IHIP News: “Pam Bondi's Unhinged Meltdown On Fox News is Terrifying”

Date: September 17, 2025
Hosts: Jennifer Welch & Angie “Pumps” Sullivan

Episode Overview

In this fiery and unfiltered installment of IHIP News, Jennifer Welch and Angie “Pumps” Sullivan dissect the political fallout and rhetoric following the death of Charlie Kirk and, more specifically, Pam Bondi’s extreme appearance on Fox News. The duo uses biting commentary and humor to highlight the growing tide of authoritarian tactics, dangers to free speech, and the complicity of right-wing leaders in what they see as a march toward fascism. The episode zeroes in on the alarming normalization of political violence, double standards in mourning public figures, and how conservative leaders are reframing civil rights and speech.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. MAGA’s Reaction to Charlie Kirk’s Death

• Exploitation of Tragedy: The hosts argue that right-wing figures are weaponizing Kirk’s death to clamp down on dissent and free speech.
  • “MAGA is making no bones about exploiting the death of Charlie Kirk to take away people's freedom of speech and freedom of assembly.” (Political Commentator 2, [01:04])
• Pam Bondi’s Stance: Bondi, after being out of the spotlight, is pointedly coming out against critics of Kirk, advocating for consequences for those who speak ill of him.

2. Pam Bondi’s Extremism on Fox News

• Authoritarian Overreach: Bondi’s statements reveal a willingness to punish dissenting viewpoints and equate criticism with fireable offenses.
  • “It's free speech, but you shouldn't be employed anywhere if you're going to say that. And employers, you have an obligation to get rid of people.” (Political Commentator 3, [01:30])
• Civil Rights Hypocrisy: The hosts criticize Bondi for selectively advocating civil rights—such as defending the right to print rally posters for Kirk’s vigil—while seeking to suppress the opposing side.

3. Cultural and Political Double Standards

• State Officials’ Reactions: Oklahoma’s Superintendent is highlighted for effectively blacklisting teachers who criticize Kirk.
  • “If anybody talks bad about Charlie Kirk, I want you to turn them in and they'll never teach in the state of Oklahoma again.” (Political Commentator 2, [02:02])
• Washington Post Firing: Reference to a journalist fired for quoting Kirk, demonstrating the chilling of speech and selective outrage.
• Enforced Whitewashing: Hosts note an emerging narrative where Kirk is canonized despite his controversial remarks—ignoring his history of racist, homophobic, and misogynistic comments.

4. Racial Injustice and the NFL Moment of Silence

• Racism in Public Honors: The NFL’s moment of silence for Kirk, a figure with a history of derogatory comments toward black women, is denounced as offensive and normalized racial bias.
  • “It is abhorrent that the NFL had a moment of silence... for a man who has spoken so horribly about black women.” (Political Commentator 1, [03:16])
• Manipulation and Gaslighting: The hosts maintain that right-wing leaders are priming the public to accept eroding civil liberties and authoritarian rule.

5. Selective Mourning: Lowering the Flag for Kirk but Not for a Murdered Democratic Congresswoman

• Pam Bondi’s Response: Bondi is called out for lying about the political motivations behind violence, insisting (wrongly, per hosts) that violence is bipartisan.
• Host Correction:
  • “A lie. This is a lie. They are lying. The bulk of all right wing terrorism and violence, of all political violence is on the right wing. They are lying. She's a propagandist.” (Political Commentator 1, [05:59])

6. The Role of Republican Leadership in Political Violence

• Trump and Rhetoric from the Top: The hosts argue that Trump and other GOP leaders have not only failed to condemn, but have encouraged political violence through their rhetoric.
  • “Donald Trump is the top of the food chain and he does nothing on his truth social and in press conferences, but demean people, berate people, belittle people.” (Political Commentator 2, [06:25])
• Mike Johnson Refuses to Condemn: Johnson, Speaker of the House, declines to criticize Trump or denounce right-wing violence when repeatedly given chances by reporters.
  • “Mike Johnson, when given the opportunity, told this reporter, I am not going to go against Trump. I think he's handled it. I have no fault in how he has handled this. Mike Johnson is third in line to the presidency.” (Political Commentator 2, [08:21])
• Host Frustration:
  • “Nobody is coming to save us, especially the speaker of the House. He's complicit, completely complicit.” (Political Commentator 1, [08:43])

7. Resignation and Warnings to Listeners

• No Hope for Republican Checks: The hosts repeatedly state they have no expectation the GOP or the Supreme Court will act to protect democracy.
• Call to Awareness:
  • “We Democratically elected a fascist.” (Political Commentator 1, [09:33])
  • “These are dangerous people who are actively trying to dismantle the United States of America and the American experiment and make it more racist.” (Political Commentator 1, [06:43])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Free Speech Suppression:

  • “Employers, you have an obligation to get rid of people. You need to look at people who are saying horrible things and they shouldn't be working with you.” (Political Commentator 3, [01:30])

• On Racial Double Standards:

  • “NFL had a moment of silence of a man who has spoken so horribly about black women. And that is just something that's just become so accepted in America.” (Political Commentator 1, [03:16])

• On Authoritarian Drift:

  • “They are priming the public to make it illegal to be a liberal and have an opinion or an expression or a symbol against this fascist regime.” (Political Commentator 1, [05:59])

• On Complicity at the Top:

  • “Mike Johnson wants this. Pam Bondi wants this. They want this. We all have to come to terms with that. Any sort of co. Equal branch is not happening. The Supreme Court wants this. They gave him immunity.” (Political Commentator 1, [08:43])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:04] – MAGA’s exploitation of Kirk’s death, Pam Bondi’s aggressive response.
• [01:30] – Pam Bondi urges firing critics, civil liberties double standard.
• [02:02] – Oklahoma superintendent’s blacklist email.
• [03:16] – Discussing NFL’s moment of silence and racial injustice.
• [05:47] – Lie about political violence and selective flag-lowering.
• [06:25] – Critiquing Trump and top-down hatefulness.
• [07:54] – Reporter confronts Mike Johnson on condemning violence.
• [08:43] – Explicit accusation of complicity among GOP and Supreme Court.
• [09:33] – Hosts admit loss of hope for Republican moderation.

Tone, Style, and Takeaways

Jennifer and Angie maintain a frank, unvarnished, and frequently exasperated comedic tone, making dire warnings accessible through sarcasm, wit, and moments of dark humor. The episode is both a call to attention for progressives and a lamentation for eroding democratic norms, closing with the message that listeners shouldn’t expect rescue from established institutions but should remain vigilant and outspoken.

For listeners:
This episode is an unfiltered, passionate critique of current right-wing political tactics, specifically focusing on Pam Bondi’s Fox News appearance and the normalization of dangerous rhetoric. Expect a raw, urgent, and occasionally darkly humorous discussion that is deeply critical of conservative leadership, with a clear sense of alarm about the state of American democracy.