Armstrong & Getty On Demand

Episode: A Weasel In A Suit! I'll Be Damned!
Date: October 6, 2025
Hosts: Jack Armstrong & Joe Getty
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the latest political gridlock over the government shutdown, with Armstrong and Getty offering skeptical, irreverent commentary on both parties’ handling of the issue—particularly focusing on the ongoing funding fight around Obamacare subsidies. The show also highlights surprising moments of candor from mainstream media sources, pokes fun at “weasel” politicians, and detours into pop culture, policing controversies in Portland and Chicago, and a wild movie review.

The tone is comedic, sardonic, and bitingly critical, especially toward political posturing and media hypocrisy.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Current Government Shutdown Battle

[03:27 – 13:06]

• Nature of the Dispute: The shutdown is driven by Democrats demanding the extension of COVID-era Obamacare subsidies, with no new proposal for how to pay for them.
• Republican Messaging: Republicans argue if they concede here, it proves Congress never cuts back on spending, losing any “minus button.”
• Mainstream Media Surprises: Armstrong and Getty note a rare moment of honesty from the Washington Post editorial board, acknowledging that the Affordable Care Act “was never really affordable.”
  • Jack Armstrong: “The Affordable Care act wasn’t that affordable. Made everything more expensive.” [05:22]
• Schumer/AOC Dynamics: Jack suggests the whole fight is about Chuck Schumer fearing a primary challenge from AOC, not policy substance.
• Press Critique: Both hosts are pleasantly shocked as even Meet the Press challenges Democrats’ rationale, foreseeing Dems losing the public opinion war here.
• Reince Priebus Drops In: Priebus calls the whole spectacle “the most stupid thing I think I’ve ever witnessed in Washington, D.C.” [10:24]
• Congressional Hypocrisy: Discussion of lawmakers refusing to defer their pay during the shutdown even as they lament pay being withheld from other federal workers.
  • Example: “I’m not wealthy and I have three kids. I would basically be missing, you know, mortgage payments, rent payments, child support…” (Rep. Ruben Gallego) [14:01]
• Scope of Crisis: Emphasized the shutdown only covers funding until November: “We’re only talking about getting through this little patch here until the first week of November.” [12:51]

2. Media & Messaging: Notable Quotes and Sarcasm

[04:52 – 13:06]

• Media Honesty: Hosts laud rare editorial accountability.
  • Jack: “For the Washington Post to put in a sentence, the problem with the Affordable Care act is was never really affordable. Wow.” [09:22]
• “Weasel in a Suit” Segment: Armstrong and Getty lampoon Adam Schiff’s appearance on Meet the Press.
  • Jack Armstrong: “Her pointing out weasel.” [07:48]
  • Joe Getty: “Who taught a weasel to speak American English? That’s an achievement.” [07:51]
  • Jack Armstrong: “Look, they put the weasel in a suit. Isn’t it cute?” [08:00]
• On Partisan Media Bubbles: Critiques lack of cross-exposure to contrary narratives:
  “People whose algorithm is not on the story at all…are just in completely different eco bubbles.” [31:38]

3. Law and Order: Portland & Chicago Protests and National Guard Controversies

[28:16 – 38:18]

• Federal/State Tensions: Federal judge blocks Trump’s attempt to send troops to Portland; federal action seen as inflammatory by local officials.
• Local Leadership Mocked:
  • Jack Armstrong: “That is the most flaccid sounding leader I’ve ever heard.” [29:50]
• City Council “Left of Leningrad”: Portland politics described as even further left than Soviet Russia.
• Media Bubble Analysis: Discussion about radically different perceptions depending on one’s media “algorithm.”
• Chicago National Guard Dispute: Reports that police were told not to assist federal officers while under attack; Fraternal Order of Police outraged.
  • Joe Getty: “How do you think you could possibly structure a society where that’s okay?” [34:00]
  • “No matter when an officer is in need, that everyone should respond to help.” [34:55]

4. Pop Culture & Comic Relief

[21:04 – 24:33]

• Terrible Movie Reviews: Jack reviews "Primitive War," a Vietnam War movie with dinosaurs, at length and with glee.
  • “It is really like Apocalypse Now and Jurassic Park put in a blender.” [23:55]
  • “How about sports movies? The plucky outsider…becomes a major league ball player until he’s attacked by dinosaurs.” [24:01]
• Oldies Concerts: Lighthearted debate about seeing aging rock stars live.
  • Joe Getty: “We’re not going to go to shows featuring our 70s 80s, 90s heroes anymore.” [46:47]
  • Jack: Contrasts with his great Eagles concert experience. [47:05]

5. Everyday Life Anecdotes

[39:26 – 41:38]

• Plumbing Mishap Cautionary Tale: Joe regales a plumbing accident, flooding his house during renovations, using every towel to mop up.
  • “There’s no fixing stupid.” [50:55]
  • “Absent minded people should not do plumbing.” [51:06]
• NFL Quick Hits:
  • Jack: “I’d forgotten from last season how much I like that Redskins quarterback. Sorry, I still call them the Redskins.” [46:13]
  • “Sanchez will now be known for A, this incident and B, the infamous butt fumble that will be his legacy.” [41:27]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Messaging:
  Joe Getty: “Do better messaging, get better messengers. We can’t lose this one.” [06:44]

• On Congressional Pay Hypocrisy:
  Joe Getty: “They’ll whine about the millions of federal workers who won’t get a paycheck, but they’re still getting their checks themselves, remember…” [13:06]

• On Political Cynicism:
  Joe Getty: “Could our governance be more incompetent or dysfunctional?” [12:59]
  Jack Armstrong: “No, it could not. It could not be dumber.” [13:04]

• On Law Enforcement:
  Chris Southwood (Illinois FOP): “When a law enforcement officer is in trouble, nothing should stand in the way of fellow officers rendering assistance. That is obvious to any sane human being.” [36:49]

• On Modern Political Discourse:
  Joe Getty: “There is a huge, huge divide in just the basic perceptions of certain things in our society. It’s just, it’s just crazy.” [37:56]

Important Segment Timestamps

• Shutdown politics, Obamacare subsidies: [03:27 – 16:32]
• Media & “Weasel in a Suit” segment: [07:48 – 09:41]
• Priebus: Shutdown is “stupidest thing”: [10:24 – 12:32]
• Congressional pay hypocrisy: [13:06 – 16:11]
• Movie Review – “Primitive War”: [22:20 – 24:33]
• Portland, Chicago National Guard and police controversies: [28:16 – 38:18]
• Joe’s plumbing disaster: [39:26 – 41:38]

Summary

This episode offers an unvarnished, biting, and often hilarious take on the week’s political drama. Armstrong & Getty skewer both parties, the media, and public figures with irreverence, embodying the “accept no substitutes” spirit of their show. They revel in rare moments of honesty from legacy media, condemn political hypocrisy and dysfunction, and provide comic relief through improbable movie reviews and personal misadventures.

Standout Quote:
Jack Armstrong: “Look, they put the weasel in a suit. Isn’t it cute?” [08:00]

For listeners seeking sharp wit, clear-eyed skepticism, and a dash of cultural commentary alongside hard news, this episode is can’t-miss Armstrong & Getty.