In Ronny Chieng’s Daily Show monologue from Thursday night, the host analyzes the meme conflict between both factions of the U.S. government amid the current shutdown. “For the Republicans and Democrats, the key aspect of the shutdown is uniting to point fingers at the other side,” states Chieng. “President Trump has been sharing AI videos of Hakeem Jeffries wearing a sombrero, and now, regrettably, Democrats are retaliating with their own clips.”

A montage ensues featuring social media posts by Sen. Chuck Schumer, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Rep. Steven Horsford, and Rep. Sarah McBride, the last of whom is “searching” for Republicans in the vacant Capitol. “No Republicans here, as they all perished from secondhand embarrassment,” remarks Chieng.

The Daily Show host subsequently explores the “Kitty Explains” meme released by Democrats, where kittens accuse the GOP of causing the shutdown. “Wow, that also wasn’t great,” Chieng comments.

Ultimately, this meme conflict diverts attention from the actual ongoing government shutdown and its ramifications beyond the Capitol, which Chieng also touches upon with a guest appearance from The Daily Show’s Michael Kosta — you should view the entire segment, not just the memes.