The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Season 11 Episode 48 John Meacham

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart season 11 episode 48 features guest John Meacham, an American writer and historian. The episode opens with a news segment about the ongoing controversies surrounding the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Stewart delivers a scathing monologue mocking Kavanaugh's denials of sexual assault allegations against him and criticizing the Republican Party's defense of his nomination.

Following the monologue, Stewart introduces John Meacham and begins the interview by asking him about his latest book, American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House. Meacham discusses Jackson's presidency and his impact on American politics, including his controversial policies toward Native Americans. Stewart then shifts the conversation to current events, asking Meacham for his thoughts on the state of American democracy and the role of fake news in politics.

Meacham expresses concern about the current state of American democracy, citing the rise of tribalism and the erosion of trust in institutions like the media and the courts. He argues that partisanship and a lack of empathy are contributing to the problem, and calls for a renewed commitment to civility and compromise in politics.

Stewart and Meacham then move on to a discussion of the upcoming midterm elections, with Meacham predicting a Democratic takeover of the House of Representatives and stressing the importance of voter turnout. He notes that the midterms will be a crucial test for American democracy, and urges viewers to get involved in the political process.

The episode also features field segments by correspondents Samantha Bee and John Oliver. Bee travels to Texas to investigate the state's controversial voter ID laws, interviewing local residents and advocates who argue that the laws disproportionately affect minority and low-income voters. Oliver, meanwhile, takes a humorous look at the phenomenon of "ghost voting" in Congress, in which representatives use a colleague's voting card to cast votes on their behalf.

The episode concludes with a "Moment of Zen" segment featuring a clip of a chimpanzee using sign language to communicate with a researcher. The clip serves as a reminder of the power of communication and the importance of empathy in human relationships.

Overall, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart season 11 episode 48 offers a thought-provoking and entertaining look at current events, featuring insightful commentary from John Meacham and an engaging mix of news segments and humor.