Robot Wolves!

Summary

Armstrong & Getty On Demand – “Robot Wolves!”

Date: September 24, 2025
Podcast: Armstrong & Getty On Demand
Hosts: Jack Armstrong, Joe Getty, with regular contributor Katie

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Episode Overview

This episode dives into the alarming discovery of a massive SIM card operation in New York potentially capable of shutting down all cellular communications, explores vulnerabilities in American infrastructure to foreign (especially Chinese) interference, reflects on the differences between totalitarian and open societies in the age of technological warfare, and includes their signature mix of dark humor and social commentary (with a brief segue into the titular “robot wolves”). Other topics include phishing scams, Trump’s surprising statements on Ukraine and Russia, and a provocative discussion on race, policy, and historical context in America.

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Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. The New York 'SIM Farm' Discovery and U.S. Tech Vulnerability

(03:40–16:27)

• SIM Farm Threat:
  Authorities uncovered a massive SIM-card “farm” in New York, capable of sending 30 million texts per minute and potentially disrupting all cell service in New York City, including critical communication for police and fire departments.

  • “A system so powerful authorities say it could have been used to disrupt all cell phone service for the entire city...” – Joe Getty [04:40]
  • ABC and CNN reports tie the facility to the Chinese government.

• Redundancy Concerns:
  Katie questions whether first responders truly rely on civilian phone networks, raising concerns about the lack of secure, backup communication systems in emergencies.

  • “Surely we have a redundancy or radios or something that doesn't depend on the civilian system. That's crazy.” – Katie [05:44]

• Nation-State Sleeper Infrastructure:
  The hosts, referencing security expert John Miller, speculate this isn’t unique to New York—other major U.S. cities likely have similar vulnerabilities planted by hostile foreign actors, particularly China.

  • “How many other sleeper systems, trip wires, booby traps are in our infrastructure?” – Katie [07:27]
  • “If they have one in New York, they got it in all the other major cities also.” – Joe Getty [07:47]

• Potential Scenarios:
  The trio game out real-world panic if cell service dropped during a national emergency (“something from a horror movie” [09:01]), examining society’s total dependence on personal devices and digital infrastructure.

• Technology and Open vs. Closed Societies:
  The segment closes on a philosophical question: Can an open, technologically advanced democracy compete with a high-surveillance, tightly controlled autocracy like China?

  • “A technologically advanced totalitarian state competing against a technologically advanced open society with freedom of movement... Can the open society possibly win?” – Katie [10:27]
  • “That is the big question. I think that is the big question.” – Joe Getty [11:01]

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2. China, Infrastructure, and the “Robot Wolves” Gag

(12:14–16:12)

• Comparison of Government Efficiencies:
  Joe recounts China’s rapid construction of a huge suspension bridge as a symbol of totalitarian efficiency versus U.S. bureaucratic gridlock.

  • “We built the Empire State Building in six months... now it takes 30 years to lay one mile of track... because of all kinds of environmental concerns...” – Joe Getty [12:59]

• Strategic Intent and What Would Trigger a Tech Attack:
  Discussion shifts to what China’s ultimate goal would be if it pulled the trigger on a communications blackout, arguing they’re unlikely to do so without a grander geopolitical aim.

• Escalation Silliness: "Robot Wolves":
  Katie tosses in “robot wolves” as a tongue-in-cheek reference to unsettling sci-fi scenarios, riffing on the sense of paranoia that pervades the conversation.

  • “Robot wolves start galloping across meadows.” – Katie [15:39]
  • “Why do they howl? Why are they howling? They're robots. Oh my God, it's worse than I thought.” – Joe Getty [16:03]

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3. Scam Emails and the “Ukrainian Girlfriend” Saga

(19:52–24:49)

• Joe’s “Precious Diamond” Catfish Scammer:
  Joe humorously updates listeners on his ongoing engagement with a romance scammer, supposedly a Ukrainian woman, who sends mismatched photos and flowery language (“my precious diamond”).

  • “She writes in funny ways. I guess you would if you don’t... You're not a native English speaker. She's Ukrainian. She says things like, 'Jack, my precious diamond...'” – Joe Getty [20:32]

• Guilt Tactic and Scam Tactics:
  When Joe tries to bait the scammer into asking him for money, she flips it, guilt-tripping him for not being responsive enough and threatening to end the “relationship.”

  • “She actually, like, if you're not gonna actually email me back and participate in this relationship, I want out...” – Joe Getty [22:24]

• Behind the Scam Curtain:
  Katie and Joe break down the methodology behind such scams: building trust, requesting small amounts first, and simultaneously trying to extract personally identifying info for future fraud.

  • “Look at it like a series of interviews. ... The second interview is the, can we lure this guy into sending $40 on some pretext? And if that happens, then you get the full court press...” – Katie [24:28]
  • “They're trying to plumb data to get your passwords.” – Katie [42:05]

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4. Trump’s Shifting Posture on Ukraine & Russia

(29:02–33:28)

• Trump Statements at the UN:
  Joe summarizes former President Trump’s surprising support for Ukraine to retake all its original territory with NATO/European help, labeling Russia a “paper tiger” and hinting at Russian economic fragility.

  • “...after seeing the economic trouble it's causing Russia, I think Ukraine, with the support of the European Union, is in a position to fight and win all of Ukraine back...” – Joe Getty [30:44]

• Russian Response and Global Stakes:
  The Kremlin responds with mockery, dismissing the “paper tiger” comments and lampooning Trump’s shifting views on social media.

• Speculation: Nuclear Strategy?
  The conversation then ponders whether Russia and China could use distraction or even tactical nuclear weapons, believing the U.S. would not retaliate in kind, further destabilizing global order.

  • “I don't think we would fire back with nuclear weapons. I think we'd absorb it... try to negotiate something, which is be fine with China and Russia.” – Joe Getty [34:36]

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5. Historical Context: Open vs. Closed Societies in Modern Warfare

(36:01–39:13)

• Are Civil Liberties a Liability?
  The hosts wonder if the relative security from government intrusion in modern America is an unsustainable historical anomaly in the era of threats from technologically advanced autocracies.
  • “Could it be that... civil liberties was also a moment in time that will not be repeated because it makes us too vulnerable to a... totalitarian state?” – Katie [38:39]

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6. Cultural Commentary: School Boards and Social Policy

(19:52)

• School Sports Policy:
  Brief mention that a Sacramento-area school kept boys’ and girls’ sports separate (“we can’t believe it”).

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7. Provocative Conversation on Race, Policy & Social Outcomes

(47:37–52:10)

• Charlie Kirk Exchange:
  The hosts play and analyze a segment of Charlie Kirk debating college students over racial disparities, crime, welfare policy, and the roots of socioeconomic challenges in Black communities.

  • “Black America was one of the most peaceful, flourishing, fastest growing economically communities in the country. It's not genetic... What changed?” – Charlie Kirk (clip) [48:28]

• Progressive Policy Impact:
  Katie and Joe agree it was progressive welfare policies—not genetics or persistent racism—that led to negative outcomes since the 1960s.

• “Hard Questions Needed”:
  Joe urges more open, honest dialogue about race, social policy, and their consequences, even if controversial.

  • “Having those kind of conversations. We need so many more of those kind of conversations on every topic.” – Joe Getty [52:01]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Sim Farm Threat:
  “Imagine if your cell phone didn’t work, but you’re getting some sort of news about... a 9/11-style attack anywhere and all of a sudden cell phones don’t work. Imagine the panic that would sow nationwide.” – Joe Getty [09:01]

• On U.S. Society & Chinese Intent:
  “They’re not running a jackass operation. ... They have a goal. Their goal is to supplant us as the world’s hyperpower.” – Joe Getty [12:59]

• The “Robot Wolves” Bit:
  “Robot wolves start galloping across meadows.” – Katie [15:39]
  “Why do they howl? Why are they howling? They're robots. Oh my God, it's worse than I thought.” – Joe Getty [16:03]

• On Scam Artists:
  “Look at it like a series of interviews. ... The second interview is the, can we lure this guy into sending $40 on some pretext? ... They bring in their real pros.” – Katie [24:28]

• Concerning Nuclear Escalation:
  “I don’t think we would fire back with nuclear weapons. I think we’d absorb it, try to negotiate something, which is be fine with China and Russia.” – Joe Getty [34:36]

• On Civil Liberties and National Security:
  “Could it be that... civil liberties was also a moment in time that will not be repeated because it makes us too vulnerable to a... totalitarian state?” – Katie [38:39]

• On Honest Debate:
  “Having those kind of conversations. We need so many more of those kind of conversations on every topic.” – Joe Getty [52:01]

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• SIM farm, Infrastructure Threats: 03:40–16:27
• China, Efficiency, Robot Wolves: 12:14–16:12
• Catfishing/Scam Story: 19:52–24:49, revisited 42:05–42:44
• Trump/Ukraine/Russia Analysis: 29:02–33:28
• Race, Policy, Social Outcomes (Charlie Kirk tape): 47:37–52:10

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Tone & Style

• Wry, conversational, and often darkly humorous, with a willingness to explore scary scenarios and provocative topics.
• Philosophical and skeptical, particularly around issues of national vulnerability, tech, and foreign threats.
• Self-aware and meta, often acknowledging the outlandishness of certain segments (“Okay, so now we're gonna get silly. Is that what we've decided?” [15:45]) and their own podcasting habits.

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Takeaways for Listeners

• The U.S. faces profound vulnerabilities to foreign cyber/infrastructure interference, as illustrated by the “SIM farm” revelations and the broader context of escalating technological competition with China.
• There’s skepticism about whether open, democratic societies can remain secure in the era of algorithmic and infrastructural warfare against autocracies.
• Listeners are reminded to stay vigilant about online scams, both generic phishing and sophisticated, emotionally manipulative cons.
• The episode challenges conventional narratives on race, policy, and crime, promoting open dialogue over talking points.
• Armstrong & Getty blend serious concern with satire, offering both insight and comic relief (“robot wolves”) for unsettling times.

Transcript

[Jack Armstrong]

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[Katie]

The only constant in Hollywood is change.

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[Joe Getty]

Broadcasting live from the Abraham Lincoln Radio studio at the George Washington.

[Jack Armstrong]

Broadcast Center, Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty.

[Joe Getty]

Armstrong and Getty. And now here's Armstrong and Getty.

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A Malibu mansion previously owned by talk show host Johnny Carson was recently listed for sale for $110 million, which features multiple swimming pools and a custom built tennis pavilion that had been a gift from NBC. While NBC gave me a free trial of Peacock Premium.

[Katie]

With ads.

[Joe Getty]

Boy, I don't know. I understand. If you can't afford it, you can't afford it. When I was younger, I probably wouldn't have been able to do it either. But I cannot handle streaming services that have ads. I just can't do it. I just, I gotta pay whatever to get rid of the ads.

[Katie]

Yeah, everybody's in a different financial position, different priorities, et cetera. But yeah, I hear you.

[Joe Getty]

Oh, that's so annoying. And the way they position them, they do a good job of putting the ads in like the most annoying spot of whatever you're watching. It's just been announced that Donald Trump's presidential library will be in Miami. That's kind of interesting.

[Katie]

Different topics. So maybe. Anyway, go ahead.

[Joe Getty]

Yet another story that should be elevated above the brave return of Jimmy Kimmel the late night because who freaking cares? Is that phone server bank thingy they found in New York yesterday that could have disrupted all of the New York cell phone and we're trying to figure out who it is. This is the way ABC covered it last night. A system so powerful authorities say it could have been used to disrupt all cell phone service for the entire city of New York, including police, fire and EMS. The so called SIM farm capable of sending 30 million text messages a minute. Sources telling ABC News the operation is connected to the Chinese government. Authorities found the Sim farm while investigating anonymous threatening calls earlier this year targeting three people including one with direct access to President Trump. So that's highly troubling. Obviously it seems like exactly the way you'd lay the groundwork for a giant attack.

[Katie]

Right.

[Joe Getty]

We'll discuss after. This is CNN's version of the story.

[Katie]

Can I just real quick or ask a follow up question? Pierre Thomas there stated that police and fire would be unable to communicate with each other because of the cell phone system crashing. Is that right? Surely we have a redundancy or radios or something that doesn't depend on the civilian system. That's crazy.

[Joe Getty]

Yeah. I don't know. That's horrifying.

[Katie]

Yeah. If anybody knows about that, we'd love to hear from you.

[Joe Getty]

Here's CNN's version.

[Katie]

So what we do know is that.

[Joe Getty]

Foreign governments and criminals located in the.

[Katie]

United States are using this network to run their organizations.

[Joe Getty]

That includes cartels, that includes human traffickers.

[Katie]

That includes terrorists are on this network. If there is some organization behind this.

[Joe Getty]

We have to assume that there is.

[Katie]

One in L. A, one in Washington.

[Joe Getty]

D.C. another in Chicago. Because if it's a nation state that wants to attack infrastructure during crisis to break communications and we don't know exactly what the timing of that crisis would be or the type of. That's the kind of thing that the Secret Service, the Director of National Intelligence.

[Katie]

Homeland Security, and I'm sure eventually the.

[Joe Getty]

FBI will have to really work to.

[Katie]

Get to the bottom of.

[Joe Getty]

Yeah, that's John Miller on cnn, who used to be in the FBI and has great sources.

[Katie]

Yeah, it's like a sleeper cell or a sleeper virus that just lurks on the hard drive until you need it.

[Joe Getty]

I'm sure there's a lot of stuff they're not telling us, but they did announce that it is a nation state that was behind putting the stuff in. And then they're coordinating with people in the United States, but there's only a couple of nation states you can imagine that would be doing this. Right? China, Russia, Iran, maybe North Korea.

[Katie]

I doubt rhymes with pina, but we can't say anything else at this time. How many other sleeper systems, trip wires, booby traps are in our infrastructure?

[Joe Getty]

Well, how about John Miller saying, I hadn't even thought this, that you have to assume that if they have one in New York, they got it in all the other major cities also.

[Katie]

Yeah, yeah, well, that makes sense. I was thinking of it more in terms of a plot against something happening in New York, since New York is New York, home of the UN and financial capital of the world and the rest of it.

[Joe Getty]

Worth pointing out that while it was announced yesterday, the week of the UN meeting which made it seem like was it something about the UN it was discovered quite a while back, so they just announced it yesterday for some reason.

[Katie]

Right. But to finish my thought, that what you just expressed makes more sense. If it is a Chinese, you know, weapon waiting to be deployed, a sleeper weapon, it makes much, much more sense to have it deployed much more in a widespread fashion. Yeah.

[Joe Getty]

And if you've ever gotten halfway to work and realized you didn't bring your cell phone and it seems like, oh my God, oh my God, how is my life possibly going to function if I don't have my phone with me? How am I going to. Even though, you know, if you're of a certain age, you used to go to work without a cell phone and everything that comes with it all the time, and you're perfectly fine. You drove across the country, you went.

[AT&T Announcer]

On vacations, you did everything you did.

[Joe Getty]

Without a cell phone, you were fine. But nobody can anymore. And we all feel like in a panic and naked. Imagine if your cell phone didn't work, but you're getting some sort of news about their, the, an attack of some sort, a 911 style attack anywhere and all of a sudden cell phones don't work. Imagine the panic that, that would so nationwide. It's just, it's something from a horror movie.

[Katie]

Yeah.

[Joe Getty]

You think, oh my God, I need to get a hold of my kids and you can't, or your wife or your husband or whatever.

[Katie]

Well, I was just thinking there, you could probably name at least a half a dozen different crisis scenarios where ask you what would you do? And the answer would be, well, I grabbed my cell phone and I would dial or I would click on, or I would tune in or I would know you will do nothing. Friends.

[Joe Getty]

I would get on Twitter for all the latest, this and that, and I would head home and the first thing I would do is jump on my GPS thing on my phone to figure out the traffic, because traffic is in gridlock out there as everybody's in a panic and nobody has access to any of that through their cell phone.

[Katie]

WI fi would still work, wouldn't it?

[Joe Getty]

I assume.

[Katie]

Unless they bring that down too. The insidious Chinese communist horde has already thought of that, I'm sure. Well, you know what?

[Joe Getty]

Just on a broader.

[Katie]

Which might make things worse.

[Joe Getty]

Yes, which might make things worse. I mean if, if some people had some information and then as soon as you get away from your building with WI Fi, you got no communication. I just can't imagine the panic that would.

[Katie]

Oh yeah, it'd be horrendous. Horrendous. Yeah. What was I about to say? Oh, from a 30,000 foot vantage point. A technologically advanced totalitarian state competing against a technologically advanced open society with freedom of movement. A non surveillance state mostly. Can the open society possibly win?

[Joe Getty]

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[Katie]

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[Joe Getty]

Free society that is a democracy with all the red tape that that entails defeat and autocracy, that is the question for planet Earth. It's probably number one question on planet Earth for the future. I think you were on vacation when China did that big show about that bridge they built. You weren't here for that, were you?

[Katie]

Correct. Yeah.

[Joe Getty]

They parked all these trucks across the world's biggest suspension bridge which they built in like nine months across some giant. Gorgeous. And it's a stunning structure just to show that they could build that sort of thing that fast, that he parked all these giant trucks on it to show it that how strong it is. So you couldn't make the comment, well.

[Katie]

It'D probably fall apart.

[Joe Getty]

And I was just thinking, you know those stories that you hear all the time about how we built the Empire state building in six months during the depression. Now it takes 30 years to lay one mile of track for a supposed bullet train because of all kinds of environmental concerns and this and that. We can't do anything. It's anymore. So you've got that aspect of it, then you got the whole security state versus non security state thing. And. But I think it's worth pointing out that China is not Johnny Knoxville. I mean, they're not running a jackass operation. Where wouldn't it be funny if we shut off their cell phones and watch how they panic? They have a goal. Their goal is to supplant us as the world's hyperpower. So you gotta think in terms of what they don't. They're not like the Muslim fanatics where they just want to knock down a building. I mean, they. They have a goal. So what sort of thing would they do where they then shut down our cell phones in all our major cities? I can't imagine what that would be.

[Katie]

Oh, my goodness.

[Joe Getty]

You know, the goal would have to be to defeat our military, do enough damage to our military or our economy like Japan hoped to do on. On. On Pearl harbor, that we can't fight back, that they could win a war, that they could do whatever they want.

[Katie]

Well, the economy and our liberties are the engine that drives everything, including our military. No economy, no military. And so as China seek global supremacy and tries to line up as many countries as possible on their team, as opposed to our team, in the case of the bridge, they're sending the message, hey, we're effective, period. We get stuff done. These people are so wrapped up in their own, you know, legal system and stated principles, they can't get anything done. Oh, and by the way, they're gonna lecture you on your human rights. We don't give a crap. And in an effort to surpass us economically or just weaken us economically, that might be reason enough to take down the cell cell system in New York for, you know, three, four days. None. All of a sudden, like the denial of service attacks and the ransomware attacks, all of a sudden o. That no hospital on the west coast can conduct its business because we've messed with their systems or something like that. Just one after the other, every couple of months. That might be enough.

[Joe Getty]

Combine that with a drone attack on all our big military bases.

[Katie]

Well, okay, so you're going for the big, big attack. I'm trying to point out. It doesn't need to be that.

[Joe Getty]

All that land that they've purchased near. Near military bases across the country, that's no good. A bunch of shipping containers open up and drones fly out, like Ukraine did.

[Katie]

To Russia, or those robot wolves galloping across the landscape.

[Joe Getty]

Okay, so now we're gonna get silly. Is that what we've decided?

[Katie]

What? What do you taking robot wolves lightly? I'm not Robot wolves start galloping across meadows.

[Joe Getty]

You're running as fast as you can, but it's like your legs are in quicksand. You just can't run any faster and the robot gaining on you.

[Katie]

They'll put speakers on them so they can howl. Actually.

[Joe Getty]

Why do they howl? Why are they howling? They're robots. Oh my God, it's worse than I thought. As they run away, these are some awful scenarios we've laid out.

[Katie]

Or we can toughen up America.

[Joe Getty]

Okay, more on the ways to hear Armstrong and Getty.

[Jack Armstrong]

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[Cynthia Littleton]

There's a lot going on in Hollywood. How are you supposed to stay on top of it all? Variety has the solution. Take 20 minutes out of your day and listen to the new daily Variety podcast for breaking entertainment news and expert perspectives.

[Joe Getty]

Where do you see the business actually heading?

[Cynthia Littleton]

Featuring the iconic journalists of Variety and hosted by co Editor in Chief Cynthia.

[Katie]

Littleton, the only constant in Hollywood is changed.

[Cynthia Littleton]

Open your free iHeartradio app. Search Daily Variety and listen Now.

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[Joe Getty]

To where we broadcast from in Sacramento just voted yesterday to keep having boys in girls sports and we can't believe it. We'll talk more about that coming up. Just absolutely amazing. An update on my Ukrainian girlfriend. If you've been following this. Well if you haven't been following this saga, a quick background. So you know my email has been hacked like yours has a million times. All kinds of people have your email address and some bad actor is trying to get me involved in a scam like happens all the time. But in this case it was Love is a scam. In this case it's somebody portraying themselves as a young Ukrainian woman who like immediately was in love with me just because of my email address or something like that.

[Katie]

Jack Armstrong, my precious Diamond, Right.

[Joe Getty]

And she, she writes in funny ways. I guess you would if you don't. You're not a native English speaker. She's Ukrainian. She says things like, Jack, my precious diamond, love, you know, that sort of thing and how much she loves me. And she sends pictures. The weird thing is all the pictures are like different girls. She. She looks different in the different pictures. But anyway, she's like Lady Gaga.

[Katie]

She's constantly reinventing herself.

[Joe Getty]

So what I was wondering is, what was the scam? What's the scam? Is it going to be the she asks for money. Does she get to try to get me to click on a link? She did send me like voice memos. If you would like to hear my voice, how beautiful it is, you know, here it is. So there was something to click on. I did not click on it. And I've been like sending one word replies or a one sentence replies every now and then, you know, been thinking of you all night, you know, how are you? That sort of thing.

[Katie]

Wow. Good man.

[Joe Getty]

Waiting for, Waiting for the scam. I just wondered what. Which kind of scam this is? Well, Hansen came up with the idea of scam her first. Tell her you have had a medical emergency and need $5,000 or you're in jail or whatever. It's going to be ask her for money. But we decided to lead up to that. And so I had sent this email two days ago. You were on my mind the entire weekend. I really want to see you, my buttercup. And the I really want to see you was going to be followed by I have almost all the money I need for a plane ticket. I just need 500 more or something like that. Yeah. But her response shocked me. All my kisses for you, Jack. Exclamation point, exclamation point. If you really want to have a relationship with me, please answer. Answer all the letters I wrote to you and all my questions another way. Please do not disturb me anymore.

[Katie]

Wow.

[Joe Getty]

She actually, like, if you're not gonna actually email me back and participate in this relationship, I want out is the way she responded, which is surprising to me.

[Katie]

Wow. She replied if I might. Don't build me up, buttercup. Just to let me down, to quote the old Motownish song.

[Joe Getty]

So I don't know what to think now. That's a weird scam.

[Katie]

Oh, no, no, that's. It's good. It's smart. She's trying to convince you of her sincerity.

[Joe Getty]

So that's supposed to make me as a really pathetic, sad, lonely, perhaps mentally ill person. Oh, no. I'm in jeopardy of losing this.

[Katie]

Yes. Yeah, yeah. I've got to be serious about this. I've got to treat this girl like she deserves to be treated. Yes.

[Joe Getty]

God, I gotta answer all her questions. I don't want to answer all our questions. He had a lot of questions about, like, you know, what's your favorite movie or flower or whatever. I don't know, you know, the way, you know the way women are with their questions while you're trying to watch tv. Did you have a comment, Katie?

[Katie]

No, it just sounds like she's totally trying to guilt you into keeping this going.

[Joe Getty]

Oh, okay, Gotcha.

[Katie]

And I sure heavily think you should.

[Lenovo Announcer 2]

Answer all of the questions and continue this because this is fantastic entertainment.

[Joe Getty]

God, we've only been together for two weeks and already it's Nana, why didn't you answer my questions?

[Katie]

I was working.

[Jack Armstrong]

You know what, you did.

[Joe Getty]

Yeah, exactly. Okay, well, I guess I'll respond. I. I really want to know what the ask is going to be when.

[Katie]

She really needs to be small. Smallish. I can't remember what the term for it is, but she will need a piddling amount of money.

[Joe Getty]

She we keep referring to. It's either a bot or some, you know, criminal gang.

[Katie]

It's not some bearded guy in his mom's basement.

[Joe Getty]

Yeah, yeah.

[Katie]

It's more likely some poor bastard enslaved in Southeast Asia being forced to do this. Well, because that's what a lot of it is.

[Joe Getty]

That's not romantic. That's not my buttercup. Yes, Katie.

[Lenovo Announcer 2]

Yeah, I think it'll be a small.

[Jack Armstrong]

Amount, but for something that's very serious.

[Joe Getty]

She'Ll create some major crisis and just.

[Jack Armstrong]

Be like, this is all I need.

[Lenovo Announcer 2]

Though, in order to fix it.

[Katie]

And then it's going to grow from there. Look at it like a series of interviews. The you responded was the first interview. We've looked at your resume and it's pretty attractive. We'd like you to come back for a second interview. The second interview is the can we lure this guy into sending $40 on some pretext? And if that happens, then you get the full court press. They bring in their real pros.

[Joe Getty]

I am her precious Rose. At least that' that's what she says.

[Katie]

And you're something diamond as well.

[Jack Armstrong]

Armstrong and Getty, there's nothing like sinking into luxury. At washablesofas.com, you'll find the Annabe sofa, which combines ultimate comfort and design at an affordable price. And get this, it's the only sofa that's fully machine washable. From top to bottom starting at only $699. The stain resistant performance fabric slipcovers and cloud like frame duvet can go straight into your wash. Perfect for anyone with kids, pets or anyone who loves an easy to clean spotless sofa. With a modular design and changeable slipcovers, you can customize your sofa to fit any space and style. Whether you need a single chair, loveseat or a luxuriously large sectional, Annabe has you covered. Visit washablesofas.com to upgrade your home. Right now you can shop up to six 60% off store wide with a 30 day money back guarantee. Shop now at washablesofas.com add a little to your life Offers are subject to change and certain restrictions may apply.

[Cynthia Littleton]

There's a lot going on in Hollywood. How are you supposed to stay on top of it all? Variety has the solution. Take 20 minutes out of your day and listen to the new daily Variety podcast for breaking entertainment news and expert perspectives.

[Joe Getty]

Where do you see the business actually heading?

[Cynthia Littleton]

Featuring the iconic journalists of Variety and hosted by co Editor in Chief Cynthia Littleton.

[Katie]

The only constant in Hollywood is change.

[Cynthia Littleton]

Open your free iHeartradio app, search daily Variety and listen now.

[Abeka Announcer]

As a parent, you wear many hats. At dinner, you're the chef. When your kids play, you're the ref. And let's face it, you're basically a full time chauffeur. Fortunately, when it's time to wear your teacher hat, Abeka makes things easy. Our proven flexible homeschool curriculum is designed to let your kids retain and build on the knowledge they acquire, setting them up for success later in life. Abeka Learning for life begins with the right homeschool education. Learn [e-mail].

[Lenovo Announcer 1]

Life moves fast. A new home, a new baby, a new chapter. But without an estate plan, your future's still vulnerable. With trust and Will, you can name guardians, start a trust, create health care directives and more. All online in about an hour. It's attorney designed, state specific and built to protect what you love. Plans start at just $199 and every plan is safe, secure and kept completely private. From families with young kids to adults caring for aging parents, trust and will makes it simple to take control without a law office, paperwork, stress or court delays. Go to trustandwill.com and use code RADIO to save 20%. Start your plan today. Don't wait for life to force your hand. Estate planning is one of the smartest, most loving things you can do. Trust and Will is an online estate planning service See website for details.

[Katie]

Just and Real.

[Guardian Bikes Announcer]

There's a moment every parent remembers the day their child takes off on two wheels with Guardian bikes. That moment comes as early as 2 years old and with less stress and frustration. These bikes are built just for kids. Lightweight frames, low center of gravity, easy to use brakes. Everything about Guardian is designed to help kids ride confidently, often in just one day. No training wheels needed. And because Guardian bikes are designed and assembled right here in the usa, you know they're built to last with care in every detail. Their patented SureStop braking system stops both wheels with a single lever, helping your child stop safely without tripping forward or losing control. Right now, save hundreds when comparing Guardian to its [e-mail] and get a free lock and pump when you join their newsletter, a $50 value. Visit guardianbikes.com today to save and help your child learn an essential life skill safely. Guardian bikes built for your kid and for the memories you'll never forget.

[Joe Getty]

Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky will be addressing the UN General assembly after President Donald Trump threatened even more sanctions and tariffs against Russia during his own speech. And now President Trump saying that Ukraine, with NATO's help, might be able to.

[Lenovo Announcer 2]

Win back land taken by Russia.

[Joe Getty]

Those comments from the president came after this post to Truth Social, where he described Russia as looking like a paper tiger and how a, quote, real military power would have had a quick victory. Yeah, that's a heck of a development that has happened in the last 24 hours that caught everybody by surprise, including the president of Ukraine. Let's listen to a little of what Trump said. This is after his UN Speech when he was sitting around with reporters.

[Donald Trump]

You got to hand it to the Ukrainian soldiers and everybody involved. It's still going on. And that's, that's not a good thing for Russia. This was supposed to be quick. And so, you know, Russia doesn't look very distinguished, having taken three and a half years now, right? So three and a half years of very hard fighting and it looks like it's not going to end for a long time.

[Joe Getty]

He's sitting with Zelensky, he goes on.

[Donald Trump]

So we'll see what happens. But the other side can fight, too, and they've proven that maybe it's a, it could be that Russia is a paper tiger. I don't know what they are. But three and a half years of fighting and killing Everybody, of killing 7,000 people a week for nothing. For nothing. So it's a very sad situation. But most of you have seen the recent statement I put out a little while ago, and I'm glad you. You got it, but I feel that way. I really do feel that way. Let them get their land back.

[Lenovo Announcer 2]

Yep.

[Donald Trump]

So we'll see how it all works out.

[Joe Getty]

So the statement Trump is referring to, after getting to know and fully understand the Ukraine, Russia, military and economic situation, and after seeing the economic trouble it's causing Russia, I think Ukraine, with the support of the European Union, is in a position to fight and win all of Ukraine back in its original form with time, patience, and the financial support of Europe and in particular NATO. The original borders from where this war started is very much an option. Wow, that is a heck of a thing to say in that.

[Katie]

Or is that a bargaining position?

[Joe Getty]

I don't know. I don't know. Well, yeah, could. Could be. I mean, he wants the war to end. I mean, if. If this. If this would scare Russia into an agreement of some sort, I think it's.

[Katie]

Notable that Moscow responded with mockery and humor. Kremlin spokesman said, Russia is in no way a tiger. Russia is more compared with a bear. There are no paper bears. And then the Medvedev mocked Trump's new position, saying he'd been given a dose of alternative reality, and mocked Trump's changing views. I have no doubt he will come back. He always comes back. The main thing is to radically change your point of view on various issues more often, and everything will be fine. That's the essence of successful government through social media.

[Joe Getty]

Trump's post was very, very long. Most people are only reading part of it, but a little more of it. When the people living in Moscow and all the great cities, towns and districts all throughout Russia find out what is really going on with this war, I thought that might be a tell. Are we about to somehow figure out a way to distribute that information to the people of Russia anyway? The fact that it's almost impossible for them to get gasoline through the long lines that are being formed and all other things that are taking place in their war economy, where most of their money is being spent on fighting Ukraine, which has great spirit and is only getting better, Ukraine would be able to take back their country in its original form, and who knows, maybe even go further than that. What is that?

[Katie]

Maybe you cut off a little of Russia.

[Joe Getty]

Maybe Ukraine takes some of your land. What do you think of that? Putin and Russia are in big economic trouble, and this is the time for Ukraine to act. In any event, I wish both countries well.

[Lenovo Announcer 2]

What?

[Joe Getty]

Good luck to all.

[Katie]

He says, thank you for your attention.

[Joe Getty]

To this matter and he said, we will continue to supply weapons to NATO. For NATO to do what? To do what they want with them. This is a long way from where we were with Trump. It's a long way from where we were with Biden.

[Katie]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm, I'm, I just, I'm so perplexed by this and have no idea what to expect. We got this note. We asked, what do you think the Kremlin's strategy is in mocking Trump?

[Joe Getty]

Impossible to imagine what the upside is, but Putin's a smart guy.

[Katie]

Well, you've got to at least consider this from Terry. I think China and Russia have a plan together. If they draw Trump into some stupid, smaller problem, China now has their chance to assert themselves. I think she means they know that the Western world is very reluctant to ever use nuclear weapons. I don't think Putin and Xi are as reluctant. I could 100% picture Xi Jinping having the following conversation. Mr. Chairman, an exchange of nuclear weapons will cost one and a half million lives on each side, but we believe that would then neutralize the United States, blah, blah, blah, because they would fear ever using them again. Are you willing to trade those million and a half lives? And she would say, absolutely, yeah, let's do it.

[Joe Getty]

I don't think we would fire back with nuclear weapons. I think we'd absorb it. I've read enough about this. I think that is our current stance. We would just absorb it, try to negotiate something, which is be fine with China and Russia.

[Katie]

Probably. Yeah.

[Joe Getty]

So I know a lot of people listening think this is some sort of crazy talk. This is absolutely 100% the history of the world. This is what has happened every single time with every more powerful tribe, without every more powerful country. I mean, you name the circumstance. This is what always happens. The up and comer at some point, strikes against the aging lion, you know, the, the lion that is no longer the king of this particular jungle. And, and it. Just to think that it's not going to happen again, you're foolish.

[Katie]

I need to point out that we have literally invoked lions and tigers and bears in this discussion.

[Joe Getty]

Oh, my.

[Katie]

But you're, you're absolutely right. But here's, here's a, here's a real twist for you. The only way that's quicker to bring on horrific quality conflict than resisting them is to give in to them. Then, then you're really going to get a horrific conflict going.

[Joe Getty]

Yeah. I don't know.

[Katie]

Good morning.

[Joe Getty]

I mean, finding those phone servers around New York and now finding out that they're probably all over the country, in every major city within a the ability to shut down our cell phone service. There are barbarians at the gate. Yeah, I mean, they're staring at the gate, peering in between the bars, you can see.

[Katie]

Oh no, no, no, they're inside, they're in Rome. Oochieing around openly in our open society. You know, I was thinking about this, speaking of 30,000 foot views, and this is just me thinking, I'm not in favor of this per se, but how many times have you heard me going on about how the post WW2 global economy was a unique moment in history that would never be repeated? Where the US stood astride the world like a colossus. Europe was decimated, Japan was decimated, the rest of Asia was still living in huts and we did the vast majority of the manufacturing of advanced products throughout the world. And you could stumble out of high school a half wit in Detroit, Michigan, get a job at the Ford Motor plant and be profitably employed, get yourself a nice house in a car in the suburbs and raise your kids and have a lovely life in America. And everything subsequent to that, people have said, well what, what happened to that? That's the American dream. Now there was a snapshot in time. Okay, so here's my question for you.

[Joe Getty]

And that was only for some people. Everybody focuses on the people who lived in Detroit and got to work for gm, but it wasn't that way for a lot of the country.

[Katie]

Absolutely true. Yeah. So here's the question for you. And we were talking about this. When was it? Last hour? Earlier. This hour? It doesn't matter. Can a technically advanced open society compete successfully against a technically advanced totalitarian society that is a police state and does not have nearly the vulnerabilities we do internally as we do. Okay, so having set that a long preamble, here's my question. And if you've studied the Constitution and individual rights in America, you know they have varied a lot through our history. They've gone up, they've gone down. Free speech, censorship, hell, we had slaves at one point. Perhaps you heard that in your local school. Anyway, it's all kind of gone up and down through the years. Could it be that the post, say, civil rights movement, late 20th century, early 21st century America of civil liberties.

[Joe Getty]

And.

[Katie]

And lack of government intrusion, was also a moment in time that will not be repeated because it makes us too vulnerable to a technically advanced, gigantic, economically powerful totalitarian state?

[Joe Getty]

Well, that discussion will be had after the result of whatever is going to happen. I'm Guessing.

[Katie]

So do you don't have the courage to answer me, having asked you a question that really requires a 500 page book. Anyway.

[Joe Getty]

All right, so one more sentence from what Trump truthed out yesterday. I mean this is some. This should be taking taken very seriously. This is such a big deal. But anyway, I'll have another sentence for you after this.

[Katie]

Yeah. Word from our friends at web root. You've heard about the TransUnion breach, hit over 4 million people. That's not a just a glitch, it's a disaster. That sort of thing happens way too often. And that's why we think you should trust Webroot Total Protection. It's not just antivirus, it's identity protection for up to 10 people, dark web monitoring, up to a million bucks in fraud, expense reimbursement. And that's not all.

[Joe Getty]

Oh yeah. If you get your ID identity stolen, it's going to be a nightmare trying to fix it. I've known people who've gone through this with Webroot. You also get a VPN, cloud backup, 24. 7 US based support. Love US based support. They even have an elder fraud hotline which is huge for families. It protects everyone, toddlers, students, seniors. Webroot Total Protection is built for real.

[Katie]

Households and you can get 50 off Webroot Total Protection or Webroot Essentials at webroot.comarmstrong. that's webroot.com/armstrong again. Maybe you go for the Webroot Total Protection. That's a great idea. Or Webroot essentials go to webroot.com/armstrong.

[Joe Getty]

First of all, where's J.D. vance and those of you who agree with his stance on Ukraine ain't our circus, not our monkeys, we shouldn't be involved in this. Where that part of Maga. How did they feel about Trump coming out? Yeah, I think Ukraine could get back all their land and maybe even more.

[Katie]

And what's JD Saying right now, I wonder?

[Joe Getty]

And we're here to help you. But part of Trump's very long post yesterday was Russia has been fighting aimlessly for three and a half years. A war that it should have, that should have taken a real military power less than a week to win.

[Katie]

That's an odd and troubling thing to.

[Joe Getty]

Say, but that's what got under Putin's skin, I think would have taken a real military power less than a week to win. This is not distinguishing Russia. In fact, it's very much making him look like a paper tiger.

[Katie]

That's quite a thing about unprovoked aggression and wars of conquest. Or how it was morally wrong.

[Joe Getty]

No. Which would have been nice.

[Jack Armstrong]

Probably.

[Katie]

Yeah.

[Joe Getty]

How this plays out, I have no idea. The Washington Post columnist says it's Trump sensing weakness, maybe with some data to back that up, that their military and economy are about to fall.

[Katie]

Yeah. So my question is, will you and your Ukrainian girlfriend live here in the States or will you probably settle in Ukraine?

[Joe Getty]

That'd be a heck of a thing, huh? I've decided to move to Ukraine.

[Katie]

Which reminds me, we got a handful of emails from folks who said all of those questions about your favorite this, that and the other is they're trying to plumb data to get your passwords.

[Joe Getty]

Oh, interesting.

[Katie]

Because they have algorithms and computers and, and that really helps them.

[Joe Getty]

My passwords have nothing to do with any of that stuff. But I'll bet it does most of the time.

[Katie]

It often does. Yeah. Yeah.

[Joe Getty]

So it's really dumb bad. I have really dumb bad passwords.

[Katie]

It's a multi pronged attack where they'll try to get a little cash from you and then a little more cash. And during that process they're also trying to figure out how to steal your identity. Speaking of web protection.

[Joe Getty]

And then, yeah, then that would be a nightmare. Webroot.comarmstrong and there I am living in a war torn country or here.

[Katie]

Either way, you'll be penniless and a.

[Joe Getty]

Fool with someone who appears to be about a third my age. So I don't know, what are we going to have in common?

[Katie]

Without your kidneys.

[Joe Getty]

Hansen says without my kidneys we don't speak the same language. I don't know. I don't like our chances. We have so many more things we've.

[Katie]

Got to get to. Gavin Newsom was making a fool of himself on national television again.

[Joe Getty]

He was on Cold Bear.

[Katie]

He's almost as funny as Kamala.

[Joe Getty]

Oh yeah, we got some Kamala clips. She's making.

[Katie]

She.

[Joe Getty]

She's having one of the worst launches of a book tour in the history of book tours. So we got a lot of good stuff on the way. Stay here. Jack Armstrong.

[Katie]

My precious diamond Armstrong and Getty.

[Jack Armstrong]

There's nothing like sinking into luxury. @washablesofas.com you'll find the Annabe sofa which combines ultimate comfort and design at an affordable price. And get this, it's the only sofa that's fully machine washable from top to bottom. Starting at only $699. The stain resistant performance fabric, slipcovers and cloud like frame duvet can go straight into your wash. Perfect for anyone with kids, pets or anyone who loves an easy to clean spotless sofa. With a modular design and changeable slipcovers, you can customize your sofa to fit any space and style. Whether you need a single chair loveseat or a luxuriously large sectional, Annabe has you covered. Visit washablesofas.com to upgrade your home. Right now you can shop up to 60% off store wide with a 30 day money back guarantee. Shop [e-mail] Add a little to your life Offers are subject to change and certain restrictions may apply.

[Cynthia Littleton]

There's a lot going on in Hollywood. How are you supposed to stay on top of it all? Variety has the solution. Take 20 minutes out of your day and listen to the new daily Variety podcast for breaking entertainment news and expert perspectives.

[Joe Getty]

Where do you see the business actually heading?

[Cynthia Littleton]

Featuring the iconic Journal of Variety and hosted by co Editor in Chief Cynthia Littleton.

[Katie]

The only constant in Hollywood is change.

[Cynthia Littleton]

Open your free iHeartradio app, search daily Variety and listen now.

[Abeka Announcer]

As a parent, you wear many hats. At dinner, you're the chef. When your kids play, you're the ref. And let's face it, you're basically a full time chauffeur. Fortunately, when it's time to wear your teacher hat, Abeka makes things easy. Our proven flexible homeschool curriculum is designed to let your kids retain and build on the knowledge they acquire, setting them up for success later in life. Abeka Learning for life begins with the right homeschool education. Learn [e-mail].

[Lenovo Announcer 1]

Life moves fast. A new home, a new baby, a new chapter. But without an estate plan, your future's still vulnerable. With trust and will, you can name guardians, start a trust, create health care directives and more. All online in about an hour. It's attorney designed, state specific and built to protect what you love. Plans start at just $199 and every plan is safe, secure and kept completely private. From families with young kids to adults caring for aging parents, trust in will makes it simple to take without a law office, paperwork, stress or court delays. Go to trustandwill.com and use code RADIO to save 20%. Start your plan today. Don't wait for life to force your hand. Estate planning is one of the smartest, most loving things you can do. Trust and Will is an online estate planning service. See website for details.

[Guardian Bikes Announcer]

There's a moment every parent remembers the day their child takes off on two wheels with guardian bikes. That moment. Enrollment comes as early as 2 years old and with less stress and frustration. These bikes are built just for kids. Lightweight frames, low center of gravity, easy to use brakes. Everything about Guardian is designed to help kids ride confidently, often in just one day. No training wheels needed. And because Guardian bikes are designed and assembled right here in the usa, you know they're built to last with care in every detail. Their patented SureStop braking system stops both wheels with a single lever, helping your child stop safely without tripping forward or losing control. Right now, save hundreds when comparing Guardian to its [e-mail] and get a free lock and pump when you join their newsletter, a $50 value. Visit guardianbikes.com today to save and help your child learn an essential life skill safely. Guardian bikes built for your kid and for the memories you'll never forget.

[Joe Getty]

We're going to talk AI in hour three. I've been using three different AI platforms and comparing them. Want to talk about that?

[Katie]

So the lefties who are refusing to say pass a resolution honoring Charlie Kirk in the Congress are constantly saying, well, he would question the intelligence of black women or he would say racially divisive things. Because if you don't go with the progressive left's view of race and racism and the rest of it, they accuse you of being a racist even though they are wrong and absolutely, flamingly counterproductive. Instead of talking about the idiot Jimmy Kimmel, let's talk about Charlie Kirk and his message. Here is a great conversation he had on a college campus.

[Lenovo Announcer 2]

It is a fact, obviously, that black.

[Joe Getty]

People disproportionately commit crime in this country.

[Guardian Bikes Announcer]

No one's arguing that, but you either.

[Lenovo Announcer 2]

Believe that that is due to a.

[Cynthia Littleton]

Complex intersection of social, economic and like.

[Joe Getty]

Leftover effects from previous inequalities, or you believe that that is an inherent trait to the race.

[Lenovo Announcer 2]

No, I don't. Because they weren't that way. In the 1940s and 50s, black America was one of the most peaceful, flourishing, fastest growing economically communities in the country. It's not genetic. You're trying to point something on me that I don't believe. Instead, black American believe that it's not genetic.

[Guardian Bikes Announcer]

So you do think CRT is correct?

[Lenovo Announcer 2]

Hold on a second. In the 1940s and 1950s, black America was prosperous and was on pace to be richer and wealthier than white America. More dads were staying with the women that they were with. There was monogamy. What changed?

[Cynthia Littleton]

You're supporting my argument?

[Lenovo Announcer 2]

No, hold on. But answer the question. What change did America get? More racist since 1950? I would argue there were More racist policies passed. There were more policies dedicated to pushing them into poor housing and poor schools. Wait a second. In the 1950s, Jackie Robinson had not even broken the color barrier. We had Jim Crow laws, we hadn't passed the Civil Rights act, and we had passed the Voting Rights Act. Yet blacks were better in the 1950s per capita than they are today. So we have become less racist, we've passed more anti racist laws and given more stuff. And blacks are worse than they were 70 years ago. Yeah, why?

[Cynthia Littleton]

So you're equating here institutional and social racism?

[Lenovo Announcer 2]

Social racism was certainly worse in the.

[Cynthia Littleton]

1950S, I'm sure everyone would agree.

[Joe Getty]

But institutional racism occurs when policies are passed against people.

[Lenovo Announcer 2]

Come on.

[Joe Getty]

Which can increase over time.

[Guardian Bikes Announcer]

And it did.

[Lenovo Announcer 2]

You're not being intellectually honest. You know that there was black only drinking fountains in the 1950s. We don't have those any anymore. Well, we're bringing it back with, with you know, black only dormitories. But we had, for example, in the antebellum south in the 1950s, we had white only communities, white by law. We got rid of that with the Civil Rights act, but it didn't. Unfortunately, we look around, the numbers speak for themselves. Black youth are less likely to have fathers. They're not doing as well as far as economically they commit more crimes. So something changed. And our argument is what changed is three things. Number one, the imposition of the Great Society project by Lyndon Baines Johnson of spending $30 trillion since 1960s on Section 8 housing, on welfare, on, you know, all sorts where as I said, that young black women married the government and they divorced young black men. And then we also have had the, as Thomas Sowell and as Clarence Thomas would say, the soft bigotry of low expectations. And we have been afraid to get to the root of the issue or even speak about it because we don't be called a racist.

[Joe Getty]

So who.

[Cynthia Littleton]

What is imposing those low expectations?

[Lenovo Announcer 2]

It's, it's part of. It is like white academic culture. I'll give you an example. I'm not saying you believe this, but Merrick Garland, the Attorney General of the United States, has come out and said having an ID to vote is racist. That is code for saying black people are too dumb to get a voter id.

[Katie]

I'm surprised Charlie didn't answer directly her question by saying progressive policies. I mean, I agree with her in a weird way that the institutional legal framework in America damaged black America. I believe that 100%, and it was practically 100% from progressives who did that damage yeah.

[Joe Getty]

They're not intentionally racist policies though. The idea of being forced into bad housing, bad schools.

[Katie]

Right. No, it's. It's building a culture of dependency and non self sufficiency that's one of the most horrifying, cruel things you could do to a person.

[Joe Getty]

Big picture. Big picture. Takeaway from that though, aside from the specifics. That guy got shot.

[Katie]

I got murdered for that.

[Joe Getty]

Having those kind of conversations. We need so many more of those kind of conversations on every topic.

[Katie]

Yep. Torch and run with it friends.

[Joe Getty]

Very unfortunate if you missed a segment. Get the podcast Armstrong and Getty on.

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Ah, come on.

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