FYPod: Trump’s Poop PROPAGANDA and The Gen Z Gooning Dilemma

Host: The Bulwark (Tim Miller & Cameron Kasky)
Guest: Harry Sisson
Date: October 25, 2025

Episode Overview

This highly engaging episode brings back Gen Z politico and influencer Harry Sisson, the first-ever repeat guest on FYPod, to discuss a whirlwind week: being targeted in an AI-generated, scatological video shared by Donald Trump, and how this event intersects with Gen Z political engagement, masculinity, and internet subcultures. The discussion then pivots into a deep dive on the rise of "gooning" among young men—extreme pornography consumption replacing real-world connections—and what this says about the mental and cultural health of Gen Z. Alongside irreverent banter, the conversation delivers authentic insights, personal anecdotes, and practical advice for navigating modern relationships and political discourse in the TikTok age.

Main Themes & Key Discussion Points

1. Trump’s AI "Poop" Video Targeting Harry Sisson

Timestamps: 01:50–11:13

• Event Recap: Trump posts an AI video depicting himself "pooping" on Harry Sisson, a prominent Gen Z political commentator.
• Harry's Reaction:
  • "The president posted an AI video pooping on me, which still feels weird to say after a week." (Harry Sisson, 03:36)
  • Immediate disbelief and a flood of DMs (“I was watching college football... and then Trump just dropped it at like, 9:30.” 03:55)
• Broader Implications:
  • Tim Miller sees Trump's actions as both absurdly childish and concerning for free speech (“It’s really lame and pathetic... not alpha energy.” 06:22)
  • Cam Kasky laments wasted AI/data-center resources on “slop” like this (07:50).
  • Harry reframes the incident as a microcosm of Trump’s contempt for dissent: "He's shitting on peaceful protesters. I think this is Donald Trump displaying... exactly how he feels about dissent." (Harry Sisson, 09:23)
• Community Take:
  • “They think this is the funniest thing ever... If this is their definition of me getting owned, I’m okay with it.” (Harry Sisson, 05:53)
  • On the left: Lament and bemusement; on the right: Glee and memes.
• Notable moment:
  • “If Trump AI shat on me, I'd be like, dude, you're cementing a generational run.” (Cam Kasky, 11:13)

2. Gen Z Vibe Check: Protests, Masculinity, and Political Messaging

Timestamps: 12:22–21:20

• Gen Z Protest Turnout:
  • Harry describes a strong though mixed-age turnout at Manhattan protests; more young people than in previous “No Kings” mobilizations (12:42).
• Getting Out of the Bubble:
  • Importance of engaging with non-political, male-dominated spaces—podcasts, Barstool, sports— to bridge divides and present more authentic “bro” identities on the left (13:54–14:32).
• Anecdotal Evidence of Shifting Attitudes:
  • More young Republican-leaning men expressing reservations about Trump directly to Harry, suggesting some vibe shift (15:54).
• Masculinity & Democratic Messaging:
  • On being a “bro” among Dem influencers (“They are still robotic... in it for the money. I feel like you can sense that in somebody.” Harry Sisson, 19:18)
  • Cam and Tim question whether Harry feels pressure to “butch it up” to reach male voters. Harry strives to be more authentic post-2024, showing off his football fandom and everyday interests (17:30, 18:12–18:36).
• Authenticity vs. Performance:
  • “Since then, I've been trying to be more like a human being... Not because I'm forced to, but I watch football every weekend.” (Harry Sisson, 18:12)

3. Debate Bro Culture & Political Discourse

Timestamps: 21:20–27:55

• Debate Bros, Echo Chambers, and Clip Culture:
  • Example of Harry on Piers Morgan: MAGA critics claim “gotchas” without substance, misrepresenting quotes (21:41).
  • Harry candidly enjoys debating and “dog-walking” right-wing “freaks,” both for the challenge and to expose audiences to alternative views (“Love of the game. I love going after people.” 23:37)
• Hate in Politics as a Unifier:
  • Cam points out cross-ideological coalitions built on shared antipathy for figures like Andrew Cuomo.
  • “With Cuomo, it's not a policy thing. They just fucking hate this dude.” (Cam Kasky, 25:32)
• Flexing Masculinity on Pod:
  • The crew discusses fitness, max bench pressing, and male performativity as a parallel to political “flexing.” (From 27:55)

4. Gooning, Porn, and the Manosphere Crisis

Timestamps: 30:02–49:16

• Explainer: What Is Gooning?
  • Cam reads: “Gooning is the new kind of masturbation... to reach the goon state, a supposed zone of total ego death or bliss that some liken to advanced meditation, compelling [one] to masturbate for hours or even days.” (30:49–31:29)
  • Daniel Kolitz’s reporting: Gooning Discords with 50,000+ members, “pornosexuals,” and goon “cultists.”
• Death by Meme: The Goona-side Incident
  • Viral incident of a “gooner” driven to suicide after being shamed; community rallies online in “goonerals.”
• Community and Isolation:
  • “Is it widespread?” Harry asks. Cam cites Discords & survey data: “Median age of a non-sexually active gooner was 23—that is, someone in high school or college when the lockdowns began.” (35:39)
  • Cam: “It’s something that’s infected the whole society and... turning people right wing… because of the isolation.” (43:54)
• Porn, Loneliness, & The Decline of Dating:
  • “...the porn alone might be enough… a workable substitute for sex and life itself.” (Cam, quoting Kolitz, 33:48)
  • Cam links high porn use to rising volcel (voluntary celibate) identities among young men, reduced real-world dating, friendship, and intimacy.
  • Harry: “I think this is part of [why] we're seeing such concerning data on young people and dating... coincides with a lot of young men becoming complete total losers... treating women in misogynistic ways.” (39:41)
• What’s the Solution?
  • Legalize and de-stigmatize sex work? Rebuild IRL institutions—Boy Scouts, sports, clubs—to create healthy communities and social skills? (46:55, 48:41)
  • Tim: “The best sex is the one where you're anxious about it. We have butterflies and you're not sure if they like you... there’s something about being unsure and a little embarrassed and overcoming it that leads to an outcome that's even hotter.” (49:16)
  • Harry: “The community point is also concerning... it's sad that a lot of young men out there... can't find community amongst, like real life people where they go to the park and play football or something...” (48:35)

5. Relationship & Bro Advice—Direct from the Dudes

Timestamps: 51:42–56:43

• Most Valuable Relationship Advice:
  • Cam: “There’s Cam island and there’s Ellie island... You cannot mold into the same organic being with your partner… you need to be 100% of yourselves.” (Cam Kasky, 54:23)
  • Tim: “Wanted a girlfriend that made him better and also made him laugh every day.” (54:23)
  • Harry: “Remember the little things. The little things really add up and they matter… My girlfriend really likes when I buy her flowers.” (Harry Sisson, 55:40)
• Relationships as Individual Growth:
  • Importance of maintaining independence, humor, and regular small rituals that show appreciation.

6. Racial Fetishization in Dating—Listener Question

Timestamps: 56:47–61:39

• Question: Why is it a “fetish” if a white man has exclusively dated Asian women?
• Tim and Cam’s Take:
  • The unease is about being valued as a “category,” not a unique individual.
  • Cam: “You need to be 100% confident that they respect and care about you as an individual human, not because you’re part of a group that they have a sexual affinity for.” (58:00)
• Cameron’s Personal Experience:
  • Points to deeply racist and misogynist stereotypes among some white men discussing Asian women—“some of the most psychotically... sociopathic things I have ever heard... I hope you never have to figure it out.” (Cameron Kasky, 59:18)
• Broader Cultural Impact:
  • They tie the pornification of racial stereotypes to broader man-Internet pathologies.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• "This is FYPod, the Zoomer Diane Sawyer..." (Tim Miller, 03:25)
• "He’s shitting on peaceful protesters. I think this is Donald Trump displaying for all of us to see with great disgust how he feels exactly about dissent." (Harry Sisson, 09:23)
• "If Trump AI shat on me, I'd be like, dude, you're cementing a generational run." (Cam Kasky, 11:13)
• "They just have no personality, and I think a lot of them are actually in it for the money... you can sense that." (Harry Sisson, 19:18)
• "Gooning is the new kind of masturbation... a supposed zone of total ego death or bliss." (Cameron Kasky citing Daniel Kolitz, 30:49)
• "I think this is part, part of the reason why we're seeing such concerning data on young people... this kind of coincides with a lot of young men just becoming complete total losers..." (Harry Sisson, 39:41)
• "The best sex is the one where you have... butterflies and you're not sure if they like you... there's something about being unsure and overcoming it that's hotter." (Tim Miller, 49:16)
• "If you want to know how a white man feels about women in general, ask them about East Asian women... it’s some of the most racist shit I’ve ever heard." (Cameron Kasky, 59:18)

Notable Timestamps

• Trump Poop AI Video Breakdown: 01:50–11:13
• No Kings Protest/Gen Z’s Political Engagement: 12:22–15:54
• Masculinity & Dem Messaging: 16:31–21:20
• Debate Bros, Hate as a Unifier, Cuomo Chat: 21:20–27:55
• The Gooning Dilemma: 30:02–49:16
• Relationship/Manosphere Advice: 51:42–56:43
• Racial Fetishization Listener Q&A: 56:47–61:39

Tone & Style

The episode is fast-paced, irreverent, and deeply rooted in Gen Z/online vernacular, but carries thoughtful, occasionally earnest advice layered beneath humor and self-deprecation. Host banter is sharp but comfortable. Harry Sisson’s humility and candid reflections anchor the show, providing unique insight into Gen Z’s political psyche, masculinity pressures, and digital culture.

Conclusion

This FYPod episode is a must-listen (or read) for anyone interested in Gen Z’s shifting politics, internet culture’s impact on real-world masculinity and sexuality, and how the youngest American voters are negotiating a world saturated with memes, outrage, and, apparently, a lot of “gooning.” The show balances laughs, cringe, and practical wisdom—leaving listeners with new perspective on modern identity, activism, and relationships.