Podcast Summary: Human Events Daily with Jack Posobiec
Episode: THOUGHTCRIME Ep. 92 — Bring Redskins Back? What Makes An American?
Release Date: July 26, 2025
Introduction and Summer Reflections
The episode opens with the hosts reconnecting after a hiatus, sharing personal updates and reflecting on recent losses in the public sphere. Jack Posobiec expresses mixed feelings about the summer, noting, “[...] we’ve lost a couple of legends. We lost Ozzy, we lost Hogan. So that’s definitely been something that’s put a damper on things.” ([00:41])
Charlie Kirk lightheartedly discusses the unusual weather in Phoenix, mentioning, “Phoenix is the wettest desert in the entire world. And, like, it’s rained like, three times in the last week.” ([01:20])
Cruise Ship Critique
The conversation swiftly transitions to a critical analysis of cruise culture, with Blake expressing skepticism: “I don’t know why people would do this voluntarily. Is this some sort of a punishment?” ([02:39])
Andrew shares a personal anecdote comparing cruise ship conditions to the notorious COVID outbreaks, stating, “It was like a wake-up call to everybody about just how disgusting most cruise ships actually are.” ([03:36])
Blake recounts a firsthand experience aboard a Media Research Center cruise, highlighting issues like cramped quarters and seasickness: “They pay thousands of dollars to do this. They book it years in advance.” ([04:35])
Jack vehemently opposes cruise vacations, drawing parallels to his Navy experience: “Imagine you live in that building and you have to see those people every day. There’s no home, there’s no leaving them.” ([05:25])
The hosts delve deeper into the decline of cruise quality post-COVID, discussing Carnival Cruise Line’s new stringent policies:
- Stricter Drug Enforcement: Cannabis is banned on board, violating US federal law. ([07:54])
- Youth Curfew: Guests 17 and under must leave public spaces by 1 a.m. unless accompanied by an adult. ([07:54])
- Bluetooth Speaker Bands: Personal music devices are no longer allowed in public areas, cited for general comfort but criticized for potential bias. ([07:54])
- Stricter Drink Package Enforcement: Limits on alcoholic beverages are now strictly enforced. ([07:54])
- Banning Handheld Non-Battery Powered Fans: Citing safety concerns related to a viral song, Carnival denies the use of such fans onboard. ([07:54])
Blake summarizes the backlash against these rules, particularly from Black communities, stating, “Carnival’s new rules got black folks all in their feelings.” ([14:27])
Deep Dive: Defining "What Makes an American"
Transitioning from cruises, the hosts pivot to the central theme of the episode: defining American identity amidst ongoing cultural and demographic shifts.
Jack introduces the debate sparked by political endorsements and elections in cities like Minneapolis and New York City, questioning, “What is an American?” ([19:32])
Andrew articulates a definition emphasizing birthplace, language, cultural assimilation, and respect for foundational American figures:
“An American is first and foremost someone born in America, who speaks English, who is raised here, steeped in the Anglo traditions of common law, blind justice, equal rights, and believes in, or at least has reverence for, the Christian traditions that undergird our laws, customs, and values.” ([21:55])
Blake expands on this by incorporating loyalty to American creeds and land ownership:
“An American is someone who is loyal to a creed which would be ordered liberty under God, revering the Constitution, owns his land or her land, and believes rights come from the Creator.” ([23:04])
Charlie Kirk delves into the historical and cultural aspects, linking American identity to Anglo-Saxon and Protestant heritage:
“They see America as an English nation, an Anglo Saxon nation that broke off.” ([27:42])
Jack emphasizes the inseparability of Anglo-Saxon values from Protestantism, asserting,
“That’s the American ethos, the American identity.” ([42:24])
The discussion touches upon the challenges of assimilation, with Jack arguing that merely obtaining citizenship doesn’t equate to being culturally American:
“You can become an American, but it’s a multi-generational product. It’s not something that can be projected with just a piece of paper.” ([52:23])
Contemporary Examples and Final Thoughts
The hosts examine recent viral incidents and political statements questioning the authenticity of certain individuals' American identity. Blake contrasts these with examples like Maria Elvira Salazar, a Cuban-American Republican, highlighting the complexities of cultural integration and loyalty.
Andrew advocates for an immigration moratorium to address non-assimilated populations:
“We have to deal with how many we’ve had come in this country who are not American, and yet they’re living here, they’re walking around us, and they don’t represent kinship or community or brotherhood.” ([57:06])
Jack reiterates the importance of cultural and historical alignment over mere legal citizenship, concluding,
“If you mess around with that core, if you get too far away from that core too much, too fast, that’s what leads to this massive instability that we have.” ([44:53])
Conclusion
The episode concludes with the hosts reinforcing their stance on American identity, emphasizing cultural assimilation over legal status and critiquing modern shifts in societal norms. They encourage listeners to ponder the essence of American values and the implications of current trends on national identity.
Notable Quotes:
- Jack Posobiec: “Imagine you live in that building and you have to see those people every day. There’s no home, there’s no leaving them.” ([05:25])
- Andrew: “An American is first and foremost someone born in America, who speaks English, who is raised here, steeped in the Anglo traditions...” ([21:55])
- Blake: “An American is someone who is loyal to a creed which would be ordered liberty under God...” ([23:04])
- Charlie Kirk: “They see America as an English nation, an Anglo Saxon nation that broke off.” ([27:42])
Key Takeaways:
- Cruise Culture Critique: The hosts vehemently oppose cruise vacations, citing overcrowding, poor conditions, and overly strict regulations as major drawbacks.
- American Identity Debate: A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to defining what constitutes an American, stressing cultural assimilation, historical values, and adherence to foundational American principles.
- Cultural Assimilation vs. Legal Citizenship: The discussion underscores the belief that true American identity transcends legal status and is rooted in cultural and historical alignment.
- Impact of Immigration: Concerns are raised about mass immigration leading to cultural enclaves that may hinder national unity and identity.
This episode serves as a thought-provoking exploration of national identity, challenging listeners to consider the deeper cultural and historical factors that define what it means to be American in today's evolving societal landscape.