Trump Thanks Qatar for Their Generous Jet Bribe & Accidentally Does a Socialism | General Stanley McChrystal

Summary

The Daily Show: Ears Edition – Episode Summary Release Date: May 13, 2025
Guest: General Stanley McChrystal

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Introduction

In this episode of The Daily Show: Ears Edition, host Jon Stewart engages in a lively and insightful discussion with retired four-star General Stanley McChrystal. The conversation delves into pressing political issues, military experiences, and the significance of character in public life. Throughout the episode, the host navigates topics ranging from presidential announcements and international relations to national character and personal accountability.

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President Trump's Announcements and Controversies

Suspension of Habeas Corpus and Appointment of Jeanine Pirro
The episode opens with Jon Stewart addressing President Donald Trump's recent hint at a significant announcement. Trump cryptically states, “[...] either Thursday or Friday or Monday before we leave” regarding his big news (02:42). The conversation takes a serious turn as Trump discusses the potential suspension of the writ of habeas corpus during a time of invasion, likening his actions to Abraham Lincoln's during the Civil War (03:18).

Jon Stewart highlights the gravity of such a move, stating, “The Trump administration is thinking of tearing up the Constitution” (04:55). The discussion points to Trump’s appointment of former New York prosecutor Jeanine Pirro as interim U.S. attorney, suggesting it may be part of his elusive "big announcement" (05:14).

Acceptance of a $400 Million Jet from Qatar
The conversation then shifts to President Trump's acceptance of a luxurious Boeing jumbo jet from Qatar, valued at approximately $400 million. Stewart humorously critiques the transaction: “Qatar is giving us a plane that Trump gets to keep. He's like the reverse Oprah” (06:40). The jet, described as a “flying palace” with extensive amenities, raises eyebrows concerning Qatar’s ties with various international entities (08:00).

Trump defends the deal by stating, “They'Re giving us a free jet. I could say, no, no, no...” (09:39), emphasizing the significant reduction in pharmaceutical prices as his major announcement (10:43).

Pharmaceutical Price Reductions
President Trump announces a substantial decrease in prescription drug prices, targeting reductions of 30% to 80% (10:43). He explains, “Drug prices will come down. We're getting them down. 60, 70, 80, 90%...” (11:08), attributing the changes to global price equalization. Stewart expresses cautious optimism but remains skeptical about the administration’s motives (09:55).

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Interview with General Stanley McChrystal

Book Discussion: "On Character"
The centerpiece of the episode features an in-depth interview with General Stanley McChrystal, who discusses his latest book, "On Character". McChrystal emphasizes the importance of character in both individual and national contexts. He states, “Character is our choice. That's the great thing about it. We have agency over who we as individuals are” (22:38).

Defining Character in Public Life
McChrystal explores how character involves both convictions and discipline. “The great thing about character is it is a combination of two things. It is our convictions...and our discipline” (23:55). He argues that true character requires individuals to align their actions with their stated beliefs (24:24).

Empathy and Understanding Different Perspectives
Drawing from his military experience, McChrystal underscores the necessity of empathy in bridging divides. “If you're willing to listen to another person's life journey...then they're not suddenly the enemy. They just have a different perspective” (27:51). He suggests that understanding diverse backgrounds can foster mutual respect and reduce conflict.

National Conversation on Character
McChrystal advocates for a nationwide dialogue on character, starting from grassroots levels such as schools and families. “We need to talk about it in small groups, not just on TV. But we need to talk about it in our schools and our families” (25:34). He believes that establishing common norms of respect, fairness, and empathy is essential for national unity (26:04).

Personal Accountability and Mistakes
Reflecting on his own experiences, McChrystal discusses the impact of public scrutiny and the importance of owning up to mistakes. He recounts his resignation following a controversial Rolling Stone interview, highlighting the personal toll of leadership and public perception (30:24).

Loyalty and Public Responsibility
The conversation also touches on the balance between loyalty and accountability. McChrystal emphasizes that loyalty should not come at the expense of transparency and truth. “I have to value loyalty... I can put myself in the position of someone who has both launched and been on those missions” (34:51).

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Current Political Climate and Social Commentary

Refugee Admissions and National Identity
Jon Stewart critiques the Trump administration’s policies on refugee admissions, notably the controversial decision to accept white South Africans. Trump responds by stating, “Their land is being confiscated in South Africa. I don't care about their race, their color. I don't care about their height, their weight” (19:22), which Stewart sarcastically retorts by pointing out the discrepancy in his remarks (19:34).

Erosion of Constitutional Norms
Stewart expresses concern over the suspension of habeas corpus and the appointment of politically motivated officials as indicators of constitutional erosion. He warns about the broader implications for American democracy if such actions become normalized (05:12).

Call for Character in Governance
Throughout the episode, both Stewart and McChrystal call for leaders to embody strong character, emphasizing ethical behavior, accountability, and empathy as foundational elements for effective governance and societal harmony.

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Conclusion

The episode concludes with Jon Stewart reiterating the importance of character in both personal and public spheres, aligning with General McChrystal’s advocacy for a national conversation on the topic. Stewart emphasizes the need for integrity and ethical leadership to restore trust and unity within the American populace.

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Notable Quotes

• Jon Stewart (03:18): “The government, the United States government is actively looking at suspending due process of and the rule of law.”

• General Stanley McChrystal (22:38): “Character is our choice. That's the great thing about it. We have agency over who we as individuals are.”

• Donald Trump (10:43): “Drug prices will come down. We're getting them down. 60, 70, 80, 90%.”

• General Stanley McChrystal (27:51): “If you're willing to listen to another person's life journey...then they're not suddenly the enemy. They just have a different perspective.”

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Key Takeaways

1. Presidential Actions: President Trump's potential suspension of habeas corpus and acceptance of a $400 million jet from Qatar raise significant constitutional and ethical concerns.

2. Pharmaceutical Reforms: Trump’s announcement to drastically reduce prescription drug prices represents a major policy shift, though skepticism remains regarding implementation and motives.

3. Character in Leadership: General McChrystal emphasizes the crucial role of character, empathy, and ethical conduct in leadership and national discourse.

4. National Unity: The discussion highlights the necessity for a collective effort to rebuild trust and integrity within the American political and social framework.

5. Empathy and Understanding: Bridging societal divides through empathy and understanding differing perspectives is essential for reducing conflict and fostering unity.

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This episode of The Daily Show: Ears Edition offers a compelling blend of political satire, serious discourse on character and leadership, and critical analysis of current events, providing listeners with both entertainment and thoughtful reflection on the state of American society and governance.

Transcript

[Jon Stewart]

You're listening to an I Heart podcast.

[Jordan Klepper]

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[Jon Stewart]

You'Re listening to Comedy Central. From the most trusted journalists at Comedy Central. It's America's only source for news. This is the Daily show with your host, Jon Stewart. Thank you very much, man. Welcome to the Daily Show. We got one for you tonight. My name is John Stewart. What a program we have designed for you. A la carte. It's going to be fantastic. Our guest tonight, General Stanley McChrystal, will be doing this. Wrote a book. Chances are I will McRib him about the McRack War. All right, first, President Donald Trump. Um, God, no, no, no. Respect his authorita. Honestly, so much comes at us every day with him. I can't even sleep. Organized thoughts. Eat. I just. And he knows. He knows.

[General Stanley McChrystal]

He's toying with us.

[Jon Stewart]

Here he is on Tuesday of last week. We're going to have a very, very.

[Donald Trump]

Big announcement to make. Like as big as it gets.

[Jon Stewart]

And I won't tell you on what. Oh, good. So we won't know how to prepare. Should we wear our good pants or the ones we piss in? But fine, don't tell us this big announcement. Just tell us when.

[Donald Trump]

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

[Jon Stewart]

Why are you mentioning it? Is it sweeps week? Is that what this is? But fine. We will keep our eyes out for any announcement bombshells. And on Friday, I think we got one. The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus can be suspended in a time of invasion. So I would say that's an option. We're actively looking at A murderer. I said murderer. The government, the United States government is actively looking at suspending due process of and the rule of law. That's a big announcement. Big enough for Stephen Miller to risk bursting into flames because of the touch of God's sunlight. The only time a president has done it unilaterally without the authorization of Congress was Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War. That was the last, really. So back when slavery was legal and the treatment for diarrhea was amputation. But that being said, this is a big announcement, as you know.

[Jordan Klepper]

You know, ability of somebody to challenge.

[Jon Stewart]

Their rights in courts is a pretty.

[Jordan Klepper]

Essential part of the rule of law. So certainly raising a lot of eyebrows with that comment.

[Jon Stewart]

Just. Just eyebrows.

[General Stanley McChrystal]

Just.

[Jon Stewart]

The Trump administration is thinking of tearing up the Constitution. So here in Washington, we're hearing a lot of. Huh. One legal scholar even said, that's weird. So maybe that's the announcement. Suspension of habeas corpus. Unless there's something else.

[General Stanley McChrystal]

President Trump is appointing former New York.

[Jon Stewart]

Prosecutor Jeanine Pirro as interim U.S. attorney. You may say to yourself, well, that can't be the announcement, because that's just not that big a deal yet in this new world that we live in, this announcement registers the same as suspending habeas corpus on the eyebrow. O metor Jeanine Pirro. A lot of eyebrows are being raised.

[General Stanley McChrystal]

At this pic so far.

[Jon Stewart]

Hey, hey, hey, Jeanine, you're gonna be the new U.S. attorney in D.C. yeah, I know. We're surprised, too. That is, by the way, the sound. Oh, also, they're suspending habeas corpus. All right, so maybe. Maybe that's the big announcement. But, hey, we've got until today for any other announcements. Is there anything else?

[Jordan Klepper]

The Trump administration is preparing to accept a super luxury Boeing jumbo jet from the royal family of Qatar.

[Jon Stewart]

That luxury jumbo jet, which has a value estimated at $400 million. The aircraft would be used by President Trump as a new Air Force One and then transferred to the Trump Presidential Library foundation shortly before he leaves office. What? Qatar is giving us a plane that Trump gets to keep. He's like the reverse Oprah. I get a jet, and that's it. I get a jet for my library. Why does his library need a jet? Why would your presidential library need. Yeah, hello, I'm calling from Europe, and I need a book about Trump by morning. And the book must travel in the comfort and style one can only get from Qatar. It's known as the most luxurious private jet in the world. Described as a flying palace, it features the biggest Master bedroom in the sky, as well as some very plush living quarters and several private offices. Some of the nine bathrooms on board have full showers and even a bidet. I didn't even know water could go there. Okay. Holy crap. That is not a plane. That is a flying palace. I'm not gonna tell Trump how to run his business, but I would steam the shit out of those carpets. But, hey, it's a jet from Qatar. We can trust them. They're not suspect like Canada or working to undermine us. Like all of our other democratic allies in Europe, Qatar is considered an American ally, but it is also an ally of Iran and China and even Hamas. Oh, Trump's gonna take a $400 million jet from people he would expel from Columbia University. I think you know what this is sh. This is shocking. I think I know what this news might do to our eye pubes. It raises many, many eyebrows to have this sort of deal at all. Actually, that's how the plane flies. It overcomes Earth's gravity through the power of the raised eyebrows. Look, obviously the president would understand that a gift of this magnitude from a government with questionable ties to terror organizations, combined with Article 1, Section 9, Constitutional Prohibition against the president accepting a foreign flying palace, he would understand that that's a legitim. I'm just kidding. He was appalled that you'd even ask.

[Donald Trump]

They'Re giving us a free jet. I could say, no, no, no, don't give us, I want to pay you a billion, or 400 million, or whatever it is. Or I could say, thank you very much.

[Jon Stewart]

It's not a free jet. That's the point. You know the expression, there's no such thing as a free lunch? That's about being skeptical of the motives of somebody who gives you a sandwich. A sandwich. A blt. Now, imagine that that BLT has an engine, nine bathrooms and funds proxy wars. So, in the dizzying run up to this big announcement of the possible suspension of habeas corpus, or maybe the appointment of another Fox News star, or the naked bribery of our highest elected officials, none of those were Trump's big announcement. President Trump just announced that prescription drug and pharmaceutical prices will be reduced by 30 to 80% almost immediately.

[Donald Trump]

This appears to be the major announcement.

[Jon Stewart]

That the President has been teasing for days. I am having wanted that for years. Pharma has exploited the American consumer, while we have, in turn subsidized their whole industry with tax incentives and direct funds. I like this, but without getting into the weeds, explain this thing that I've wanted for A very long time. Like, I'm incredibly dumb.

[Donald Trump]

Drug prices will come down. We're getting them down. 60, 70, 80, 90%. But actually more than that, if you think about it in the way, mathematically.

[Jon Stewart]

If you think about it mathematically.

[General Stanley McChrystal]

I.

[Jon Stewart]

Don'T want to brag. I often think about numbers mathematically. How is this going to work?

[Donald Trump]

The rest of the world's going to have to pay a little bit more and America is going to pay a lot less. Basically, what we're doing is equalizing. There's a new word that I came up with, which I think is probably the best word. We're going to equalize.

[General Stanley McChrystal]

Europe.

[Jon Stewart]

Eureka. Euclid. Yeah, here it is. Equalize. I thought it sounded familiar. Look, he's trying to kill us all. Look. I would like to think that the tenacious pleadings of progressive leaders like Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders helped make this possible. We are sick and tired of paying by far the highest prices in the.

[General Stanley McChrystal]

World for prescription drugs.

[Jon Stewart]

I'm gonna attack the prices on commonly used drugs. Put a cap on the cost of.

[Jordan Klepper]

Insulin, a cap on the cost of prescription drugs.

[Jon Stewart]

Not one of those child caps that you can't. I have diarrhea. What's happening? Unfortunately, it turns out credit for the biggest, most important announcement in the history of this presidency goes to someone else.

[Donald Trump]

I mean, I'll tell you a story. A friend of mine who's a businessman, very, very, very top guy. Most of you would have heard of him. Highly neurotic, brilliant businessman, seriously overweight.

[Jon Stewart]

That took a turn. Top guy, brilliant. You know him? Famous. Bit of a chubbs. Anyway, I'm sure public press conference is a rough way for this guy to find out that he is saved in Trump's phone as neurotic fat friend. But what else can you tell us about this friend who's very famous, successful.

[Donald Trump]

Businessman, highly neurotic, brilliant businessman, seriously overweight, and he takes the fat. The fat shot drug.

[Jon Stewart]

Fat shot. The fat shot. Do you read any of your briefings? The fat. He takes the fat shot. You know, the fat shot. I got another friend, brilliant real estate mogul, he takes the dick stiff pills. This guy takes the fat shot. This guy takes the dick stiff, stiff bills. I'm sorry, continue the story about this fat of a friend of yours.

[Donald Trump]

And he called me up and he said, president, could I ask you a question? What? I'm in London and I just paid for this damn fat drug I take. I said, it's not working.

[Jon Stewart]

Yo, Rickles, that is ice cold. Your friend is like opening up like, oh, I took this bad drug. He's like, it's not working. He's like, I'm drunk. This poor guy, he's just catching strays. In the middle of a presidential press conference, Trump's talking about drug pricing reform and he's like, hey, when this guy goes to the hospital, the nurse gives him 50cc's of Crisco. He's fat. Hey, my friend, he's very successful. Went to London and when they saw him, they changed the name of Big Ben to Just Ben because this guy's fat. He's a fat piece of shit, this guy. Anyway, back to life saving drug pricing again. President Trump, what does any of this have to do with pricing?

[Donald Trump]

He said, I just paid $88 and in New York, I paid $1,300. What the hell is going on? He said, so I checked and it's the same box, made in the same plant by the same company. It's the identical pill. This is a great businessman, so. But he's not familiar with this crazy situation that we have. But he was stunned.

[Jon Stewart]

Yeah, he was as stunned as he is fat. I mean, boy, this, by the way, I don't know if anybody realized, but the fat shot somehow turned into a fat pill in the middle of the story. It's how you know the story is true. But you know, whether the story is true or not. Donald Trump's point is if you find yourself in the socialized health care systems of London and you want to run out and get some Ozempic and some fish and chips, don't bother. Cuz his fat of a friend ate them all like a pot of orcas on a tuna bender. But the point is, right now his poor friend is at home going, don't look at me. It feels like a decade ago that they threatened to suspend habeas corpus. It was Friday. That long ago, yesteryear, when the Knicks were still up 2 0. And since then we've had the largest bribe ever given to an American president. The seeming surrender of a trade war we started, and the socializing of our pharmaceutical industry. What even is this country? What operating four months ago, we were a standard issue democratic constitutional republic. Now we're some kind of anarcho, klepto, socialist communist Silk Road reality show. The only foundational, unchanging edict that we can even hang our hats on anymore is that whatever we are now as a country, that country is closed to any refugees. As Stephen Miller said, America is now for Americans only. So hopefully there will be no more surprise announcements that overturn that apple cart. After pausing virtually all refugee admissions for those fleeing war and famine, the Trump administration is now planning to welcome white South Africans. What? The white South Africans? That's the only group we're opening. What? You already have one? Why? Why? You. You know what, Mr. President, you don't need 30, 37 South Africans. Now you'll make do with just one or two. Wait, this wouldn't have anything to do with the white thing, would it?

[Donald Trump]

Their land is being confiscated in South Africa. I don't care about their race, their color. I don't care about their height, their weight.

[Jon Stewart]

Oh, you care about their weight. When we come back, General Stanley McChrystal be joining us. Don't go away.

[Jordan Klepper]

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[Jon Stewart]

Welcome back to the Daily Show. My guest tonight, he is a retired four star general, served 34 years in the United States Army. His latest book is called On Choices that Define a Life. Please welcome to the program. General Stanley McChrystal. Sir, nice to see you again.

[General Stanley McChrystal]

It's great to see you.

[Jon Stewart]

Thank you for joining us. The book is called On Character. Tell me about this idea. Character. What is that and how do we get that in public life?

[General Stanley McChrystal]

Well, I'm just gonna break out of this and start with what I want from you.

[Jon Stewart]

From me?

[General Stanley McChrystal]

I want you.

[Jon Stewart]

Is it a bug?

[General Stanley McChrystal]

All right. To start a national conversation on character.

[Jon Stewart]

Yes.

[General Stanley McChrystal]

I think we could begin it tonight with this group.

[Jon Stewart]

It's a fine group.

[General Stanley McChrystal]

I think we.

[Jon Stewart]

What's the framing of the conversation?

[General Stanley McChrystal]

I think we turn the lights up, we bring some beer in.

[Jon Stewart]

Can I ask a question? What kind of character are we looking for? How would you. What is the framing of the national conversation on character in your mind?

[General Stanley McChrystal]

Yeah, I think first is character is our choice. That's the great thing about it. We have agency over who we as individuals are. And Heraclitus said an individual's character is their fate.

[Jon Stewart]

Character true. Yeah.

[General Stanley McChrystal]

I also think it's true of a nation. And so we get to choose what our character is, not somebody else. We get to choose. And it's the.

[Jon Stewart]

Didn't we just try that?

[General Stanley McChrystal]

Yeah, fair point.

[Jon Stewart]

We. We chose something. Some American people went.

[General Stanley McChrystal]

Only 65% of America voted yes. And the reality is we can do better than that.

[Jon Stewart]

Right?

[General Stanley McChrystal]

What? I think we can. Yeah. If character is the essence of who we are. Thomas Paine said that reputation is what men think of us characters. What angels know of us. Then I think if we look inside and we say, what can we, each of us as individuals, be? We have the opportunity to be something different. I mean, none of us is perfect. Every one of us makes a mistake every day. I'm 70 years old. I make mistakes, and it still frustrates me.

[Jon Stewart]

You're 70? What am I doing wrong? What the hell? What is that? Well, you just choosing good character or you just. Why I look like I sleep in a meat dehydrator.

[General Stanley McChrystal]

The great thing about character is it is a combination of two things. It is our convictions. It's what we believe.

[Jon Stewart]

Right.

[General Stanley McChrystal]

And there's no right or wrong to that except we have to have thought about them. We have to know what they are. The beauty of writing this book is it forced me to put on paper and to really think about what I believe. Then the other half of it is our discipline. Do we live to them? You know, you can have a lot of convictions you tell people about, but if you don't live them, there's zero.

[Jon Stewart]

Right.

[General Stanley McChrystal]

And so I think our character is the essential identity of us as people and as us as a nation. And we've let it erode.

[Jon Stewart]

Do you view this? So here's what I see with the audience a little bit now. And I come out usually in the beginning, and I have a little conversation with them. Generally beerless.

[General Stanley McChrystal]

Unfortunately, that's a mistake.

[Jon Stewart]

And I'm not. It really is. It's okay, though, because they'll all get high as soon as they leave it. I'm noticing a thirst. Like, I've never an anxiety about this idea of control. I think people feel they've lost that agency by living in a country. And look, look, people win Elections. People lose elections. Sometimes you live with a president that doesn't necessarily reflect you. This feels different. So how does this conversation around character. I've always thought action is the antidote to anxiety. What action then within this can bring some relief. There's a thirst out there for conviction, leadership, discipline that they're not getting.

[Jordan Klepper]

Yeah.

[General Stanley McChrystal]

I think it's got three steps. I think the first is we need to think about character more. That's largely individual, but you can share it with people. Then we need to talk about it. We need to talk about it in small groups, not just on tv. But we need to talk about it in our schools and our families. We need to have those kinds.

[Jon Stewart]

What are the parameters when you say we need to think about character.

[General Stanley McChrystal]

Yeah.

[Jon Stewart]

What are the parameters that come to your mind when you think about that? Is it Boy Scout pledge, stuff like be courteous, kind and forgiving, all that sort of thing, or is it something different?

[General Stanley McChrystal]

There are certain norms that I think almost all of us would agree on. But as you talked about faith earlier, there are parts of faith that we vary on. But I think that if we talk about what are the. What are the things that sort of bound America together? What are the things that we all believe, how we treat people, be fair to people, have empathy, give an opportunity to people.

[Jon Stewart]

So how do you square that? It brings up such an interesting conversation, because the worlds that we might inhabit would have a very different view. I might look at the January Sixers and go, that was a lack of character. You know, one man's terrorist, another man's freedom fighter. How do you square that? And what do you do with people that you think stepped over a red line but in their mind was almost a heroic action?

[General Stanley McChrystal]

I think that's right. First you need to listen to them. One of the things I learned in the counterterrorist fight was we had our forces, which, you know, I was obviously very close to the most elite people. And then we had our enemies. And there was a perception that they were two poles different. They actually had bent up the personal attributes of the best people that I worked with and the best people that we fought. They were courageous. They believed in their cause, they were willing to sacrifice. There was a different life journey that got them to where they were. And if we're willing to listen to another person's life journey and admit often that had we had that same life journey, we would reach those same conclusions. Then you reach at a different point. Then they're not suddenly the enemy. They just have a different perspective.

[Jon Stewart]

Is the idea. If I had just had Fox News on, I would have been doing that on Nancy Pelosi's desk. Like that just doesn't. There must be some incontrovertible truth, though, is there not? We can't be.

[General Stanley McChrystal]

Yeah.

[Jon Stewart]

Is the idea that we are Al Qaeda? Al Qaeda is us. That. That's hard to square.

[General Stanley McChrystal]

Well, it is, but if we try to say they're incontrovertible truths, too many of them. What are they? You know, we start to say, be.

[Jon Stewart]

Courteous, kind and forgiving. Yeah.

[General Stanley McChrystal]

I mean, no, you're. That's pretty good. And those are the things that are common denominator sort of things. And that's where we have to. To connect, because the reality is we're not going to have the same view from different parts of the world, different parts of the country, different zip codes, different economic backgrounds, because your life journey is just enough different.

[Jon Stewart]

Tell me, in practice, so you have to negotiate. You're in war. I'll refer to either the counterinsurgency in Iraq or in Afghanistan. Yeah. You are dealing with, on one level, ideological warriors. Right. Maybe in Afghanistan. On another level, mercenary. To some extent, you go in there with a bunch of money and go, what are they paying you? I'll pay you this. How did you find common ground with them? Did you have to. Where does the wisdom of this come from for you?

[General Stanley McChrystal]

Yeah, I think from experience. One of the things you learn is you have to try to find common ground. And you have to start by having enough empathy. And remember, empathy is not simple. Doesn't mean you're rubbing somebody's belly and you agree with them. It means that you can.

[Jon Stewart]

Would that have ended the Afghanistan war?

[General Stanley McChrystal]

Probably pretty quickly.

[Jon Stewart]

Bring in the.

[General Stanley McChrystal]

You have to be able to put yourself on the other side of the table. You know, I would talk to Poshtun elders, and they had big turbans and beards and craggy faces and different lives in mind, spoke a different language, had a different religion. But reality, they were actually pretty good people. And if you had their loyalty and their respect, they were as good as we are. In fact, they're very similar to we, to us. So if you stop with. If you stop assuming that anyone who doesn't share those attributes is different and therefore less than you, you have a different approach to it. And you have to be, of course, hard on yourself at what as well, because.

[Jon Stewart]

So is that. Is that. You know, the book starts you. Famously. You did an interview for Rolling Stone during the Obama administration and where you Were critical of maybe some of the tax that we had taken in the war, the way it was being prosecuted, not enough supply, things like that. And you resigned.

[General Stanley McChrystal]

Yeah.

[Jon Stewart]

Because of that.

[General Stanley McChrystal]

Yeah.

[Jon Stewart]

That's how you open this book, right? Is that where you're reflecting on yourself?

[General Stanley McChrystal]

Very much so. Of course, I canceled my Rolling Stone subscription right after that, but. But the reality.

[Jon Stewart]

Everyone else did, too. Don't even worry about it.

[General Stanley McChrystal]

It's. It's funny now because, you know, we got a little time and space, but. No, we had an article that came out that I didn't think was accurate, but I accepted responsibility for it. And the reality was, in that moment, I had been. I'd been born in an army hospital. I'd lived in an army family. I'd gone to west point at age 17. I was now 55, almost 56. And suddenly, in an instant, I offer. When I offered my resignation to President Obama, I'm not a soldier anymore. I'm not a commander. I'm not a soldier. What am I? You could say I'm a failure. I go home.

[Jon Stewart]

Is that how you felt?

[General Stanley McChrystal]

It felt exactly that way. I felt as though a bolt of lightning had. I always thought I could be fired for incompetence or killed in combat. I never thought I'd be accused of something like that. And so I offer my resignation to President Obama, who is very gracious and. But he accepted it. I had flown home all night from Afghanistan for this meeting. I drive across the city to where my wife was living in a set of military quarters. And I tell Annie it's over because she and I had been married for 34 years. And I said, our career's over. I'm out. Holy. She looked at me and she said, good. We've always been happy, and we always will always be happy. And in that moment, what she communicated to me without being straight, she said, can it face forward. And I always describe Annie as driving or living life like she drives, with no use for the rear view mirror. And.

[Jon Stewart]

Anyway, she. I don't know. I don't want to say anything, but she's here. She can hear you right now. I see her right over there.

[General Stanley McChrystal]

Gonna be a long night.

[Jon Stewart]

Oh, you're not kidding. Who's driving home?

[General Stanley McChrystal]

But we've been married 48 years, and if you think about it, you commit to something. And I had committed to the military, I had committed to my marriage, and I'm committed to my country now. And so when. When I ask you to help lead a national conversation on character, you have the Stature, you have the reach.

[Jon Stewart]

It's basic cable, sir. It's not you. You really should have gone on Colbert. I think that if you want stature and reach.

[General Stanley McChrystal]

No, I mean, as we say, if we. If people are thirsty for something, they are thirsty what they see.

[Jon Stewart]

Yeah.

[General Stanley McChrystal]

Let's encourage them. Not that we're going to provide it from the outside, but we're going to have them provide it to themselves. This needs to start with young people.

[Jon Stewart]

So you look at me. Okay. I'm looking at me. And shoulder. No, this is. But it brings up such an interesting thought because. So I'm reflecting on when this happened to you. It was basically. It was an article where you said some things that might be intemperate for a man in uniform or in command. That's really it. There was no secrets divulged. Now you're watching the Secretary of Defense Snapchatting his wife. Hey, we're bombing a date. You know, doesn't resign. Is that character? Because it's not. You resign because your sense of duty and character felt that you would let yourself down and let the country down. But is there character in the reason he's still there? Is loyalty. And isn't that a character trait that's also valuable? How do you process what's happening now?

[General Stanley McChrystal]

Yeah, I certainly think you've got to value loyalty. I can't put myself in his position. I can put myself in the position of an American.

[Jon Stewart]

Right.

[General Stanley McChrystal]

I can put myself in the position of someone who has both launched and been on those missions. And if someone had been using an unsecure mode to communicate about him, I'd have been upset about it.

[Jon Stewart]

Yeah. In fact, I could see that.

[General Stanley McChrystal]

Yeah. I think for the people I worked with that had gotten your ass kicked. Kicked.

[Jon Stewart]

Right.

[General Stanley McChrystal]

But the reality is, the thing that upset me most about that was not the mistake. People make mistakes and we'll make them forever. It was after the fact when people went on public news and they said the information wasn't classified. Of course it was.

[Jon Stewart]

Right.

[General Stanley McChrystal]

And I don't like the idea that they would look and say something that I know is not true, and I think they know is not true. And if you.

[Jon Stewart]

How much of an impediment to a national conversation about character is the reality distortion field about, you know, incontrovertible things that are true or not true. And how do you have a conversation about character in that environment?

[General Stanley McChrystal]

Yeah, it makes it particularly hard because if we start to have a conversation on character now, a certain group is always going to feel defensive because they think that you are leveraging the word character against them.

[Jon Stewart]

Right.

[General Stanley McChrystal]

In fact, it can go both ways. People on both ends of the spectrum can feel that. But we've still got to have it. And that's why this has got to be a conversation that begins in the center. I think, at pretty low levels. That starts with saying, we're not going to vote for you. We're not going to buy your products. We're not going to like you on social media. We're not going to do all of those things you want us to do unless we see some level of character. Not perfect character. We're never going to see that.

[Jon Stewart]

Right.

[General Stanley McChrystal]

But what we're going to see is a set of norms that say we respect the requirement that there is character. If you make a mistake, admit it. What can our kids learn from watching us? If they are absolutely disappointed every time they see or if they just assume that's the way it is, that'll be even worse.

[Jon Stewart]

And I do think there is a certain now mindset that what is rewarded now is result and not process and character. It's, you know, we're in a different situation. But I would even say expand your aperture on this. It's not just about character. I do think there is a certain lacking of national conversations on everything.

[General Stanley McChrystal]

Yeah.

[Jon Stewart]

A truth and reconciliation for the American people with each other.

[General Stanley McChrystal]

I think it's absolutely right. I think it could start with character, but it really has got to emanate out from there. We have to have a different definition of what we think it means to be an American citizen.

[Jon Stewart]

Right.

[General Stanley McChrystal]

Because right now, many American citizens think that if you pay your taxes and you vote and only about 65% of his vote, that you've done your job. In fact, the responsibilities are much broader than that. It is to every other American, because a nation is only a covenant between citizens. God did not create the United States.

[Jon Stewart]

Shh. What are you saying? What? You're blowing it.

[General Stanley McChrystal]

It's an agreement.

[Jon Stewart]

Yeah.

[General Stanley McChrystal]

And we all have to go.

[Jon Stewart]

Yeah. Well, it sounds to me like you have a series of books to write on character and other things. So I flip it back to you. You keep the conversation going about that. General. It's so good to see it. On character. It's available now. General. Standing the crystal. Quick break. We'll be right back after this. Such an important.

[Jordan Klepper]

It's true that some things change as we get older, but if you're a woman over 40 and you're dealing with insomnia, brain fog, moodiness, and weight gain, you don't have to accept it as just another part of aging. And with MITI health, you can get help and stop pushing through it alone. The experts at MIDI understand that all these symptoms can be connected to the hormonal changes that happen around menopause. And MITI can help you feel more like yourself again. Many healthcare providers aren't trained to treat or even recognize menopause symptoms. MIDI clinicians are menopause experts. They're dedicated to providing safe, effective, FDA approved solutions for dozens of hormonal symptoms, not just hot flashes. Most importantly, they're covered by insurance. 91% of MDI patients get relief from symptoms within just two months. You deserve to feel great. Book your virtual Visit [e-mail] that's join M I D I dot com.

[Jon Stewart]

Hey, let's hope for tonight. Before we go though, we're gonna check in with your host for the rest of the week, Mr. Jordan Klepper. Jordan. Yes. Come on. What do you, what are you covering this week? Well, John, Mother's Day is coming up next Sunday, so we'll be looking at all the best ways to show the mother in your life how much you love her. So Mother's Day was yesterday, was it? Damn it. That's okay. That's okay.

[Donald Trump]

I can make it up to her on her birthday.

[Jon Stewart]

When is your birthday, Jordan? May 2nd. Oh, boy. It's May 12th.

[General Stanley McChrystal]

Okay.

[Jon Stewart]

That's all right. I'll make it up to her next week on Cinco de Mayo.

[General Stanley McChrystal]

She loves margaritas.

[Jon Stewart]

Jordan Klepper, everybody. Jordan Klepper. You just gotta do better with your mother, by the way, also. Hey, before we go, quick announcement here at the Daily show starting a little nonpartisan initiative in partnership with Headcount, which is not what it sounds like. The initiative is called Indecision. Take a seat. 70% of elections last year uncontested completely. We're hoping that can change because democracy works better when you got some choices there. So sign up. You'll get information on how to run for school board races, city council, leagues of extraordinary gentlemen, all the things you want to be. So if you're tired of complaining about who's running things and would like other people to complain about how you're running things, scan the QR code there or go to the link and learn more. Now, here it is. Your moment is end.

[Donald Trump]

To accelerate these price restrictions and reductions, my administration will also cut out the middlemen. We're going to totally cut out the famous middlemen. Nobody knows who they are. Middlemen. I've been hearing the term for 25 years. Middlemen? I don't know who they are, but they're rich. That I can tell you.

[Jon Stewart]

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.

[General Stanley McChrystal]

Paramount Podcasts.

[Jordan Klepper]

It's true that some things change as we get older. But if you're a woman over 40 and you're dealing with insomnia, brain fog, moodiness and weight gain, you don't have to accept it as just another part of aging. And with MITI Health, you can get help and stop pushing through it alone. The experts at MITI understand that all these symptoms can be connected to the hormonal changes that happen around menopause, and MITI can help you feel more like yourself again. Many healthcare providers aren't trained to treat or even recognize menopause symptoms. MIDI clinicians are menopause experts. They're dedicated to providing safe, effective, FDA approved solutions for dozens of hormonal symptoms, not just hot flashes. Most importantly, they're covered by insurance. 91% of MITI patients get relief from symptoms within just two months. You deserve to feel great. Book your virtual visit [e-mail] that's join M I D I.com you're listening to an iHeart podcast.