Armstrong & Getty On Demand

Episode: Captain Smug
Date: September 22, 2025
Host: Jack Armstrong & Joe Getty
Producer: iHeartPodcasts

Overview

In this episode, Armstrong & Getty reflect on the aftermath of the massive memorial for Charlie Kirk, exploring the intersection of faith, politics, and media coverage surrounding his death. The hosts dive into shifts in America’s political landscape, the influence of Turning Point USA, speculation about major medical news on autism, and international reactions at the UN regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The show's trademark mix of irreverence and insight frames discussions on how movements are born, co-opted, and covered—punctuated with personal anecdotes and real-world skepticism about "historic moments."

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Charlie Kirk’s Memorial: Impact and Meaning

• Massive Attendance & Media Response

  • The hosts marvel at both the size of the memorial ("over 80,000 people in there, turned away 100,000+") and the respectful tone from mainstream media.
    • "What were there 80,000 people in there? ... One of the biggest gatherings for a private death in US history." — Jack Armstrong [07:02]
  • Both reflect on whether such events genuinely shift history or if they’re fleeting moments in today’s distracted culture.
    • "Can you have a thing like that memorial service ... that can be an inflection point in history?" — Jack Armstrong [05:03]
    • "The answer is definitely not. ... We are at the point in our nation's history where a man named Brendan leads a national agency. That's what struck you." — Joe Getty [04:28]

• Turning Point USA as a Movement

  • The huge spike in Turning Point USA chapters and questions of principle vs. exploitation.
    • "The number of new applications for chapters dwarfed the original number. ... Is this the turning point?" — Joe Getty [06:13]
    • Both hosts worry about opportunists: "Will the vultures of exploitation ... ruin it?" — Joe Getty [09:20]

• Religious Sincerity and Political Dynamics

  • Recognition that for many, Kirk’s vision was rooted in faith, not just politics.
    • "It was to argue for forgiveness and Christian principles. The Bible in short." — Jack Armstrong & Joe Getty [07:19-07:54]
  • The memorial’s dual nature as both a religious revival and political rally.

2. Elon Musk’s Involvement & Social Media Reactions

• Musk attended and reportedly offered strong language about Kirk’s death.

  • "Elon ... tweeted out ... 'They murdered our emissary of peace in cold blood. Message received.'" — Jack Armstrong [11:08]

• Cynicism About Blame & Media Narratives

  • The hosts stress not blaming ideologies wholesale for individual violence—a rebuke to blanket accusations.
    • "I don't want to be held responsible for some conservative lunatic ... saying neo-Marxism is trying to take down Western civilization for somebody pulling a trigger." — Joe Getty [11:46]
    • "I didn’t choke George Floyd to death, but my local Target got robbed." — Jack Armstrong [12:08]

3. Existence (or Not) of the FCC

• Frequent jabs about the "outdated" FCC and government overreach.
  • "We should start the show officially for now, to make the FCC happy, which shouldn’t even exist." — Jack Armstrong [12:09]
  • "Boy, this could be our last show folks. Jack’s really crossed the line." — Joe Getty [12:28]

4. Potential Major Discovery in Autism

• Trump’s teaser that "we found an answer to autism," possibly linking it to Tylenol (acetaminophen) use in pregnancy.
  • "I think we found an answer to autism. ... They're going to announce today ... Tylenol during pregnancy is the link." — Jack Armstrong [13:10-13:25]
  • Skepticism (and brand protection): "Say acetaminophen ... and just say there’s a possible link." — Joe Getty [14:04]
  • The hosts muse on whether this would change medical advice overnight, expressing hope for answers, but urging caution and a look at the data.

5. International Affairs and the UN: The Palestinian State Debate

• Global Moves at the UN

  • Britain, Australia, Canada, and others now recognize the Palestinian state, leaving the US almost isolated.
    • "Every country but the United States now seems to be onboard with a two state solution." — Jack Armstrong [15:07]
  • Hosts call symbolic recognitions "meaningless rhetoric."
    • "I have sainted my dog. St. Baxter is now officially recognized by me as a saint. Anybody got any questions?" — Joe Getty [28:32]
    • "Tell me really anything about this fantasy. It’s one of the most ridiculous things I’ve ever witnessed in geopolitics." — Joe Getty [28:43]

• Host Skepticism About Two-State Solution

  • Both continually point out that neither the Israelis nor the Palestinians want a two-state solution anymore.
    • "The World sees hope for Two State Solution. Israelis and Palestinians See none." — Joe Getty [31:29]
    • "Are they going to mention polling shows neither side is interested?" — Jack Armstrong [32:41]
  • Offer a bet: "I’ll give you 100 to 1 ... there will not be a two state solution in the next 10 years." — Joe Getty [35:04]

6. Media Coverage, Rumors, and Social Media Absurdities

• Noting conspiracy theories involving the Kirk shooting (QAnon, Israel, FBI, CIA), the hosts debunk social media-driven narratives.

  • "Cash Patel is in league with the Jews and killed Charlie Kirk." — Joe Getty [20:00]
  • "I was in ... talking with a correspondent yesterday." — Jack Armstrong [20:13]

• Blue Sky/Twitter "nice space" filled with spiteful posts about Erica Kirk.

  • "A search on Erica Kirk ... led to 100% at minimum, dismissive and regularly just awful posts." — Jack Armstrong reading listener email [45:30]

• Satire and late-night/media mockery, e.g. "Democrats hold candlelight vigils for Jimmy Kimmel." — Katie Green (News) [22:31]

7. Personal Anecdotes & Lighter Moments

• Jack’s camping trip with his son and thoughts on discomfort vs. comfort.
  • "Anytime I butt up against lack of opulence and comfort, it’s so much more satisfying than what human beings chase." — Jack Armstrong [38:07]
• Banter on being bald, potential baldness cure, and audience emails.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the scope and sincerity of the memorial:

• "I, too, was struck by mainstream media coverage ... respectful coverage of the event by a group of people that are mostly atheist, agnostic..." — Jack Armstrong [06:50]
• "These people are sincere. They actually believe what they say they believe. And there are a hell of a lot of them." — Joe Getty [07:54]

On movement co-optation:

• "Will the vultures of exploitation ... ruin it? ... We saw this firsthand ... in various Tea Party chapters ... The exploitative vultures moved in quickly." — Joe Getty [09:20]

On the two state solution:

• "It's meaningless rhetoric. It truly is." — Joe Getty [30:23]
• "The two parties involved don't like the idea." — Jack Armstrong [31:23]

On comfort versus struggle:

• "All chase ultimate comfort and ease and it doesn’t satisfy us in the way that difficulty ... does." — Jack Armstrong [38:07]
• "We’re made to love [overcoming obstacles]." — Joe Getty [39:03]

Key Timestamps

• 03:47 — Opening banter & General Managers of the Day: Charlie Kirk and Brendan Carr (FCC)
• 05:03 — Media coverage and lasting impact of Kirk’s memorial
• 06:13 — Turning Point USA chapters surge & movement's future
• 07:19–07:54 — Faith vs. politics at the memorial
• 09:20–10:24 — Dangers of grifters exploiting movements
• 11:08 — Elon Musk’s "emissary of peace" tweet, responding to Kirk’s death
• 13:10–14:16 — Autism possible breakthrough; Tylenol during pregnancy discussed
• 15:07–16:48 — International recognition of Palestinian state, global optics at the UN
• 19:32–22:56 — Katie’s Lead Stories: From Kirk shooting conspiracies to Mootilda the cow
• 28:32–35:04 — UN, the two-state solution debate, and the “fantasy” of diplomatic symbolism
• 38:07–39:06 — Jack’s camping story and reflections on satisfaction
• 45:30 — Blue Sky "nice Twitter" filled with vitriol toward Erica Kirk
• 47:13–47:56 — Email on the possibility of a cure for baldness, lighter banter

Episode Tone & Style

The tone remains classically Armstrong & Getty: irreverent, skeptical, and conversational, mixing serious political critique with wit and playful ribbing. They move seamlessly between biting skepticism about political gestures, genuinely thoughtful analysis about faith and movements, and banter about everyday life.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode is a snapshot of America’s culture wars, faith, and how the sausage of political movements gets made in the modern era. Armstrong & Getty offer cynicism and hope in equal measure, asking pointed questions about history, collective delusions, and the meaning behind grand gestures. Listeners are also treated to humor, inside jokes, and the day’s essential headlines—all wrapped in their distinctive dynamic.

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