The American Taxpayer's Teet

Summary

Podcast Summary: Armstrong & Getty On Demand – "The American Taxpayer's Teet"

Episode Release Date: July 28, 2025
Host: iHeartPodcasts
Title: The American Taxpayer's Teet

---

1. European Tariff Deal and Its Economic Implications [03:14 – 08:41]

The episode opens with a deep dive into recent developments surrounding former President Donald Trump's press conference, where he announced the finalization of a European tariff deal. Trump touted the agreement as potentially "the biggest financial deal in the history of the world" ([02:04] Joe Getty). However, complexities soon emerged as credible sources revealed that the European Union (EU) could not guarantee the pledged $600 billion investment. As reported by POLITICO at [03:36], the EU conceded that these additional funds would exclusively come from private companies, lacking the means to enforce this commitment.

Jack Armstrong sarcastically comments on the EU's reliability, stating, “I have several bridges over the Rhine, the Thames, and the Danube to sell you” ([04:55]). Gerard Baker of the Wall Street Journal adds skepticism, highlighting that while NATO members have pledged to increase their defense spending to 5% of GDP, nations like Spain have only committed to 3.5%, undermining the overall commitment ([04:51] Joe Getty).

Notable Quote:

“Don’t be fooled by all the Churchillian talk.” – Gerard Baker ([07:00] Jack Armstrong)

---

2. Ukraine's Struggle with Corruption and Public Protests [08:41 – 13:21]

The conversation shifts to Ukraine, focusing on President Volodymyr Zelensky's efforts to combat entrenched corruption. Initially elected on an anti-corruption platform, Zelensky faced significant challenges when a corruption oversight body became infiltrated by pro-Russian elements, rendering it ineffective. This failure led to massive public protests, the largest since the war began.

Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty discuss the implications of Zelensky taking direct control over anti-corruption initiatives, with Armstrong noting the political missteps and potential historical legacy of Zelensky's actions ([11:29]). They ponder whether Zelensky will ultimately be remembered as a hero or if his administration's struggles will overshadow his intentions.

Notable Quote:

“We should be thankful we have as little as we have because culturally it's really, really hard to get rid of.” – Joe Getty on corruption in Ukraine ([09:41] Jack Armstrong)

---

3. US Retailers Navigate Tariffs: Walmart vs. Target [14:01 – 18:54]

The hosts analyze the impact of new tariffs on American retailers, highlighting Walmart's strategy of absorbing price increases to outcompete rivals like Amazon and Target. Joe Getty expresses concern over Target discontinuing its longstanding price match policy, viewing it as a direct concession to massive price hikes and a sign of struggling competitiveness ([15:20] Joe Getty).

Armstrong underscores the broader economic uncertainty, stating, “This could be the biggest story in America, what tariffs did to prices” ([17:12] Joe Getty). They discuss the potential long-term effects on both consumers and the retail landscape, emphasizing the precarious balance retailers must maintain amidst fluctuating trade policies.

Notable Quote:

“They’re essentially product dumping on the American public, losing money for a while to eliminate competition.” – Jack Armstrong on Walmart's pricing strategy ([18:23] Jack Armstrong)

---

4. Innovations in School Safety: Drones and Silent Alarms [20:16 – 20:53]

A segment introduces Campus Guardian Angel, a Texas-based company proposing the use of drones equipped with non-lethal defenses to enhance school safety. The system is designed to respond to silent alarms by deploying drones that can administer pepper rounds to neutralize threats. While Armstrong acknowledges potential benefits, he remains cautious about the system's efficacy and reliability ([20:45] Jack Armstrong).

Notable Quote:

“I could see a usefulness of it certainly. I mean it's not foolproof, but it's better than not having it.” – Jack Armstrong on drone-based school safety ([20:41] Joe Getty)

---

5. Debating Inmate Internet Access and Prison Conditions [20:57 – 27:14]

The discussion turns to the controversial topic of internet access for inmates, prompted by a case in Idaho where a maximum-security prisoner nicknamed "Scumbag" is permitted to use tablets with restricted internet capabilities. Armstrong and Getty debate the merits and drawbacks of this policy, questioning its role in rehabilitation versus punishment. Armstrong points out the contradiction between allowing inmates to access information and maintaining strict disciplinary measures ([22:28] Jack Armstrong).

Notable Quote:

“You're a murderer. Trouble. They don't make trouble. They're compliant.” – Jack Armstrong defending inmate tablet access ([22:28] Jack Armstrong)

---

6. Health Concerns: The Rise of 'Tech Neck' [27:03 – 28:20]

A lighter segment addresses the physical ailments associated with prolonged smartphone use, such as "tech neck" and carpal tunnel syndrome. Hosts and a guest named Katie share personal anecdotes about the discomfort caused by excessive phone usage, highlighting the modern struggle between technology dependency and physical well-being.

Notable Quote:

“Talk about a soft beast.” – Jack Armstrong on health issues from phone use ([28:04] Jack Armstrong)

---

7. The Incel Community and Modern Dating Challenges [28:45 – 32:25]

Armstrong and Getty delve into the online "incel" (involuntary celibate) community, discussing the pervasive negativity and self-defeating attitudes prevalent among its members. Joe Getty recounts encountering responses where individuals blame societal factors or women for their dating struggles, leading to widespread cynicism about forming relationships. The hosts critique the reinforcement of negative beliefs through online echo chambers, emphasizing the need for more positive and constructive approaches to dating challenges.

Notable Quote:

“Humankind cannot survive the Internet.” – Jack Armstrong on the impact of online communities ([31:20] Jack Armstrong)

---

8. Jeffrey Epstein Case and Trump's Involvement [32:25 – 40:29]

In a significant segment, the hosts discuss recent developments in the Jeffrey Epstein case, including the intense interrogation of Ghislaine Maxwell by high-ranking Justice Department officials. They speculate on the motivations behind renewed scrutiny, suggesting it may be an attempt to uncover new revelations to satisfy public demand for transparency. The conversation touches upon Donald Trump's past relationship with Epstein, highlighting Trump's public disassociation from Epstein and the ambiguity surrounding the nature of their fallout.

Notable Quotes:

“They’re looking for anything they can release to calm the masses.” – Jack Armstrong on the Justice Department’s motives ([33:16] Jack Armstrong)

“I'm glad I did.” – Donald Trump on ending his association with Jeffrey Epstein ([36:25] Donald Trump)

---

Conclusion

Throughout the episode, Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty offer a blend of political analysis, social commentary, and lighthearted banter. They navigate complex topics ranging from international trade and geopolitical tensions to domestic social issues and high-profile legal cases. The hosts maintain a conversational tone, interspersed with humor and critical insights, making the discussion accessible and engaging for listeners.

Overall Notable Quote:

“If you could take the thread for the women and the thread for the men and meet them up, like all get them together in a room, I think you might have a bunch of love blooming.” – Joe Getty on solving dating problems ([32:25] Joe Getty)

---

Final Thoughts

Whether dissecting international policies, critiquing societal trends, or exploring personal anecdotes, Armstrong and Getty provide a comprehensive and entertaining overview of pressing issues affecting American taxpayers and beyond. Their ability to interweave humor with serious analysis ensures that listeners are both informed and entertained.

Transcript

[Jack Armstrong]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Joe Getty]

Tired of spills and stains on your sofa? WashablesOfAs.com has your back featuring the Annabe collection, the only designer sofa that's machine washable inside and out. Where designer quality meets budget friendly prices. That's right, sofas start at just $699. Enjoy a no risk experience with pet friendly stain resistant and changeable slipcovers made with performance fabrics. Experience cloud like comfort high resilience foam that's hypoallergenic and never needs fluffing. The sturdy steel frame ensures longevity and the modular pieces can be rearranged anytime. Check out washablesofas.com and get up to 60% off your Anna Bay sofa backed by a 30 day satisfaction guarantee. If you're not absolutely in love, send it back for a full refund. No return, shipping or restocking fees. Every penny back. Upgrade [e-mail] Offers are subject to change and certain restrictions may app.

[Announcer]

Broadcasting live from the Abraham Lincoln Radio Studio at the George Washington Broadcast Center, Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty.

[Joe Getty]

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

[Jack Armstrong]

1, 2 pitch, high in the air, deep to right. That ball is foul.

[Joe Getty]

Or gone. That ball was absolutely launched. Law dog posing him up at the dish. He knew it off the bat. It was just a matter of how far and well you win some, you lose some. That ball is foul. I mean gone. That's not your perfect home run call as the guys jogging guys are running around the bases.

[Jack Armstrong]

So perhaps it was indeed fair.

[Joe Getty]

Got a couple of couple of big news stories that hit like right as we were coming on the air today. Just to repeat briefly and we can get him to em later. But Trump was doing a press conference and got the European tariff deal done. They settled on a number whatever. This will either cause inflation and ruin your life or be the greatest thing that ever happened. I don't know which, or somewhere in between. But that is done. Trump's calling it the biggest financial deal in the history of the world, which it actually monetarily might be until he does the deal with China later this week. Hopefully. The other thing is, Trump said the 50 day pause for Russia to see some movement by Putin. Forget it. Putin's showing no effort whatsoever toward a ceasefire, so he doesn't get the full 50 days. He didn't follow up on what that means or what the timeline is now, although the Patriot missile batteries are in Ukraine and are being used. So that happened lickety split and I don't know if that's going to be true with other weapons and money and all that sort of stuff, too. And there's one other thing. Was the other thing that he threw out there. There's another big one. I don't remember what it was. I'll think of it later.

[Jack Armstrong]

So a couple of headlines about the big deals with Europe. POLITICO BREAKING EU admits it cannot guarantee the $600 billion it promised to Trump. That was announced an hour ago. The extra investments pledged under the trade deal would come from private companies, which Brussels conceded it has no power to control.

[Joe Getty]

So what does that mean to you? There is no deal or the deal.

[Jack Armstrong]

On Sunday, they struck a deal, blah, blah, blah, to avoid a U.S. trade war. The deal included a pledge to invest an extra $600 billion of EU money into the US over coming years. But speaking today, two senior European officials clarified that the money would come exclusively from private companies with public investment contributing nothing. So I have no idea what that means. And there aren't like cops that will come to their houses and put them in cuffs and drag them to jail if not a dime was invested. And then this from Gerard Baker, who's a terrific writer for the Wall Street Journal. Europe will never keep its promises to Trump on defense. And he mentions how great it is that the NATO members pledge to promise to increase their defense spending to 5% of domest domestic product from the current average of below 2%. Blah, blah, blah. The idea that Europe is finally rising to meet its own needs is common currency on both sides of the Atlantic. After decades of cheaply sheltering under America's security umbrella, Europeans were told are now ready to take up the lion's share of the cost of their own defense. And if you believe that, I have several bridges over the Rhine, the Thames and the Danube to sell you.

[Joe Getty]

Really?

[Jack Armstrong]

Writes Baker. So yeah.

[Joe Getty]

Is there a reason I haven't heard anybody say this but me? Maybe I'm just wrong sometimes if the only person I think it's because I'm way off base. But I don't understand.

[Jack Armstrong]

How.

[Joe Getty]

Trump continues to be portrayed as somebody who's anti alliances, anti European Union, anti NATO. They're anti NATO. The other countries in NATO seem to be anti NATO. If they're not willing to fund it, they're the ones that don't care about the alliance, not us. We fund the majority of it. I heard it this morning on npr. Trump, who's never been a big fan of NATO, the countries in NATO are not fans of NATO, at least by their actions. I don't care about their words. Their words don't mean anything. The fact that they don't fund it means they don't care and we do, doesn't it?

[Jack Armstrong]

In this one rare instance. You are not wrong and you are not crazy. You're 100% right. Yes, they were rotting it out from within through laziness and just, you know, enjoying the warm sugary milk of the American taxpayers teeth. Anyway.

[Joe Getty]

The American taxpayers teeth.

[Jack Armstrong]

It's true that Baker writes in the past three years, the twin. That's right, sir. The twin shocks of Europe's invasion of Ukraine and the verbal hostility, blah, blah, blah, have jolted European leaders out of their feckless complacency. That's a good phrase. The 5% of GDP math agreed to by all members except lazy, stupid Spain is, on closer inspection, a little fuzzy with 3 1/2 percent. Remember, the big giant total everybody's bragging about is 5%. 3 1/2% is allotted to actual defense spending and 1.5% to areas like critical.

[Joe Getty]

Infrastructure and civil preparedness, which could be anything.

[Jack Armstrong]

Yeah, although I get that you do have to have critical infrastructure to move arms.

[Joe Getty]

Right. But you could also just, you know, take the money you were going to spend on fixing your highways anyway and claim that was your civil preparedness. Be very easy to fudge that stuff.

[Jack Armstrong]

But anyway, he gets to. He gets to his main point. Don't be fooled by all the Churchillian talk. Well, it's true that some countries like Poland and Finland will be serious about their defense as they have been. The big euro nations, Germany, France, Italy and the UK face economic, demographic, political and cultural challenges so deep that it'll take much more than statements of intent to enable them to actually build their own conventional defenses.

[Joe Getty]

Okay, so who doesn't care about NATO if you can't get your own population to go along with spending money on keeping NATO a fighting force?

[Jack Armstrong]

Right, Right. No, you're absolutely correct on that point. But the reality of it is you've got enormous expensive welfare states in all these countries. And Italy's public debt right now is 135% of its GDP. France is 113%. Spain's 102. The UK more than 100. Germany's is above 60%, but set to rise. Massive welfare programs are adding to those fiscal debt piles. And to give a small illustration of the policy challenge, last month Starmer's labor government in Britain, elected with a massive parliamentary majority, tried to advance a small measure to trim $7 billion off the spectacular growth of one social program that are set to cost more than $137 billion within a couple years. So it's, it's. What is that? It's like two and a half percent, something like that. Even such a meager effort at budget restraint was defeated by revolt by the party's back benchers. So the idea that these big euro countries are going to restructure their, their fiscal houses to free up lots more money for defense. Good luck.

[Joe Getty]

And we're supposed to care about it more than them, even though it's their backyard that Russia's starting to encroach into.

[Jack Armstrong]

Yeah, yeah. Oh, and then Baker gets into their demographic problems. They're not, they're not having babies.

[Joe Getty]

We haven't talked about the biggest protests in Ukraine since the war started. The biggest anti government protest since the war started. So Zelensky got elected primarily on an anti corruption platform. He was a YouTube comedian with no tie to either party. And so it seemed like he'd be the perfect guy to come in and try to deal with corruption because he doesn't have, you know, he's not involved in any of the parties. They still have corruption in Ukraine. Corruption is hard to root out and we should be thankful we have as little as we have because culturally it's really, really hard to get rid of.

[Jack Armstrong]

But they still, oh, it's the number one problem for post Soviet countries.

[Joe Getty]

So they still have a corruption problem in Ukraine. They've got a special panel legislative body, whatever, that is supposed to look into corruption and deal with it. Zielinski said it had been intel intro. People had snuck in that were pro Russian and didn't care about corruption. In fact, they were for corruption. And so you couldn't count on that body to deal with corruption anymore. So he got legislation passed to take hold of the corruption thing himself. So now me, the president, I'm going to be in charge of rooting out corruption, not this independent body.

[Jack Armstrong]

And.

[Joe Getty]

And there was a revolt among tens of thousands of people in Ukraine in the streets protesting at wartime when Putin has been targeting groups. I mean, so it was pretty brave to get out there and protest this. Zelensky realized he was on the wrong side of this or, you know, is politically not good. And so they've already walked that back or trying to change it. So he no longer is the guy who is in charge of corruption, because that's a bad look.

[Jack Armstrong]

Yeah, I heard a really interesting conversation between a couple of people, one of whom is very supportive of, of arming Ukraine and helping them, and one who's been pretty cynical about it. And interestingly, the cynical guy said, I gotta give Zelensky and his government credit. They let people have their free speech and protest against this law to the point that they said, you know what? You're right, we're wrong, we'll change it. And the guy who's been very supportive of the Ukrainians and generally of Zelensky said, yeah, that was a misstep. That even if he was sincere, that was a bad idea because it looks terrible and it's a good thing they're rescinding that law and getting back to the old.

[Joe Getty]

I assume he was sincere. I mean, there's. I don't have any reason to think he's corrupt. It doesn't surprise me that a bunch of people who are also corrupt got into that body and we're going to be people you couldn't count on to root out corruption. Wouldn't surprise me. Yeah, when you got a history of corruption in your country. But, you know, him taking it over was a bad look politically, and he loosened the reins. But that's something to see, those kind of protests. I wonder if he will get, if they'll ever have elections. He'll get reelected. I wonder how that'll play out. Will he go down in Ukrainian history as a. As a hero? As he should, I think, or not? Who knows?

[Jack Armstrong]

Well, time will tell. Obviously, part of that discussion went on to discuss the fact that they haven't had an election for a while and that they. They should. Although if some pro Russian faction, you know, floods the polls or legitimately gins up popular opinion or something like that, and he loses, and a pro Russian guy gets like, the Ukraine is over as a country. And they compared it to the US Elections during the civil war.

[Joe Getty]

But how would you have an election when, what is it, 20% of your country is occupied by another. How would you do that?

[Jack Armstrong]

Right. It's an absolutely legitimate question. And anybody. Tucker who's portrayed it as an obvious sign that he's assumed dictatorial powers and is a monster, is that is just. Well, you're a propagandist. I mean, Tucker's brilliant. He. He wouldn't get that wrong. It's. It's propaganda. But, yeah, how are you going to run an election? Plus, anytime people gather, other than that demonstration, the Russians bomb them. Vlad Putin said, yeah, hold off on those drones. This is anti Zelinsky, let's not kill people now. Wait till tonight. We'll hit a hospital in a school or two.

[Joe Getty]

Here's one of my favorite Headlines I've seen today Cottage Cheese popularity soars.

[Jack Armstrong]

Cottage cheese is having a moment.

[Joe Getty]

Full team coverage. I also wanted to get to she's known as the woman with the world's largest lips. Okay you crazy person. And the Washington Post going big on mermaiding. Mermaiding gaining popular in D.C. how about mermaids who eat cottage cheese with big lips? How popular is that? Off the cheese lift.

[Jack Armstrong]

Mermaids sucking down cottage cheese in a local pool. Stay with us.

[Joe Getty]

Film at eleven and real news on the way. Stay here.

[Announcer]

Armstrong and Gettys.

[Joe Getty]

Lets be real. Life happens. Kids spill, pets shed and accidents are inevitable. Find a sofa that can keep [e-mail] Starting at just $699, our sofas are fully machine washable inside and out so you can say goodbye to stains and hello to worry free living. Made with liquid and stain resistant fabrics, they're kid proof, pet friendly and built for everyday life. Plus changeable fabric covers let you refresh your sofa whenever you want. Need flexibility? Our modular design lets you rearrange your sofa anytime to fit your space, whether it's a growing family room or a cozy apartment. Plus they're earth friendly and trusted by over 200,000 happy customers. It's time to upgrade to a stress free mess proof sofa. Visit washablesofas.com today and save that's washablesofas.com offers are subject to change and certain restrictions may apply.

[Jack Armstrong]

Uber is launching a new feature that pairs female drivers with female riders and there's no option for a quiet ride.

[Joe Getty]

Anti woman because women talk a lot.

[Jack Armstrong]

I guess at this point.

[Joe Getty]

Last week we had the story that so we're still trying to figure out if there's inflation going on or not because or at least prices going up because of tariffs. And you got Amazon which has raised its price some some stuff Walmart saying they're not. And then I heard some economists saying that Walmart is eating the price hikes in an attempt to take business away from Amazon. Also probably to drive the last remaining brick and mortars in the world out of business as they can't do that. They can't eat the increase in their costs the way Walmart can. And then this story that came out over the weekend that I missed. Target has ended its price match policy that they've had forever where if there's an advertised price somewhere else they would match it, handing Amazon and Walmart a huge pricing advantage. So Target, let alone your mom and pop store Target just decided we can't keep up with them Eating some of these increases in price to drive everybody out. That's something.

[Jack Armstrong]

Yeah. Wow. That's just begun. All of it.

[Joe Getty]

You think? Yeah, wow, this could be huge. I mean, that seems like a big deal to me that somebody as big as Target said, we're out, we can't compete with you guys.

[Jack Armstrong]

Yeah, well, and a lot of the, the trade agreements that are just being reached and there are plenty that haven't been reached yet, the tariffs then will go in place and, and we haven't seen how that will shake out either. So just.

[Joe Getty]

God, I hope not. I don't want this because I'm, I don't have Trump derangement syndrome, so I don't want negative outcomes. But it wouldn't be shocking if.

[Jack Armstrong]

Three.

[Joe Getty]

Months from now, six months from now, in time for Christmas or whatever. This is the biggest story in America, what tariffs did to prices. You talk about a story that would dominate all other stories. Epstein, who, if everything is all of a sudden like, you know, Covid era inflation, more expensive.

[Jack Armstrong]

I wonder. Yeah, and the whole, you know, organized labor. For instance, the uaw, we mentioned this last year or last week rather, that American made cars, which depend heavily on parts from Canada and Mexico are going to be tariffed at a higher rate than Euro cars. So your Ford made, you know, your quote, unquote, American made Ford is going to have a higher tariff on it, at least the foreign parts of it, than your BMW. I mean, that's. And that's going to hurt the sales and the jobs for the uaw. So there's a bunch of wrestling that's going to take place. This is just again, a huge pile of question marks and the angst has just begun.

[Joe Getty]

If Walmart actually is just eating some of these costs to try to take on Target or whoever else, man, that's a Trump esque bold move right there.

[Jack Armstrong]

That's a China esque bold move. Dumping. They're essentially product dumping on the American public, losing money for a while to eliminate competition. I mean, I'm not saying they're the legal definition of dumping. They have lawyers and they're very good at their jobs. It just. Yeah, they're trying to undercut the competition to drive them out.

[Joe Getty]

That's something. Wow. And if you're right, and we are going to see a lot more of this. Whoo. That'll be exciting. I didn't get to the woman at the world's biggest lips. I wanted to talk about something I saw at the state fair over the weekend that fit into that. Maybe later.

[Jack Armstrong]

Wow. She could be a display at state fair. I mean it's kind of 1910 ish.

[Joe Getty]

Could have been I should have just grabbed my hand said would you come over here and sold tickets to for people to gawk at her.

[Jack Armstrong]

I don't know if her husband I.

[Joe Getty]

Don'T know if her husband would appreciated that. We got a lot more on the way. Stay here.

[Announcer]

Armstrong and Getty.

[Joe Getty]

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 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, love seat 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.

[Announcer]

Co founders of Texas based company Campus Guardian Angel Hope this is the future of school safety. This is how it would work. Silent alarms in the school alert the company. Then drones strategically placed on campus get deployed and these drone pilots would navigate remotely from their headquarters in Austin, working in tandem with the school and police, inflicting non lethal damage to the suspect or dummy in this demo with pepper rounds and direct impact.

[Joe Getty]

Okay, we'll see if that works.

[Jack Armstrong]

I, I could see a usefulness of it certainly. I mean it's not foolproof, but it's better than not having it.

[Joe Getty]

Update on the woman with the world's biggest lips coming up. Stay tuned.

[Jack Armstrong]

So in subhuman scumbag rule or law? I'm sorry, news. I'm sorry, I'm reading while I'm talking. Idiot sub human scumbag update. Idiot guy from Idaho. Yeah, he. A couple of stories about his future. A bit of yin and yang for you. First of all, he will not be totally caught off, cut off from the world outside. Um, he can even send messages to young women across the country, though not via any dating apps. While prisoners don't technically have access to the Internet at the Idaho Department of corrections. They can purchase tablets from the commissary and load them up with a ton of approved apps. This means Scumbag and his fellow inmates can access select music, radio stations, perhaps the Armstrong E. Getty show, podcasts, movies, televisions, games and books. They can also fire off emails and make phone calls. So have a lifeline to life outside the prison wall.

[Joe Getty]

I didn't catch that, all that list because I was thinking about what you're saying. So do you have access to the Internet? I mean, the like news? Basically, yeah. So what is the thinking behind allowing them to like just scroll through a tablet or phone the way a lot of us do with our lives and kind of have a semi enjoyable life? What's the theory on that?

[Jack Armstrong]

You're a murderer. Trouble. They don't make trouble. They're compliant. They don't want their tablet taken away.

[Joe Getty]

I mean, I've got.

[Jack Armstrong]

I'm sure it doesn't really address that, but that's the answer.

[Joe Getty]

I got two teenagers that basically spend their entire days, if I let them, doing what he's going to do.

[Jack Armstrong]

So doesn't seem like around peacefully. Right?

[Joe Getty]

Doesn't seem like much of a punishment or we're supposed to. Is this supposed to be a deterrent? What kind of a deterrent is you get to do what every teenager wishes they could do, but their parents won't let them.

[Jack Armstrong]

Yeah, that's a wrestling match that people never discuss. I've actually talked about this to corrections officers and people in the prison business. I've got a friend who's actually a recently retired warden. But anyway, it's, it's the, the tension is between punishment, making it harsh and unpleasant. So you never want to go back there again. But having the inmates be compliant, I.

[Joe Getty]

Mean, if I could sit in a cell and scroll the Internet and you're going to feed me, I could do that for a long time. I'd prefer freedom, but I mean, that ain't the worst thing that ever happened, right?

[Jack Armstrong]

Yeah, I get it. They can. And if Scumbag uses his email to find love, well, it'll be a chaste marriage because the Idaho Department of Corrections does not allow conjugal visits.

[Joe Getty]

Well, thank God. If he was getting laid and scrolling the Internet, then why. Why is anybody not commit a crime?

[Jack Armstrong]

Oh my. Especially because he butchered those poor people. Probably in part because he couldn't get a girl. On the other hand, Jack.

[Joe Getty]

Oh, remind me of that. You just. You tripped something in my mind. Remind me of that. The whole incel thing. I got Something on that.

[Jack Armstrong]

All right, stay tuned. Michael, you remember it. I'll never remember it. And so here's. Here's your Yang scumbag will spend the rest of his life and die in one of America's worst prisons, a maximum security hellhole that according to the New York Post faces accusations of feces, smeared cages, violent guards rioting inmates in a biohazard level ventilation system. That's too bad. Idaho maximum security institution imsi where he's expected to be sentenced to life. Well, he was. I'm sorry. This is written just before the sentencing. Hosts the Gem States most. Did you know Idaho is the Gem State, Jack? Anyway, this prison high hosts the Gem State's most disruptive male residents and violent criminals. It has developed a reputation as not just the toughest prison in the state, but one of the harshest in the nation. It was named one of the 15 worst prisons in America by Security Journal Americas in 2024.

[Joe Getty]

You're one of the harshest prisons in the nation where if you're a scumbag murderer who should have gotten the death penalty, you get to sit in your cell and scroll the Internet all day long.

[Jack Armstrong]

Yeah, I know this is a bit of a head scratcher. It joins such infamous institutions as the Louisiana State Penn, AKA the Farmer San Quentin in California and the Attica, Attica Correctional Facility in western New York.

[Joe Getty]

I am so. I know this will never happen in our modern soft world that we live in. He should be out there doing freaking manual labor in the sun all day for the rest of his life. There are plenty of people that do it to support their families. How about he's out there, you know, paving roads like in the old days, freaking have to work. Freaking not look forward to getting up every day. Lots of people don't look forward to getting up every day and going to do a job. He to get up and go sleep late and then scroll the Internet all day long and take a nap as a guy who murdered a bunch of college girls. Yeah, I hate that.

[Jack Armstrong]

Yeah, I know it. There's. There's got to be a balance. Here's one guy, he's quoted. What is. Who is this guy? Some guy.

[Joe Getty]

Prisons are way too soft. Way too soft. Yeah, I would agree.

[Jack Armstrong]

I would agree in a lot of ways they are. Here's one guy. Oh, he's talking about solitary confinement and MISS and abuse of prisoners. 97% of these guys are going to get out and walk into an Idaho community. If you treat them like crap, if you treat them like animals, they're Going to walk out of prison like that.

[Joe Getty]

Okay, you're talking about everybody in general. This guy is an animal. I don't care how he gets treated.

[Jack Armstrong]

Right when he's not walking out into anybody's community ever. Thank God. Anyway, I did not know you. You can get a tablet and connect it to the Internet.

[Joe Getty]

Me neither. Like I said, I got two teenagers who would love to get to spend all day, every day. They would if I let them.

[Jack Armstrong]

Probably sue the. The department of corrections in the state for giving them. What do they call that? The Internet neck or phone neck, where you get like a stiff neck from looking at your phone all the time.

[Joe Getty]

Cash settlement, so on. Incels.

[Jack Armstrong]

So on.

[Joe Getty]

Yes, Katie.

[Katie]

Oh, I was tech neck.

[Joe Getty]

Tech neck. Right. I hate to say this because this makes me sound incredibly soft, but I think I gave myself tennis elbow from holding my phone in a certain way all the time. I think it's this horrible pain in my elbow. And I think. And I realized it. If I don't hold my phone the way I hold it, like when I'm sitting doing work, the pain. So I've caused this.

[Jack Armstrong]

You have carpal tunnel syndrome from your.

[Joe Getty]

Phone, Is that it?

[Jack Armstrong]

Or something similar.

[Katie]

Also from the pathetic file, I had to get one of those pop sockets that you put on the back because I have rested my phone on this part of my pinky above my knuckle for so long that I have a dent. So I was like, wow, I need to find a new way to hold my phone or put the phone down.

[Jack Armstrong]

Yeah.

[Joe Getty]

So now when I'm in pop socket, when I'm laying in bed reading my phone, I hold it with my right hand and keep my left arm straight so it can heal.

[Jack Armstrong]

Wow.

[Joe Getty]

Talk about a soft beast.

[Jack Armstrong]

Coming up, fitness hints. So you can hold your iPhone without pain.

[Joe Getty]

So on the incel topic, I just accidentally came across this and I don't remember where or why, but it was somebody who had written into some site about dating is something like, are there any guys who have given up on dating? And the responses will shock you or not shock you, but I'll have those right after this.

[Jack Armstrong]

A word from our friends at Simplisafe Home Security. You want to feel safe in your home. You want to feel safe leaving your home. But you're extra double safe with Simply Safe. Because with Simply Safe's new Active Outdoor Guard. Active Guard Outdoor Protection, it stops break ins before they happen. So it's not like your window gets smashed up or your door gets kicked in, the alarm goes off. They just get A little stuff that go. No, this stuff. With the AI powered cameras and live monitoring agents can actively detect suspicious activity around your property and tell them to get the hell out.

[Joe Getty]

Yeah, maybe one of these INCEL weirdos is hanging around lurking behind your bushes, wanting to take it out on you. Well, they'll catch it on this camera ahead of time. It's about a dollar a day. There's no contract to sign with SimpliSafe because they believe in their product.

[Jack Armstrong]

I got it.

[Joe Getty]

You'll like it.

[Jack Armstrong]

Yep. Visit simplisafe.comarmstrong to claim 50% off a new system with a professional monitoring plan. You get your first month free. That's simplisafe.com Armstrong there's no safe like SimpliSafe.

[Joe Getty]

I don't think I screen captured the responses I should have, but I can summarize them more or less. So somebody had written, you know, into whatever site, have any other guys given up on dating in the modern world or something like that? And then I just looked at the responses to that and it was all these blame women or blame society or blame something crowd that had completely given up on the idea of ever being in any kind of relationship at all. And I mean, it was just an endless stream of them. And I thought, this is the most pathetic thing I've ever seen. I mean, if I had a friend or my kids did this, I would think, what is wrong with you? Yeah, the world. And it was, it was, everybody had their own, well, there's, there's no way you can get a girlfriend after age 30. Or there was somebody else said after, in your 40s or in your 50s. So they, you know, their particular time in life was the worst time it was ever been. And because of, you know, and, and then name it, the economy, the politics or whatever it was, they all had a reason why they'd completely given up on the idea of ever having a relationship.

[Jack Armstrong]

Yeah, humankind cannot survive the Internet. That is my conclusion. And I know worst impulses of mankind are now reinforced instead of being told over and over again, hey Joe, that's, that's, that's dumb or you're giving up or that's pathetic. No, don't be like that. You just go online, find people who are like minded and have it reinforced all day long.

[Joe Getty]

Yeah, I didn't even think about that aspect, but that is exactly what was going on there. All those people were able to read that thread and said, yep, I was right all along. It's impossible to go out and get a relationship in the Modern world. So that's why I've given up and I'll just drink, do drugs, watch porn, whatever it is, but I won't go out and be in a relationship.

[Jack Armstrong]

Yeah, they're kind of moral questions here because you might be right about the hurdles that you would have to leap over, but that doesn't mean you're right in not leaping over them. So like I said, there are a couple layers to it. The fact that many young women are leftist lunatics and won't even consider being with you unless you too are a leftist lunatic. That's a, that's a significant problem. It's a real issue for young men. That doesn't mean you give up and just spout angrily on the Internet.

[Joe Getty]

But I don't know, I know a lot. I know a lot of non left. Not a lot, but I know some non leftist lunatic women who have the same complaint about. They can't find any guys. So if you all would get together, I think things would work out for you.

[Jack Armstrong]

If only there were like, I don't know, a website or something turned weird too.

[Joe Getty]

Yeah, I think that's a dry hole. But. But as opposed to going on sites where you all complain about why you can't be in a relationship, if you could somehow put those two. It's funny, if you could take the. The thread for the women and the thread for the men and meet them up, like all get them together in a room, I think you might have a bunch of love blooming.

[Jack Armstrong]

Sparks would fly.

[Joe Getty]

That's exactly right. I still haven't gotten to the woman with the world's biggest lips. Trump said some interesting Epstein stuff. Do you have a stomach for that or not?

[Jack Armstrong]

Yeah, yeah, I do. I took the weekend off of it mostly.

[Joe Getty]

Nine hour interview with Ghislaine Maxwell by the Justice Department Thursday and Friday last week. What are they hoping for? What are they even looking for?

[Jack Armstrong]

Anything they can release to calm the masses. That's what I believe. They're looking for any revelation that sounds like. There. Now we're telling you the truth, the evil truth that we said in our podcast for years that we would find if we ever got power. Here it is.

[Joe Getty]

How many? How many FBI agents were on this case? The number will shock you, among other things on the way.

[Announcer]

Armstrong and Getty.

[Joe Getty]

Life's messy. We're talking spills, stains, pets and kids. But with Annabe, you never have to stress about messes again. At WashablesOfAs.com, discover Annabe sofas, the only fully machine washable sofas inside and out. Starting at just $699. Made with liquid and stain resistant fabrics. That means fewer stains and more peace of mind. Designed for real life, Our sofas feature changeable fabric covers allowing you to refresh your style anytime. Need flexibility? Our modular design lets you rearrange your sofa effortlessly. Perfect for cozy apartments or spacious homes. Plus, they're earth friendly and and built to last. That's why over 200,000 happy customers have made the switch. Upgrade your space today. Visit washablesofas.com now and bring home a sofa made for life. That's washablesofas.com offers are subject to change and certain restrictions may apply.

Okay, Mr. President, was part of the rush to get this deal done to not the Jeffrey Epstein story?

[Donald Trump]

Oh, you gotta be kidding with that. No, had nothing to do with it. Only you would think that that had nothing to do with it.

[Joe Getty]

So Trump announces the big European tariff deal. They came to a number. What's the number? Doesn't matter. They agreed on a number because the big high number was going to kick in on August 1, which is Friday. So Trump's calling it the biggest financial deals ever been done in world history, which may be true. I think the Louisiana Purchase, adjusted for inflation, might be bigger. Yeah. Anyway, I don't know, but that reporter asked if you couldn't hear it. Was this deal just done to bump up Epstein off the front page? Trump said, you gotta be kidding with that question. I mean, some of the other stuff that's happened in the last couple of weeks, like when he announced. What did he announce? Announced something like went after Rosie o' Donnell one day or there some things.

[Jack Armstrong]

Gonna charge Obama with treason.

[Joe Getty]

Yeah, that stuff might be too distract from Epstein, but I don't think this big European tariff deal that he's been talking about his entire adult life was timed to do that. He was also asked, and everybody's wondered, why did he and Epstein have a falling out? Because famously, Trump stopped talking to Epstein at all. They had a break before Epstein got nabbed the first time in Florida. Anyway, he was asked about that today. People keep writing stories about the time he threw him out of Mar? A Lago.

[Jack Armstrong]

Can you settle that?

[Joe Getty]

What was it about?

[Jack Armstrong]

What caused the breach for him?

[Donald Trump]

That's such old history. Very easy to explain, but I don't want to waste your time by explaining it. But for years I wouldn't talk to Jeffrey Epstein. I wouldn't talk because he did something that was inappropriate. He hired help and I said, don't Ever do that again. He stole people that work for me. I said, don't ever do that again. He did it again and I threw him out of the place. Persona non grata. I threw him out and that was it. I'm glad I did.

[Jack Armstrong]

So it wasn't a sexual thing? Well, he said he wouldn't complain. He wouldn't explain that.

[Joe Getty]

He explained, which is very Trump like. But it wasn't a sexual thing, I think. Wasn't everybody kind of assuming that like he hit on somebody's daughter or something.

[Jack Armstrong]

And Trump was one of the stories, or he snuck in at the last second and outbid Trump on some real estate or something. I'd heard too. But he was, he was raiding him for staff. Okay.

[Joe Getty]

So again, the most extraordinary thing that happened in the last few days in the world's weirdest scandal is that the number two in the Justice Department, not like some lower level person, the second most powerful person in the entire Justice Department, personally questioned Ghislaine Maxwell for nine hours Thursday and Friday.

[Jack Armstrong]

And as you commented earlier, the number two justice is the operational chief is.

[Joe Getty]

Really the number one in terms of the stuff you actually do. It's like your boss going and dealing with something that normally a lower level person would do. And both Chris Christie, who I don't trust at all, but has, has a lot of knowledge about the Justice Department and Sarah Isger on ABC this Week yesterday both said, that's just extraordinary that somebody that high up would go and revisit a case that was settled a long time ago. I mean, she's in jail for 20 years. That's done was what's going on there. I think your theory is really good. They're just trying to come up with anything they can tell the masses who believe. Oh, here's the other nugget that came out of there. I think Sarah Isger said this of the dispatch. There are one time nearly a thousand FBI agents on the Epstein case when Trump first took over because they were either so convinced there was there there or so desperately needed to find some there there. In terms of the child abduction, sex trafficking thing, Pizzagate, Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama's a man, the whole thing. They're trying to come up with something. They had nearly a thousand FBI agents working on that.

[Jack Armstrong]

Wow, that's amazing.

[Joe Getty]

It is amazing.

[Jack Armstrong]

Yeah. I was just reading. I've never listened to more than a few minutes of Not Cash Patel, Dan Bongino's podcast back in the day. But I, I came across some quotes from it and, and, and he was definitely an enthusiastic builder of attention and suspicion and anger about the whole deal. And so I could see. And then Pam Bonnie with her infamous the list is on my desk or it is on my desk. In response to a question about the list. I get that they're in a very, very bad position now, assuming that they're on the up and up, that there's just no there there, as they say. But yeah, I think the number two, the justice was sent down there to come up with something, anything. We'll trade you three years off your sentence if you just reveal anything to us that seems like a big revelation just to make everybody shut up about it.

[Joe Getty]

I wonder if anything came out. Well, I guess we'll find out. If you miss an hour or a segment, get podcast Armstrong and Getty on Demand.

[Announcer]

Armstrong and Gettysburg.

[Jack Armstrong]

This is an I heart podcast.