Trump’s Trade Wars Hike Prices, GOP Blames Biden for Economy | Mae Martin

Summary

Summary of "Trump’s Trade Wars Hike Prices, GOP Blames Biden for Economy | Mae Martin"

Released on March 5, 2025, "The Daily Show: Ears Edition" hosted by Michael Kosta delves into the escalating trade tensions initiated by former President Donald Trump, the Republican Party's attribution of economic woes to President Joe Biden, and features an exclusive interview with comedian and artist Mae Martin.

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1. Escalation of Trump's Trade War

The episode opens with Michael Kosta addressing the sudden surge in America's trade war under former President Donald Trump's administration. Trump has implemented a sweeping 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, dramatically escalating tensions.

Notable Quote:

Michael Kosta [00:01]: "A global trade war kicked off at the stroke of midnight. President Trump's 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico are now in effect."

Kosta humorously critiques Trump's policies, highlighting the irony of initiating a trade war that paradoxically spikes consumer prices domestically.

2. Impact on American Consumers

Kosta emphasizes the direct consequences of the tariffs on the average American household, estimating an increase of up to $2,000 in expenses on items ranging from groceries to vehicles.

Notable Quote:

Michael Kosta [01:50]: "The average American household could spend up to $2,000 more on everything from produce to clothes to new cars."

He illustrates the absurdity of the situation by joking about the inflated costs of everyday items, such as a $9,000 hike for a Kia Sorento, underscoring the detrimental effects of Trump's trade policies on ordinary citizens.

3. GOP’s Blame on Biden for Economic Downturn

Transitioning to the Republican narrative, Kosta critiques how the GOP is attributing the struggling economy to President Biden. He mocks the notion that Biden's administration is solely responsible for the economic slump, drawing a comparison to past presidents like Jimmy Carter.

Notable Quote:

Michael Kosta [04:00]: "What's left of the Biden economy is slumping so badly. This is the legacy of the Biden economy. Damn you, Joe Biden."

Kosta satirizes the Republican tendency to blame current economic issues on Biden while highlighting the complexity of attributing economic performance to a single administration.

4. Trade War with Canada and Its Ramifications

A significant portion of the episode focuses on the unexpected trade war with Canada, traditionally a close ally. Kosta delves into the rationale provided by Trump, which centers on illegal immigration and fentanyl shipments, despite data suggesting minimal impact from Canada in these areas.

Notable Quote:

Michael Kosta [05:55]: "Data shows less than 1% of the fentanyl entering the US comes from Canada, and only 1.5% of Border Patrol encounters."

He humorously critiques the flimsy justifications for the tariffs, illustrating the strained relationship now developing between the two neighboring countries.

Canadian Response: Ontario's Premier Doug Ford responds with threats to shut off electricity exports and block nickel shipments, while public sentiment in Canada shifts towards boycotting American products, as evidenced by movements like #BuyCanadian and renaming products such as the "Americano" to "Canadiano."

Notable Quote:

Ricky Velez [06:21]: "War against Canada, their closest partner and ally, their closest friend."

Kosta uses biting humor to portray the deterioration of US-Canada relations, emphasizing the isolation caused by unilateral trade policies.

5. Audience Opinions: Ricky Velez on Buyer's Remorse

In a segment titled "In My Opinion," Ricky Velez discusses the concept of buyer's remorse extending beyond consumer goods to political choices. He highlights how Trump's supporters are increasingly second-guessing their allegiance due to disappointing policy outcomes.

Notable Quote:

Ricky Velez [14:21]: "A growing number of his supporters are having second thoughts. Austin Jenkins voted for lower taxes and less regulation, but finds the first month unsettling."

Velez humorously connects economic dissatisfaction with the broader disillusionment among Trump’s base, drawing parallels to consumer behavior and product dissatisfaction.

6. Guest Interview: Mae Martin on Her Debut Album

The episode culminates with an in-depth interview with Mae Martin, an award-winning comedian, actor, and now a singer-songwriter. Martin discusses her debut album, imatv, exploring themes of personal vulnerability and self-discovery.

Notable Quotes:

Mae Martin [20:32]: "I'd been living in England for 12 years, and then like three years ago, I moved to LA. And so I was reconnecting with my earnest North American roots."

Mae Martin [23:22]: "The album was kind of stripping that away. But then a friend of mine was like, does it stand for I'm a transvestite? And I was like, no, but if you wanted to, it could."

Martin delves into her creative process, balancing her comedic background with her musical aspirations. She candidly shares the challenges of transitioning from comedy to music, emphasizing the emotional honesty embedded in her work.

Michael Kosta’s Commentary: Kosta praises Martin's ability to blend humor with earnestness, noting the vulnerability required in musical expression compared to stand-up comedy.

Notable Quote:

Michael Kosta [24:23]: "One of the songs I love is called Big Bear. I've been to Big Bear, near LA. I got stuck in traffic. But you sing a beautiful song about. To me, it feels like you're trying to escape something."

The conversation highlights the therapeutic aspects of music and personal growth, offering listeners an intimate look into Martin's artistic journey.

7. Conclusion

The episode wraps up with a brief moment of "Zen," where Mae Martin humorously comments on Canadian consumer behavior amidst the trade tensions, reinforcing the episode's themes of economic and cultural friction.

Notable Quote:

Mae Martin [28:07]: "Canadians are opening their wallets wider for Made in Canada products or foregoing some items altogether."

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Overall, this episode of "The Daily Show: Ears Edition" masterfully intertwines political satire with cultural commentary, providing listeners with a comprehensive analysis of the current trade wars and their far-reaching implications. Through sharp wit and engaging dialogue, host Michael Kosta and his guests offer insightful perspectives on the complexities of international relations, economic policies, and personal endeavors in the realm of art and entertainment.

Transcript

[Michael Kosta]

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, Michael Costa. Hello. Welcome to the Daily Show. I'm Michael Kosta. Donald Trump just wrapped up his joint address to Congress, and we'll have full coverage on that tomorrow. But tonight, Republicans want to start cleaning up chicken shit. Joe Biden crop dusted the economy on his way out, and relations with Canada are a boot to get ugly. But first, our ongoing segment, the second coming of Donald J. Trump. Donald Trump has been busy in the past couple of days. He's switched sides in the war in Ukraine, announced a national crypto reserve, and dismantled the National Weather Service. Because part of the fun of experiencing a Category 5 hurricane is the surprise. Trump's been so busy that I was getting worried he'd forgotten his plan to start a North American trade war. But my boy, he put it on the cow. We begin with the breaking news in America's escalating trade war. And it's dramatic. A global trade war kicked off at the stroke of midnight. President Trump's 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico are now in effect. Yeah, that's right, baby. Trade war.

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

Woo.

[Michael Kosta]

Nobody does war better than usa. Usa. Usa. That's right. Canada and Mexico are about to feel the pain. And the best part is, it's not gonna affect us at all. Boop. The average American household could spend up to $2,000 more on everything from produce to clothes to new cars. Driving up the cost of a small car by an estimated $6,200 or an SUV by $9,000. Wait, we're launching a trade war and it's going to affect us. I'm going to pay $9,000 more for a Kia Sorento. Now I finally get why they say war is hell. So that's what Private Ryan saved. That's what Saving Private Ryan was all about. Private Ryan was a different movie. Isn't this the opposite of what Trump campaigned on? Raising prices on everything. I'm already buying my eggs in installments with Klarna. And the solution that his Secretary of Agriculture came up with, it's not very helpful.

[Mae Martin]

I think the silver lining in all of this is how do we in our backyards.

[Michael Kosta]

We've got chickens, too in our backyard.

[Mae Martin]

How do we solve for something like. And people are sort of looking around thinking, wow, well, maybe I could get.

[Michael Kosta]

A chicken in my backyard. And it's awesome.

[Mae Martin]

I agree with you.

[Michael Kosta]

Yeah. I think everyone who isn't a farmer Right now wants to be. Yes, great idea. Great idea. In this time of uncertainty, the one thing I need now is a wild animal in my house pecking my dick while I'm trying to make a frittata. Everybody who's not a farmer wants to be. Are you kidding me? Americans don't even go to grocery stores anymore. We just text get Cheerios to strangers on Instacart. But, sure, I guess I'll become a small farmer. And, hey, why stop at chickens? You know, I could grow my own avocados. I could raise my own cows. Wait, why am I buying my steel like a sucker when I could be smelting iron ore in my own bathtub? Either way, prices are about to go up, and I just hope that no one told that to the stock market. The stock market drops for a second day in a row now that President Trump's tariffs are in effect. Goddamn it. Who told that to the stock market? So the stock market is plummeting, thanks to the trade war that Donald Trump started, so obviously. Well, we know who to blame for that, right? What's left of the Biden economy is slumping so badly. It's just slumping. This is the legacy of the Biden economy. Damn you, Joe Biden. You were supposed to leave the password to the economy on the White House fridge before you left. If we're going to blame past presidents, why stop at Biden? You know, Jimmy Carter's been awfully quiet lately. How convenient. But I guess rising prices and a tanking stock market, that's just the cost of starting a trade war with your neighbors. Now, Mexico, they expect it, right? Trump's headed out for them since no one showed up to his quinceanera. But. But why Canada? We've always been tight with Canada. We were both British colonies. We play in the same sports leagues together. We share joint custody of Ryan Gosling. If Trump is going to launch a trade war with them, I hope he has a good reason, and I'm sure he does. Right, Right, Right. Trump says the tariffs are needed, and.

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

He claims Canada and Mexico aren't doing enough to stop illegal immigration and fentanyl shipments.

[Michael Kosta]

The fentany. Canada is massive. Of course. Of course. Fentanyl and migrants. That makes sense. We can't just be letting Canada pump massive and massive amounts of fentanyl and migrants across our border. Data shows less than 1% of the fentanyl entering the US comes from Canada, and only 1.5% of Border Patrol encounters.

[Mae Martin]

With migrants take place at the border with Canada.

[Michael Kosta]

Huh. Okay. So it's not fentanyl or migrants. And it can't be because Trump's an insecure, wannabe alpha male thumping his chest so the world pays attention to him. So I guess we'll never know. It's probably Joe Biden. Whatever it is, Prime Minister Trudeau, he wasn't having it. Today, the United States launched a trade.

[Ricky Velez]

War against Canada, their closest partner and ally, their closest friend.

[Michael Kosta]

Now, I want to speak directly to one specific American. Donald, even though you're a very smart guy, this is a very dumb thing to do.

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

Wow.

[Ricky Velez]

Wow.

[Michael Kosta]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. He's mad. And he's not even world leader mad. He's dad mad. This is the same tone I use when I tell my daughter not to throw her baby sister into the crib. You are not that type of person that does this, even though you just did this. And you'll probably keep doing it, but you're not this. Okay, Donald. My daughter's name is Donald. All of Canada is lining up behind Trudeau. Like Ontario's premier, Doug Ford came out to warn America about the consequences of a trade war, although in a confusing way. The people of the US Which I absolutely love, the American people, they're going to be paying more. The market is going to go downhill faster than the American bobsled team. Sick burn. I think. I mean, it sounded like a slam, but if the market will go downhill really fast, that means our bobsled team is also fast. And isn't. Isn't that, like, a compliment? Our bobsled team is supposed to go fast, right? Unless he's saying our bobsled team is slow, which is a slam. But then that means the market won't go downhill fast, which is good for our economy. This metaphor doesn't make any sense. The point is, Doug Ford is forcing me to learn about bobsledding, and I do not appreciate that. Is there a Canadian who can make an analogy that's a little less confusing? Donna Reardon, the mayor of St. John in New Brunswick, maybe you have a good analogy. I mean, we've been in this comfortable relationship with our American cousins, and now we're being attacked. So, you know, we're breaking up with the US and it's time to move on. Yeah, we're cousins, but we're. But we're breaking up. This analogy is even worse than the bobsled. You can't break up with your cousin. Sure, you can both go off and get married and start your own families and try to convince yourselves you've moved on, but she's still there at Thanksgiving every year. Yeah, she brings her new husband and she laughs at his jokes, but deep down, you can see in her pale blue eyes that she's sad. And I'm sad too, Stephanie. I know she can see it in my eyes, which are the same color as hers. Because we're related. And that's. That's why we can't be together. Right? What was I talking about? I'm sorry. Look. That's right. Oh, the trade war that we've launched for no reason. The point is, look what Donald Trump has done to Canada. They're the nicest country on earth, the sexiest cousin, and look what we've brought them out to do. Canadians are reasonable and we are polite, but we will not back down from a fight. Ontario premier Doug Ford threatened to shut.

[Ricky Velez]

Off his province's electricity exports to the United States and block shipments of Ontario's high grade nickel.

[Michael Kosta]

Canadian liquor stores took American whiskey off the shelves. There's also hashtags Buy Canadian and Boycott USA going viral. Canadian coffee shop the Morning Owl in Ottawa has renamed its popular Americano coffee to a Canadiano. WWE fans were drowning out the performance of the Star Spangled Banner in Toronto. Take a listen. Damn. Canada's respect for America has gone down faster than Curtis and Hubert Stevens, gold medalist in the two man bobsled at the 1932 Lake Placid Olympics. Now that's how you do a bobsled metaphor, Doug. Big bobsled fans out here today. Whatever the reason, Trump has now pushed America and Canada into a full on trade war. And for more, let's go live to the Canadian border with our very own Grace Kuhlenschmidt. Grace. Grace, what's your analysis?

[Mae Martin]

It's pretty simple, Michael. America is definitely in the wrong here. We're the bad guys. We suck. And when you've made a mistake, you have to take accountability and tell Canada to shut the up.

[Michael Kosta]

Oh, I'm. I'm sorry. Tell Canada to shut the up.

[Mae Martin]

Yeah, listen, America is in the wrong. No ifs, ands, or buts. But when Canada starts talking shit, my dormant patriotic instincts bubble up and suddenly I'm proud to be an American, which is crazy because I'm not. But I can't help myself when that guy called our bobsled team slow. That piece of shit.

[Michael Kosta]

Yeah, I actually, I think he was complimenting our team. I still don't really know.

[Mae Martin]

Oh, that piece of shit. I want to take Canada's side, but when they boo our national anthem, I'm gonna have to shit on theirs. O. Canada is in G major. I'm surprised it's not in a minor. I don't really know what that means.

[Michael Kosta]

Yeah, well, I don't want to explain it to you. And if you know America's in the wrong, why are you defending us?

[Mae Martin]

It's like seeing your mom get arrested. You know, she shouldn't have bought beer for those middle schoolers, but you're still gonna yell at the cop and try to grab his gun. It's crazy. But that's love. Love for your mom and love for your country. And if that means I can't eat waffles with Canadian maple syrup, then, by God, I will eat them with ketchup. Yum.

[Michael Kosta]

You know, Grace, I gotta say, in a weird way, I admire your patriotism.

[Mae Martin]

I hate it. I'm embarrassed to be an American right now. And as an American, I'm outraged.

[Michael Kosta]

Mm.

[Mae Martin]

I don't like this patriotic monster I've become. Last night, I blacked out and bought a Ford F150. And look at this shirt I'm wearing. I don't even know when I put this on.

[Michael Kosta]

Wait, wait. Is. Is that a bald eagle pooping out a maple leaf? Where. Where did you even get that, Grace?

[Mae Martin]

I think I made it because I also have it tattooed on my back. Bottom line, Michael, I just want these tariffs to go away. I love this country so much, but sometimes America is just the worst.

[Michael Kosta]

Yeah. Yeah. Sometimes America is the worst. Grace, you're right.

[Mae Martin]

The did you just say about America?

[Michael Kosta]

Never mind. Never mind. Never mind. Grace Coolersmidt, everyone. Grace. Coolersmidt. When we come back, Ricky Velez gives us his opinion. So don't go away. Welcome back to the Daily Show. We all know I've got great opinions, but I'm not the only one. Studies show that other people also have opinions. So here with another installment of in my opinion is our good friend Ricky Velez.

[Ricky Velez]

The phrase of the day is buyer's remorse. It's like when you buy thousands of dollars worth of shoes made by your favorite rapper, thinking one day they'll be as valuable as the Princess Diana Beanie Baby. But then that rapper found his favorite new shape. But Yeezy isn't the only brand that's out there not living up to expectations. These days, a lot of people are having buyer's remorse when it comes to the election.

[Michael Kosta]

Six weeks into the second Trump administration, and a growing number of his supporters are having second thoughts. Austin Jenkins voted for lower taxes and less regulation. But Jenkins finds the first month Unsettling. I thought there was supposed to be checks and balances.

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

Somewh Riley Cooper was just let go.

[Michael Kosta]

By the US Forest Service. Do you now regret the way you voted for Trump?

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

I do feel regret.

[Ricky Velez]

Come on. Who could have predicted that the guy that's known for the catchphrase, you're fired would fire you? And it's not just Trump that's giving people buyer's remorse. Because with the purchase of Trump came one free Elon. So some people are ashamed of their president and their car.

[Michael Kosta]

Some Tesla owners driven to regret their purchase because of Elon Musk. Local Tesla owners are reporting increasing minor acts of vandalism to both cars and chargers and are targets of cursing and gestures on the road. This gold cybertruck has been turning heads.

[Ricky Velez]

But lately the attention has taken a threatening turn. According to Dr. Kumay, Girouj drivers cut him off and they hurl offensive gestures.

[Michael Kosta]

The doctor says that he tried to get rid of his truck, but he has not been able to find a buyer.

[Ricky Velez]

Wow. Wow. No shit. You can't find a buyer for a gold cybertruck. Just break this down for a second. Imagine seeing a regular cybertruck and also turning to the salesman and being like, do you have anything that makes me look like a bigger dick and also hides my smaller dick? And by the way, they're not just vandalizing cybertrucks because Elon sucks. They're vandalizing cybertrucks because it's a stupid car. It's the only car that gives you your virginity back. Plus, if you get mad at the product, you don't sell it. You take a semi automatic and you light that mother up like a true patriot. But those that can't sell their Teslas, here's another option. Anti Elon Musk bumper stickers have been.

[Michael Kosta]

Showing up on a lot of cars. Some owners scrambled to buy anti Elon stickers to decorate their EVs. Like these vintage Tesla. This one says pre Madness edition.

[Ricky Velez]

Up with EVs, down with Elon.

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

Sticking it in here.

[Michael Kosta]

Another one.

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

If I really wanted to, like, quadruple down.

[Ricky Velez]

Us liberals love a sticker. What an inspiring way to tell the world. I disapprove of Nazis, but not enough to bike to work. But once again, I feel these people's pain. You might wonder what kind of douchebag keeps a product after it was made by a Nazi. Well, this kind of douchebag. I'm sorry, I'm sorry. They were popular in 2017. I still have my Kanye shoes. They were made by Him. And I definitely can't give them to my son for his bar mitzvah. So what do I do with these? Well, one guy has an answer.

[Michael Kosta]

Check out this man in Florida who is now burning several pairs of Yeezy shoes. Danny Schiff says He's purchased about 40 pairs of those shoes over the years and about $15,000 worth have gone up in flames.

[Ricky Velez]

Yes. That's what we do. We burn Yeezys. The second you have buyer's remorse, it's time to clean break. And no second chances. Just chicken shit. No chicken shit. Half measures. Which is why Ricky Velez right now, in this moment, will put a sticker on my Yeezy. Nazis back. Nazis back. So there no one can judge me. And am I a hero? It's not for me to say, but yes, I am. But that's just my opinion.

[Michael Kosta]

Ricky Valerias, everybody. When we come back, Mae Martin will be joining me on the show, so don't go away. Nazis back. Nazis back. Welcome back to the Daily Show. My guest tonight is an award winning comedian, actor, writer, producer, and now a singer, songwriter with their debut album, imatv. Please welcome Mae Martin. Thank you for coming. Thank you for having me on. All right. Look at that. Look at that. Look at that, huh?

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

Look at that.

[Michael Kosta]

Look at that. You're a Canadian.

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

Oh, yeah, I am.

[Michael Kosta]

So I'm required by law to take 25% off all of my questions. So first question, what was your experience like? Doing?

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

Okay. I'm going to have to also retaliate with tariffs on my answers. So, yeah, my experience was really perfect.

[Michael Kosta]

We get it.

[Ricky Velez]

Yeah.

[Michael Kosta]

But maybe, maybe both administrations, seeing a Canadian and American shake hands, that was it. That's what they need to see.

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

We solved it. Yeah. That was a beautiful moment for democracy.

[Michael Kosta]

Your album is tremendous. Thanks. It's beautiful.

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

Thank you.

[Michael Kosta]

I was thinking. You're a comedian.

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

Yes. I was thinking. I was thinking that, too.

[Michael Kosta]

It's beautiful. You know how to sing and how to play instruments. What the is going on? Thanks. Thanks.

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

I am a comedian. Yeah. Yes. But yeah, yeah. I've always wanted to. I've always, you know, played music in my bedroom.

[Michael Kosta]

You have?

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

Yeah. And shed a single tear and been really emo. But yeah, yeah.

[Michael Kosta]

How does a comedian, by the way? May is a comedian. But the music, this is real music. This is great music.

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

Thank you.

[Michael Kosta]

It's not like, oh, it's a comedy music. It's a real music album. I want to make that very clear. And it's great. My family was listening to it. We Were listening to it. It's annoying. It's annoying. I even have to say that.

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

Well, no, it's a good thing to specify.

[Michael Kosta]

It is.

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

People would be pissed if they wanted punchlines.

[Michael Kosta]

Right. You know you're going to do a show from here?

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

I'm racing to do a show, yeah. Right after this.

[Michael Kosta]

Do you have to make it very clear that jokes will not be told?

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

I do.

[Michael Kosta]

And.

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

And. And I have to. Well, I mean, I chat a bit between songs, but I definitely have to unlearn the muscle memory that, like, if people are just listening and not laughing, I'm bombing because that's. I'll be playing a sad song or something and I'm thinking, oh, I'm bombing no one. Yeah, yeah. But it's really gratifying. It's really. It's really nice.

[Michael Kosta]

I remember starting out doing open mic as a comedian, and I would bomb and it was so silent. Right then. I would watch shitty musicians go up.

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

Yeah.

[Michael Kosta]

And they would bomb. But there's noise.

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

There's noise.

[Michael Kosta]

And I was envious of musicians in that regard.

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

Well, it's also nice not to be alone because there's a drummer and, you know, I have a whole band and so it's. Yeah, it's nice to have that support.

[Michael Kosta]

When you're writing music, are you naturally trying to not find a punchline? You know what I mean?

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

The world is not that funny right now, so it's not hard. No, no. I mean, I'm really enjoying the opportunity to be earnest and. Yeah.

[Michael Kosta]

What inspired you to make the album now?

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

I guess. Well, I just. I'm Canadian. As sweet as we established, if we're.

[Michael Kosta]

Gonna get a Nobel Peace Prize for that beginning, we should.

[Ricky Velez]

Exactly.

[Michael Kosta]

Yeah.

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

Yeah. Right. That gets an applause.

[Michael Kosta]

You're welcome for that. You're welcome for us shaking hands.

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

Yeah, you're welcome for that. I'd been living in England for 12 years, and then like three years ago, I moved to LA. And so I was reconnecting with my earnest North American roots, I guess, and I was feeling good. I had just. Just three years ago, I had top surgery and started testosterone, and I was feeling very happy and confident. Thanks.

[Michael Kosta]

Yeah, yeah, thanks. Who knows how their albums will be.

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

Yeah, yeah. So I think I was feeling good or feeling more comfortable. Cause it is vulnerable. It's super vulnerable, so.

[Michael Kosta]

Yeah, but comedy's vulnerable, so. I know, but are you telling me that this is more vulnerable to put out music?

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

I think in this moment, I feel that.

[Michael Kosta]

Don't hold back now. This is where you hit Me with. The trick is making music more vulnerable than pouring your heart out to strangers through spoken word. I mean, Michael, you're special, you know, it's fantastic. You're talking about your family, your experiences, your parents. That's so vulnerable and personal.

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

For sure. But I guess with Stand up, you can bail halfway through a joke, right? Or you can pivot, you can lie.

[Michael Kosta]

That's what I do.

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

Yeah, man. Am I right?

[Michael Kosta]

And you can't pivot with me.

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

No, you have to. You can't be halfway through a song and be like, nah, never mind. Actually. So you have to. Yeah. So it does feel exposing.

[Michael Kosta]

One of the songs I love is called Big Bear. I've been to Big Bear, near la. I got stuck in traffic. But you sing a beautiful song about. To me, it feels like you're trying to escape something. And then I'm thinking, maybe that's me, right, Saying I want to escape something.

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

Well, that's the great thing about music. You can project all your own shit onto it.

[Michael Kosta]

That's right.

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

Yeah. But that. Yeah, for sure.

[Michael Kosta]

Tell me about what inspired you to write that song and what it means.

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

I went again. I just moved to the States and I went for the weekend to Big Bear. It's all mountains and a lake and just outside of la. And I felt I weirdly didn't tell anyone I was going. It's so rare that no one knows where you are. This sounds dark, but it was just nice to be alone and walking through the woods and. Yeah, so that's why I wrote that.

[Michael Kosta]

I think it's awesome not telling people, especially now you.

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

But you have a family. You can't be doing that.

[Michael Kosta]

Dude. No, that's not funny. That's why it's so good.

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

Right? Right.

[Michael Kosta]

Because I have people that always want to know where I am. It feels so good. But if I didn't have a family, that was just.

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

It's a lot of pressure to be loved, man.

[Michael Kosta]

Did you just say what's in my soul?

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

I sort of thought it would get a laugh, but it was deadly silent. Like everyone.

[Michael Kosta]

Everyone was like, yeah, I'm a tv.

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

That's it. My friend said, yeah.

[Michael Kosta]

What does it mean? It's in one of the songs. Stowaway. I'm just a TV talking to you. You thought I could remember that, but I had to read it just to make sure I got it.

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

Sure. I'm glad you did. Yeah.

[Michael Kosta]

Where does it come from?

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

Titles are really hard, but I think it was, for me, about. There's so much noise and static Electricity. And sometimes I wonder if our whole personalities are just like a sort of combination of other people's projections and stuff we consume. And so the album was kind of stripping that away. But then a friend of mine was like, does it stand for I'm a transvestite? And I was like, no, but if you wanted to, it could. You know, that's the great thing about music.

[Michael Kosta]

Another example of maybe what we're externalizing is on the inside.

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

Yes, exactly.

[Michael Kosta]

You have TV tattoo, is that right? I do.

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

How do you. Yes, I do.

[Michael Kosta]

Well, I think I'm pretty. Let's hope that that's public information. It's gonna be very.

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

I do.

[Michael Kosta]

Is that connected to this?

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

No, that was just an ex. I bought a tattoo kit. Yeah, never do that.

[Michael Kosta]

I mean, I won't. Yeah, yeah, man. You bought a tattoo kit?

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

Like a stick and poke kit? I don't know. And to an ex of mine, one night, we'd had a few drinks and she'd tattooed TV on my. I guess I've always liked the feeling of the word in my mouth. Tv.

[Michael Kosta]

Oh, interesting.

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

Yeah. But I think I put the emphasis on the T. Tv. What do you say?

[Michael Kosta]

I say aluminium.

[Grace Kuhlenschmidt]

That sounds very different.

[Michael Kosta]

It's funny that you just said, don't buy a tattoo kit. I didn't know that was a thing you could even do. And certainly don't do it with your partner. Mae Martin, thank you so much for being here. It's called on the tv. It's available now. And check out tour dates@mae martinmusic.com Mae Martin. We're take a quick break. We'll be right back after this. Thank you. That's our show for tonight. Now here it is, your moment of Zen.

[Mae Martin]

Canadians are opening their wallets wider for Made in Canada products or foregoing some items altogether.

[Michael Kosta]

We didn't buy any fresh berries because the only ones we found were American and specifically Floridian. No, it's not happening in my house. 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 Paramount podcasts.