Armstrong & Getty On Demand

Episode: "Shut Up You Bonehead"

Date: October 14, 2025

Overview

In this episode, Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty deliver their signature blend of punchy political commentary, observational humor, and media critique. The show covers a range of topics, including a satirical look at California politics (especially Governor Gavin Newsom), reflections on Columbus Day vs. Indigenous Peoples Day, a comedic Trump impression, mainstream media oddities, Alec Baldwin’s latest mishap, and a nod to offbeat relationship trends and political hypocrisy. The conversation is fast-paced, laced with memorable quips and banter, and centers on skepticism toward establishment narratives and cultural trends.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Gavin Newsom: The "Leading Presidential Candidate" and California Politics

• Armstrong and Getty dissect Gavin Newsom’s political career, decisions during COVID, and public persona, with particular scorn for his crisis management and financial stewardship.
  • Critique of Newsom’s shift from surplus to deficit: "Gavin and his party managed to turn a $98 billion surplus into a $32 billion deficit. Oh, great. Gavin Newsom." (Joe Getty, 01:19)
• They cite columnist Katie Grimes (California Globe) and her argument that California's one-party system rewards lack of quality in politicians, placing Newsom among "dangerous Democratic politicians" who've "failed up."
• Extended banter features a vintage Newsom interview with CBS’s Hank Platt, showcasing an earlier, less-polished Newsom dodging accountability.
  • “He sounds like someone who's bad at that sort of thing, didn't he?” (Jack, 04:08)
  • “You know, that's enough. There was one that was really enjoyable. ... He just couldn't stop.” (Joe, 05:38)

Notable Segment

• [03:33–06:16]: A play-by-play of Newsom’s squirmy press interactions – both hosts mock Newsom's tendency to avoid direct answers and his self-defensiveness in crisis.

• They predict Newsom would struggle in national politics, comparing him unfavorably to more battle-tested figures.

  • “You're not elected for being capable. ... You're elected rather for being a prostitute for labor unions and tri lawyers in the Democratic Party.” (Joe Getty, 06:18)

2. Presidential Politics and the "Woke Vote"

• Speculation on Democratic primary drama:

  • Discussion of Kamala Harris possibly running against Newsom and her vocal opposition to "Columbus Day".
  • Joe: “Let them all fight it out for the woke vote.” (07:22)
  • Jack: “I have a feeling they're going to get trounced by somebody who shuns the woke vote.” (07:29)

• Playful aside about who could beat Newsom, including a sarcastic mention of Rahm Emanuel.

3. Comedy and Satire: Columbus Day, Trump Impression, and Mainstream Media

• Trump Impression by Sean Farage: Over-the-top Columbus Day message lampooning both Trump’s style and current political debates.

  • “Michael, this is your favorite president, or as they call me, Chief Golden Eagle… And I wanted to wish you a very happy Columbus Day. But the radical left wing crazy Democrats want to call it Indigenous Peoples Day…” (Sean Farage as Trump, 07:48–09:09)

• Hosts revel in the impersonator’s skill, pointing out: “You know, one of the reasons it's so funny is it's just like it's only one click off of could be real.” (Jack, 09:09)

Notable Segment

• [07:48–09:14]: Extended, comedic "Trump" riff on Columbus Day, political enemies, and media narratives.

4. Analysis of Trump's Diplomatic Style and the Media

• Discussion on a Mark Halperin newsletter dissecting “the seven skills” that helped Trump broker Middle East agreements.
• The hosts agree Trump’s “ego reading” and unpredictability constitute a genuine advantage in global politics.
  • “Trump reads egos like a briefing book. He reads people, not policy memos. The Middle east runs on face and pride and Trump is fluent in both.” (Halperin, quoted by Jack, 12:36)
• They reflect on showmanship in diplomacy and how Trump shapes media narratives to his advantage.
  • “If you can make the world stop scrolling for 12 seconds, you've already negotiated half the deal.” (Halperin, quoted by Jack, 15:34)

Notable Segment

• [11:44–17:36]: Mark Halperin’s seven points on Trump; comparisons between Trump’s Middle East success and his unsuccessful approach with Russia.

5. Cultural Trends, Relationship Norms, and Media Bias

• Mockery of mainstream coverage normalizing “aberrant” relationship types (lavender marriages, throuples, polycules).
  • “Seriously, one out of how many thousand married couples in Gen Z are in a throuple? 1 in 50,000. 1 in 150,000.” (Joe, 36:07)
• Media hypocrisy: Calling out CNN for contradictory takes on health care for undocumented immigrants depending on who's in office (32:26–33:47).

6. Columbus Day, Kamala Harris, and Historical Revisionism

• Kamala Harris’s Indigenous Peoples Day speech prompts frustration:
  • “How freaking annoying was that counterpoint?” (Jack, 23:03)
  • Joe: “Shut up, bonehead. When she goes into sanctimonious mode, I mean, that's when she's at her most off putting to me.” (23:08)
• Spirited, historical argument about people “discovering” land, conquest being universal, and the limitations of land acknowledgments.
  • “Do you have a land acknowledgment going back to the tribe that got … wiped out? Where do you stop? What is. Again, what is the point?” (Jack, 26:03)

Notable Segment

• [22:04–27:02]: Kamala’s speech, and Armstrong & Getty’s extended, exasperated rebuttal of performative historical guilt in US politics.

7. Odd News, Pop Culture, and Alec Baldwin

• Brief bits: Gold panning boom in California driven by record prices; the Chicago marathon's risky reputation.

  • “It's the only race where the starter pistol gets return fire.” (Joe, 19:26)

• Alec Baldwin’s Instagrammed car accident story, with the hosts riffing on his career, financial state, reality TV, and his “fake Spaniard” wife.

  • “He just couldn't stop shooting members of movie crews?” (Jack, 29:28)

8. Senator Chris Murphy and Political Hypocrisy

• Clip of Sen. Murphy (D-CT) being confronted for past shutdown statements:
  • Joe: “Whatever you weasel. A talking weasel. How they teach a weasel to talk. That’s amazing.” (Joe, 32:04)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Newsom’s Political Fortunes
  "You're not elected for being capable… You're elected rather for being a prostitute for labor unions and tri lawyers in the Democratic Party. Yeah, I'd use a stronger word, but I'm a gentleman."
  — Joe Getty (06:18)

• On The Trump Impression:
  “You know, one of the reasons it's so funny is it's just like it's only one click off of could be real.”
  — Jack Armstrong (09:09)

• On Kamala Harris’s Historical Rhetoric:
  “Shut up, bonehead. When she goes into sanctimonious mode, I mean, that's when she’s at her most off-putting to me.”
  — Joe Getty (23:08)

• On Modern Relationship Coverage:
  “Seriously, one out of how many thousand married couples in Gen Z are in a throuple? 1 in 50,000. 1 in 150,000.”
  — Joe Getty (36:07)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:34] – Tennessee woman gives birth to 13 lb baby (opening banter)
• [00:48–06:55] – Gavin Newsom roast: COVID response, personal scandals, media interactions
• [07:00–10:11] – Democratic infighting, Kamala Harris, and Columbus Day riffs
• [07:48–09:14] – Sean Farage’s Trump impression, Columbus/Indigenous Peoples Day
• [11:44–17:36] – Trump’s Middle East performance, Halperin’s analysis, spectacle in politics
• [19:26] – Chicago marathon joke
• [20:13] – Surging gold prices, gold panning in California
• [22:04–27:02] – Kamala’s Indigenous Peoples Day speech, hosts’ critical response, land acknowledgments
• [27:19–29:42] – Alec Baldwin’s car accident, family, and reality TV
• [30:54–32:10] – Senator Chris Murphy called out for shutdown flip-flop
• [32:26–36:50] – CNN fact checks, media bias, coverage of “aberrant” relationships
• [37:13–38:36] – Final thoughts, with a baseball rules aside and Halloween mannequin advice

Tone & Style

The conversation is irreverent, sardonic, and lively, with quick pivots between serious analysis and sharp comedic asides. Armstrong and Getty maintain their contrarian posture, lampoon political figures, and expose perceived hypocrisy in politics and the media. They ground their humor in current cultural phenomena, often expressing exasperation at the latest trends or “wokeness” in public discourse.

For New Listeners

This episode is a classic Armstrong & Getty showcase: satirical, conversational, and heavy on skepticism toward institutional power, whether in politics, media, or culture. Whether discussing Gavin Newsom, Kamala Harris, or the New York Times’ coverage of “polycules,” Jack and Joe keep the energy high and the jokes coming, with sharp cultural commentary threaded throughout.