Armstrong & Getty On Demand – "Chucking T-Bones at Tigers"

Date: September 25, 2025
Hosts: Jack Armstrong & Joe Getty
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

In this episode, Armstrong and Getty discuss the recent sniper attack on an ICE van, the impact of partisan rhetoric on violence, law enforcement, and political fundraising, as well as economic news including the Fed’s rate cuts, mortgage rates, and European immigration issues. The hosts analyze how public discourse spirals into extremity, riff on political personalities, and inject their signature humor on issues as varied as meat sauce, activism, and Gen Z's employability.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. ICE Facility Sniper Attack & the Ripple of Political Rhetoric

[03:32 - 09:53]

• Details of the Incident:
  The episode opens with coverage of a violent attack on an ICE detention van, resulting in one death and multiple injuries. The shooter reportedly had little prior political leanings but left anti-ICE messages on bullets.
• Root Causes & Pathology:
  • The hosts point out the complexity of such acts, questioning whether they are truly ideological or performative suicides influenced by recent radicalization.
  • "Is it political violence? Yes. Is there a left wing political message to what he's doing? Yes, but it's a more complicated phenomenon than that." – Michael Telling [04:24]
  • The discussion expands to the growing hostility towards law enforcement, citing both media rhetoric and politicians' statements equating ICE agents to Gestapo or slave patrols.
• Language & Real-World Impact:
  • Joe Getty shares a poll showing 82% believe political talk is fueling violence: "82% say yes and the other ones are wrong." – Jack Armstrong [06:36]
  • Clips play of politicians and pundits using hyperbolic language (e.g., "modern day Gestapo,” “slave patrols,” and “disappearing people”).
• Law Enforcement Response:
  • Todd Lyons, ICE director, and Tom Holman, former ICE head, detail the unprecedented rise in threats and assaults on officers. Holman reports not being able to live with his family due to safety concerns.
  • "I've never seen anything like this in my law enforcement career ... assaults on officers are up over a thousand percent." – Todd Lyons [07:46]
  • "The ICE agents are going to continue doing what they're doing to make this country safe again..." – Tom Holman [09:15]

2. Fundraising, Media Dynamics, and the 'Red Meat' Culture

[09:53 - 12:28]

• Anger as a Fundraising Tool:
  • The hosts underscore how political anger is now weaponized for online fundraising, with outrage being the most lucrative motivator for small donations.
  • "Anger is the king of the financial end of politics right now. Small online donations. And they're not going to give up their most lucrative... way to soak you out of your money." – Michael Telling [09:53]
• The Seduction of Outrage on Stage:
  • Armstrong recounts how reasoned discourse draws tepid reactions, while incendiary remarks electrify audiences, likening it to "chucking T-bones to tigers."
  • "You say some really charged thing... people just cheer. And it gives you a boost of adrenaline... makes you want to say crazier things." – Jack Armstrong [11:06]
  • Example cited: Tommy Lahren's crowd-pleasing "Hitler stuff" versus their more tempered approach.
• Merchandise & Memes:
  • Discussion about sports nicknames and how rallying phrases ("Let's win the whole effing thing") become instant merch—further evidence of tribal, emotional energy driving engagement.

3. Economic Updates: Fed Cuts, Mortgage Rates, and U.S. & EU Immigration

[18:09 - 24:20]

• Fed's Rate Cut and Implications:
  • The podcast explores why mortgage and loan rates don’t immediately drop after the Fed cuts rates, contrasting short- and long-term interest rates.
  • "Mortgage rates are not set by the Fed. They have a relationship to it, kind of, but... the average rate has drifted down to 6 and a quarter ish, the lowest in nearly a year." – Michael Telling [19:49]
  • The artificially low rates of the past decade are likened to a honeymoon period that's over.
• European Social Systems & Immigration:
  • France and other EU countries have admitted to promoting immigration to support aging populations and sustain social welfare systems, but the hosts argue this has not worked as promised:
  • "Not only has importing an enormous number of people who despise your culture... been incredibly off-putting and disruptive, but... those promises were false too." – Michael Telling [22:17]
• Preservation of National Identity:
  • There is concern that a lack of cultural assimilation and reverence for foundational values (like the Constitution) threatens the continuity of national identity.
  • "The Constitution has no hope of enduring unless it is... cherished. Unless we love it, unless we understand its value, unless we value it, the Constitution doesn't have a chance." – Michael Telling [23:08]

4. Political Drama: James Comey and Government Shutdowns

[24:20 - 33:54]

• James Comey's Potential Indictment:
  • The segment ponders the soap opera around potential charges against former FBI Director James Comey, with Armstrong suggesting that elections are the way to 'penalize' officials rather than criminal prosecutions.
  • "For a lot of these things that you're angry about... we have a non court way to deal with these things. It’s called the election. Donald Trump won. That was the penalty for James Comey..." – Jack Armstrong [30:26]
• Shutdowns, Staffing, and 'Essential Services':
  • Highlights an impending government shutdown and a surprising article showing that staff cuts at national parks led to no significant problems.
  • "Despite widespread fears of a system wide collapse... America's national parks appear to have weathered the bulk of the cuts, the more than 25% of staff jobs cut." – Jack Armstrong [33:43]
  • The possibility of mass government firings as a political strategy is discussed, with skepticism over doomsday shutdown scenarios.

5. Activism & Ideological Collisions: Greta Thunberg’s 'Palestinian Flotilla'

[34:24 - 39:28]

• Greta Thunberg’s Activism Evolves:
  • The hosts lampoon Greta’s progression from climate to Palestinian activism, with mock sympathy for her “stolen” youth.
  • "We stole her childhood, now we're stealing her 20s. How old is Greta Thunberg, you have... stolen my dreams and my childhood with your empty words." – Jack Armstrong [34:54]
• Culture Clash within Activism:
  • The intersection of LGBTQ activism and pro-Palestinian movements sparks division among flotilla participants.
  • "Palestine is the issue of Muslims first and foremost... why do you involve suspicious activists in it who... have no relation to Gaza, such as homosexuals?" – Michael Telling (paraphrasing a Tunisian activist) [36:31]
  • The hosts joke about "perma cause meetings" and the ever-expanding activism label of "queer."
• Intersectional Absurdity:
  • They riff on “Queers for Palestine,” “Furries for Allah,” etc., as examples of the farcical confusion when disparate causes collide.

6. Miscellaneous: Breaking News, Meat Sauce Philosophy, and Media Critiques

[39:28 - 50:11]

• Breaking News:
  • Pete Hegseth (SecDef) calls an urgent, unexplained meeting of generals/admirals, prompting speculative commentary ("all hands on deck").
  • "A day after Trump says Ukraine should get their land back. I don't know if it's tied into that at all. Have no idea." – Jack Armstrong [41:02]
• Meat Sauce Debate:
  • The hosts and staff banter about authentic meat choices for spaghetti—beef, pork, or sausage—injecting classic Armstrong & Getty levity.
• Jimmy Kimmel & Censorship:
  • A brief but pointed critique of Jimmy Kimmel's response to controversy:
    • "I went back and watched your Monday night. It was like hours after the murder happened and you had a completely flipping attitude toward the whole thing. Yeah, dude. You didn't seem broken up, completely snarky. And uncaring with your only goal to blame Republicans for it." – Jack Armstrong [48:11]
  • The hypocrisy of Democrats regarding censorship and free speech is teased as a topic for future deeper discussion.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Chucking T-bones to tigers. I mean, people love it."
  – Michael Telling, on how crowds crave inflammatory rhetoric [11:31]

• "We've stolen her childhood, now we're stealing her 20s."
  – Jack Armstrong, joking about Greta Thunberg's activism arc [35:00]

• "The Constitution has no hope of enduring unless it is... cherished. That's not a bad word really. Unless we love it, unless we value it, the Constitution doesn't have a chance. Guns and judges won't save it. It's the sentiment in the heart of the American people that protect it."
  – Michael Telling [23:08]

• "Despite widespread fears... America's national parks appear to have weathered the bulk of the cuts, the more than 25% of staff jobs cut. With no problem."
  – Jack Armstrong [33:43]

• "You win the elections, that's the way to get people to stop doing bad things."
  – Jack Armstrong [31:04]

Important Segment Timestamps

• 03:32 – ICE shooting story introduced
• 04:24 – Analysis of shooter’s motivation and performative violence
• 06:36 – Poll: Political rhetoric and violence
• 07:46 – ICE leaders discuss increasing threats
• 09:53 – How anger funds politics, and the “red meat” appeal
• 11:31 – “Chucking T-bones to tigers” moment
• 19:49 – Fed rate cuts, mortgage rates, and the reality check
• 22:17 – European immigration as social-welfare policy backfires
• 23:08 – Constitution survives if loved, not just enforced
• 30:26 – James Comey investigation and political penalties
• 33:43 – National parks function fine after staff cuts
• 35:00 – Greta Thunberg’s activism and intra-activist tensions
• 41:02 – Breaking news: SecDef urgent military meeting
• 48:11 – Jimmy Kimmel controversy recap

Tone and Style

The episode balances serious analysis of political and policy issues with trademark irreverent banter and humor. Armstrong & Getty frequently cut through the noise with skepticism about both mainstream narratives and activist righteousness, using analogies, comedic exaggeration, and personal stories to keep the tone lively and contrarian.

For listeners: This episode is a tour-de-force on how public rhetoric, policy, and tribal dynamics intersect—with enough levity and curiosity to engage even those new to these debates. Skip the first 3 minutes for content; core discussions on violence, politics, and economics run through [03:32 – 50:11].

Key takeaway: In a world of hyperbolic politics and relentless tribalism, Armstrong & Getty remain as committed to skepticism as they are to satire—making for a densely packed, provocative, and entertaining episode.