Wednesday, March 4, 2026

Trump Launches War with Iran and Refuses to Explain... Anything | The Daily Show

Trump Launches War with Iran and Refuses to Explain... Anything | The Daily Show

Welcome to The Daily Show.
Man, very kind of you.
We got a great one for you tonight.
My name is Jon Stewart.
Later on, I will be talking with just
the most incredible director, fabulous director,
Iranian director.
Jafar Panahi will be joining.
[CHEERING]
Right now he's got an Oscar-nominated film
called It Was Just an Accident, which
explores the trauma of living under an oppressive,
censorious, theocratic dictatorship.
I'm not going to tell you how it ends, but--
[LAUGHTER]
Hey, we're back!
It's Monday!
And while we had originally planned a different show--
[LAUGHTER]
--I thought it would be a kind of a trenchant,
really superbly witty episode on the unforeseen economic
effects of government subsidies on well-intentioned social
service programs.
It was gonna be a banger.
[LAUGHTER]
That was Friday.
And a lot has blown up since then,
as America has once again returned
to the only east we can't get enough of exploding--
the middle one.
In our 20-year recurring segment--
Nothing bad can happen.
It can only good happen.
[LAUGHTER]
[APPLAUSE]
[CHEERING]
I've missed you, "Mess O'Potamia."
Early Saturday morning, America and Israel launched
a surprise war against Iran.
I call it a surprise war because here's
what one of the mediators said after negotiations on Friday.
I am confident and in my assessment of the way
the talks are going.
The peace deal is within our reach.
Oh, the peace deal is within our reach.
But it turns out the Bomb Shit button was much closer.
[LAUGHTER]
The devastating effects of a regional war
have made everyone very nervous and one person very happy.
INTERPRETER: This enables us to do what I have
long hoped to do for 40 years.
What?
[LAUGHTER]
I've had four decades of regime change blue balls.
[LAUGHTER]
But of course, the announcement that our nation is at war
is the most solemn moment of any president's tenure
and an opportunity to reassure an anxious nation
and to reaffirm the righteousness of the cause.
A short time ago, the United States
military began major combat operations in Iran.
Yeah, I'm sorry.
Can I just jump in here real quick?
Um.
This is how we're doing this?
2:00 AM Mar-a-Lago basement, no lighting?
You don't even have one of those influencer halo things?
[LAUGHTER]
You [BLEEP] go down in the basement?
And this is what we're wearing?
Blazer, no tie, shirt unbuttoned?
Looking more like the father of the bride
settling up with the caterer?
Is that what we're doing?
And not to nitpick, obviously, but baseball hat?
[LAUGHTER]
We're going with a baseball hat for a war of choice?
Oh, I'm going to go down and make my war announcement.
Don't forget the hat I got you at the airport souvenir store!
[LAUGHTER]
It's bigger than your head.
Put it on.
[LAUGHTER]
It goes great in the dark!
[LAUGHTER]
Jeez.
[BLEEP], man.
You had all the options.
It's a war of choice.
You could have done this at the White House in a suit in the "I
killed bin Laden" hallway.
But no.
You decided to go with vacation house, trucker hat,
guy who was about to make an announcement at his club's
member-member tournament.
It's classy.
Reminds me of FDR's "day that will live in infamy" speech.
[LAUGHTER]
(IMITATING FDR) We have nothing to fear but glare in my eyes.
[LAUGHTER]
But at the very least, we should at least be thankful
that the hat is on forwards.
[LAUGHTER]
(IN SERIOUS VOICE) We're taking our nation to war.
(IN SILLY VOICE) Wazzup?
[LAUGHTER]
All right.
I'll give you a Mulligan.
Come back tomorrow, dressed for the war you want.
And then you can give us perhaps
a more sober launching of this incredibly
consequential moment.
The United States and its partners
have launched Operation Epic Fury.
I'm going to jump in right there, please.
[LAUGHTER]
Epic Fury?
Is this a war, or did the Paul brothers
launch another energy drink?
[LAUGHTER]
Stop letting the millennials name shit.
I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
I got off track.
How did Operation Epic Fury start?
REPORTER: This morning, the US and
Israel launching a major widescale daytime attack
on Iran.
Smoke seen rising near government
offices and Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali
Khamenei's residence.
Oh, that's got to rattle Khamenei.
Although, Khamenei's got to be on high alert.
I mean, I doubt he's anywhere near a location that obvious,
given the advanced surveillance he's
been under from American and Israeli intelligence.
REPORTER: This is the moment that
officials say the 86-year-old ayatollah was killed.
He stayed in his house?
Old people are so [BLEEP] stubborn.
[LAUGHTER]
It's like, agh!
[APPLAUSE]
They really are.
Like, you cannot tell them anything.
Sir, please.
You are in danger here.
I'm not leaving.
[LAUGHTER]
This is my house.
I didn't ask you to stay.
You can go.
I'm staying.
What are they going to do?
[LAUGHTER]
[BLEEP] that guy.
By the way, there he was, martyred at 86.
Man, are the virgins going to be disappointed.
[LAUGHTER]
I'm sorry.
Am I-- am I going too hard on Khamenei?
[LAUGHTER]
[BLEEP] murderous dictator?
Like, whoa.
[LAUGHTER]
Don't make fun of his erectile dysfunction.
[LAUGHTER]
That's a bridge too far, Stewart.
Guy [BLEEP] mowed down his own people.
But, you know, Viagra is a serious drug.
[LAUGHTER]
No.
America apparently had to start an entire
war to kill an 86-year-old man in ill health and not wait--
I don't know-- three weeks to let saturated fat do its thing.
But just so you know, Israel and America made their move,
and now Iran will make their move.
REPORTER: Iran is widening the scope of its response
this morning.
Neighbors across the region dragged into the chaos.
REPORTER: Attacks at multiple bases,
including those in Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Qatar.
REPORTER: Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates.
REPORTER: Basically the whole of the Gulf.
REPORTER: It's also fired on Europe for the first time,
aiming at Cyprus.
What?
Cyprus?
I don't even know where that is.
Is Cyprus even on that risk board?
I don't even think it's around there.
[LAUGHTER]
So wait a minute. Wait a minute.
Let me get this straight.
America and Israel attack Iran.
And Iran's answer is to just [BLEEP] attack everybody.
[LAUGHTER]
You know, having been in a bar fight or two in my life,
I'm pretty sure the worst thing you
can do during a two-on-one beatdown is slap everyone else.
[LAUGHTER]
Hey, hey, not every part of me is getting punched.
What are you doing?
What are you doing?
Hey, you!
For more on the situation in Iran, we go live to Istanbul
with our very own Jordan Klepper.
Jordan.
Nice to see you, sir.
[CHEERING]
How are you?
[CHEERING]
Yes, yes.
Thank you, Jon.
I'm in Istanbul right now, which
is not in Iran, but close enough to kind of look
like I am if you squint.
What's the latest over there, Jordan?
I'll tell you the latest, Jon.
We're [BLEEP] back.
USA! And Israel.
USA!
And Israel.
Oh, feels so good to be back at war.
Those four weeks since Venezuela were so boring.
Oh, man, things were so dull, we had to pretend
to care about hockey.
[LAUGHTER]
Dark stuff.
I think it's clear this is exactly
why America voted for Trump.
Yeah, but is it, though, Jordan?
I mean, I seem to remember Trump saying he was
explicitly against new wars.
Well, Jon, you're very old, and
your memory is cascading down a long, dark road into oblivion.
[STAMMERING]
I don't necessarily disagree with that,
but I believe I have a clip.
No new wars.
No new wars.
We don't need the wars.
Hmm.
You know what?
That's not how I remember it.
I'm pretty sure this is what he said.
New wars.
New wars.
We need the wars.
Ho, ho, ho.
[LAUGHTER]
Seems pretty cut and dry.
Or do you not believe your own eyes, Jon?
No.
[STAMMERING]
[LAUGHTER]
You edited that?
Really? Really?
Oh, you look--
I was at a rally during the campaign
and watched him say this.
Me like-- me like-- me like-- war.
That makes me rock hard.
Ho, ho, ho.
Hey, Jon.
[LAUGHTER]
Hey, John boy.
Do you like apples?
And can you say yes so I can insult you?
[LAUGHTER]
Yeah, sure, I like--
Well, how do you like them apples?
All right.
[LAUGHTER]
No, no, you don't deserve that.
It's not that clever.
You walked right into that one, dummy.
Jordan, the location changed on every syllable of that clip.
There's no way you watched him say that.
You know what?
Trump thought you might say that, which
is why he also said this.
You are wrong.
John, Jordan watched me say this.
He is a beautiful guy.
Also, every time I think about Jordan, it makes me rock hard.
[LAUGHTER]
I really don't think that Donald Trump talked
about how you arouse him.
Oh, he thought you might say that, too, John.
No, no, Jordan, look, the concern for me
is that Trump doesn't seem to have a plan here.
Yeah, exactly.
Why do you think we've lost every war since Vietnam?
We had a plan.
This time, Trump's doing the sensible thing and just [BLEEP]
winging it.
No, you can't just wing it.
You can't wing a war!
Yeah, yeah, you can.
Just come up with it on the spot like jazz.
Skibbidi bop bop, drone strike.
Skibbidi whoa, whoa, Tomahawk missile.
Salt peanuts, salt peanuts, inevitable sectarian violence,
jazz hands.
[LAUGHTER, APPLAUSE]
No, I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
Look, we've been scarred by arrogant American action
that has led to unforeseen consequences and
ultimately, defeat.
That's a negative attitude.
If the gold medal hockey team had that attitude,
we wouldn't have won.
Best day of my life.
You just said two minutes ago that you were only pretending
to care about hockey.
Not how I remember it.
Pretty sure this is what I said.
I'll tell you, John, feels good to care about USA Hockey,
so, so good.
It makes me rock hard.
[LAUGHTER, APPLAUSE]
John, I forget.
You said you were a fan of apples, right?
Jordan Klepper, everybody.
Thank you so much.
[CHEERING]
Now look, the interesting thing about this war, which
just started, was that it was clearly
a long time in the planning.
And yet, the American people have heard very little
that is consistent about the war's justification or
ultimate aims.
In fact, the normally loquacious president
had an opportunity with the National Press on Sunday night
after flying back from Mar-a-Lago
to the White House, where I'm sure he'd
want to clarify the public's uncertainty and reassure us.
President Trump tonight came home from the White House.
He usually stops and talks to the press.
He completely ignored us, instead stopped and
admired some new statues that were being
put into the Rose Garden.
Come on.
That's fake news.
He's not a doddering Mr. Magoo, having
full-on conversations with inanimate, sculpted bronze.
[LAUGHTER]
Did you know the founders were
14-feet tall and so smooth?
By the way, if the president isn't
being forthcoming in a time of war,
it's not his power to declare war anyway.
Where's Congress on this?
REPORTER: The house is set to vote
on the War Powers Resolution on Thursday.
This coming Thursday?
[LAUGHTER]
Thursday, Monday, Thursday.
You're going to vote Thursday.
The war already [BLEEP] happened.
This is Trump's whole presidency.
He does whatever the [BLEEP] he wants.
And then a few days later, Congress is like, excuse me.
Roll your window down.
Excuse me, excuse me, sir, roll your window down.
Excuse me.
Excuse me, sir, you're not allowed
to knock down the East Wing without a permit
from the homeowners association.
We're going to let it slide this time.
But next time, you will lose access to the clubhouse.
[BLEEP] I swear to God, the United States
Congress is like male nipples.
Why?
Why do you exist?
What do you do?
Nothing.
You do nothing.
You just sit there waiting for angels to grab you when we die.
[LAUGHTER]
I can't think of anything more dismissive and
arrogant than this president not
directly addressing the American people
and explaining this war more thoroughly.
Well, good morning.
This is not a so-called regime-change war,
but the regime sure did change.
Oh, for God's sakes.
I stand corrected.
Yes, apparently, the responsibility of articulating
our nation's military strategy in Iran fell to alpha-beta alum
Pete Hegseth, whose humility and "just the facts,
ma'am," approach made him the perfect vessel
for this important task.
We're not going to go into the exercise of what
we will or will not do.
We would never, in front of a press pool,
lay out how long that may take.
Here's exactly how far we'll go.
Here's what we're willing to do and not do.
It's foolishness.
We're not dumb about it.
REPORTER: Is there a concern of this spiraling
into a longer war?
And then one for the chairman when you're done.
Did you not hear my remarks?
[AUDIENCE GROANING]
Looks like somebody's been chugging
a little too much Epic Fury.
[LAUGHTER]
I know you're the Defense Secretary,
but you don't need to get so defensive.
Right here, please.
I heard the question about four weeks.
It's the typical NBC sort of gotcha type question.
Typical gotcha?
How long will the war last, sir?
Zing!
[LAUGHTER]
But of course, the basic gist of the briefing
is that the United States will not
tolerate a country that worships
this kind of supreme leader.
It took the 47th president, a fighter
who always puts America first, to finally draw the line.
It takes guts to actually enforce it,
and our president has guts.
There's no better communicator than our president.
He has shown an ability to do that other presidents
can't quite seem to have the aperture to do.
You're right.
Nobody's got the laser focus of one Donald Trump.
Let's go to the president at the White House
today giving brief remarks about the war
before a Medal of Honor ceremony.
Right from the beginning, we projected four to five weeks,
but we have capability to go far longer than that.
We'll do it.
Whatever somebody said today, they
said, oh, well, the president wants to do it really quickly.
After that, he'll get bored.
I don't get bored.
Laser focused.
You sure don't get bored.
You're not some three-year-old that
gets easily distracted by something shiny on the wall.
We have a lot of great service members
here with us too in this beautiful building.
Isn't it beautiful?
We're adding on to the building a little bit.
We're improving the building.
See that nice drape?
I picked those drapes in my first term.
I always like gold, but I think we can save a lot of money.
I just saved-- I just saved curtains.
And it will be-- it will be spectacular.
It'll be the most beautiful ballroom--
I believe it-- because I built many a ballroom,
I believe it's going to be the most beautiful ballroom
anywhere in the world.
[LAUGHTER]
I can't believe it.
Our bombs are now smarter than our president.
[LAUGHTER, APPLAUSE]
So we'll-- Jesus.
[VOCALIZATIONS]
Anyway, back to the war.
So, will any congressional leaders
be more forthcoming with the American people?
Is anybody going to let the American people in on the
plan here?
Is there a plan?
Does the president have a plan to guarantee that that happens?
No, it's not his job or my job to do this.
How many times do I have to tell you?
Why are you trying to ruin my war?
[LAUGHTER]
Why?
I just started it.
I'm having such a good time.
I bought a new suit and shiny shoes,
the kind you put a nickel in for good luck in my war.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have
some celebrity canapés and a Lime Rickey with my name on it.
Good day.
[LAUGHTER]
I said good day.
This is Trump's America.
Maybe I'm old fashioned, but even
regimes I disagreed with respected the American people
enough, or felt some obligation to at least lie
to us in prime time.
Did anybody get filled in on this?
An Israeli military official I spoke to
told me that there were thousands
of hours of planning between US and Israeli military officials.
Oh, anything for the bombing, Bibi.
You told Israel more than you told us.
But like giving a handjob on your birthright trip,
it was a secret that stayed in Israel.
[LAUGHTER]
Yeah, they did it.
They know.
On the bus.
Under the blanket.
They know.
[LAUGHTER]
But all this parsing is meaningless in the first place.
We can expose the hypocrisy and contradictions and arrogance
till we're blue in the Congress.
The right doesn't care.
They supported Trump for a very particular reason.
A vote for Kamala Harris is a vote for war.
A vote for Donald Trump is a vote for a man
who wants to end wars.
The president has a commitment to peace, frankly,
unlike anything we have seen.
He is the great dealmaker, The Art of the Deal.
He can negotiate the end of wars around the world.
He is America's dealmaker in chief.
He leads from a position of securing
peace through strength.
That's why they voted for him, the doctrine, peace
through strength.
And now they support Trump for a very different reason.
The president is not afraid to take action with hard power
when necessary.
We have a president that has finally shown the strength
and boldness that is needed.
The Iranian government found out what the Trump doctrine
is all about.
And that is mess around and find out.
Donald Trump has the guts, the balls,
and the vision to do things that nobody else will do.
I'm going to leave the balls thing alone for now.
[LAUGHTER]
But how quickly the right has gone
from peace through strength to peace through war.
And we're all just along for the ride
in a war with no clear purpose, no end in sight.
It's all just at the whims of Donald Trump.
You know, you know what I need right now?
My comfort monkey.
I need my comfort monkey.
[APPLAUSE]
It actually works.
I went after poor Punch pretty hard
last week, said some things, but I get it now.
This does help a lot.
By the way, it was crazy.
They were sold out.
And this might get me in a little bit of trouble.
I had to go to Ishikawa and take this from Punch.
[LAUGHTER]


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