No Agenda Show — Episode 1818: "Bible Belt Buckle"

Hosts: Adam Curry & John C. Dvorak
Date: November 20, 2025

Episode Overview

In episode 1818 of No Agenda, Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak dive deep into the week’s media headlines, with a particular focus on expanding narratives around "Quiet Peggy/Piggy" and Trump’s handling of journalists, U.S.–Saudi relations, media manipulation, rising “Muslim scare” operations in Texas, digital ID rollouts, processed food studies, and the ever-present spectacle of AI and tech hype. The show, true to form, deconstructs the most discussed news topics, calling out media bias, political psyops, and examining the forces behind these narratives.

Key Segments and Discussion Points

1. Media Frenzy: The "Quiet Piggy" Incident

Timestamps: [00:22]–[05:00]

Adam and John break down the viral "Quiet Piggy"/"Quiet Peggy" moment, said to involve Trump and a Bloomberg reporter.
Mainstream media and social reactions—as exemplified by a “TikTok rant” (see [02:30])—are dissected for sensationalism and misattribution.
Memorable Quote:

News Reporter [02:30]: "This is an utter failure of the press...solidarity should not be optional when your colleague is being publicly shamed and demeaned and abused."
Adam notes that the outrage was aimed more at the press than at Trump, and both hosts poke fun at the clip’s length and over-dramatic tone.

2. U.S.–Saudi Relations, Khashoggi’s Murder, and Media Spin

Timestamps: [05:00]–[21:28]

John introduces his "Three by Three" segment: comparing how ABC, CBS, and NBC each covered Trump’s visit with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the Khashoggi case.
Each network is revealed to have edited the “fake news” accusation out of their report, and all are accused of slanting or omitting critical context.
Hosts highlight ongoing Trump family business connections in Saudi Arabia as presented in each report, mocking the escalating figures and focus on “pumping” money.
Memorable Exchange:

John [10:56]: “But let's not talk about the 600 billion to trillion dollars Saudi is going to invest here. Let's talk about the $20 million they're pumping in...” Adam [11:12]: “As if the Trump Organization—which he's not really running right now—he's got other things to do.”
NBC somewhat uniquely mentions the large-scale Saudi investment in U.S. jobs ([16:59]), and an NTD segment includes Trump’s boasts about $1 trillion in deals and U.S.–Saudi nuclear, energy, and A.I. partnerships ([19:29]–[21:28]).
The mainstream outlets, the hosts assert, largely ignore the strategic and economic context—such as job creation and other mutual agreements.

3. Epstein Files, Mainstream Political Drama, and Trump’s Press Conference Meltdown

Timestamps: [26:11]–[34:29]

The hosts review a notably aggressive Trump response to ABC journalist Mary Bruce (triggered by her Epstein files question), which Adam says was really about accumulated press animosity and failed political timing around the Epstein file release.
Memorable Quote:

Trump [28:05]: “It's not the question that I mind. It's your attitude. I think you are a terrible reporter...You're a terrible person and a terrible reporter.”
Adam and John speculate on insider strategies, Schumer’s behind-the-scenes role (“Schumerized”), and predictions that the long-promised Epstein files will ultimately disappoint:

John [71:41]: “It’s going to be less than you think...It’s going to be disappointing.”

4. The Texas "Islamic Threat" Operation

Timestamps: [72:01]–[103:19]

The show exposes as an “op” the revival of the “Muslim takeover” narrative in Texas and beyond, led by right-wing influencers, media ops, and policymakers.
Adam and John link the current meme—of “Sharia law courts,” mushrooming mosques, and “Islamic infiltration”—to classic post-9/11 tropes, mocking the recycled fear-mongering:

John [76:14]: “It is a socialist Marxist group who do auditions and train people who look good theater kids and put them into positions of power. Has nothing to do with him being Muslim...”
The origins of the Muslim Brotherhood, as manufactured by British intelligence, are discussed via a George Galloway clip ([80:38]).
The recent move by Texas Governor Abbott to declare the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR as terrorist groups is contextualized as largely symbolic.
The hosts highlight the cycle of anti-Muslim operations ahead of important elections, pointing out their engineered and relatively weak impact.

5. AI & Tech Hype Deconstruction: "Omniverse," Nvidia, and Humane

Timestamps: [35:28]–[59:00]

Musk’s outlandish claims about humanoid robots “ending poverty” are met with classic skepticism and mockery:

Musk [38:43]: “ My prediction is that work will be optional.” John [39:34]: “Money will stop being relevant at some point in the future. Okay, so he’s taken the WEF’s ‘You will own nothing and be happy’… Come on, this is nuts.”
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is scrutinized for his “Silicon Valley-speak” on “agentic AI,” “Omniverse Digital Twins,” and inflated GPU/data center deals with Saudi Arabia.
The hosts demystify “recommender systems” (“Rexis”), making clear these are old paradigms repackaged for the AI moment.
Professor Ned Block’s skepticism about the actual intelligence of AI/LLMs is highlighted, with fun prompts to debunk AI’s creative limitations:

“Ask [ChatGPT] to draw a picture of a group of watches showing three minutes after 12...you will get 10 after 10 every time.” ([62:07])
Memorable Moment:
Adam and John riff on “Omniverse Digital Twins,” calling it classic “Silicon Valley gobbledygook” and smoke-and-mirrors.

6. Psyops, Election Predictions, and Value for Value

Timestamps: [103:19]–[148:01]

Hosts riff on the weakness of the current anti-Muslim op and predict that midterms will see more successful Democratic outcomes, as Trump’s Epstein calculations have fizzled.
Other topics: stalled redistricting in Texas, the value-for-value model, and community notes/feedback (including “Who’s the real bully?” and generational trends among listeners).

7. Processed Foods, Ultra-Processing & Global Health

Timestamps: [149:44]–[158:28]

Adam and John cover The Lancet report on ultra-processed foods as a public health crisis on par with tobacco.

“We are very clear now that we have reached the threshold where we can say a dietary pattern high in ultra processed food causes negative health outcomes.” ([152:09])
The hosts challenge the narrative that processed food is cheaper, suggesting buying beef from ranchers as a better-value alternative for struggling families.

8. Digital ID Rollout & Privacy Concerns

Timestamps: [159:00]–[161:20]

Examination of Roblox’s move to facial age verification for minors, and TSA’s proposed $18 charge for non-real ID travelers—framed as moves inching towards digital ID normalization.

9. Podcasting, Tech, and Closing Culture

Timestamps: [161:20]–end

Bill Simmons’ suggestion to abandon the term “podcast” prompts a defense of “podcast” as a free, decentralized medium (RSS-based, not streaming “shows”).
The episode ends with a tip: if you’re buying a new TV, LG OLED models get a joint endorsement for value and picture quality.

Notable Quotes & Moments

On Media Bias:
John [11:54]: “They’re making it up to questions on the fly.”
On Musk’s AI Claims:
John [39:34]: “This is nuts. That’s a shark jump of epic proportions.”
On the Muslim Scare Op:
Adam [103:18]: “...Every time we reveal Ops...we lose support because we can’t unsee the obvious.”
On Processed Foods:
News Reporter [152:09]: “Obesity, weight gain, metabolic disease, cardiovascular disease...early death from all causes. Poor diet has overtaken or is at least on parity with tobacco now as the leading cause of early death on planet Earth.”
On Digital ID:
Adam [160:32]: “None of this is good. None of this is good. It’s heading that way.”
On the Value of Podcasting:
John [162:33]: “A podcast is a program made available in digital format for download over the Internet. No, it is in an RSS feed, not just for download over the Internet, you dope.”
On Community Feedback:
Adam [106:47]: “For years, it’s been clear to me that John is the bully in the partnership. And you are masterful at disarming and dealing with it.”

Timestamps for Major Segments

00:22 — Introductions; "Quiet Piggy" controversy
05:00 — Three By Three: ABC, CBS, NBC on Trump/Saudi/Khashoggi
21:28 — NTD Saudi segment, contrast with MSM coverage
26:11 — Trump v. Mary Bruce/Epstein Press Conference
35:28 — U.S.–Saudi summit, Elon Musk, AI, Nvidia, and tech hype
59:00 — Ned Block AI intelligence critique
72:01 — "Muslim scare" operation breakdown
103:19 — Election, OPs, and listener feedback
149:44 — Ultra-processed foods and public health
159:00 — Digital ID creep: Roblox, TSA, privacy
161:20 — Podcasting: definition wars; “Padcast” bit
186:01 — TV buying tip: LG OLED endorsement

Tone & Style

The episode follows No Agenda’s irreverent, skeptical, and incisive tone, with hosts riffing, satirizing, and calling out “media assassinations.” Banter is frequent; conspiracy and media manipulation are laid bare with humor and cynicism. Lengthy clips are critiqued, spun for laughs, and dissected for what isn’t said as much as for what is.

Final Notes

This episode is a prime example of the No Agenda format: rapid-fire media deconstruction; deep dives into narrative manufacture (Muslim/youth/tech/AI scare ops); tech hype demystification; fan and community engagement; and a healthy serving of skepticism and humor. If you want to understand the play-by-play behind the week’s news stories, with context and subtext, this is the show—and the episode—to catch.

For more value, see:

[04:32] — Trump’s “mob boss talk” on Khashoggi
[38:43] — Musk: “Work will be optional”
[60:01] — Ned Block on AI’s lack of intelligence
[80:38] — Galloway: “The British invented the Muslim Brotherhood”
[152:09] — Lancet report on ultra-processed food
[186:01] — LG OLED TV review (Tip of the Day)

No Agenda Show — Episode 1818: "Bible Belt Buckle"

Hosts: Adam Curry & John C. Dvorak
Date: November 20, 2025

Episode Overview

Key Segments and Discussion Points

1. Media Frenzy: The "Quiet Piggy" Incident

Timestamps: [00:22]–[05:00]

Adam and John break down the viral "Quiet Piggy"/"Quiet Peggy" moment, said to involve Trump and a Bloomberg reporter.
Mainstream media and social reactions—as exemplified by a “TikTok rant” (see [02:30])—are dissected for sensationalism and misattribution.
Memorable Quote:

News Reporter [02:30]: "This is an utter failure of the press...solidarity should not be optional when your colleague is being publicly shamed and demeaned and abused."
Adam notes that the outrage was aimed more at the press than at Trump, and both hosts poke fun at the clip’s length and over-dramatic tone.

2. U.S.–Saudi Relations, Khashoggi’s Murder, and Media Spin

Timestamps: [05:00]–[21:28]

John introduces his "Three by Three" segment: comparing how ABC, CBS, and NBC each covered Trump’s visit with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the Khashoggi case.
Each network is revealed to have edited the “fake news” accusation out of their report, and all are accused of slanting or omitting critical context.
Hosts highlight ongoing Trump family business connections in Saudi Arabia as presented in each report, mocking the escalating figures and focus on “pumping” money.
Memorable Exchange:

John [10:56]: “But let's not talk about the 600 billion to trillion dollars Saudi is going to invest here. Let's talk about the $20 million they're pumping in...” Adam [11:12]: “As if the Trump Organization—which he's not really running right now—he's got other things to do.”
NBC somewhat uniquely mentions the large-scale Saudi investment in U.S. jobs ([16:59]), and an NTD segment includes Trump’s boasts about $1 trillion in deals and U.S.–Saudi nuclear, energy, and A.I. partnerships ([19:29]–[21:28]).
The mainstream outlets, the hosts assert, largely ignore the strategic and economic context—such as job creation and other mutual agreements.

3. Epstein Files, Mainstream Political Drama, and Trump’s Press Conference Meltdown

Timestamps: [26:11]–[34:29]

The hosts review a notably aggressive Trump response to ABC journalist Mary Bruce (triggered by her Epstein files question), which Adam says was really about accumulated press animosity and failed political timing around the Epstein file release.
Memorable Quote:

Trump [28:05]: “It's not the question that I mind. It's your attitude. I think you are a terrible reporter...You're a terrible person and a terrible reporter.”
Adam and John speculate on insider strategies, Schumer’s behind-the-scenes role (“Schumerized”), and predictions that the long-promised Epstein files will ultimately disappoint:

John [71:41]: “It’s going to be less than you think...It’s going to be disappointing.”

4. The Texas "Islamic Threat" Operation

Timestamps: [72:01]–[103:19]

The show exposes as an “op” the revival of the “Muslim takeover” narrative in Texas and beyond, led by right-wing influencers, media ops, and policymakers.
Adam and John link the current meme—of “Sharia law courts,” mushrooming mosques, and “Islamic infiltration”—to classic post-9/11 tropes, mocking the recycled fear-mongering:

John [76:14]: “It is a socialist Marxist group who do auditions and train people who look good theater kids and put them into positions of power. Has nothing to do with him being Muslim...”
The origins of the Muslim Brotherhood, as manufactured by British intelligence, are discussed via a George Galloway clip ([80:38]).
The recent move by Texas Governor Abbott to declare the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR as terrorist groups is contextualized as largely symbolic.
The hosts highlight the cycle of anti-Muslim operations ahead of important elections, pointing out their engineered and relatively weak impact.

5. AI & Tech Hype Deconstruction: "Omniverse," Nvidia, and Humane

Timestamps: [35:28]–[59:00]

Musk’s outlandish claims about humanoid robots “ending poverty” are met with classic skepticism and mockery:

Musk [38:43]: “ My prediction is that work will be optional.” John [39:34]: “Money will stop being relevant at some point in the future. Okay, so he’s taken the WEF’s ‘You will own nothing and be happy’… Come on, this is nuts.”
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is scrutinized for his “Silicon Valley-speak” on “agentic AI,” “Omniverse Digital Twins,” and inflated GPU/data center deals with Saudi Arabia.
The hosts demystify “recommender systems” (“Rexis”), making clear these are old paradigms repackaged for the AI moment.
Professor Ned Block’s skepticism about the actual intelligence of AI/LLMs is highlighted, with fun prompts to debunk AI’s creative limitations:

“Ask [ChatGPT] to draw a picture of a group of watches showing three minutes after 12...you will get 10 after 10 every time.” ([62:07])
Memorable Moment:
Adam and John riff on “Omniverse Digital Twins,” calling it classic “Silicon Valley gobbledygook” and smoke-and-mirrors.

6. Psyops, Election Predictions, and Value for Value

Timestamps: [103:19]–[148:01]

Hosts riff on the weakness of the current anti-Muslim op and predict that midterms will see more successful Democratic outcomes, as Trump’s Epstein calculations have fizzled.
Other topics: stalled redistricting in Texas, the value-for-value model, and community notes/feedback (including “Who’s the real bully?” and generational trends among listeners).

7. Processed Foods, Ultra-Processing & Global Health

Timestamps: [149:44]–[158:28]

Adam and John cover The Lancet report on ultra-processed foods as a public health crisis on par with tobacco.

“We are very clear now that we have reached the threshold where we can say a dietary pattern high in ultra processed food causes negative health outcomes.” ([152:09])
The hosts challenge the narrative that processed food is cheaper, suggesting buying beef from ranchers as a better-value alternative for struggling families.

8. Digital ID Rollout & Privacy Concerns

Timestamps: [159:00]–[161:20]

Examination of Roblox’s move to facial age verification for minors, and TSA’s proposed $18 charge for non-real ID travelers—framed as moves inching towards digital ID normalization.

9. Podcasting, Tech, and Closing Culture

Timestamps: [161:20]–end

Bill Simmons’ suggestion to abandon the term “podcast” prompts a defense of “podcast” as a free, decentralized medium (RSS-based, not streaming “shows”).
The episode ends with a tip: if you’re buying a new TV, LG OLED models get a joint endorsement for value and picture quality.

Notable Quotes & Moments

On Media Bias:
John [11:54]: “They’re making it up to questions on the fly.”
On Musk’s AI Claims:
John [39:34]: “This is nuts. That’s a shark jump of epic proportions.”
On the Muslim Scare Op:
Adam [103:18]: “...Every time we reveal Ops...we lose support because we can’t unsee the obvious.”
On Processed Foods:
News Reporter [152:09]: “Obesity, weight gain, metabolic disease, cardiovascular disease...early death from all causes. Poor diet has overtaken or is at least on parity with tobacco now as the leading cause of early death on planet Earth.”
On Digital ID:
Adam [160:32]: “None of this is good. None of this is good. It’s heading that way.”
On the Value of Podcasting:
John [162:33]: “A podcast is a program made available in digital format for download over the Internet. No, it is in an RSS feed, not just for download over the Internet, you dope.”
On Community Feedback:
Adam [106:47]: “For years, it’s been clear to me that John is the bully in the partnership. And you are masterful at disarming and dealing with it.”

Timestamps for Major Segments

00:22 — Introductions; "Quiet Piggy" controversy
05:00 — Three By Three: ABC, CBS, NBC on Trump/Saudi/Khashoggi
21:28 — NTD Saudi segment, contrast with MSM coverage
26:11 — Trump v. Mary Bruce/Epstein Press Conference
35:28 — U.S.–Saudi summit, Elon Musk, AI, Nvidia, and tech hype
59:00 — Ned Block AI intelligence critique
72:01 — "Muslim scare" operation breakdown
103:19 — Election, OPs, and listener feedback
149:44 — Ultra-processed foods and public health
159:00 — Digital ID creep: Roblox, TSA, privacy
161:20 — Podcasting: definition wars; “Padcast” bit
186:01 — TV buying tip: LG OLED endorsement

Tone & Style

Final Notes

For more value, see:

[04:32] — Trump’s “mob boss talk” on Khashoggi
[38:43] — Musk: “Work will be optional”
[60:01] — Ned Block on AI’s lack of intelligence
[80:38] — Galloway: “The British invented the Muslim Brotherhood”
[152:09] — Lancet report on ultra-processed food
[186:01] — LG OLED TV review (Tip of the Day)

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1818 - "Bible Belt Buckle"

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Summary

No Agenda Show — Episode 1818: "Bible Belt Buckle"

Episode Overview

Key Segments and Discussion Points

1. Media Frenzy: The "Quiet Piggy" Incident

2. U.S.–Saudi Relations, Khashoggi’s Murder, and Media Spin

3. Epstein Files, Mainstream Political Drama, and Trump’s Press Conference Meltdown

4. The Texas "Islamic Threat" Operation

5. AI & Tech Hype Deconstruction: "Omniverse," Nvidia, and Humane

6. Psyops, Election Predictions, and Value for Value

7. Processed Foods, Ultra-Processing & Global Health

8. Digital ID Rollout & Privacy Concerns

9. Podcasting, Tech, and Closing Culture

Notable Quotes & Moments

Timestamps for Major Segments

Tone & Style

Final Notes

Summary

No Agenda Show — Episode 1818: "Bible Belt Buckle"

Episode Overview

Key Segments and Discussion Points

1. Media Frenzy: The "Quiet Piggy" Incident

2. U.S.–Saudi Relations, Khashoggi’s Murder, and Media Spin

3. Epstein Files, Mainstream Political Drama, and Trump’s Press Conference Meltdown

4. The Texas "Islamic Threat" Operation

5. AI & Tech Hype Deconstruction: "Omniverse," Nvidia, and Humane

6. Psyops, Election Predictions, and Value for Value

7. Processed Foods, Ultra-Processing & Global Health

8. Digital ID Rollout & Privacy Concerns

9. Podcasting, Tech, and Closing Culture

Notable Quotes & Moments

Timestamps for Major Segments

Tone & Style

Final Notes