March 6, 2025 • 26 mins
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 & 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.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
You're listening to Comedy Central.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
M from the most trusted journalists at Comedy Central's America's
only source for news. This is The Daily Show with
your host Michael.
Speaker 3 (00:17):
Cost Oh whoa, whoa, whoa.
Speaker 1 (00:29):
Welcome to The Daily Show. I'm Michael Costa. Todnight, Donald
Trump unites half the country, Democrats keep staples in business,
and mice finally get their own culture war. So let's
get into our ongoing Send me the second Coming of
Donald J. Trump.
Speaker 3 (00:51):
I'm going to comedy.
Speaker 1 (00:57):
Last night, Donald Trump gave his first joint a dressed
to Congress of his new term, and I gotta tell you,
as a kid who was a bit of a Civics nerd,
I used to think these were pretty sweet events. You've
got the President, the Supreme Court, every member of Congress
in the same room. It's basically the Oscars for people
with loose skin. But these days a speech to Congress
(01:20):
is just a theatrical production where everybody has a role
and they slip right into it. So places everyone. Democrats
showed up in full wardrobe dressed in pink as a
symbolic protest against people who wanted them to do something meaningful.
Speaker 4 (01:36):
And.
Speaker 1 (01:38):
They came with props too, holding up little paddles like
they were ready to give Mike Johnson a naughty little spanking. Huh.
Either that or a pickleball match. And you know what pickleball?
All right? You ever played? Yeah? Yeah, once you get
to the front line, you're not even allowed to move.
(01:59):
How stupid is that? I'm edgy. Some Democrats took the
signers to the next level. Congresswoman Rashida Talib had a
dry erase board that she updated throughout the night with
protests messages like stop lying to the American people, or
(02:19):
no king, or that's a lie, and she went through
a lot of them. She had one that said who
has Luigi's sex tape? She did that cool s. These
markers are getting me high. And she had one message
that especially resonated with me. It said, Lucky Loser by
(02:41):
Michael Costa in stores March eleven. Now, yeah, I know
it's not really appropriate venue for that, but I appreciate it.
And I should also mention that Lucky Loser my book.
It's in stores next week starting on Tuesday. You can
order it now, thank you. But those were just the
(03:06):
bit players of the night. One Democrat even gave himself
a speaking.
Speaker 5 (03:10):
Part Democrats interrupting just four minutes into the speech, Texas
Democrat Al Green heckling the president, shaking his cane at him.
Speaker 2 (03:22):
Members are directed to uphold and maintain the quorum in
the House.
Speaker 5 (03:26):
Speaker Mike Johnson stopping this speech, ordering Green be removed
from the chamber.
Speaker 1 (03:31):
Yeah, you know, there's some kind of badass about shaking
a cane at someone. Right, don't with me unless you
want to take this very slowly outside. All right, I
will say props to this guy. He got to send
a message to President Trump and go home early. You know,
(03:52):
I should have I should have tried that when I
wanted to leave my nephew baptism. You do not have
the mandate. I'm out of here now. Let's not forget
about the Republicans. They also played their part in this performance,
which was to cheer and hoot for their guy and
(04:12):
make sure that everyone knew what country this was. Yeah, Usa, USA, careful, guys.
The last time Republicans got this routy at the Capitol,
Nancy Pelosi had to bleach her desk. Here here's a
(04:33):
moment that encapsulated the embarrassing theater of the entire night.
It's before the speech even started, when Donald Trump is
walking down to the podium surrounded by hooting Republicans, when
a Democrat walks up behind him with a sign that
says this is not normal day, which, first of all,
(04:59):
I think it is normal at this point. Trump has
been in our lives for a decade. Now, sadly, this
is our our normal, in the same way that twenty
years ago it wasn't normal to drunkenly jump in the
backseat of a stranger's car, but now it's called uber
and there's only a fifty percent chance you end up murdered.
So yeah, you know, shit changes. Okay, But anyway, that
(05:21):
Democrat is holding a sign that's wrong and ineffective, and
then a divorced dad Republican sees the sign, reaches over
and yanks it out of her hand and chucks it
onto the floor and she just stands there and does nothing.
She's like, well, well, that sign was my only idea.
(05:43):
But forget the supporting cast. The star of the night
was Donald Trump. And you have to admit he showed
a lot of range last night, Okay, like when he
talked about doge finding social Security fraud, he got to
show off his lying skills.
Speaker 6 (05:58):
We're also identify buying shocking levels of incompetence and probable
fraud in the Social Security program. Government databases list four
point seven million social Security members from people aged one
hundred to one hundred nine years old, three point six
million people from ages one hundred and ten to one
(06:23):
hundred and nineteen, three point five million people from ages
one hundred and forty to one hundred and forty one,
and one person is listed at three hundred and sixty
years of age.
Speaker 1 (06:41):
I can't believe we're paying that many people's social security.
I can't believe it because it's not true. Okay, and
I could it's been the bump. I could explain why
it's false and why Trump's wasting everybody's time over an
Excel spreadsheet air or in the time it would take
(07:01):
to explain it, we could watch this video of my
dog Walter fact check. He's perfect. But Trump spent a
lot of his performance on the waste elon musk Is finding,
(07:22):
while also showcasing his masterful ability to troll.
Speaker 6 (07:26):
Just listen to some of the appalling waste. We have
already identified twenty million dollars for the Arab Sesame Street
in the Middle East, Diversity equity and inclusion scholarships in Burma,
improving learning outcomes in Asia, LGBTQI plus in the African
(07:50):
nation of Lesuto. Eight million dollars for making mice transgender.
Speaker 1 (07:56):
Oh yeah, yeah, I remember that children's book. I think
it's called If You Give a Mouse a pussy Right now.
To be fair, eight million dollars to transition mice is
a waste of money, you know. Just look at Mickey Mouse, right,
you put a six dollars bow on him and boom,
(08:16):
Mini Mouse. But hey, Trump, maybe you shouldn't criticize weird
science stuff when your new best friend is the one
putting microchips in monkey brains, and when those monkeys die,
your other new best friend is taking them home in
a doggie bag. But still, Trump did show his range
(08:36):
when his speech turned to Greenland. He showed off a
very singular special talent, reassuring our allies in a bizarrely
threatening way.
Speaker 6 (08:45):
I also have a message tonight for the incredible people
of Greenland. We strongly support your right to determine your
own future, and if you choose, we welcome you into
the United States of America. We need Greenland for national security,
and I think we're going to get it.
Speaker 1 (09:05):
One way or the other. We're going to get it.
Does Trump listen to himself when he talks. He's sending
a lot of mixed messages. Right now, you hear that, Greenland,
it's your choice, but you will be ours. Look totally
your call. It's inevitable, guys, Greenland, It's up to you.
(09:26):
We're easy, okay, give us your minerals. Matter of course,
part of Trump's role in this performance is also announcing
a major new policy, but doing it in the Trumpiest
way possible.
Speaker 6 (09:40):
Other countries have used tariffs against US for decades, and
now it's our turn to start using them against those
other countries.
Speaker 1 (09:48):
And so on April second.
Speaker 6 (09:50):
I wanted to make it April first, but I didn't
want to be accused of April Fool's Day. I'm a
very superstitious person. April second, reciprocal tariffs kick in.
Speaker 1 (10:04):
Yeah, I mean it makes perfect sense. You know, Trump
can't make announcements on April Fool's Day. Otherwise we would
all be like.
Speaker 7 (10:10):
What.
Speaker 1 (10:13):
Is this a joke? You know, as opposed to every
other day where that isn't our reaction to the stuff
he does. I love the level of reverence Trump shows
for April Fool's Day Juneteenth, that's not even a word. Now,
this April Fool's Day, we will honor our ancestors by
playing pranks and overall tom foolery. It's important. By the way,
(10:37):
no one over the age of fourteen even celebrates April
Fool's Day. That's like saying I was gonna end inflation
next Friday. But actually that's when the Kid's Choice Awards
are so we'll see. But as always, the most important
part of Trump's performance needling the Democrats.
Speaker 6 (10:54):
Joe Biden the worst president in American history. Joe Biden
especially let the price of eggs get out of control,
Joe Biden's insane and very dangerous open border policies. Look
where Biden took us very low, the lowest we've ever been.
Do you want to keep it going for another five years? Yeah, yeah,
you would say, Pocahonta says yes. I look at the
(11:17):
Democrats in front of me, and I realize there is
absolutely nothing I can say to make them happy, or
to make them stand or smile or applaud Nothing I
can do.
Speaker 1 (11:29):
I don't get why everyone that I've been bullying for
ten years never smiles at me? Why don't you like me?
You limptick lunatics? And by the way, how is Trump
still obsessed with Biden? Move on, dude, you won right
you think Mark Zuckerberg is still talking about Tom from MySpace? No,
(11:55):
he's busy having a midlife crisis. Look at this. Also,
do you busted out the Elizabeth Warren Pocahontas line? That
is such an old joke you might as well have
been like, hey, pokahunters. So all in all, my review
of last night's theater production is that it was humiliating
(12:16):
in a display of thirst for attention, blind partisan rage,
and a total disinterest in doing anything that might benefit
the people. In other words, it truly was the State
of the Union. Now for more on last night's speech,
we go Live to the Capitol with Ronnie Chank Ronnie Ronnie.
(12:42):
Last Night's spectacle. Last night's spectacle had to be a
new low for America.
Speaker 8 (12:48):
Oh yeah, sure, new low. Oh my god, it was
so crazy.
Speaker 1 (12:55):
People are holding on signs.
Speaker 8 (12:57):
An old guy like yelled someday this night was nothing costa.
That shit was more boring than white lotus.
Speaker 1 (13:03):
But wha, it's not all about the plot. They're building
the character. Look, but what matters here is that our
nation's leaders were acting like screaming children. That's embarrassing.
Speaker 8 (13:13):
Okay, let me give you some international perspective. Okay, watch
what happened in Serbia's parliama yesterday.
Speaker 1 (13:20):
Right, Look at this. That's smoke bombs.
Speaker 8 (13:23):
Okay, this looks like Philadelphia after a Super Bowl or
any day. Do you know how many smoke bombs you
have to set off the overpowered cigarette smoke in Serbia?
That is an abandonment of decorum. Okay, especially in Serbia,
a country where eighty percent of the men work as bouncers.
Speaker 1 (13:40):
Okay, how about.
Speaker 8 (13:41):
Taiwan, longtime democracy, polite Asian country. Look at that parliament
last month. Here they are politely barricading each other with
chairs in a complete district golf of funks.
Speaker 1 (13:54):
It's like Taiwan.
Speaker 8 (13:57):
It's like, hey, Taiwan parliament, how about you stop fighting
and comb and help me move my apartment?
Speaker 1 (14:01):
All right, I only have three chairs.
Speaker 8 (14:04):
It would take no time.
Speaker 1 (14:06):
All right, you know I get your point?
Speaker 8 (14:08):
All right, Well, too bad, because I'm not done.
Speaker 1 (14:09):
Okay, look at.
Speaker 8 (14:12):
Look at Italy. Okay, look at this. I didn't even
know why the fighting is. Probably because someone voted to
add pineapple on pizza, I don't know. And look up,
how about the country of Georgia?
Speaker 1 (14:22):
All right? Is normal? Normal? So punch in the face.
Speaker 8 (14:29):
That guy just really snuck up on you, coming in
from the front like that in a well lit room.
Speaker 1 (14:36):
I see what you're saying. You're saying that in America
were better than that, So you're right, thank you, Ronnie.
Speaker 8 (14:42):
No, I'm saying I'm saying we should also be doing that,
all right, Yeah, yeah, Hey, America, if you're gonna get rowdy,
don't half ass it with like a little whiteboard. Okay,
Congres I should have looked like Walmart on Black Friday
(15:03):
or Philadelphia on any day.
Speaker 1 (15:05):
But Ronnie, Ronnie, if we do that, Congress won't get
anything done.
Speaker 8 (15:09):
They already don't get anything done. You might as well
start a raw rumble, which reminds me, I bet I
get out here.
Speaker 1 (15:16):
Okay.
Speaker 8 (15:17):
Estonia has an agricultural committee meeting on pay per view.
Speaker 1 (15:20):
I don't want Ronnie Chang everybody, Honnie Chang everybody when
we come back. Julian Baker and Torres will be joining me,
so don't go away. Welcome back to Elosia. My guests
(15:42):
tonight are critically acclaimed musicians whose forthcoming album is called
Send a Prayer My Way. Please welcome Julian Baker and Torres.
Who are those outfits? I mean I thought I looked good. Yeah,
(16:10):
look at these outfits. These are amazing. Tell me about them.
Speaker 4 (16:13):
Uh oh, we wanted to do the classic Nudi suit thing.
Got Union Western.
Speaker 1 (16:18):
To make us seas those are sweet, got.
Speaker 4 (16:20):
A little Tennessee flora and fauna.
Speaker 1 (16:22):
I think I even saw a marijuana leaf. Perhaps you
might have yes. For those of you that know your
music individually, wouldn't have necessarily thought you were going to
get together and make a country album. How did we
get here? Tell me what happened.
Speaker 7 (16:37):
Julian and I have been friends for a little while,
and when the pandemic lockdown occurred, yep, I texted her
kind of out of the blue because I'd been thinking
about making a country record for a while, but I
didn't want to do it alone. And Julian was the
first person I thought of because she's Tennessee. Okay, I'm
(17:02):
from Georgia. It just made sense and I wanted.
Speaker 1 (17:05):
I there's one Tennessee in here in New York, like.
Speaker 7 (17:12):
I wanted to make something with her. I thought it
sounded fun.
Speaker 1 (17:16):
Yeah, and it's been in the works for a little bit,
right is that? Five years?
Speaker 3 (17:22):
Yes?
Speaker 1 (17:22):
Five years? Wow? A little bit. It's beautiful. I love it,
Thank you. I played it for my family, I played
it for me. I played it for my dog. He
now was wearing outfits like yours, which is strange. It's
being called a queer country album. Why not call it
a queer tree album Michael Costa Trademark twenty twenty five
(17:46):
or les Letsbentry album. Is that good? Now? I guess
let's talk about genre for a second. I mean the
title queer country album? Does that evoke anything? Do you
do you bother that someone might call it that? Are
you proud of that?
Speaker 7 (18:03):
I'm certainly proud of it. I mean, you know, yeah,
we're queer.
Speaker 4 (18:13):
You know.
Speaker 7 (18:15):
You know, if it were up to me, it would
just be country. Yes, yes, but you know, I'm very
proud to have made a queer country album. Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (18:27):
The title Send a Prayer My Way evokes religion. Tell
me your journey with religion? Is it? Am I overthinking it?
Speaker 4 (18:37):
No, you're not overthinking it.
Speaker 1 (18:39):
I don't always think of a you know, Christianity doing
such a good job with queer and gay.
Speaker 4 (18:45):
Absolutely not. I think Mackenzie and I know a little
bit about that firsthand. We were both raised in religious
household and social context and culture.
Speaker 1 (18:59):
But yeah, yeah, I know.
Speaker 4 (19:00):
I mean because you and I were talking before this,
and not to diminish our spirituality is important, you know.
I think there's this idea that when you talk about
a practice of prayer, you're talking about a dogmatic religious belief.
But I feel like organized religion is not necessarily the
(19:22):
same thing, maybe often gets in the way of pursuit
of the divine.
Speaker 1 (19:27):
You know.
Speaker 4 (19:27):
I think that's something everybody, every human intuitively yearns for.
I think definitely, you know, as musicians, as people seeking
like just justice and fair treatment for ourselves and for
you know, the world, and being outraged everything that's happening
(19:49):
around us. I think that's a really normal reaction, is
to idealize like a more utopian or divine destination.
Speaker 1 (20:00):
Of the divine. That's badass. And I can tell you
I feel like only musicians can pursue the divine. No
one is listening to my comedy going now that guy
is in pursuit of the divine. I want to hear
(20:20):
your thoughts on the religious component, if there is one.
Speaker 7 (20:24):
Yeah, it's a little bit loaded. I mean I grew
up in the Baptist church, like Evangelical in Georgia. I
struggled with it. I U when I left Georgia. I
left the church proudly, never went back. And dare I
(20:44):
say my relationship to what one might call God source energy,
the Supreme being, the Divine, it has only become a
more intimate relationship. Actually, as I've aged and I've you know,
just surrounded myself with a community of people that love
(21:05):
me and that want me to be exactly who I am.
Speaker 1 (21:09):
Right totally. I love that. It doesn't surprise me that
you're thoughtful and kind and compassionate in speaking with you,
because your music comes across that way. But you're speaking
about things that love you for being you. Dogs. Holy shit,
(21:32):
one of your songs, Sylvia, it's about your dog, right, Mackenzie.
Speaker 9 (21:36):
That's right.
Speaker 1 (21:37):
I love having a dog. Because when I go to
comedy at night, I bomb I succeed, it went well,
it went poorly. It doesn't matter. All these thoughts and
expectations I have when I walk through the door, he's
happy to see me. Is that the same for music?
Get the same for your dog? What's the name of
your dog? My dog is Sylvia. That's that's what the
name of the song is.
Speaker 7 (22:00):
Born on Sylvia Platt's birthday.
Speaker 1 (22:02):
She was born on Sylvia Platt's birthday. Let's yeah, let's
let's state that because I asked you what your dog's
name was after I told you what your dog.
Speaker 7 (22:10):
Could have been my dog?
Speaker 1 (22:13):
So what's your relationship with dog? With your dog and music?
Speaker 7 (22:16):
And yeah, I mean it's the same thing. Yeah, yeah.
You you have maybe a gig that you're not like
super stoked about. Uh, maybe you messed up a little bit,
and you come home. And for me, it's usually after
a maybe a more extended thing like a tour, and
then I come home and Sylvia is just oh god,
(22:38):
she's just uh yeah, always the same. She's so loving.
Speaker 1 (22:43):
That's great, precious.
Speaker 4 (22:45):
What about you, Jane, No, it's the same. I It's funny.
I love dogs because their relationship is out, you know,
it's extra lingual. There's nothing you can say really to
a dog to manipulate them or to reframe a situation.
Either you're showing up for them, you put food in
(23:06):
the bowl, you.
Speaker 1 (23:07):
Take him out, or you don't.
Speaker 4 (23:11):
But weirdly, there's this like capacity for grace that extends,
I feel like a human relationship, or you know, surpasses
a human relationship. I got beans when I was going
through kind of like tough time in my life, and
I was thinking, you know, man, I don't have my
shit together enough to have a dog. And the dog
(23:32):
made me get my shit together, you know, because now
there's something else I have to take care of her.
When she's just sitting looking at me with the sweetest,
most innocent eyes, I'm like, okay, yeah.
Speaker 1 (23:42):
And I brought my asshole dog to the green room
and he was dog well yeah, well he was very
warm with you two. He sensed your your kindness.
Speaker 4 (23:53):
Yeah, sense my love.
Speaker 1 (23:55):
I came home one time and I said hi to
my dog before my wife, and she said, why are
you saying hi to the dog first? Say hi to
your wife first? And I said, I'm saying hi to
who's excited to see me. How cool is it that
(24:16):
you're going to play for us? I mean, this is
really amazing. I love your album. Everyone needs to listen
to it. Send a Prayer My Way, Julian Baker and Torres.
Now you're gonna play bottom of the Bottle for us.
What can you tell us about that song?
Speaker 7 (24:34):
It's a drinking song.
Speaker 1 (24:35):
Hell yeah, I had a feeling. I had a feeling.
Speaker 4 (24:40):
So that's the first song you sent me.
Speaker 7 (24:42):
I believe it was the first demo that I sent Julian.
When we were passing ideas back and forth.
Speaker 4 (24:48):
You send me an email. The subject line was pastiche.
Speaker 7 (24:54):
Yeah, okay, it was a little it was a little
nod to some of my you know, my country boy here, Yeah,
the George Straits and whatnot.
Speaker 1 (25:03):
Yeah, right, well, it's a great song. George Strait is
here tonight. It's a great song. We're looking forward to it.
Thank you so much for being here and talking with us.
Send a Prayer My Way comes out April eighteenth. It's
available for.
Speaker 4 (25:16):
Free one now.
Speaker 1 (25:28):
That's our show for tonight. Now here it is their
moment of za.
Speaker 9 (25:31):
But I think the thing remarkable about it is this
was a very very positive speech. The fact is it
was a combination of wonderful poetry, particularly at the end,
and about a substance of a state of the union
speech that I've ever heard.
Speaker 2 (25:48):
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 eleven ten Central on Comedy Central,
and stream full episodes any timon Paramount
Speaker 3 (26:01):
Plus Paramount Podcasts mm HM
You're listening to Comedy Central.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
M from the most trusted journalists at Comedy Central's America's
only source for news. This is The Daily Show with
your host Michael.
Speaker 3 (00:17):
Cost Oh whoa, whoa, whoa.
Speaker 1 (00:29):
Welcome to The Daily Show. I'm Michael Costa. Todnight, Donald
Trump unites half the country, Democrats keep staples in business,
and mice finally get their own culture war. So let's
get into our ongoing Send me the second Coming of
Donald J. Trump.
Speaker 3 (00:51):
I'm going to comedy.
Speaker 1 (00:57):
Last night, Donald Trump gave his first joint a dressed
to Congress of his new term, and I gotta tell you,
as a kid who was a bit of a Civics nerd,
I used to think these were pretty sweet events. You've
got the President, the Supreme Court, every member of Congress
in the same room. It's basically the Oscars for people
with loose skin. But these days a speech to Congress
(01:20):
is just a theatrical production where everybody has a role
and they slip right into it. So places everyone. Democrats
showed up in full wardrobe dressed in pink as a
symbolic protest against people who wanted them to do something meaningful.
Speaker 4 (01:36):
And.
Speaker 1 (01:38):
They came with props too, holding up little paddles like
they were ready to give Mike Johnson a naughty little spanking. Huh.
Either that or a pickleball match. And you know what pickleball?
All right? You ever played? Yeah? Yeah, once you get
to the front line, you're not even allowed to move.
(01:59):
How stupid is that? I'm edgy. Some Democrats took the
signers to the next level. Congresswoman Rashida Talib had a
dry erase board that she updated throughout the night with
protests messages like stop lying to the American people, or
(02:19):
no king, or that's a lie, and she went through
a lot of them. She had one that said who
has Luigi's sex tape? She did that cool s. These
markers are getting me high. And she had one message
that especially resonated with me. It said, Lucky Loser by
(02:41):
Michael Costa in stores March eleven. Now, yeah, I know
it's not really appropriate venue for that, but I appreciate it.
And I should also mention that Lucky Loser my book.
It's in stores next week starting on Tuesday. You can
order it now, thank you. But those were just the
(03:06):
bit players of the night. One Democrat even gave himself
a speaking.
Speaker 5 (03:10):
Part Democrats interrupting just four minutes into the speech, Texas
Democrat Al Green heckling the president, shaking his cane at him.
Speaker 2 (03:22):
Members are directed to uphold and maintain the quorum in
the House.
Speaker 5 (03:26):
Speaker Mike Johnson stopping this speech, ordering Green be removed
from the chamber.
Speaker 1 (03:31):
Yeah, you know, there's some kind of badass about shaking
a cane at someone. Right, don't with me unless you
want to take this very slowly outside. All right, I
will say props to this guy. He got to send
a message to President Trump and go home early. You know,
(03:52):
I should have I should have tried that when I
wanted to leave my nephew baptism. You do not have
the mandate. I'm out of here now. Let's not forget
about the Republicans. They also played their part in this performance,
which was to cheer and hoot for their guy and
(04:12):
make sure that everyone knew what country this was. Yeah, Usa, USA, careful, guys.
The last time Republicans got this routy at the Capitol,
Nancy Pelosi had to bleach her desk. Here here's a
(04:33):
moment that encapsulated the embarrassing theater of the entire night.
It's before the speech even started, when Donald Trump is
walking down to the podium surrounded by hooting Republicans, when
a Democrat walks up behind him with a sign that
says this is not normal day, which, first of all,
(04:59):
I think it is normal at this point. Trump has
been in our lives for a decade. Now, sadly, this
is our our normal, in the same way that twenty
years ago it wasn't normal to drunkenly jump in the
backseat of a stranger's car, but now it's called uber
and there's only a fifty percent chance you end up murdered.
So yeah, you know, shit changes. Okay, But anyway, that
(05:21):
Democrat is holding a sign that's wrong and ineffective, and
then a divorced dad Republican sees the sign, reaches over
and yanks it out of her hand and chucks it
onto the floor and she just stands there and does nothing.
She's like, well, well, that sign was my only idea.
(05:43):
But forget the supporting cast. The star of the night
was Donald Trump. And you have to admit he showed
a lot of range last night, Okay, like when he
talked about doge finding social Security fraud, he got to
show off his lying skills.
Speaker 6 (05:58):
We're also identify buying shocking levels of incompetence and probable
fraud in the Social Security program. Government databases list four
point seven million social Security members from people aged one
hundred to one hundred nine years old, three point six
million people from ages one hundred and ten to one
(06:23):
hundred and nineteen, three point five million people from ages
one hundred and forty to one hundred and forty one,
and one person is listed at three hundred and sixty
years of age.
Speaker 1 (06:41):
I can't believe we're paying that many people's social security.
I can't believe it because it's not true. Okay, and
I could it's been the bump. I could explain why
it's false and why Trump's wasting everybody's time over an
Excel spreadsheet air or in the time it would take
(07:01):
to explain it, we could watch this video of my
dog Walter fact check. He's perfect. But Trump spent a
lot of his performance on the waste elon musk Is finding,
(07:22):
while also showcasing his masterful ability to troll.
Speaker 6 (07:26):
Just listen to some of the appalling waste. We have
already identified twenty million dollars for the Arab Sesame Street
in the Middle East, Diversity equity and inclusion scholarships in Burma,
improving learning outcomes in Asia, LGBTQI plus in the African
(07:50):
nation of Lesuto. Eight million dollars for making mice transgender.
Speaker 1 (07:56):
Oh yeah, yeah, I remember that children's book. I think
it's called If You Give a Mouse a pussy Right now.
To be fair, eight million dollars to transition mice is
a waste of money, you know. Just look at Mickey Mouse, right,
you put a six dollars bow on him and boom,
(08:16):
Mini Mouse. But hey, Trump, maybe you shouldn't criticize weird
science stuff when your new best friend is the one
putting microchips in monkey brains, and when those monkeys die,
your other new best friend is taking them home in
a doggie bag. But still, Trump did show his range
(08:36):
when his speech turned to Greenland. He showed off a
very singular special talent, reassuring our allies in a bizarrely
threatening way.
Speaker 6 (08:45):
I also have a message tonight for the incredible people
of Greenland. We strongly support your right to determine your
own future, and if you choose, we welcome you into
the United States of America. We need Greenland for national security,
and I think we're going to get it.
Speaker 1 (09:05):
One way or the other. We're going to get it.
Does Trump listen to himself when he talks. He's sending
a lot of mixed messages. Right now, you hear that, Greenland,
it's your choice, but you will be ours. Look totally
your call. It's inevitable, guys, Greenland, It's up to you.
(09:26):
We're easy, okay, give us your minerals. Matter of course,
part of Trump's role in this performance is also announcing
a major new policy, but doing it in the Trumpiest
way possible.
Speaker 6 (09:40):
Other countries have used tariffs against US for decades, and
now it's our turn to start using them against those
other countries.
Speaker 1 (09:48):
And so on April second.
Speaker 6 (09:50):
I wanted to make it April first, but I didn't
want to be accused of April Fool's Day. I'm a
very superstitious person. April second, reciprocal tariffs kick in.
Speaker 1 (10:04):
Yeah, I mean it makes perfect sense. You know, Trump
can't make announcements on April Fool's Day. Otherwise we would
all be like.
Speaker 7 (10:10):
What.
Speaker 1 (10:13):
Is this a joke? You know, as opposed to every
other day where that isn't our reaction to the stuff
he does. I love the level of reverence Trump shows
for April Fool's Day Juneteenth, that's not even a word. Now,
this April Fool's Day, we will honor our ancestors by
playing pranks and overall tom foolery. It's important. By the way,
(10:37):
no one over the age of fourteen even celebrates April
Fool's Day. That's like saying I was gonna end inflation
next Friday. But actually that's when the Kid's Choice Awards
are so we'll see. But as always, the most important
part of Trump's performance needling the Democrats.
Speaker 6 (10:54):
Joe Biden the worst president in American history. Joe Biden
especially let the price of eggs get out of control,
Joe Biden's insane and very dangerous open border policies. Look
where Biden took us very low, the lowest we've ever been.
Do you want to keep it going for another five years? Yeah, yeah,
you would say, Pocahonta says yes. I look at the
(11:17):
Democrats in front of me, and I realize there is
absolutely nothing I can say to make them happy, or
to make them stand or smile or applaud Nothing I
can do.
Speaker 1 (11:29):
I don't get why everyone that I've been bullying for
ten years never smiles at me? Why don't you like me?
You limptick lunatics? And by the way, how is Trump
still obsessed with Biden? Move on, dude, you won right
you think Mark Zuckerberg is still talking about Tom from MySpace? No,
(11:55):
he's busy having a midlife crisis. Look at this. Also,
do you busted out the Elizabeth Warren Pocahontas line? That
is such an old joke you might as well have
been like, hey, pokahunters. So all in all, my review
of last night's theater production is that it was humiliating
(12:16):
in a display of thirst for attention, blind partisan rage,
and a total disinterest in doing anything that might benefit
the people. In other words, it truly was the State
of the Union. Now for more on last night's speech,
we go Live to the Capitol with Ronnie Chank Ronnie Ronnie.
(12:42):
Last Night's spectacle. Last night's spectacle had to be a
new low for America.
Speaker 8 (12:48):
Oh yeah, sure, new low. Oh my god, it was
so crazy.
Speaker 1 (12:55):
People are holding on signs.
Speaker 8 (12:57):
An old guy like yelled someday this night was nothing costa.
That shit was more boring than white lotus.
Speaker 1 (13:03):
But wha, it's not all about the plot. They're building
the character. Look, but what matters here is that our
nation's leaders were acting like screaming children. That's embarrassing.
Speaker 8 (13:13):
Okay, let me give you some international perspective. Okay, watch
what happened in Serbia's parliama yesterday.
Speaker 1 (13:20):
Right, Look at this. That's smoke bombs.
Speaker 8 (13:23):
Okay, this looks like Philadelphia after a Super Bowl or
any day. Do you know how many smoke bombs you
have to set off the overpowered cigarette smoke in Serbia?
That is an abandonment of decorum. Okay, especially in Serbia,
a country where eighty percent of the men work as bouncers.
Speaker 1 (13:40):
Okay, how about.
Speaker 8 (13:41):
Taiwan, longtime democracy, polite Asian country. Look at that parliament
last month. Here they are politely barricading each other with
chairs in a complete district golf of funks.
Speaker 1 (13:54):
It's like Taiwan.
Speaker 8 (13:57):
It's like, hey, Taiwan parliament, how about you stop fighting
and comb and help me move my apartment?
Speaker 1 (14:01):
All right, I only have three chairs.
Speaker 8 (14:04):
It would take no time.
Speaker 1 (14:06):
All right, you know I get your point?
Speaker 8 (14:08):
All right, Well, too bad, because I'm not done.
Speaker 1 (14:09):
Okay, look at.
Speaker 8 (14:12):
Look at Italy. Okay, look at this. I didn't even
know why the fighting is. Probably because someone voted to
add pineapple on pizza, I don't know. And look up,
how about the country of Georgia?
Speaker 1 (14:22):
All right? Is normal? Normal? So punch in the face.
Speaker 8 (14:29):
That guy just really snuck up on you, coming in
from the front like that in a well lit room.
Speaker 1 (14:36):
I see what you're saying. You're saying that in America
were better than that, So you're right, thank you, Ronnie.
Speaker 8 (14:42):
No, I'm saying I'm saying we should also be doing that,
all right, Yeah, yeah, Hey, America, if you're gonna get rowdy,
don't half ass it with like a little whiteboard. Okay,
Congres I should have looked like Walmart on Black Friday
(15:03):
or Philadelphia on any day.
Speaker 1 (15:05):
But Ronnie, Ronnie, if we do that, Congress won't get
anything done.
Speaker 8 (15:09):
They already don't get anything done. You might as well
start a raw rumble, which reminds me, I bet I
get out here.
Speaker 1 (15:16):
Okay.
Speaker 8 (15:17):
Estonia has an agricultural committee meeting on pay per view.
Speaker 1 (15:20):
I don't want Ronnie Chang everybody, Honnie Chang everybody when
we come back. Julian Baker and Torres will be joining me,
so don't go away. Welcome back to Elosia. My guests
(15:42):
tonight are critically acclaimed musicians whose forthcoming album is called
Send a Prayer My Way. Please welcome Julian Baker and Torres.
Who are those outfits? I mean I thought I looked good. Yeah,
(16:10):
look at these outfits. These are amazing. Tell me about them.
Speaker 4 (16:13):
Uh oh, we wanted to do the classic Nudi suit thing.
Got Union Western.
Speaker 1 (16:18):
To make us seas those are sweet, got.
Speaker 4 (16:20):
A little Tennessee flora and fauna.
Speaker 1 (16:22):
I think I even saw a marijuana leaf. Perhaps you
might have yes. For those of you that know your
music individually, wouldn't have necessarily thought you were going to
get together and make a country album. How did we
get here? Tell me what happened.
Speaker 7 (16:37):
Julian and I have been friends for a little while,
and when the pandemic lockdown occurred, yep, I texted her
kind of out of the blue because I'd been thinking
about making a country record for a while, but I
didn't want to do it alone. And Julian was the
first person I thought of because she's Tennessee. Okay, I'm
(17:02):
from Georgia. It just made sense and I wanted.
Speaker 1 (17:05):
I there's one Tennessee in here in New York, like.
Speaker 7 (17:12):
I wanted to make something with her. I thought it
sounded fun.
Speaker 1 (17:16):
Yeah, and it's been in the works for a little bit,
right is that? Five years?
Speaker 3 (17:22):
Yes?
Speaker 1 (17:22):
Five years? Wow? A little bit. It's beautiful. I love it,
Thank you. I played it for my family, I played
it for me. I played it for my dog. He
now was wearing outfits like yours, which is strange. It's
being called a queer country album. Why not call it
a queer tree album Michael Costa Trademark twenty twenty five
(17:46):
or les Letsbentry album. Is that good? Now? I guess
let's talk about genre for a second. I mean the
title queer country album? Does that evoke anything? Do you
do you bother that someone might call it that? Are
you proud of that?
Speaker 7 (18:03):
I'm certainly proud of it. I mean, you know, yeah,
we're queer.
Speaker 4 (18:13):
You know.
Speaker 7 (18:15):
You know, if it were up to me, it would
just be country. Yes, yes, but you know, I'm very
proud to have made a queer country album. Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (18:27):
The title Send a Prayer My Way evokes religion. Tell
me your journey with religion? Is it? Am I overthinking it?
Speaker 4 (18:37):
No, you're not overthinking it.
Speaker 1 (18:39):
I don't always think of a you know, Christianity doing
such a good job with queer and gay.
Speaker 4 (18:45):
Absolutely not. I think Mackenzie and I know a little
bit about that firsthand. We were both raised in religious
household and social context and culture.
Speaker 1 (18:59):
But yeah, yeah, I know.
Speaker 4 (19:00):
I mean because you and I were talking before this,
and not to diminish our spirituality is important, you know.
I think there's this idea that when you talk about
a practice of prayer, you're talking about a dogmatic religious belief.
But I feel like organized religion is not necessarily the
(19:22):
same thing, maybe often gets in the way of pursuit
of the divine.
Speaker 1 (19:27):
You know.
Speaker 4 (19:27):
I think that's something everybody, every human intuitively yearns for.
I think definitely, you know, as musicians, as people seeking
like just justice and fair treatment for ourselves and for
you know, the world, and being outraged everything that's happening
(19:49):
around us. I think that's a really normal reaction, is
to idealize like a more utopian or divine destination.
Speaker 1 (20:00):
Of the divine. That's badass. And I can tell you
I feel like only musicians can pursue the divine. No
one is listening to my comedy going now that guy
is in pursuit of the divine. I want to hear
(20:20):
your thoughts on the religious component, if there is one.
Speaker 7 (20:24):
Yeah, it's a little bit loaded. I mean I grew
up in the Baptist church, like Evangelical in Georgia. I
struggled with it. I U when I left Georgia. I
left the church proudly, never went back. And dare I
(20:44):
say my relationship to what one might call God source energy,
the Supreme being, the Divine, it has only become a
more intimate relationship. Actually, as I've aged and I've you know,
just surrounded myself with a community of people that love
(21:05):
me and that want me to be exactly who I am.
Speaker 1 (21:09):
Right totally. I love that. It doesn't surprise me that
you're thoughtful and kind and compassionate in speaking with you,
because your music comes across that way. But you're speaking
about things that love you for being you. Dogs. Holy shit,
(21:32):
one of your songs, Sylvia, it's about your dog, right, Mackenzie.
Speaker 9 (21:36):
That's right.
Speaker 1 (21:37):
I love having a dog. Because when I go to
comedy at night, I bomb I succeed, it went well,
it went poorly. It doesn't matter. All these thoughts and
expectations I have when I walk through the door, he's
happy to see me. Is that the same for music?
Get the same for your dog? What's the name of
your dog? My dog is Sylvia. That's that's what the
name of the song is.
Speaker 7 (22:00):
Born on Sylvia Platt's birthday.
Speaker 1 (22:02):
She was born on Sylvia Platt's birthday. Let's yeah, let's
let's state that because I asked you what your dog's
name was after I told you what your dog.
Speaker 7 (22:10):
Could have been my dog?
Speaker 1 (22:13):
So what's your relationship with dog? With your dog and music?
Speaker 7 (22:16):
And yeah, I mean it's the same thing. Yeah, yeah.
You you have maybe a gig that you're not like
super stoked about. Uh, maybe you messed up a little bit,
and you come home. And for me, it's usually after
a maybe a more extended thing like a tour, and
then I come home and Sylvia is just oh god,
(22:38):
she's just uh yeah, always the same. She's so loving.
Speaker 1 (22:43):
That's great, precious.
Speaker 4 (22:45):
What about you, Jane, No, it's the same. I It's funny.
I love dogs because their relationship is out, you know,
it's extra lingual. There's nothing you can say really to
a dog to manipulate them or to reframe a situation.
Either you're showing up for them, you put food in
(23:06):
the bowl, you.
Speaker 1 (23:07):
Take him out, or you don't.
Speaker 4 (23:11):
But weirdly, there's this like capacity for grace that extends,
I feel like a human relationship, or you know, surpasses
a human relationship. I got beans when I was going
through kind of like tough time in my life, and
I was thinking, you know, man, I don't have my
shit together enough to have a dog. And the dog
(23:32):
made me get my shit together, you know, because now
there's something else I have to take care of her.
When she's just sitting looking at me with the sweetest,
most innocent eyes, I'm like, okay, yeah.
Speaker 1 (23:42):
And I brought my asshole dog to the green room
and he was dog well yeah, well he was very
warm with you two. He sensed your your kindness.
Speaker 4 (23:53):
Yeah, sense my love.
Speaker 1 (23:55):
I came home one time and I said hi to
my dog before my wife, and she said, why are
you saying hi to the dog first? Say hi to
your wife first? And I said, I'm saying hi to
who's excited to see me. How cool is it that
(24:16):
you're going to play for us? I mean, this is
really amazing. I love your album. Everyone needs to listen
to it. Send a Prayer My Way, Julian Baker and Torres.
Now you're gonna play bottom of the Bottle for us.
What can you tell us about that song?
Speaker 7 (24:34):
It's a drinking song.
Speaker 1 (24:35):
Hell yeah, I had a feeling. I had a feeling.
Speaker 4 (24:40):
So that's the first song you sent me.
Speaker 7 (24:42):
I believe it was the first demo that I sent Julian.
When we were passing ideas back and forth.
Speaker 4 (24:48):
You send me an email. The subject line was pastiche.
Speaker 7 (24:54):
Yeah, okay, it was a little it was a little
nod to some of my you know, my country boy here, Yeah,
the George Straits and whatnot.
Speaker 1 (25:03):
Yeah, right, well, it's a great song. George Strait is
here tonight. It's a great song. We're looking forward to it.
Thank you so much for being here and talking with us.
Send a Prayer My Way comes out April eighteenth. It's
available for.
Speaker 4 (25:16):
Free one now.
Speaker 1 (25:28):
That's our show for tonight. Now here it is their
moment of za.
Speaker 9 (25:31):
But I think the thing remarkable about it is this
was a very very positive speech. The fact is it
was a combination of wonderful poetry, particularly at the end,
and about a substance of a state of the union
speech that I've ever heard.
Speaker 2 (25:48):
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 eleven ten Central on Comedy Central,
and stream full episodes any timon Paramount
Speaker 3 (26:01):
Plus Paramount Podcasts mm HM
Popular Podcasts
Are You A Charlotte?
In 1997, actress Kristin Davis’ life was forever changed when she took on the role of Charlotte York in Sex and the City. As we watched Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte navigate relationships in NYC, the show helped push once unacceptable conversation topics out of the shadows and altered the narrative around women and sex. We all saw ourselves in them as they searched for fulfillment in life, sex and friendships. Now, Kristin Davis wants to connect with you, the fans, and share untold stories and all the behind the scenes. Together, with Kristin and special guests, what will begin with Sex and the City will evolve into talks about themes that are still so relevant today. "Are you a Charlotte?" is much more than just rewatching this beloved show, it brings the past and the present together as we talk with heart, humor and of course some optimism.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.