The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart - A More United Nations with PM Pedro Sánchez of Spain

Episode Date: September 23, 2026

As world leaders gather in New York for the UN General Assembly, Jon is joined by Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sánchez. Together, they discuss the future of multilateralism, governing from the left amid the global rise of the far right, and the importance of political conviction in a changing world order. Plus, Jon answers listeners’ questions about the Kennedy Center’s scaffolding and Melania Trump’s light work week! This episode is brought to you by: RIDGE - One thing to pack, five ways to power! Get 10% Off Ridge with code TWS at https://www.Ridge.com/TWS. NPR - Listen now to the NPR Politics Podcast in the NPR app or wherever you get podcasts. Follow The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart on social media for more:  > YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@weeklyshowpodcast > Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weeklyshowpodcast > TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@weeklyshowpodcast  > X: https://x.com/weeklyshowpod   > BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/theweeklyshowpodcast.com Host/Executive Producer – Jon Stewart Executive Producer – James Dixon Executive Producer – Chris McShane Executive Producer – Caity Gray Producer – Brittany Mehmedovic  Producer – Gillian Spear Video Editor & Engineer – Rob Vitolo Audio Editor & Engineer – Nicole Boyce Associate Producer - Rebecca Rottenberg Music by Hansdle Hsu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the weekly show podcast. My name is John Stewart. It is Tuesday, September 22nd. It is the opening ceremonies at the UN General Assembly. So I am happily at home and not dealing with the cluster fuck of traffic that is now New York City. For those of you who don't know, our president, Donald Trump, just gave his typical barn burner at the UN. The big takeaway is, I'm going to annihilate Iran. and I know AI might be a problem.

What if we just changed its name? He is now saying that he's going to change it from AI to SI. Supreme Intelligence. Why not just call it Supreme Intelligence, even though those are two completely different things? Why not just rename it? I think he thinks the problem with AI is a branding problem. My favorite part of his rebranding is he's going to call it Supreme

Intelligence, but he's still using his AI force. He started an AI force to control it. I guess the AI force will control the Supreme We live in a fucking simulation. We must. This can't be real. I don't know which pill you take to get out of this, but God. But that being said, we are very honored today. We are delighted because the UN General Assembly is in town. We have some access to guests that we might not normally. get a chance to speak with. And so we are going to have that today. We are very delighted and honored to welcome the Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sanchez, is joining us. We are delighted today. It's obviously, it's the United Nations General Assembly, and we are joined by the

Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sanchez. Sir, thank you so much for joining us. We really appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you very much for having me here. And I would be remiss if I did not begin with a hearty congratulations to you and your country for your victory in the World Cup. Yeah, it's a second time. Thank you very much. It is a second time throughout our history. But actually, we didn't want the World Cup only. We also, in women's soccer, we're also the current championship. Oh. And World Cup championship, too. And also when it comes to the Olympic Games. So it's, you know, it's a...

Trifecta. You've got all three. Yeah, yeah. So it's clearly a momentum. Are you the European champions as well? Actually, we are. Yes, yes, yes. Yeah, I thought you were that as well. So you've won everything. Fourth, yes, yes. Well, the United States is we're almost at that level.

We're just about... Okay, we're not at that level at all. Well, but you are actually in basketball. You know, I'm a big fan of NBA, and this is the line of basketball. Yes, it's actually... Do you have a favorite NBA team? Well, actually, you know, I know that you are a big fan of a big supporter of New York Knicks. Yes.

In my case, I'm following the San Antonio's force. It was not our year, even though we reached finals. I understand. You did very well. Now, you played ball, if I'm not mistaken. I play basketball when I was young in a very competitive team in Spain, in Madrid. But I, you know, I quit it when I was 20, 21 years old and because of my studies and then, you know, I entered into politics so I didn't have the time to, you know. What was your position when you were playing?

It changed over the time, but not playmaker, but the shooting guard. Solid. Yeah. All right. You had a pretty nice. Okay. All right. No, 1.9, which is like 6-4, I believe.

Oh, for God's sakes. Lower. You're handsome and 6-4. I don't like this interview at all so far. But I understand that you also play soccer. I did play for a little bit because I am the opposite of 6-4, about 4-6. So we're working through it. And thank you for coming over.

I know you just walked over from the UN General Assembly, and I apologize for the traffic. New York City is generally... You have other assets. You know, New York, Manhattan is a great place. It's incredible. For spending a week and a week. I don't know for, you know, whole life, but for a week is... I can understand that.

Were you there? Were you in the General Assembly when President Trump gave his address? Were you able to hear it? Yes. How was it, did you get a sense of how it was received by the Assembly at large? Well, I think it was a very, as usual, a very ideological speech. Yes. Not back as reported by facts and data.

So somehow when he speaks about climate change or the war in Iran, all the things that are going on in the Middle East, you know. And his political positions are not, let's say, largely supported by many, many countries worldwide. That is a very tactful way of putting it, sir. We have difficulty dealing with his inability to speak in facts. And we're not sure. And I always wonder, leaders around the world, is there eye rolling that goes?

on. Does he speak that way when he speaks to you guys individually? Is he, or is that a performance that doesn't seem to match what he's like behind the scenes? I haven't got the opportunity to have a, let's say, a private meeting, a bilateral meeting with President Trump yet. But of course we have the opportunity to meet in different forums and formats, NATO Summit and others. And yeah, well, he has this way of expressing his ideas. And of course, as I said earlier, very ideological. And somehow, you know, when you are president or prime minister, of course you have your ideology. but also you know, you try to convince and to represent more people, your country, no, as a whole.

You try and base your argument in things that have actually happened. Exactly, exactly. Interesting. So he speaks about climate change and he denies climate change. So he's denying the scientists and data and of course not only scientific data, but also the daily life of many. citizens around the world also here in the United States. So only know what I'm trying to say is that even when you speak about if it's worth or not for our societies to make this green transition towards the renewables, I always say that in Spain, at least our data, our experience shows

that it's worth for the pockets of households to go for this green transition. We have managed to reach 60% of our electricity coming for renewables. We have managed to drop the prices of electricity because of this green transition. So, you know, facts and data shows that it's the contrary to what, you know, the far right as a political movement, movement internationally is going in the wrong direction when it comes to the, you know, the biggest concerns of common citizens. Sir, what for you, what is the dividing line in terms of, you know, we think of, I think in America sometimes the EU as a bit of a monolith, but it really is reflective of there is

center-right coalitions, there's far-right coalitions, yours is considered, I guess, more progressive. You kind of have to form coalitions with maybe some separatist groups and some more far left groups. Where do you see these divisions going and and do you see the movement as it was here a more right wing populism, a more ideological populism dominating even in Europe in the way, you know, is that a fear of yours? Is that the direction you see it going in? So it's a fear, it's a direction, but also we have mixed signals. So for instance, you see what was the outcome recently of the Swedish elections where the far right reduce its support and also in the Netherlands but of the contrary in all the

the countries we see a rise of the far right and the biggest concern to me when it comes to the central right or traditional right is that they're committing the same mistake that many or in the past they did when the fire right raised before the Second World War, which was to cooperate with them, to copy and pace the way and the contents of how to do politics when it comes to the far right. And this is something that we are witnessing, not only Spain, but across the European Union. So I think that, of course, the far right seats of legitimate anxious and demands of our societies. But then when they come to office, they don't deliver.

So they turn anger into disappointment. And that is why we're witnessing, for instance, in Sweden, how they lost electoral support. So there are like mixed signals, but it's true to go to your point that there's a risk of entrenchment of the European Union. And I think that could be one of the biggest mistake that we can commit,

because nowadays what we need is, proactive on global issues, global matters, engagement of the European Union, not only as the Commission, but also as member states. And that is why, you know, we are following that path, being engaged in the debate of migration, being engaged in the debate of climate change, being advocating for, you know, the achievement of the SDGs and the agenda 2030, supporting the reform of virtualism, hosting important conferences for the world, such as the financing for sustainable development last year in Sevilla, in the city of the South and of Spain. So, you know, we try to be engaged and I show Europeans how important is for us, also in our

own interest, to be open and not entrenchment when it comes to this kind of politics and debates. And Spain is really, I mean, it's a very. a microcosm of all these cleavages. It is, you know, if you think about, you know, talked about the mistake that the center right would make and cooperating with the far right. So in Spain, you have the People's Party, and I guess they would be considered more center right. But then you have Vox, which is considered, I guess, more far right. Is it your concern in Spain that those two parties form a coalition? And do they have an opportunity? I don't know, you're, When is the next election for you?

You've been in eight years? Yes, it's 2027. Yes. I've been in office for more than eight years. But to go to your point, you know, for those who don't know the, let's say the politics in Spain, we are a very decentralized political system. So we have regions such as the states here in the United States with a lot of, let's say, policies that they can deliver regarding the healthcare, social issues. housing policies and so on and so forth. And actually, they are forming these coalition governments in many of the regions

because the numbers give them these opportunities. And at the end of the day, what I see is that they are not delivering. They are just blaming the central government, which is, of course, the easiest way of avoiding any kind of political responsibility. But anyhow, I think that the battle, the dilemma that Spaniards, as many other societies in Europe will face in the next general elections. It's very simple. Do you want to continue progressing and advancing,

or do you want to suffer a regression and involution, so to say, on many of the policies that we have implemented over the last years, not only on labor rights, social issues, green transition, and humanistic approach to digitalization and AI, but also on freedom and rights. So, for instance, I'm proud to state that I'm a feminist politician. Perhaps this is now something rare in the public debate, but I think that the fight against inequalities

and the fight in favor of gender equality is, you know, one of the biggest issues in the present and the future of war politics of national politics. Folks, there are times when we are honored to be introducing a new product to the weekly show podcast listeners. Now, obviously, this company,

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and you're all set. After your purchase, they will ask you where you heard about them. They support our show until our show sent you. But don't be weird about it. So in terms of, would you say the issues that's animating the rise of this more right-wing politics, this more ideological politics, would you say that energy or climate or feminism is the most animating or politically correct rhetoric? Or is it mostly centered on migration? and immigration. Because obviously Spain, you know, you had Sueto, and I'm sure I'm pronouncing that

incorrectly. Teuta, Teuta. No, no, no. For those who are not aware, Feuta and Melilla are two Spanish cities in Africa, in North Africa, and these are, you know, a very, very singular cities, and there are like hard borders for Spain and also for Europe. Right. In between sort of Morocco and the Mediterranean, I'm assuming. And the meter at it. Yes, yes, yes. But also to give you an insight, the point here is that the reality of the migration in Spain is mainly Latin America.

Eight out of ten migrants that demand the regularization, the amnesty, in order to recognize the rights that we gave before the end of summer were Latin American citizens or migrants, mainly from Colombia, Argentina, Venezuela, Ecuador. Not North Africa. Of course, we have a larger diaspora of Moroccans. It was the second largest migrants asking for the citizenship in Spain. But the rest were a large number of Latin American citizens. So all in all, going to your question about the far right and the link with migration, of course, migration is an issue.

But I also have to say that a comprehensive policy on migration, of course, touch the issue of integration of this migration for, you know, despite society. But also fighting against smugglers, opening pathways for regular migration because we need regular migration in order to. to boost our economy. And finally, to cooperate with countries of transit and origin in order to reduce the flows of irregular migration. And this is something that we're doing with Morocco, we're doing with Mauritania, we're doing also with Senegal, which are the closest countries when it comes to the migration coming from Africa.

Do you have an ability to do that? Yes. What's Spain's level of sovereignty within that EU? Because our understanding of the EU, is it's very difficult to wrangle them to make decisions in Brussels. But close to two years ago, we managed to reach this very important agreement, this migration of a silo agreement, backed among all member states of the European Union. And that brought to the table two aspects of this debate.

First is, of course, control over borders, cooperation with countries of origin and transit. But second, solidarity. Solidarity means that those countries that we are in the front line, so to say, closer to Africa, for instance, we need the solidarity when we suffer that migration crisis from the countries of this central and northern are part of Europe. And unfortunately, going back to the Delta crisis that we suffer at the end of July, We didn't feel that solidarity coming from many of these European countries, no? Even though we saw that solidarity with other crises in Lampedusa, for instance, in Italy, or when it comes to questioning the territorial integrity of some member states with the issue of Greenland and Denmark, no?

So what I'm trying to say is that, of course, migration is an issue for European societies. But let me say that in my humble opinion, the situation of the far right is not coming from a specific content, but a specific tool, which is social media and the algorithm. Because it is poaching the public debate, is it spreading misinformation, is contributing misinformation, is contributing to dishumanize many. the humanized many of the political actors, I'm also victim of it, and you know, no, algorithm we don't vote for algorithm,

but if you think it, algorithms nowadays affect in your daily basis more than the politicians you vote for. Of course. This is something that we have to fix, and this is the debate that we are having

here in the General Assembly of the UN, but also domestically on how do we take back control of a failing state, which is currently the social media. Right. And that is, I mean, the European Union has always, I think, been a little stricter in terms of regulation as far as those issues go. I think the United States not. Do you view AI as a more existential threat? I guess if you're thinking about what keeps the prime minister of Spain up at night. Is it those futuristic AI, the algorithm, uh, is it the more standard, you know, Spain in terms of economic growth is doing very well. I mean, certainly within the European Union and in general, I don't, I don't know if

that translates to a happier populace, but certainly your, your economic growth looks strong. Yeah, we're growing economically. We are creating employment massively. We're reducing inequality thanks to the redistribution policies that we are implementing. But going back to your question, I would say that, you know, let's put it in this way. You know, in the 20th century, you wouldn't allow a private company to have and to own a nuclear arsenal. Sure. Permitting that these techno oligarchs own such a massive tool that with its implication in our societies, in our coexistence and economy.

Well, when you say it that way, it makes total sense. But have you thought about renaming it? So what the president has done, our president, President Trump is, he's taken the name AI, artificial intelligence. and change the name to SI, I think it's a brilliant plan, and I'm sure we'll save the world. Yeah, but you see the paradox. The paradox is that we have this techno-oligarchs

investing in a technology that many of these, workers says that could kill and end humanity. And at the same time, these technical oligarchs are investing massively in immortality. And they're trying to get to Mars. They're trying to get off this planet. Exactly. That's the ironic situation that we're facing.

But I think that when it is a serious regulation, responsible development of AI and not bookers and, you know, Mars missions for saving the technologics. So this is a very important debate that we have to face. multilaterally, and that is why I think it was very important, the step taken by the UN Assembly last year launching this panel of experts on AI, as we did decades ago for the climate change. Second, I think that we have to ask our leaders, especially from the global powers such as United States and China, and I think that they are going to meet by the end of this month.

Supposedly, yeah. To speak about AI, to see how. can they seek ways of understanding and finding the common minimum standards for the development, responsible development of AI? And actually, from our side, you mentioned the regulation of the European Union. I have to also show with you that Spain was one of the first countries in the world to create a super, super, very, super oversight national agency of, of, of, of, AI, no? So I think it's important not only at the national level, but also European level and

a mutual level, to have a strong regulation. The other way, I was reading an article of, you know, this, you know, very, very important novel, Prize, Joseph Stiglitz. Yeah, yeah, Joseph Stiglitz, wonderful economists. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah. We need an agenda for AI, which is, you know, first of all, competition. It's very monopolistic, yeah. Second regulation and third, redistribution. If as Technologic access, we are in the beginning of the abundance era. This is something that we hear often by these technologists. Okay, let's talk about redistribution.

Let's talk about how can we increase the salaries of our teachers, you know, the health professionals, and so on and so forth. And this is a debate that we must face not only at national level, but also at multilateral level. Do you think is multilateralism in this moment, is it dead? Is it on life support? You know, what is your feeling of how easily countries, China, EU, Russia, the United States? it feels as though we're moving into an era of spheres of influence, but that multilateralism, or I guess the negative term for it would be globalization and those things, is dead to some extent.

Is that a problem for solving these kinds of problems? And how do you revive it? So I mean, I've been in office for 80 years. So I was the prime minister in Spain when we suffered the pandemic, COVID-19. So I think this is the best example to say that we need multilateralism, and inclusive and universal multilateralism, which is not happening nowadays. So we need to reform the multilateral order. We need to be generous from the Western side in order to have a more representative

multilateral order. Second, the problem is that we have permanent members of the Security Council that are violating the international law. Russia in the case of Ukraine, we have this Iran war in, you know. Yes. So it was a two-week war, and it has transformed into a $6-galloon war. And he's threatening to annihilate. I mean, he stood up in front of the UN.

Last year he went in front of the UN and said, I deserve the Nobel Peace Prize. This year he went in front of the UN and said, I'm thinking of annihilating a country. Yes. It's jarring. The point here is that the coasts of living not only for the U.S. citizens, but the worldwide is increasing because of this war. And there's no way or no news about a potential agreement between Iran and the U.S. And the situation is getting worse. in the region, worldwide,

and of course it is putting in a very difficult situation, economics, the economics of many households, enterprises, industries, and of course, countries. So, you know, we're suffering more inflation because of this war, and the situation is getting worse and worse. So, you know, that is why I think it's so important to go back again to politics. You know, many times in the public debate, we speak about re-arming, we speak about how are we going to spend more money on defense, but less on politics and diplomacy. And that is why it's so important to going back to your question, to strengthening the multilateral order, to provide with new insights and energy the UN system in order to solve crisis such as the one in new.

Iran or the one that is suffering between Israel and Palestine, with Gaza in the, strip in the center, or Ukraine war. So these are at least, you know, the issues that I'm trying to defend here in the UN Assembly. And not only me, I've made many other countries are going to say. Well, that's what I was going to ask you is, you know, Prime Minister Carney of Canada made a speech last time at the UN where he talked a lot about the middle powers. And it was sort of this idea that if the large powers, if China and Russia and the United States are moving to their own interests and retreating from the type of leadership you're talking about, is the green shoot of this movement, these middle powers and

have you seen other leaders? Very few have pushed back in the manner that you have. And to Carney, I guess it was at Davos that he said that, not at the U.S. in General Assembly last time. It was the Davos speech. But it was about these middle powers showing leadership in that direction. Because we're not seeing that leadership from the United States. We're not seeing that leadership from China. We're not seeing that leadership from Russia. But then you have India, you have Brazil, you have the European Union, you have Canada, you have many countries in Africa. So the world is very big. So, I mean, the mistake that these

big powers are competing is that they believe that We are living in the 20th century, but we are living in the 21st century. There are many other actors with a lot of leverage, with a lot of population, and with a lot of strengthens and assets to influence the path of the world is taking. But let me add that, you know, of course I agree with Prime Minister Carney. I think that is, you know, the role of media powers is critical, is instrumental, for the good of the world. My only difference that I have with Prime Minister Kearney,

who is a very good friend, is that, of course, sometimes leaders, we have this temptation of working in small circles, like-minded partners, like a kind of mini-lateralism. What we need is a maxilateralism. which means to broader the scope, to broader the circle, and to strengthen the common action from countries. And that is why I think is very important. Of course, working through this coalition of the winning with like-minded countries,

but especially to strengthen the multilateral and the UN. And that is why I think that we have a momentum. We are about to choose the new Secretary General of the UN by the end of the year. From Spain and many other countries we are supporting that we have to respect the geographical rotation, which means that it has to come from a Latin American country. But second, after 80 years of this multilateral order, I think it's important, it's fair. that we choose a woman, the first woman leading the UN as Secretary General. You know, half of the population, half of the leadership.

And that is why from Spain and many other countries were supporting a woman to leave the UN. Folks. To the P to the R. What? I don't know about you, but I'm getting a little tired of news. I'm getting a little tired. I'm a band. outlets from my living room or wherever it is that we're sitting now.

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Because the rise of this nationalist and populist fervor seems to be based on the idea that to cooperate with other nations is to diminish ours and to diminish our own. economic prospects. So how do you make the case to Spaniards that these migrants that come in from Morocco, they increase our prosperity or to Hungary or Italy or these other or the AFD who have, you know, seized control in that one region of Germany? How do you make the case that your vision for multilateralism and cooperation also brings that prosperity to people that it's not just a moral imperative, but it's actually one that will improve their lives as well. Yeah, and to follow your question, please give me one example of a far-right government that has improved the wealth and prosperity of its citizens.

Right. What they have brought to the table is more disorder, more insecurity, and more poverty and inequality. So I agree with you that this is the question, Mark, that we have to answer. And to me, one angle would be to say that the global agenda is the agenda of the common people. And we have a good example with this war in Iran. why we are suffering an increase of prices. Why, you know, we are having more and more increase of cost of living? Because geopolitics is affecting also our daily life.

When we go to the gas station, when we buy at the supermarket. So only in all of what I'm trying to say is that this global agenda that we are defending here in the UN, Agenda 2030, fight against inequality, fight against child poverty, going for a green transition is for the good of normal people, the common people. And of course, asking these far-right governments and far-right movements, what they have accomplished. And by the way, what they are defending, because at the end of the thing, what I see is that they're defending, you know, the technoligarchs, which So want all the two to concentrate more and more power and more wealth in a few hands. They deny cooperation on international taxation, which is, I think, fair for many countries

that are suffering inequality. And of course, nurturing and financing our welfare state in the case of Spain or in the case of European Union, you know. And we have many good examples. In the case of Spain, I can show with facts that thanks to this green transition, we have been able to increase our competitiveness on electricity, on, of course, other issues, or when migration, you know, this migration policy is also helping us to boost economy and also creating jobs not only for migrants, but also for nationals.

And when it comes to, you know, strengthening our social pillars, we are reducing inequality. So these are facts that, of course, show that this progressive agenda. and that is for the good of the, you know, a normal people. Why do you think, and this is a question that I think kind of keeps me up in night, that why are the facts so fragile when it comes to? So the things that you're saying, and you're talking about the growth in Spain and the reduction of inequality, those are clearly facts. And yet right after the crisis in July in, and I'm going to screw this up,

again. Filta, yes. Sota. The right surged in Spain. Your popularity dipped, and it sort of flipped. Your coalition was kind of more popular, and now it's less popular. So I guess what I'm saying is all those aspirations, even when true seems so fragile in the face of the emotional impact of what people.

people feel like the loss of their sovereignty? Does that make sense? No, no, not at all. Not at all. And I think that when we speak about sovereignty, we speak also about this agenda for the good of the common people, of normal people, and of course, sovereignty. But how do we increase our capacity to decide by ourselves?

Being more dependent of external powers or being more strong within the European Union. That is why I was asking for solidarity before when you asked me about the Delta crisis. And by the way, how do we manage to solve this problem? I think is more intelligent to have a constructive relationship with Morocco, which is the country of origin of both of these migrants that came to Delta in this crisis. Of course, we have have asked Morocco for insights, answers, and also actions, and they are taking it. And I'm giving us those answers. We're still under the process of investigate where it was the causes, the roots of this crisis.

Morocco said they had nothing to do. They said it wasn't an organized, but it's hard to imagine tens of thousands of people coming across coincidentally. Okay. But, you know, as prime minister, I have to act with facts. And, you know, there's no clear evidence. But let me add to this issue that, of course, it is, there is a reality, an economic reality, a gap of economic development between one side of the border and the other side of the border, which, of course, is an incentive for many youth, for many young people to cross the border and try to reach an opportunity. What we have to show these people is that there will be always legal pathways to do so,

but without, of course, suffering, let's say the attack that we suffered in last July. Right. But of course, when you go to the idea of sovereignty, let's put it this way. If we don't move forward in the idea of the integration of the European Union, for instance, on the capital union market, or for instance, on defense, having a real European army or strategic autonomy on technology or energy, are we going to be more dependent on third actors or external actors, or we're going to be more autonomous? That is the contradiction of the far right.

Right. Do you believe that the EU is agile enough or is it too bureaucratic to be able to tackle those problems that you're saying at the Brussels level? Because that's been the frustration with them. So there's, of course, a lot of bureaucracy that we have to avoid and we have to reduce. And this is clear to me. But on the other hand, you know, the European Union is a construction, an animal, a different animal to a federal system as you have here in the United States. or the sum of member states, 27 member states. And the good point about it is that you are seeing more countries willing to be part of the European Union.

Of course, we have the challenge of Ukraine, which of course from Spain, we are positively about its future integration, but also Moldova, Western Balkans. You see expansion. You're looking. Yeah, and the challenge to me of the European Union is not to lose its principles, not to strengthen, but to open ourselves, to be engaged on global issues because it's in favor of our own interest, and it will work for our own interest. And second, to reform itself from inside. If we're going to face a European Union of more than 30 members, States. Of course, we will need to reform our, let's say, way of proceed and take decisions and make them more agile. Now, you are going to be delivering your remarks at the UN General Assembly later on in this week. Is there a preview? Is there a theme? What are the kinds of

issues that you're going to be putting forth into that body? Well, of course, I will speak about multilateralism and the need of reform in the way that I mentioned it earlier, inclusive and universal. But let me add that I would give a very feminist speech. Are you going to be urging that they elect? Is this going to be about electing a leader that is a woman? But not only that. Also, the need not to lose the idea of feminism as one of the main drivers of the progress of our societies. I think that this is a battle, a political battle that we have to give, because we are more and more witnessing, you know, a backlash on the fight against gender inequality.

And this is something that we need to, it has to be more present in the public debate, especially when it comes to a multilateral forum. So it's forums such as the General Assembly. So it's not only about the appointment, but also about the need of, you know, one of the laws that I'm more proud to pass since I'm in office is the law of quotes, no, I don't know how to say in English, it's like parity. Right. They need to have. Work parity, pay, yeah, yeah. Exactly. We don't have that here.

Or health care. Other than that, though, we're doing great. So I think that feminism is a flag that we have to. to stand a game or vocally and in a more assertive way. Because, you see, it's a matter of human rights. It's not only, you know, sometimes we say, okay, this is an ideological step. No, no. Of course, it's a political issue, but there's behind a human rights angle or content,

which has to be more visible. It feels like the momentum politically is moving in the opposite. direction. So the stands that you're taking are, do you feel the pressure of delivering on a more progressive agenda, given how the world is moving seemingly somewhat away from feminism, somewhat away from multilateralism, somewhat away from protecting the vulnerable in Gaza and in Ukraine and in these other regions, it feels like things are shifting in that other direction away from even climate.

But let put it this way. First, it's a matter of conviction. Principle. I think that these ideas, these causes are the right side of history. And talking about history, in history you can find many occasions of backlash on the public debate, on civil rights, all these causes that we have

been talking about. But it is always temporary. I think that the path that humanity follows over its history is the path of progress and advance. So I think that we need to remain optimist about the future of humanity. And of course, we we will suffer by clash periods as the one that we're suffering nowadays because there's this technology. We need to do a lot of reforms, very transcendental reforms that will change the status quo. That that doesn't mean that it could be better than it is today. So I think that, of course, perhaps nowadays we are in a minority, but it doesn't mean that in the future, you know, people will support massively

these ideas and these causes. And that is the history of humanity. Of course, we have back-class periods. Right. But we will have, of course, We persevere. Periods of exactly. We have to persevere.

Well, I know you've got a hard out because you've got a lot of other much more important meetings to take, but I can't think of a better note to end on than that note of optimism and also of conviction. And I really thank you for being here. And I've been watching

all the different ways in which you're trying to live those principles, and I really appreciate them. Thank you very much, yeah. Appreciate you, and thank you so much for joining us and talking with us today. It has been a pleasure. Thank you very much. Pedro Sanchez, the Prime Minister of Spain. Thank you so much, sir.

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See mintmobile.com. I really hope they speed that up. All right. Do you guys want to say it or do I have to say it? Who's going to say it? Holy shit. Wow. Is that dude Honkarelli?

Caliente. What? Yes, Gilli. So for those you don't know, like generally when you have a guest at that level, It's not like a normal podcast. Like what it does is you just, you come up and it's somebody in their living room and you're in your living room and you're just shooting the shit in your pajamas. They have a stand-in that does all the technical stuff. The stand-in, and I mean no disrespect.

I mean no disrespect to the stand-in, but Uncle Fester got nothing on the stand-in. Wow. And then Johnny Caballiero steps in. And I was like, what? Wow. And then we start talking. We're just shooting the shit. And he's like, oh, yeah, my kids, his kids are the same age as my kids.

And I'm like, wait, what? What is, what is happening in Spain? That he's not, he's young, obviously he's much younger than me, but, but come on. Not much. I think he's 54. No, you're the same age. Are you kidding? Are you kidding me?

As soon as he sat down, the first thing I thought was Brittany's going to be on Hinge guy. Is this guy? Can I match with this dude? Why don't I see him on here? Right. Let me keep swiping, baby. Let's go. Got to turn on the Spanish language setting.

That's what I'm doing wrong. I got to tell you, though, to be able to conduct like these kinds of sort of discussions in a language that's clearly not as, it's impressive. Yes. He's a very impressive man. I thought so. And a lonely man. Yeah, lonely.

definitely within, you know, the European governments, within the global governments. But very principled. And I think that that's, you know, you see it in politicians here. And he's obviously like the embodiment of it. But it's really like when you have principles, I think it makes the job a lot easier. When you have principles and you're six, four and tan. And you can dunk. Son of a bitch.

But it is. There's like a. I think he has the quiet optimism of real belief. And I think the interesting part to me is he was talking about, you know, look, he understands the political force of migration issues. And he knows it obviously, it can't be unfettered. And it has to be growth in the right way. And it has to be regulated.

And it has to be done with a pathway to something that has a sturdy legal, framework. But I think his point is it also is the path to prosperity. Yeah, it has been in his country. It's been born out and as he would say in the facts. And I think that that's what's so frustrating about it too is that like you are still going to get attacked for the same things, even when you have all of the facts in your favor, even if, I mean, we see it in the U.S. too with politicians that just totally cede their ground on the issue. They still get attacked. Like they didn't. You could be totally right with the numbers. You're still going to get attacked like you're not.

And I just don't know. I don't know how you make sense of that, but I don't think it's by losing your values. I think that the sense of it is people react to the chaos. So in Seuto. Seota. Seota. The chaos of that moment coalesced, you know, people against him. the chaos of our border situation.

You know, the United States immigration system is so fucking chaotic and nonsensical that anybody that wants to demagogue that issue has a leg up. But I think if you can demonstrate a thoughtful process to grow, like countries can't absorb everybody haphazardly. But if you can demonstrate

an orderly and reasonable non-chaotic process to harness the growth that immigration provides and minimize the chaos, you've got to shock. It's, it's, you know, you got to thread it through the eye of a needle. But in this country, we don't even have a fucking shot. No, and I mean, he tried to, you know, he did do that in his own country with sort of saying, you know, if you've already here and you've been here for a while, we're going to give you a clear pathway to citizenship that's expedited because we have this aging workforce.

And it was mostly Spanish-speaking population. It was, it wasn't the North African population that I think is what's more controversial there. Right. It was people that were, you know, had been there too. He didn't let anybody into the countries with those policies. But then you have this image on your screens of people, you know, flooding the coast. And all of a sudden, you lose any leverage that you've had, even though that you're, you're, you're, you're, policy is not responsible for that. It's the, it's the Willie Horton effect. Yes, exactly. It's, I don't have you guys remember, but it was, you know, it's we expect 100 percent. You have to be perfect. We have a system that demands 100 percent perfection, but has no ability

to discern the difference. We really don't. It's a difficult one. But I, I admired him. And I was sort of like on a day like today after sitting and listening to the Trump speech, him being able to just wander over. Let me ask you a question. How do you think he got over to the studio? I'm going to take a guess. He got out of there and he surfed. My guess is underneath this wet suit, I think he got on one of the, it might have been a hoverboard.

Like a Clark Kent situation where he's always got it on. Yes. Ripped it off and hovered his way over. He did make good time. And that's very difficult on a week like this in New York City. And then climbed up the side of the building, his hands with only little suction cups. I really don't think it takes much for him to stop traffic. I thought it was a very info.

When he sat down, I was just like, what is now? This is not correct. Bring the standing back. You know what? Bring the other guy back. I can give that other guy a piece of my fucking mind. Yeah. If you're listening on audio this week, we recommend you head to the YouTube.

Yeah. Check out our socials. Oh, that's going to be a YouTube sensation. Yeah. And then here's the problem. I'm going to be in the shot half the time. So it's going to be literally handsome Muldoon and then Johnny Old T. Like, I looked like the guy in those commercials where it's like, and you look comfortable.

You know, like, oh, right. Okay. Next time, I'll polo shirt it. Brittany, but what do the kids want to know from us on this fine day? John, this is a two-parter. What? One, do you think Trump should ask Mom Donnie for help getting the scaffolding down at the Kennedy Center? And two, that's hilarious.

Should Trump just put Darfs up around all of his failures? That's hilarious. So what they're referring to in part one of the, the, the, two-parter is one of the first things mom donnie did brilliant by the way because the whole idea of you know the socialist communist communist communist maniac taking over new york city is similar to like when obama took over they were like black people now could do whatever they want like that it was going to be this chaotic system and the first thing he did is like why is there so much fucking scaffolding here let's do the potholes in the scaffolding yeah and everybody was like i didn't

even know buildings had fronts truly It's true. Yeah. And it stays up for years and years. And there's like, there's no rhyme or reason why. Right. And it's very difficult for people that, you know, don't get around the same way. And half the time, you walk in around New York City and you're thinking, did they just build these buildings out of netting?

Netting and like pipes. Is that what New York City is? Become a rainstorm and you're begging for it. Oh, the best. That's true. Yes. And Trump, I am. the Trump has so many things with Trump.

You just, you can't even imagine that just one of these, one of these scandals or one of these, uh, ego enemas that he takes would ruin his political career. But somebody suggesting like, if I don't get to etch my name on the building, I'm going to demolish it. And then I'm going to put up a triumphal arch and fill it with weaponry.

Like just, just one of, those ideas would have the country going okay can we just declare this man incompetent and move on where let's get let's get Kevin Klein from Dave to just go in there and I'm really believing that maybe the reason why he's fucking our country up so bad is that we haven't allowed him to etch his name on it and maybe if we just did that if we just just just gave into it. He would take the metaphorical tarp down from the whole country and we could all flourish.

Let's just let him. It feels like giving the baby the candy though a little bit. I know. But it shuts up the baby. Thank you. We can always take it down when he's done. The United States of America, Trump. Fine.

The Trump United States of America. Let him make the coins. Let him make the flags. And then maybe he'd treat us a little better. Yeah. He is very much like if I can't have it, no one can. And it's, it makes me a little concerned about the future. I'm sure it'll be fine. He's never given us any indication that once he's voted out, he'll leave peacefully. So I don't know why you would be concerned. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, never mind. I'll tamp down those fears. Yeah. I mean, this week, he had a big one with Trump TV.

Oh, God, you know, I haven't. I thought that's what we've been watching the whole time. Right. Is that new? Number seven, yes, just launched on YouTube. Motherfuckers on TV, it is, it is nothing but Trump. But people forget that in the old days of presidents, Obama and Biden and all that, like, they weren't on like a car alarm when you're trying to sleep. Like, it wasn't that incessant rhythmic. Other presidents, like, didn't always dominate all the airwaves.

Like, we're all living Trump TV. Why do you need another Trump TV? It's what it is. Yes. And do you think the FCC is going to police Trump TV? Yes. Because they are an independent agency. Yes.

And independent agencies regulate in a manner that is befitting of their mandate. Yeah. I look forward to them enforcing the equal time measure with Trump TV. Of course. Although I don't even know, is Trump TV, I think it might just be a feed? I also think it's like existed for forever. Like the White House always had like a live feed of their events and stuff. So possibly a rebrand, but I'll have to look into it a little more.

Oh, the rebrand is just, did you see the social video? It's just cut together like of Parks and Rec and the office and all this stuff announcing Trump TV. And people were just like, this is so many lawsuits waiting to happen. I know. but that's he's a troll at heart. Exactly. That's what I mean. If we just let him put his name on the country, will he stop fucking trolling us?

Will he just leave us alone for a moment? No. I just want, I just got to, we got to get through these two and a half years. Yes. All right. That's all it is. Yeah. Next question.

John, does it concern you that Melania Trump works less days than you? Well, that's just that. Can I say this? That's just hurtful. It doesn't concern me. She's younger than me. Oh, no. You said she works less days than me? She works less days than you, apparently.

What is she going in now? Once every two weeks? If. Where is she? I think the last time she showed up was after the Natalie Harp stuff was coming out. And she was like, well, I got a show face. Yeah. But by the way, would you go there? It's a construction site. Why would you go there? Why would you? You know where I'd like to live in that place where they just demolished?

and there's like a 40-foot sinkhole right outside of my thing. Like, it is going back to the New York thing. It's like the scaffolding is up and the construction project is going on. And I'm sure she's like, I got a perfectly nice house down in Florida. Yeah. And I don't have to deal with this guy. Yes. That would be the number one selling point.

But you know what? I don't even consider it that she works because any day you get to be with Donald Trump. When you love what you do. Yeah. So I wouldn't even say this. I think it's a misnomer to say Melania Trump doesn't work because I think being married to that dude is, I'm sorry. But that's like what you hear about, like, how they put finance bros through those training programs where they're like, it's 160 hours a week. Carework is work.

Okay. Married to that dude is that's the most grueling job in America. That'll wear anybody down. So no wonder why she always looks angry though. Does she always like, yeah, I don't even. I feel bad. I don't even know why. I just feel like, oh, God, what a.

No, you know what? She knew what she was signing up for us. She's got quite a payday coming. I take back my empathy. My empathy is now gone. And I am, you know, I used to have her beautiful hat highlighted by a sconce in an area of, you know, the house to really show it on. I'm taking it down. Empathy gone.

That's that. All right. Any more? That's it for this week. Son of a gun. All right, kids. Once again, tremendous. Oh, Brittany, how do they get in touch with us?

Twitter. We are Weekly ShowPod. Instagram threads, TikTok, Blue Sky. We are Weekly Show Podcast. And you can like, subscribe and comment on our YouTube channel, The Weekly Show with John Stewart. I'm sorry that I forgot to ask that I was just my mind wandered for a second to a very handsome. Right.

minister. Thanks again for everything. Producer, Brittany McAddley, producer Gillian Speer, video editor and engineer, Rob Vitola, audio editor and engineer, Nicole Boyce, our associate producer, Rebecca Rotenberg. And our executive producer is Chris McShane and Katie Gray. We will see you guys next week where our guest, do we know who our guest is next week? And will they be as handsome or less hand? What on the, on the handsome spectrum? It's in the eye of the beholder.

Is it Bernie? Beardt. Bernie Sanders. Come on, baby. Feel the burn. He better come in with a tan. That's all I'm saying. All right.

We'll see you guys next week. The weekly show with John Stewart is a Comedy Central podcast. It's produced by Paramount Audio and Bus Boy Productions. Calculating route to avoid seeing poverty. Turn left to bypass the unhoused youth sleeping on the street. Then keep right to skip by the lines of people waiting for food. Steer clear of the crowded shelter turning people away. Then take the next exit.

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