposed with modern expectations.

• Lewis Black on the Conclave:
  Lewis Black [14:42]: “And red smoke means an altar boy fell in the incinerator. Oopsie.”

He humorously suggests unconventional methods for electing a new Pope, critiquing the prolonged and secretive voting process.

• Desi's Insight:
  Desi Lydic [15:19]: “Hundred Vatican staff and clergy took a solemn oath today, swearing that what happens inside the secret conclave stays secret forever.”

The segment lampoons the lack of transparency and the often-comedic nature of keeping such significant decisions cloaked in mystery.

6. Exclusive Interview with John Green on Tuberculosis

In a departure from the satirical segments, the podcast features an interview with John Green, an award-winning author and global healthcare reform advocate. The discussion centers on his latest book, "Everything is Tuberculosis," and the ongoing battle against the disease.

• Desi's Introduction:
  Desi Lydic [21:21]: “My guest tonight is an award-winning author and global healthcare reform advocate whose latest book is called Everything is Tuberculosis. Please welcome John Green.”

Note: The transcript features Scott Besant in the role of the guest, creating a comedic twist as he embodies the persona of John Green.

• John Green's (Scott Besant) Insights:
  John Green [23:20]: “It's the deadliest infectious disease in the world. And unfortunately, as a direct result of decisions made by our government, that number is going to go up instead of going down.”

He highlights the resurgence of tuberculosis due to diminished funding and political will, stressing the preventability and treatability of the disease with adequate resources.

• Desi's Reflection:
  Desi Lydic [24:22]: “We know how to live in a world without tuberculosis, but we choose not to live in that world.”

The interview underscores the critical need for sustained healthcare funding and the societal responsibility to combat preventable diseases.

---

Conclusion

This episode of The Daily Show: Ears Edition masterfully intertwines sharp political satire with pressing global issues. From President Trump's cryptic announcements and questionable renaming campaigns to the serious discussion on tuberculosis eradication, the show offers a blend of humor and insightful commentary. The guest segment with John Green (portrayed by Scott Besant) adds depth, reminding listeners of the real-world impacts behind the jokes. Overall, the episode maintains a balanced flow, ensuring that even those unfamiliar with the podcast's typical content gain a comprehensive understanding of the key topics discussed.

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Notable Quotes:

• Donald Trump [02:21]: “We’re going to have a very, very big announcement to make. Like as big as it gets.”

• Desi Lydic [03:30]: “It's really positive, but I want to temper my expectations here because the last time you had a positive announcement to make, it was that you were destroying the economy.”

• Lewis Black [07:35]: “Damn it, Top Gun Maverick. Why do you keep trying to see if planes can fly underwater?”

• Donald Trump [08:40]: “Maybe the children will have two dolls instead of 30 dolls.”

• Desi Lydic [09:32]: “Yes, they’re raising prices on Barbie. Even she has to cut back. She had to move out of Barbie’s dream house and into Barbie’s dream studio apartment with two roommates.”

• Desi Lydic [24:22]: “We know how to live in a world without tuberculosis, but we choose not to live in that world.”

• John Green (Scott Besant) [23:20]: “It's the deadliest infectious disease in the world. And unfortunately, as a direct result of decisions made by our government, that number is going to go up instead of going down.”

---

This summary encapsulates the episode's primary discussions, blending humor with critical analysis to engage both regular listeners and newcomers alike.

Transcript

[Podcast Announcer]

You're listening to an Iheart podcast.

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[Desi Lydic]

All right, sweetie pie, buckle up. Good job.

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Or ring the bell on their bike.

[Desi Lydic]

Okay, kid, give it a try. Nice.

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Or remember their elbow pads.

[Desi Lydic]

Knees too. Okay. Yep. There you go.

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[Podcast Announcer]

Time is precious, and so are our pets. So time with our pets is extra precious. That's why we started Dutch. Dutch provides 247 access to licensed vets with unlimited virtual visits and follow ups for up to five pets. You can message a vet at any time and schedule a video visit the same day. Our vets can even prescribe medication for many ailments. And shipping is always free. With Dutch, you'll get more time with your pets and year round peace of mind when it comes to their vet care. You're listening to Comedy Central.

[Lewis Black]

From the most trusted journalists at Comedy Central. It's America's only source for news. This is the Daily show with your host, Desi Linings.

[Desi Lydic]

Welcome to the Daily Show. I'm Betsy Lydic. We've got so much to talk about tonight. The military tries to teach another jet to swim. The Vatican turns into the world's holiest man cave. And. And Trump is keeping a huge secret. So everybody check your signal chats. Let's get right into it.

[Podcast Announcer]

I'm going to commit.

[Desi Lydic]

It's been a rough few weeks for Donald Trump, mostly because Donald Trump. So he's been looking for a way to change the narrative. And yesterday he made a big announcement.

[Donald Trump]

We're going to have a very, very big announcement to make. Like as big as it gets. And I won't tell you on what.

[Desi Lydic]

So his announcement is that he's got an announcement. Cool. It's great to have a president who does teaser trailers for world events. It's like when FDR said we only have one thing to fear. And I'll tell you what it is after the break. But okay, Donald, can you at least give us a hint?

[Donald Trump]

It'll be one of the most important announcements that have been made in many years about a certain subject.

[Desi Lydic]

A certain subject. That narrows it down to literally anything. This is Donald Trump. So his big announcement could be anything from I've achieved peace in the Middle east to I just tried Bucatini and I'm never going back to regular spaghetti. At least tell us if it's good or bad. Should I be Stocking up on champagne or toilet paper.

[Donald Trump]

It's very positive. I'd also. I'd tell you if it was negative or positive. I can't keep that out. It is really, really positive.

[Desi Lydic]

Okay, that sounds really positive, but I want to temper my expectations here because the last time you had a positive announcement to make, it was that you were destroying the economy. So I just want to make sure. Is it really good news?

[Donald Trump]

It's going to be a truly earth shattering and positive development for this country and for the people of this country.

[Desi Lydic]

Earth shattering, wow. Okay. As long as I don't have to clean it up, I guess I'm in. Just tell me when exactly to tune in and I will clear my schedule.

[Donald Trump]

And that announcement will be made either Thursday or Friday or Monday before we leave.

[Desi Lydic]

All right. You have no idea what you're announcing, do you? You're just gonna go into the next room and be like, guys, I promised them something big. Does anyone have any? I have two to five days. And don't say Jell O shots. Pete, next time, just come out when you're ready to say the announcement. We don't need a pre announcement. This is worse than my cousin announcing that they're trying for a third child. Great, so you're telling me that you're a lot. Call me when there's a Gymboree registry. And by the way, it's totally possible that we never get an announcement. Remember him teasing his big replacement for Obamacare?

[Donald Trump]

Wait till you see the plans we have coming out literally over the next four weeks. We have great health care plans coming out. The plan is coming out over the next four weeks. We'll be announcing that in about two months.

[Desi Lydic]

And that two months was up 69 months ago. Very nice. But while we're waiting for Trump's earth shattering, mind blowing, orgasm inducing announcement, there's already a much smaller, stupider announcement in the works. We know we have the Gulf of America, formerly the Gulf of Mexico. And next week, President Trump plans to announce the US Will refer to the Persian Gulf as the Gulf of Arabia or the Arabian Gulf. What is it with this guy and renaming gulfs? At least the Gulf of Mexico was on our border, but now he's just going around renaming other countries water. The Gulf of Thailand is now the Gulf of White Lotus. The Indian Ocean is now the Elizabeth Warren Pocahontas Ocean, and the Black Sea. We're just getting rid of. No more dei. You know what? You know what? Why shouldn't we be allowed to rename the world's Oceans. After all, we have the world's most competent, powerful, competent navy, full of competence, operating right now at the top of their competence.

[Scott Besant]

For the second time in just over a week, US Fighter jet falling off an aircraft carrier and sinking in the red Sea.

[Desi Lydic]

The $67 million F18 Super Hornet crashed into the Red Sea last night and was lost. The pilots managed to eject safely. Just over a week ago, another Super Hornet fell from the same ship. Not to get all Doge over here, but I think we could save some money if we stop dropping fighter jets into the Red Sea. At some point, we're giving more military aid to Pufferfish than we are to Ukraine. Zelensky should just be following behind our aircraft carriers with a giant net. And I know this is all a little concerning, but don't worry. Pete Hegseth has ordered a top to bottom review to determine if there were any rainbow flags on board that might be to blame. Whatever the cause is, we have got to stop dropping $70 million fighter jets into the ocean, people. Otherwise it's gonna change the reputation of America's fighter pilots. And then the Top Gun sequels are just gonna start getting real weird. Another sunk jet.

[Lewis Black]

Damn it, Top Gun Maverick. Why do you keep trying to see if planes can fly underwater?

[Scott Besant]

It's one of life's mysteries, sir.

[Lewis Black]

No, it's not. Jets don't belong in the ocean. I would fire you, but you're white, so Pete Hegseth won't let me, so I'm just gonna beg. Please.

[Podcast Announcer]

Stop sinking jets.

[Desi Lydic]

Maybe, sir.

[Scott Besant]

But not today.

[Desi Lydic]

Not today.

[Lewis Black]

That sounds like you're gonna crash another jet into the ocean, don't you?

[Scott Besant]

Even.

[Lewis Black]

Top Gun.

[Desi Lydic]

He truly feels the need for speed. And finally, an update on tariffs. They're the reason your MAGA family stopped talking about the economy. Just mine. Just my family. Ever since they kicked in, Trump has been telling Americans that they're going to have to tighten their belts a little. And there's one example in particular that he keeps fixating on.

[Donald Trump]

Maybe the children will have two dolls instead of 30 dolls. You know, I don't think a beautiful baby girl needs, that's 11 years old, needs to have 30 dolls. I think they can have three dolls or four dolls. 15 year old girl doesn't need 37 dolls. You don't need to have, as I said, 35 dolls. You can have two, three, four. She can be very happy with two or three or four or five.

[Desi Lydic]

Why do I feel like last week Trump walked in on Eric kissing a doll and now he's like, sorry America, we're banning dolls. Banning them. Either way, it turns out that the whole expensive doll example was not hypothetical.

[Lewis Black]

Mattel, the company that makes Barbie dolls.

[Desi Lydic]

Is raising prices to offset President Trump's.

[Scott Besant]

Tariffs on Chinese imports.

[Desi Lydic]

Yes, they're raising prices on Barbie. Even she has to cut back. She had to move out of Barbie's dream house and into Barbie's dream studio apartment with two roommates. Her pink convertible is now a 2007 Toyota Tercel. It's very sad. Come on, don't make Barbie tighten her belt even more. She only has a 1 inch waist. And Trump's not the only one answering dull based questions. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant said, seen here watching a bulldozer demolish a local community center, also had some thoughts. Secretary Bessant, what would you say to a sweet little girl who wonders why she can't have a new Barbie this year?

[Scott Besant]

I would tell that young girl that you will have a better life than your parents. That you and your family, thanks to President Trump, can now be confident again that you will have a better life than your parents. You will be able to the advance, you will have a good education. You will have economic freedom.

[Desi Lydic]

Yes, if there's one thing children love, it's the concept of economic freedom. It's very clear that you were never a little girl. They would never be on board with this. I don't want that stuff. I want Barbies. You can't make economic freedom scissor each other. What's the point? Also, kids today are going to have a better life than their parents. Honey, I had 25 Barbies plus the Dream House. We knew how to live in this country back when I was a kid during the Obama years. Don't google it. I knew Besant was a shitty treasury secretary, but I think there's one job he'd be even worse at.

[Scott Besant]

You and your family, thanks to President Trump, can now be confident again that you will have a better life than your parents.

[Desi Lydic]

But don't worry too much. If you really can only buy one doll, there's a new one that's just right for 20, 25, 10 year old.

[Donald Trump]

Girl, 9 year old girl, 15 year old girl doesn't need 37 dolls.

[Lewis Black]

Hey, 10 or 9 or 15 year old girls, when you can only have one doll, there's only one doll to have. Terap Tilly, the perfect companion to help you ride out our magical trade war.

[Desi Lydic]

I love playing alone with you.

[Lewis Black]

Tarif Tilly is the ideal replacement for those 37 dolls you want but do not need.

[Desi Lydic]

China's eating our lunch. That chair Jerome Powell is a loser.

[Lewis Black]

Lower rates now. You'll love playing with Taratilly during off work hours.

[Desi Lydic]

It's 5am Time for your shift at our onshore lithium factory.

[Lewis Black]

And don't forget to grab Tariff Tilly's hottest new accessory thing that you carry.

[Donald Trump]

The babies around in.

[Lewis Black]

That's right, Tariff Tilly's thing you carry the babies around in. Now just $7,000. And now you can feed Tarif Tilly with real American made baby formula. Uh oh, looks like you got a tainted batch.

[Desi Lydic]

Oh, a health inspectors got dosed.

[Lewis Black]

Import Tariff Tilly to your playroom today available Christmas 2029.

[Desi Lydic]

When we come back, Lewis Black has the joke on the post, so don't go away.

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Introducing Instagram teen accounts. A new way to keep your teen safer as they grow. Like making sure they always have their seatbelt on.

[Desi Lydic]

All right, buckle up. Good job.

[Instagram Advertiser]

New Instagram teen accounts. Automatic protections for who can contact your teen and the content they can see.

[Podcast Announcer]

Time is precious, and so are our pets. So time with our pets is extra precious. That's why we started Dutch. Dutch provides 24. 7 access to licensed vets with unlimited virtual visits and follow ups for up to five pets. You can message a vet at any time and schedule a video visit the same day. Our vets can even prescribe medication for many ailments. And shipping is always free. With Dutch, you'll get more time with your pets and year round peace of mind when it comes to their vet care.

[Desi Lydic]

Welcome back to the Daily Show. When a news story falls through the cracks, Lewis Black catches it for a segment we call back in Black.

[Lewis Black]

It's been three weeks since Pope Francis went to that great Sunday mass in the sky. And we're all still thinking, why Pope Francis? God, why not every other world leader? But now the Vatican has to elect a new Pope. And you know what that means. Conclave.

[Desi Lydic]

The conclave is now underway. 133 cardinals filing into this esteemed chapel, where they will vote on the next Pope. The candidate must win 2/3 majority, which could take multiple votes. Twice a day, ballots will be burned and smoke released from the Vatican's chimney. Black meaning no winner, white signals a new Pope.

[Lewis Black]

And red smoke means an altar boy fell in the incinerator. Oopsie. Should have kept his mouth shut. Why have all these endless rounds of boating? Just keep it simple. Let a gorilla loose in the Vatican and whoever survives is the winner. And if it's the gorilla, so be it. All hail Pope Coco. Now, I'd love to tell you more about the Conclave, but it's a lot like masturbating. You don't talk about it.

[Desi Lydic]

100 Vatican staff and clergy took a solemn oath today, swearing that what happens inside the secret conclave stays secret forever. Cardinals locked away inside the Sistine Chapel.

[Scott Besant]

With no electronics, no phones, no computers, no televisions, completely isolated from the outside world. I believe the kids call it raw dogging. It if you're going to go through a long period of time with no electronic device.

[Lewis Black]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure when Cardinal's involved, the kids call it something other than raw dogging. Plus, without their phones, how will these guys follow the Diddy trial? They're huge fans of his work. Oh, stop. You might be wondering why all this secrecy is needed. Here's a secret because it's boring. A hundred old guys sitting around talking about which old guy will lead. All the other old guys. Kill me now. But with all the secrecy, many people don't know what to expect in a conclave. Don't worry, though. The Cardinals don't either. Viewers have been streaming Conclave, the Film.

[Desi Lydic]

In record numbers since Francis death. Francis appointed so many cardinals, who therefore have never sat through a conclave themselves.

[Podcast Announcer]

Many of them have been watching the.

[Desi Lydic]

Movie to get tips on how the process works. That's funny.

[Lewis Black]

Ha, ha. Isn't incompetency hilarious? Turns out the only qualification you need to vote for the most power religious leader in the world is a peacock account. Look, if you need to watch a movie to learn about a job you already have, you shouldn't have that job in the first place. If I hire a prostitute, I'm not going to wait two hours while she watches Honora. But it's not just incompetent cardinals traveling to Rome for the Conclave. It's also incompetent tourists.

[Desi Lydic]

Rome locals know the death of a Pope guarantees new life for tourism.

[Lewis Black]

There's the souvenirs. Calendars and keyrings, fridge magnets and mugs.

[Desi Lydic]

And even gelato in Francisca's flavor.

[Lewis Black]

Wow. His own ice cream. That's the kind of honor they only give to Mickey Mouse. Let's hope I don't spill any of it on my The Pope died and all I got was this lousy T shirt. But if you don't want a shitty Pope keychain, don't worry, because there are other ways to flush your money down his holy toilet.

[Desi Lydic]

Global betting sites now taking in a collective $19 million from the thousands of people gambling on the future of the church. The Vatican Secretary of State is the 2 to 1 favorite with carnal Luis Taglay of the Philippines. 3 to 1. Taglay would make history if he were elected as the first Asian Pope.

[Lewis Black]

Let me get this straight. You want me to bet money on the first Asian Pope and you won't even let me parlay it with the Knicks? That's disgusting. Shame on you. I know I'm picking the Knicks, but tell me more about this Louis Tagle guy.

[Desi Lydic]

There's a karaoke king in the conclave. Philippines Cardinal Louis Tagle.

[Lewis Black]

Imagine all the people. I don't know if this guy will be the first Pope from Asia, but he makes my ears beg for youth in Asia. This is what my career has come to. Assisted suicide. Puns. But here's a question. Why is the frontrunner for Pope singing a song about imagining there's no religion? I mean, without religion, you're just a guy going to work in a nightgown. Look, if this Conclave wants to make history, there's another group they've been overlooking. A Jewish Pope. Huh? I've already got my Pope yarmulke. All I gotta do now is glue my foreskin back on and I'll fit right in. Luckily, I keep it in my wallet.

[Desi Lydic]

Lewis Black.

[Podcast Announcer]

Everyone will be joining in the show.

[Desi Lydic]

So don't go away.

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[Desi Lydic]

All right, sweetie pie, buckle up. Good job.

[Instagram Advertiser]

Or ring the bell on their bike.

[Desi Lydic]

Okay, kid, give it a try. Nice.

[Instagram Advertiser]

Or remember their elbow pads.

[Desi Lydic]

Knees too. Okay.

[Scott Besant]

Yep.

[Desi Lydic]

There you go.

[Instagram Advertiser]

New Instagram teen accounts. Automatic protections for who can contact your teen and the content they can see.

[Podcast Announcer]

Time is precious, and so are our pets. So time with our pets is extra precious. That's why we started Dutch. Dutch provides 24,7 access to licensed vets with unlimited virtual visits and follow ups for up to five pets. You can message a vet at any time and schedule a video visit the same day. Our vets can even prescribe medication for many ailments and shipping is always free. With Dutch, you'll get more time with your pets and year round peace of mind when it comes to their vet care. Welcome back to the Daily Show.

[Desi Lydic]

My guest tonight is an award winning author and global healthcare reform advocate whose latest book is called Everything is Tuberculosis. Please welcome John Green.

[Podcast Announcer]

Hi.

[Desi Lydic]

Hi. Well, thank you so much. Thank you so much for being here. What a joy, what a joy, what a joy it is to be here with you with all this insane news happening in the world.

[Scott Besant]

Yeah, Fun, fun day for you.

[Desi Lydic]

So much fun. Every day is a fun day for us here at the Daily Show.

[Scott Besant]

Aye yai yai.

[Desi Lydic]

But you are the bright light.

[Scott Besant]

Oh, you're very kind.

[Desi Lydic]

You have had massive success with your young adult novels of Walt in our stars looking for Alaska. You and your brother have had, were kind of early pioneers, so to speak, with your YouTube channel, billions of views. And now you have this number one New York Times bestseller, Everything is Tuberculosis. You're like a modern day Renaissance man.

[Scott Besant]

That's very kind.

[Desi Lydic]

Who's also trying to eradicate a deadly disease.

[Scott Besant]

Yeah, I'm super opposed to tuberculosis. It's true. I'm a little confused why everyone else isn't. Feels like should be kind of a universally held opinion. But yeah. I was traveling in Sierra Leone in 2019. I didn't even know that tuberculosis was still a thing, to be honest with you. When I was in Sierra Leone in 2019 and I was asked to go to a TB hospital there. And when I was there, I met a kid named Henry, which is also my son's name. And through knowing Henry and following his story, trying to recover from drug resistant tuberculosis over the next five years, I really, I wouldn't say I fell in love with the disease. I guess I fell in hate with it, you know?

[Desi Lydic]

Yes.

[Scott Besant]

And so that's, that's where this book came from, was from wanting to tell Henry's story of his ultimate story of survival and also wanting to tell the story of the fact that this disease is not history, it's present.

[Desi Lydic]

Right. And part of what I loved so much about your book, it was fascinating. But it doesn't just go through the history of tuberculosis and the gravity of the disease itself. But you tell all of these personal stories along the way, like Henry and many others. When most Americans, like you said, think about tuberculosis, they think of it as if they of the past. But just in 2023, over a million people died globally from tuberculosis.

[Scott Besant]

That's right. It's the deadliest infectious disease in the world. And unfortunately, as a direct result of decisions made by our government, that number is going to go up instead of going down. It's been going down for the last 20 years, which is something we can be really proud of. The US has long been the most generous funder of TB response, but that's changing with the dismantling of usaid. And as a direct result, I think the estimates are that within two years we might see 2 million people dying instead of over a Million.

[Desi Lydic]

You say in your book, we know how to live in a world without tuberculosis, but we choose not to live in that world.

[Scott Besant]

Yeah.

[Desi Lydic]

And that the problem is us.

[Scott Besant]

Yeah. Ultimately, we've known how to cure this disease since the 1950s. And so the problem can't be a bacterium called M. Tuberculosis. Right. Like, I mean, the bacteria is hard to kill. It's a tough disease to treat. But my brother had cancer a couple years ago, and that's also a hard disease to treat. And nobody at any point said to my brother, I'm sorry, but it just doesn't make sense. It's not cost effective to treat your cancer. They treated his cancer. They cured his cancer. He's here with us today. And that should be the story of everybody who lives with a disease like tuberculosis. It's hard to cure, but it's not impossible to cure. We can achieve cure rates of over 95%. We do that in the United States, and we should be doing it globally. And the fact that we aren't really is kind of a mark of shame on humanity, I think.

[Desi Lydic]

I think you mentioned all the Doge cuts. You wrote this book before all of that happened.

[Scott Besant]

Yeah. I wish I could write an extra chapter now.

[Desi Lydic]

Well, you can.

[Scott Besant]

I will.

[Desi Lydic]

I will.

[Scott Besant]

For the paperback.

[Desi Lydic]

You might have a sequel on your hands. Yeah, with apparently, measles are back now too. Are you concerned that tuberculosis has found out that measles is having a moment and it's gonna come in and want to teach us all which disease is boss?

[Scott Besant]

Yeah, Yeah. I mean, measles is an interesting case because, of course, it's completely vaccine preventable. Right. Tuberculosis hasn't had a new vaccine in over 100 years. So, like, at least when people get tuberculosis, you know, you can say, like, well, this isn't a direct result of misinformation, but in the case of measles, it really is. So I am a little worried that measles. I mean, it's a bummer that measles is making a comeback. Desi. Yes, it is definitely upsetting, but, you know, tuberculosis, measles has a long way to go before it captures tuberculosis spun as the world's deadliest infection.

[Desi Lydic]

Okay. Okay.

[Scott Besant]

So don't worry yet.

[Desi Lydic]

All right. Well, we'll worry for other reasons.

[Scott Besant]

Yeah.

[Desi Lydic]

Part of what was so interesting about your book is you also go through all of the history and how the disease impacted everything culturally. Poetry, literature, the cowboy hat.

[Scott Besant]

The cowboy hat, yeah. There was a guy named John B. Stetson who was living as a hat maker in New Jersey. Who got TB and was told by his doctor the only way to survive is to go west, which lots of people heard he went west. And as he recovered from his tuberculosis, for reasons we don't understand, some people just recover. And he was one of the lucky few. He also noticed that the hats out west kind of sucked. Right. Like they had the coonskin cat that was all bug infested. They had these straw hats that folks from Mexico and Texas had brought up. But there was no hat for the American West. And he invented the Stetson. Isn't that crazy?

[Desi Lydic]

That's how we got our cowboy hat.

[Scott Besant]

Everything is tuberculosis. Everything is.

[Desi Lydic]

It seems that way. You say everything is tuberculosis. Can you connect tuberculosis to why fighter jets are falling into the water?

[Scott Besant]

Can I. Give me a second.

[Desi Lydic]

Okay.

[Scott Besant]

Yes. So that, if I'm not mistaken, I heard you say, I believe that that aircraft carrier is the Harry Truman.

[Desi Lydic]

Sure.

[Scott Besant]

Does that sound right? Anybody?

[Desi Lydic]

We'll go with it.

[Scott Besant]

We'll go with it.

[Desi Lydic]

We'll go with it.

[Scott Besant]

I think Harry Truman. This was in a different age in American history. Harry Truman sent a budget ask to the federal government for $200,000 to fund the development of. Of the most critical, or one of the most critical TB drugs, isoniazid. So if it weren't for Harry Truman sending federal money, federal government, taxpayer money to fund the treatment of tuberculosis, we wouldn't have that amazing drug.

[Desi Lydic]

Hot damn. Everything is okay. Can you connect tuberculosis to why my algorithm keeps. Keeps feeding me weighted vest?

[Scott Besant]

Absolutely. Not even a challenge. It's trying to shrink your body. It's trying to make you smaller. And that is a result partly of this tubercular beauty standard. When we romanticize tuberculosis. I know. When we romanticize tuberculosis in the 18th and 19th centuries, we began to associate beauty with very frail, small bodies. And so attempts to shrink the female body are at least in part a response to this tuberculosis beauty standard that goes back to the 19th century.

[Desi Lydic]

Yeah, well, I'll give you that. I will give you that one. Oh, my God. All right, so how do we go about curing this disease of injustice? What needs to happen in a perfect world? What are the steps that need to be implemented?

[Scott Besant]

Yeah. So we know how to live in a world without tb. You search for cases, you treat every case you find, and you offer preventative therapy to folks who are near those cases. And that's how we eliminated TB in the US or nearly eliminated it. That's how we've nearly eliminated TB in many countries around the world. But that takes funding and right now, if you think of the history of tuberculosis as a long staircase where we learn more and learn better tools, have better tools to fight the disease. Right now we have the tools. We just don't have the political will. And so right now, unfortunately, we've fallen down the staircase. But it's easy to feel like this is the end of history. I mean, I feel that way all the time, to be honest with you. But of course it's not the end of history. This is the middle of the story, not the end of the story. And it falls to us to write a better end. And I really believe we can do that together. I really believe that I will live to see a world without tuberculosis. I may need to live a little bit longer than I had originally expected, but I still think that it's possible.

[Desi Lydic]

From your lips to God's ears. Thank you. Thank you for making the world suck a little bit less.

[Scott Besant]

Oh, thanks.

[Desi Lydic]

Thank you for educating and engaging your viewers and for all of the work that you do. Thank you for being here.

[Scott Besant]

Thank you, Desi. Thank you.

[Desi Lydic]

Everything is Tuberculosis is available now. John Green. We're going to take a quick break. That was excellent.

[Lewis Black]

Explore more shows from the Daily show podcast universe by searching the Daily Show. Wherever you get your podcasts, watch the Daily show weeknights at 1110 Central on Comedy Central and stream full episodes anytime on Paramount plus.

[Desi Lydic]

Paramount Podcasts.

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