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GOP RSVP's "No" to Trump Convention & Push to Ban Mamdani from 9/11 Ceremony | Jia Tolentino artwork

GOP RSVP's "No" to Trump Convention & Push to Ban Mamdani from 9/11 Ceremony | Jia Tolentino

The Daily Show: Ears Edition

September 10, 2026

Michael Kosta dives into the Trump-headlined Republican Midterm Convention in Dallas and the growing list of GOP candidates making excuses not to attend. Plus, J.D.

Speakers Michael Kosta, Josh Johnson, Jordan Klepper, George W. Bush, Daejon Love, Jia Tolentino

TopicsComedyNewsDaily News

SPEAKER_1 (0:00)

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SPEAKER_2 (1:05)

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Michael Kosta (1:36)

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, Michael Kosta.

Welcome to The Daily Show. I'm Michael Kosta. We got so much to talk about tonight.

Josh Johnson (2:13)

Hell yeah! Hell yeah! Trump gets ghosted by his friends, the best player in the NFL doesn't even exist, and Fox News uncorks a 25-year-age bottle of Islamophobia. So, let's get into the headlines.

Let's start with the big event that finally kicked off tonight. Fans from across the country filled the stands to cheer on big, sweaty men with brain problems. At Trump's midterm convention in Dallas. We'll have more coverage tomorrow, so you don't want to miss it. Everyone's gonna be there, and I mean everyone.

SPEAKER_6 (2:54)

Are you going to the midterm convention? Uh, no.

SPEAKER_4 (2:56)

I'm gonna be in my district.

SPEAKER_7 (2:57)

Okay, okay, fine. Okay, fine.

Josh Johnson (2:59)

That guy's not gonna be there, but everyone else is going.

SPEAKER_4 (3:03)

Are you planning to go to the Republican convention next week?

Michael Kosta (3:06)

I'm planning to be in my district.

SPEAKER_6 (3:07)

I have to be in the district because I have events.

SPEAKER_9 (3:10)

I'll be in the district traveling across the district.

Josh Johnson (3:13)

Damn it! Does everyone have a district nowadays? Okay, fine. They're out, too. But it's not like everyone's campaigning. At least the rest of the GOP can go.

SPEAKER_11 (3:23)

I want to get there, but I've got a few things that my son's playing high school football, and I promised him I would not miss any of his games.

Josh Johnson (3:29)

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. A classic midweek high school football game. That's why they call it Wednesday Night Lights, baby. Clear eyes, full hearts, can't go.

Okay, that guy's out, but everyone else... My son's getting married in Greece. Oh, congratulations.

SPEAKER_12 (3:47)

Destination wedding, so I have a good excuse, right?

Josh Johnson (3:49)

Look.

Son, I need you to get married in Greece this week. I know you don't love her, but this is important. But don't worry, everyone else is going that didn't have stuff planned.

SPEAKER_2 (4:04)

I had stuff already planned in my congressional district.

Josh Johnson (4:11)

I didn't know stuff was a political term. I thought it was just what I told my wife, what I was doing when I drink alone in the garage. But look, it's not like they're all just trying to avoid Trump, like the plague, because these excuses are valid.

SPEAKER_4 (4:25)

House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole says he has a can't miss dove hunting event.

SPEAKER_9 (4:30)

Yeah? Oh, yeah.

Josh Johnson (4:32)

You can't miss dove hunting. Eat lead, symbol of peace.

All right, so a lot of the people aren't showing up to the convention, but don't worry. Mitch McConnell, he's already there. His office just posted a photo, and he's looking better than ever.

That's proof. But the midterm convention isn't the only big event happening this week. Hey, tell him what else is going on, JD. 9-11.

Jordan Klepper (5:12)

We're about to celebrate the 25th year.

Josh Johnson (5:15)

Yeah, okay, well, we're not going to celebrate it, JD. Happy 9-11, everyone. I brought Rice Krispie Towers.

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