Part Of The Problem – "Dan Bongino the Fraud" (April 2, 2026)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Dave Smith and Robbie “the Fire” Bernstein tackle the latest developments in US foreign policy, the unfolding situation with Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, media narratives around the ongoing conflict, and, most prominently, the recent feud between conservative commentator Dan Bongino and Congressman Thomas Massie. The conversation balances sharp political critique with direct mockery, especially in their treatment of Bongino’s shifting positions and public persona.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Podcast & Personal Updates

• Dave Smith recaps his recent major interviews, notably with Tucker Carlson and Joe Rogan, reflecting on the value and exhaustion of long-form conversations.
  • "My feeling coming out of it was like, I thought I was like, that might be the best podcast I've ever done. I mean, I think this guy [Tucker Carlson] is like the realest guy out there." (Dave Smith, 00:46)
• Robbie plugs his own projects, including a satirical newsreel on his show "Run Your Mouth."
• Dave apologizes for the inconsistent podcast schedule due to extensive travel and previews upcoming live events in Stamford and Chicago.

2. Previewing Trump’s Address: Foreign Policy in Crisis

• Speculation on Trump’s upcoming address regarding the Iran conflict:
  • Dave and Robbie are skeptical that Trump will announce a peace deal, reading between the lines of political timing and recent administration rhetoric.
  • Dave highlights the significance of Trump’s timing – announcing after markets close as a possible tell for bad news, referencing prior trading day behaviors:
    • "If he was making that announcement, he would do it at the beginning of the trading day, not after the markets have closed." (Dave Smith, 05:22)

2.1. The Regional Power Game

• Robbie points out the precarious situation with NATO, the UAE, and regional oil partners, suggesting the US may have “started a war you didn’t want to finish and just leaving a mess.”
• The hosts agree: If the US walks away and leaves the Strait of Hormuz in Iran’s favor, this would be a foreign policy defeat on a different scale than Iraq, Afghanistan, or Vietnam.
  • "But if the case is that...Trump launches a war...they start hitting some ships in the Strait of Hormuz...and the economic global order has shifted wildly in favor of Iran...I cannot think of anything that compares to a loss like that." (Dave Smith, 11:45)

3. International Law, Hypocrisy, and Realpolitik

• Robbie and Dave mercilessly mock US and Israeli officials who invoke “international law” after years of ignoring it themselves, particularly in the context of Ukraine, Iraq, and now Iran.
  • "This is the biggest hypocrites in the fucking universe...There's no such thing as international law. International law...a tool that could be used by the empire against the enemies of the empire." (Dave Smith, 15:20, 17:00)
• They analyze Marco Rubio’s statements, ridiculing his outrage over Iran being paid for open access to the Strait of Hormuz, noting the real preference of many nations is simply to get back to business, not war.

4. War Propaganda and Narrative Shifts

• They dissect talking points around the Iran war, such as Trump administration claims (versus military claims) of having destroyed 80% vs 30% of Iranian missile capabilities.
• Robbie: "The newest talking point I'm seeing is that we're ahead of schedule, which is a tough argument to make when you were saying this is going to be weeks, not months, and you're already over a month in." (20:04)
• Dave: "With the Iranians...they talk a big game...but it does seem like we've hit a tipping point here...the incentive structure has been changed." (20:18)

5. Asymmetry & Incentives: Will Iran Go Nuclear?

• Dave spells out why this conflict uniquely incentivizes Iran to pursue nuclear weapons, given previous restraint under the Non-Proliferation Treaty and the current lack of inspections.
  • "It is worth pointing out that the inspections regime...that's over...they're just so incentivized to race to a nuclear weapon now." (Dave Smith, 39:17)
• He summarizes how Iran’s strategic calculus has changed: "If history is any guide, we really don't fuck with nuclear armed countries..." (Dave Smith, 40:30)

6. Ridiculing Dan Bongino & Defending Thomas Massie

6.1. The Genesis of the Feud

• Dave participated in Thomas Massie’s successful fundraising livestream and is infuriated that Dan Bongino, who he labels a “sellout,” is now attacking Massie.
• The context: Bongino, after previously promising to expose the Epstein cover-up, reversed course and is accused by Dave of “running block” for the deep state after seeing sealed files.

6.2. Bongino’s Evasions and Hypocrisy

• Dave outlines why Bongino is “trapped” and will never publicly debate his critics:
  • "He can never have a conversation with someone critical of him because you, everyone can end him in one question...You said Epstein killed himself. All the files have been declassified now. What'd you see? Where's the proof?" (Dave Smith, 44:48)

6.3. Bongino’s Attacks Responded

• Audio clips of Bongino’s recent criticism of Massie are played and dissected.
  • Bongino: "I have never been as disappointed in a human being in politics as I am in Tom Massie." (52:53)
  • Dave: "This fucking fraud sellout to call out say he's disappointed in Thomas Massie...you are really relying on people to not have a memory two years old..." (53:00)
• The hosts ridicule Bongino’s “no dog in the fight” claim and describe his refusal to meaningfully engage on the Epstein file disclosures.
  • "He can only go, you know, level 10 decisions. You've never done the job that I did, and you don't even know level 10. You can't please everyone. Okay, sir, that is not an answer to any of our questions." (Dave Smith, 61:18)

6.4. The FBI Trap and Due Process

• They explain why it’s a trap for Massie to “get a briefing” by the FBI, referencing the infamous General Flynn case. Bongino’s calls for “due process” are lampooned:
  • Dave: "Yes, it is true that libertarians believe in due process, but we, we don't believe in corrupt FBIs covering up information to protect powerful people...when left in a situation where there is no option for due process, then, yeah, we would prefer as much information get out on Twitter as possible." (Dave Smith, 63:24)
• Robbie: "I didn't realize transparency got in the way of due process." (64:57)

6.5. Dan Bongino’s Persona

• Multiple moments where Dave and Robbie mock Bongino’s physical appearance, oratory style, and media self-promotion.
  • Robbie: "He looks like one of the Mars Attacks aliens disguised as a Japanese samurai." (54:35)
• Dave highlights Bongino’s declining podcast relevance: "He had absolutely nothing. Couldn't respond to any of the criticism. Just called everybody else black pills, black pillars and doomers..." (59:28)

7. Closing: The Stakes of the Massie/Bongino Rift

• Dave’s parting words are both passionate and explicit:
  • "You protected like the most unimaginable evil. You will burn in hell for the rest of your life. You keep Thomas Massey's name out of your fucking mouth before you get Will Smith bitch slapsed." (Dave Smith, 67:10)
• Robbie and Dave close by reaffirming Massie’s rare virtue in Washington, giving credit for his pursuit of Epstein file transparency despite the intense political blowback.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On US hypocrisy:
  • "This is the biggest hypocrites in the fucking universe...There's no such thing as international law." (Dave Smith, 15:20–17:00)
• On Bongino’s credibility:
  • "He can never once think about how trapped, what a little bitch Dan Bongino is for life, that he can never have a conversation with someone critical of him because you, everyone can end him in one question." (Dave Smith, 44:48)
• On the strategic consequences of US withdrawal:
  • "If that is the result of this war, this is a different type of loss than even Vietnam or Afghanistan or Iraq..." (Dave Smith, 11:45)
• On Massie’s courage:
  • "He got the files to the American people, that's a bridge too far. That’s when you know...you didn’t fail to expose the deep state. You are the deep state. You're their protector." (Dave Smith, 46:48)

Key Timestamps

• Trump’s speech speculation and foreign policy analysis:
  04:06 – 12:23, 14:41 – 24:02
• International law hypocrisy and Rubio mocking:
  15:20 – 18:33, 27:17 – 29:46
• Iran’s nuclear incentives and war consequences:
  29:46 – 41:18
• The Bongino/Massie conflict begins:
  41:18 – 52:53
• Bongino’s audio dissected and further ridicule:
  52:53 – 67:57
• Final defense of Congressman Massie:
  67:57 – 68:26

Summary Flow

This episode mixes hard-hitting foreign policy critique, deep skepticism towards US establishment narratives, and personal media feuds with a distinctly bombastic, sardonic style. Dave and Robbie maintain a tone that is both mocking and analytical, never shying away from strong language or vivid analogies. For listeners interested in libertarian perspectives, media accountability, and the cynical realities of modern politics, this episode delivers pointed commentary and memorable soundbites.