The Daily Show: Ears Edition - SCOTUS Deals Blow to Voting Rights Act & Trump Deals Blow to NASA Chief’s Ears | RZA

Episode Date: May 1, 2026

Josh Johnson dives into the Iran peace talks that Trump is holding “telephonically,” the president bullies NASA chief Jared Isaacman for his ears, and Republicans claim racism is over after the Supreme Court effectively guts the Voting Rights Act. Plus, Ronny Chieng dishes on how Republicans in Congress are celebrating while minorities are panicking. Jordan Klepper Anal-a-Zones California's pivotal governor race: Eric Swalwell's scandal-plagued resignation threw a wrench in the state's free-for-all "jungle primary," and Democrats are scrambling with a roster of rizzless candidates, from "Love Actually"-parodying Tom Steyer to hologram-flexing Matt Mahan. Meanwhile, Republican voters face a choice between long-talking British expat Steve Hilton and firebrand Sheriff Chad Bianco, whose vibe is kind of "all the Village People at once." Legendary rapper and founder of The Wu-Tang Clan RZA joins Josh to discuss his new film, “One Spoon of Chocolate,” which he wrote, produced, and directed. RZA describes the project’s evolution since he started working on it in 2012, how his filmmaking process is not unlike his songwriting process of sampling from different sources of inspiration, and why directing his actors in uncomfortable depictions of racism was necessary to deliver the film’s overall message of equality. -- The Daily Show airs weeknights at 11/10c on Comedy Central. Stream full episodes on Paramount+ Follow The Daily Show: YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You're listening to Comedy Central. From the most trusted journalists at Comedy Central, it's America's only source for news. This is The Daily Show with your host, Josh Johnson. We've got so much to talk about tonight. The Voting Rights Act gets sent to a farm up state. The race for California governor is more packed than an L.A. freeway. And we'll tell you which body part Trump has started teasing people about.

It's not the tame, all right? That was my first guest, too. So, let's get into the headlines. Let's start with the latest update on the war in Iran, which is that there is no update. It's still happening, you know? I'm starting to get worried about my river cruise this summer up the straight of her moves.

Man, I booked a balcony room, too. But don't worry, because Donald Trump's doing everything he can to wrap it up. We're having talks with him now, and we're not flying anymore with 18-hour flights every time we want to see a piece of paper. We're doing it telephonically, and it's very nice. Telephonically?

Damn, that's an impressive word, you know? Makes anyone with a phone sound like a wizard. I order to large meat lovers telephonically. Now, to be clear, that is a word, but he didn't know that. He talks the way I play Scrabble, you know? Just like, oh, wow, I was just throwing letters together. How many points are? that. That was from yesterday during an event

Trump did with the Artemis astronauts and the chief of NASA. And we all know Trump loves space, so he has the utmost respect for these professionals. Sorry, are you considering relocating NASA's headquarters out of DC once the leases up states like Texas, Ohio, and Florida? Well, the best man to tell you that is a man standing right over here. You heard that question with those beautiful ears of years? He's got great hearing, you know, super.

He's got superhero. trick of the trade, sir. Wow. He's just standing there like, good one, sir. Haven't heard that since grade school. And I didn't think I'd hear it again, but I did in my 40s from the president. Trump just can't resist being a bully. He's sitting there like, hey, they say in space, no one can hear you scream except for this guy, right? He can definitely hear it.

Am I right? Am I right? And by the way, these astronauts do not look happy to be there. They're like, this is the most uncomfortable I've ever felt, and two weeks ago I was pooping in zero gravity. But let's move on, because while Trump was earshaming astronauts, the Supreme Court was busy at work. This morning, the Supreme Court delivering a major blow

to the Landmark Voting Rights Act. The court's conservative majority ruling six to three that Louisiana's current congressional map with two majority African-American districts is unconstitutional. saying lawmakers allowed race to play a part in government decision-making. Democrats blasting the ruling, arguing that other majority black districts are now vulnerable to being erased. That's right. The Supreme Court saw that Louisiana had two whole black congressmen, and they were like, whoa, what is this? Showtime at the Apollo?

Let's dial this back. But now, thanks to the Supreme Court, black districts are going to get erased all across the South, which is horrible for civil rights. But pretty great for all the new civil rights movies we're going to be making. So this is fantastic from like a Denzel only perspective. And obviously, the Supreme Court didn't come right out and say that states can be racist.

Justice Palpatine isn't that dumb, all right? He played it much smoother. Justice Samuel Lito writing, race can only be taken into account when there's evidence that a state intentionally drew its districts to afford minority voters less opportunity because of their race. That's crazy, all right? So just to be clear, for Alito, the map is not racist unless the guy drawing it finishes it and goes,

man, I'm racist. Now, if you're watching this whole thing unfold and you're thinking to yourself, this seems pretty racist, Republicans have great news for you. I think after 160 years of after the Civil War, it's time that we've been. We didn't have a race-based reason for doing things. In 2026 in the United States, the reasons to use race for line drawing deliberately that occurred to remedy discrimination in the South 50 years ago no longer exist in America. The court said you have to have modern examples of how voters have been racially discriminated

against. And fortunately, America has come a long way since the 1960s. It has, fortunately. It's the end of pretending that this is a racist country. Racism's over. Oh, boy, I can finally use my real voice. What's up, dog? I just thought when racism would be over

we'd hear about it from like a civil rights leader or something. Not a guy who looks like a racist version of the dad from modern family. It almost feels like we're going in reverse because the people from the 60s in black and white TV were like, wow, this country is being pretty racist. We should pass some legislation. And the people crippling that legislation are from now in 4K. Just so we're all aware, newscasters who would do reports like,

that Jackie Robinson is the best colored player in the Negro League, believed in voting rights more than our representatives now. What these people don't get is that to the extent that there's less discrimination now, it's partly because we have the VRA. So this is like my uncle, who threw away his medication because he said his heart wasn't bothering them anymore. And to be fair, he did stop having heart problems because he's dead.

And one of the most brain-breaking things about this ruling is it's literally taking power from black people in the South and it was voted for by a black guy from the South. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is black. He might not know it

but he is black. How could you, of all people, vote for this, Clarence? You were like an uncle to all of us. Uncle Clarence Thomas. Uncle Thomas for short. Uncle Tom for shorter. But look, we don't have to pretend here.

At the end of the day, we all know that this decision was not about moving on from race. This is the Supreme Court majority handing a win to Republicans. I know that, you know that, and the Republicans definitely know that because their leader said it out loud. Mr. President, I want to go back to the Supreme Court ruling on their voting rights act.

I know you said you haven't seen it. When did it come up just now? No, it came out this morning, but basically very much narrows the Voting Rights Act. Would you consider a win for Republicans? I love it. You could always count our Trump to get right to the point. Like, it's a win for Republicans.

Did you guys hear that? I know this guy did. For more on the peeling back of the voting rights, we go live to Republican headquarters with Rodney Chang. You're lit here, Josh. Yeah, they're partying like it's 1964. I'm talking multiple guys snorting cocaine off of Stephen Miller's penis. Oh, gross, Ronnie, this is going to screw up the whole country.

Oh, no, no, no, no. I don't think his penis is big enough to affect the whole country, Josh. No, not Stephen Miller's piss. I mean, the Supreme Court ruling. I'm filing a report here. Can you take it to the Oval Office? Okay, thank you. Jeez.

Sorry, Josh, yeah, what were you saying about Stephen Miller's penis? I wasn't. Black people are being disenfranchised. Aren't you worried about Asian people, too? Uh, no? Why the fuck would I want more Asians in Congress? Congress is basically a nursing home for pedophiles. Like, what are Asians going to do?

Hang out and get horrible hand job from Lauren Beaubert? I can do that myself. You really think Asians want to sling back jello and applesauce with James Clyburn? No, thank you. But we need to get people in Congress. Congress is where the people have the power to change things. The power to change things? Oh, look, everybody.

Well, Congress, we're going to pass bills and fix problems. What the fuck is this? The Schoolhouse Rock episode? Dude, Congress doesn't do shit, okay? They don't pass laws. They don't stop Trump from starting wars. Congress couldn't even pass the funds to scoop that turd off of Nancy Pelosi's desk.

Okay, but we have to do something. How do we push back if we can't get into Congress? Money. Duh. Josh, you ever heard of it? It's called Mula. It's the most powerful branch of government. You want your voice heard?

Just get super rich, and you can buy whatever politician you want. You can even make them do stuff. You can probably get Ted Cruz to vote on your bill or punch his own dick. Okay, I'm listening. But how do we get rich enough to buy the politicians? Okay.

One simple way is the insider trade, okay? and the easiest way to do that is to get elected to Congress. All right, well. Ronnie Chang, everybody. We check in on the midterm, so don't go away. RBC Training Ground has discovered potential in over 20,000 Canadian athletes and counting.

Your story could be next. If you've got the drive, they'll help you find your path to the Olympics. Let's see what you've got. Sign up for free at rbc trainingground.ca. The daily show, the midterm election are just a few months away. So to analyze all the campaign stories, we turn to Jordan Klepper,

who is in our new indecision analesone. I'm Jordan Klepper, and this is the anal A-zone. 70% sure that's how you pronounce it. Tonight, we're talking about the election for governor in California. And after front-runner, Eric Swalwell, dropped out to spend more time with his lawsuits, this race is wide open. For the first time in 20 years,

A Republican could win statewide office. And because of California's jungle primary, Democrats could wind up shut out of the general election if none of them make it to those top two slots. Okay, sure, a Republican could win, but this is California. All the Democrats have to do is find a candidate with the slightest bit of charisma.

And this thing is just over. How about former HHS Secretary Javier Becerra? We just finished a session to talk about the governor's race, I'm at the theater. Finished by session. I deserve a little treat. Yikes.

This feels like running into your math teacher at the mall. Wow, great to see you out, Mr. Becerra. Cool drink. Okay, fine, fine. How about you, billionaire Tom Snyer. Let's see if you have that California cool. Hello? I thought I'd say this, but I think I prefer the real love act.

Actually. Okay, you know what? We're looking for someone with a little more energy here. How about Katie Porter? You- I don't want to keep doing this. I'm gonna call it. Thank you.

You're not gonna do the interview with us. Nope, not like this, I'm not. Okay, all right. Maybe not that kind of energy. I just want a real human being. How about you, Matt Mayhan? Some mayors have photos at the airport in the cities they represent, others have plaques.

Here in the capital, Silicon Valley, I have a hologram. Digital mayor, what are your thoughts on giving me a racist here? I'm focused on welcoming visitors and sharing hands with a day. Oh, man, it's going to be really strange when a new mom goes into that pod to breastfeed before her flight. Hi, I'm Digital Mayor, Matt Mayhan. It looks like you're whipping out your bazongas to nurture your child. Can I help you with that? You see the problem?

all these Dems are Rizzless, and it's left the door open for Republicans, like this guy, Sheriff Chad Bianco. Now, his vibe is kind of all the village people at once. And I will admit, Chad Bianco is a very strong name. It's the kind of name that gives you permission to speak about yourself in the third person.

Chad Bianco will have the sea bass, thank you very much. So you know what? Let's hear it from this macho man himself. Chad Bianco, what are you bringing to the table? I am the antithesis to California state government. Oh, you whiffed on that antithesis there, Chad. You know what, I guess that's why this primary is somehow being led by Republican Steve Hilton. Who, despite what you might think, isn't part of the hotel family or the Moby family.

No. Hilton is a former Fox News host, and he's got Donald Trump. Trump's endorsement, which would put him at odds with most California voters. So he must have a background that resonates with them. It all started with freedom. I was born in England. My earliest political memory was Mrs. Thatcher. Oh, okay.

He was born in England, but I'm assuming he came to America as a young boy. My parents was so proud when I made it to Oxford University. And then when I got a job with the Conservative Party, working for Margaret. Thatcher. Okay. Still in England, through college, worked for Margaret Thatcher, et cetera, et cetera. Okay, but then, then it was time to move to America. I started a business, even a couple of restaurants.

Later, I helped elect a prime minister, worked in Ten Downing Street. When the f***ed this guy moved to America? Is he running for governor or governor? Huh? Did he decide to enter the race on the flight over? Do you have anything to Claire at Customs? Uh, yeah, my candidacy for Guvda, California.

Okay, so when did this guy finally move here? In 2012, we moved to America, to California. 2012? The office came to America before he's in. And on behalf of the Comedy Central Programming Department, we thank you. All right, Stevie, enough about Mary Old England. What's your vision for California? Great jobs, great homes, great kids, great jobs, great homes, great kids.

Great jobs, great homes, great kids. Great kids? This British guy just fell out of the sky, and now he's going to tell you how to raise your kids. He's like bald Mary Poppins over here. Now I'll fix up your wake of kids. Cheerio, in it? Look, now you might not care which of these freaks or duds gets elected as governor, but you should. Because of California's size and economic might, their laws are.

often affect the rest of us. And handing that power to the wrong person is simply the... the...what's the word? The antithesis. Yes. It's the anti-thesis of what we want. When we come back, we'll be joining me on the show.

Amazon presents Jeff versus Taco Truck Salsa, whether it's Verde, Roja, or the orange one. For Jeff, trying any salsa... like playing Russian roulette with a flame thrower. Luckily, Jeff saved with Amazon and stocked up on antacids, ginger tea, and milk. Habaniero, more like habanier, yes. Save the everyday with Amazon. My guest tonight is a legendary rapper, producer, and founder of the Wu-Tang Clan.

He wrote and directed the new film One Spoon of Chocolate. Please welcome, Riza. You're really here. Thank you so much for coming. I appreciate you. Oh, and congratulations to you and all the Wu-Tang getting inducted into the rock and roll hall fame. Rock and roll hall of fame. How are you going to beat that?

That made me feel like a kid again. I got all things of this year when I got that news, the little kid in me just bubbled up and just came in. I had the biggest Kool-Az smile you can see. That was a big moment for me. I'm so glad. Like, it just seems like when you... you have such a, like a legendary story career, and you rack up all these achievements over a catalog.

It's like, sometimes you wonder if people just get used to that love and that recognition, but it's nice that as soon as you... Certain accolades that's really hit you harder, you know what I mean? Yes. This is one of those, yeah. That's awesome. Congratulations again. Before we go forward, let me take a moment too and say congratulations to you.

I've been watching this show. You're doing a great job, man. That's when it's say, bomb-bombing. I honestly don't know if we're going to top that. I think maybe she's so much that I want to talk to you about. Your movie, a spoon, one spoon of chocolate. The way that you constructed this movie, the way that you built it together, you've been working on this since 2012.

Yes, yes. And I'm curious how many times something changes and something evolves over that much time. Because it's one thing if you take this much time for a first draft. but like you're shooting and you're you're you're probably reshooting like what changed about the story as you started to tell it I mean the story evolved but you know times have changed and by the time we got to set in 24 I think when we finally got to set to shoot it I just felt like the story had become pure like when as an artist you got to let yourself become a vessel and sometimes you just try to force the music out, and it's a bad note.

But if you sit there and wait for it to come through, it comes out as a beautiful song or for this particular thing, a beautiful movie, yo. And thanks to Shamique Moore, Paris Jackson, Blair Underwood, and a great cast of others, man. I think I got something that is timely and on time at the same time. Yeah, absolutely. The other thing that I'm really interested about when it comes to

process is that, you know, for your music, you're taking so many different things, so many different influences. You've got, like, New York grit, you've got jazz. You've got, like, Asian film culture, mixing it all together. I like how you... Yeah. And I'm wondering if for the movie, you almost make it the same way where you take a bunch of these influences and you wrap it up into something new. That's, that is how I do it. And that's a great way to do it. You know, a story could be told like a song. You can write a song. You can make it acoustic. You can make it with a bass and drum, but you can make it with a hip-hop beat.

So with a film, the story that I created remained the same, but the style to tell it. So I went and pulled ideas or cinematography ideas from classic movies in the 70s, movies in the 80s. There's a shot in my movie

that is inspired by a movie called Christine. So that's a horror film about a car. Now, my movie is not about that. Right? But the way the headlights were in that movie when I saw it as a kid, I wanted my film to have that same headlight effect

so when the audience is watching it in this truck that's kind of going through the town, when they see those lights, they go, oh-oh, something about that happening now, you know what I mean? So that's the beauty of cinema. I like to call myself a hip-hop director because in hip-hop I sample, sample, sample,

so in cinema, I can do the same thing, sample different elements. to tell my story. Got you. Got you. That's amazing. This thing seems like such a, I mean, you already said pure, like such a holy passion project. You know, you directed, you produced, you did the music.

Like, this so much went into this one project, right? Yeah. Well, well, first of all, I had a great team. It's executive produced by Quentin Tarantino. I went and got legendary producer Paul Hall. who did movies like Higher Learning and Shaft and some Tyler Perrys. And what I wanted to do was to surround myself with people that could let me do my thing, but if I went on to guard rails, they could be like, hold on, bro, push a little to the left,

push a little to the right. So writing is one thing, and directing is another. But most directors, when they get stuck on a scene or a script, they go, hold on, let me call the writer. So I was like, okay, let me just talk to myself. You know what I mean? So hold on, let me figure this out. Yeah, we could do it this way. So that was the benefit.

And then one of the beauties of this, Josh, is that my wife is the producer. And so my office is right here, her office is right there. Her office is much nicer than my office. Flowers and all that. But when there was something that I personally felt challenged with, I could go knock on the producer's door,

go sit in her office and sneak a kiss. And they go back to work. And when you were directing this, you had to direct white people to be very, very racist. Was that awkward to be like, I'm not feeling it from your heart? You know what? No, no, there's some scenes in this movie where, you know, when you do a film, you get H&R, right, human resources,

and you've got to have these speeches. And there are scenes in times where we had to have meetings. My cast, my main villain is played by Harry Goodwins. And he plays a very dangerous, racist white guy in this film. And he's married to a black woman with two children. And he's from London. Yeah. Okay?

So he had to, you know, really act out some of this stuff. And he's one of the nicest guys I ever met. So when you're an actor, you have to take on that. There's one scene in the film where my buddy James Thompson, James Thomas, who plays like one of the most roofless guys in the film. And he, you know, he just seemed like he got lost a little into it. He was like, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. Did he say anything that wasn't in the script? Yeah.

There was one word that wasn't that it wasn't in the script. It was like, okay, I had two of those in there. Yeah. He's there three of them. Yeah. It's like, where that extra one come from? Yeah. But it made the, it made Shamig Moore, because

Sharmie Moore is such a gentle soul. You know, he's a special guy, and this is my third project with him. And I just love the fact that, you know, he's now evolving to, I call him, a man actor versus being a young adult or a child actor. But when that energy came at him, and it's the scene where he holds this back, basketball, he's going to pop this guy in the face with it. On one take, the ball slipped out a little early, you know what I mean? But don't worry, the ball is plastic. It's not real, right?

But the point was that the energy that was starting to build up, it caused this visceral reaction. And for the cameras, that's what I want. You know, I know it's delicate. I know that certain words, certain languages are trigger points. but this film is made to make you feel uncomfortable at times it's made to make you feel warm and relaxed when you see how young people can relate to each other and how the older generation is holding on to old school shit

that I can say that? Yeah, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Okay, this is cable. I can let loose a little bit. Right. But holding on the old school crap, I'm going to say that. That's past, bro.

The film is like, let go of that. You know what I mean? And then there's moments in the film where no matter who you are, you're going to root for the hero. Because the insidious things that is happening in this film, if you see yourself on the screen with some of the people that's doing the evil, you need to check yourself, okay? And if you don't feel the, you know, there's a scene where Paris Jackson and Shamique Moore kind of like put their two hands together and then you know they kind

of embrace each other and then a tear comes out of her eyes I didn't tell her to cry but the character I know that she felt the weight of like yo what's going to happen to our town what's going to happen to him what's going to happen to me when is the world going to wake up and realize that all men are created equal self-evident is self-evident as our forefather is that it's self-evident that all men are created equal, black, white, red, brown, yellow man, and woman, all created equal. There is also something on my mind.

You created distribution for this film. Like, you have, what I would say is one of the, like, four most creative minds in doing deals. Like, whether it was with Wu-Tang back in the day, or it's what you're doing now, you always really think. think artists forward and like the way that the artist can work without getting lost and sort of, whether it's jargon or legalese, whatever the thing is. And I see you making this distribution for yourself for the film.

Is that something you want to do more broadly? Or did you feel like it was the only vehicle that you could get into theaters the way you wanted? Well, it's a little bit of both. I wanted to make sure that if I could go through the funnel first, I can wire it up a little bit, make it a little wider, and then get other artists to come through. You know, look, it's not easy making a movie. It's a 30 hurdle jump, all right?

To get it in cinema, there's another 30 hurdle jump. I formed 36 cinema and 36 distribution to maybe make it a 12 hurdle jump. You got to jump something, all right? Yeah, yeah. But if I could simplify it a little bit and get more stories into the system and get more artists, that chance to kind of be artists and not be caught up because of budget or or because of even some gatekeeping, you know, some stereotypes of what a character can be.

You know, I'm trying to, like, at least crack that door a little more so a little more could get in. You know what I mean? Absolutely. You are an incredible legend. And this film and all the things you're doing, the deals that you make, the people you uplift, just add to your legend. So thank you so much for being with you.

Thank you, thank you for. One spoon of chocolate will be in three. theaters may first. River! 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 11,

10 Central on Comedy Central, and stream full episodes anytime on Paramount Plus. This has been a Comedy Central podcast.