Armstrong & Getty On Demand: "There Can't Be 2 Funny Guys!!"
Release Date: April 11, 2025
Host: Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty
Produced by: iHeartPodcasts
Introduction
In the April 11, 2025 episode of Armstrong & Getty On Demand, hosts Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty dive into a blend of current events, political analysis, and personal anecdotes. The episode, titled "There Can't Be 2 Funny Guys!!", features insightful discussions with guest David Drucker from The Dispatch and Lon He Chen from the Hoover Institution, alongside humorous takes on bizarre news stories and reflections on the hosts' longstanding friendship.
Guest Interview: David Drucker on Trump Tax Cuts and Legislative Processes
David Drucker, a senior writer at The Dispatch, joins Jack and Joe to discuss the intricacies of the Trump tax cuts and the broader legislative landscape.
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Legislative Mechanics and Tax Cuts:
Drucker provides a detailed breakdown of the reconciliation process in Congress, explaining its significance in passing budgets without the need for a Senate filibuster. He states, “In order to take advantage of this process called reconciliation... you have to get the House and the Senate to agree on what's called a budget resolution.” ([06:00]) -
Economic Implications:
The discussion delves into how Trump’s economic policies, including tax cuts, impact small businesses and the broader economy. Drucker emphasizes the interconnectedness of Wall Street and Main Street, noting, “When the markets have pain... small businesses end up having pain because Main street is inextricably linked with Wall Street.” ([08:00]) -
Trump’s Policy Focus:
Drucker critiques Trump’s focus on tariffs and reshaping global trade, arguing that these efforts have not panned out as intended and have adversely affected the markets. He remarks, “Trump... finds other ways to sideline what should be his best and biggest story.” ([09:00])
Lon He Chen Discusses Political Prospects of Gavin Newsom and Kamala Harris
Lon He Chen, a fellow at the Hoover Institution, engages in a conversation about the political trajectories of Gavin Newsom and Kamala Harris.
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Gavin Newsom’s Presidential Ambitions:
When asked if Gavin Newsom will run for president, Chen asserts, “Yes,” highlighting Newsom's attempts to moderate his image to appeal to a broader Democratic base. He comments, “...he's trying to make people forget how many times... he has been on the 20% side of the 80-20 issue.” ([33:30]) -
Kamala Harris’s Future:
Addressing Harris’s prospects, Chen states she is unlikely to run for president but may pursue the governorship of California. He explains, “She remains reasonably popular, because everyone knows who she is, and... it's a great political opportunity here.” ([34:00]) -
Democratic Party Dynamics:
The discussion touches on the challenges moderates like Newsom face within the Democratic Party, especially with shifting priorities post-midterm elections. Chen mentions, “If Democrats do reasonably well in the midterms... there will be less pressure to have a more extreme left candidate.” ([31:12])
NYC Subway Necrophilia: A Bizarre News Story
The hosts pivot to a bizarre news story reported by The New York Times about a man engaging in necrophilia on a Manhattan subway train.
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Incident Overview:
Joe Getty narrates the incident, detailing how a man violated a corpse aboard an R train, with the act captured on surveillance cameras. He humorously adds, “Never trust somebody with a goatee.” ([20:00]) -
Public Reaction and Implications:
The conversation includes musings on the rarity of such events and their impact on the perception of New York’s subway system. Getty quips, “You wouldn't think there'd be a one in a million chance that this could happen,” highlighting the shocking nature of the incident. ([22:00])
Sanctuary Cities and Public Safety
Joe Getty introduces a segment on sanctuary cities, emphasizing the administration's stance on prioritizing public safety.
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Policy Stance:
Getty asserts, “Sanctuary cities are sanctuaries for criminals,” and discusses the Trump administration’s efforts to cut federal funding for such municipalities. ([25:25]) -
Supporting Expert Opinions:
Lon He Chen supports this stance, stating, “Bottom line, that's who we're concentrating on,” reinforcing the focus on public and national security threats over undocumented immigrants. ([25:25])
Personal Anecdotes: The Bond Between Armstrong and Getty
In a heartfelt segment, Armstrong and Getty reminisce about their friendship and how they met.
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Origins of Friendship:
Joe shares the story of meeting Jack at a trivia contest where Jack was the emcee, leading to a rivalry turned friendship over their shared love of golf. He recounts, “I thought, wow, that guy is really funny. And it kind of bothered me that a guy that worked at another radio station was funny.” ([44:07]) -
Collaborative Beginnings:
They discuss their early days competing at radio stations and eventually collaborating to create their own radio show, stating, “We started doing a fake radio show and recording it and sending out tapes to radio stations. That's how we started.” ([45:05]) -
Changing Interests:
Joe reflects on his waning interest in golf compared to Jack’s continued passion, illustrating the evolving nature of their personal interests over decades. ([46:06])
Humorous Takes and Lighthearted Banter
Throughout the episode, Armstrong and Getty intersperse humor into their discussions, particularly when addressing unusual news stories or personal anecdotes.
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Subway Incident Humor:
Getty jokes about the victim’s attire, saying, “Dodgers fans, am I right?” and pokes fun at the suspect’s appearance, adding levity to the grim news story. ([21:20]) -
Reflecting on Political Disagreements:
The hosts engage in playful banter about political figures, with Getty quipping about commuting from Nevada to avoid California’s political landscape. ([35:39])
Conclusion
The episode wraps up with Armstrong and Getty teasing upcoming segments and maintaining their signature blend of humor and insightful commentary. They invite listeners to stay tuned for more diverse topics in future hours, ensuring an engaging listen for both long-time fans and newcomers alike.
Notable Quotes:
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David Drucker ([06:00]):
“In order to take advantage of this process called reconciliation... you have to get the House and the Senate to agree on what's called a budget resolution.” -
David Drucker ([08:00]):
“When the markets have pain... small businesses end up having pain because Main street is inextricably linked with Wall Street.” -
Joe Getty ([20:00]):
“Never trust somebody with a goatee.” -
Lon He Chen ([25:25]):
“Bottom line, that's who we're concentrating on.” -
Joe Getty ([44:07]):
“That's how we started. But I didn't know that.”
Conclusion:
The "There Can't Be 2 Funny Guys!!" episode of Armstrong & Getty On Demand seamlessly blends political discourse, personal storytelling, and humor. With insightful guest contributions and the hosts' dynamic chemistry, the episode offers listeners a comprehensive and entertaining exploration of contemporary issues and the enduring bond between the hosts.
