Jon analyzes U.S. forces' capture of Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro, and how Donald Trump and his administration went from "America First" to “going full conquistador” in claiming Venezuela's resources and threatening the likes of Colombia and Cuba; ^[2] Senator and former Navy combat pilot Mark Kelly defends his recent message that service members can refuse illegal orders (the reason the Secretary of Defense is censuring him), and discusses Trump's "major ego problem" and the need for Democrats to win Congress and put the president in check; "Your Moment of Zen" (Senator Lindsey Graham's wish that "2026 will be the year that we make Iran great again").

"America's Noble War for Freedom in Venezuela Presented by ExxonMobil" (Nicolas Maduro and his wife appear in court, while Stephen Miller and MAGA try to justify their capture); the rush to buy the same Nike fleece jacket Maduro wore during his apprehension inspires an ad for "Strongmen's Wearhouse" ("We've got the looks from all the countries Donald Trump is threatening to invade"); the worry over microplastic pollution inspires a second ad, for "Vitamin Plastic Water" (vitamins in plastic bottles dumped into the-lake-to-fish-to-human food chain); with Ronny not needing Ken Jeong for an interpreter (the guest brought his own), Director Park Chan-wook discusses developing an American novel into a Korean film, satirizing capitalism, and how movie theaters' demise also threatens filmmaking; ^[3] "Your Moment of Zen" (Trump on how his wife thinks his dancing is "not presidential").

"America's Noble War for Freedom in Venezuela Presented by ExxonMobil" (Donald Trump demands Venezuela's oil while becoming its new leader and eyeing other territories to conquer, namely Greenland); Michael Kosta applauds Trump's mafia-like nation extortions; Jordan Klepper profiles Benny Johnson's rise from plagiarizing journalist to White House press pool member in "News to Meet You"; ^[4] Stephen J. Dubner discusses how he and co-author Steven Levitt combined judgement-free storytelling and data in Freakonomics, and offers some economic insights for 2026.

Ronny dissects reactions to ICE's killing of a Minneapolis woman, in particular the Trump administration's narrative that the victim was the agitator; he also questions how ICE's aggressive recruiting push led to unqualified agents "acting less like law enforcement and more like a lawless militia," leading to an ad offering enticements (e.g. PlayStation boxes, YouTube Premium accounts) to recruits who don't join ICE; Michael Kosta and his dog, Walter, visit a pet psychic in Maine; after another actor named Liu makes a surprise entrance, Lucy Liu comes out to discuss the years-long challenge to make Rosemead and the film's intense familial themes.

Jon asks "What the f**k is happening in this country?" after a busy week of Donald Trump coveting Greenland, threatening Iran, siccing the DOJ on The Federal Reserve chair, and divvying up oil from Venezuela (of which he was listed its "acting president" on Wikipedia); Jon also laments the right's insistence that Renée Good was radical and the January 6 rioters peaceful, as well as Trump's declaration that his morality is the only check on his power; ^[5] ADC National Legal Director Jenin Younes offers her analysis on ICE's actions in Minneapolis and other blue cities & states, how claims of said locales' "non-compliance" is exaggerated, and the intersection of anti-immigrant rhetoric with working class frustrations; "Your Moment of Zen" (Newsmax's Rob Finnerty mocks CNN's accented pronunciation of Nicolas Maduro's name).

Allegedly bad things on "The Worst Wing": Perfidy by Pete Hegseth, explicit images by Elon Musk's Grok, and an inappropriate relationship by the Secretary of Labor; Jordan and Troy Iwata break down how (and why) RFK Jr. turned the Food Pyramid upside down; "In My Opinion" (Charlamagne Tha God worries this MLK Day may be the last); Joachim Trier on building trust among a film's cast, encouraging them to take risks, and swapping antagonists for tender characters.

"Headlines" (Donald Trump supports Iran's protestors and gives a Detroit factory worker the middle finger, an attitude Minneapolis protestors display toward ICE and right-wing media); "America's Fashiest Home Videos" makes comedy out of ICE pratfalls; Langhorne Slim on the resonance of his older music in current times, the importance of creativity, and collaborating with Greta Van Fleet on The Dreamin' Kind (from which he also performs "Rock & Roll"); "Your Moment of Zen" (Trump's claim that milk helps him ace cognitive tests).

"Headlines" (Donald Trump hypes up whole milk while Europe comes to Greenland's defense); "I☭NY" (Jordan summarizes what "nightmares" Mayor Zohran Mamdani has thrust upon New York after two weeks, while residents tell Josh Johnson that free public restrooms and expanded childcare are alright); "Tech Yeah!" (Grace Kuhlenschmidt highlights CES show gadgets); Wagner Moura on how making a film set during a military dictatorship in his native Brazil helped process perplexity over a more recent autocratic reign.

"Donald Trump Engages in Respectful International Diplomacy" (Trump gets a "certified, pre-owned" Nobel Peace Prize from its actual recipient while coveting something much bigger—Greenland); Michael Kosta demonstrates how kicking one's own butt is a winning diplomatic strategy, countering Josh's doubts about Trump's tariff threats being effective diplomacy; "Jordan Klepper Fingers the Pulse" (Norwegians look askance at Trump's Nobel campaigning); BBBS president/CEO Artis Stevens on the community-changing importance of mentorship and social infrastructure.

"Headlines" finds Donald Trump doing "prop comedy" in listing his accomplishments, then hyping a "concept of a deal" concerning Greenland (or Iceland?) at Davos; Josh applauds European leaders for telling Trump "no" on Greenland, while Jordan Klepper is ready to join US forces invading whatever "Land" they're asked to invade; ^[6] "Everything Is Stupid" (Ronny Chieng on former New York City mayor Eric Adams' cryptocurrency venture); Simu Liu on his experience as a stock photo model and backup stunt performer, and the similarities & differences between film and stage acting.

Surveying the first year of Donald Trump's second term, Josh finds that the only person benefiting from Trump's promises of wealth, jobs, healthcare, and free speech is Trump himself; "Back in Black" (Lewis Black on Gen Z taking up retro bad habits); Alexandria Stapleton on ensuring The Reckoning didn't indict all of hip-hop culture for Sean Combs' crimes, how the documentary's interviewees have become less trepidatious, and how Combs might reinvent himself yet again.

Jordan Klepper offers a DHS-friendly photo of the lead-up to the killing of Alex Pretti that shows kittens as stand-ins for ICE agents and a Marvel villain for Pretti; Jon calls out justifications by conservatives and the Trump administration that Pretti was a gun-toting threat (despite "grainy Zapruder footage" showing only a camera in his hands); ^[7] Washington Post director of Freedom Initiatives Jason Rezaian recalls how humor got him through his imprisonment in Iran, and discusses that country's ongoing protests and how any deal with the U.S. will only beholden Iran's oppressive regime.

Desi and Troy Iwata "respectfully" offer new style looks for Greg Bovino after his ICE-out from Minneapolis; "Headlines" also covers conservatives' post-Pretti push-back against DHS, and Marco Rubio's admission that he hides from Donald Trump on Air Force One; "Sports War" (Ronny Chieng & Michael Kosta on the "Fraiser Bowl," the NHL's Heated Rivalry -inspired resurgence, and "Nordick shame" among ski jumpers); Michael Urie recalls how Vanessa Williams granted him acting agency on the Ugly Betty pilot, and discusses working with Harrison Ford & "baby actors" on Shrinking.

"Headlines" (the Trump administration blames each other in the Alex Pretti fallout, while Ilhan Omar hits back after getting hit by vinegar and Donald Trump's insults); an ad for "The Trump Account Challenge" promises $1000 "if you can live long enough to turn 18 in Trump's America"; "In My Opinion" (Whitney Cummings on Democrats lining up for 2028); ^[8] Mikie Sherrill on how Congressional gridlock motivated her to run for governor, preparing New Jerseyans for the ICE threat, and seeking Trump's ear regarding Gateway Program funding. ^[9]

"Samuel L. Schumer" goes blue in demanding DHS changes in "Headlines"; Desi reviews the promo push surrounding the Melania Trump documentary, while Ronny Chieng & Michael Kosta review the film's bribes; Grace Kuhlenschmidt meets a Wisconsin man who's built an immunity to snake venom; Katherine LaNasa on how both The Pitt and her cancer treatment helped her build compassion towards healthcare workers.

Jon acknowledges his name was in the latest Jeffrey Epstein files release (in that "somebody like Jon Stewart" was suggested to narrate a Woody Allen biography), before noting how, thanks to DOJ inaction on the files, "the real sanctuary city" is one "where money & power" protects the rich & famous from consequences over their bad behavior; Heather Ann Thompson recalls a white man's unprovoked shooting of four Black youths on a New York subway, and how the racial & economic divides that preceded it, and the reactions after it, still linger today; "Your Moment of Zen" (Donald Trump compliments the "professionally made" signs carried by "insurrectionists and agitators").

"Headlines" (conservatives promote a Super Bowl halftime alternative, while Donald Trump promotes "nationalizing" elections and his never-ending claim about "winning" in 2020); Troy Iwata on the belief that Trump's only joking about cancelling the midterms; "Jordan Klepper Fingers the Pulse" of Melania premiere attendees at the Kennedy Center; Paul Rosolie on the Amazon rainforest's importance to the global ecosystem, and how deforestation in the region pushed a tribe of uncontacted peoples out of seclusion.

Michael examines Donald Trump's latest "fun merch drop" and broadside at a journalist (Kaitlan Collins), as well as his D.C. building spree, which Grace Kuhlenschmidt says is Trump's way of marking his territory around the city; "The Daily Showography" offers a "for your consideration"-style profile of Gavin Newsom; ^[11] Ms. Pat on learning to believe in herself and fighting to incorporate current events into her self-titled sitcom.

Donald Trump brags about the military's "Discombobulator" weapon, while public figures not named Trump face the impact of their names in the Epstein files; "The Art of the Altercation" (Desi Lydic on Trump's long-held beef with the NFL); former Navy SEAL Marcus Capone discusses the use of psychoactive drugs to treat PTSD, efforts Jon Shenk documents through animation in In Waves and War.

Jon examines why MAGA sees as divisive Bad Bunny (for singing in Spanish) and an American Olympian (for having "mixed emotions" representing the U.S.) while their figurehead doles out his share of animosity (and racist memes) toward Americans; ^[12] Andy Beshear on being a Democratic governor in a Republican-leaning state, the consequences of Donald Trump's presidency on Kentuckians, and the need for fellow Dems to communicate the "why" of their policies to constituents. ^[13]

"The Very Normal and Not Shady Handling of the Epstein Files" names names: Donald Trump (who Jamie Raskin says appears "millions of times" in unredacted files), Howard Lutnick (who admits taking his family to Jeffrey Epstein's island) and King Charles (who's called out over his disgraced brother); Ronny Chieng calls out dinosaur fossils for their links to Epstein (since a paleontologist's own connections were revealed); "Sports War" (Jordan and Desi Lydic on Bad Bunny's Super Bowl show, an Olympic skater's Minion costume, and another Olympian's unique way of tearing down ICE); Tim Blake Nelson on writing a novel about a superhero film production and America's relationship with the superhero narrative; "Your Moment of Zen" (a Newsmax interviewer misidentifies Senator Pete Ricketts of Nebraska as "Eric Schmitt of Missouri").

"Headlines" (a bronze-winning Olympian admits to infidelity, while Pam Bondi goes off the rails before Congress); "The Troll of the Gordie Howe Bridge" offers riddles as to why Donald Trump wants to block its opening (the answers all being "bribe"); "So Not Our Problem" (Troy Iwata on birth & death issues in China, a French fry-covered coastline in England, and cockroach conscription in Germany); Andrew Jarecki on inmates' use of contraband cell phones to document inhumane treatment in Alabama prisons.

Jordan and Michael Kosta on Donald Trump backing up his latest fake award win, for "Undisputed Champion of Beautiful Clean Coal," with actual pro-coal/anti-regulation actions; Grace Kuhlenschmidt on the impact of American digital nomads living in Mexico City; Jacob Frey on the announced end of Operation Metro Surge (“I will believe it when I see it”), the strength of Minneapolis residents against ICE, and meeting New York's mayor to discuss protecting American cities from unconstitutional actions. ^[14]

Jon and Desi Lydic on the right's geopolitical celebration of Team USA's Olympic hockey victory over Canada, as well as FBI director and "Make-a-Wish man" Kash Patel's post-game party with the team; ^[15] Jon also analyzes the Supreme Court's strike-down of Donald Trump's tariff strategy and a possible U.S. war with Iran; Mechele Dickerson on how government created and abandoned the American middle class, and what can be done to preserve the middle-class' American dream.

While DJ Jordan Klepper frequently interrupts with march music (since the FCC chair wants patriotic content on the airwaves), Desi covers JD Vance's crescent roll recipe, Kristi Noem's "taxpayer-funded f**k plane," and RFK Jr.'s work out with Kid Rock in "The Worst Wing"; Michael Kosta probes research that seeks to make sex in space possible; Padma Lakshmi roasts Vance's cooking skills, and discusses returning to the reality competition genre and how the Trump administration's immigration policies affect the culinary industry.

Desi recaps the gory descriptives, award giving, and standing ovations (by just the Republicans) that made up Donald Trump's State of the Union address; Troy Iwata is disappointed he didn't get an award while attending the speech; Jordan Klepper analyzes LindellTV in "News to Meet You"; Jonathan Haidt (of NYU's Stern School of Business) and Catherine Price (founder of Screen/Life Balance) discuss teaching kids how to live a life that prioritizes friendship & fun ahead of technology.

"The Very Normal and Not Shady Handling of the Epstein Files" (Bill Gates and Hillary & Bill Clinton deal with their Epstein connections, while Donald Trump's DOJ buries an explosive allegation against the president); Michael Kosta on a snowball fight that conservative media turned into a riot against the NYPD; "Tech Yeah!" (Grace Kuhlenschmidt on the Pitt/Cruise AI fight, fart-tracking underwear, science-backed dance moves, and Waymo's human solution to open car doors); Desi recalls earning her SAG card on Scrubs to Christa Miller, who discusses leaning into vulnerability as an actor in Shrinking, working with husband Bill Lawrence, and how working in New York nightclubs prepared her for music supervision; "Your Moment of Zen" (JD Vance on not making a stupid face at the State of the Union).

Jon blasts the U.S./Israeli attack on Iran, and how Donald Trump & his allies went "from ‘peace through strength’ to ‘peace through war,'" in "Mess O'Potamia: America's Next Top Muddle"; Jordan Klepper edits Trump speeches to make it look like the president wanted "new wars" all along; ^[16] Jafar Panahi (through interpreter Sheida Dayani) discusses not following audiences' tastes, capturing the humanity of his films' characters, and why he continues to return to Iran despite the censorship and mass killings ("It's just my country").