Armstrong & Getty On Demand
Episode: "Upper Class Twits"
Date: October 30, 2025
Host: Jack Armstrong & Joe Getty
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts
Episode Overview
This episode zeroes in on America's "upper class twits"—privileged elites insulated from the realities of ordinary life, especially those in politics and academia. Through lively banter, Armstrong and Getty explore the ideology and backgrounds of high-profile political figures like Gavin Newsom and rising leftist candidates, critiquing how wealth and disconnect foster radical and divisive politics. In addition, the episode covers the enduring government shutdown, the realities of socialism abroad, as well as some lighthearted monkey news.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Privilege of Elites and the Rise of Neo-Marxism
[00:58–11:14]
- Matt Taibbi's critique: The hosts break down journalist Matt Taibbi's recent writing highlighting the extravagance and self-hatred of wealthy, upper-class progressives.
- Taibbi’s upbringing: Raised in comfort, sent to elite schools, but emerged unprepared for real-world jobs.
- Realization: Most of the world doesn’t have the luxury to focus on theory or denounce their countries’ historical failures.
- "In the rest of the world, rational social planning not only results in fewer kids studying pure theory, but the theorists those countries do graduate are far less inclined to spend their lives denouncing their home countries as forces of historical evil." (Taibbi, quoted by Joe Getty, 03:24)
- Key point: The self-hatred of American elites is a “luxury of the self ego aggrandizing rich.”
- Societal Stability: Armstrong & Getty stress the fragility of stable societies and how the privileged often take it for granted.
- "You're so safe from attack from another country... and all of that has allowed you to decide this is a horrible country." (Jack Armstrong, 04:16)
- They cite Edmund Burke’s warning: hard-won institutions can be easily destroyed by the ignorant rich.
2. Spotlight: Zoran Mamdani and Neo-Marxist Politics
[05:53–10:12]
- Profile of Zoran Mamdani: The hosts discuss the rise of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and Mamdani’s campaign in New York.
- Radical agenda: Full amnesty for all illegal immigrants, abolishment of the Senate, non-citizen voting, and public ownership of businesses.
- Identity politics and 9/11: Mamdani’s focus on Muslim victimhood post-9/11 is harshly critiqued for ignoring the real victims—first responders and those who died in the attacks.
- Memorable quote: “For a likely future Muslim mayor of New York to even remotely imply that Muslims in New York were victims of 9/11 is infuriating lunacy.” (Joe Getty, 09:28)
- Critique of Marxism: The hosts warn against the naivete of current Marxist movements, powered by the privileged who have little understanding of what it takes to create and maintain a stable society.
- “Only people who don't know how hard it is to build a society think this way.” (Joe Getty, 10:23)
3. Government Shutdown: Political Theater and Real Impact
[20:55–26:39]
- SNAP (food assistance) running out of money: The looming effects of the federal shutdown hit essential programs.
- Armstrong highlights the public’s apathy and the repetitive blame game in Washington.
- “It always comes down to an attempt to have the public blame the other side, with both sides thinking we give a crap.” (Jack Armstrong, 22:40)
- The hosts criticize the lack of substantive negotiation and point out the shutdown's roots in partisan posturing, especially with Senator Schumer feeling the need to fend off a primary challenge from Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
- Armstrong highlights the public’s apathy and the repetitive blame game in Washington.
- John Thune soundbite: Illustrates the frustration in Congress amid the shutdown.
- "Thirteen times people over here voted to fund SNAP. Thirteen times they voted to fund WIC. My aching back." (John Thune, quoted by Joe Getty, 25:29)
- Congressional Geriatrics: Congress is full of old, out-of-touch politicians, many barely present at work.
4. Gavin Newsom: A Case Study in Inauthentic Privilege
[27:02–41:08]
- Newsom’s calculated campaign move:
- He’s now "running for president” and attempting to build on Joe Biden’s legacy, despite Biden's unpopularity.
- "We'll continue to build on the legacy, I would argue, of our former president who I think was one of the most successful presidents in the last century, and that is Joe Biden. And I will defend that to my grave…." (Gavin Newsom, 27:33)
- Attempting to Rewrite His Upbringing:
- Newsom presenting himself as a hustling, latchkey kid—contradicted by his privileged background as the child of the Getty and Pelosi-connected elite.
- “He was a subject of a 'Children of the Rich' article in 1991 at the age of 25—that pretty much put the latchkey kid from the Larchmont Homes tract housing act to rest.” (Katie Grimes, quoted by Joe Getty, 34:20)
- "Why lie about being a privileged kid?" The answer: “Because Gavin Newsom is inauthentic, phony and specious, to be polite—as well as a compulsive liar, to be a little harsh.” (Katie Grimes, quoted by Joe Getty, 36:41)
- Leftist critics pile on: Even progressives like Marcus Breton and Jim Geraghty question Newsom’s authenticity and his ability to connect with non-coastal, blue-collar Democrats.
- "He has white male privilege, class privilege, wealth, privilege, the privilege of good looks. All creates a Teflon exterior protecting Newsom's horrendous lapses of judgment and character….” (Marcus Breton, quoted by Joe Getty, 40:03)
- “He is the caricature, the sort of stereotype that people try to plant on Republicans: rich, white, good looking guy, connected….” (Jack Armstrong, 40:15)
5. Miscellaneous: Monkey Escapades and Political Ironies
[15:19–18:54]
- Lab monkeys escape: The hosts riff on the news of escaped research monkeys in Mississippi—injecting levity, skepticism, and jokes about monkey diseases.
- Pet monkey causes a Halloween stir: A monkey running amok in a Halloween store makes for cheeky commentary on news reporting antics.
- “Swinging, crawling and darting around. Not with a banana, but with a cookie.” (Jack Armstrong, mocking NBC Nightly News, 17:02)
- DUI director busted for DUI: A perfect emblem of political hypocrisy.
- Venezuelan socialists and drug cartels: Discussion of South American regimes shows that repression and corruption are far more terrifying to citizens than aggressive US foreign policy.
Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps
-
On American privilege and radical ideology:
- “The only people who think the system that produced the richest, safest empire in history is essentially unfixable are America’s own wealthy, whose current disdain for their own good fortune is like a political version of heroin chic.” (Matt Taibbi, quoted by Joe Getty, 05:04)
-
On Newsom’s attempt at blue-collar credentials:
- “It was about paying the bills, man. Wonder Bread, Mac and Cheese. That's how I grew up, bro. It was just like hustling. I raised myself, right?” (Gavin Newsom, mocked by Joe Getty, 34:09)
- “He is the caricature, the sort of stereotype that people try to plant on Republicans: rich, white, good looking guy, connected...” (Jack Armstrong, 40:32)
-
On the shutdown and public apathy:
- "It always comes down to an attempt to have the public blame the other side, with both sides thinking we give a crap." (Jack Armstrong, 22:40)
- “Washington, D.C. is a big high school. It is obsessed with itself. For the rest of us in other high schools around the nation, we don’t care.” (Joe Getty, 23:14)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- American elites and Matt Taibbi’s analysis – [00:58–11:14]
- Zoran Mamdani & DSA politics – [05:53–10:12]
- Government Shutdown & SNAP/WIC debate – [20:55–26:39]
- Gavin Newsom in the national spotlight & privilege takedown – [27:02–41:08]
- Monkey stories and political ironies – [15:19–18:54]
Tone & Takeaways
With their trademark mix of satire, skepticism, and outrage, Armstrong & Getty peel back the layers of political and cultural absurdity. The hosts voice strong skepticism about the radical left’s motives, highlight the disconnect between elite theory and real-world issues, and lampoon figures like Gavin Newsom for hypocrisy and inauthenticity.
The episode delivers a powerful message about the dangers of taking societal stability for granted—and the naivete of those privileged enough to think revolution is consequence-free. At the same time, it serves up accessible, whip-smart commentary perfect for listeners who want incisive political analysis with a healthy dose of humor.
End of Summary