Armstrong & Getty On Demand
Episode: I've Done Drugs, Folks!
Date: April 2, 2026
Hosts: Jack Armstrong & Joe Getty
Podcast: Armstrong & Getty On Demand (iHeartPodcasts)
Episode Overview
This episode takes on an energetic, no-holds-barred deep dive into several major California controversies, including massive welfare and Medicaid fraud, the ongoing saga of the state’s bullet train, and erratic public behavior by Governor Gavin Newsom that sparks rampant speculation. The hosts also riff on current events like protests, U.S. military interventions, media narratives, and high-profile scandals. As always, Armstrong & Getty’s signature mix of biting critique, satire, and unscripted banter is on full display.
Key Topics & Discussion Points
1. California Government Waste and Fraud
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Massive Medicaid Fraud
- Recent investigations (notably City Journal, Christopher Rufo) estimate California has lost at least $180 billion in taxpayer money to fraud, scams, and organized crime since 2018 ([04:27]).
- Medicaid fraud alone estimated at 25% of the state’s annual $197B medical budget—about $50B each year ([05:53]).
- Fraud is pervasive in multiple welfare programs (unemployment, in-home healthcare, homelessness initiatives).
- Skepticism from the hosts regarding mainstream media and public reaction, especially among left-leaning audiences ([05:54-07:06]).
- New law raised the felony threshold for welfare fraud from $950 to $25,000, which critics say legalizes fraud ([07:06-07:24]).
"Since 2018, $180 billion worth of fraud scams and organized crime rings."
—Jack Armstrong ([04:34])"[Minnesota says] we do fraud. And California says, hold my Chardonnay. Watch this."
—Joe Getty ([04:27]) -
California’s Bullet Train Fiasco
- Clip of Gavin Newsom (2014) candidly discussing the ballooning costs and false revenue claims of the high-speed rail project.
- Hosts lament the lack of accountability and skyrocketing cost beyond even previous, already high estimates ([02:21-03:44]).
"On their own website, it's no longer a high-speed train. It’s a slightly faster regular train."
—Jack Armstrong ([03:29]) -
High Taxes, Poor Results
- Despite the nation's highest tax rates, California struggles with road conditions, homeless population, and failing schools ([08:32-08:59]).
2. Gavin Newsom's Public Behavior: Is He on Drugs?
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Viral Ceremony Appearance
- Newsom’s behavior at a California Service Corps ceremony (excessive fidgeting, nose wiping, sweating) prompts speculation about substance use ([09:17-13:45]).
- Hosts play the speech, analyze the incoherent flow, and share reactions from viewers who see classic signs of drug use ([09:58-12:31]).
"I've done drugs, folks. There is something very odd happening there...drug counselors, drug addicts are saying, oh, dude, please."
—Joe Getty ([12:37])"It's hard to follow."
—Jack Armstrong ([11:17])- The show leans heavily (though somewhat tongue-in-cheek) into the speculation—bringing up elite trends like microdosing ketamine ([11:18-11:34, 13:03-13:38]).
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Audience & Staff Reaction
- Clip replayed; staff and hosts dissect the physical and verbal “tells” ([11:54-12:31]).
- Banter about visible tics and jokes about ketamine.
"It's not an admission of weakness to admit you're addicted to ketamine."
—Joe Getty ([14:11])
3. Protest Culture & Satire: The Straits of Hormuz
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Street Interviews at "No Kings" Rallies
- Satirical bit with protestors confusing the Strait of Hormuz with a nonexistent “Gays of Hormus,” highlighting activist ignorance and scripted ideological talking points ([15:32-16:50]).
"She speaks with the confidence of the youth that thinks they know much..."
—Jack Armstrong ([16:08])"Just reciting her, you know, postmodernist, neo Marxist talking Points, historical discrimination, blah, blah, blah, colonialism, blah, blah, blah."
—Joe Getty ([16:40])
4. U.S.–Iran Tensions & War Coverage
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Military Missions and War Timetables
- Discusses public expectations for swift wars vs. the complexities of military operations.
- Anecdote about a Chinook pilot’s heroism during a Venezuela intervention—illustrating how close major missions come to disaster ([20:31-23:12]).
- Trump’s leaked comments on “taking the oil” and awareness of American impatience for prolonged conflict ([24:29-25:27]).
"All military operations, even when you got the upper hand by far can go south because they're very, very complicated and there's lots of moving parts."
—Jack Armstrong ([19:48]) -
International Response & NATO
- Trump mocks France’s Macron for hesitance to contribute militarily—humorous personal jabs and skepticism about NATO participation ([28:22-29:16]).
"Many of them said, we'll be there after the war is completed."
—Donald Trump (clip, quoted by hosts) ([29:06]) -
Iran’s Letter to America
- Iran’s president pens a letter denying they are a threat, to which hosts respond with dark skepticism, referencing years of “Death to America” rhetoric ([29:46-30:30]).
5. Language Trends & Social Commentary
-
Generational Language Shifts
- Brief discussion about youth speech patterns—particularly dropping t’s in words like “kitten” and “fountain” ([33:07-34:09]).
"I pronounce every letter. As you know, I don't believe in silent letters."
—Joe Getty ([33:52])
6. Kristi Noem’s Husband Scandal
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Adult Webcam Allegations
- Update on Kristi Noem’s husband’s online “sissy sub” interactions—comic commentary about his “cartoonishly large knockers” and his unique requests ([34:09-35:47]).
"She said she'd never seen a sub that had bigger knockers than him."
—Jack Armstrong ([34:27])"You're used to people coming to you for your cartoonishly large breasts. They generally don't bring their own to the party."
—Joe Getty ([35:42])
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On California Fraud:
"Unemployment benefits, subsidized health care for the poor... all these different things that, that people sign up for that don't deserve it, or programs that don't accomplish anything and nobody's paying any attention..."
—Jack Armstrong ([04:56]) -
On Government Accountability:
"California has the highest taxes in the country on almost everything... The roads suck, the schools are failing. So, I mean, so if you have the highest taxes and the worst results, that money is going somewhere."
—Jack Armstrong ([08:32]) -
On Gavin Newsom:
"He was just moving and going to his nose and twitching and looking around. I mean, he was agitated."
—Joe Getty ([09:18])"There's something wrong with him right there. He's probably microdosing ketamine..."
—Joe Getty ([11:18]) -
On Protester Ignorance:
"You're interested enough in the news to be out at the protest... but just reciting her, you know, postmodernist, neo Marxist talking Points, historical discrimination, blah, blah, blah, colonialism, blah, blah, blah."
—Joe Getty ([16:40]) -
On Military Luck:
"Four bullets, all missing the big arteries in the leg is a bit of a miracle."
—Joe Getty ([22:06]) -
On Youth Language:
"I say fountain. I don't really get the T. Fountain. I definitely say fountain."
—Jack Armstrong ([33:48])
Timestamps for Key Segments
- CA Fraud & Medicaid Waste: [01:01] – [08:59]
- Newsom’s Twitchy Speech: [08:59] – [14:11]
- No Kings Rally Satirical Interviews: [15:32] – [16:54]
- U.S.–Iran War Analysis & Military Story: [18:08] – [25:27]
- Trump’s Leaked Comments/NATO: [25:27] – [29:46]
- Iran’s Letter to America & Veteran Sentiments: [29:46] – [31:15]
- Language Trends: [33:07] – [34:09]
- Kristi Noem’s Husband Scandal: [34:09] – [36:10]
Episode Tone and Style
The episode is rich in sarcastic critique, news analysis, and off-the-cuff humor. Armstrong & Getty alternate between dead-serious watchdog journalism and irreverent social satire, maintaining a direct, colloquial style that makes complex policy and political ethics accessible and engaging.
For listeners who missed the episode:
This summary covers all the major stories and commentaries—government fraud revelations, viral political gaffes, war analysis, protester obliviousness, and the stranger corners of public scandal—wrapped in the show’s trademark energetic banter and pointed, often comic insight.