‘The Daily Show’ Debates Election Vibes from Democratic Convention

Few words pop up more frequently in 2024 election discourse than “vibes.” While the 2020 presidential contest was billed as an existential clash between competing visions for American democracy amid a deadly pandemic, its sequel has largely been defined by questions of weirdness (or lack thereof). Policy has taken a backseat as newly minted Democratic nominee Kamala Harris and running mate Tim Walz seek to create an image that distances their ticket from both the apocalyptic rhetoric and airing of grievances that define Donald Trump’s campaign and the aura of doom that surrounded the final days of Joe Biden’s. As this week’s Democratic National Convention unfolds from Chicago, the party is seeking to project an aura of joy and optimism that directly contrasts with the bleakness and machismo that emerged from the Republican National Convention last month.

But are vibes enough? That’s the question that “The Daily Show” sought to answer when its team hit the convention halls this week. The Comedy Central talk show is broadcasting from Chicago’s Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture all week to capture all of the convention festivities — and correspondents Ronny Chieng, Desi Lydic, Troy Iwata, and Josh Johnson decided to ask attendees what they really think of the party’s approach. In a clip that airs tonight, the team spoke to everyone from Democratic operatives to viral online rappers about whether Democratic policies really matter in an election that often seems destined to be decided by vibes.

The show’s special convention coverage represents its latest effort to adapt to the rapidly-shifting realities of covering the 2024 presidential election. Jon Stewart has returned to his hosting duties on Monday nights through November, and the show attempted to broadcast from the Republican National Convention in June before security concerns stemming from the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump made the move impossible. But its DNC schedule features a robust lineup of programming that will culminate in a live show hosted by Stewart following Harris’ speech on Thursday night.

Tuesday night’s episode of “The Daily Show,” which will be hosted by the show’s news team, airs at 11pm E.T./P.T. tonight. Watch the clip, an IndieWire exclusive, below.