Pod Force One: Sen. John Kennedy – “Washington’s Lost Its Mind and China’s Trying to Rule the World”

Host: Miranda Devine, New York Post
Guest: Sen. John Kennedy (Louisiana)
Air Date: October 22, 2025

Overview

In this candid and wide-ranging episode, Miranda Devine sits down with Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana to discuss his new book, How to Test Negative for Stupid and Why Washington Never Will. The conversation delves into the dysfunction of Washington politics, party infighting, Kennedy’s personal political journey, sharp critiques of both the Democratic and Republican parties, and significant foreign policy challenges—particularly concerning China, Russia, and the Middle East. Interwoven are colorful anecdotes, memorable one-liners, and reflections on Kennedy’s rural upbringing and path to public service.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Problem with Washington Today

• Government Shutdowns & Partisan Ego (01:36–04:36)

  • Kennedy blames the current shutdown on ego: “This shutdown will not end until 60 US senators take their egos out back and shoot them.” (02:57)
  • Accuses Democrats—specifically Senator Schumer—of being driven by internal politics and pressure from the party’s left wing.
  • Views the Democratic Party as being in a “civil war,” with its “loon wing...on the ascendancy.” (04:16)

• On Loss of Common Sense (02:57)

  • “Common sense is illegal.” – Sen. John Kennedy

• Lack of Leadership in the Democratic Party (04:40–06:19)

  • Kennedy urges Democrats to seek wisdom from Bill Clinton, claiming moves to the far left “as seen by the average American is just stone cold crazy.”

2. Party Politics and Senate Culture

• Transition from Democrat to Republican (08:29–09:39)

  • Kennedy describes his switch as reflecting the changing landscape in Louisiana, distancing himself from an increasingly liberal Democratic Party:
  • “I said, one day, you know, there’s got to be a better way of doing this… I want you all to know that if that upsets you, you can vote against me, but that’s what I’m up to.” (09:23)

• The Senate’s Quirky Internal Dynamics (06:19–08:29, 27:32–29:46)

  • Differentiates between the “free-range chickens” of the GOP (including himself and Rand Paul) and the more tightly disciplined Democrats (“if Chuck told some of the Democrats to go join the Taliban, they would say, where’s the line, Mr. Leader?” (07:26))
  • Lightheartedly recounts Senate lunches, sharing Louisiana delicacies and pranks, such as presenting Tic-Tacs as alligator eggs.

• On the Absence of ‘Dummies’ in the Senate (32:38–33:19)

  • “I haven’t met a dummy yet. Really. United States Senate.” —John Kennedy

3. Reflections on Joe Biden’s Presidency

• Kennedy’s Personal Observations (12:22–14:59)

  • Kennedy shares his candid (and biting) assessment of Joe Biden’s cognitive abilities during his presidency:
    • “It would take him an hour and a half to watch 60 Minutes.” (13:13)
    • “I could see the beginning of his neurodegenerative disease.” (13:36)
  • Criticizes Biden’s staff for isolating the president and hiding health issues from both parties and the Cabinet.

• Anecdote About Major, Biden’s Dog (12:23–12:41)

  • “His answer was, ‘Oh, well, it wasn’t [Major’s] fault he bit all those Secret Service agents.’” – Miranda Devine

4. Foreign Policy: China, Russia, and the Middle East

• China’s Ascendancy and U.S. Decline (17:17–26:03)

  • Kennedy argues China has ambitions to “dominate the Indo-Pacific” in coordination with Russia and Iran. (17:17)
  • Suggests Chinese, Russian, and Iranian leaders perceived Biden as weak, facilitating global instability.

• Afghanistan and Ukraine (15:24–15:54; 24:00–25:53)

  • Attributes botched Afghanistan withdrawal and Ukraine invasion to perception of U.S. weakness.
  • “He…at a short press conference said, well, if it’s a small incursion, yes, it might be okay. And I’m thinking...‘Holy Moses.’ That’s an invitation.” (15:28–15:53)

• Israel, Gaza, and the Middle East Peace (20:00–21:37)

  • Kennedy defends Israel’s actions and asserts long-term American support will hold.
  • Criticizes European leaders for “playing act” at the U.N. on Palestinian statehood without proposing workable solutions (21:57).

• Younger Americans and Shifting Support (20:00–21:23)

  • Discusses the fading support for Israel among youth and academic circles (“Columbia University”).

5. On Trump, MAGA, and Republican Factions

• The Trump Phenomenon (09:39–11:33, 26:03–27:26)

  • Kennedy offers candid, humorous reflections on Trump’s communication style:
    • “I told him one time…‘You grow anxious when you have an unexpressed thought.’ He just says everything.” (11:23)
  • Argues Trump’s unpredictability gave the U.S. foreign policy strength (“He’s unpredictable…that alone made the world a much safer place.” (26:24–27:26))

• MAGA vs. Traditional Conservatives (36:34–37:22)

  • Identifies “MAGA” Republicans as more fiscally responsible: “They understand you can’t just keep charging more and more to the credit card and paying the minimum without getting in trouble.” (37:05)

6. Views on Congressional Dysfunction and Fiscal Policy

• Chronic Spending and National Debt (34:28–36:35)

  • Expresses frustration at endless deficit spending: “Their favorite type of spending is more.” (35:01)
  • On inflation and the bond market: “You want to know why long-term rates have not come down?...Because it’s Congress they think will never ever stop deficit spending.” (35:01–36:34)

• On Willpower and the “Magical Healing Power of the Word No” (36:20)

  • “It’s not going to stop until members of Congress learn the magical healing power of the word no.” (36:20)

7. Personal Stories and Life Lessons

• Upbringing in Small-Town Louisiana (40:58–42:49)

  • Kennedy shares colorful stories of his father, a Depression-era “Grapes of Wrath” figure, and the dignity of hard work imposed from a young age.
  • “We didn’t have a town drunk. Some people would have to take turns. We were so small.” (41:03)

• On Family, Marriage, and Fatherhood (42:51–45:24)

  • Details about meeting his wife Becky, raising his son Preston, and the humor and heart of family life.

• Secrets of Success: Hard Work and Grit (45:41–47:46)

  • “I’ve been around a lot of people, a lot smarter than me...but they couldn’t outwork me. And that was my secret… It’s 20% inspiration, 80% perspiration.” (45:58–46:57)
  • Emphasizes ordinary Americans—“ordinary people doing extraordinary things”—as the true source of America’s greatness. (47:46)

• Oxford Anecdotes (48:10–50:53)

  • Recounts unique British academic traditions (formal dress for exams, cold dormitories) and his cultural adaptation.
  • “You’re nervous as a pregnant nun and you have to put on all this regalia.” (48:21)
  • “The food sucked...I lived off Kit Kat bars.” (50:42)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Party Dysfunction:
  • “This shutdown will not end until 60 US senators take their egos out back and shoot them.” – John Kennedy (02:57)
• On Chuck Schumer’s Leadership:
  • “Imagine a five-year-old in a Batman costume after Halloween with a bunch of sugar.” (31:29)
• On the Nature of Trump:
  • “He’s unpredictable…This man will kill you and hurt you the entire time you’re dying if you push him too far.” (26:24–27:26)
• On Fiscally Responsible Politics:
  • “It’s not going to stop until members of Congress learn the magical healing power of the word no.” (36:20)
• On American Decline (seen from Beijing):
  • “They look at America and what do they see?... They see Americans debating whether a man can breastfeed. Yes. And they go, just feed.” (24:25)
• On Success:
  • “I’ve been around smart people my whole life, but there’s no better recipe…80% perspiration.” (46:25)
• On Family:
  • “You’ll never know love until you have a child…He was right.” (42:51)

Key Timestamps

• Shutdown/Ego & Dem Civil War: 01:36–04:36
• Democrat-to-Republican Switch: 08:29–09:39
• Biden Critique & Anecdotes: 12:22–14:59
• Ukraine, China, and Foreign Policy: 17:17–27:26
• Senate Lunch & Louisiana Cuisine: 27:32–29:46
• On Senate Intellectualism: 32:38–33:19
• Congress and Debt Addiction: 34:28–36:35
• MAGA vs. Establishment: 36:34–37:22
• Childhood & Upbringing: 40:58–42:49
• Oxford Stories: 48:10–50:53

Tone & Language

• Kennedy’s Speech:

  • Folksy, humorous, direct, peppered with witty analogies.
  • Frustration with Washington and both parties’ lack of common sense.
  • Colorful, self-deprecating, candid (and at times, irreverent).

• Devine’s Style:

  • Probing, at times playful, appreciative of Kennedy’s colorful language and stories.

Conclusion

Through sharp critiques, vivid stories, and whip-smart humor, Senator Kennedy diagnoses Washington’s pathologies, warns of China’s rise, dissects inner-party strife, and champions American resilience founded on hard work and common sense. This episode is not only a tour of the battles shaping American politics but a personal look at how experience, honesty, and humor shape a statesman’s worldview.