The Daily Show: Ears Edition - Obama Disses Trump in His Commencement Address | Madeleine Albright
Episode Date: May 19, 2020Barack Obama takes a swipe at President Trump, Jaboukie Young-White examines rich people in the COVID-19 era, and Madeleine Albright discusses "Hell and Other Destinations." Learn more about your ad-...choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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When 60 Minutes premiered in September 1968, there was nothing like it.
This is 60 Minutes.
It's a kind of a magazine for television.
Very few have been given access to the treasures in our archives.
But that's all about to change.
Like none of this stuff gets looked at, that's what's incredible.
I'm Seth Done of CBS News,
listen to 60 Minutes, a second look
on Apple podcasts starting September 17.
Hey everybody, welcome to another episode
of the daily social distancing show.
I'm Trevor Noah, and it has now been nine weeks of us staying inside
to try and stop the spread
of coronavirus. And here's your quarantine tip of the day. Do you want a great way to keep
your kids busy? And also make some money? Well, teach your kids how to sew face masks. Yeah.
And if you're thinking, wait, isn't that just a sweat shop? Don't be ridiculous. It's a sweat home. Anyway, on tonight's episode, beach fashion in the the the the the the the the th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. thirty thirty thirty. thirty. thirty. thirty. thirty. trie. trivvvvon. trivvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvah. trivvvah. trivvvvue. trivvvvvvvv. tri. tri. I tri. I tri. I tri. I tri. I tri. I tri. I tri. I t. I t. I t. I t. I t. I t. I tri. And, tri. And, tri. And, tri. And, te. And, te. And, te. te. te. te. te. te. te. te. te. te.. Anyway on tonight's episode beach fashion in the age of Corona why people are getting wet at
church and President Obama takes Trump to school. So let's get into it.
Welcome to the Daily Social Distancing Show.
From Trevor's couch in New York City to your couch somewhere in the world.
This is the Daily Social distancing show with Trevor Noa.
Ears Edition.
Every day our news feeds are bombarded by countless stories of sad coronavirus updates and
stories about what celebrities look like now.
Either way, it's all depressing.
So to help us remember the brighter side of life,
let's turn to our ongoing segment, a ray of sunshine.
Let's kick it off with the Catholic Church,
the place that was rocking robes long before Corona.
Now, they're known for sticking to old traditions,
but in these corona times, even priests are learning to innovate.
When priests in Michigan may have found the most unique way to connect with parishioners and
social distance at the same time, photos posted on social media by St. Ambrose Church shows
the Reverend using a squirt gun to shoot Holy Water. As you can see, drivers pulled up to the church steps and are greeted by the reverend the a face mask, gloves, and holding a bright green gun.
He told Buzzfewed news for an article over the weekend that he was a bit concerned about
how the Vatican might react when the photos of him squirting holy water began circulating widely
on the internet.
But he says, quote, I haven't heard anything yet.
Okay, hold up.
that might finally be the thing that gets the church's numbers to go back up again.
And it's a great way for other Catholic priests to explain why they have a bunch of kids'
toys in their basements.
The only way this could be more fun is if they did it with a water balloon, because that
way you could watch it in slow motion also opens the Catholic Church to much cooler scenes and movies.
You know, because normally, the Catholic priest is always timid and all they can do is pray.
But now, when they meet a demon, they can be like,
Say hello, to my little friend.
Squirt, squirt, squirt.
Moving on, Summer is almost here.
But this year, it will bring a whole new set of challenges.
Black people have to figure out how to cook out while social distancing.
White people have to go into the sun starting completely from scratch.
And for kids, every camp is now computer camp.
But there is good news for beach goers who want to practice social distancing, and they
can do it in style.
The growing use of face masks has inspired a new summer fashion trend.
The trikini, Adrienne Fuqua is a fashion designer in the South Bay.
She's pairing her custom bikinis with matching face masks.
How about that?
Adrian's business is donating a part of their trikini proceeds to Team Rubicon.
That is a group of military veterans that delivers meals to seniors.
Finally, the trichini, the outfit that's perfect for going to the beach and then robbing a bank.
Seriously though, I love that even during a pandemic, humanity is adapting so that we can still find a way to post thirst traps.
But I would recommend, just to be safe as possible, don't bother with the thong version. It's sexy, but I don't think it works.
You know what, though?
I bet the more trikinis we see,
the more people are gonna start getting turned on by chins.
Because think about it.
Like, it's always the hidden parts
that people think are hot. Like, if the trk-kini is is is is is is is is is is is their their their their their their their kkinininininininin. Trkin. Trk-a ki. Trk-a. Trk-a. thrk-a. thrknee. thrkneean, their ki. the the thrk-a, the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the th., thi., thi., thi., thrkin., thrkneeankneeank-s., trk-s., trk-s., trk-s., trk-k-k-kneeankkneeankneeankknees., trknees., thrkneeeani., we thikini and their partner will be laying in bed like, oh yeah, baby, show me that anterior mandible.
Oh my God.
And finally, a story from Germany, the country that only has an outside voice.
Germans have now found a way for people to enjoy live classical music that is safe for both
the performer and the audience.
One-on-one concerts with a single musician playing for a single audience member in parks, museums, and airport terminals.
So if you love classical music and prolonged awkward eye contact, this is for you.
Although, this only works for classical music.
Because, I mean, I enjoy hip-hop, but a solo rap concert feels like a guy is just yelling at you on the beat.
Yo, everybody, put your hands in the air!
Now everybody, scream!
Ah, you know, I think this Germany thing is a great idea.
The only problem is, with classical music,
you can never tell when it's over.
Yeah. I mean, if you go with a crowd,
you can always know because the old people start clapping,
because they know the sunshine.
Let's get straight into the headlines.
First up, some major news about that thing we've all been searching for.
A video on Pornhub we haven't watched yet.
A coronavirus vaccine.
This morning, there are promising signs
in an early stage vaccine trial.
The US-based biotech company Moderna
has announced interim phase one results
in a trial conducted with the National Institutes of Health.
Participants in the human clinical trial
have developed antibodies against the virus.
That's key, because that's exactly what a vaccine supposed to do. Yeah, and without many side effects so far that's really good
news and that's why you see the stock market, the Dow here up more than 700
points because this could potentially be game-changing news. That's right.
The results of a major coronavirus vaccine trial are out and they are promising
because some participants in the trial got antibodies and they are promising because some participants in the trial
got antibodies and there were no major side effects which let's be honest is a
major relief because don't forget they're fast-tracking this vaccine so the
scientists could have come out like the results are in and the good news is
all three of Bruce's heads are coronavirus negative. Now even though this is the really early stages, the stock market went crazy today with everyone
trying to invest in this company.
And it actually gave me an idea.
Anyone who owns a company right now who's struggling, just announce that your product
can't help fight coronavirus and you're in the money, baby. Sinabon could have an ad like, hey, if our Cinebons can't kill you,
what chance does coronavirus have?
Now, while most people are waiting for a vaccine,
there are some people who think we might not even need one.
People like Eric Trump,
fetus in its hundredth trimester,
and the president's fourth favorite son.
You see, according to baby Voldemort, coronavirus is actually a hoax that will go away on its own.
And the only reason the media is even talking about it is to steal the White House from
his dad.
Biden loves this.
Biden can't go out on stage without making some horrible blunder.
I mean, even from his basement, he's making awful gaps every single day.
So his campaign's thrilled that he's not going out there, and they think they're taking away Donald Trump's greatest tool,
which is being able to go into an arena and fill it with 50,000 people every single time,
right? So they will, and you watch, they'll milk it every single day
between now and November 3rd, and guess what?
After November 3rd, coronavirus will magically all of a today. and everybody will be able to reopen. Okay, here's something I don't get. If coronavirus is all a giant scam,
then why is Eric Trump doing this interview from his house?
A house where, by the way, it looks like he was in the middle of doing a seance.
Like, what's up with those candles?
Spirit, spirits, wherever you may be,
make my father proud of me.
Now, according to Eric, this whole coronavirus thing thing thing thing thing thing thing thing thing thing thing thing thing thing thing thing thing thing thing thing thing th thing th thing th thing th thing th thing th thing th thing th thing th thi thi thi, thi, thi, thi, thoom, thoom, tho to thi, tho- tho- to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to th. the, the, the, the, the. the. the. the. the. the. the. the. the. the. to the. to to to to to the. to to to according to Eric, this whole coronavirus thing is a conspiracy to prevent his dad
from doing big campaign rallies.
And I'm sorry, man, this makes no sense.
Donald Trump is the president.
So if he thinks coronavirus is all just a bunch of hype and he should be able to do
a rally, then my man, go and do a rally.
I swear Trump is the most powerful, least powerful person in the world. I want to do a rally, but th because because because because because because because because because because because because because because because the doctor. the doctor. Because the doctor. the doctor the doctor the doctor th. the doctor th. th. thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, th. I th. And, th. And, th. And, th. And, th. And, th. And, th. And, th. And, th. And, th. th. th. thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thin, th to, th to to to to to to to thin, to th to thin, th th thin, thi. thi., Trump is the most powerful, least powerful person in the world.
I want to do a rally, but I can't, because the doctors will get managed me.
And by the way, we all know coronavirus is not a democratic plot.
Because if Corona was a Democrat, it would have found a way to lose weeks ago.
And speaking of Donald Trump, the president isn't spending all his time not dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. He's also keeping busy with other important parts of his
job, undermining democracy.
Overnight, there was another shake-up in the administration. The State
Department Inspector General Steve Linick is being fired. The fourth IG to be let go.
In recent weeks, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Elliot Engell says the
watchdog opened an investigation into Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and accused the
president of an unlawful act of retaliation. Lennox had launched an
investigation into Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and whether, according to a
congressional aid, Pompeo and his wife had misused a political appointee for personal
tasks. The IG was looking into whether Pompeo made a member of his misused a political appointee for personal tasks.
The IG was looking into whether Pompeo made a member of his staff a political appointee,
walk his dog, pick up his dry cleaning, and make reservations for the secretary and his wife.
Wow!
President Trump has fired his fourth inspector general in just the last few weeks.
And what makes this firing extra suspicious is that this Inspector General was in the middle of investigating Mike Pompeo
for using his official stuff to do unofficial things, such as walk his dog and do his laundry.
And I'm sorry man, but Pompeo had to know he was going to get caught.
Sending people to pick up his dry cleaning, I mean, he's the only person in Washington whose shirts have a four-foot wide neck hole.
What did he think was gonna happen?
So once again,
Trump has fired somebody who's supposed to be providing oversight
on his administration,
which still makes no sense to me.
I mean, this would be like if a toddler
could fire their own babysitter.
I'm sorry, Kimberly, but you're just killing me and pepper pigs vibe. You gotta go.
Yeah, this whole bedtime thing is trash.
All right, I have to go get my pizza delivery downstairs, but when we come back,
I'll tell you why Barack Obama was involved in a drive-by.
Don't go anywhere.
Don't eat it, I'm coming!
When 60 Minutes premiered in September 1968, there was nothing like it.
This is 60 minutes. It's minutes. It's minutes minutes minutes. It's minutes Minutes. It's a kind of a magazine for television.
Very few have been given access to the treasures in our archives.
You're rolling?
But that's all about to change.
Like none of this stuff gets looked at. That's what's incredible.
I'm Seth Done of CBS News.
Listen to 60 minutes, a second look,
starting September 17th, wherever you get your podcasts.
Welcome back to the Daily Social Distancing Show.
Let's talk about commencement addresses.
It's that time of the year when everyone puts on address and are told that they're the future of the planet.
For much of America, this was graduation weekend, and so prominent celebrities and politicians
decided to hold their versions of a virtual commencement speech.
And the commencement speaker everyone was talking about is Barack Obama, 44th President
of the United States and world's slowest Kenyan.
Although his address turned out to be less of a graduation speech and more the world's
loudest sub-tweets. Just as you've been looking forward to proms and senior nights,
graduation ceremonies, and let's face it, a whole bunch of parties, the world is
turned upside down by a global pandemic. This pandemic is fully, finally
torn back the curtain on the idea that so many of the folks in charge
know what they're doing. A lot of them aren't even pretending to be in charge. Doing what
feels good, what's convenient, what's easy. That's how little kids think.
Unfortunately, a lot of so-called grown-ups, including some with fancy titles and
important jobs, still think that way, which is why things are so screwed up.
You know, it's funny how Obama hides his insults, almost like he doesn't want to get in
trouble with Michelle for going low.
Now I agree with Michelle that we're going to go high, so I won't say anything about
your mama.
I will however point out that the person who gave birth to you has reached proportions that
could possibly obscure large bodies of light. This is crazy how Obama never even had to mention to tr tr to tr tr to tr tr tr to tr to tr tru tru to tre tre to to tre tre that could possibly obscure large bodies of light.
This is crazy how Obama never even had to mention Trump by name.
Like that's how you know you've screwed up.
When someone could just say, people have no idea what they're doing and everyone was like,
oh yeah, that's Trump, right? That's Trump.
Even Trump is like, that's me, totally me.
But as subtle as Obama's criticism may have been, it apparently set off a five alarm outraged fire over at Fox News.
It's a commencement speech.
It's supposed to be motivational, positive, it's supposed to be about the graduates.
This was not the time for what he's doing.
And by the way, Barack Obama is not all that articulate.
When he reads off a teleprompter, he can be inspiring or off of a speech, but when he's impromptu, the umms and the ayes, it's like, it's impossible to listen to.
It's very bad for an ex-president and a crisis to criticize kind of a sitting president or administration.
It is so unseemly for a former president to take the virtual commencement ceremony for a series of historically black colleges and universities and turn it into a political drive-by shooting.
Yes, what Obama did there was a political drive-by shooting.
He really cripp walked all over America's norms.
I mean, this was not the time for a rap battle, because this is Donald Trump's movie,
and Obama is talking loudly during it. What a black day in American history.
Look, there's no denying that Obama went out of his way to distrump in the speech, but
I genuinely find it hilarious that Fox News, Fox News is going to spend all day being
offended about how a former president doesn't have decorum when the current president literally
literally interrupted a pandemic briefing to remind everybody how he bone
models. And I'm not saying literally literally, like everyone says literally. I'm literally using literally, literally.
Now, Obama wasn't the only politician
who gave a commencement address this weekend.
Nebraska Senator Ben Sass gave an address of his own.
And guys, something tells me he's not handling quarantine well.
Congratulations, graduates. This is a big moment.
Not on graduating high school, but on making the journey down the stairs from your bedroom to the living room and putting on, the the the the th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, the, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, th, the, th, th, th, th, th, thu, thuuu... thu. the, thin, thin, thin, thin, thin, thin, thin, thu.lu.li. toooomu. tooomu. tooomu. they. thooomu. they. the the the thoome, the, this is a big moment. Not on graduating high school, but on making the journey down the stairs
from your bedroom to the living room
and putting on something slightly more formal than sweatpants.
Congratulations, parents, teachers and coaches.
Not that there's really any meaningful distinction
among those categories anymore at this point.
If you're a parent, you're a teacher.
Thanks a lot, China.
We're all teach teachers teachers teachers teachers teachers teachers teachers teachers teachers teachersto say this, but you're not missing out on that much,
because honestly, nobody, and by nobody,
I mean nobody remembers anything about their high school graduation.
In fact, a lot of us spend a lot of our lives
trying to forget as much about high school as we possibly can.
And in fact, there are a whole bunch of people who make a whole bunch of tha thoeea thoomomomomom bunch of tho,
of people who make a whole bunch of money by just trying to help other people forget high school. They're called psychologists. You know, anyone can deliver a
speech that inspires people, but it takes a real leader to deliver a commencement
speech that makes you wish you had booked Ted Cruz. And if this is his
commencement speech, I'd hate to hear his version of a birthday song.
This could be your last one. This could be your last one.
This could be your last one.
Statistically, you might not make it.
So this weekend, everyone from President Obama
to Senator E.O. in Nebraska released their commencement addresses.
But the biggest newsmaker of all saved his commencement address for today.
And I'm talking of course about COVID-19.
And so, in conclusion, class of 2020, let me leave you with the three lessons that changed my life.
Firstly, let the haters fuel your grind.
When I was just starting out, China acted like I didn't exist.
Britain's Prime Minister treated me like a joke,
and the US President said I was just another flu. But instead of losing hope, I
remember what I learned from Taylor Swift and I shook it off. I kept grinding and
thanks to the haters I've traveled the world and met all sorts of celebrities
and I've even made it to the White House, the second virus to do so right after Stephen Miller.
Secondly, remember that you don't get anywhere alone.
I could have ended up like so many other diseases, MERS, SARS, Kooties, but I got to where
I am thanks to the angels in my life.
The people who dismissed science, the protesters who insisted on not wearing masks,
and everyone who couldn't
go three weeks without getting a haircut.
You guys are my heroes.
And finally, embrace the setbacks.
When I failed in places like South Korea and New Zealand because they had a plan.
A lot of people said my best days are behind me.
And yeah, I was bummed. But I knew that if I found the countries with the right leadership for me, I, I'm, I'm a, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, th, th, the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the th, the thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, th. th. th. You, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, th. You, th. You, th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th, th, th, th, th, th, th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. thi, thi, thi, thi, thr, thrown, thrown, thrown, thrown, thrown, thrown, thrown, thrown, thrown, thrown, thrown, thrace, thro, the, the days are behind me, and yeah, I was bummed.
But I knew that if I found the countries with the right leadership for me, I might just
get a second shot.
So students, when people try to flatten your curve, just keep climbing.
And remember, people don't need to believe in you.
You just need to believe in yourself, and the sky is the limit, but not too high, because
UV light is bad for me.
Congratulations, class of 2020.
Rock on, you guys are on flea.
I will see you out there.
That was something.
When we come back, Djibouki Young White will look at how the mega-rich are dealing with
Corona.
Stay tuned.
When 60 Minutes premiered in September 1968, there was nothing like
it. This is 60 Minutes. It's a kind of a magazine for television. Very few have been given access
to the treasures in our archives. But that's all about to change.
Like none of this stuff gets looked at. That's what's incredible.
I'm Seth Done of CBS News. Listen to 60 Minutes, a second look, starting September 17th, wherever
you get your podcasts.
Welcome back to the Daily Social Distancing Show.
You know, we're all handling coronavirus in our own way.
But some are having a better time of it than others.
For more on this, we check in with Jabuki, young whites.
Thanks, Trevor.
You know, this pandemic really has people thinking about different groups of people,
from our essential workers to our health care providers.
Yes, clap it up, give it up.
But what about America's smallest minority?
Affluent Americans.
Because this virus affects rich people's bodies just as much as anyone else's.
But think, God, rich people have one of the best antibodies around.
Money!
Wealthy escaping problem zones by chartering private jets, airlifting their entire families,
to a holiday home to quote, sit it out.
Folks who have second and third homes in West Palm Beach, in Nantucket,
Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, in the Hamptons certain grocery stores have been ransacked by the number of people flooding in.
A rural county in Idaho that actually suddenly became a hot spot because it's a place where
a lot of wealthy people have second homes.
Year long Hampton's residents say the outbreak is leading to class warfare. It's just so good for them. That's awesome. Look, I'm not Hayden. I'm not, I'm just saying if
you have enough money to go to your second, third, fourth home, at least let me quarantine in your
first home. I should be laying by a pool instead of laying in front of the bathroom door while my roommate takes an
hour long shower. Dan, are you done yet?
Dan, your day can't smell you over zoom.
Dan, ah. But spending your quarantine in your vacation home is just for poor rich people.
Mega rich people?
Ha ha ha! Run from Corona and the medical equipment runs with them!
The luxury hotel company in Switzerland is now offering a COVID-19 hotel stay that can include a $500 coronavirus test.
High-end clients called saying they wanted to wait out the shelter and place orders somewhere up scale and say they prefer to have medical care come to them.
Concierge doctors who cater to rich people and celebrities have been selling tests to patients and their families even when they weren't showing symptoms.
Only 1% of the population of Florida has been tested for coronavirus,
but 100% of the residents of Fisher Island off Miami have gotten the antibody tebody test. the the the the the the they they they they they they they they they they they they they they they they they they they'd they'd they'd they'd they'd they'd they'd they'd they'd they'd they'd they'd they'd they'd they'd they'd they'd they'd they'd they'd they'd they'd they'd they'd they'd they'd they'd they'd they'd they'd they'd they'd they'd they'd. they'd. they'd. they'd they'd. they'd. they'd they'd they'd to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to the to te. te. te. te. te. te. te. to te. to te. they'd they'd they'd they'd they'd the the the the the te. tested for coronavirus, but 100% of the residents of Fisher Island off
Miami have gotten the antibody test.
Now the residents purchased 1,800 test kits for the island's 800 families, as well as for
their housekeepers.
The island is only accessible by boat and has an average income of $2.5 million.
Okay, first of all.
Why are rich people still allowed to have private islands?
Did we learn nothing from Jeffrey Epstein?
The takeaway here is that money buys you access, whether it's to testing,
to government relief, or to an eBay auction of that peach that Timothy Shalame jist into
and to call me by your name. I was so close to getting that peach,
but the state of F.G swooped in last minute because they wanted to make it their mascot.
But honestly, having an island full of test is only impressive if you're mega-rich. If you're ultra-rich,
the coronavirus is just like anything else in your life.
Dope as fucking.
Billioner David Geffen is currently floating on the waters off the coast of the Caribbean
on a 590 million dollar super yacht.
Fears about the coronavirus are boosting the market for luxurious underground bunkers,
offering the rich and famous a place to ride out a pandemic with stockpiled food, blast-proof doors,
escape helicopters.
Wow.
Oh my god, they got a luxury bunker with an escape helicopter.
I didn't even know that was a type of helicopter.
I thought that helicopters only came in sightseeing, emergency, and bachelorette date.
And look, I don't care how nice they are.
Luxury and bunker should not be next to each other I don't care how nice they are. Luxury and bunker
should not be next to each other. That's like chic jorts. Which actually now that I
say might be kind of a look. Okay, yep, and sold. Okay, so yes. The rich are living a different
quarantine life than us, sure, but I'm not mad because they're finally figuring out that they need us more than we need them.
They can't survive without their housekeepers, their drivers, their cooks, their nannies.
They can't even vacuum.
They don't even know how to use the dishwasher, and all you have to do Just look at the real housewife who tried to clean her own toilet. And by clean, I mean contaminate.
Second toilet, mom, you got this.
That's my third toiler.
Damn! She's wiping down the toilet with the same brush she used to wash the bowl.
Corona is the last infection that she needs to worry about.
She looks like Donald Trump trying to to to orgasm. It's like clearly you have not done this before.
But I think we can all learn a very important lesson from this.
A lot of people are seeing how well the affluent are doing during this crisis.
And they're saying stuff like overthrow the one percent.
Or socialism now! Or eat the rich!
But remember, before you eat the rich! But remember, before you eat the rich, watch them all first
because damn, look, that shit is nasty! Thank you so much, Djibouki. When we come
back, I'll be talking to former Secretary of State Madeline Albright about diplomacy in a global
pandemic.
Stick around.
When 60 Minutes premiered in September 1968, there was nothing like it.
This is 60 Minutes.
It's a kind of a magazine for television.
Very few have been given access to the treasures in our archives.
But that's all about to change.
Like none of this stuff gets looked at. That's what's incredible.
I'm Seth Done of CBS News. Listen to 60 Minutes, a second look, starting September 17th, wherever you get your podcasts.
Welcome back to the Daily Social Distancing Show.
Earlier today, I spoke with Madeline Albright, the first woman to serve as Secretary of State. We discussed her new book, Hell and Other
Destinations, and the Global Pandemic. Check it out. Madam Secretary, welcome to the daily
social distancing show. I'm delighted to be with you, thanks for asking me. Of course, anytime,
you always welcome as a guest. Before we get into the interview, I know that you have one of the most impressive brooch collections
and they all mean something, so I'm assuming that that V on your on your lapel
stands for something. Because I spent the war in England, World War II, and my father
broadcast for BBC. I listened to BBC every night,
and they with kettle drums would do the first five notes
of Beethoven's fifth, da da da da da, d'hom,
which in Morse code is V for victory.
As somebody who grew up and lived through a wall,
you know, you had to do things like, you had to wear masks as a child,
you had government-imposed lockdowns that you and your family had to adhere to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, to, their........ their their their their their their their their their their their their their their thrumeaugheckeckeckoombs, their theirms, theirms, their their their their drums drums drums drums drums their their their their theirms, theirms, theirms, theirms, theirms, theirms, theirms, their theirms, their their their their their their their their their their their their their their thrumea, thruma, throwne, throwne, throwne, throwne, and throwne, throwne, throwne, thoombs, theatseats, throwne, throwne, thr like you had to wear masks as a child. You had government-imposed lockdowns that you and your family had to adhere to.
Was there a different sentiment than there is now in terms of listening to the government
and doing what is best for the population at large?
Well, I was a little girl and I did what I was told, but I really do think that what was similar, and I'd love to talk a tak tak tak tak tak the to to to to to the to their to their, their, to their, their, their, their, their, to their, to the to tho, to thi, thi, thi, their, thi, thi, thi, thoomoomoomo, toe, toe, toe, toe, tolde, tolde, thi, thi, thi, thi, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, thi, thi, thi, thi, toe, toean, toean, toean, toean, toean, toean, toean, toean, toeananiiiiiiiiiiiii.e, and I'd love to talk about this a bit, is that the people
had no control over where the bombs fell.
They only had control over their behavior.
And I think people did do what they were told to do.
We spent the night in the cellar of the apartment building that we lived in.
My father, when we moved out of London, was an air raid warden, and, you know, they had
blackouts and everything, and I think people did what they were told to do, and their behavior
made all the difference.
Do you think there's a reason we've seen such a shift in how people don't trust their
governments now? Because, you know, the American president, for instance, Trump has said that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that their governments now because, you know, the American
president, for instance, has said Trump has said that he sees this like wartime, and yet
his own administration gives conflicting instructions on what to do.
The White House has coronavirus instructions, and yet he's tweeting out that people should
go out and open America. So, you know, how do you think the American public should deal with a situation like this when the leader doesn't seem to have a concise point of view?
I think that is the whole problem, because in England, Churchill had a view and the
government was trusted from everything that I can tell, from my reading also. I think now,
there is complete confusion mainly
because the president keeps changing his mind. And so I think that he is the
one that has contributed to what is already a difficult situation by changing
what he's been saying and then saying he hasn't changed it. And so
leadership makes all the difference. There's no question.
The news that we're all reading through today
is the story of another inspector general,
inspector general, who was fired by the administration.
And, you know, lawmakers are saying it could have something
to do with Saudi Arabia.
Others are saying it's because the inspector general was investigating Mike Pompeo for using
his staff to do non-official work duties, like walking his dog or getting his laundry.
You worked as Secretary of State.
Tell me, first of all, what that position is supposed to be
or what you think is going wrong.
And secondly, why if it is a big deal
that the inspector generals are getting fired at the rate that they are?
What I think is interesting is the inspector generals are in these departments to make sure that that that that that that that that th the the that thets thets thets thets th that that that that their that their that that that that their that that that. What I think is interesting is the inspector generals are in these departments to make sure
that regulations and laws are carried out.
They are inspector generals.
And there are a variety of things that come up in terms of about people and personnel
matters and regulations.
So that is not unusual. What is unusual is to have them fired and then trying to figure out over what.
And from what I've read in the papers, it does, it's peculiar in terms of some of the, I mean,
I had security people, they're not supposed to be doing errands for, they're there to worry
about the security of the Secretary of State. And then I think that firing, not only him, but him, but the the the the the the the their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their th. th. th. the. th. th. th. the. the. that the. the. that's thi. that's thi. that's th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. the. the. the. the. the. the. the. the. the. that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that. that. that. that. that. ty. ty. ty. ty. ty. ty. ty. to worry about the security of the Secretary of State.
And then I think that firing not only him, but there are, I think, three others in other
departments, the same thing.
So people that are supposed to be the protectors of the rule of law are the ones that
are being asked to leave, which makes one suspicious over how the administration sees the rule of
law.
It also feels like the Trump administration has gotten fairly comfortable dismissing people
who are tasked with overseeing them as an administration.
Is that something that Americans should worry about? Or is that merely just America's
system working the way it's supposed to work and maybe people are not used to it? No, I do think that it's something that people need to worry about if it's repeated, you
know, in terms of how public people that work in the government, and I believe this from
having worked in it a number of times, both on the legislative and executive side, are
a good, hardworking, loyal American citizens who want to do their
job and they do it for different administrations.
And so to have the administration be suspicious of everybody and think that they're not fulfilling
their obligations to the Constitution is peculiar to say the least.
No, this is very strange, I think.
Your book has been really interesting
because you have lived quite the life.
Hell and other destinations is the title.
Why that title?
I mean, it feels like we're in hell,
so are you telling us about other destinations we can go to? So, I'll tell you, I chose the title because it has something to do with the the the the the the most, with the most, with the most, with the most, with the most, with the most, the the most, the most, the most, the most, the most, the most, the most, the most, the most, the most, the most, the most, the most, the most, the most, the most, toe, to? So I'll tell you I chose the title because it has
something to do with the most famous statement I ever made was that there's a
special place in hell for women who don't help each other. And that statement was
so famous that ended up on a Starbucks cup and I did think that there were
other destinations that women could help each other to achieve.
I wrote the book before the Corona crisis and really I didn't focus on the fact that it
was going to be so absolutely clear and so valid at the moment because I do think we see a horrible things going on,
a type of hell, when we need to look for other destinations.
So the fact that the title is so germane
is a little bit of a surprise.
Americans are asking a question every day.
When will America be ready for a woman as president?
It seems like this election, it won't happen,
and people are wondering if it will ever happen in the the. It's interesting that you talk about women supporting other
women because I wonder, do you think that women have a special role to play in supporting
each other when it comes to getting into elected office? Well, I do think that it's important
for women to support each other, but I would never recommend that a woman vote for a woman that she disagreed
with in terms of elected office.
I think that there are some that I certainly wouldn't vote for, but I do think that it helps
if there's more than one woman in the room.
What is so interesting now is that the countries that have managed to have some kind of
control over the virus are the countries run by women.
That is what's so fascinating.
And you know, like the Prime Minister of New Zealand and then Taiwan and Finland and Germany
and Denmark and Norway.
And I think there are certain qualities about how women view their role in terms of, by the way,
I think women are really good at multitasking
because that's what we have to do, which means that we have peripheral vision, that we do
care about how decisions are made, that we actually, if you want to put it in these terms,
we don't want to divide our children so that one group hates the other, and there are a variety of aspects in terms of how women come to power, to power, which to power, their their their, their, th... And, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, tho, tho, tho, thi, thi, thi, tho, tho, tho, tho, tho, tho, tho, tho, that's that's that's that's that's that's, that's, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, th. th. th, th, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, tho, thi, tho, thoomomomoomoomorrow, the, throomoomoomorrow, the, thee, theiiiiiiiiiiii, that's that's that's that's there are a variety of aspects in terms of how women come to power, which is mostly
by trying to be helpful rather than kind of having a lot of ego activities.
So I do think.
But as to the question, America likes to be first and everything.
We are certainly not the first in terms of having a woman leader.
And I would hope very much at some point we would. It feels like global diplomacy though is about to take a bit of a knock.
Just reading today about the, you know, the group of countries coming together to discuss
the global pandemic right now. There's clearly a rift in that there are many countries such as
Australia who are saying they want to get to the heart of the pandemic.
Where did the virus come from and how did it spread so quickly? People always, people intimating
that they're pointing fingers at China. China has come out and their representative said
this is not the time to be investigating the source of the virus. And it feels like the world is being
set up for a moment where quite a few countries are going to be looking to China for answers about what happened in Wuhan and how the virus
spread around the world.
How would you handle the situation?
Because on the one hand, people want to hold a country accountable if they've done something
that has hurt other countries.
On the other hand, it seems like everybody is terrified of China. So how do you balance this out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out thiiiiiiiiiiii – thi – thi – thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, their, thi, th. th. th. thi, thi, thi. thi. thi. thi, thi, thi, thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. th. thi. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. the. the theeee to thee to to to to theeeeeee to to theeeeean. thean. the. but also, you know, dealing with them as a partner?
What you try to do in diplomacy is to solve problems, not create them.
And I do think that one of the issues here is what do we do now?
Because, as I said earlier, we're all interconnected on this, and the virus knows no borders.
At some point, there has to be an investigation of what happened.
There's no question about that.
But what we need to do now is figure out ways that we can work together.
An example that I've used is supposing that the Chinese were the ones that came up with the vaccine first.
Would we say we don't want it?
And so, and the last thing we want to do is to have a so-called cold war with the Chinese.
A diplomat has to be able to do two things, or at least two things simultaneously.
How to find the areas where we can cooperate, which clearly, for instance, climate change is
one of them, are now dealing with the virus, and where we have to compete. And the kinds of things that the Chinese are doing in the South China Sea claiming territory
and undermining a variety of laws that we've had on navigational freedom,
that's bad.
And we have to be able to figure out how to compete on that score and not get ourselves into a position
where we're going to have a cold war with the Chinese.
But it is a very difficult relationship, and it's only made made th worse th worse thi worse to to to to to thi worse to to to th now th worse th worse thi worse to thi worse to thi now thi now thi thi the to thi to to the to to to the to the to to to their their to to to to to to to to to the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their the kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind kind to the kind thia thia toea toea toea toea toea toea toea toa toa toa toa toa toa toea toea.si going to have a cold war with the Chinese. But it is a very difficult relationship, and it's only made worse now by kind of have
it be part of the politicizing it and having it be part of our elections.
Thank you for sharing your time with us today, and I hope I get to see you not through
a lens the next time we speak. But I'm really glad to be with you, because the last time we saw each other the to to each to see the to see to see, to see, too, too, the too, too, too, too, too, the too, the the the th. And, the the the the the the the the the the, th. And, thi, too, thi, thi, thi, to, the, they, they. And, they. And, they. And, they. And, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, they.a, some, they.a.a.a.a. And, they.a.a.a. And, they. And, they. And, they. And, they. And, they. And, they. And, the next time we speak. But I'm really glad to be with you, because the last time we saw each other
was at the National Democratic Institute,
where we were giving you the Democracy Award,
because humor is an important part of diplomacy,
and what you do every night
makes a huge difference,
and I'm so glad that we've met,
and that you invited me to come and be on the show. Thank you so much. Thank you so much, Madam Secretary. I appreciate you.
Thank you.
Well, that's our show for tonight.
But before we go, please remember that the COVID pandemic
has taken a serious toll on many people's mental health.
And here in the US, the disaster distress heline
is trying to meet the mental health needs of this unique situation.
And if you're able to help, then all you need to do is donate whatever you can.
If you'd like to support New Yorkers in crisis, then please donate to NYC Well, which is
also providing free confidential mental health support.
Until tomorrow, stay safe out there, wash your hands.
And remember, dog food is just food if you don't have a dog.
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