Armstrong & Getty On Demand - "This Never Crossed My Transom" Release Date: April 8, 2025

In the latest episode of Armstrong & Getty On Demand, hosts Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty delve into a range of pressing topics, blending political analysis with sharp social commentary. This episode, titled "This Never Crossed My Transom," offers listeners an engaging exploration of U.S. trade policies, media sensationalism, and the perceived threats facing Western civilization today.

1. The Turbulent Waters of U.S. Tariffs and Trade Negotiations

The episode opens with a heated discussion about recent developments in U.S. trade policies under the Trump administration. Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty analyze the fluctuating stance on tariffs, referencing insider reports that suggest a potential pause in imposing tariffs to facilitate negotiations with trading partners.

Joe Getty highlights the market's positive reaction to rumors of a tariff pause, stating:

“Politico and others are reporting that on the phone with various countries yesterday, Trump was saying, yeah, a pause is coming sooner rather than later and that sort of thing. [...] that's the zeitgeist today.”
[01:14]

Jack Armstrong echoes this sentiment, noting the confusion and mixed signals from the administration:

“The markets are leaping upward like a gazelle. Funny. And the other unspoken thing that is remaining unspoken is that [...] we want much lower tariffs for US Goods. [...] Let's get to something sane. Which is really what I was hoping he was driving at.”
[01:38]

The hosts then pivot to a contentious exchange between Elon Musk and Peter Navarro, Trump's trade advisor. Joe Getty recounts Musk's scathing remarks towards Navarro, emphasizing Musk's criticism of Navarro's qualifications and expertise:

“He was speaking of Peter Navarro. He said specifically in that tweet, peter Navarro ain't built a single thing in his life. And having a PhD from Harvard is a bad thing.”
[02:20]

Peter Navarro responds defensively, defending his trade policies and criticizing Musk's manufacturing practices. However, Elon Musk counters by asserting that Tesla produces the most American-made cars, directly calling Navarro a "sack of bricks":

“Tesla has the most American made cars. Navarro is dumber than a sack of bricks.”
[05:56]

This exchange underscores the deep divisions and personal animosities permeating U.S. trade discussions, with Musk leveraging his influence to challenge established trade advisors.

2. Media Misrepresentation and the De-Extinction Debate

Shifting focus, Armstrong & Getty critique mainstream media's coverage of scientific advancements, specifically the controversial announcement by Colossal Biosciences about the de-extinction of the direwolf.

Jack Armstrong expresses frustration with how media outlets sensationalize such stories without substantive analysis:

“Mainstream media does such a bad job of covering stories like the de extinction of the dire wolf with only isn't this cute? Look at these white puppies. And no of the any interesting intellectual discussion about bringing back extinct species from 10,000 years ago.”
[15:22]

The hosts dissect the claims made by Colossal Biosciences, highlighting that the so-called "direwolf" is merely a genetically modified gray wolf with altered fur color, lacking the distinct characteristics of the extinct species. Joe Getty underscores the misleading nature of the reporting:

“They altered gray wolves to make their hair white. That's almost the end of the story, right? [...] any real news source, unfortunately, like Al Jazeera, their headline has the direwolf come back? No, it hasn't.”
[26:14]

This segment serves as a broader critique of media practices, emphasizing the need for responsible reporting that distinguishes between genuine scientific breakthroughs and sensationalized claims.

3. Identifying and Analyzing Threats to Western Civilization

Perhaps the most substantial portion of the episode revolves around the identification of three fundamental threats to the United States and Western civilization as a whole. Jack Armstrong outlines these threats with a sense of urgency, prompting a deeper reflection on societal and geopolitical challenges.

Threat 1: Societal Softening and Decadence

“As a society, we are very, very soft. Decadent is the right word. We are so comfortable and wealthy that we have lost the ability to fend for ourselves.”
[35:12]

Armstrong suggests that the prosperity of Western societies has led to complacency, eroding resilience and self-reliance.

Threat 2: Neo-Marxism and the Educational System

“Our educational system, K through graduate school, is the threat to the United States that could bring us down.”
[38:14]

The hosts argue that ideological shifts within education, particularly the rise of Neo-Marxist and postmodernist thought, undermine foundational Western values. Joe Getty references Jordan Peterson's assertion that the university system has become a net negative for the country, aligning with their critique of progressive educational policies.

Threat 3: Islamism and Fundamentalist Movements

“Islamism is fundamentally and flamingly incompatible with Western civilization and our Constitution in particular.”
[39:03]

Jack Armstrong warns of the global rise of fundamentalist Islamic movements, highlighting their incompatibility with Western democratic values and posing a significant security threat.

The discussion delves into the complexities of multiculturalism, secularism, and the challenges of integrating disparate cultural and political beliefs within a cohesive societal framework.

4. Concluding Remarks and Future Outlook

As the episode nears its end, Armstrong & Getty reiterate the importance of recognizing and addressing these threats to safeguard the future of Western societies. They call for cultural and policy shifts to counteract the identified dangers, emphasizing resilience, ideological clarity, and strategic governance.

Jack Armstrong concludes with a provocative assertion:

“The three great threats facing the United States of America [...] could bring us down.”
[35:32]

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Joe Getty on Elon Musk's criticism of Peter Navarro:
  “He was speaking of Peter Navarro. He said specifically in that tweet, peter Navarro ain't built a single thing in his life. And having a PhD from Harvard is a bad thing.”
  [02:20]

• Jack Armstrong on societal decadence:
  “As a society, we are very, very soft. Decadent is the right word. We are so comfortable and wealthy that we have lost the ability to fend for ourselves.”
  [35:12]

• Joe Getty referencing media sensationalism:
  “They altered gray wolves to make their hair white. That's almost the end of the story, right?”
  [26:14]

• Jack Armstrong on educational threats:
  “Our educational system, K through graduate school, is the threat to the United States that could bring us down.”
  [38:14]

"This Never Crossed My Transom" effectively combines incisive political analysis with robust discussions on societal issues, challenging listeners to critically evaluate prevailing narratives and consider the profound implications of current trends on the future of Western civilization.