Armstrong & Getty On Demand — “You Can ‘Ho Ho’ All You Want”

Release Date: December 3, 2025
Hosts: Jack Armstrong & Joe Getty, with Katie Green
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

This episode dives into several current event topics with the Armstrong & Getty show’s signature irreverence and insight. The main themes include large-scale fraud committed by Somali immigrants in Minnesota during the COVID-19 pandemic, cultural expectations around welfare and assimilation, economic trends in holiday spending, and a discussion of a major philanthropic initiative from the Dell family. The hour is filled with spirited debate, social commentary, and comic interludes, such as a news item involving an intoxicated raccoon.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Somali Fraudsters and COVID Relief Theft

(02:58–04:32 | 06:21–07:37 | 10:11–12:22)

• Armstrong & Getty spotlight a massive fraud perpetrated during COVID relief by a network of Somali immigrants in Minneapolis, estimating losses over a billion dollars.
• Joe Getty:

  “Perhaps the most egregious, enormous theft of funds during the unforgivable spraying of taxpayer dollars during COVID by the Biden administration was the theft of a billion plus dollars by Somali immigrants and those who were working with them in the Minnesota area.” (07:07)

• They criticize the media for underreporting such stories, with Getty lamenting the “moronic, woke, stupid media” for failing to pay attention.
• The hosts expand into a discussion about changes in American cultural norms, specifically the erosion of shame in seeking or abusing government assistance.
• Jack Armstrong:

  "We eliminated shame in this country and a lot of people thought that was a good idea. ... No, you should be. You should be very ashamed that you can't raise your kids, you can't support yourself." (05:36)

• They relate this to difficulties facing the American welfare state, especially when integrating immigrants from countries with different cultural attitudes toward fraud and government.

2. Cultural Norms, Assimilation, and Immigration Policy

(06:21–07:37 | 11:02–13:58)

• Using the Somali case as a springboard, the hosts question the effectiveness and direction of assimilation for new arrivals.
• Armstrong points out the challenge of integrating people from societies where scamming the government is normalized.
• Both hosts discuss whether the U.S. should expect immigrants to adopt American norms or if it’s now seen as bigoted to insist on assimilation.
• Jack Armstrong:

  "The mainstream media version is that I'm supposed to assimilate to them as opposed to the other way around, right?" (13:52)

• The segment includes a comparison to historical immigration patterns and how drastically different American expectations are now.

Notable Quote

• Joe Getty:

  “If we're going to be that dumb and soft, we deserve to disappear as a republic. Ho ho ho. Merry Christmas, everyone.” (07:34)

3. Economic Outlook & Holiday Spending

(08:04–09:14 | 17:03–17:09)

• The hosts puzzle over the apparent disconnect between pessimistic consumer sentiment and robust holiday spending numbers.
• They note that the top 10% of earners account for 50% of consumer spending, which may skew impressions of economic health.

  "So whenever you hear any amount of money about Black Friday or whatever, that might just be that tiny slice of people that have money and the rest of people are holding back." (08:38)

• Katie Green’s headlines segment brings up related news:
  • “Holiday shoppers are opting to buy now and pay later.” (17:03, NPR)

4. Dell Family Philanthropy: 'Trump Accounts' for Kids

(09:20–25:12)

• The Dell family, made wealthy by Dell Computers, announces a $6.25 billion donation to seed accounts for children in low income zip codes—a program distinct from but complementary to a new federal initiative providing $1,000 accounts for children born between 2025 and 2028.
• The accounts are called "Trump Accounts," a branding touch the hosts note will be controversial for some.

  "I feel like having Donald Trump's name attached to it automatically makes it controversial for some people." (19:26; Jack Armstrong)

• The initiative aims to encourage savings, investment, and financial literacy from an early age; only accessible to the child upon turning 18 (excepting rare circumstances).
• Getty lauds the approach as a needed alternative to traditional government-run welfare:

  “I love this idea... privatized savings, privatized investments, privatized, even retirement planning, as opposed to letting the government squander a bunch of money.” (19:43)

• They compare Michael Dell's philosophy to that of historic philanthropists like Rockefeller, noting the complexity of giving away wealth effectively.

Notable Quote

• Michael Dell (via Getty):

  “By the time a child turns 18, ... their account could be worth thousands. And that balance can open up real options, like paying for school, entering a job training program, putting a down payment on a home, or continuing to invest.” (24:45)

5. Financial Literacy and Compound Interest

(25:09–26:13)

• Armstrong and Getty passionately argue that understanding compound interest is a vital skill, lamenting the failure of schools to deliver this basic financial education.

  “How can any kid get out of high school not being able to explain how compound interest works, what an egregious failure that is.” (25:31, Joe Getty)

6. Comic Relief: Drunken Raccoon

(27:50–32:16)

• The hosts riff on a viral, oddball news story of a raccoon breaking into a Virginia liquor store and passing out in the bathroom after drinking from bottom-shelf bottles.
• They read two different comedic news reports on the incident, question why the second has odd grammar and a strange accent, and use it as a running joke about raccoon domestication, evolution, and quality of booze.
  • “You know, raccoons look like criminals to start with. They got that mask on.” (27:56, Jack Armstrong)

7. Listener Feedback, Mailbag, and Rapid-Fire Commentary

(32:19–38:10)

• The episode ends with their “mailbag” segment:
  • Discussion about U.S.–Venezuela policy, energy geopolitics, and the relevance of Chinese influence.
  • A mention of the limits of expert predictions, referencing Marvin Minsky and AI development.
  • Debate over the risks and hopes associated with artificial intelligence.
  • Tease of further discussion on the “billion dollar Somali rip off in Minnesota” next hour.

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• “Shame is a great driver... maybe the biggest influence in my life was shame.”
  — Joe Getty (05:51)

• “If we're going to be that dumb and soft, we deserve to disappear as a republic. Ho ho ho. Merry Christmas, everyone.”
  — Joe Getty (07:34)

• “You can ho ho all you want. I'm here to guard the nation.”
  — Joe Getty (07:53)

• “We eliminated shame in this country and a lot of people thought that was a good idea... No, you should be.”
  — Jack Armstrong (05:36)

• “By the time a child turns 18, their account could be worth thousands. And that balance can open up real options.”
  — Michael Dell, quote via Joe Getty (24:45)

• “It is really hard to give money away in a, in a way that is going to do any good. You have to, like, constantly keep your eye on whatever project you came up with or idea you came up with to make sure... it's instituted the way you want, you get the results you actually wanted. People aren't stealing from you...”
  — Jack Armstrong on philanthropy (23:15)

• “If raccoons are grabbing a cocktail now and again, getting a little hammered and passing out by the toilet, I mean, that's pretty domesticated.”
  — Jack Armstrong (31:06)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 02:58–08:04: Somali COVID fraud, cultural expectations, and welfare state critique
• 08:04–09:14: Holiday spending insights; income disparity in consumer activity
• 09:20–25:12: Dell family donation, "Trump Accounts", and financial education
• 27:50–32:16: Drunken raccoon story, discussion on animal domestication
• 32:19–38:10: Listener mail highlights; Venezuela, China, AI, and future episode tease

Tone & Style

The hosts maintain their trademark blend of pointed social criticism, banter, and dark comedy throughout, with Armstrong cracking wry jokes and Getty playing both the straight man and the policy hawk. They alternate between earnest concern for America's future and lampooning both the media and the absurdities of current events.

For New Listeners

This episode is representative of Armstrong & Getty’s style: a mixture of sharp political/cultural analysis, libertarian skepticism of big government, concern over changing social values, mixed with frequent detours into oddball news and classic dad-joke humor. Whether dissecting welfare fraud, debating assimilation, or riffing about drunken raccoons, the hosts keep the energy up and the conversation lively.