Armstrong & Getty On Demand
Episode: "You're Going To Be In Labor, But We Will Be In Pain"
Date: May 1, 2026
Hosts: Jack Armstrong & Joe Getty
Notable Contributor: Katie Green (News)
Episode Overview
On this Friday episode, Armstrong & Getty discuss the chaotic state of current news reporting, ongoing concerns about the Iran conflict, skyrocketing inflation, and what they see as governmental incompetence and media misinformation. The show also marks the last day before newswoman Katie Green begins her maternity leave, prompting light-hearted and heartfelt exchanges about her transition to motherhood.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Show Open & Title Choices
- The hosts joke about their Friday show titles, settling on themes of public ignorance and inflation, with Jack emphasizing his lifelong "jihad" to help people understand that "inflation is a tax."
"If God allows me another day on this earth, I will spend it preaching that inflation is a tax." (Joe Getty, 03:48)
2. The Latest on the Assassination Attempt & Security Failures ([04:22]–[08:09])
- Discussion centers on the new video from the attempted assassination of President Trump, with skepticism about security response and transparency.
- The hosts question how only one buckshot pellet could have hit a secret service agent at close range, fueling conspiracy speculations.
- Joe and Jack compare the event to football defensive failures, arguing it’s not a "win" just because the outcome wasn’t worse.
"I'm not calling that a win." (Jack Armstrong, 06:38)
"The only reason they don't have six points is because that guy fell. You didn't do your job." (Joe Getty, 06:46)
- Critique: Government agencies “never want to admit mistakes,” and no one has publicly announced changes to prevent future lapses.
3. Maternity Leave Banter with Katie Green ([08:09]–[12:59])
- Series of humorous and warm remarks about Katie’s impending maternity leave.
- Jokes about broadcasting her delivery and corporate sponsorship.
- Discussion about baby traits, parental hair genes, and the liberal expression, "I didn’t ask to be born."
"Katie, you're going to be in labor, but we're in pain." (Joe Getty, 08:16)
"I’m going to need an epidural to deal with her not being here." (Jack Armstrong, 08:51)
- Reflection on attitudes of self-absorption and generational entitlement.
4. News Headlines & Media Critique ([13:23]–[15:08] and [18:38]–[22:42])
- Quick-fire news headline rundown with Katie.
- Media coverage on Iran viewed as incomplete or biased, especially from major outlets like The New York Times.
- Armstrong & Getty characterize media reporting on the Iran conflict as ignoring the nation's real crisis to focus instead on narratives sympathetic to Iran or hostile to Trump.
"They have no idea what to do. They are in dire, dire straits. But it's so unpopular in the media to report that. Man, we're sick. We're sick as a country." (Joe Getty, 19:12)
- Brief mention of news such as AI-generated music topping charts, an OnlyFans star marrying herself, new US-Venezuela flights, and a satirical Babylon Bee poll.
5. Clips of the Week ([27:02]–[29:49])
- Segment stringing together highlights from the week’s news, featuring topics like the Comey indictment, the war in Iran, Trump’s gold statue, and the attempted assassination.
- Banter about politicians’ self-importance and philosophical musings on life and destiny.
"There are no maverick molecules in the universe." (Jack Armstrong quoting Ben Sasse, 29:42)
6. Iran War: The Reality Behind the Headlines ([26:07]–[33:39], [35:00]–[39:02])
- Detailed discussion of how the media misrepresents the "60-day War Powers" issue—no real teeth, every president ignores it, and nothing will change after the so-called deadline.
- The true pressure points in the Iran conflict: How long can Iran hold out against severe economic strain versus the political and economic patience of the US and global markets?
- Estimates from various sources on when Iran’s regime might crumble range from days to several months, showing wild media inconsistency.
"Every administration is stealing your savings to glorify themselves and reward their cronies. And people need to know it." (Joe Getty, 14:19)
"Man, summer coming up, summer vacation plans and people starting to talk about cancel this and that...I think this is going to be just like the big drumbeat story soon." (Jack Armstrong, 33:27)
7. Inflation & Government Criticism ([14:10]–[15:15])
- Jack and Joe hammer home that inflation is a hidden tax, robbing Americans of wage gains and savings.
- Reiteration that government’s inflationary policies benefit politicians at the expense of ordinary people.
"You can look at it that way, that the government went in and took like 40% of your savings...None of us have near as much money as we thought we had." (Jack Armstrong, 14:41)
8. AI, Information Overload & News Summarization ([40:06]–[41:03])
- Jack muses about having AI do news summarization (ironically, your current task) and filter out misleading or unimportant information; Joe points out, “Psst. That’s what we do.”
"That would be the greatest thing AI could do is that everybody at like 8 o'clock could get a two-minute summary of things that actually are true and actually matter." (Jack Armstrong, 41:03)
9. Listener Mailbag, Freedom Quote, and Philosophical Reflection ([44:06]–[47:31])
- Joe reads a “freedom loving quote of the day” critiquing the left's reaction to political violence and conspiracy theories.
- Correspondence regarding Katie’s maternity leave.
- Philosophical musings on doom-mongering, media coverage, and generational anxiety about AI and the future.
Notable Quotes
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On Media and Government
"The science is settled—we're too stupid to govern ourselves." (Joe Getty, 04:18)
"Everything you hear in the first 24 hours is usually wrong." (Jack Armstrong, 05:15)
"Every president, Republican and Democrat, has done it. Zero is going to happen. So please, mainstream media, stop wasting my time." (Jack Armstrong, 36:50)
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On Inflation
"Inflation is a tax." (Joe Getty, 03:48, recurring theme)
"The government went in and took like 40% of your savings." (Jack Armstrong, 14:41)
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On AI & Summarization
"That would be the greatest thing AI could do...summarize for the day the things I need to know." (Jack Armstrong, 41:03)
"Psst. That's what we do. It would put us out of work.” (Joe Getty, 41:09)
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On Katie’s Departure
"Katie, you’re going to be in labor. But we’re in pain." (Joe Getty, 08:16)
"I’m going to need an epidural to deal with her not being here." (Jack Armstrong, 08:51)
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On Critiquing Youth & Modern Attitudes
"That may be the ultimate expression of self-absorption...I didn’t ask to be alive. It’s the ultimate idiotic pretentiousness." (Joe Getty, 12:24)
Important Timestamps
- 03:48: The show’s title debate and core theme on inflation and public ignorance.
- 04:22–08:09: New video of Trump’s attempted assassination, security concerns, and government unaccountability.
- 08:09–12:59: Katie Green's last day before maternity leave—joking, bonding, and life reflections.
- 14:10–14:52: Laying out how inflation truly acts as a hidden tax on citizens.
- 18:38–22:42: Rundown of daily headlines, laced with critique of news media bias.
- 26:07–33:39: Deep dive into the Iran conflict, War Powers Act, “fake deadlines,” and energy crisis timeframes.
- 35:00–39:02: Peter Baker’s analysis debunking the War Powers Act "deadline" narrative.
- 40:06–41:03: Jack's AI news summarization dream and self-referential humor.
- 44:06–47:31: Mailbag, philosophical perspective, and reflection on collective anxiety.
Memorable Moments
- The hosts’ long-running bit about inflation being a “tax” and their frustration with how governments and the media obscure it from public awareness.
- Light-hearted ribbing of Katie Green as she prepares for maternity leave, bringing warmth and camaraderie to the typically hard-edged show.
- Joe referencing "Clips of the Week" as a beloved Friday tradition, with a montage that blends sharp satire and dark humor.
- The philosophical digression on Americans’ negative outlook and generational cycles of doomsaying.
Summary
This episode offers a classic Armstrong & Getty blend of sharp news criticism, libertarian-leaning analysis, and irreverent humor. The hosts challenge the veracity and motivations of mainstream media narratives, especially regarding the Iran war and domestic inflation, urging listeners to be skeptical, independent thinkers. Personal moments with Katie Green’s maternity leave infuse the episode with warmth and wit. If you missed the episode, this rundown covers the essential topics, flavor, and quotable exchanges.