Nightly Scroll with Hayley Caronia — Episode 146 A Florida Man Attempts a Jussie Smollett Hoax
Date: October 1, 2025
Host: Hayley Caronia

Brief Overview

In this fast-paced and candid episode, Hayley Caronia provides her unfiltered conservative commentary on the latest breaking stories. From a bomb threat at Turning Point USA’s first campus event since Charlie Kirk’s assassination, to bizarre and tragic criminal stories, and a Florida teen attempting a “Jussie Smollett-style” hoax, Hayley tackles the chaos in American politics and culture. Sprinkled with humor, outrage, and sharp cultural criticism, she cuts through mainstream narratives and highlights policy failures, left-leaning hypocrisy, and the culture war’s absurdities.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Breaking News & Security at Turning Point USA Event

[01:41 – 06:00]

• Utah State University hosted TPUSA’s first major event since Charlie Kirk’s assassination.
  • Hayley details heightened security, describing a suspicious device that led to a bomb squad detonation (non-explosive).
  • Event went on safely and set a new record with 6,500 attendees.
• Personal moments: Hayley reflects on Kirk’s death.
  • “I can't get over the fact that Charlie Kirk and assassinated. These two words are being put in the same sentence.” — Hayley [04:18]
  • She praises the resilience and faith of Kirk’s friends and followers, and the growing conservative youth movement.

2. Tragic & Bizarre Crime in the News

[06:00 – 14:00]

• The “unbelievable” story of Rep. Tony Gonzalez’s staffer in Texas, who was found burning in her backyard.
  • Family claims it was an accident; police rule out foul play. Confusion and distress over details and lack of closure.
  • “I can't see someone lighting themselves on fire accidentally... I'm not trying to be conspiratorial because this woman is dead now.” — Hayley [09:18]
• America’s crime problem and failures of restorative justice.
  • Focus on the murder of Logan Federico by a 39-time repeat offender in South Carolina.
  • Emotional testimony from Logan’s father:
    • “How good are you doing for your kids?... He should have been in jail for over 140 years for all the crimes he committed.” — Steve Federico [12:46]
  • Hayley rails against progressive judges and policies, arguing activists undermine public safety even in red states.
  • “The blue state crap follows you because there are activists, judges, and DAs everywhere. They are a cancer to law enforcement.” — Hayley [13:53]

3. Jussie Smollett Hoax Redux: The Florida MAGA Kid

[18:53 – 28:00]

• Detailed analysis of a news story where a 17-year-old Florida teen staged his own abduction, blaming it on “four Hispanic men,” and shot himself in the leg to sell the story.
  • Amber Alert triggered, but the ruse quickly fell apart. Police and family dynamics discussed.
  • “This is kind of like a Jussie Smollett but, like, inverted.” — Hayley [20:56]
  • The absurd lengths: “If you shoot yourself in the leg, you are really committing to the bit. Little did he know he was shooting himself in the foot.” — Hayley [22:04]
• Questions on legal consequences, parental interference, and parallels to previous high-profile hoaxes.
  • Reference to Carly Russell’s Alabama disappearance hoax: “I think if you waste law enforcement's time and energy and resources with a hoax, that is a crime and you need to be held accountable.” — Hayley [26:39]

4. Voter Ignorance and NYC Politics Exposed

[28:08 – 34:08]

• Hayley spotlights man-on-the-street video interviews revealing shocking ignorance among Zoran Mamdani’s supporters in New York City.
  • Voters signing petitions with no knowledge or understanding of the radical policies they endorse.
  • Memorable clip:
    • “Oh, he's going to tax white people higher.”
    • “It's on his website first.”
    • “I just don't think that this is exactly his policies.”
    • [29:38 – 29:45]
• Transition to NYC sex workers' enthusiastic support for Mamdani’s push to decriminalize prostitution, and Hayley’s sardonic commentary on the city’s decline due to decriminalization policies:
  • “If you decriminalize public urination, the whole city is going to smell like piss. And it does.” — Hayley [33:03]
  • “You want to decriminalize sex work? Crystal and Destiny are going to be at the bus stop with your kids.” — Hayley [33:14]

5. “No Name Given” Sanctuary State ID Scandal

[34:08 – 40:41]

• Outrage over New York and California issuing commercial driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants with “No Name Given” listed.
  • Discusses loopholes where these IDs can lead to voter registration and potential election fraud.
  • “If a cop pulled you over and saw no name given, like what?” — Hayley [39:58]
  • Claims of liberal “fact-checkers” excusing the practice (“They’d like you to believe...they’re going by mononyms like Madonna and Beyoncé and McLovin.”).
  • “This sanctuary state thing is a total farce...every state is a border state.” — Hayley [37:17]

6. Border Crisis, CNN Interviews Cartels, “Sombrero Gate” & Memes

[40:41 – 45:48]

• Hayley highlights a CNN interview with a Mexican cartel member apparently crediting Trump with making their job harder.
  • “As a matter of fact, what President Trump is doing is making my life harder.” — Cartel source, via Hayley [41:04]
• “Sombrero Gate” drama: Trump posts a meme with Democratic leaders in sombreros, backlash ensues.
  • Hayley mocks the outrage; notes Trump “cosigns” the joke by adding himself to the meme.
  • “He’s all in. Trump in the sombrero, too.” — Hayley [42:41]
  • Vice President JD Vance reacts (“The President likes to have a little bit of fun when he’s doing it, and I think that’s okay.” [44:20])
  • Hayley notes this outsized Democratic response just fuels conservative meme culture.

7. AI in Hollywood: The Rise of Digital Actors

[45:48 – 51:16]

• Discussion of “Tilly Norwood,” a fully AI-generated digital movie star and the future of synthetic performers.

  • Hayley wonders if AI actors will replace human jobs and if they’ll be eligible for awards.
  • Co-host points out Bruce Willis and Randy Travis have licensed their likeness/voice for posthumous AI use already.
  • “If you sign off on it and you are okay with it, then fine, right?” — Hayley [49:29]

• Hayley and team joke about the potential for AI performance to lack emotional depth, referencing a TikTok showing ChatGPT’s inability to scream believably and a satire audition for “Tilly Norwood”:

  • “If ChatGPT, as it stands, if AI can't even take the direction of its user…how will AI actors and actresses fare?” — Hayley [53:00]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|---------|-------| | 04:18 | Hayley | “I can't get over the fact that Charlie Kirk and assassinated. These two words are being put in the same sentence.” | | 12:46 | Steve Federico (Father) | “How good are you doing for your kids?... He should have been in jail for over 140 years for all the crimes he committed.” | | 22:04 | Hayley | “If you shoot yourself in the leg, you are really committing to the bit. Little did he know he was shooting himself in the foot.” | | 26:39 | Hayley | “If you waste law enforcement's time and energy and resources with a hoax, that is a crime and you need to be held accountable.” | | 33:03 | Hayley | “If you decriminalize public urination, the whole city is going to smell like piss. And it does.” | | 37:17 | Hayley | “This sanctuary state thing is a total farce...every state is a border state.” | | 39:58 | Hayley | “If a cop pulled you over and saw no name given, like what?” | | 41:04 | Cartel Source via Hayley | “As a matter of fact, what President Trump is doing is making my life harder.” | | 42:41 | Hayley | “He’s all in. Trump in the sombrero, too.” | | 44:20 | JD Vance | “The President likes to have a little bit of fun when he’s doing it, and I think that’s okay.” | | 49:29 | Hayley | “If you sign off on it and you are okay with it, then fine, right?” |

Additional Segments & Tone

• Comic Relief & Culture Critique:

  • Hayley intersperses serious outrage with comedic bits, especially around the absurdities of AI (“Basement guy gets an Oscar for Best Digital Actress?”), TikTok trends, and viral moments.
  • Refers to “piss air” in NYC subways and roast liberal talking points with tongue-in-cheek analogies.

• Scrolling Time (55:44 – End):

  • Ends the show with viral videos: news bloopers, prank clips, and “cute corgi” videos.
  • Ends with, “Thank you for scrolling along with me tonight. I had fun. I hope you did too.”—Hayley [End]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• TPUSA Bomb Threat & Charlie Kirk’s Legacy: [01:41 – 06:00]
• Texas Staffer Tragedy: [06:00 – 10:06]
• Repeat Offender Crime & Victim’s Father: [10:06 – 14:00]
• Florida Smollett-Style Hoax: [18:53 – 28:00]
• NY Voter Ignorance Exposed: [28:08 – 34:08]
• No Name Given – Sanctuary State Policy: [34:08 – 40:41]
• CNN Interviews Cartel, Sombrero Gate: [40:41 – 45:48]
• AI Actors Takeover Hollywood?: [45:48 – 51:16]
• Scrolling Time (Viral Videos): [55:44 – End]

Episode Summary

Hayley Caronia’s Nightly Scroll delivers a bracingly unapologetic critique of headline news and viral stories, weaving together outrage, humor, and piercing conservative analysis. From “no name” licenses for illegal migrants to liberal voters’ obliviousness, from left-wing criminal justice lunacy to the surrealities of AI actors and “Jussie Smollett” hoaxes, Hayley’s show is both an information feed and a cultural roast. Her tone, a mix of exasperated sincerity and sharp-witted sarcasm, frames the episode as a must-listen for those seeking current news recaps and a counter-narrative to mainstream reporting.