The Daily Show: Ears Edition - Trump Wants White House UFC Ring to Stay & NJ Candidate Tom Kean Is MIA | Chase Infiniti

Episode Date: June 4, 2026

Michael Kosta covers the primary elections in California and New Jersey: Spencer Pratt’s campaign for L.A. mayor gets picked up for a second season, California teases its first Latino governor since 1875, and New Jersey congressional candidate Tom Kean continues to be MIA. Plus, Trump floats the idea of keeping his UFC ring on the White House lawn, and Ronny Chieng explains why Tom Kean’s absence is what American voters are looking for. This week, NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced his most radical policy yet: a repeal on bedtime during the Knicks' Finals. Grace Kuhlenschmidt hit the streets to find out how this bedtime ban is sitting with Mamdani's youngest constituents, whose reactions range from "awesome" to "Let's go Knicks!" Award-winning actor Chase Infiniti sits down with Michael to discuss her starring role in the Hulu series, "The Testaments." They talk about the responsibility of playing Agnes and doing justice to Margaret Atwood's characters, the emphasis on "how important community is, not only within our own lives, but to enact change in the world,” why Chicago and the Midwest will always be her home, and what she learned from the professionalism, passion, and gentle leadership on “One Battle After Another.” -- For up to 65% off your order, head to https://VeracityHealth.co and use code DAILY. Head to https://Quince.com/dailyshow for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. -- The Daily Show airs weeknights at 11/10c on Comedy Central. Stream full episodes on Paramount+ Follow TDS: 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 new. This is The Daily Show with your host, Michael Costa. That's campaign gets the second season. Pickup, Mayor Mamdani mandates bedtime socialism, and Trump wants America to celebrate its birthday by watching two men go at it.

Happy Pride. Hey, let's get into the headlines. We're just a month out. from America's big birthday bash, and President Trump is celebrating with a UFC fight at the White House, continuing an American tradition that dates all the way back zero years.

As you can see, he's already set up the arena, a bouncy castle. And if you think this looks ugly, you better get used to it. In Paris, France, the Eiffel Tower, 1889, it was built, who was supposed to be taken down. immediately after the World's Fair.

And then they said, you know, we sort of like it. Well, they never took it down. And, you know, we're building something in front of the White House. It's quite attractive to a lot of people. And maybe we'll never, ever take it down. Never take it down. Why does he sound like a Batman villain? Citizens of Gotham.

Bring me the Batman. Or we'll have to look at this ugly bullshit forever. But no, the White House UFC Cage is not going to be America's Eiffel Tower. The Eiffel Tower represents something great, specifically a sex move where two dudes bang one woman while high-five it. But let's move on. Thank you. We were excited about that joke. Let's move on to some election news in another installment of Indecision, 26. Yesterday, there were primaries in California and New Jersey, as well as four other states we can all definitely identify on a map.

Like this one. That's the corn one, right? Damn, I'm good. I'm determined who's on the ballot this November, and there's breaking news on one of the big ones. While many votes are still being counted after a long and muddled campaign for governor in California, we finally have some clarity.

Former State Attorney General Javier Piserra, riding a late search of support over fellow Democrats to finish in the top two. If elected, he'd become the first Latino governor since 1875. Well, I'm sorry. The first Latino governor of California since 1875? How is that possible? The word California literally translates to the land of Latino people,

I assume no ablo-espaniel. Think about that, 1875. That's all the way back when the first generation of Kardashians settled in California. But by the way, this guy was the... the last Latino governor, who apparently was so bad at being governor, that they said, hey, only white guys from now on, okay? But forget El Grinbanor, the California's primary.

The California primary that's really been dominating the news has been the L.A. mayor's race. In Los Angeles, Mayor Karen Bass will try to win a second term in a November runoff. Her likely opponent, former reality TV star Spencer Pratt. A reality TV star running for office. Well, I'm sure if we make fun of him enough, he'll only be in charge for 11 years tops. How did this country get so stupid? Oh, that's right.

We stopped reading books. Clearly, Pratt connected with enough Los Angeles. So what exactly do his supporters see in him? What is it about Spencer Pratt that you just, it's resonating with you? Because he's speaking out against communism and socialism, And it is a real big problem in our cities, especially in L.A. where it's turned to crap.

Mm-hmm. Yep. See? Spencer Pratt is standing up for the rights of all hardworking voters who look like ecstasy dealers. And it's about time. Someone spoke for older guys who hang around college parties

where no one is sure who exactly brought them. So it looks like California has its candidates. But who cares about California and the coastal elites that live there? Let's talk about New Jersey and the coastal. trash that lives there. One of the most competitive

races in November will be in New Jersey's 7th congressional district. So let's see who each party has now chosen as their champion. With Republicans fighting to maintain their razor-thin House majority in the midterm elections, one of the most competitive contests is brewing in a

New Jersey battleground district. Democrats choosing former Navy helicopter pilot Rebecca Bennett to take on Republican incumbent Tom Well, that race is over. A vibrant young helicopter pilot versus a guy who looks like a ghost that's just seen a ghost.

Seriously, that's the best photo you can get to this guy. The one where he's in the middle of saying, hey, tell me when you're going to take a picture. Obviously, I'm being unfair. It doesn't matter if Tom Kane looks like he just walked in on himself masturbating. What matters is that he shows up for his constituents.

every single day. The 57-year-old has been absent from his job for over two months now, not casting votes on Capitol Hill, no constituent events, and also not seen in any video statements. Two months? Not voting? No events?

Two months? Maybe we should be looking for him? I know we all silenced our amber alerts, but maybe we should turn those back on. How does a congressman just disappear for two months? Surely people would notice if he just dropped out of the public eye. And it's not like this office has been trying to cover up for him, right? Right?

Kane's office projecting business as usual, blasting out an email with a photo of the congressman and police officers that appears to be from two years ago. Two years ago? That photo is so old, those New Jersey cops could have already finished their sentences for taking bribes. But look. Okay. There's going to be more of those types of jokes. So, uh, but look, everyone deserves privacy.

As long as his colleagues in Congress know exactly why he's out and when he'll return. Not even the Speaker of the House seems to know exactly why he's out or when he'll return. He said he was, you know, out on a medical issue and he'll be back as soon as possible. Did he disclose what the issue is? The full extent of what I know about it. Oh, my God. Is he okay? I mean, I know he lives in New Jersey, so we all know he's mentally ill. but physically, this is so mysterious.

Even if he's holed up in a sanitarium somewhere, someone must have seen him. How is it we have more photos of Bigfoot than Tom Kane? His office telling the New York Times, there's no cameras where Tom is. Okay, that's a little odd. But to be fair, if this is how photos of me came out, I'd also want to be where there's no cameras.

He looks like the doctor just told him it's going to take all five fingers to examine his prostate. That's okay, yeah. Look, whatever's going on with this guy, he's got to be making people a little bit nervous. I mean, at this point, you've got to be an absolute moron to give him a full-throated endorsement.

President Trump Monday endorsed Keen saying, quote, he will never let you down. So true. Of all the congressmen who have been missing for two months, he is the most reliable. He will never let you down. Just like my backyard Thunderdome. Of thing.

For more, on this missing congressman, we go live to the Capitol with our very own Ronnie Chang. Where is this guy? I don't know. Back to you, Michael. Wait, wait, wait, wait. Don't you have any idea? Okay, hang on. Hey, you?

Are you Tom King? No? Okay. No luck, Michael. I ask everyone. Come on, Ronnie. This is a sitting congressman we're talking about. Must have a guess.

No, Michael, I'm a professional journalist, okay? It would be irresponsible to speculate. For example, I would never suggest that Tom Cain is missing because he got a botched foreskin regeneration surgery that regenerated too much foreskin, and now he has to get recircumcised. Wait, can that happen? Well, in theory, of course, but I'm not going to speculate.

Okay. Well, wherever he is, he can't keep not showing up. Why not? It seems kind of cool to me. I mean, getting paid to not work is the American dream. Who, yeah. Who wants to actually go to the office and talk with their dumb-ass coworkers? I mean, I sure fucking don't.

Wait, what? Excuse me? What'd you say? I said, I don't want to talk with dumb-ass coworkers like you. Look, but vote. voters, they're not going to stand for this. They already did. He won the primary while missing.

In fact, he may be the greatest politician of all time. I mean, even, guys, even Abraham Lincoln had to say words. Kane's platform was, I'm not even here. And voters were like, yes. But why would voters want someone who doesn't do anything? I mean, look at what happens when Congress actually does stuff. Have you seen the kind of bills that are voting on? Oh, no, my congressman is missing.

Now he can't vote to repeal Medicare to fund a new jet ski for someone who stormed the Capitol. But are you saying that our politics are so broken that the representative that we want is someone who doesn't even try to represent us? Yes. It's like when a spam caller takes the day off. I mean, isn't that a good thing?

in a country where the government is so divisive and cruel. He's the ideal candidate for these times. He doesn't vote Democrat. He doesn't vote Republican. It's more of a metaphor than a man. He's not left. He's not right. He's not over here.

He's not over there. He's in Guatemala, getting resurgentized. That's a great point. Ronnie Chang, everybody. Donnie's latest plot to ruin New York City. I'm climbing up and peeing off the lamppost at 31st and 7th. Game one is tonight at 8.30 Eastern Time.

But if you're thinking, wait, 8.30 Eastern Time, that's what I'm putting the kids to bed. Well, I have some terrible news for you. New York City Mayor Zohran Mom Dhani has issued a new executive order in honor of the Knicks making the NBA finals. Here is our mayor's order repealing kids' bedtimes for the Knicks finals run. Bedtime is repealed. All of you can watch. Watch the finals.

How do you feel? Yay. Thanks, Mom Donnie. I was worried I was going to have to watch the game in peace. Now I get to watch it with my kids asking me what's going on every five minutes and haven't I had enough beers? Yay. Hey, Mr. Mayor, are you even sure that you want to repeal these kids bedtimes? Because they're not exactly showing you respect.

Who here was alive in 1999? No, you were not. You were? Okay, we're gonna talk about that later. I don't know when I was born. Hey, kid, that's not how you talk to the mayor of New York City. How about, I don't know when I was born, you f***-kids these days, huh?

No, I'm kidding. I actually really love that we have a mayor who's so good with kids and knows that I talk to them. Just like how I love how we have a president who's just as great and just as appropriate talking around kids. And then all of a sudden, a woman dropped. A woman dropped dead with a bullet right there. Anyway, who wants to stay up past their bedtime and watch Euphoria with me?

But back here in New York, the question is, what do kids think about Mom Dottie's bedtime repeal? Well, Grace Koolenschmidt hit the streets to find out. Over the past six months, Mayor Mumdani has reshaped New York City by signing over a dozen executive orders. And this week, he announced his most radical new policy yet. So I'm speaking with the constituents who are most affected by this new bedtime ban. Oh, how do I get out of here? How do you guys feel about Mayor Mumdani's bedtime ban during the Nix finals? Very excited. Really happy.

I mean I'm happy. Yeah, I'm really happy too. So excited. Now, do you know what the NICs are? No. No. But because of the NICs, bedtime is going away. So do you love the Knicks or what?

Yes. I love you! What's your bedtime right now? My bedtime is like 9 o'clock. Okay, and how do you feel about that? I don't like it. How are you feeling about Merrimam Dhani's bedtime band? I love it.

It's awesome because I fight with my dad every night about going to bed. Now maybe you and your dad can have a healthier relationship even. Yeah. I mean, I like going to bed, but I feel really great because watching the Knicks is pretty fun. What do you like most about going to bed? Um, it's really relaxing when I wake up. Very true. You're gonna stay up late to watch the next?

If my parents let me. Well, here's the deal. Your parents don't have to let you because Mayor Mundani made a bedtime ban. Ooh, so I might stay up. Okay, how late do you think the bedtime ban should go? Nine o'clock. Nine o'clock?

No, midnight. Like 11.30? Maybe until like midnight? At least one a.m. Can you stay up until midnight? Only on like the 4th of July. Totally. Maybe like three in the morning.

No way. Yeah. What would you do? I mean, I'd probably be watching TV, eating snacks, just chilling. Honestly, that sounds pretty fun. So which bar will you be watching the games at? I can't go to a bar. I don't think it's legal.

Okay, gotcha. You know, watching the game at home is good because there's free juice at home. You know, if you go to a bar, you have to pay for all your juice. Yeah, I agree with that. Are you guys going to gamble on the game? What does gamble now? Um, yeah. Good that you don't.

Are you guys gonna gamble on the game? Yes. Yeah. Yeah, how much money you putting on the game? Probably like 200. What do you like most about watching the mix? I like dancing when they win. Dancing when they win.

Do you know who Mamdani is? The mayor? He is the mayor! Good job! I know who is. Are you supportive of most of his policies? What's policy? Are you guys for a limited government, or do you think there should be a social safety net?

No, no. No, no. Yeah, I don't even know what that means. If your parents disobey the bedtime ban, who are you contacting first? The police or your grandparents? Grandparents. Will you be voting for Mumdani now? I really know.

Yeah. Do you vote? No. Are you a political or? Whether you love or hate Momdani's radical bedtime ban, there is one thing that everyone can agree on. Let's go next. For sleep a good. For many, the goal is to simply stay fit and feel.

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Quince.com slash daily show. guest tonight is an award-winning actor who stars in the Hulu series, The Testaments. Please welcome, Chase Infinity. I'm great, man. What an intense show, already renewed for season two. And I think it was this week, you received a Gotham TV award

for outstanding lead performance in a drama series. Yes, I did. Talk me through it. What does that picture evoke for you? I mean, it was, it was an insane moment. because I just remember hearing my name get called, and I was like, oh, I won? Yeah.

And I kind of like, I blacked out a little bit, and then I walked up on stage, and I was like, okay, I have to make sure, because I prepared nothing, so of course. And I was like, I have to make sure that I list off everybody who helped me get here. And so I thanked my team and the producers and the cast of the Testaments.

But, like, I see that picture, and I just feel so happy because I was just over the moon. I mean, it's kind of a big responsibility. Margaret Atwood books Handmaid's Tale debuted 10 years ago. The Testaments was written in 2019 with a lot of the same themes that are relevant today. The patriarchy

is still evil. People are clapping at that. How did you feel with that responsibility to take on that character, Agnes? Well, I think it felt very... You know what's crazy is I didn't feel very anxious

stepping into it because I knew that that the whole cast and the whole crew going into it, because I'd met a couple people beforehand, especially like Bruce Miller or a showrunner, and I knew that they already were welcoming me in with so much love and so much care. And also just with incredible energy. And so I kind of had that to relieve the anxiety

that I felt going into it because it is a massive responsibility. And just the source material alone, like Margaret Atwood, incredible. And The Handmaids Hill, the book, I studied it in school and even the TV show. Like, it's so, so loved for so many reasons. So I really wanted to make sure that I did write by her writing,

right by the fans, and also right by Hannah, because she is such a beloved character as well. You did write. Thank you. You did write by it. Thank you. It's excellent. You're excellent.

There are these themes of community and community amongst girls. I mean, friendship, love. There's definitely a rebellious. streak. What did you relate with most? Were you a rebellious teenager? I don't know about rebellious, but I had my moments of, like, of rebellion

where I would, if an adult told me to do something, of course, you're like, well, I'm not going to do it because they told me to do it. Margaret Atwood told me, I can say, shut up to you. But, like, of course, there's so many things in the book that I think a lot of people can relate to. And same with the TV show. And I think that the great thing about our show,

especially for the episodes that we have right now, and I hope it can, I'm excited for it to continue forward. Yeah, that's great. But I think that there's so many themes that are part of it that are so universal. The friendship element is something that I really connected to. My friends are some of the most important people in my life. And I think that also just the sense of community is something that I feel very strongly about.

And I think that it's shown so beautifully in the show, especially with these young girls who really only have each other when they're told that they're not supposed to have that connection. You know, community is this word that is thrown around a lot. And I join a gym, and they text me, hey, welcome with the community. And I'm like, I don't think this is the community that really is going to save our society. But it is clear in the Testaments that community is a powerful word and is an important aspect that we have to have. And I'm sure you were hoping people would take that away from the Testaments. Oh, completely, completely.

I think that, again, like one of the beautiful things. things about the show is it emphasizes how important community is not only within our own lives, but to enact change in the world. And I think that one of the beautiful things that you see with these girls is even though they don't have that much power in Gilead, the amount that they can do with that power that they have because they've built a strong community, it does far more than anybody could have imagined. And I think that just having the show to remind people of that and remind people of connection,

that I feel very fortunate to be a part of it. That's great. You are Midwest by nature. Love that so much. Thank you, thank you. I'm a Michigander myself. I'm a Hoosier and a Chicago. Yeah, Indianapolis and Chicago.

But you've had this colossal trajectory so quickly it feels like. I'm sure from your perspective you know all the steps. But is it important for you to remain Midwest? What does it mean to be Midwest? I mean, I'm sure you're New York and L.A. a lot. but what's your perspective on where you're from now where you are in show business? Well, I think it's, I love being able to go back home. And I think that there's key things about the Midwest that just, I don't know if I could ever leave.

Just, again, that sense of community. The Midwest Nice is something that I really do love. Yeah. And also, like, that's where my family is. That's where my home is. Yeah. I love that city. And I have no intention of leaving.

I mean, me right now. Chicago. Chicago. Chicago. Chicago. Chicago. Chicago. Tell me what you love about Chicago.

Well, I mean, the food is amazing. Yeah. But also, like... I noticed you had a deep dish pizza in your purse. Yeah, of course. I always carry it with me. But I think the food is incredible. The architecture is beautiful.

For sure, yeah. And also just, I love that it's like a... It feels like a small, big city. Because, I guess maybe because I've been there for so long, I'm very accustomed to the transit lines and getting around. But also just, I don't know. It feels cozy. But if I ever am craving, like, the big city feel,

I can just go downtown and kind of get my fill of that. I always said that when I moved to L.A., you know, I couldn't believe people would just lie to my face. Be like, hey, we should get lunch sometime. And then I would follow up five times. And I'd be like, I think maybe they didn't want to get lunch. But in the Midwest, if someone says we're going to get lunch, you're going to get lunch. Exactly.

And if anything, it's probably like in two days. Yeah, we're going to do lunch. Let's do it right now. Yes. What type of roles do you look forward to playing in the future? I mean, these last two that I've seen you in from one battle after another and the Testaments, I mean, a rebellious, strong woman fighting the man. Is this what we're going to see from you in the future, or is it all up for grabs? I mean, I hope to continue to play parts that kind of challenge both me and also the way that people can view me in a way.

Sure. But I also am excited to see what the future holds and the variety of things I can do because I want to kind of branch out and do a bunch of different things. I don't know. I love acting. You were a musical, were you involved in musical theater? Yeah, I went to school for musical theater.

Okay, so you sing. Yeah. Oh, my gosh. I'm not going to say sing now. Stop. Thank God. I'm not warmed up. I'm not warmed up.

But Broadway is maybe, I mean, here we are in New York City. Broadway is something that could potentially be in your mind? I hope so. I mean, it's been a dream of my mind. It's cool. It's been a dream of mine since I was like 10. It's been a dream of her since 10, so she's going to have to beat me out, beat me first. Whatever. You've worked with Leonardo DiCaprio.

You've worked with Sean Penn. Now you've worked with Michael Costa. I mean, what is it like... It's such an honor. What is it like being around such icons? Well, I mean, I'm kind of very anxious right now. You make me very anxious because I'm so excited to be here, of course. Thank you. You have to say that.

But what is it like sharing a screen with, you know, people that you grew up watching, I'm sure. Yeah, I mean, it's incredible because I can learn so much from them. And I did learn so much from them. And I feel very grateful, too, because I can call on them for anything. But just watching not only their professionalism, but like their passion. Yeah. And just how incredibly dental they are with their leadership. I think that that is something that I also admire deeply

and their kindness, and I just learned so much from them. Yeah, I mean, in the Testaments, I think, I read that you were number one on the call sheet, which makes sense. But that comes with a little bit of sense of responsibility. Is that something you took seriously? Oh, completely. And I think that I also felt an extra level of responsibility, considering that there were a bunch of younger girls

that were on the show. I mean, it was the greatest gift of all to be working on a show with girls who were similar to my age. But I also wanted to be a voice of advocacy for them because I know that I'm in a very privileged position, both in terms of the show, but also in terms of my experience. And I wanted to make sure that I could, I guess, be of example to them, but also if they ever needed anything, I tried to make sure that they knew that I was

always there for them. And just to be a listening ear, if they even just needed a pick me up or anything, I could be there for them. I've never been number one on a call sheet. I've been number 14, but equally, I take that. very seriously and with a lot of responsibility. And I always tell people that are between the numbers of 14 and 99, you can come talk to me anytime you want.

I love asking artists, actors, creators, what inspires them, what motivates them? What comes to mind when I first asked that from you? Or something that we can all take from what gives you your energy and your inspiration? Oh, my community. I think that, like, my friends and my family are the people that give me the most energy,

the most inspiration. I always say that, like, my best friend is my best friend, biggest inspiration because if she does it, I'm like, well, she's doing it. I kind of want to try it. But my community are the people that inspire me the most. And I think that they pour so much into me, and I try to pour back into them. And I love them. They're my people in life. And so I'm grateful to have them. That's great. Thank you very, very much for coming here today. All on Searchal Testament are streaming on Hulu and BooLoo on Disney Plus.

Chase Infinity, the Quick Vigley Bike Back after this. Thank you very much. You're the best. It's been too long, Cowboy. From Disney and Pixar. Hi there, I. So that's the device. Me and the toys have been working to try and get Bonnie to make friends.

Vala. Friend-made. What just happened? Lillipad made Bonnie a friend in life. Fifteen seconds. I was counting. On June 19th. Our time ain't over yet.

Bonnie still needs us. Come on, Bullseye. Right for us. Disney and Pixar's Toy Story 5. Only in theaters, June 19th. Tickets available now. recently referred to painful state budget cuts as nut cutting time down on the ranch. Some of you appreciated that. A viewer named Debbie wrote in to say that that was deeply offensive. So I will

not say it again. Debbie has ruined it for everyone. 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.