Armstrong & Getty On Demand

Episode: "Deck The Halls With Bowels Of Holly"

Date: December 12, 2025
Podcast: Armstrong & Getty On Demand
Host: iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

This episode dives into a range of current events with Armstrong & Getty’s trademark blend of sharp political observation, irreverent banter, and cultural commentary. Major topics include Trump’s influence and its perceived decline within the Republican Party, Marjorie Taylor Greene's recent break with Trump, an update on the Michigan football coach scandal, fresh developments in the Russia-Ukraine peace talks, reflections on Israeli military actions, the daring escape of Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Machado, and the perennial debate on what makes a good cheeseburger.

The episode is punctuated by candid asides, listener questions, and moments of humor about the holidays and pop culture.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Political Weather: Trump’s Grip on the GOP

(03:48–13:51)

• Getty shares reflections on Trump’s presidency, expressing gratitude for some of his actions but warning:

  "I have a gut feeling honed over many years of watching this stuff that this is a ship that is heading for the rocks. It does not have the feeling of something coming together. It has the feeling of something falling apart." (04:41)

• The hosts analyze Peggy Noonan’s Wall Street Journal piece outlining Trump’s nosediving approval ratings, including economic and immigration numbers.

• Discussion on Marjorie Taylor Greene (MTG) splitting from Trump, with Getty observing:

  “Once someone makes a jailbreak, though, who defies Trump... the world didn’t turn on her and attack her. The warden’s mystique is diminished.” (06:44)

• Michael adds: “Man, you want to become rich, be a conservative that then turns on the Republican Party or the sitting Republican president… Mainstream media will embrace you.” (07:23)

• Armstrong & Getty cover MTG’s interview with Wolf Blitzer and discuss the broader trend of Republicans distancing themselves from Trump.

  MTG on Trump: "I feel very sorry for President Trump... that’s exactly what’s wrong in America today... that’s poor leadership from a president." (08:43)

• Getty relates findings from a Free Press reporter in Georgia’s reddest district, saying even many core supporters are done with Trump.

  “I’m done with Trump. MTG is right. I’m not MAGA. I’m America First, and Trump isn’t America First anymore.” (10:28)

• The hosts discuss the erosion of Trump’s coalition, including the shifting Hispanic vote and the impact of national affordability/inflation anxiety.

  Michael: “It was almost entirely about things are too expensive… not all these other issues.” (11:52)

2. The Immigration & Criticism Conundrum

(12:27–13:51)

• Armstrong points out a recurring Trump flaw:

  “His greatest gift is disdain for his critics… His greatest weakness is that he is disdainful of his critics, because sometimes his critics are people who agree with him…” (12:54)

• The hosts suggest Trump alienated key supporters by being overly harsh on issues like immigration enforcement.

3. Inflation and Public Sentiment

(13:47–13:55)

• Brief reflection that upcoming inflation data “is going to be really, really big” for public mood and likely political outcomes.

4. Marjorie Taylor Greene in Person

(14:06–15:03)

• Anecdotes about meeting MTG, with the hosts commenting on her appearance and dispelling media portrayals.

  Getty: “She’s very fit. Quite petite. Also better looking in person. The camera’s not kind to her.” (14:44)

5. Michigan Football Coach Scandal

(16:23–21:44)

• The hosts break down the Michigan Head Coach Sharon Moore affair and subsequent arrest:
  • Initial confusion over the story (affair not a crime), then updated reporting that “Moore puts a knife to his throat and ran out” (20:03), and was later detained.
  • Reflections on university policies, “power imbalance” issues, and speculations on what went wrong interpersonally.

6. Culinary Interlude: Cheeseburger Philosophy

(21:53–23:48)

• The hosts riff on cheeseburgers after a viral tweet from Michael about his minimalist In-N-Out order.
• Getty jokes:

  “Why do you need more than the missionary position with the lights out and as many clothes still on as possible? That’s what you just said.” (23:22)

• A playful, light break after heavy political segments.

7. Ukraine, Russia, and Trump’s Peace Gambit

(27:10–35:52)

• Armstrong summarizes diplomacy drama: “White House says it is tired of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine and President Trump wants action.” (27:10)

• Zelensky’s government is pressed to accept significant territorial losses and cap its military, a deal being pushed by Trump.

• Getty: “That’s a heck of a thing. You get invaded… and all the big, strong people around you say you should give up your land and have a smaller military.” (31:24)

• Discussion of European fecklessness in supporting Ukraine.

• Realpolitik perspectives:

  Michael: "I go back and forth on whether I’m horrified by that or think he’s the only one living in reality… This is a sucky deal for Ukraine, but they ought to take it because it’s only going to get worse." (Referencing Neil Ferguson) (27:54)

• Debates about Putin’s intentions—does he even want peace or just dominance?

  Getty: “I think he needs to dominate all of Ukraine because of his czarist wishes… or Russia’s paranoia about security, needing a buffer zone.” (33:32)

• Speculation on peace plan referendums, Ukraine’s resilience, and emotional toll on Zelensky (35:52).

8. Christmas Movie Picks & Humor

(36:18–38:50)

• The hosts lightheartedly swap favorite holiday movies, with Michael prepping a family night of Omaha Steaks cheeseburgers and Christmas films.
• Getty jokes about violent holiday films:

  "What's the sequel gonna be called? Deck the Halls with the Bowels of Holly. I mean, that's just disgusting." (38:50)

9. Dramatic Rescue: The Maria Machado Extraction

(39:01–49:11)

• Armstrong & Getty recount the suspenseful smuggling of Venezuelan opposition leader, Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Machado, to Europe.

• Getty: “The story of how…Maria Machado out of Venezuela…is the sort of thing they make an adventure movie out of.” (43:36)

• Highlights of the escape:

  • Disguises, 10 military checkpoints, and a harrowing, delayed escape by sea in rough conditions.
  • False rumors and counter-intelligence to distract Maduro's forces.
  • Getty: “She left her hideout in a wig and a disguise, made her way through 10 military checkpoints and onto the sea…” (47:18)

• The call for more kids to dream of being "extraction specialists."

• Reflections on the risks for dissidents in totalitarian regimes, comparisons to Navalny, and realpolitik implications.

10. China’s Mega Drone-Deploying Plane

(42:28–43:00)

• Brief commentary on China’s new giant transport aircraft unveiled to deliver massive numbers of drones globally.
• Michael: "They could just fly this giant plane over and release all these drones." (42:41)

Notable Quotes

• Getty on Trump’s trajectory:

  "This is a ship that is heading for the rocks... It does not have the feeling of something coming together. It has the feeling of something falling apart." (04:41)

• Armstrong on Trump’s leadership style:

  "His greatest gift is that he is disdainful of his critics... His greatest weakness is that he is disdainful of his critics..." (12:54)

• MTG to Wolf Blitzer (clip):

  "I feel very sorry for President Trump... that’s exactly what’s wrong in America today." (08:43)

• Getty on Maria Machado’s escape:

  “She left her hideout in a wig and a disguise, made her way through 10 military checkpoints and onto the sea...” (47:18)

• Michael on cheeseburgers:

  “My number one skill is getting fat…” (23:09)

• Getty’s dark wordplay:

  "What's the sequel gonna be called? Deck the Halls with the Bowels of Holly." (38:50)

Timestamps for Major Segments

| Time (MM:SS) | Segment | |------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:48–13:51 | Trump’s political trajectory, GOP dissent, MTG’s break with Trump | | 16:23–21:44 | Michigan football coach scandal | | 21:53–23:48 | Cheeseburger minimalist debate | | 27:10–35:52 | Ukraine-Russia peace talks, Trump’s involvement | | 36:18–38:50 | Holiday movies, lighthearted banter | | 39:01–49:11 | Maria Machado’s extraction from Venezuela | | 42:28–43:00 | China’s new drone-deploying aircraft |

(Ad reads, musical bumps, and promos are omitted.)

Conclusion

This Armstrong & Getty episode is a rich, freewheeling survey of American political and cultural life with timely international intrigue. The hosts blend skepticism with humor as they dissect the shifting Republican landscape, analyze global conflicts in Ukraine and Israel, marvel at real-life adventure, and take the edge off with food debates and holiday movie talk. Perfect for listeners who enjoy sharp commentary, storytelling, and a dose of irreverence alongside headline news.