TDS Time Machine | Venezuela - The Backstory

Trump's been extra busy this year with his corrupt and chaotic handling of DEI, immigration, the trade war, SNAP benefits, foreign bribes, and more, but Jon Stewart managed to sum it all up with one big, beautiful word: Bulls**t! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the U.S. takes apparent control of Venezuela, after capturing its head of state Nicolás Maduro, take a look back at how we got here with The Daily Show's coverage of Venezuelan political unrest through the years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Minneapolis tells ICE to “get the f**k out” after an agent fatally shot a woman, Kristi Noem smears the victim as a terrorist while MAGA decides she deserved it, and Ronny Chieng questions ICE’s PR push to recruit highly aggressive, unqualified agents and unleash them on American cities. Americans are known for spoiling their living pets, but what about the ones who’ve passed? Michael Kosta explores the rising popularity of pet psychics, like Danielle MacKinnon, who claims to have the intuitive ability to communicate with all animals, past and present. Kosta learns about her process, meets her very real clients, and attempts to glean some insight into his relationship with his own dog, Walter. Actor and producer Lucy Liu sits down with Ronny Chieng to discuss her new film, “Rosemead,” which is based on a true story about a terminally ill mother and her son. They talk about Liu’s connection to the film and how its themes of mental health and grief affected her, why every role feels like a way of documenting her life, the time she directed Ronny onscreen, and how taking risks has led to the biggest rewards in her career. Plus, Simu Liu makes a cameo! Refresh your winter wardrobe with Quince—visit https://quince.com/DAILYSHOW for free shipping and 365-day returns. Let Rocket Money help you reach your financial goals faster—join at https://RocketMoney.com/DAILYSHOW with promo code DAILYSHOW. Join the thousands of parents who trust Fabric to help protect their family. Apply today in just minutes at https://meetfabric.com/daily Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ronny Chieng covers how Trump is taking charge of Venezuela's oil industry and replacing their old dictator with a new one: himself. Plus, this Venezuela takeover is so much fun, the president adds a bunch of other countries to his To-Be-Overthrown list, including Greenland, and Michael Kosta couldn't be more excited to be part of Trump's nation-extorting mafia. Jordan Klepper profiles Benny Johnson, social media star turned White House press commentator, who caught Trump’s eye with his generic vitriol, Russian backing, penchant for plagiarism, and unyielding obsession with Batman. Stephen J. Dubner, host of "Freakonomics Radio" and co-author of "Freakonomics," sits down with Ronny Chieng to discuss the book’s 20th anniversary edition. They talk about how Dubner and his co-author Steven Levitt wove together storytelling and data to present case studies without imposing their own judgment, and how their publisher, doubtful of the title, liberated them to write the book they wanted. Dubner also offers some Freakonomics insights for 2026 pertaining to animals and artificial insemination, and why one should never go before a judge just before lunch. Let Rocket Money help you reach your financial goals faster—join at https://RocketMoney.com/DAILYSHOW. Refresh your winter wardrobe with Quince—visit https://quince.com/DAILYSHOW for free shipping and 365-day returns. Join the thousands of parents who trust Fabric to help protect their family. Apply today in just minutes at https://meetfabric.com/daily Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ronny Chieng unpacks former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s abduction and first day in court, where he and his wife got some good couples time pleading not guilty to cocaine trafficking charges. Meanwhile, MAGA attempts to justify Trump’s intervention by downplaying the episode, citing Christianity, and downright playing the bully. The latest scientific studies show that microplastics are in just about everything, and we’re ingesting them at an alarming rate. Thankfully, there’s a new product that's sure to help us take advantage of all the plastic we’re downing each day — eventually. Legendary Korean filmmaker, Director Park Chan-wook, sits down with Ronny Chieng (without any translation help from Ken Jeong) to discuss his new film, “No Other Choice,” which he adapted from an American novel. They discuss what attracted him to this story, which follows a devoted company man who is fired and directs his rage toward his competitors on the job market, and the similarities between the plot and his own 15-year struggle to get the film made. He also reflects on why Korean directors are so adept at satirizing capitalism and how the demise of movie theaters is the biggest threat to filmmaking. Refresh your winter wardrobe with Quince—visit https://quince.com/DAILYSHOW for free shipping and 365-day returns. Let Rocket Money help you reach your financial goals faster—join at https://RocketMoney.com/DAILYSHOW. Join the thousands of parents who trust Fabric to help protect their family. Apply today in just minutes at https://meetfabric.com/daily Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jon Stewart dives into the Trump administration’s abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Trump's collusion with oil companies to exploit Venezuela’s resources, and the emergence of the “Donroe Doctrine" as Trump threatens more international takeovers. Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona, who also served in the Navy as a captain and combat pilot, joins Jon Stewart after news broke that he was being censured by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth for telling U.S. service members to refuse illegal orders. They discuss the president’s “major ego problem,” why he stands by his message as the Trump administration continues to levy attacks against free speech, frustrations with Democratic leadership, and the importance of Democrats taking control of the House and the Senate to put President Trump in check. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week's Daily Show host Ronny Chieng is joined by writer Ashton Womack to recap what they missed over the holidays, and preview what might be to come. They dig in to the surprise operation to capture Venezuela's president Maduro, the incompetent redaction of the Epstein files, and Marjorie Taylor Greene's apology tour as she leaves congress. Looking ahead, they anticipate the anniversary of January 6th, the new American imperialism, and, of course, rap beefs with Lil Wayne. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pull up a chair and tuck a napkin into your collar for The Daily Show's conversations with some incredible chefs. Jon Stewart sits down with Anthony Bourdain to talk traveling the world for food and culture. Trevor Noah chats with David Chang about the cultural history of food, and José Andrés about feeding the hungry after natural disasters. Chef and author Anne Burrell recounts her experiences on food competition shows and her book "Cook Like a Rock Star", and Kwame Onwuachi tells Trevor about his early life and his book "Notes From a Young Black Chef." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Instead of making unrealistic promises to yourself this year, let The Daily Show do it for you. Take a listen back to American Resolutions: A Series of Human Interest Stories Used to Emotionally Manipulate You. Jon Stewart introduces Rob Cordry, who resolves to have a threesome. Nate Cordry steps up to show them, show them all... Ed Helms vows to improve himself, starting with a new job. Jason Jones takes the viewer on a journey into underwhelming fatherhood. Finally, Stephen Colbert offers up his own resolutions, for Jon to work on. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get your late night fix with these interviews with after hours comedy luminaries. Former correspondent and current host of Last Week Tonight, John Oliver stops by TDS to chat with Ronny Chieng. Jimmy Kimmel joins Jon Stewart before his late night hosting debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live. Conan O'Brien talks to Jon about a recent visit to Cuba. Jimmy Fallon sits down to talk hosting The Tonight Show and his new collection of thank you notes. The Late Show host Stephen Colbert stands with Jon as Conan challenges them to hand-to-hand combat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices