Podcast Summary: Part Of The Problem – "Feelings Don’t Care About Your Facts"
Host: Dave Smith (C)
Co-Host: Robbie "The Fire" Bernstein (D)
Recorded: November 11, 2025
Overview
In this episode of Part of the Problem, Dave Smith and Robbie Bernstein tackle current controversies on the right, accusations of bigotry and censorship in conservative circles, the ongoing rift between establishment and populist voices, and critically analyze Donald Trump’s latest economic proposals. The hosts maintain their signature blend of irreverence, skepticism, and libertarian critique while deconstructing media narratives and government interventions.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Travel Hassles & Government Shutdown
- (02:18–04:37) The episode begins with banter about recent gig travel.
- Robbie voices frustration over flight delays and cancellations caused by government shutdowns, highlighting the dysfunction of government-handled services like air traffic control, and suggesting airlines should manage their own operations.
"I'm here to let you know that we are just hostages in the government's game ... when you start delaying my flights, then I really take issue with it and say to government, figure it out." — Robbie (02:50)
2. "Civil War" on the Right or War Party vs The People?
- (04:47–09:31) Dave analyzes what the media labels as a "civil war" within the GOP.
- He draws parallels between today's rift (ex: Trump allies vs. establishment conservatives) and the 2016 Republican primaries, noting that the core conflict is the party elite and their mouthpieces vs. the populist base.
- Establishment figures (like Ben Shapiro, Mark Levin) were "Never Trumpers" before aligning with Trump.
- Current scapegoating of voices like Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens mirrors the effort to isolate Trump in 2016.
"It was the elite party establishment and their mouthpieces versus Donald Trump and 80% of the base. That's really what the dynamic was." — Dave (07:13)
3. The Weaponization of Bigotry Accusations
- (11:22–18:19) The hosts dissect a pivotal exchange between Ben Shapiro and Megyn Kelly, where Shapiro tries to paint Tucker Carlson as antisemitic.
- Clip played: Ben Shapiro insists Carlson's defense of Zorin Mamdani (whom Shapiro accuses of antisemitism) makes Carlson himself antisemitic.
- Dave mocks Shapiro’s leap: Declaring someone an antisemite for not denouncing another person is unwarranted and recursive.
"Ben Shapiro is saying, Megyn Kelly, you ought to be condemning Tucker Carlson … How is he antisemitic? Well, he's antisemitic because he said another guy wasn't antisemitic. Just think about the leap of that already." — Dave (15:14)
- Robbie and Dave agree that criticism of Israel (or policies like IDF training of U.S. police) is not tantamount to hatred of Jewish people.
- They note the vacuity of "guilt by association" reasoning pushed to absurdity.
"Honestly, if just by extending this logic, then Megyn Kelly's an antisemite too, right? … How many guilt by association levels can we get to here?" — Dave (19:05)
4. Economic Proposals: Trump’s Tariff Stimulus Checks & 50-Year Mortgages
- (32:38–52:02) The final segment pivots to analyzing Donald Trump’s new economic ideas as "acts of desperation."
a. Tariff Subsidy Checks
- Trump proposing $2,000 “tariff dividend” checks, attempting to tie trade war revenues into popular cash stimulus.
> "Talk about the worst way to handle it. To just throw the most pathetic, 'I’ll send you all money.'" — Dave (32:51)
- The hosts skewer the economics:
- Tariffs raise prices for Americans, then stimulus checks “solve” a problem the government created.
- They stress U.S. faces a spending, not a revenue problem.
> "He knows that there are people like that … there’s a reason why he made sure to put his name on that check in 2020." — Dave (34:57)
b. 50-Year Mortgages
- Trump administration floats stretching mortgage terms to 50 years.
- Robbie sees it as encouraging more debt, benefiting banks while worsening affordability and mobility for buyers.
- Dave connects the housing crisis to high prices fueled by currency debasement, expansive government, and malinvestment, not a lack of creative mortgage products.
> "It's just an inflation bet … it just kind of puts more people into the game of owning assets versus having, holding on to cash and being in the game of rooting for inflation." — Robbie (50:45)
- They liken it to failures in higher education, where more government-backed loans drove up costs without fixing underlying incentives.
5. The Core Problem: Government Growth & Currency Debasement
- (44:07–52:02) Dave points out that unaffordable housing, like unaffordable college, is a downstream effect of expanding government, reckless monetary policy, and excessive credit.
- Ownership is now out of reach for average young people, and the social consequences—delayed stability, family formation, and disengagement—are profound.
"We have a government that is so big we can't afford it... It's all over this monetary policy and other government interventions. And so the thing is that there's no reason right now, Rob, the average age of a first time homebuyer is 40, 40 years old. Now. There's no reason why it has to be like that." — Dave (46:35)
- The show closes with contempt for both parties’ inability to face root causes: war, entitlements, printing, and spending.
Memorable Quotes & Moments
-
On accusations of antisemitism:
"Dude, it's... Ben Shapiro. Facts don’t care about your feelings. Accusations of bigotry can't shut down debates … this same guy is now—Yes, you ... ought to be condemning Tucker Carlson for being an antisemite. He’s not just anti-Israel, he’s antisemitic. How? Because he said another guy wasn’t antisemitic."
— Dave (15:14) -
On government and housing:
"If you have property taxes... what you’re really saying is that the government owns all of the land. ... Even if you pay off your mortgage, you’re renting from the government."
— Dave (58:20) -
On Trump’s economic Hail Marys:
"Hail Mary’s from Trump. He’s losing his shit. So, yeah, I'll send you a check and I'll figure out how to get you a home."
— Robbie (61:38)
Timestamps for Major Segments
- Travel & Government Dysfunction (01:06–04:37)
- Right-Wing 'Civil War' & Media Narratives (04:47–09:31)
- Bigotry Accusations Clip & Debunking (11:22–21:24)
- Deconstructing Ben Shapiro's Logic (21:24–27:30)
- Trump's Economic Proposals: Tariffs & Mortgages (32:38–41:43)
- Root Causes: Currency & Government Power (44:07–52:02)
- Closing Thoughts on Systemic Problems (57:13–61:45)
Tone & Style
As is typical of Part of the Problem, the tone is sardonic, fast-paced, and conversational. Dave and Robbie blend sharp humor, principled libertarian analysis, and skepticism toward both left and right establishments. They are candid, unfiltered, and impassioned, particularly when attacking illogical media narratives or big-government policy.
Takeaway
This episode serves as a critique of both right and left’s use of censorship and guilt by association—particularly in debates around Israel—while exposing the economic and political unseriousness of "Hail Mary" solutions like tariffs and ultra-long mortgages. The hosts stress the need to address root causes—government overreach and monetary manipulation—rather than perpetuate cycles of intervention and reaction.