Part of the Problem: "Never BEEN A Foreign Spy"

Host: Dave Smith (with Robbie "the Fire" Bernstein)
Date: October 11, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Dave Smith and Robbie Bernstein broadcast from Detroit, reflecting on their recent whirlwind of podcasting success, controversial guests, and explosive current events. The show dives deep into topics surrounding freedom of speech in media, journalistic ethics, recent revelations about major public intellectuals acting as foreign agents, the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and ceasefire, and the explosive aftermath of the Charlie Kirk assassination and its connection to internal pro-Israel lobbying in conservative media. Dave maintains his trademark sardonic, sharp, and self-deprecating tone throughout, with Robbie providing both comic relief and pointed commentary.

Key Topics & Insights

1. Reflections on the Nick Fuentes Interview

(Starts ~01:33 – 08:48)

• Public Reaction:
  Dave reflects on the massive reach and controversy of his recent episode with Nick Fuentes, labeling it the show’s biggest episode ever with over a million views each on YouTube and Twitter.

  “It's been interesting. The reaction, you know, has been, I think, overwhelmingly positive...making it by far the biggest episode of Part of the Problem.” – Dave (02:01)

• Why Talk to Controversial Figures?
  Dave debates the concept of 'platforming,' noting with Fuentes’ magnitude, “I'm not platforming this guy. In fact, I think he was platforming me much more so than I was him.” – (02:31)

• Personal Dynamics:
  Dave found Fuentes compelling, surprisingly moderate on certain points, and notes the absurdity of demonizing someone so young based solely on early, online statements.

  “It is so crazy that this kid was determined to be the most evil man in America at, like, 22.” – Dave (07:06)

• Responsibility in Discourse:
  Dave stresses the value of dialogue over demonization and the societal need to allow for personal growth and redemption for controversial figures.

2. Douglas Murray, David Frum, and Journalistic Hypocrisy

(08:48 – 29:03)

• 'Never BEEN' Debate Revisited:
  Dave revisits his iconic exchange with Douglas Murray on Joe Rogan about whether you have to visit a place to critique its politics. Clips replayed for effect (15:47-18:10).

  “Douglas Murray is a foreign spy, and he's sitting there talking about journalistic ethics to me. Wow.” – Dave (19:59)

• Big Revelation:
  Recent leaks reveal Douglas Murray (and David Frum) secretly wrote speeches for, and raised money via entities supporting, the Israeli government and IDF while presenting themselves as impartial commentators.

• Media Ethics Outrage:
  Dave delivers a scathing critique of Murray and Frum, calling out their duplicity and their media defenders:

  “If you are writing speeches for and raising money for not your own government, but a foreign government... and then you're gonna lecture others about standards in journalism... that is not an overstatement.” – Dave (19:25)

• Frum Takedown:
  Frum is identified as an architect of U.S. war messaging (“Axis of Evil”) with direct, covert pro-Israel lobbying—blurring foreign and domestic interests at the heart of U.S. policy.

3. Israel-Gaza Ceasefire & Narrative Battles

(29:03 – 47:13)

• Ceasefire Details:
  Trump is credited as a major driver in pressuring Israel and Hamas to agree to a truce. Dave and Robbie remain skeptical but see hope in the temporary halt to violence.

  “If the hostages are released and additional aid comes in and the dying stops for the moment—well, hey, that is really fantastic.” – Dave (32:43)

• Media Spin & PR Losses:
  The hosts analyze a viral tweet by Coleman Hughes arguing Israelis never truly sought genocide. Dave points out the rhetorical dishonesty in “measuring only the 3% killed” versus the broader devastation and displacement.

  “That is a very convenient way to describe murdering 3% of a population. 97% alive. Like, I just...think about the dishonest frame.” – Dave (41:52)

• What Now?
  Dave emphasizes skepticism, the ongoing suffering in Gaza, and America’s complicity as the main sponsor of Israel’s actions.

  “It is a goddamn disgrace, a disgrace to all of us, a disgrace to our country, a disgrace to the world...” – Dave (44:15)

4. Charlie Kirk Assassination & Conservative Media Intrigue

(47:13 – 67:59)

• New Evidence Emerges:
  Candace Owens reveals internal group messages showing Charlie Kirk considered abandoning support for Israel before his assassination. Josh Hammer and others are caught blatantly lying about this timeline.

  “Josh Hammer knew...that Charlie Kirk had said he had no choice but to abandon support for Israel. This was 24 to 48 hours before he’s killed.” – Dave (56:40)

• Media Ethics Erosion:
  Discussion centers on the impropriety of leading journalists like Hammer (Newsweek editor) managing both Israeli donor interests and editorial lines in U.S. coverage.

  “That seems...like either agent of Israel or just grossly dishonest journalistic practices that you’re literally the head editor, but you’re...navigating the media space on Israeli messaging.” – Robbie (62:42)

• Assassination Speculation:
  Though not stating hard evidence of Israeli involvement, Dave and Robbie argue the new facts are “enough to raise an eyebrow,” suggesting “person of interest” level concern.

  “If this was a...domestic crime...you're ready to ask some people to come in for some questions at this point.” – Dave (52:21)

• Intra-movement Betrayal:
  They call out betrayals by Hammer and other “pro-Israel” conservatives, lauding Candace Owens' tact in exposing these duplicities.

Notable Quotes

• On the Murray Scandal:
  “Douglas Murray is a foreign spy, and he's sitting there talking about journalistic ethics to me. Wow.” – Dave (19:59)

• On hypocrisy in legacy media:
  “All of the people in the old guard in the legacy media who are constantly decrying the lack of journalistic standards in the podcast scene...How can you defend this?” – Dave (24:51)

• Cynicism about PR manipulation:
  “97% alive. Like, I just, I just, I mean, think about the dishonest frame.” – Dave (41:52)

• On the importance of discourse:
  “We should talk. It’s better to talk than to not talk.” – Dave (03:08)

Memorable Moments & Timestamps

• Nick Fuentes Aftermath & Viral Reaction: (01:33–07:30)
• 'Never BEEN' Debate Clip Replay: (15:47–18:10)
• Douglas Murray Foreign Agent Bombshell: (13:39–22:03)
• Analysis of Israeli PR & Ceasefire: (29:03–47:13)
• Breakdown of the Kirk Assassination Group Chat Leak: (51:51–56:40)
• Robbie on Newsweek Integrity: (62:42)

Episode Tone

Dave delivers the episode with a mix of irreverence, sharp analysis, intense skepticism toward establishment media and government, and impassioned nationalism rooted in individual liberty. Jokes and sarcasm pepper the show, but he remains unwaveringly serious in condemning hypocrisy and violence. The mood often swings from gallows humor to fiery moral outrage, maintaining high engagement throughout.

For Listeners Who Haven’t Tuned In...

This episode dissects the corrosive effect of foreign influence in American discourse, the moral and practical collapse of legacy media’s claims to ethical superiority, the tragedy and farce of Middle Eastern policy, and the ugly backroom power games within American conservative circles. Smith’s key message: It’s vital to question media narratives, recognize the value in dialogue with adversaries, and expose institutionalized dishonesty—regardless of political tribe.