The Daily Show with Trevor Noah Season 2017 Episode 45 Helene Cooper

Helene Cooper is an episode of The Daily Show with Trevor Noah that premiered on November 9, 2017. The episode features Helene Cooper, a Liberian-American journalist and author who currently works as a Pentagon correspondent for The New York Times.

The show begins with Trevor Noah addressing the recent controversial elections in Liberia, where incumbent president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was set to step down after two terms in office. Noah notes that this marks the first peaceful transfer of power from one elected leader to another in Liberia in over 70 years. He then introduces Helene Cooper as a guest on the show to provide her perspective as a Liberian-American journalist.

Noah and Cooper discuss the current political climate in Liberia and the challenges faced by the new president, George Weah. Cooper notes that while Weah is a popular figure in Liberia, he has little political experience and faces a daunting task of rebuilding a country that has been ravaged by years of civil war and the Ebola virus outbreak. They also discuss Cooper's book, "Madame President: The Extraordinary Journey of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf," which chronicles the life of the first female president of Liberia.

The conversation then shifts to the current state of affairs in the United States, with Cooper providing her perspective as a foreign correspondent. They discuss the ongoing investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and the recent revelations about former Trump campaign advisor George Papadopoulos. Cooper notes that while the U.S. has often been seen as a beacon of democracy and transparency, the current political climate has eroded that perception both domestically and abroad.

Noah and Cooper also touch on the recent controversy surrounding NFL players kneeling during the national anthem in protest of police brutality and racial injustice. Cooper notes that while in Liberia, the national anthem is often seen as a unifying force, in the U.S. it has become a divisive symbol. They discuss the role of athletes in activism and the importance of using their platforms to bring attention to social issues.

Throughout the episode, Noah and Cooper share their insights and perspectives on a wide range of topics, from international politics to sports and activism. They also delve into the challenges facing journalists in the current media landscape, including the rise of fake news and the erosion of trust in traditional news sources.

The Helene Cooper episode of The Daily Show with Trevor Noah offers a thoughtful and engaging conversation between two journalists who bring unique perspectives to the issues facing the world today. With humor, insight, and intelligence, Noah and Cooper offer a refreshing take on the news of the day and the challenges facing democracy both in the U.S. and around the globe.