Armstrong & Getty On Demand
Episode: "Enormous Horses"
Date: September 16, 2025
Hosts: Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty
Episode Overview
This episode of Armstrong & Getty delves into a whirlwind of current events and cultural contrasts, focusing largely on the aftermath of the Charlie Kirk assassination, reactions across the political spectrum, the state of discourse in America, parallels between the U.S. and Great Britain, and the cultural symbolism of pageantry (and, yes, horses) in global politics. The hosts navigate through listener insights, media analysis, and their distinct blend of humor and critique.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Israel’s Gaza City Invasion and Global News Priorities
- [03:49–04:59] The show opens with Netanyahu named “General Manager,” in reference to Israel’s military assault on Gaza City, juxtaposed against media fixation with the Charlie Kirk shooting.
- “The invasion of Gaza City has begun...the end stage of the battle to disarm Hamas. In spite of all the warnings, I would characterize them as whinings...It has begun.” (Jack Armstrong, 04:03)
- The hosts comment on how the Kirk assassination dominates the news cycle, pushing even major international events to the sidelines.
2. Charlie Kirk Assassination: Public and Media Responses
- [04:27–07:55] A deep dive into the ongoing obsession with the Kirk shooting:
- Discussion about the suspect’s confession and bizarre apology within online gaming circles.
- “Guys, it was me. I’m sorry about all of this.” (Jack Armstrong quoting the shooter’s online statement, 07:09)
- Theorizing why the confessed assassin isn’t grandstanding or justifying his actions, suggesting he may be protecting online associates.
- The politicization and extreme reactions, with both hosts expressing concern about the climate that tolerates or celebrates violence against political opposition.
3. Media Bias & Political Tribes
- [09:04–11:25] Armstrong & Getty discuss Bill Maher’s remarks on polarization and unwillingness of the left to engage opposing viewpoints:
- “Say what you want about the right wingers, but they’ll talk to you...The lefties want nothing to do with anybody who disagrees with them. You’re unclean, you’re a horror, you’re subhuman. That’s sick. That’s a sickness.” (Jack Armstrong, 09:04)
- The “Coming Out Conservative” joke, suggesting a national day for conservatives to reveal their ideology in the face of social ostracism.
4. Motives & Media Narratives
- [11:25–12:16] Strong criticism of news outlets for equivocation or denial regarding motive.
- “CBS, with their coverage yesterday, had their guest on saying, ‘motive remains elusive. It’s not driven by an obvious political ideology.’” (Jack Armstrong, 11:25)
- Both hosts mock the idea that Kirk’s assassination motive was unclear.
5. Horses and Pageantry: Trump’s State Visit to the UK
- [12:16–13:23] An extended detour into the remarkable (and symbolic) detail that, for Trump’s state dinner in Britain, there will be “more horses than for Macron.”
- “They’re gonna have more horses because they got to make it clear that the special relationship is even...It is. We have the most horses. The best horses. Many people say our horses are the best that have ever trotted.” (Jack Armstrong, channeling “Trump,” 13:11)
- Satirical riffing on Trump’s likely pride at the pageantry escalates into commentary about the odd persistence of monarchic symbols in democracies.
6. Parallels Between Britain and U.S. Societal Woes
- [13:23–16:10] Armstrong shares insights from a British columnist about the UK’s resemblance to the U.S. in terms of:
- Store theft, crime, illegal immigration, both major parties’ ineffectiveness, exploding national debt.
- “You could have taken Britain out of it and put in the United States and it was exactly the same thing. Endless theft at stores...Illegal immigration, crime running rampant. So broke...” (Jack Armstrong, 13:31)
7. Root Causes: Demographics, Immigration, and the Welfare State
- [15:28–16:10] Speculation on why Western democracies have embraced unchecked immigration and tolerate rising crime.
- Joe posits the need for increased young workforce to sustain Ponzi-scheme-like welfare states:
- “The Ponzi scheme absolutely depends on increasing the population of young people, specifically young workers. And you're not having babies, Western world.” (Jack Armstrong, 15:28)
8. Robert Redford’s Passing
- [17:01–17:29; 20:37–21:15; 44:17–44:27] News of the iconic actor’s death prompts reflections on generational fame and cultural legacy.
9. Headlines & Quick Takes
- [21:15–23:15] Katie Green delivers headline round-up:
- Kirk assassin’s Discord confession
- Jewish students hiding religious identity
- The Hamas mouthpiece’s response to Free Palestine Emmys message
- Average child’s allowance over $100 per month
10. Cheering Murder: The Unthinkable Online Reaction
- [27:12–29:57] Armstrong & Getty express horror at online celebrations of both Kirk’s and United Healthcare CEO’s assassinations:
- “A number of people...have been posting gleeful, celebratory, sarcastic celebrations of the cold blooded murder of a young father.” (Joe Getty, 28:08)
- Both criticize the moral rot that enables such discourse, but discuss shades of clarity between different high-profile killings.
11. Microsoft Employee Fallout & DEI Hypocrisy
- [30:06–34:36] Played clips of a former Microsoft DEI chief lamenting his firing after expressing glee at Kirk’s death.
- Key audio:
- “On a weekend, I’m told that I am no longer employed at Microsoft. Yes, because you’re an idiot.” (Joe Getty, 30:25)
- “It is not okay to target me because I felt joy that day. I can’t help how I feel. I felt joy.” (Microsoft Employee, 31:49)
- The hosts highlight his lack of responsibility and note the striking contrast between his advocacy for ideological policing (DEI) and outrage upon being judged by his own public beliefs.
- Key audio:
12. Cancel Culture: Morality vs. Mob Justice
- [37:31–40:45] Joe and Jack weigh the difference between cancel culture for offending woke sensibilities and firing people who celebrate murder.
- “Not celebrating cold blooded murder is blanking universal in the western world.” (Jack Armstrong, 39:00)
- Distinguish between firing for anodyne “all lives matter” posts versus genuinely horrific behavior.
13. Echo Chambers & Social Media
- [34:36–36:39] Analysis of how people on the left may be genuinely shocked at controversy, accustomed to social support from all sides.
- “If you lean right, it’s every single time you flip on the tv...If you lean left, you don’t turn on mainstream television and have to hear things you hate politically. Ever.” (Joe Getty, 09:53)
- “The lack of awareness is just difficult for me to comprehend.” (Jack Armstrong, 36:43)
14. Listener Mailbag
- [45:16–48:34] Selected listener emails:
- Noting the normalization of glee at Kirk’s death even among non-fringe liberals
- Pointing out the irony/hypocrisy of DEI creators being fired for viewpoint discrimination
- Listeners vent about self-care routines and societal polarization
15. Freedom-Loving Quote of the Day
- [44:27–45:16] J.K. Rowling is quoted:
- “If you believe political opponents should be punished with violence or death, you’re a terrorist.” (J.K. Rowling, quoted by Jack Armstrong, 45:02)
Notable Quotes & Timestamps
-
On Gaza Invasion
“The invasion of Gaza City has begun, we're told, end stage of the battle to disarm Hamas. In spite of all the warnings, I would characterize them as whinings...”
— Jack Armstrong, [04:03] -
On the Kirk Assassin’s Silence
“Why hasn't he gone full soapbox statement advocating his beliefs? Because he's absolutely caught dead to rights.”
— Jack Armstrong, [05:42] -
On Partisan Dialogue
“Say what you want about the right wingers, but they'll talk to you...The, the lefties want nothing to do with anybody who disagrees with them. You're unclean, you're a horror, you're subhuman. That's sick. That's a sickness.”
— Jack Armstrong, [09:04] -
Mocking the Obvious Motive
“Oh my God. He said, I hate Charlie Kirk, and then he killed him because of his politics. Because of his politics...Good Lord. The motive remains elusive.”
— Jack Armstrong, [11:40] -
On Horses & Trump in the UK
“We have the most horses. The best horses. Many people say our horses are the best that have ever trotted.”
— Jack Armstrong (parodying Trump), [13:11] -
Parallels with the UK
“You could have taken Britain out of it and put in the United States, and it was exactly the same thing. Endless theft at stores...So broke. And neither party has any interest in doing anything about it at this point.”
— Jack Armstrong, [13:31] -
On Western Welfare State Demographics
“The Ponzi scheme absolutely depends on increasing the population on young people, specifically young workers. And you're not having babies, Western world.”
— Jack Armstrong, [15:28] -
On Cheering Assassination Online
"A number of people...have been posting gleeful, celebratory, sarcastic celebrations of the cold blooded murder of a young father."
— Joe Getty, [28:08] -
On Cancel Culture vs. Moral Universals
“Not celebrating cold blooded murder is blanking universal in the western world.”
— Jack Armstrong, [39:00] -
J.K. Rowling’s Test for Liberalism
“If you believe political opponents should be punished with violence or death, you’re a terrorist.”
— Jack Armstrong quoting J.K. Rowling, [45:02]
Memorable Moments
-
The “Enormous Horses” Bit (12:45–13:23):
Jack and Joe riffing, Trump-style, on British pageantry: “We have the most horses. The best horses...” -
The DEI Chief’s Meltdown (30:25–32:04):
A laid-off Microsoft employee’s self-righteous post-layoff lament: "It is not okay to target me because I felt joy that day. I can't help how I feel. I felt joy." -
Proposing a “Conservative Coming Out Day” (10:25–11:25):
In jest, suggesting a mass public declaration: “Maybe we ought to have some sort of Coming out as a conservative movement...October 16th will be coming out. I'm out and I'm proud.”
Conclusion
This episode provides a sharp, wide-ranging exploration of American political culture in 2025, with incisive critique, satire, and audience interaction. The hosts highlight a sense of moral dislocation and polarization, anxious about the willingness of some to cheer violence against political adversaries, and ponder the “new normal” on both sides of the Atlantic. Throughout, Armstrong & Getty keep their trademark blend of gravitas and humor, challenging listeners while keeping things lively and accessible.