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The Best Episodes of The Daily Show Season 30

Every episode of The Daily Show Season 30 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of The Daily Show Season 30!

The Best Episodes of The Daily Show Season 30

The World's Fakest News Team tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and pop culture.

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  1. 7.9/10(28 votes)

    #1 - February 25, 2025 - Wendi McLendon-Covey

    S30:E26

    Desi Lydic tackles Trump's continued defense of Russia to Fox News's dismay and his captivation with Emmanuel Macron's accent, despite the French president's attempts to sway him. Desi Lydic dives into the recent failures of Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, including the "DOGE ultimatum" issued to federal workers via email. Plus, as government workers protest, Michael Kosta unpacks the symbolism in an AI-generated video circulating of Trump and, uh, Musk's toes. Actor Wendi McLendon-Covey joins Desi Lydic to discuss how her improv background prepared her for a career in comedy and the improvised sitcom pilot they worked on together years ago that led to a misguided boat purchase. McLendon-Covey also talks about the increased appreciation for healthcare workers she's gained from playing a hospital administrator on the new NBC show "St. Denis Medical," and the next fake profession she'd like to play.

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  2. 7.9/10(22 votes)

    #2 - April 3, 2025 - Scott Glenn

    S30:E44

    Michael Kosta recaps Trump's tariffs fallout, from a stock market crash to cabinet officials taking to the airwaves to cheerlead the move. Also, Grace Kuhlenschmidt checks in on the penguins who now find themselves in a trade war. Jordan Klepper profiles Brian Glenn: Chief White House Correspondent of Real America's Voice, boyfriend of Marjorie Taylor Greene, and the man famous for exposing his shocking and crass lack of awareness by asking Zelenskyy, "Why don't you wear a suit?" in the latest "News To Meet Ya!". Legendary actor Scott Glenn sits down with Michael Kosta to discuss playing the mysterious Jim Hollinger on HBO's "The White Lotus." Glenn talks about turning down the role before falling in love with the hit show, preparing for the rhythm of Thailand by learning Thai martial arts, how Off-Broadway opening night is scarier than skydiving, and why he's uninspired by the "slash" career mentality in Hollywood. Glenn also advises Kosta on motorcycle safety.

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  3. 7.8/10(21 votes)

    #3 - March 27, 2025 - Bill Murray

    S30:E40

    Ronny Chieng covers the upcoming Wisconsin Supreme Court election, including Elon Musk's $20 million intervention in Republican Brad Schimel's campaign, attack ads against the wrong Susan Crawford, and alternating pro-paedophilia smear campaigns. Also, Grace Kuhlenschmidt sees how billionaires are turning elections into games. Ronny Chieng on JD and Usha Vance's big trip to Greenland, where native protesters are chanting "MAGA: Make America Go Away". Bill Murray sits down with Ronny Chieng to discuss his latest film, "The Friend", as well as his legendary career in TV and film. Murray talks about his philosophy of trying to stay in the moment, why he moved to France with his family after starring in a string of comedy blockbusters like "Ghostbusters", his pivot to working with independent filmmakers like Wes Anderson, Jim Jarmusch, and Sofia Coppola, and what he gained from being a part of comedy institutions at The Second City and "Saturday Night Live".

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  4. 7.7/10(21 votes)

    #4 - April 2, 2025 - Melissa Arnot Reid

    S30:E43

    Michael Kosta recaps surprising wins for the Democrats, including a victory in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race despite Elon Musk's financial interference, and a record-breaking 25-hour speech by Cory Booker. Plus, Trump launches his "Liberation Day" tariffs, and Republicans scramble to supply cover. In the first installment of "Mysteries of Donald Trump's Very Very Large A-Brain" Trump explores the word "groceries," a concept he calls "old-fashioned." Then, Grace Kuhlenschmidt educates New York shoppers on the new Trump-era food store lingo. "We can be flawed and still be deserving of achieving great things." Melissa Arnot Reid, the first American woman to summit and descend Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen, talks to Michael Kosta about her new memoir, "Enough: Climbing Toward a True Self on Mount Everest." She opens up about using high-level climbing as a sometimes unhealthy coping mechanism and why her journey to inner peace is a "forever climb."

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  5. 7.5/10(27 votes)

    #5 - February 26, 2025 - Rosebud Baker

    S30:E27

    Desi Lydic tackles Trump's first cabinet meeting, which included Elon Musk accidentally canceling Ebola prevention and RFK Jr. downplaying the measles outbreak. Meanwhile, Trump announces $5M "gold card" for wealthy immigrants. Meet Elon Musk's Body Movement Choreographer, Jean Lemón, the mastermind behind Elon's X jump and heart-to-the-crowd salute. Comedian, actor & writer Rosebud Baker sits down with Desi Lydic to discuss her Netflix stand-up special "The Mother Lode." They talk about filming the special before and after giving birth, portraying an honest journey to motherhood, why Baker's daughter is at high risk for becoming a comedian, and how kicking pigeons helps her cope while writing SNL's Weekend Update.

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  6. 7.4/10(23 votes)

    #6 - March 20, 2025 - Peter Wolf

    S30:E36

    Jordan Klepper covers Trump's anti-DEI fallout, including the Pentagon's erasure of Jackie Robinson and The Enola Gay. Plus, Troy Iwata joins the Republicans' campaign to revive Tesla stock and keep Elon Musk rich. With many Americans preparing for doomsday, the apocalypse has become good business. Michael Kosta visits Fortitude Ranch, a post-apocalyptic survival community where preppers can wait out the end times in country-club glamour with their own rooms, artillery, and food supplies…for a hefty amount of cash. Legendary musician, artist, and New York Times best-selling author Peter Wolf joins Jordan Klepper to talk about his new memoir, "Waiting on the Moon." The former J. Geils Band frontman recounts the era in which he wrote their album "Full House," and how he strived to write a "not-boring" memoir by sharing vignettes about the people he idolized.

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  8. 7.4/10(30 votes)

    #7 - April 9, 2025 - Olivia Munn

    S30:E47

    Desi Lydic tracks Trump's "Tariff Day" roller coaster ride, from his shock announcement of a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs, to slapping even more tariffs on China. Plus, Olivia Munn explains how Trump's tariff chaos is all just brushstrokes in the art of his deal. Could resurrecting the woolly mammoth be the fix for modern climate change? Troy Iwata sits down with leading scientists and paleontologists to determine if engineering woolly mammoths could be a problem or a solution. Former Daily Show correspondent and actor Olivia Munn sits down with Desi Lydic to discuss her new Apple TV+ series "Your Friends & Neighbors." They talk about Munn's first day as a correspondent 14 years ago, bending gender stereotypes as the "fun mom," opening up about her struggle with postpartum anxiety, how a health test saved her life from breast cancer, and the role alongside Jon Hamm that brought her back to acting.

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  9. 7.3/10(28 votes)

    #8 - February 6, 2025 - Ke Huy Quan

    S30:E20

    Desi Lydic covers Trump's latest executive actions, including a combination walk back/double-down on his Gaza plan, a ban on trans athletes that he probably didn't proofread, and a "National Garden of American Heroes." Plus, Ronny Chieng and Josh Johnson debate which Americans are statue-worthy. Elon Musk needs Democrats to get their heads in the game and for Republicans to open their eyes before Elon Musk destroys the government like it's a SpaceX rocket. "Love Hurts" actor Ke Huy Quan joins Desi Lydic to discuss his upcoming action flick that's like "‘Die Hard' for hopeless romantics." The Oscar-winning actor shares why his character represents a different type of action star, whether co-star Marshawn Lynch went full "Beast Mode" on him, and his tearful onscreen reunion with "Goonies" co-star Sean Astin. Plus, Quan auditions for his dream role as a supervillain with some incredibly evil line readings.

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  10. 7.3/10(45 votes)

    #9 - February 24, 2025 - Rupa Bhattacharyya

    S30:E25

    Jon Stewart dives into Trump's new Department of Government Efficiency, a.k.a. DOGE, and how the Elon Musk-led project masks its allegiance to corporate overlords and negligence to the American people under the guise of slashing the government's budget. "We shouldn't live in a world where the only programs that get saved are the ones Republicans are willing to put their stamp of approval on." Jon Stewart joins Georgetown Law's Rupa Bhattacharyya, former Special Master of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, to discuss how Elon Musk and the DOGE project's reckless budget cuts are affecting valuable programs like the one she used to oversee. Bhattacharyya explains how federal agencies and programs were typically non-politicized until Trump's second administration, how similar uncertainty is affecting the World Trade Center Health Program, and why these roles are what the government exists to provide.

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  11. 7.3/10(43 votes)

    #10 - March 3, 2025 - Matthew Desmond

    S30:E29

    Jon Stewart dives into the Oval Office meeting between Trump, Vance, and Zelenskyy, which shocked viewers more than John Cena's heel-turn. Plus, Jon calls bulls**t on Elon Musk's challenge to an interview. "Investing in American people and stabilizing communities that need it the most is the best way for all of us." Sociologist at Princeton University and Pulitzer Prize-winning author of "Evicted," Matthew Desmond sits down with Jon Stewart to discuss his latest book, "Poverty, by America." They talk about America's welfare state, how society benefits from poverty, the opportunity to close the poverty gap if the top one percent paid their taxes, and empowering the poor with better choices like building worker power, and expanding housing choice. They also highlight how Democrats need to get more serious about economic justice to fully commit to poverty abolitionism.

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  12. 7.3/10(26 votes)

    #11 - March 6, 2025 - Antoni Porowski

    S30:E32

    Michael Kosta on Trump doubling down then ditching Canada and Mexico tariffs, the GOP pretending the plunging stock market is normal, and the president pissing off China. Plus, Josh Johnson takes inspiration from Trump flip-flopping on tariffs. These days in America it's easier to get a gun than get rid of one. Desi Lydic headed to Michigan to get to the bottom of the state's "buy back" initiative that turned out to be refurbishing guns instead of destroying them. Bestselling author and culinary expert Antoni Porowski talks to Michael Kosta about hosting his new National Geographic show, "No Taste Like Home," which uses a dish significant to each guest as an entry point to a journey through their family and ancestral history. They discuss the extensive research process that goes into the show, some of the most emotional moments of the season, and why food is so important to Porowski and how he connects with his own family.

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  13. 7.3/10(42 votes)

    #12 - March 31, 2025 - Oren Cass

    S30:E41

    Jon Stewart checks in on the state of democracy after Trump considers an unconstitutional third term in office, then takes a look at how all the national security officials involved in Signalgate have managed to skirt any accountability and keep their jobs, all while thousands of hard-working government employees lose theirs in DOGE layoffs. Oren Cass, chief economist at American Compass, who writes the "Understanding America" newsletter, sits down with Jon Stewart to discuss conservative economic policies of the New Right, which will be outlined in his forthcoming book, "The New Conservatives." Cass describes a conservative shift from faith in markets, using tariffs as incentives to pursue profit that supports society, how livable wages are the key to a strong economy, and the U.S.'s ideal economic and security alliance that includes balanced trade, owning defense burdens, and keeping China out.

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  14. 7.3/10(30 votes)

    #13 - April 8, 2025 - Mallory McMorrow

    S30:E46

    Desi Lydic covers the ongoing economic crisis from Trump's trade war, which has created tension between Trump's two favorite goons, Peter Navarro and Elon Musk. Meanwhile, Fox News's journalistic integrity is front-and-center with their top story: "Look over there!" Also, Michael Kosta reports on how the tariff pile-on with China could have American manufacturers like his grandfather screwed. In the latest edition of Everything is Stupid, Ronny Chieng reveals the perverted trend ruining art history across the globe: fondling the breasts of female statues to find love, luck, and second base. "We can all write our own future together and not have hateful people decide it for us". Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow talks to Desi Lydic about her book "Hate Won't Win", which originated from her viral speech after being slandered by a political rival, and her desire to inspire others to find their own voices.

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  15. 7.2/10(47 votes)

    #14 - January 27, 2025 - Royal Ramey

    S30:E13

    Jon Stewart discusses China's new A.I. tool "DeepSeek," and urges Democrats to convince voters of THEIR plan rather than react to Trump's "fascist" first week of executive orders. Chief Royal Ramey, a formerly incarcerated firefighter, and CEO and co-founder of the Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program, joins Jon Stewart to discuss how his program helps other formerly incarcerated people find a career in the fire sector. They discuss the hands-on training he received while incarcerated, why the work appeals to those currently serving time, and how helping a community and experiencing the "prison-to-public servant pipeline" changed his life.

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  16. 7.2/10(26 votes)

    #15 - February 12, 2025 - Colman Domingo

    S30:E23

    Jordan Klepper covers Trump pushing his Gaza takeover plan even further and the hypocrisy, conflicts of interest, and terrible "jokes" behind the most powerful unelected bureaucrat in D.C., Elon Musk. Marco Rubio was not always the it-girl of D.C. With his humble Florida beginnings and perfect lack of moral integrity, he was able to sneak his way in with Trump's in-crowd. This is the Daily Showography of Marco Rubio narrated by Molly Ringwald. "The only agenda is looking into a person's humanity and filling it with art and hope. That's the agenda of the film." Emmy-winning actor Colman Domingo talks to Jordan Klepper about his Oscar-nominated performance in the film "Sing Sing," which is based on a real rehabilitation through the arts program at Sing Sing prison, including the meta experience of making the film with a cast of formerly incarcerated actors playing versions of themselves and the transformative power of art and theater.

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  17. 7.2/10(27 votes)

    #16 - February 13, 2025 - Brady Corbet

    S30:E24

    Jordan Klepper tackles Trump getting "hot" and heavy with the Kennedy Center, the government confirming RFK Jr. as health secretary, and the president fumbling peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine before they even start. Josh Johnson asks New Yorkers how they're dealing with eggflation and tries to get in on the egg grift. "Audiences do want daring, original, provocative films." Brady Corbet, writer and director of "The Brutalist," joins Jordan Klepper to discuss his ten-time Oscar-nominated film. He explains how Trump's first-term push to "Make Federal Buildings Beautiful Again" inspired the story, why the architect at the film's center, László Tóth, feels so realistic, the connection between Brutalist architecture and the immigrant experience, and how he pulled it all off using VistaVision and a meager $10 million budget.

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  18. 7.2/10(24 votes)

    #17 - March 4, 2025 - Mae Martin

    S30:E30

    Michael Kosta tackles Trump launching a trade war with Canada, Trudeau responding to Trump with a "disappointed dad" message, and the GOP blaming Biden for stock market issues. Plus, Grace Kuhlenschmidt unlocks American pride as things with Canada get ugly. Trump voters, Tesla owners, and Yeezy wearers are all suffering from buyer's remorse right now. Ricky Velez offers some advice for dealing with the disappointment and getting rid of your now Nazi-affiliated purchases. Mae Martin, an award-winning comedian, actor, and writer, sits down with Michael Kosta to discuss "I'm a TV," their debut album as a singer-songwriter. They talk about the differences between performing as a stand-up and as a musician, finding new vulnerability as a songwriter after their top surgery, the solemn inspiration behind the song "Big Bear," and that one time they got a tattoo using a stick and poke kit.

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  19. 7.2/10(26 votes)

    #18 - March 26, 2025 - Steve Coogan

    S30:E39

    Ronny Chieng dives into the churn of Signal-gate as Pete Hegseth downplays the war chat, Michael Waltz makes excuses, and journalist Jeffrey Goldberg brings receipts. Chris Distefano jumps in to solve America's issues, from export tariffs to immigration to DOGE cuts to Canada and Greenland sovereignty. Comedian and actor Steve Coogan joins Ronny Chieng to discuss his expansive career and new film, "The Penguin Lessons." They talk about their experiences at Edinburgh Fringe, his West End run portraying four roles in a "Dr. Strangelove" adaptation, why comic characters like his infamous Alan Partridge speak to both political parties, and his experience on-set with real and robotic penguins.

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  20. 7.2/10(25 votes)

    #19 - April 1, 2025 - Gianna Toboni

    S30:E42

    Michael Kosta breaks down the Trump administration's disregard for the Constitution: Trump's plan for a third term that even Republicans think is an April Fool's joke, omitting due process on ICE deportations, and a mistaken deportation to El Salvador that can't be undone. Also, Josh Johnson lays out the difference between Kid Rock's tattoos and deportation tattoos. Lenard McKelvey (aka "Charlamagne Tha God") has had enough of Chuck Schumer and Gavin Newsom's stale brands of politics and calls on the struggling Democratic Party to rebrand and match the energy of people like Cory Booker and Jasmine Crockett. "If we are going to have this practice carried out in our name and on our dime… then I think we need to face what we are actually doing". Gianna Toboni, an Emmy-winning journalist, joins Michael Kosta to share findings from her new book, "The Volunteer: The Failure of the Death Penalty in America and One Inmate's Quest to Die With Dignity".

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  21. 7.2/10(21 votes)

    #20 - April 15, 2025 - Nimesh Patel

    S30:E50

    Ronny Chieng tackles the Trump administration shirking responsibility for a Maryland father's mistaken deportation to El Salvador, their aggressive media tirade invoking Osama Bin Laden, and Harvard's defiance of Donald Trump. Also, Josh Johnson explains how Trump's power changes from Harvard to El Salvador. Trump promised that under his presidency, the rest of the world would fear and respect America "like never before". Desi Lydic takes a look at how other countries are responding to his massive trade war with a little less "R-E-S-P-E-C-T" and a little more "F-U". Emmy-nominated writer and comedian Nimesh Patel sits down with Ronny Chieng to discuss his upcoming stand-up tour. They chat about the first time they met in the New York comedy scene, the importance of crashing out on stage, why his daughter is "the biggest tariff" he's encountered thus far, and the well-known Indians of MAGA.

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  22. 7.1/10(28 votes)

    #21 - February 5, 2025 - Julia Stiles

    S30:E19

    Desi Lydic tackles Trump's proposal to take over Gaza and push all the Palestinians out to build a resort. Plus, Republicans try to spin the president's plan, and Jordan Klepper gets in on the brainstorming sesh. Don't worry about trade wars, Starbucks's bathroom policy, or egg prices breaking the bank because Michael Kosta is back with guaranteed money-making tips in a new Ko$ta Doin' Business. Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated actor Julia Stiles sits down with Desi Lydic to talk about her feature directorial debut, "Wish You Were Here." They discuss being in the "driver's seat" as a director after years of acting, working with longtime friend Vanessa Carlton, balancing the humorous love story with universal issues, and how becoming a parent prepared her for managing film crews and actors on set.

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  23. 7.1/10(43 votes)

    #22 - February 10, 2025 - David Remnick

    S30:E21

    Jon Stewart tackles Trump's attempt to be the Super Bowl MVP and examines the president's rejection of federal agencies, birthright citizenship, and basic constitutional checks and balances. Plus, John Oliver welcomes America to its monarchy era. The New Yorker editor David Remnick sits down with Jon Stewart to discuss the magazine's 100th Anniversary Issue and journey since its inception in 1925. They also talk about the importance of long-form journalism, especially under the overwhelming second Trump administration, as well as how the president is overstepping executive power, the danger of the tech oligarchy, and the need for Democratic politicians and citizens alike to finish licking their wounds and take action.

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  24. 7.1/10(26 votes)

    #23 - March 5, 2025 - Julien Baker & Mackenzie Scott aka "Torres"

    S30:E31

    Michael Kosta explains why Trump's joint session speech felt like a theatrical production with appearances by co-star Elon Musk, over-the-top trolling, and blatant lies as the Democrats helplessly wielded their props. Critically acclaimed musicians, Julien Baker and Mackenzie Scott aka "Torres" sit down with Michael Kosta to discuss their forthcoming album, "Send A Prayer My Way." They talk about banding together during lockdown to create a country album, navigating a spiritual relationship with the divine, and writing a song about the unconditional love of a dog. Julien Baker and Mackenzie Scott perform "Bottom of a Bottle" from their forthcoming album, "Send A Prayer My Way."

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  25. 7.1/10(33 votes)

    #24 - April 14, 2025 - Ramy Youssef

    S30:E49

    Jon Stewart measures Trump's weight on the authoritarian scale. Between the president's refusal to correct the wrongful deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia to his incompetence on a variety of issues, Donald's dictatorship isn't looking very healthy. Award-winning actor and comedian, Ramy Youssef joins Jon Stewart to talk about the new animated series he co-created called "#1 Happy Family USA" and how the series, which follows a Muslim family trying to navigate post-9/11 America, resonates in Trump's second term. They also discuss his favorite parts about making an animated show, the family members who inspire some of the characters, and how the word "Islamaphobia" kind of lets Islamaphobes off the hook.

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  26. 7.0/10(25 votes)

    #25 - January 29, 2025 - Rachel Mason

    S30:E15

    Michael Kosta tackles RFK Jr.'s confirmation hearing for health secretary, including protests from his family and medical professionals, his questionable stances on vaccines and AIDS, and Bernie Sanders's onesie interrogation. Plus, the polio virus (Troy Iwata) shares his excitement about returning to work. Now that Trump-aligned billionaires run various social media platforms, Grace Kuhlenschmidt asks New Yorkers if they will finally delete their apps. Filmmaker Rachel Mason sits down with Michael Kosta to discuss her new Max docuseries, "An Update on Our Family." She explains what attracted her to the story of the Stauffer family, popular YouTube vloggers who shared their overseas adoption online, the ethics of profiting off your children via content, and how she navigates oversharing on her own social media accounts.

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Season 30 Ratings Summary

"February 25, 2025 - Wendi McLendon-Covey" is the best rated episode of "The Daily Show" season 30. It scored 7.9/10 based on 28 votes. Directed by N/A and written by N/A, it aired on 2/25/2025. This episode is rated 0.0 points higher than the second-best, "April 3, 2025 - Scott Glenn".