Trump’s Shock Nominations, Charlamagne’s Plea, and Coppola’s Vision

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Daily Show: Ears Edition – "Trump’s Shock Nominations, Charlamagne’s Plea, and Coppola’s Vision"

Introduction

In this episode of The Daily Show: Ears Edition, host Jordan Klepper delves into the latest political turmoil surrounding former President Donald Trump's controversial nominations, offers a platform for Charlamagne Tha God to voice his concerns about the state of American democracy, and welcomes legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola to discuss his ambitious new project, Megalopolis. The episode blends sharp political satire with insightful commentary on contemporary issues, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of the current political landscape and cultural developments.

---

Trump’s Shock Nominations

1. RFK Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services

The episode kicks off with Trump’s unexpected nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.) as the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services. Jordan Klepper highlights the absurdity of the nomination through satire:

Jordan Klepper [02:34]: "President Elect Trump on Truth Social just made it official. He wrote, 'I am thrilled to.'"

The nomination is met with incredulity and humor, emphasizing RFK Jr.'s controversial stance on various health issues.

2. Matt Gaetz as Attorney General

The centerpiece of the political satire revolves around Trump's nomination of Matt Gaetz, a flanked figure with a tumultuous history:

Jordan Klepper [02:12]: "We got so much to talk about tonight... another installment of Trump 2.0. Coming for the White House."

Klepper mocks Gaetz's readiness to assume the role, pointing out his immediate resignation from the House to expedite the nomination process, which raises eyebrows given Gaetz's ongoing investigations:

Jordan Klepper [04:00]: "Matt Gaetz is ready to go. In fact, as soon as he was nominated, he immediately resigned from his House seat so he could get the ball rolling. He's just that eager to begin, generally attorneying."

The discussion shifts to Gaetz's controversial past, including allegations of improper conduct, and the political maneuvering surrounding his nomination. Klepper sarcastically applauds Gaetz's strategy to resign, potentially stalling investigations:

Jordan Klepper [04:00]: "He's been under investigation by the House Ethics Committee over an allegation that he paid for sex with a 17-year-old. His resignation from the House will effectively end that investigation with that report due Friday."

Reactions from Republicans and Democrats

The episode captures the bewildered reactions from both Republicans and Democrats regarding Gaetz's nomination:

Desi Lydic [05:54]: "I tried to talk to a lot of Republican senators tonight about Matt Gaetz being nominated to the post, and they made clear they were not ready to engage."

Republican reluctance is portrayed humorously, with attempts to gauge their support met with vague responses:

Jordan Klepper [09:26]: "I don't get it. Do you hate Matt Gaetz or not?"

On the Democratic side, the satire suggests a paradoxical strategy where Democrats might inadvertently support Gaetz:

Unknown Speaker [10:05]: "Well, Jordan, I spoke to Democrats and their strategy is to vote for him unanimously."

Klepper further mocks the Democrats' approach, insinuating an illogical endorsement of Gaetz:

Jordan Klepper [10:43]: "Do you need me to explain that to you?"

The segment underscores the chaotic nature of the current political environment, highlighting the absurdities and contradictions in responses to Trump's nominations.

---

Charlamagne’s Plea: Concerns About American Democracy

Charlamagne Tha God takes the floor to express his apprehensions about the state of American democracy under Trump's influence. He juxtaposes the stark rhetoric used by Democrats against Trump's actions with the seemingly cozy interactions that belie the underlying threats:

Charlamagne Tha God [15:24]: "I understand that you have to transfer power peacefully because you're not fascist, but there's nothing in the Constitution that says you have to be nice about it."

Charlamagne critiques the superficial attempts to maintain democracy while acknowledging the deep-seated challenges posed by Trump's unpredictable nature:

Charlamagne Tha God [16:17]: "Joe Biden was on such high alert, he almost opened his eyes for a second there... I want Trump to succeed. Or at least I don't want him to fail so badly he takes down the country with him."

He emphasizes the complexity of dealing with a leader who embraces unpredictability:

Charlamagne Tha God [16:38]: "Trump is not a dictator. He's not a threat to democracy. He's fun. He's not a fascist."

Through humor and candid commentary, Charlamagne highlights the paradoxes and emotional fatigue experienced by those navigating the current political landscape.

---

Francis Ford Coppola’s Vision: Megalopolis

The latter half of the episode shifts focus to a cultural discussion with acclaimed filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, who introduces his latest project, Megalopolis. The conversation explores Coppola's creative process, influences, and the thematic depth of his work.

1. Inspiration and Themes

Coppola draws parallels between the rise and fall of ancient Rome and contemporary America, suggesting that historical patterns repeat themselves:

Francis Ford Coppola [24:36]: "America founded itself based on Rome...they had read Caesar and the Gallic wars and Cicero."

He explains how the influx of wealth into Rome led to corruption among senators, drawing a direct comparison to post-World War II America:

Francis Ford Coppola [26:12]: "Exactly the same situation, the same result happened in America recently after World War II."

2. Creative Risks and Artistic Integrity

Coppola discusses his commitment to artistic freedom, emphasizing the importance of taking risks to create meaningful art:

Francis Ford Coppola [25:34]: "Making art without risk is like making babies without sex. It's possible, but it's not the way to do it."

He advocates for personal investment in filmmaking, encouraging young filmmakers to pursue their visions regardless of financial constraints:

Francis Ford Coppola [29:11]: "Make the film any way you can...make it personal because movies...everyone in the world, all of our cousins, because we're all related in one big family."

3. Social Commentary Through Cinema

Megalopolis is portrayed as a film filled with hope and a belief in humanity's ability to overcome challenges:

Francis Ford Coppola [31:13]: "The film is filled with hope. And the ending is very positive. We are capable of solving any problem that was put in front of us."

Coppola critiques the pervasive influence of advertising and consumerism, arguing that society is manipulated into feeling inadequate to drive consumer behavior:

Francis Ford Coppola [31:45]: "We spend probably $8 trillion a year on advertising...they're selling an identity."

4. The Role of Cinema in Modern Society

Klepper and Coppola engage in a dialogue about the role of cinema in challenging societal norms and fostering critical thinking:

Jordan Klepper [33:19]: "Where my cynicism comes in... the quickest way to get those eyes is with short, loud bursts of anger and flash."

Francis Ford Coppola [34:48]: "When you leap into the unknown, you prove you are free."

Coppola emphasizes the importance of encouraging audiences to think deeply and resist the addictive nature of modern media:

Francis Ford Coppola [35:22]: "I leap into the unknown whenever I can because I want to be free."

---

Conclusion

This episode of The Daily Show: Ears Edition masterfully intertwines political satire with profound cultural commentary. Through biting humor, Jordan Klepper dissects Trump's controversial nominations, revealing the underlying dysfunctions within the political system. Charlamagne Tha God's passionate pleas underscore the fragility of American democracy in the face of unpredictable leadership. Meanwhile, Francis Ford Coppola's discussion of Megalopolis offers a thoughtful exploration of societal decline and the enduring potential for hope and renewal through art. Together, these segments provide listeners with a multifaceted perspective on the current state of politics and culture, encouraging both laughter and reflection.

---

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Jordan Klepper [04:00]: "Matt Gaetz is ready to go. In fact, as soon as he was nominated, he immediately resigned from his House seat so he could get the ball rolling. He's just that eager to begin, generally attorneying."

• Jennifer Lydic [05:54]: "I tried to talk to a lot of Republican senators tonight about Matt Gaetz being nominated to the post, and they made clear they were not ready to engage."

• Charlamagne Tha God [16:17]: "I want Trump to succeed. Or at least I don't want him to fail so badly he takes down the country with him."

• Francis Ford Coppola [26:12]: "Exactly the same situation, the same result happened in America recently after World War II."

• Francis Ford Coppola [31:13]: "The film is filled with hope. And the ending is very positive. We are capable of solving any problem that was put in front of us."

• Francis Ford Coppola [35:22]: "I leap into the unknown whenever I can because I want to be free."

---

This detailed summary encapsulates the episode's key discussions, providing clarity and context for listeners seeking to understand the interplay between current political events and cultural expressions.

Transcript

[Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford]

This is Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford from Therapy for black Girls. You know that Amazon has millions of books, so you can find one that gives you just the reading feeling you're looking for. You know, like if you're looking for a relaxed feeling, like with a beach.

[Unknown Speaker]

Read, Amazon has got it covered.

[Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford]

Or if you're looking for more of a terrified ah. With evil twins or things lurking in the woods or something, Amazon's got you. I mean, even if you want an aw teen romance, Amazon has it covered too. Amazon Books. That reading feeling awaits.

[Unknown Speaker]

How crispy are the new Delimix Crispy Quesadillas?

[Jordan Klepper]

Let's see. I'm gonna pop one in the microwave. Yeah, Delimex Crispy Quesadillas are crispy even from a microwave. I can already smell it. Heads up. If you hate loud crunching, you might want to mute.

[Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford]

Mmm. So crispy.

[Desi Lydic]

Like, barely hear myself think crispy.

[Jordan Klepper]

These should come with a warning.

[Desi Lydic]

Mmm. If this crispiness is making you hungry, get to your closest grocery store for.

[Jordan Klepper]

Deli Mex Crispy Quesadillas in the frozen aisle.

[Unknown Speaker]

Where'd you get those shoes? Easy. They're from dsw. Because DSW has the exact right shoes for whatever you're into right now. You know, like the sneakers that make office hours feel like happy hour, the boots that turn grocery aisles into runways, and all the styles that show off the many sides of you, from daydreamer to multitasker and everything in between. Because you do it all in really great shoes. Find a shoe for every you at your DSW store or dsw.com youm're listening.

[Desi Lydic]

To Comedy Central from the most trusted journalists at Comedy Central. It's America's only source for news.

[Jordan Klepper]

This.

[Desi Lydic]

This is the Daily show with your host, Jordan Klepper.

[Jordan Klepper]

Welcome to the Daily Show. I'm Jordan Kleeper. We got so much to Talk about tonight. RFK Jr. Is now your primary care. Dr. Matt Gaetz has taken the DOJ to prom, and Charlamagne does a wellness check on democracy. So let's get into another installment of Trump 2.0. Coming for the White House.

[Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford]

I'm going to come.

[Jordan Klepper]

Thoroughly dislike hearing that you've been feeling under the weather since the election. Don't worry. Pretty soon everyone else will be sick too. President Elect Trump on Truth Social just made it official. He wrote, quote, I am thrilled to.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Announce Robert F. Kennedy Jr. As the.

[Jordan Klepper]

United States Secretary of Health and Human Services. Yay. Unpasteurized whale juice for everybody. Wow, this is exciting news. We are making things in America again. Specifically, patient zeros. Of course, with Trump, there's never just one horrifying thing to focus on. Today, the fallout continued over Trump's pick for Attorney General, Matt Gaetz, House Republican and guy who's had more needles in his face than pinhead. Now, yesterday, Trump selected Gates to lead the doj, and his future employees couldn't be happier.

[Unknown Speaker]

Multiple current and former senior officials left speechless, calling it insane, unbelievable.

[Desi Lydic]

And one saying he is the least qualified person ever nominated for a position.

[Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford]

In the Department of Justice.

[Jordan Klepper]

I think what I'm hearing is he has a lot of potential. Seriously, the least qualified ever. Keep in mind that includes one of Trump's previous AG's who once starred in promotional videos for a toilet for well endowed men. And yes, this was a real thing that happened during Trump's first term. You don't remember it, which is okay, because if it's any consolation, maybe someday we'll forget all this too. But I'll tell you, I'll tell you who's not disappointed by this pick. I'll tell you who's not disappointed by this pick. Matt Gaetz, AKA the guy who plays Bob's big boy in porn parodies. Gaetz is ready to go. In fact, as soon as he was nominated, he immediately resigned from his House seat so he could get the ball rolling. He's just that eager to begin, generally attorneying. Unless, you know, there was, I don't know, some other reason he resigned so quickly. He's been under investigation by the House Ethics Committee over an allegation that he paid for sex with a 17 year old. His resignation from the House will effectively end that investigation with that report due to be out Friday. Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow. What a. What a crafty legal maneuver by Matt Gaetz. He must be dating a girl who does mock trial. Now, call me old fashioned, but it seems to me like a guy who was recently investigated by the Justice Department isn't the best fit to lead. But maybe that's coastal elite talk, you know? I assume Congressional Republicans are excited for one of their own to be elevated to such a lofty position. Let's hear them gloat to reporters.

[Desi Lydic]

I tried to talk to a lot of Republican senators tonight about Matt Gaetz being nominated to the post, and they made clear they were not ready to engage.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I'm having trouble.

[Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford]

What about Matt Gaetz?

[Desi Lydic]

Please report him. We have a confirmation process. I don't know yet.

[Jordan Klepper]

I think about that one.

[Desi Lydic]

Do you think that Gates is confirmable?

[Jordan Klepper]

We'll find out.

[Desi Lydic]

Won't Senator Kennedy, what do you think of Matt Gaetz as Attorney General?

[Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford]

Happy Thanksgiving.

[Jordan Klepper]

Happy Thanksgiving. Matt Gaetz has nothing to do with Thanksgiving. Besides him and the turkeys both needing pardons, of course. I would say I like this strategy for avoiding the press, though. Sir, do you have regrets about the internment camps? Happy Arbor Day. And if you're wondering, why does Matt Gaetz own party hate him so much, the answer would actually take some time. It's not just the underage sex allegation. It's also that he routinely attacks other Republicans. He doesn't do any work himself. And his personal quest to overthrow Speaker Kevin McCarthy so divided his party, a fellow Republican had to be restrained by the mouth from fighting him on the House floor. It was the first time in history Congress had to call a facemask penalty. And Gaetz hasn't just been instigating coups against his own leaders. Even his social skills gave his fellow Republicans the ick. Take it from Republican Mark Wayne Mullen.

[Desi Lydic]

We had all seen the videos he was showing on the House floor that all of us had walked away of the girls that he had slept with. He'd brag about how he would crush ed medicine and chase it with with an energy drink so he could go all night.

[Jordan Klepper]

First of all, I'm not sure Matt Gaetz knows how to brag. You're. You're going around telling co workers that you're free, basing Viagra, and, you know, I had to use an extra small condom, bro. Yeah, hit me up top. Also. Also super title. Yeah, bro. Oh, I could barely get it off. Yeah. Also, for the love of God, who drinks energy drinks? Pound some coffee like an adult sexual predator, man. Clearly, the Justice Department is about to get a hardcore bro makeover. I mean, once Gaetz is in power, you're gonna get to plead guilty, not guilty, and the your problem, man. More importantly, there's not a single thing we've seen from Matt Gaetz's career or character that would make him fit to be the Attorney General of the United States. Luckily, all it will take to stop him is for his own colleagues, who legitimately hate him, to show the slightest bit of spine. What say you, Mark Wayne Mullen? Are you going to vote for Matt Gaetz?

[Desi Lydic]

I completely trust President Trump's decision making on this one.

[Jordan Klepper]

I don't get it. Do you hate Matt Gaetz or not? Mark Wayne, you can't have it both ways. Unlike your mom did when she couldn't decide whether to name you Mark or Wayne.

[Desi Lydic]

Come on, Mark.

[Jordan Klepper]

There you have it folks, the Republicans submission to Donald Trump. In a nutshell, Matt Gaetz is a creep who forced me to watch his sex tapes. And yes, I will be voting for him. Happy Thanksgiving. For more on the congressional reaction to the Matt Gaetz nomination, we go live to the Capitol with Desi Lydic. Desi. Desi. Now, we've heard from Republicans, but what's the Democratic strategy for Matt Gaetz?

[Unknown Speaker]

Well, Jordan, I spoke to Democrats and their strategy is to vote for him unanimously.

[Jordan Klepper]

Democrats will vote for him.

[Unknown Speaker]

Yeah, it's part of a new strategy that they call and I quote around and find out. Yeah, see if Donald Trump wants a coke clown as ag. Donald Trump gets a coke clown as AG have fun watching his press conferences where he shows a video of him Eiffel towering some chick. Do you need me to explain that to you?

[Jordan Klepper]

No, no, no. Is that really how the Dems are going to respond to the ag?

[Unknown Speaker]

Not just the ag, the entire Trump presidency. RFK at the health department. Fox News guy is defense secretary. Democrats are not going to try to clean up the MAGA messes anymore. You know, you want to be bad and smoke a cigarette, well, guess what? Now you got to smoke the whole carton. But good news, according to RFK's new health guidelines, it's healthier than vaccines.

[Jordan Klepper]

I understand that impulse, but isn't that going to just be bad for the voters?

[Unknown Speaker]

Well, I asked Nancy Pelosi that and she said, oh, the voters. How did the voters vote again last Tuesday? Oh, I got a recount right here. Turns out she didn't have the recount. It was just her middle finger.

[Jordan Klepper]

Right, right. I guess Democrats have a right to be upset, but aren't they at least a little concerned that Gaetz could weaponize the judiciary to go after them?

[Unknown Speaker]

Yeah, see, I asked Nancy Pelosi about that, too, and she said, oh, yeah, I'm so scared of legal mastermind Matt Gaetz coming after me. I can't wait to see his indictment written in crayon. Here's my response. And then you can imagine my surprise when she just pulled out her middle fin. Yeah, it seems like she only has that one move.

[Jordan Klepper]

Yeah, it's a decent move. So their attitude towards Republicans is basically, you made your bed, now you get to lie in it.

[Unknown Speaker]

Yeah, exactly. But with Matt Gaetz, you might want to change his sheets first.

[Jordan Klepper]

Desi Lynick, everybody. We come back. Charlamagne Tha God will be joining us. Don't go away.

[Desi Lydic]

For many of us, the holiday season means more travel, more shopping, more time online and more of your personal information in more places you can't control. It only takes one innocent mistake, even if it's not your mistake, to expose you to identity theft. Not to worry. Lifelock monitors hundreds of millions of data points every second and alerts you to threats you could miss by yourself. Even if you keep an eye on your bank and credit card statements. If your identity is stolen, your own US based restoration specialist will fix it, guaranteed. The last thing you want to do this holiday season is face drained accounts, fraudulent loans or other financial losses from identity theft all alone. Gift yourself the peace of mind that comes with LifeLock and spend more time doing more of the holiday things you love. Visit lifelock.com iheart and save up to 40% your first year. That's 40% [e-mail] iheart LifeLock for the threats you can't control.

[Unknown Speaker]

Did you know that parents rank financial literacy as the number one most difficult life skill to teach? Meet Greenlight, the debit card and money app for families. With Greenlight, you can send money to kids instantly, set up chores, automate allowance, and keep an eye on your kids spending with real time notifications, kids learn to earn, save and spend wisely. And parents can rest easy knowing their kids are learning about money with guardrails in place. Sign up for Greenlight [e-mail] iHeart with.

[Desi Lydic]

Millions of books on Amazon, there's a reading feeling for everyone. For example, Olivia's after learning she has quite a lot in common with a 9th century Viking is different to Luna's after the old man narrowly escaped being bitten by zombies. Which is also different to Jerome's his eureka moment on finding the perfect new quote for his dating profile from to to Amazon books. That reading feeling awaits.

[Jordan Klepper]

Welcome back to the Daily Show. We all know I've got great opinions, but I'm not the only Studies show that other people also have opinions. So here with another installment of in my opinion is our good friend Charlamagne Tha God.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Hey, look, I'm not gonna bullshit you. Uh, right now I'm confused. Yeah, more confused in America after finding out John Krasinski won Sexiest Man Alive. Yeah, he wasn't even the sexiest man on the office. Yeah, y'all let Kevin hit. Yeah. And what's confusing me is that for three years, up until last Tuesday, if you asked any Democrat what they thought about Donald Trump, they'd say something like this.

[Unknown Speaker]

Donald Trump said he would be a.

[Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford]

Dictator on day one.

[Desi Lydic]

No one has ever been more dangerous to this country.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Than Donald Trump.

[Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford]

Trump is fascist to the core. I wanna be dictator. Running around trying to punish his enemies. Take what his pro.

[Desi Lydic]

Look what his objective is.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

It is totally anti democratic. He says that he wants to be.

[Desi Lydic]

A dictator on day one. He means it.

[Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford]

Damn.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Joe Biden was on such high alert, he almost opened his eyes for a second there. So the part that's confusing me is if all that is true, what the hell is this?

[Desi Lydic]

It was an encounter many thought could never happen. But in front of a roaring fire, the current and future president exhibited warmth. Welcome.

[Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford]

Thank you.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Who knew the fall of democracy would seem so cozy. It's like seeing Hitler take over Europe in a Snuggie. That's not how you beef. Trust me. Drake isn't inviting Kendrick to a slumber party anytime soon. Right. When you get in a room with someone, even J.D. vance called Hitler, you don't say I have your back. You say, I have a Glock. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And. And look, look, look, look, look. I understand that you have to transfer power peacefully because you're not fascist, but there's nothing in the Constitution that says you have to be nice about it. At least take the opportunity to with him, all right? Swap his Diet Coke with Kombucha. Change the computer passwords to Eric's birthday so he can switch the toilet paper in the Oval Office toilet so it hangs under. I don't know, man. Do something, okay? And look, just because I don't want Democrats singing Kumbaya with Trump doesn't mean I think they should go all in on trying to take him down. First of all, they already tried that a lot, okay? I don't have the energy for it anymore. Dude got impeached twice. I still get PTSD when someone says the words Mueller report. But also, and this is an unpopular opinion if you're not a Republican. I want Trump to succeed. Or at least I don't want him to fail so badly he takes down the country with him. Yeah, yeah. Come on. Come on. Okay. I love America. We got waffle houses here, all right? And there's still a chance that Donald Trump and his friends won't turn the country into a fascist funhouse. You know who says they won't? Donald Trump and his friends.

[Jordan Klepper]

Donald Trump is not going to rule as a dictator. He's not a dictator. He's not a threat to democracy. He's fun. He's not a fascist. Was Hitler making self deprecating jokes? No, they accused me of being a.

[Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford]

Hitler type guy or a Hitler lover.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

And I'm not.

[Jordan Klepper]

I'm the opposite.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Opposite of Hitler. I don't know what. Unless it's his weird way of telling us he's circumcised. So listen, both sides had their campaign rhetoric. Trump came out on top. And in a few years, we're gonna find out who was right and who was wrong. I'm a person who's called him a fascist. I wanna be wrong. And maybe we all will be. Because don't forget, one thing Trump loves more than anything is being unpredictable. He loves it more than he loves his children. Okay, bad example. He. He loves it more than kfc. And now he has a chance to do something truly unexpected. Don't be a fascist. And maybe you think that's not possible, but you know me, I'm an optimist. I think if I can just talk to Donald Trump directly, I can convince him. So Let me try. Mr. Trump, sir. Mr. Trump, sir. You're a manly man with great hair and the tightest neck pussy I've ever seen. Yeah, he's listening now. Sir, I need to talk to you about your plans. Right now, you can do anything you want. You have both houses of Congress, and thanks to the Supreme Court, you can feed Nancy Pelosi the alligators and call it an official act. But that's what all your enemies say you're gonna do. And just think about how stupid they'll look if you don't. You know what liberals hate even more than being thrown into a CIA black site? Being wrong. You could own the lib so hard just by not being a fascist. Not being a fascist is so easy. Look, I'm doing it right now, by the way. I'm still doing it. It's simple, okay? You don't even have to do good things for America. Just do nothing. Go golfing. All right? That's right. You love golfing. And you're. He's so good at it, too. We all know he cheats. You know what, Mr. President? We'll even let you have a little personal corruption as a reward, okay? Just leave the Constitution in one piece, and we'll let you skim a billion or two out of the Medicare budget. It's fine, okay? You could literally sit on your ass doing nothing for four years straight, and you'll be considered the greatest president of all time just because you didn't destroy democracy like they said you would. Yes, and. And listen, Mr. President, if you just destroy the economy, lead us into a recession, I can live with that. That's normal Republican president stuff. Just. Just keep your big strong, not tiny hands out of the fascist cookie jar. And maybe, maybe I still think you're gonna do it anyway. But to quote the great philosopher Sabrina Carpenter, please, please, please don't prove I'm right. But that's just my opinion.

[Jordan Klepper]

Charlamagne the God everybody, we come back Francis Forbes couple won't be joining on the show. Don't go away.

[Desi Lydic]

With millions of books on Amazon, there's a reading feeling for everyone. For example, Olivia's after learning she has quite a lot in common with a 9th century Viking is different to Luna's after the old man narrowly escaped being bitten by zombies. Which is also different to Jerome's his Eureka moment on finding the perfect new quote for his dating profile. From to to Amazon Books, that reading feeling awaits.

[Unknown Speaker]

This message comes from Greenlight. Ready to start talking to your kids about financial literacy? Meet Greenlight, the debit card and money app that teaches kids and teens how to earn, save, spend wisely and invest. With your guardrails in place with Greenlight you can send money to kids instantly, set up chores automate allowance and keep an eye on your kids spending with real time notifications. Join millions of parents and kids building healthy financial habits together on Greenlight. Sign up for greenlight [e-mail] iheart you.

[Desi Lydic]

Know when you hit the road, it helps so much if you've got a good co pilot. When you're driving the new 2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, you've always got one. With all of its class leading advanced safety features, the new Hyundai Tucson Hybrid is looking out for you. The available Blind Spot view monitor has live video feeds so you know if you can change lanes safely in the standard forward collision avoidance assist automatically applies the brakes to help prevent accidents. If you've got kids, that's worth everything. But hey, the new 2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid isn't just for families. Let's say you're out on a date and there's a really tight parking spot. Well, you won't totally embarrass yourself thanks to the available parking Collision avoidance assist. Sounds pretty awesome, huh? Learn more about the new tucson [e-mail] or call 562-314-4603 for complete details.

[Jordan Klepper]

Welcome back to the Daily Show. My guest tonight is a legendary Academy Award winning filmmaker whose latest film film is called Megalopolis. Please welcome Francis Ford Coppola. Welcome.

[Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford]

Thank you so much. Thank you, thank you.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Thank you.

[Jordan Klepper]

Sir. This truly is an honor. I will say I remember in college going to see Apocalypse Now I got to see it in the theater. It was being re released. I saw it in the theater and it expanded my mind as to what I could and should expect from cinema. It was surreal, it was dark, it was literary. And then last week I get to go and see Megalopolis. And it continued on that trajectory, expanding what one should expect or can expect and see in cinema.

[Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford]

Because you didn't say the last thing you said Apocalypse now was all those things and got terrible reviews.

[Jordan Klepper]

I didn't want to say it, you.

[Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford]

Know, and we've done it again.

[Jordan Klepper]

This is what it is. Court. Court the bastard.

[Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford]

Well, you know, I mean, they want movies to be something that they cannot risk, they cannot possibly lose on. And to me, you know, making art without risk is like making babies without sex. It's possible, but it's not the way to do it.

[Jordan Klepper]

Yeah, yeah. You're not wrong. This film deals with a lot. This film is. There's big themes in here. Time, Rome, ancient Rome, the fall of America. You've been working on this or been thinking about this idea for 40 years.

[Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford]

Well, not exactly, but I was working on something that I thought could be my style because, you know, I made a lot of films that I'm happy you enjoy, but they were all in different styles. And I wondered if I had a style or basically it was going to be different for every movie. So I took after I made a John Grisham movie called, I think it was the Rainmaker. I took 10 years off. Turns out I took 14 years off. And I just wanted to learn more, what I could do. And I kept notebooks. And eventually I decided that since America founded itself based on Rome because they didn't want a king, Rome invented a new form of government called the Republic. Because they had had a terrible king. And they absolutely did not want a king in America, didn't want the English king. And the people who founded America were all, you know, educated people, which meant they spoke Latin, they studied Latin, they studied Roman, and they had read Caesar and the Gallic wars and Cicero. So they decided to make a country with senators and with Roman law. We all know what pro bono means and habeas corpus. That's because we took Roman law. And what happened to Rome when it lost its republic was a lot of money came into Rome, but instead of going to the people, it basically made the senators rich and powerful. And the same thing happened in America recently after World War II. So with exactly the same situation, the same result happened. And we got a new government, which may very well not continue. We don't know. We're about to find out. We're about to get the news.

[Jordan Klepper]

Yeah. I mean, if Megalopolis follows this once great city in decline, do you know who the Attorney General is in Megalopolis? Has that been decided?

[Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford]

Well, I'm sure he's someone who is going to. If he's not Attorney General, he's going to be arrested by the Attorney General. Yes. So that's probably what's going to happen part of this.

[Jordan Klepper]

You also self finance this film by selling off some of your winemaking.

[Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford]

But the same is with Apocalypse Now. Apocalypse now ended up. You know. You know who owns Apocalypse now, by the way? Now?

[Jordan Klepper]

No.

[Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford]

I do. You know why?

[Jordan Klepper]

Why?

[Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford]

Nobody wanted it. And if you can imagine, interest during the time of apocalypse now was 21%. That's not a joke. It's true.

[Jordan Klepper]

Is that right?

[Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford]

Yeah. But now it's not so much. So it's better you sell off part.

[Jordan Klepper]

Of your winery though, to pay for this?

[Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford]

I basically. I didn't. I borrowed the money from the bank based on. On a winery that I had.

[Jordan Klepper]

Yeah.

[Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford]

So I now I have to pay it back in a year.

[Jordan Klepper]

Is that advice you would give to a young filmmaker is first starting the wine business to get your financing all settled?

[Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford]

My advice to a young filmmaker would be make the film any way you can and you know, whatever way. Rake it with your iPhone, make it with your parents credit card. But. But try to make. And make it be personal because movies, you know, everyone in the world, all of our cousins, because we're all related in one big family, as you know. I mean, really.

[Jordan Klepper]

Is that right?

[Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford]

Oh yeah.

[Jordan Klepper]

I haven't seen any cut of the winemaking business from you though. I feel like. Are we a little bit more. I mean, you do.

[Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford]

We're cousins.

[Jordan Klepper]

Okay.

[Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford]

So.

[Jordan Klepper]

Yeah.

[Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford]

You don't pay off cousins, you don't pay off.

[Jordan Klepper]

You can't help me with my tuition.

[Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford]

Yeah. And we've only existed for about 300,000 years and we don't. We know only since this writing has only been 6,7000 years. We only know what happened the last 10,000 years. And that's when the men really took over. And we had for the first time a patriarchy. Before that, we don't know what we had. It might have been better, but we have no way we can guess. And if it was a matriarchy. The thing that's different between a matriarchy and a patriarchy is that the women didn't really give orders, but they were good colleagues. And we worked together and we ensured, you know, that there was enough water for the kids and there was this and that. Women are very, very good leaders. They really. And they.

[Jordan Klepper]

I know. Perhaps. Perhaps the country can look into giving a shot in the near future one day.

[Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford]

One day, I'm sure. I mean, we all. You know, I try to see the bright side of everything because I'm like your previous host. I'm an optimistic. I truly am. I love people and I want the world to be beautiful for our children because they didn't do anything to deserve the mess that they might inherit.

[Jordan Klepper]

Isn't that the film? There's a lot of hope in Megalopolis.

[Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford]

There is. The film is filled with hope. And the ending is very positive. And I stand by the ending. The ending. You know, really what it comes down to is that we are capable of solving any problem that was put in front of us. We. There's no. There's no. You know, we're intelligent, but, you know, there's no creature on Earth anywhere even close to what we can do. And the octopuses are very smart and they're very nice.

[Jordan Klepper]

Yeah.

[Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford]

But the human. Human being is extraordinary. And the fact is that. Why do people constantly try to make you feel less than you are? And that's because you're a better customer if you don't feel too powerful. We spend probably $8 trillion a year on advertising, which is basically selling a little bit of happiness to people in the form of what they can buy. But. But you can't sell happiness to happy people because they're already happy. So what that means. What that means is there are efforts to make us be less happy than is necessary so we'll be better customers. And if you tell people, hey, human beings are geniuses, we're all a family of geniuses, they'll say, well, yeah, but we are. But those people are not. So let's let them in our country, let's keep. Treat them terribly. And the truth of the matter is that that's not true. That we're being kept deliberately felt to be less than we are so we can be better sold to. And that's what's happening.

[Jordan Klepper]

I mean, I do think I'm hearing you. It does. I mean, the media landscape does treat us as consumers and consumers only. I think what is compelling about some of what you're trying to do in Megalopolis is to break open some of the mold.

[Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford]

Well, to explain what's going on, because even what you said isn't true anymore. It used to be What? Yes. It's not true.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Did it just change?

[Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford]

Yes, it just got worse. Because what they're doing is. It used to be that you sold to by what the product was. Now you're selling the identity. If you look at television today and you look and you look at the way it's styled and the way they're dressed and who they're married to, you're meant to say, hey, those are people like us. And so they're selling an identity. And then by you buying the identity that they've sold you, they want you to be loyal to the brand that that identity is loyal to. And that's when they start selling who you are. Then you know that it's gone too far.

[Jordan Klepper]

Yeah, yeah, I agree with that. Where my cynicism comes in, my cynicism comes in as if this is all a war for attention, whether it's on social media, whether it's the Internet or just media in general. I feel like the quickest way to get those eyes is with short, loud bursts of anger and flash. And what it does is it warps the way in which we take in information, hold information and communicate in general. I think, like I feel myself being unable to hold long conversations or depth of thought is harder and harder to reach because of these mediums that we're in. You work in a medium, cinema, that'll ask people to sit and think about.

[Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford]

Something for two hours, but they don't ask that anymore. Now they ask you to go to see something that you already know what you're going to see because you've seen six versions of it already. And therefore they want you to be addicted to it the way they want you to be addicted to a particular food product or something, you know? In other words, they don't want there to be any chance that they won't make money.

[Jordan Klepper]

But how do you. That's what they are doing. But what are you doing? How do you create in that atmosphere? Because I feel like your audience, no matter what, is going to walk into that theater.

[Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford]

There's a line in my movie that he says when. When you leap into the unknown, you prove you are free. So I leap into the unknown whenever I can because I want to be free. I don't even wear the same socks anymore.

[Jordan Klepper]

What do we got?

[Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford]

I got two different colored socks.

[Jordan Klepper]

You got two different colored socks.

[Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford]

I don't have to wear the same color socks if I don't want them, and neither do you.

[Jordan Klepper]

FAN BREAKS RULES CONSISTENTLY Make A Lot is in select theaters and available to stream now Francis Ford so far. Take a quick break. Be right back after this. That's our show for tonight. Now here it is, your moment of Zen. People within the Trump team are now.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Jockeying over who will get a spot.

[Jordan Klepper]

In his second cabinet. And you can call this one Game.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Of Thrones Trump Edition.

[Jordan Klepper]

Like the legend of Caligula, the Roman emperor who wanted to nominate his horse as a Roman consul.

[Desi Lydic]

I feel like we're in the Twilight Zone. If you know Star wars, this is Emperor Palpatine stuff. It was more Star Trek than Star Wars. Explore more shows from the Daily show podcast universe by searching the Daily Show. Wherever you get your podcast, watch the Daily show weeknights at 1110 Central on Comedy Central and stream full episodes anytime on Paramount plus Paramount Podcasts.

[Jordan Klepper]

Hey, it's Bobby Bones. Start building before next spring during Morton Buildings Winter. Wind Up. Save now until October 31st on select building projects, visit MortonBuildings.com and then just click Get Started. Certain restrictions may apply. Contact your local construction center for more details.

[Desi Lydic]

Odoo is business management made so simple.

[Jordan Klepper]

A kid could explain it.

[Unknown Speaker]

Sometimes business software can't talk to other programs, but Odoo, Funny Word, has every program from CRM to HR to accounting in one platform. It should cost a lot, but it doesn't. So you should use Odoo because they save you money.

[Desi Lydic]

Odoo makes a lot of sense, but doesn't cost a lot of sense. Sign up [e-mail] that's o d o.com Good job.

[Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford]

Thanks.

[Unknown Speaker]

Wake up at Holiday Inn Express to a can't miss breakfast that's free. With every stay, count on all the hot fresh coffee you need and an incredible breakfast buffet that has something for everyone like eggs, cinnamon rolls and even.

Hot fresh pancakes with all the toppings you crave.

Next time, do yourself a favor and stay at a Holiday Inn Express with a can't miss breakfast that's free with. So when you wake up at Holiday Inn Express, you'll wake up happy. A part of IHG Hotels & Resorts.