Armstrong & Getty On Demand – "I Placed My Bacon Into A Cross On My Plate"

Date: April 6, 2026
Hosts: Jack Armstrong & Joe Getty

Episode Overview

This episode of Armstrong & Getty On Demand navigates through biting satire, political skepticism, and sharp cultural commentary. The primary topics include AI economic impacts, U.S. foreign policy under Trump, the controversy surrounding Jennifer Siebel Newsom (California’s "First Partner"), and a lighter segment about public irritation and Jack’s lonely IHOP Easter. The hosts infuse their trademark irreverence, skepticism about government, and concern for social trends throughout.

Key Segments & Insights

1. AI and Universal Basic Income: Futuristic Promises and Skepticism

Timestamps: 04:16–15:59

• The hosts scrutinize proposed economic management in a future dominated by AI and "superintelligence." They review OpenAI’s report on potential policies and express deep skepticism about promised social benefits like Universal Basic Income (UBI) or the more buzzy "Universal Superior Income."
• Jack Armstrong questions how increased productivity from AI would actually translate to money in people's pockets:

  "Nobody has ever filled in the blanks of okay, and then how do I end up getting a check? …what's the step between your factory...producing more with fewer people but me getting some of the money?" (05:34)

• Concerns abound over corruption and government inefficiency if redistribution is handled by state mechanisms:

  "The bigger a government gets, the more oriented it is toward doing the work of the ultra powerful and the connected...it will entirely be a tool of the super rich, those who control AI..." – Joe Getty (13:21)

• Comparison is made to Alaska’s sovereign wealth fund, but incredulity is clear—both about government as a fair broker and about the reality of benevolent tech billionaires.

2. U.S. Foreign Policy Shift: Trump & the Strait of Hormuz

Timestamps: 19:03–23:44

• The duo analyzes Trump's strategy in the Persian Gulf, specifically regarding Iran and the Strait of Hormuz. They point out how Trump breaks with longstanding U.S. guarantees of securing global sea lanes, instead telling Europe to take responsibility.
• Jack Armstrong summarizes a commentary on Trump’s refusal to automatically protect the strait, interpreting it as a deliberate tactic:

  "The point is to delay the act. By allowing a closure or semi closure to bite, Trump ensures that the immediate pain is concentrated in exactly the jurisdictions that have...free ridden on US power — the EU and the UK." (21:33)

• The hosts appreciate Trump confronting allegedly "useless" allies, compelling Europe to act in its own interests.
• They briefly muse about a possible separate oil deal between Iran and Europe, highlighting emerging cracks in the traditional Western alliance.

3. Jennifer Siebel Newsom & California’s Gender Politics

Timestamps: 27:10–38:44

• Focus shifts to Jennifer Siebel Newsom’s public remarks and activism around gender, patriarchy, and representation. They play and comment on her social media clips criticizing Trump for a "war on women."
• Jennifer Siebel Newsom:

  "Trust me, I’m not a fan of Pam Bondi nor Kristi Noem, but I need to call out that it’s no surprise to me that the first two prominent people pushed out of this administration were women...it’s a war on all women." (27:22/29:48)

• The hosts react with a mix of mockery and frustration:

  "She has that university Marxist language down so clearly...You cannot get Marxism going with...whichever argument you use. You’ve got to convince people they’re being beaten and exploited and that they need to rise up." – Joe Getty (30:39/31:51)

• Discussion of Siebel Newsom’s documentary work ("Misrepresentation," "The Mask You Live In," "The Great American Lie")—shown in California schools at taxpayer expense—leads to deeper criticism of political activism and perceived indoctrination in public education:

  "You would not charge somebody to help them...The Representation Project has earned more than $3 million in screenings and film sales." – Jack Armstrong (36:39)

• Complaints grow sharper about California’s education system promoting ideological agendas (e.g. gender theory, privilege walks) instead of basic skills.

4. Everyday Irritations & Jack’s Sad IHOP Easter

Timestamps: 43:06–46:51

• The show turns lighter, riffing on comedian observations about annoying public behavior: slow walkers in parking lots, speakerphones in waiting rooms, kids running wild, and, notably, people bringing stinky food on planes.
• Jack recounts a lonely Easter dinner at IHOP, making a bacon cross on his plate in solitary reflection. Unexpectedly, the staff gives him a plastic Easter egg—containing a coupon, not candy—which is met with bemused resignation:

  "I don't even know how to merge the, all the crassness of the whole thing together. It's Easter Sunday. I'm at IHOP by myself. Things aren't going well." – Jack Armstrong (46:02)

• Joe draws the episode to an end with wry banter.

Memorable Quotes

• On AI Utopia:
  "If I can make a car without a human being and only robots, who's going to make me give away my profits?" — Jack Armstrong (06:14)
• On Government Redistribution:
  "The bigger a government gets, the less responsive it is to normal people. And you're looking at a five, ten, fifty fold increase in the power...to the federal government." — Joe Getty (13:21)
• On Trump’s Foreign Policy:
  "Europe has been able to pursue their green energy goals and their social welfare states...with the assumption that we were always going to open it up. Well, now...we said, no, we ain’t gonna open it up." — Jack Armstrong (22:13)
• On Jennifer Siebel Newsom:
  "Haughty, hectoring, and pleased with herself..." — Quoting Miranda Devine on Siebel Newsom (27:40)
• On California Schools:
  "Who thinks that our biggest problem is young men in America today are too manly?" — Jack Armstrong (34:58)
• On Sad Easter at IHOP:
  "Maybe he saw you making your bacon cross and knew you were already aware." — Joe Getty (46:25)

Segment Timestamps (Selected Highlights)

• 04:16 — On AI, superintelligence, and economic distribution
• 08:10 — Summary of OpenAI’s recommended policies
• 12:11 — Comparing Alaska’s fund to proposed US-wide model
• 19:03 — Dissecting Trump’s strategy with Iran and the Strait of Hormuz
• 27:10 — Jennifer Siebel Newsom’s gender politics and school documentaries
• 43:06 — Annoying behaviors in public, segue to Jack’s IHOP Easter
• 46:02 — The bacon cross, Easter eggs, and musings on life

Tone & Style

• Language & Tone: Snarky, irreverent, and deeply skeptical—especially of bureaucratic or "woke" narratives. Armstrong & Getty mix in humor, parody, and occasional personal asides to keep the energy high and the commentary sharp.
• Flow: Each topic segues naturally with quick wit; moments of cultural frustration or self-reflection are balanced by light-hearted complaints and humorous anecdotes.

Final Thoughts

This episode expertly blends social and political skepticism with everyday observations, moving from deep questions about AI-driven economies and U.S. foreign affairs to the personal absurdities of Easter at IHOP. Fans of Armstrong & Getty will recognize a familiar blend of skepticism about government, media, and elite activists, with a healthy dose of everyday humor and candor.

For more hot links and show highlights, visit armstrongandgetty.com.