Armstrong & Getty On Demand: Episode Summary – "Le Cheap Fake"

Release Date: May 28, 2025
Host: Jack Armstrong & Joe Getty
Platform: iHeartPodcasts

1. Introduction and Opening Remarks

The episode kicks off with Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty setting the stage for a deep dive into geopolitical tensions and current events.

• Jack Armstrong (00:38): "I just came across the story about a lip reader who's read the lips of McCrone and his wife, President McCrone and his wife on the plane. What they were saying as she was shoving him in the face."

• Joe Getty (00:51): "Has it justified, backed up my theory that it was an actual angry conflict. Stay tuned."

This teaser introduces the primary focus of the episode, blending international politics with intriguing personal dynamics.

2. Historical Context: Putin vs. Hitler

Jack and Joe draw parallels between Vladimir Putin’s actions and those of Adolf Hitler, emphasizing patterns of aggression and global response.

• Jack Armstrong (01:29): "I usually think it is amazing how many of the similar things are happening with the way Putin is being looked at just little by little. Crimea was the Rhineland."

• Joe Getty (03:25): "If you come up with a threat and an excuse to back down, they will accept both."

They discuss Putin’s strategic moves, such as the annexation of Crimea, likening it to Hitler’s invasion of the Rhineland, and explore the world's hesitance to confront such aggression directly.

3. Current Political Climate and Media Influence

The hosts analyze the current U.S. political landscape, focusing on President Trump's rhetoric regarding Putin and the media's role.

• Joe Getty (05:03): "Trump made those ridiculous statements the other day on the tarmac about what happened to Putin. He's changed."

• Jack Armstrong (06:29): "We have run out of time and we're not going to get to the Macron wife lip reading thing."

They critique Trump’s public statements, emphasizing the consistency of Putin's character and his adeptness in manipulation and strategy, while also touching upon the media's portrayal of these figures.

4. Macron's Incident – "Le Cheap Fake"

The episode delves into a viral video featuring French President Macron and his wife, analyzing whether the altercation was genuine or staged.

• Joe Getty (17:36): "The video of the shove quickly going viral. The President's team initially called it a fake."

• Jack Armstrong (18:34): "Emmanuel then steps closer to his wife before composing himself and crossing to the other side. Moments later, he signals for her to follow him with let's go."

The hosts dissect the body language and lip-reading claims, debating the authenticity of the incident and its implications on Macron’s public image.

• Jack Armstrong (19:47): "Stay away you loser."

• Joe Getty (21:47): "No way, you loser. Can we try, please? No. Oh, geez."

This segment highlights the tension between public personas and private interactions, questioning the nature of political leaders' relationships.

5. SpaceX and Media Coverage

Jack and Joe transition to discussing the latest developments in the space industry, particularly focusing on SpaceX's rocket launches.

• Joe Getty (22:05): "SpaceX just launched some more satellites into space, only FOX was covering it."

• Jack Armstrong (23:26): "The booster part then came down and was grabbed by the arms again, which is one of the most amazing technological feats."

They contrast SpaceX’s “fail fast, learn faster” approach with NASA’s more cautious methodology, criticizing mainstream media for misrepresenting Elon Musk’s successes and failures.

6. U.S. Financial Markets and Budget Deficits

The discussion shifts to the bond market and the U.S. budget deficit, exploring the implications of recent financial news.

• Joe Getty (12:22): "The bond market reacted. Yields were blam, blah, blah. And you think, I guess that's bad without really getting it."

• Jack Armstrong (14:48): "Wall Street Bets the worst of Trump's Trade War is behind it."

They explain the bond market’s movements and consumer confidence statistics, linking them to Trump’s trade policies and broader economic strategies.

7. Spending Bills and National Debt

A critical analysis of the proposed spending bills and their impact on the national debt is presented.

• Joe Getty (25:16): "This is my favorite line on this. We spend 7 and we take in 5 trillion. We spend 7 trillion. We take in 5 trillion every year."

• Jack Armstrong (26:40): "We need a new electorate, is a big painful bill that is going to include all kinds of cuts to all kinds of things and tax increases because we got no choice."

The hosts debate the sustainability of current spending practices and the political challenges of implementing necessary fiscal reforms.

8. Frequent Correspondents' Mailbag

Jack and Joe engage with comments and questions from their audience, covering topics from perseverance to military preparedness.

• Sean (30:57): "Why are they doing this to me?"

• Kevin, the Texas Marine (31:04): "The answer is both. I have a job Mike Groh would approve of, so I need a shower after work."

They offer humorous and candid responses, fostering a connection with their listeners while addressing diverse viewpoints.

9. Media Critique and Political Bias

The discussion returns to media integrity, focusing on perceived biases against political figures.

• JT and Livermore (34:01): "Since the 2020 primaries, they were biased against Trump and biased for Biden."

• Joe Getty (35:19): "May you be covered in slime of shame."

The hosts condemn the media’s alleged partisanship, arguing that it has failed democratic principles by favoring certain candidates over others.

10. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Wrapping up, Jack and Joe recap the episode’s key discussions and tease upcoming topics.

• Jack Armstrong (35:54): "We're at a major inflection point."

• Joe Getty (36:07): "So that's exciting. I got to get it. I got to get to a game at Dodger Stadium and see him because he's a once in a hundred years player."

The hosts emphasize the critical nature of current global and political events, urging listeners to stay informed and engaged.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Jack Armstrong

  • (01:29): "World War three is a showstopper."
  • (06:29): "We have run out of time and we're not going to get to the Macron wife lip reading thing."
  • (14:48): "Wall Street Bets the worst of Trump's Trade War is behind it."

• Joe Getty

  • (03:25): "If you come up with a threat and an excuse to back down, they will accept both."
  • (05:03): "Trump made those ridiculous statements the other day on the tarmac about what happened to Putin. He's changed."
  • (25:16): "We spend 7 and we take in 5 trillion. We spend 7 trillion. We take in 5 trillion every year."

Key Takeaways

• Geopolitical Tensions: Parallels drawn between Putin’s strategies and historical aggressors highlight ongoing global power struggles.
• Media Influence: Critique of media bias underscores concerns about the integrity and impartiality of news outlets.
• Economic Concerns: Discussion on the bond market and budget deficits emphasizes the fragility and challenges within the U.S. economy.
• Personal Dynamics in Politics: The analysis of President Macron’s personal interactions offers insight into the human side of political figures.
• Innovation vs. Failure: SpaceX’s approach to rocket launches exemplifies the balance between innovation and the acceptance of failure as a learning process.

This episode of Armstrong & Getty offers a comprehensive exploration of current events, blending political analysis with personal insights. Through engaging dialogue and critical perspectives, Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty provide listeners with a nuanced understanding of the complexities shaping today's world.