Armstrong & Getty On Demand: "Let Love Bloom!"
Date: September 17, 2025
Hosts: Jack Armstrong, Joe Getty
Special Guest: David Drucker (The Dispatch)
EPISODE OVERVIEW
This episode dives into the aftermath of the high-profile assassination of Charlie Kirk, its impact on American politics, and the tone of current political discourse. Special guest David Drucker unpacks why Utah's brand of politics—embodied by Governor Spencer Cox—doesn't translate nationwide. The hosts also share lighter moments discussing scams, inspirational stories, and personal anecdotes, all while maintaining the show's signature wry banter.
MAIN SEGMENTS & KEY DISCUSSION POINTS
1. The Assassination of Charlie Kirk and the American Political Climate
[01:28 – 04:03]
- Governor Cox's response declared the assassination "an attack on the American experiment," sparking both praise and criticism.
- Jack Armstrong introduces David Drucker for deeper analysis, mentioning Drucker's new home at The Dispatch and their philosophy of avoiding premature reactions and clickbait.
Notable Quote:
“This is certainly about the tragic death, assassination, political assassination of Charlie Kirk. But it is also much bigger than an attack on an individual. It is an attack on all of us. It is an attack on the American experiment.”
– Governor Spencer Cox, quoted by Jack Armstrong [01:28]
2. The Unique Political Culture of Utah & Governor Cox
[04:03 – 08:16]
- Drucker explains why Utah’s political landscape allows Republicans like Cox (and Mitt Romney) to be critical of Trump and still thrive—unlike most states.
- Utah Republicans, though supportive of Trump overall, maintain a Reagan-era sense of decorum and are more open to criticism within the party.
Notable Quote:
"You can be critical of Donald Trump in Utah and win a Republican primary. Now, I don't think that you can be an opponent of Donald Trump and win … But they will brook criticism, and they will see that as a sign of leadership."
– David Drucker [06:17]
3. Why "Conciliatory" Republicans Struggle Nationally
[08:16 – 12:05]
- Drucker doubts that Cox’s “decent” tone could win over primary voters elsewhere, especially against combative populists like J.D. Vance.
- Republican voters want a "fighter," often overlooking Trump's provocations because he’s seen as defending their interests.
- Both parties have increasingly adopted each other’s aggressive political tactics, a shift from “rules and decorum” to “do whatever it takes.”
Notable Quotes:
"Republicans...say to themselves, well, he's a fighter. He's fighting for us. He is not allowing the Democrats to do the sort of unfair things..."
– David Drucker [09:13]
"The broader analytical point I was making was Republicans in a sense said, well, if you can't beat them, join them."
– David Drucker [12:02]
4. The "Race to the Bottom" in Politics
[12:05 – 14:25]
- Both sides believe the other plays dirtier, perpetuating endless escalation.
- Drucker uses a marriage anecdote to suggest healing might require someone to "punt" on keeping score, but doubts either side is willing.
- Armstrong expresses pessimism about improvement.
Notable Quotes:
"Both Republican operatives and Democratic operatives...consistently tell me the other side plays dirtier than us. I wish we played as dirty as them, then we would win as much as they did."
– David Drucker [12:29]
"If you look at the United States of America like an extended big family, we never punt. Neither side ever punts. You go for it on fourth down, always."
– Jack Armstrong [13:56]
5. News Oddities & Human Interest
[16:58 – 19:44]
- Hosts riff on Pepsi’s new “natural” dyes in Doritos and Cheetos (“health-conscious chips for people who eat Doritos!”).
- Rant about “energy bars” masquerading as healthy snacks but essentially being candy bars.
- Recurring reference to viral video of a young woman, Lulu Gribbin, hitting golf balls after a shark attack left her with one arm and one leg. The hosts are both awed and humorously self-deprecating.
6. Scam Emails: Jack’s Ukrainian "Girlfriend"
[21:26 – 24:39]
- Jack shares an ongoing saga with a scam email romance and reads hilariously over-the-top lines from the messages.
- Joe Getty suggests, tongue-in-cheek, that Jack lets “love bloom” and admires the sophistication of modern scams.
Notable Quote:
“Maybe soon you and me will be walking in a beautiful park, holding each other's hands and talking, dreaming. Life is so short, and we should value every moment of it. I'm sending you my air kiss and waiting for your answer with impatience.”
– “Ukrainian scammer” email, read by Jack [24:18]
7. Joe Getty Checks in from Monterey Peninsula
[24:50 – 29:43]
- Joe is away on a golf trip with friends, shares humorous tales of being “overserved” and the traditions of an elite golf club.
- They riff on cocaine’s alleged return (in the news), with Joe riffing on the “downside” of the drug in signature cranky-dad style.
Notable Quote:
“If you want a drug that turns you into an A hole...do a little cocaine. Turns you into a complete raving jackass of a person.”
– Joe Getty [28:24]
- Sweet moment: Joe’s daughter Delaney May's birthday, recalling announcing her birth live on air 26 years ago.
- More golf discussion: shoutout to the viral one-legged golfer and the inspiration she provides.
8. Ongoing Charlie Kirk News and Public Reaction
[30:54 – 34:36]
- Discusses the 71-year-old man who allegedly tried to distract police after the Kirk shooting (“It's hard to believe they're not in cahoots”).
- Joe observes the disturbing celebratory reactions among some young people to the assassination, calling it a sign of “ugly nihilism.”
Notable Quotes:
"I think that sort of ugly nihilism is more common than we imagined."
– Joe Getty [33:13]
“It's just so easy to go down the road of the tit for tat. They did this. We'll do that back and forth.”
– Jack Armstrong [34:42]
9. TikTok's Algorithm & Policy Update
[37:39 – 40:37]
- The TikTok/China divestment deal is under debate: whether the all-powerful “algorithm” will stay the same in the U.S. or be replaced.
- Hosts compare a possible algorithm change to rebuilding a “historic” restaurant: “It’s not the same.”
Notable Quote:
"It's going to have the same name, but if it has a new algorithm, it's not TikTok, it's just something else."
– Jack Armstrong [39:31]
MEMORABLE MOMENTS & QUOTES
- “[Utah Republicans] look at politics with a Reagan era sense of rules and decency and decorum.”
– David Drucker [05:55] - “If you look at the United States...like a big family, we never punt.”
– Jack Armstrong [13:56] - “Sometimes you have to know when to punt.”
– Rabbi Jimmy Kessler, via David Drucker [13:45] - “Turns you into a complete raving jackass of a person.”
– Joe Getty on cocaine [28:24]
TONALITY
The episode seamlessly blends sobering political analysis with rapid-fire wit and satirical observations, characteristic of Armstrong & Getty. Moments of irreverence and self-deprecation (scam romance, junk food rants) leaven the heavier themes of political tribalism and polarization.
TIMESTAMPS FOR IMPORTANT SEGMENTS
- [01:28] Governor Cox's remarks on Kirk assassination
- [02:25] David Drucker on at The Dispatch, philosophy of reporting
- [04:32] Why Utah's politics are different (Drucker explains)
- [08:16] Can Cox's style succeed nationally?
- [09:09] The "fighter" mentality in GOP voters
- [12:05] Race to the bottom: both sides blame each other
- [13:45] Drucker’s marriage advice analogy
- [16:58] Cheetos and Doritos “health” story, energy bar rant
- [21:26] Jack’s scam email “romance”
- [24:50] Joe Getty tuning in from Pebble Beach area, golf stories
- [30:54] The suspicious old man at Kirk shooting, campus reactions
- [37:39] TikTok/algorithm debate
CONCLUSION
This packed episode features sharp insights about the current hazardous state of American politics, the uniqueness of Utah’s GOP environment, and the challenges of achieving conciliation. In trademark fashion, Armstrong & Getty balance heavier commentary with laughter, oddball news, and personal anecdotes. Listeners gain a richer perspective on political polarization, current events, and the absurdity of modern life—all with a sly smile.