Armstrong & Getty On Demand

Episode: He Isn't Worth The Baguette He Flew In On
Date: January 20, 2026
Host: iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

This episode of Armstrong & Getty tackles several timely issues with their trademark irreverence and incisive commentary. The main themes covered include the controversy surrounding the upcoming release of FBI surveillance files on Martin Luther King Jr., civil rights activism and the legacy of MLK, the escalating and surreal Greenland crisis involving President Trump, and analysis of recent sports events. The show blends humor and skepticism as it dissects political and social developments, punctuating the discussion with memorable moments and pointed critique.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Life Lessons and Sports Miracles

• Hosts reflect on the underdog victory of Indiana’s coach, Kurt Signetti, winning the national championship—“one of the great sports stories of all time” (00:56).
• The importance of perseverance:
  • Quote: “Keep your nose down and keep working, anything's possible.” —Jack Armstrong (00:31)
• Promises further discussion on this “amazing sports story” later in the episode.

2. Greenland Battle & Trump’s Davos Plans

• Current events: The brewing international drama as President Trump pursues acquisition of Greenland.
• Trump's combative stance, threatening tariffs and demanding cooperation at the Davos summit.
• Armstrong: “Trump's gonna give a speech tomorrow...he's gonna come out guns blazing about why you should give me Greenland. And if you don't, you're gonna pay a price.” (01:18)
• Getty calls the situation “hilarious” in an absurdist way (02:01).

3. MLK Jr., Government Surveillance, and Historical Reckoning

• Discussion about Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the paradox of honoring MLK while the U.S. still has buildings named after his persecutor, J. Edgar Hoover.
• The hosts unpack the ugly history of FBI surveillance and smear tactics against MLK, highlighting the contradiction of American remembrance:
  • Quote: “We have a federal holiday named after the guy. Then we have a building, the J. Edgar Hoover Building, named after the guy at the FBI who was illegally taping the civil rights leader.” —Armstrong (02:37)
• The pending release of confidential MLK files set for January 31, 2027, and the surrounding controversy about whether they should be made public.
• Deliberation on whether illegal evidence, tainted by government misconduct, should see the light of day. Getty outlines the classic “fruit of the poisonous tree” argument (05:15).

4. Transparency vs. Privacy in Historical Documents

• Hosts compare the MLK surveillance files to the unreleased Epstein files—worrying about the misuse or misunderstanding of raw, out-of-context information (06:20).
• Analogy concerning archeological discoveries vs. recent graves: “When does a grave robber become a scientist?...Is it 30 years? 100? 200?” —Getty (07:35)
• The question of when it’s ethical to release damaging information about public figures, especially those who were victimized by the government.

5. J. Edgar Hoover’s Legacy

• Ongoing astonishment that Hoover's name remains on the FBI building, considering his history.
  • Armstrong: “How is J. Edgar Hoover's name still on the FBI building?” (09:37)
  • Getty: “It's fairly abhorrent.” (09:41)

6. Civil Rights, Accountability, and Robert L. Woodson’s MLK Day Letter

• Extended discussion—Getty reads from civil rights leader Robert L. Woodson’s letter urging “a one year moratorium on whining about racism...because grievance has become a shield, protecting predators within our communities...” (15:22)
• Woodson’s call for self-reflection and community accountability, quoting MLK’s own words on self-critique.
• Quote from Woodson: “Victimhood is not liberation. It is a leash.” (17:57)
• Hosts note the media’s lack of coverage of such perspectives and lament the commercialization of victimhood in civil rights leadership (18:05).

7. The Trump-Greenland Tariff Crisis: Satirical Absurdity and Real-World Consequences

• Trump threatens 10% tariffs on NATO allies rising to 25% unless they support Greenland acquisition.
• Trump’s reasoning includes being snubbed for the Nobel Peace Prize by Norway, misunderstanding how the award is actually given:
  • Armstrong (summarizing Trump): “‘Complete and total control of Greenland because your country didn't give me the Nobel Prize.’ Now, that shouldn't matter anyway. But the government of Norway doesn't give out the prize. It's an independent group. . .” (20:45)
• Analysis of Trump’s negotiating style:
  • Getty: “He said, ‘to hell with it. I'm just going to do it this way. I've always done it bare knuckled. I get deals no matter what gets damaged in the process...’” (21:07)
• Armstrong & Getty contemplate the real risk of NATO’s dissolution and the gamble Trump is taking with U.S. alliances (22:20, 25:00).
• Macron refuses to join Trump’s “League of Elders” for Gaza; Trump responds with a threat to double wine tariffs (27:43).
• Getty: “If you want a king. That's the way a king behaves.” (29:03)

8. National and International Leadership: The State of U.S. and World Politics

• Cynicism about current leaders’ approach: the endless “performative” spectacle (31:31).
• Armstrong: “When Trump leaves the scene, do things calm back down or not? That's one of the biggest questions hanging out there.” (31:41)
• Pessimism and a jokey tone about America’s ability to militarily take Greenland (31:49–32:34).

9. Sports Debrief and Lighthearted Tangents

• The hosts rave about Indiana’s Heisman-winning player Fernando Mendoza and an epic sports moment:
  • Armstrong: “That was some play. . . That was really a badass play.” (33:07)
• Joking about replacing a disgusting staff microwave and odd neighbors flying dangerous ultralight aircraft (34:04–36:28).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Keep your nose down and keep working, anything's possible.” – Jack Armstrong (00:31)
• “We have a federal holiday named after [MLK]. Then we have a building, the J. Edgar Hoover Building, named after the guy at the FBI who was illegally taping the civil rights leader.” – Armstrong (02:37)
• “When does a grave robber become a scientist?...Is it 30 years? 100? 200?” – Getty (07:35)
• “How is J. Edgar Hoover's name still on the FBI building?” – Armstrong (09:37)
• “Black America must declare a one year moratorium on whining about racism. Not because racism has disappeared...because grievance has become a shield, protecting predators within our communities, accusations of racism are routinely weaponized...” – Robert L. Woodson (15:22, read by Getty)
• “Victimhood is not liberation. It is a leash.” – Woodson (17:57)
• “Complete and total control of Greenland because your country didn't give me the Nobel Prize.” – (Armstrong paraphrasing Trump) (20:45)
• “If you want a king. That's the way a king behaves.” – Getty (29:03)
• “When Trump leaves the scene, do things calm back down or not? That's one of the biggest questions hanging out there.” – Armstrong (31:41)
• “That was some play. . . That was really a badass play.” – Armstrong, about the Indiana game (33:07)
• On dangerous hobbies: “If you forced me at gunpoint to do that, I'd say, no, just shoot me. You're shooting me. I'm not doing that.” – Getty (35:53)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:28–01:16: Perseverance and the Indiana championship story
• 01:18–02:15: Greenland controversy, Trump at Davos preview
• 02:15–04:24: MLK Day, government surveillance, and historical ironies
• 05:15–07:10: Privacy vs. transparency in releasing surveillance files
• 09:37–10:00: J. Edgar Hoover’s legacy and its problems
• 15:22–18:05: Robert L. Woodson’s MLK Day letter – full excerpt, analysis
• 18:13–24:28: Greenland crisis, Trump’s tariffs, NATO and U.S. diplomacy
• 27:43–29:03: Macron, League of Elders, and Trump’s tariff threats
• 31:41–32:34: Will things calm down after Trump? Greenland invasion scenario
• 33:01–34:04: Indiana’s victory and sports excitement
• 34:04–36:28: Microwave mishaps and extreme ultralight flyers

Tone & Language

Maintaining their standard irreverent, skeptical tone, Armstrong & Getty weave humor and incredulity into serious political critique. They alternate between somber reflections on history and playful banter on contemporary absurdities, making the episode both thought-provoking and entertaining.

Summary

This episode delivers a multifaceted examination of American politics, history, and society. Anchored by Armstrong & Getty’s biting wit, the conversation ranges from the unresolved legacy of civil rights surveillance to the wild geopolitical ambitions of President Trump. The reading of Robert L. Woodson’s MLK Day letter stands out as a highlight for its rare candor and critique of modern civil rights discourse. The absurdities of world politics are juxtaposed with everyday oddities and sports heroics, giving listeners a rich, engaging synthesis of commentary and culture.