Armstrong & Getty On Demand: The A&G Replay Monday Hour Four
Release Date: June 30, 2025
Host: Jack Armstrong & Joe Getty
Produced by: iHeartPodcasts

Introduction

In this episode of Armstrong & Getty On Demand, hosts Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty delve into pressing geopolitical issues, the evolving landscape of higher education, and societal shifts impacting meritocracy. Skipping over advertisements and introductory segments, the conversation zeroes in on China’s military ambitions, the infiltration of Chinese influence in American universities, the challenges facing law schools, the persistent threat of Iran, and the alarming implications of recent statements by Tulsi Gabbard, the Director of National Intelligence (DNI).

1. China’s Military Preparations and Taiwan Invasion Threat

The discussion begins with a critical analysis of Pete Hegseth’s recent remarks on China's credible preparation for a potential invasion of Taiwan.

Pete Hegseth (Transcript Timestamp: 02:02):
“Any attempt by Communist China to conquer Taiwan by force would result in devastating consequences for the Indo Pacific and the world. We are not going to sugarcoat it. The threat China poses is real and it could be imminent...”

Jack Armstrong elaborates on the sophistication of Chinese anti-ship munitions, highlighting their strategic deployment and mobility, which complicates detection and retaliation:

Jack Armstrong (03:05):
“...anti ship munitions that are mounted on remote-controlled trucks. They need no humans. Somebody in a bunker far away drives these trucks around, they fire off missiles, then quickly relocate...”

The hosts express concern over the rapid militarization and the increasing potential for conflict between the world’s two most powerful nations.

2. Chinese Influence in U.S. Universities

A significant portion of the conversation tackles the intricate relationship between American higher education institutions and Chinese Communist Party (CCP) officials. Jack Armstrong recounts how China strategically entrenched its influence through educational programs:

Jack Armstrong (03:54):
“They needed help primarily financially in trade from the Western world and came up with an absolutely brilliant plan. Let’s pretend that we want to westernize and move away from communism at our own pace and liberalize in return for our investment from the West...”

The hosts cite examples of elite institutions like Harvard, Syracuse, Stanford, the University of Maryland, and Rutgers, which have become incubators for CCP officials to study governance—effectively turning these schools into “party schools” for China.

Jack Armstrong (06:08):
“Harvard was trained so many Chinese Communist officials, they call it their party school. Not like party school. Let’s get wasted and get laid. Yo. The Communist Party’s school.”

Joe Getty emphasizes the economic incentives behind this relationship, citing the substantial financial contributions of Chinese international students to U.S. universities.

Jack Armstrong (09:13):
“The economic contributions of international students at top U.S. universities. Columbia got $900 million. UC Berkeley, $576 million...”

This financial dependency poses a dilemma for universities, making it challenging to sever ties without significant economic repercussions.

3. Meritocracy and the Crisis in Law Schools

The conversation shifts to the erosion of meritocratic principles within elite law schools, focusing on the rampant use of accommodations like extended time for exams.

Jack Armstrong (28:01):
“Pepperdine Law... more than a third of the school's law students now receive testing accommodations, the most common of which is extended time...”

Armstrong expresses deep concern over how these accommodations dilute academic standards and compromise the integrity of legal education.

Jack Armstrong (31:17):
“Elite law schools. It’s ridiculous. Get back to meritocracy, man.”

The hosts debate the balance between supporting students with disabilities and maintaining rigorous academic standards, underscoring the potential long-term impact on the legal profession.

4. Iran’s Hostility and Terrorist Threats

Addressing the persistent menace posed by Iran, Armstrong and Getty discuss Iran’s unwavering commitment to destroying Israel and its support for proxy attacks.

Jack Armstrong (12:50):
“Iran is sworn to destroy Israel and all the Jews. They have empowered and sponsored several nation-states to attack Israel... What does it say about Iran that they swear to destroy Israel, get four nation states to attack Israel, then blame Israel for fighting back...”

The hosts highlight the complexities of dealing with an irrational and hostile regime, questioning the effectiveness of current U.S. strategies in mitigating Iranian threats.

5. Tulsi Gabbard’s Mini-Documentary on Nuclear Annihilation

A focal point of the episode is the critique of Tulsi Gabbard’s recent mini-documentary, where she reflects on the horrors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, framing it as a cautionary tale against nuclear warfare.

Tulsi Gabbard (34:34):
“This attack obliterated the city, killed over 300,000 people... The survivors, the Hibokusha, they carried the pain of extreme burns, radiation, sickness, and loss for decades...”

Armstrong and Getty argue that Gabbard’s portrayal omits critical historical contexts, such as Japan’s wartime brutality and the potential casualties had the U.S. pursued an invasion post-nuclear bombings.

Jack Armstrong (37:14):
“...the end of the war would have been horrifically bloody for both sides. The casualties on the Japanese side far beyond...”

They contend that Gabbard’s message serves to dissuade support for Ukraine, framing it within a narrative that warns against escalating towards nuclear conflict.

Jack Armstrong (38:31):
“This is a mini documentary made to convince people to abandon Ukraine. That is the purpose of it.”

6. Supreme Court and Religious Liberty

The hosts examine a recent Supreme Court decision involving the denial of tax exemption to a Catholic charity based on insufficient religious activities before providing services.

Jack Armstrong (21:50):
“Justice Sotomayor wrote the 9-0 decision overturning the Wisconsin Supreme Court...”

They criticize the ruling for undermining religious neutrality, arguing that it imprisons religious organizations within rigid frameworks that stifle genuine charitable work.

7. Societal Shifts and the “Woke Apocalypse”

Exploring broader societal changes, Armstrong and Getty discuss the period from 2019 to 2024, a time marked by significant cultural and political upheavals, including the rise of "woke" ideology.

Jack Armstrong (24:15):
“They continued to say, yes, that obvious man is a woman and should be in women’s sports if he is a woman, for fear of backlash because the left was on the front foot...”

The hosts advocate for a return to traditional meritocratic values, emphasizing the importance of fairness and excellence without the interference of ideological extremism.

Jack Armstrong (27:22):
“Meritocracy is what should run virtually everything...”

They call for a societal reassessment to ensure that foundational principles like meritocracy are upheld amidst the prevailing cultural shifts.

Listener Mailbag Highlights

Throughout the episode, Armstrong and Getty address listener questions and comments, providing insights and expanding on the primary topics:

• Supreme Court Transgender Ruling:
  A listener from Texas criticizes the New York Times' portrayal of transgender issues as complex and beyond the comprehension of the average American, reflecting broader societal misunderstandings.

• Illegal Roundups in California:
  A listener from San Jose explains the necessity of ICE raids in sanctuary states, countering arguments that such measures are unnecessary.

• Naming the Cultural Epoch:
  Armstrong and Getty propose the term “Woke Apocalypse” to encapsulate the tumultuous period characterized by heightened political correctness and cultural warfare.

• Law School Accommodations:
  A father of an autistic daughter voices concern over the increasing number of students receiving accommodations, questioning the long-term implications for professional standards.

Conclusion

Armstrong & Getty On Demand’s The A&G Replay Monday Hour Four offers a comprehensive analysis of critical issues affecting national security, education integrity, and societal values. Through incisive discussions and sharp critiques, Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty challenge prevailing narratives and advocate for policies and cultural shifts that prioritize meritocracy, national sovereignty, and rational governance.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Pete Hegseth on China’s Threat (02:02):
  “Any attempt by Communist China to conquer Taiwan by force would result in devastating consequences for the Indo Pacific and the world...”

• Jack Armstrong on Anti-Ship Munitions (03:05):
  “...anti ship munitions that are mounted on remote-controlled trucks...”

• Jack Armstrong on Harvard as a CCP Party School (06:08):
  “Harvard was trained so many Chinese Communist officials, they call it their party school...”

• Jack Armstrong on Meritocracy (27:22):
  “Meritocracy is what should run virtually everything...”

• Tulsi Gabbard on Nuclear Annihilation (34:34):
  “This attack obliterated the city, killed over 300,000 people...”

This episode underscores the necessity for vigilance in national security, the preservation of academic integrity, and the reclamation of meritocratic values in the face of escalating ideological battles.