Podcast Summary: The Adam Carolla Show Episode Title: Fixing California with Steve Hilton + The View Meltdowns over Colbert Cancelation + Where Did the $100 Million FireAid Funds Go?! Release Date: July 24, 2025

In this engaging and incisive episode of The Adam Carolla Show, host Adam Carolla delves into pressing political and social issues with special guest Steve Hilton, a leading candidate for governor of California. The conversation navigates through California's governance challenges, the controversial mismanagement of substantial FireAid funds, and recent tumultuous events surrounding The View’s cancellation. Additionally, the episode touches on broader themes of systemic racism and the pitfalls of process-oriented leadership.

I. Fixing California with Steve Hilton

Leading the Governor Race:
Adam Carolla opens the discussion by highlighting Steve Hilton’s leading position in the California gubernatorial polls.

[02:35] Steve Hilton: "It's amazing. It's the first one that I've been in since I announced my candidacy and I'm leading by one point from Katie Porter."

Critique of Current Policies:
Hilton criticizes incumbent policies, particularly targeting Katie Porter’s approach to economic issues. He labels her a “process person” who fails to implement effective solutions.

[03:17] Adam Carolla: "So Katie Porter is an. She is a total idiot."

Housing Crisis and Regulation:
The duo delves into California’s housing woes, attributing high rents and homelessness to excessive taxes and stringent regulations. Hilton emphasizes the need to dismantle what he calls the "Democrat doom loop," which he believes perpetuates economic stagnation.

[09:17] Steve Hilton: "It's actually highly revealing of something that I've called in California the Democrat doom loop, which is that they correctly observe, like she does here, trying to pay rent. That's a real thing. Rent is really high."

Big Oil Exodus:
Discussion shifts to the departure of Big Oil companies from California, citing overregulation as the primary cause. Hilton questions the narrative that California is uniquely targeted, suggesting that Big Oil would maximize profits elsewhere if they were genuinely price-gouging.

II. The $100 Million FireAid Funds Mismanagement Scandal

Fundraising vs. Allocation:
Hilton and Carolla express deep concerns over the recent FireAid concert that raised approximately $100 million for fire victims in California. They argue that the funds have not reached the intended beneficiaries but have instead been siphoned off by nonprofits with questionable affiliations.

[19:07] Steve Hilton: "That's exactly what it is. And I want everyone to understand how my brain works. But your brain should work like my brain."

Calls for Investigation:
Highlighting Congressman Kevin Kiley’s actions, Hilton advocates for a thorough criminal investigation into the misallocation of FireAid funds. He underscores the betrayal of donors who acted in good faith hoping to aid fire victims.

[22:44] Steve Hilton: "There needs to be a criminal investigation... They've been really revealed, the people in charge in California and in LA for what they really are."

Systemic Issues in Nonprofits:
The conversation broadens to critique the inefficiency and corruption within California’s nonprofit sector. Hilton suggests that funds are often absorbed internally without delivering tangible aid to those in need.

[24:29] Steve Hilton: "They give themselves a super euphemistic title... then they get a whole bunch of money and they pay all their own."

III. The View Meltdowns over Colbert Cancelation

Free Speech Concerns:
The episode shifts focus to recent controversies surrounding The View, particularly its alleged meltdowns related to Stephen Colbert’s cancellation. Carolla and Hilton discuss the implications for free speech and democratic discourse.

[90:27] Guest/Caller: "This is the dismantling of our democracy. This is the dismantling of our Constitution."

Panel Diversity and Representation:
They critique the panel dynamics of The View, suggesting that the absence of conservative voices or diverse political representation undermines meaningful dialogue. The hosts argue that such imbalances contribute to a polarized media environment.

[94:36] Guest/Caller: "Maybe they should get some conservative blood or, I don't know, maybe one person that voted for Donald Trump on that panel to like ask, represent the American audience."

Impact on Public Discourse:
The hosts express concern that the cancelation and internal conflicts within The View reflect broader societal tensions and threaten the platform's role in fostering open and balanced conversations.

[95:13] Adam Carolla: "Because none of what you say ever happens and what you blame him of, accuse him of, never happens. So I'm gonna go with it's not happening."

IV. The Case of the Poet Faking Minority Identity

Cultural Appropriation in Literature:
A noteworthy segment of the episode covers a scandal involving a Canadian poet, Aaron Barry, who impersonated a black gender-fluid Nigerian to get his poetry published. The hosts discuss the ethical implications and the poet’s frustrations with systemic biases in the literary world.

[105:07] Adam Carolla: "Do you like that weird food because you got it when you're a kid. I'm like, no, no, I've tested this. I force people to eat this."

Systemic Bias and Accessibility:
Carolla and Hilton critique the literary industry's barriers for white male writers, arguing that affirmative action-like policies inadvertently lower standards and encourage deceitful practices to gain publication opportunities.

[116:08] Adam Carolla: "So now we're lowering it. And now we have surgeons who aren't as qualified. But then there's another part. You're gonna have people who would like to go to UCLA or like to be pilots and who aren't black and aren't Asian or aren't lesbian or aren't anything."

V. Conclusion

Throughout the episode, Adam Carolla and Steve Hilton offer a scathing critique of California’s political landscape, highlighting systemic inefficiencies and corruption. They advocate for a shift from process-oriented governance to practical, results-driven leadership. Additionally, their discussions underscore the importance of accountability in nonprofit organizations and the media's role in upholding democratic values. The episode concludes with reflections on cultural issues and the need for genuine progress over superficial policies.

Notable Quotes:

• Steve Hilton on Katie Porter’s Ineffectiveness:

  [03:17] Adam Carolla: "So Katie Porter is an. She is a total idiot."

• Steve Hilton on the Democrat Doom Loop:

  [09:17] Steve Hilton: "So what's the answer? Pay your workers more. What's that going to do? Raise everyone's costs."

• Adam Carolla on FireAid Funds Mismanagement:

  [98:50] Adam Carolla: "Something is very suspicious. And I can't wait. As a C list reality star who is a conspiracy theorist, I like to see the real conspiracy here."

• Guest Caller on Democracy in Jeopardy:

  [90:12] Guest/Caller: "Because it's very clear that if it is political, this is the dismantling of our democracy. This is the dismantling of our Constitution."

• Steve Hilton on Governing Competence:

  [43:22] Steve Hilton: "It's totally like this."

This episode provides a critical lens on California’s governance, highlighting the need for accountable and effective leadership. Through candid discussions and pointed critiques, Carolla and Hilton engage listeners in meaningful conversations about political reform and societal challenges.