FYPod Episode 30: "Trump’s Memorial Day Ad Is Highkey Insane" Release Date: May 26, 2025
Hosts: Tim Miller and Cameron Caskey
Podcast: FYPod by The Bulwark

1. Cultural Shifts: Rising Narcissism and Social Media Influence

Cameron Caskey opens the discussion by expressing his frustration with the perceived decline in societal respect and an increase in narcissism, selfishness, and cruelty. He questions whether these changes are genuine cultural shifts or simply his own aging perspective.

"I feel like there isn't any goddamn respect anymore in our culture. And I have a question for you, which is, have people gotten more narcissistic, selfish, and cruel in the past, let's say five, seven years, or am I just getting older and starting to notice it for the first time?"
— Cameron Caskey (01:01)

Tim Miller responds by highlighting how social media platforms like TikTok have amplified self-centered behaviors across all generations, not just among Zoomers. He remarks on the societal pressure to mask narcissism with seemingly higher purposes, a trend he finds concerning.

"People are feeling a little bit more willing to let their narcissism freak flag fly... there's this social pressure to try to package your narcissism in, like, some other higher purpose."
— Tim Miller (01:29)

Cameron provides a personal anecdote about observing individuals obsessively watching TikToks without headphones during flights, illustrating broader cultural insensitivity. He laments that small acts of kindness have become countercultural in a society increasingly driven by self-interest.

"Social media has encouraged everybody to center themselves in the middle of the universe... It is putting yourself first. And it's extremely aggravating to me because... holding the door for people to larger things like going out of your way to support someone..."
— Cameron Caskey (02:08)

2. Analyzing Trump’s Memorial Day Ad

As Memorial Day approaches, Tim Miller introduces the focal point of the episode: Donald Trump’s Memorial Day advertisement. The ad, created by Pete Hegseth, is scrutinized for its messaging and underlying implications.

"We're going to watch just a little bit of it right now."
— Tim Miller (05:46)

The ad itself promotes a rigid military-focused agenda with slogans like "No more electric tanks," "No more gender confusion," and "Peace through strength." Cameron Caskey critiques the ad's contradictory messages, highlighting how it simultaneously promotes peace by preventing wars while boasting about military prowess.

"It's peace through strength, it's peace through demonstrations of war... what we're all about."
— Cameron Caskey (07:13)

Tim Miller emphasizes the inconsistency in the ad's stance, especially in the context of ongoing conflicts like the Russian invasion of Ukraine. He questions the feasibility and sincerity of the message, pointing out that America's contradictory actions undermine the ad's credibility.

"There's an incongruity between, like, we're really tough now. And also while Vladimir Putin is sending missiles into Ukraine... our reaction is, no, we will not help you at all."
— Tim Miller (08:22)

3. Military Recruitment Amid Healthcare Cuts

Cameron references a recent legislative change—a bill passed under tragic circumstances resulting in significant cuts to medical services in the U.S. This, he suggests, may inadvertently boost military recruitment as individuals seek the benefits no longer available to them.

"After the big beautiful bill that magically got passed because a couple Democrats died, it seems like a lot of... a lot less people are going to be getting medical services from the United States of America. So there might in fact be a drive in recruitment."
— Cameron Caskey (00:30)

Reflecting on previous discussions from early episodes of FYPod, they consider whether economic instability and the lack of healthcare are primary motivators for young men joining the military, rather than traditional patriotic propaganda.

"It's more because they don't have healthcare and they won't have healthcare."
— Cameron Caskey (15:24)

4. The Intersection of Religion and Toxic Masculinity

The hosts delve into a concerning trend where young American men are joining Russian Orthodox churches in pursuit of exaggerated notions of manliness. They analyze how this fusion of religious authority and toxic masculinity is shaping vulnerable individuals seeking purpose and identity.

Cameron Caskey discusses the article headline about young men joining Russian churches and critiques the dangerous blend of divine authority with hyper-masculine ideals.

"When you mix something as divine as our Lord with something as trivial as here's how to Be a Man, there's only dangerous things to come."
— Cameron Caskey (22:19)

Tim Miller adds his perspective by recalling his own experiences in religious education, contrasting it with the current scenario where religious teachings are being manipulated to enforce harmful masculine stereotypes.

"There's none of this, like, oh, you need to do bicep curls to be a man... a little bit before my time, there's a little bit of this in '80s culture."
— Tim Miller (24:46)

They express concern over how such movements exploit religious sentiments to perpetuate misogyny and rigid gender norms, making it a dangerous path for young men searching for meaning in a tumultuous world.

5. The Role of Technology in Modern Warfare

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to discussing advancements in military technology, specifically Chinese quadruped robots designed for warfare. Cameron Caskey highlights the U.S.'s failure to support UN resolutions banning battlefield robots, leading to adversaries like China developing these technologies.

"It's a scary combo for me, the Chinese robot murder dogs... the US shot that bill down, and in reward for doing so, we got Chinese robot murder dogs."
— Cameron Caskey (09:56)

Tim Miller echoes the alarm, connecting it to Trump's rhetoric about strength and the paradoxical stance of America boasting about military might while distancing itself from active support in conflicts.

"We are better at killing people than anybody in the world... there's an incongruity there."
— Tim Miller (09:41)

6. Concluding Thoughts: The Pursuit of Meaning in a Changing America

In wrapping up the episode, Tim Miller and Cameron Caskey reflect on the broader implications of their discussions. They recognize a generation seeking purpose amid political instability, economic uncertainties, and cultural shifts undermining traditional values.

"We're all looking for meaning out there in this world, baby."
— Tim Miller (25:24)

They emphasize the importance of fostering genuine respect and kindness in society while navigating the complexities introduced by technology, politics, and shifting cultural norms.

"You should respect people... you should be a good person like me."
— Cameron Caskey (25:46)

The hosts sign off by urging listeners to cultivate empathy and mindfulness in their interactions, advocating for a cultural renaissance grounded in mutual respect and understanding.

"Peace. Happy Memorial Day."
— Tim Miller (26:07)

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Cameron Caskey (01:01):
  "I feel like there isn't any goddamn respect anymore in our culture."

• Tim Miller (01:29):
  "People are feeling a little bit more willing to let their narcissism freak flag fly."

• Cameron Caskey (02:08):
  "It is putting yourself first. And it's extremely aggravating to me..."

• Tim Miller (05:46):
  "We're going to watch just a little bit of it right now."

• Cameron Caskey (07:13):
  "It's peace through strength, it's peace through demonstrations of war."

• Cameron Caskey (00:30):
  "There might in fact be a drive in recruitment."

• Cameron Caskey (22:19):
  "There's only dangerous things to come."

• Tim Miller (24:46):
  "There's none of this, like, oh, you need to do bicep curls to be a man."

• Cameron Caskey (25:46):
  "You should be a good person like me."

This episode of FYPod critically examines the intertwining of politics, culture, and technology in shaping America's present and future. Through incisive dialogue, Tim Miller and Cameron Caskey offer listeners a comprehensive analysis of the factors influencing Gen Z's political leanings, the evolving nature of masculinity, and the implications of technological advancements in warfare.