Nightly Scroll with Hayley
Host: Hayley Caronia
Episode 200: The Internet Picks Bongino’s FBI Replacement
Date: December 19, 2025
Episode Overview
To mark her 200th episode, Hayley Caronia delivers an energetic roundup of politics, media, and culture through her outspoken conservative lens. The show centers on reactions to recent political shakeups — most notably Dan Bongino’s departure from the FBI — while dissecting media maneuverings, Hollywood drama, and a few viral internet moments. Caronia blends sharp sarcasm with cultural criticism, especially regarding progressive narratives and what she describes as Hollywood’s “wokeness.”
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Dan Bongino's Departure from the FBI
[00:30 - 05:21]
- Caronia highlights Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino’s pending departure, joking about the speed with which she’s reached 200 episodes and her outsider status in the podcasting world.
- She references a viral social media exchange involving Bongino and Carol Lennig from "Ms. Now" (formerly MSNBC), who quoted Bongino’s curt response about not caring what is printed about him.
- Marco Rubio Meme:
- Caronia’s favorite internet trend features Rubio depicted as the “jack-of-all-trades” in government, now potentially filling in as deputy FBI director.
- "Marco Rubio finding out he'll be the new Deputy director...he looks dejected, he looks defeated, he looks tired, he looks like he needs a vacation. And I don't blame him." [03:17]
- She points out the tongue-in-cheek style of the political meme as a sign of healthy skepticism and grassroots humor on the right.
2. Kamala Harris & the Epstein Files
[05:21 - 09:46]
- Caronia plays a clip from Kamala Harris’ interview with Jimmy Kimmel, where Harris asserts a separation between the White House and the DOJ regarding Epstein files.
- Hayley is skeptical:
- “She said the word vendetta...The Biden administration, they did have vendettas, and...weaponized the Justice Department to get those enemies.” [06:09]
- She argues Democrats often accuse Republicans of what they're guilty of, calling for total transparency on Epstein-related documents and decrying the politicized, piecemeal release of files.
- Criticism of Both Parties:
- “These are the people that claim to care about the victims, and they're using them as pawns.”
- Urges for empathy toward Epstein’s victims rather than their exploitation in political mudslinging.
3. James Carville’s Insult Toward Charlie Kirk
[09:46 - 10:12]
- Plays Carville’s derogatory comparison:
- “Charlie Kirk was not a pimple on Rob Reiner's ass...”
- Hayley’s take:
- Mocks the unnecessary politicization and dehumanization in comparing murder victims’ influence.
- “Two human beings have been murdered and people cannot help themselves but to make it political...It is sick.” [10:12]
4. Entertainment Industry Shakeups:
Warner Brothers Bidding War
[10:12 - 15:30]
- Netflix and Paramount are in a fierce competition for Warner Brothers, with major financial stakes:
- Netflix offers $82.7B for specific assets (film, TV, HBO Max), but snubs cable like CNN:
- “Even Netflix is like, no thanks. Well, take all the other parts...leave CNN in the trash.” [12:55]
- Paramount’s cash offer totals $108B (inc. debt).
- Trump weighs in, citing potential monopoly concerns and hinting that government intervention may favor Paramount (backed by Jared Kushner and Larry Ellison).
- Netflix offers $82.7B for specific assets (film, TV, HBO Max), but snubs cable like CNN:
- Hayley sees the consolidation as accelerating industry “wokeness” and probable price hikes for viewers.
The Oscars Move to YouTube
[15:58 - 18:20]
- ABC drops the Oscars after nearly 50 years; starting 2029, they’ll stream on YouTube through at least 2033.
- Hayley attributes this to plummeting ratings and broader public apathy towards “HollyWeird” award shows:
- “People used to tune into this stuff and then you see this steady decline...I think people are over these award shows in general. No one cares to watch them.” [16:50]
- Nostalgic for when Ricky Gervais cut through Hollywood’s pretensions (Epstein joke reference).
Sydney Sweeney, Amanda Seyfried & Hollywood Politics
[18:20 - 23:57]
- Sweeney’s It Girl Status:
- Despite American Eagle ad backlash (for being seen as a Trump supporter), Sweeney remains a marketing juggernaut.
- New film “The Housemaid” with Amanda Seyfried is sidestepped in Seyfried’s “Variety” interview, leading Hayley to speculate, half-jokingly, about PR-driven silencing.
- Seyfried’s Socialism Quote:
- “Socialism is a gorgeous idea. And I know it doesn't work perfectly or that people understand what the word actually means...”
- Hayley quips, “Amanda doesn’t know what socialism means either, so she shouldn’t talk about it.”
- Points out the risk of divisive politics undermining media projects, paralleling the Snow White “debacle” due to competing political statements by stars:
- “Once you start pitting the starring actresses or actors against each other...this movie is going to flop...” [24:45]
- Hayley plans to watch “The Housemaid” anyway, praising Frida McFadden’s gripping books.
Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour Bonuses
[26:42 - 30:07]
- Taylor Swift rewarded her staff with $197 million in bonuses, prompting debates online.
- Hayley’s defense:
- “Do not make me defend Taylor Swift. I don't even like her. But that is a lot of money. That is life changing money.” [28:43]
- Criticizes “miserable liberals” for saying Swift should have given even more:
- “Democratic socialists and communists are not happy unless billionaires are as poor as they are.”
- Commends the culture of gratitude and notes the grueling logistics of the tour.
George Clooney Quits On-Screen Romances
[30:07 - 33:02]
- Clooney announces he won’t do kissing scenes after his wife, Amal, expressed discomfort.
- Hayley supports the move as honoring marriage and jokes about lack of realism in Hollywood unions:
- “How can you watch your significant other kiss other people? I would be in jail.” [32:10]
- Notes that similar choices by actors like Paul Newman and Neil McDonough align with conservative values, drawing a parallel to Mike Pence’s “no closed-door meetings” rule.
5. Viral Internet & Cultural Commentary Segment (“Scrolling Time”)
[36:48 - End]
TSA, ICE, and Immigration Myths
[36:48 - 41:50]
- Responds to viral video where an immigration lawyer warns “TSA is sending passenger lists to ICE.”
- Hayley mocks alarmist social media commenters:
- “There were people in the comments of this video saying, this is like the Handmaid's Tale... I feel like Anne Frank.”
- Explains that TSA, ICE, etc. have always shared data through DHS, and tells viewers, “If you are an American citizen, you've got nothing to worry about. Everything is going to be a. Okay.” [39:43]
- Gives her “golden rule for airports”: “Sit down and shut up...You probably won't get into trouble.”
SNL’s Take on Masculinity & Dating Culture
[41:59 - 47:09]
- Reviews an SNL skit suggesting women now prefer “liberal, beta gay men” to traditional masculine men.
- Hayley’s view:
- “SNL has another agenda, and that is make liberal men great again. That's their agenda.”
- “Women...want a masculine man that can take care of them...not the dream SNL is selling.” [43:03]
- Shares a viral “tradwife” dating profile and jokes about gamifying gender expectations on dating apps.
Neighborhood Sledding & Good Cops
[48:32 - 49:53]
- Shares a viral clip where police join kids sledding in the street, ignoring a “Karen” caller.
- “I love when cops have fun...I'm sure it sends the Karen that called them into a coma.”
Wholesome Viral: Kids Baking Cookies
- Ends with a heartwarming video of a little boy imitating the oven timer, eager for cookies:
- “Give him anything he wants. The cute little face. Cookies are done. Trust me, bro.” [49:53]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “Marco Rubio finding out he'll be the new Deputy director...he looks dejected, he looks defeated, he looks tired, he looks like he needs a vacation. And I don't blame him.” [03:17, on internet memes about Rubio]
- “She said the word vendetta...The Biden administration, they did have vendettas, and...weaponized the Justice Department.” [06:09, re: Harris on Kimmel]
- “Two human beings have been murdered and people cannot help themselves but to make it political...It is sick.” [10:12, on Carville’s comments]
- “Even Netflix is like, no thanks. Well, take all the other parts...leave CNN in the trash.” [12:55, on media mergers]
- “How do these relationships survive? And then you kind of think to yourself, like, oh, well, all of this is fake anyway...But no, you're dating because you started smooching on set.” [33:00, on movie romances]
- “Sit down and shut up. Because if you sit down and you shut up, you're probably not going to get into any trouble.” [39:45, Hayley’s airport rule]
- “Women...want a masculine man that can take care of them...That is not the dream. It is not the dream of women that I know and certainly I don't even believe that it is the dream of liberal women. This is just the pipe dream that SNL is selling.” [43:03, on dating culture]
- “Give him anything he wants. The cute little face. Cookies are done. Trust me, bro.” [49:53, on the kid waiting for cookies]
Important Timestamps
- Dan Bongino Departure/Meme Culture: 00:30 – 05:21
- Kamala Harris Interview/DOJ Separation Claim: 05:21 – 09:46
- James Carville Insult: 09:46 – 10:12
- Media Industry Shakeups (Warner/Netflix): 10:12 – 15:30
- Oscars to YouTube: 15:58 – 18:20
- Sweeney/Seyfried Political Drama: 18:20 – 23:57
- Taylor Swift’s Staff Bonuses: 26:42 – 30:07
- George Clooney’s No-Kissing Rule: 30:07 – 33:02
- “Scrolling Time” (Viral/Internet): 36:48 – End
Tone and Takeaway
Caronia brings her signature bombast, wit, and sarcasm to bear on each subject, skewering liberal narratives and Hollywood hypocrisy while championing traditional values and cultural skepticism. The episode combines political analysis, internet trends, and pop culture with moments of humor and heart — making it clear why Hayley’s “Nightly Scroll” keeps growing after 200 episodes.