Podcast Summary: Armstrong & Getty On Demand
Episode Title: What The Frig Is Wrong With You, Dude??
Release Date: July 7, 2025
Host/Authors: Jack Armstrong & Joe Getty
Produced by: iHeartPodcasts

Introduction

In the July 7, 2025 episode of Armstrong & Getty On Demand, hosts Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty delve into a myriad of contemporary issues, blending humor with incisive commentary. From controversies in women's sports to the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence and the political maneuvers of Elon Musk, the episode offers listeners a comprehensive exploration of current events.

Leah Thomas and Title IX Controversy (00:14 - 02:24)

The episode opens with a heated discussion about Leah Thomas, a prominent figure in women's swimming. Joe Getty informs listeners that "Penny has stripped Leah Thomas of his titles in women's swimming and apologized to the ladies he defeated" (00:14). Michael Hanson chimes in, asserting, "Thomas hasn't complained, further proving he's not a woman" (00:38), highlighting the contentious nature of gender classifications in sports.

The conversation critiques the University of Pennsylvania's (initially confused with Penn State) decision to revoke Thomas's titles after years of allowing participation despite criticism. Michael Hanson emphasizes the institution's previous inaction, noting, "The same university who allowed this for several years in the face of criticism has now taken and browbeat and threatened any of the women who spoke out against it" (01:16). The hosts condemn the university’s vacillation, questioning its principles and consistency (01:34).

New York Politics and Ben Mumdani (02:24 - 04:32)

Shifting focus, Joe Getty discusses emerging news about Ben Mumdani, a potential mayoral candidate in New York. He describes Mumdani as "the socialist Jew hating most likely to be mayor of New York" and references ongoing opposition research revealing Mumdani's background and controversial stance within the African American community (02:24).

Michael Hanson inquires about Mumdani's heritage, to which Joe Getty responds, "His dad was a white Ugandan and his mom was born in Syria" (03:58). The conversation underscores potential backlash against Mumdani's attempts to leverage his African American identity for political gain, suggesting it may not resonate authentically with constituents.

The Rise of Artificial Intelligence and Its Impact (04:32 - 09:01)

The hosts transition to discussing technological advancements, particularly the integration of AI like ChatGPT in daily life. Joe Getty recounts his experience with an AI barista at Newark Airport, marveling at its efficiency: "It walked me through the whole process of getting to the train that took me wherever I needed to go. It was in a way that Google never could" (07:01). Michael Hanson echoes this sentiment but also expresses concern, stating, "It's scary too, in a way" (08:05).

They debate the implications of AI replacing human jobs, noting the potential negative impact on low-level employment. Joe Getty highlights Google's challenges with declining click rates due to AI's growing popularity, saying, "I used Chat GPT so much while on vacation, I haven't googled anything in weeks" (06:53).

National Deficit, the Big Beautiful Bill, and CBO Critique (13:03 - 18:23)

The discussion shifts to economic policies, specifically the "big beautiful bill" and its projected impact on the national deficit. Joe Getty critiques the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), mentioning Kevin Hassett's skepticism about the CBO's accuracy: "He was on Face the Nation, and he was in this... he's making the point that the CBO has been wrong many times on some big things in recent years" (14:21).

Craig interjects, elaborating on the CBO's flawed predictions and advocating for the adoption of macroeconomic models by economists like Harvard's Jim Stock (14:49). Michael Hanson concurs, recalling past inaccuracies such as the CBO's projections on Obamacare and expressing frustration with the terminology and assumptions used by the CBO (16:32).

The hosts conclude that the CBO's unreliable forecasts contribute to public confusion and policy missteps, emphasizing the need for more robust economic modeling.

Elon Musk's Political Aspirations and Tesla's Struggles in China (20:04 - 32:01)

Elon Musk becomes a focal point as the hosts discuss his potential for launching a new political party, dubbed the "American Party." Michael Hanson reports, "Elon Musk is going to create a new political party, the America Party" (19:43), questioning its viability and Elon’s commitment to the endeavor.

Joe Getty debates the practicality of third parties in the U.S. political system, highlighting historical challenges and the entrenched two-party dominance: "Third parties have never worked" (20:06). Michael Hanson counters by suggesting that third parties can pressure major parties to align more closely with specific voter bases, drawing analogies to successful third-party influences in other countries and historical contexts (20:30).

The conversation then delves into Tesla's declining market share in China amidst rising competition and strained relations with Chinese officials. Michael Hanson explains, "Tesla's market share has shriveled as other Chinese automakers have become more popular" (27:28), and discusses the potential repercussions of trade tensions and Elon’s political engagements on Tesla’s operations.

Joe Getty speculates on Elon’s motivations, suggesting that his activism and political ambitions may overshadow Tesla’s traditional business focuses: "I think he does really, really care about America" (30:07). The hosts ponder whether Elon’s political pursuits might lead to shifts in Tesla’s strategic direction, possibly transforming it into an AI-driven self-driving car company (31:12).

WNBA's Caitlin Clark Controversy (34:11 - 35:29)

In a surprising turn, Joe Getty highlights a conflict within the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) involving star player Caitlin Clark. He notes, "Caitlin Clark broke her record from last year among fan voting with a gazillion votes and finished in first place. She finished third in the media voting. With all the media, she finished ninth in player voting" (34:11).

Michael Hanson draws parallels to Tiger Woods, questioning why Clark faces animosity from fellow players despite her significant contributions to the league's popularity: "She is like her effect is similar to that of Tiger Woods back in the day" (35:29). The hosts explore the dichotomy between Clark's commercial success and her acceptance among peers, pondering the underlying causes of this friction.

Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks (36:01 - 38:32)

The episode concludes with light-hearted final thoughts from the hosts. Michael Hanson shares his vacation woes, including a bout of intestinal illness, while Joe Getty reflects on the satisfaction of returning to work after a week's break. The hosts engage in humorous banter, reinforcing their camaraderie and rapport with the audience.

Joe Getty humorously addresses a fictional character, Henry, advising him to eliminate a gorilla threat, ending the episode on a playful note: "Get rid of the gorilla, Henry. On that high note. Bye bye." (38:12).

Notable Quotes

• Joe Getty (00:14): "Penny has stripped Leah Thomas of his titles in women's swimming and apologized to the ladies he defeated."

• Michael Hanson (00:38): "Thomas hasn't complained, further proving he's not a woman."

• Michael Hanson (02:02): "They were under serious Title 9 threat from the Trump administration, which is good."

• Joe Getty (07:01): "Why would I ever Google anything ever again?"

• Michael Hanson (08:05): "It's scary too, in a way."

• Craig (14:21): "We put peer-reviewed academic stuff on the table, said we're going to get that 3% growth and then we got it right last time."

• Michael Hanson (16:46): "Sometimes terminologies and assumptions just don't make sense."

• Joe Getty (19:43): "Elon Musk is going to create a new political party, the America Party."

• Joe Getty (20:06): "Third parties have never worked."

• Michael Hanson (27:28): "Tesla's market share has shriveled as other Chinese automakers have become more popular."

• Joe Getty (34:11): "Caitlin Clark finished in first place in fan voting but ninth in player voting."

• Michael Hanson (35:29): "She is like her effect is similar to that of Tiger Woods back in the day."

Conclusion

This episode of Armstrong & Getty On Demand offers a rich tapestry of discussions, from gender controversies in sports and the intricacies of political party dynamics to the transformative impact of AI and the challenges faced by global corporations like Tesla. The hosts adeptly balance serious analysis with humor, providing listeners with both insightful commentary and entertaining banter.

For those who missed the episode, this summary encapsulates the key points and highlights the engaging dialogue between Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty, making it a valuable listen for enthusiasts of current affairs and pop culture.