Louder with Crowder – War Criminal Pete Hegseth: Debunking the Media's Newest BS Smear Campaign

Date: December 2, 2025 | Host: Steven Crowder

Episode Overview

In this episode, Steven Crowder and his crew dive into the recent media firestorm over Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and allegations that he ordered illegal strikes on drug boats, which some outlets are calling a “war crime.” The show pushes back hard against these accusations, mocking both the mainstream media’s framing and left-wing outrage. The episode also features discussions on immigration, New York City’s radical new “transition team,” Jon Stewart’s criticisms of Trump’s policies, and polling on the alleged GOP "civil war."

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Debunking the Pete Hegseth “War Crimes” Narrative

(Main Segment: 10:12 – 40:55)

• Media Hit Piece Origin: The current outcry stems from a Washington Post article alleging that Hegseth ordered the destruction of a drug-running boat in the Caribbean and, crucially, a follow-up strike to kill survivors ("kill them all").
  • Crowder’s Take: "Here’s how you know the left is filled with communists. They’re mad that we shot down a drug boat in the middle of the ocean where there can be no collateral damage." (02:23)
• Breakdown of the Alleged Crime:
  • Crowder points out that military engagement involves multiple levels of command and adherence to the rules of engagement, not drunken, rogue orders. The idea that Pete Hegseth personally ordered a war crime is labeled as absurd and a mischaracterization.
  • Quote: “If this is a war crime, you have to indict the entire chain of command. So, what, you’re going to lock up the entire military?” (24:31)
  • Argues that rules under the Geneva Convention are being misrepresented; the specific strike didn't target medical vessels, nor was it against the law per current U.S. policy.
• Fact Checks:
  • Crowder claims the story was substantially debunked by The New York Times, who found no evidence that Hegseth gave an explicit, unlawful "kill all survivors" order. (26:15)
  • Points out that drug cartels are officially designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) under a previous Trump order, giving legal latitude for strikes.
• Mockery of “War Crime” Label:
  • Crowder dismisses the outrage, noting high U.S. overdose deaths and framing the strikes as a win.
  • Memes and ridicule: Hegseth’s social media response featuring Franklin the Turtle prompts widespread overreaction, including condemnation from the Canadian publisher.

2. Media and Internet Reactions

• CNN Segment: Mockery of both the seriousness of coverage and polling interest around Hegseth, comparing him to “Mad Dog Mattis” but with more tangible “action.”
• Canadian Publisher’s Response:
  • Franklin the Turtle’s Canadian publisher releases a statement condemning “violent and unauthorized use” of Franklin’s image, which Crowder ridicules. (41:00)
  • Crowder: “[Canada] is a land of vaginas… Just shut up, Canada.” (43:04)

3. Jon Stewart’s Critique of Trump on Immigration

(Segment: 46:12 – 1:04:10)

• Stewart’s Argument: Claims Trump’s policies (in response to an Afghan migrant shooting) are broad-stroke, unjust rejections of whole nationalities (e.g., Afghans, Somalis) based on one bad actor.
• Crowder’s Pushback:
  • Asserts there are, in fact, strong patterns in violent, failed states—with evidence of rampant inbreeding and poor integration among Somali and Afghan immigrants. (54:46)
  • Points out that effective vetting should include English proficiency, willingness to assimilate, and not waving foreign flags.
  • Calls out Stewart’s “race angle,” noting Stewart himself lives in a heavily white, safe area—“You should live like the rest of the gaggle of plebs who simply have to endure the huddled masses...” (1:01:15)
  • Critiques Stewart for hypocrisy and for straw-manning Trump’s positions.

4. NYC “Transition” Team & Woke Appointments

(Segment: 40:56 – 45:30)

• Profile of Zoran Mamdani’s Team:
  • Appointments include Tamika Mallory (praised Louis Farrakhan), Alex Vitaly (author of “The End of Policing”), and Abby Stein (trans activist with no health experience).
  • Crowder highlights perceived extremism and lack of relevant experience on the team, mocking both Mamdani’s “transition” language and NYC’s $65 million funding for gender-affirming surgeries.

5. Polling & The Alleged GOP Civil War

(Teased at End: 1:15:09+)

• Crowder references polling showing that despite media claims, the right is less fractured than the left and the “MAGA Civil War” narrative is overblown.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the “War Crime” Narrative:
  • Crowder: “As far as I’m concerned, that’s our tax dollars providing a mercy kill. They’re out in the middle of open water, clinging to a boat; the sharks would take care of them.” (28:50)
• On Cultural Relativism:
  • Crowder: “Not all cultures are equal, and some cultures deserve to go away. They deserve to die. Not the people, the culture.” (13:45)
• On Leftist Outrage & Meme Warfare:
  • “He [Hegseth] did respond with this picture of Franklin the turtle captioned for your Christmas wish list... That’s the ultimate like–OK. You align with the drug runners.” (39:20)
  • Publisher’s response: “Franklin the Turtle is a beloved Canadian icon... We strongly condemn any denigrating, violent or unauthorized use of Franklin’s name...” (42:16)
  • Crowder: “Just shut up. Canada. Come on. This is wrong. You got Arturo with a rocket launcher.” (43:04)
• On Immigration, Assimilation, and American Identity:
  • “If you need to take your naturalization oath with an interpreter, you are walked right out to an ICE truck.” (57:00)
  • “How about just in the ballpark to making the United States–making the requirements look similar to the wants that Jon Stewart has in how he lives his own life.” (1:03:35)
• On “Populist Coalitions:”
  • “A populist coalition cannot be built with anyone with a D next to their name because this is what they do...” (45:10)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Debate on Hegseth “War Crimes” Allegation: 10:12 – 40:55
• Breakdown of Geneva Convention Applicability: 25:40
• Media Reactions (Stewart, CNN, Franklin the Turtle): 39:10 – 44:30
• NYC Transition Team / Zoran Mamdani segment: 40:56 – 45:30
• Immigration Policy, Language, Cultural Criticisms: 54:46 – 1:04:10
• Polling and GOP Civil War Discussion: 1:15:09+

Overall Tone & Approach

Crowder’s tone throughout is characteristically sarcastic, combative, and unapologetically “politically incorrect.” The episode is heavy on ridicule, culture-war rhetoric, and mockery of perceived leftist hypocrisy, with direct jabs at mainstream journalists, political opponents, and progressive leaders. The humor mingles with aggressive zero-sum framing: “We don’t care, drug runners dead is good,” and “not all cultures are equal."

This summary covers the meat of the podcast, omitting ads, intros/outros, and off-topic digressions, to give a clear understanding of the episode’s main arguments, tone, and comedic approach.