Danny Jones Podcast #358 – New Wars, Epstein's Naughty List & The Christmas Spirit | Matt Cox

Release Date: December 25, 2025
Host: Danny Jones
Guest: Matt Cox

Episode Overview

This Christmas Day episode features Danny Jones and frequent guest Matt Cox in a freewheeling, insightful, and often hilarious discussion, bouncing among current political events, conspiracy theories, internet culture, personal anecdotes, and life philosophies. Key topics include the proliferation of wild theories online, the JFK and Epstein files, Trump's foreign policy, UFO disclosure, the challenges of podcasting, and candid conversations about aging, health, and happiness. The episode is laced with playful banter, personal stories, and a humorous holiday spirit.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The State of Internet Culture & Conspiracy (00:37–06:53)

• Viral Content & Outrage Culture: Danny and Matt joke about the bizarre Garth Brooks-as-serial-killer viral segment, reflecting on people's willingness to believe wild internet stories.
  • “People will believe anything on the Internet these days.” – Danny (02:59)
• Podcasting & The Power of Satire: Discussion about podcasting as both an amplifier of truth and absurdity, and the host’s responsibility to balance fun with fact.
  • Matt notes how satire can be taken literally online, leading to both mockery and genuine belief.
  • “They think you’re an authority simply because you have a YouTube channel which they could pull off with their iPhone.” – Matt (03:01)

2. Ancient Civilizations & The Allure of Alternative History (04:13–06:20)

• Pyramids as Power Sources? Danny brings up guests who claim the pyramids were “solid-state electricity machines,” drawing the line between legitimate curiosity and wild theorizing.
• Public Belief & Flat Earth: Lighthearted jabs about the percentage of podcast viewers who might believe flat earth; tension between engaging with entertaining ideas and avoiding misinformation.

3. Content Creation, Social Media, and the Lure of Controversy (13:12–14:48)

• Going Viral with Controversy: They reflect on the incentives of content cycles and the Candace Owens effect—controversy as a driver for engagement and viewership.
  • “That’s the thing. Content like that is like the easiest way to get views and like blow up on the Internet and people get stuck in that.” – Danny (13:27)

4. The Candace Owens-Charlie Kirk Saga & Conspiratorial Thinking (16:10–23:18)

• Candace Owens’ Content & Online Loyalty: Matt discusses the fallout on his channel after mentioning Owens, and the fierce loyalty among her followers.
• Charlie Kirk’s Assassination Controversy: Danny outlines the complexities and suspicions regarding the assassination, including Candace Owens' theories of foreign involvement and deep-state cover-ups.
• Media Suppression & Contrasting Narratives: Discussion includes the suppressed coverage by mainstream media and the “stand-down orders” in Israel, raising questions of transparency.

5. The Enduring Mystery of JFK’s Assassination (25:02–42:34)

• Debating Oswald’s Role:
  • They run through theories: single shooter vs. conspiracy, citing new and old documentaries, confessions, and classic stats (only ~25% of Americans believe Oswald acted alone).
  • Quotes memorable scenes from Oliver Stone’s JFK, and recount the proliferation of conspiracy confessions.
  • “Anyone who’s paying just a little bit of attention knows the government’s lying and they don’t care.” – Danny (42:04)
• Cuban Exiles, Watergate, Howard Hughes & Nixon: Danny shares historical anecdotes tying together anti-Castro hit squads, Watergate, and Cold War intrigue.
  • “It's pretty obvious that it was us that killed the President... it was a military coup.” – Danny (37:54)

6. Government Secrets, UFO Disclosure, & the Role of Amnesty (42:34–47:33)

• Current State of UFO Disclosure:
  • Assessment of recent government admissions, whistleblower risks, and the “two camps” inside government: one pushing for secrecy due to black budget and legality, the other seeking disclosure.
  • “There’s got to be whistleblower protection for these people. What sucks, but you got to do it. You got to give amnesty.” – Danny (44:43)
  • The hosts land on the "slow drip" hypothesis, where the government gradually acclimates the public to wild truths.

7. Civilization Reboot & Advanced Societies (48:02–53:27)

• Who Would Survive an Apocalypse?
  • Musings on "breakaway civilizations" and speculation that the next advanced society could be underground or underwater—a line Danny ties back to UFO lore and secrecy.
• Nuclear Incidents and UFOs: Danny teases upcoming guests with firsthand accounts of UFOs interacting with nuclear missile installations.

8. Personal Stories, Podcasting Life, and Reflecting on Happiness (73:18–81:43)

• On Wealth & Contentment: Matt claims he wouldn’t significantly alter his lifestyle if he became wealthy again.
• The Challenge of Aging & Staying Healthy:
  • Playful talk about getting fat, failing at diets, and the need for discipline as an older podcaster.
  • “Nobody wants to watch a 66-year-old do a podcast.” — Matt (81:07)
• Life Balance v. Content Creation: They discuss the cost of constant work, unreliable guests, and the chaos of running a show (“my guests don’t show up—half, but it is about…” – Matt, 82:13).

9. Trump, Venezuela, Foreign Policy, and the War on Drugs (90:22–108:59)

• Venezuela Tensions: Danny and Matt examine Trump’s strategy for Venezuela and debate whether military intervention is about oil, drugs, or geopolitics.
• Blowing Up Cartel Boats: Danny denounces the punitive optics of bombing suspected drug boats as mere “political theatre” that targets vulnerable people over cartel bosses.
• Legalization Proposal: Matt floats the idea of mass drug decriminalization, taxation, and reallocating money for rehabilitation as the only realistic and humane approach.
• Conspiratorial Overtones: Agreement that cartel power and government corruption is too deep for easy solutions.

10. Corruption, the Epstein Files, and Power Structures (116:13–124:17)

• Corruption Is Systemic: Both agree that corruption is endemic in government, making real reform almost impossible.
  • “You need an old-fashioned military coup and you need to start executing people in front of the White House.” – Matt (116:32, in jest)
• Epstein Files Wrangling:
  • MTG’s push to release the list, mysteries about who votes against transparency, and the cyclical nature of official lies.
  • “Once you start lying about stuff … it becomes impossible to keep track of all the lies.” – Danny (119:35)
  • They emphasize the difference between credible evidence and mere association with Epstein; warn that many with innocent connections risk “collateral damage.”

11. The Real Power Players: Above the Government (123:07–124:17)

• Epstein, Blackmail, and the True Upper Crust: The podcast frames the government as largely a facade, with ultra-wealthy elites and blackmail networks (like Epstein’s) pulling the real strings behind the scenes.

12. Happiness, Criticism of the Rich, and The Meaning of Generosity (126:49–128:02)

• Elitism and Public Skepticism: Matt laments that no matter what wealthy philanthropists do (like the Dells), the public is quick to criticize—reflecting on social media’s pervasive cynicism.

13. Podcasting Anecdotes: From Aging Astronauts to Wild Guests (57:15–71:25)

• Interview Challenges: They share stories about interviewing elderly guests—a 90-year-old moonwalker and an 80-year-old ex-con skyjacker—and the difficulties that come with remote podcasts and guests with failing memory.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Truth & Internet Authority:
  “They think you’re an authority simply because you have a YouTube channel which they could pull off with their iPhone.” — Matt (03:01)

• On the Pull of Absurd Theories:
  “That's the thing. Content like that is like the easiest way to get views and like blow up on the Internet…” — Danny (13:27)

• On U.S. Political Identity:
  “The stupidest thing to me is how I just think it’s silly how people like to base their whole identity off of a president…” — Danny (99:01)

• On Podcasting Guests:
  “You have degenerates on your show… it's not everybody, but sometimes they’re tweaking out or doing blow in the bathroom in between takes.” — Danny (84:51)

• On Living Well After Prison:
  “If everybody went to jail for two or three years and got out, they’d realize, like, hey, it’s pretty good out here.” — Matt (127:47)

• On the Real Controllers:
  “The government is just a facade. These people control the—these people blackmail and fund the people that we think are really in charge.” — Danny (123:14)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Viral Outrage & Satire: 00:37–06:53
• Pyramid Conspiracies: 03:53–05:27
• Podcasting and the Nature of Internet Belief: 06:20–13:13
• Candace Owens, Charlie Kirk, and Foreign Plot Theories: 16:10–23:44
• JFK & Watergate—Connecting the Dots: 25:02–42:34
• UFOs & Disclosure Debate: 42:34–47:33
• Apocalypse Scenarios & Underground Societies: 48:02–53:27
• Challenges of Healthy Aging & Podcasting Life: 73:18–81:43
• Trump, Venezuela, Foreign Policy, Cartels: 90:22–108:59
• Systemic Corruption & the Limits of Reform: 116:13–124:17
• Epstein Files, Blackmail, and Elite Control: 116:13–124:17
• Podcasting War Stories: 57:15–71:25
• Rich People and Social Attitudes: 126:49–128:02
• Humor & Bantering Finale: 142:00–End

Tone & Style

The hosts blend sharp skepticism, humor, and candor with moments of introspection, utilizing a conversational, sometimes irreverent tone. The Christmas special element adds warmth and banter, occasionally pivoting into playful self-deprecation about health, aging, or social position.

Final Takeaways

• The line between fact and fiction on the internet and in politics is increasingly blurry—satire quickly becomes belief, and content creators wrestle with their own responsibility and influence.
• The structural problems of U.S. foreign policy, endemic corruption, and elite control persist beneath the surface, with the lessons of history (JFK, Watergate, Epstein) repeating in new forms.
• Openness, skepticism, and a sense of humor—plus realistic expectations—are presented as the healthiest approach to the daily barrage of news, conspiracy, and controversy.
• Ultimately, both Danny and Matt come off as men at midlife, searching for knowledge, truth, and a meaningful, healthy existence amid the madness—finding solace in podcasts, relationships, and not taking themselves too seriously.

This summary distills the episode’s major themes, juiciest discussions, and the best banter, giving a comprehensive sense of both content and tone—even for listeners who missed all two-and-a-half hours.