AFTER HOURS WITH ALEX STEIN – February 23, 2026
Podcast: Real America’s Voice / iHeartPodcasts
Original Air Date: February 24, 2026
Host: Alex Stein
Featured Guest: Sal Martinez (former DEA Special Agent)
Episode Overview
This raucous, unfiltered episode of "After Hours with Alex Stein" dives deep into current political scandals, exposes media narratives, and explores the ongoing violence surrounding Mexican cartels and its international impact. Alex Stein brings his signature blend of satire, outrage, and irreverence to headline stories, including an explosive congressional sex scandal, political hypocrisy, and an in-depth on-the-ground look at cartel operations with expert guest Sal Martinez.
Key Segments & Discussion Points
1. Opening and The Tony Gonzalez Scandal
- Theme: Political hypocrisy, sexual misconduct, and media revelations ([03:09]-[13:11])
- Alex launches into an excoriation of Congressman Tony Gonzalez, centering on alleged sexual misconduct that led to the tragic death of former staffer Regina Santos Avilas.
- Blends serious critique, ridicule, and satire, calling out Gonzalez for abuse of power and lack of accountability.
Highlights:
- Allegations: Affair between Gonzalez and a staffer, supported by leaked explicit text messages.
- Claims of hush money paid to the family of the deceased staffer.
- Direct call for resignation and accountability.
Quote (Alex Stein, 05:57):
“You’re a sexual pervert and you should be in jail. And I think indirectly, you are 100% responsible for Regina and Santos’ tragic, tragic death.”
Quote (Alex Stein, 07:22):
“These text messages really paint a picture on what he was interested in when it came to being a congressman. And it wasn’t trying to help out his constituents. Unless you consider his constituents as testicles...”
- Political Takeaway: Argues both major parties are susceptible to corruption, urging wider accountability, not just partisan attacks.
2. Cartel Violence & U.S./Mexico Relations
- Theme: Drug trade, cartel conflicts, law enforcement realities ([14:37]-[39:19])
- Former DEA Special Agent Sal Martinez joins for a candid, gritty conversation about his undercover work with Mexican cartels, recent upticks in violence, and the systemic problems fueling the drug trade.
a. Martinez’s Background & Cartel Penetration ([15:30]-[19:19])
- Martinez recounts infiltrating Juarez cartels in the 1990s as one of few Hispanic DEA agents.
- Discusses corruption, risk, and the perilous dynamics of border law enforcement.
Quote (Sal Martinez, 16:46):
“There were four times I had an AK47 in my face, and my defense mechanism kicked in... I would chew those suckers out. Instead of saying ‘agent, stop,’ I’d be like, ‘Hey, get that damn thing out of my face.’”
b. Current Cartel Violence: Aftermath of El Mencho’s Assassination ([17:35]-[23:18])
- Violence erupts with the death of top cartel leader El Mencho; discussion of whether U.S. forces quietly collaborated with Mexican authorities.
- Burning vehicles used as defensive tactics by cartels.
Quote (Sal Martinez, 19:19):
“Politicians have a major part of this allowing this to happen. If we're going to go after these organizations... we have to take measures to stop economic funding these countries...”
c. Cartels, Drugs, Human Trafficking & Corruption ([23:55]-[31:57])
- Cartels’ business model: drugs are central revenue; human trafficking is more “a side gig.”
- Martinez confirms some cooperation with foreign governments, including China’s synthetic opioid trade.
- Admits U.S. enforcement agencies sometimes “look the other way” for larger intelligence gains.
Quote (Sal Martinez, 25:21):
“There's times that we have to look the other way on certain political activities or allowing drugs to go certain areas if... they give us some kind of connection... Again, it's not a big thing where everybody's corrupt.”
d. Q&A: Smuggling Tactics, Border Security, and Legalization ([27:41]-[33:38])
- Tunnels, 18-wheelers, small vehicle transport, and port shipments are common.
- Corruption at the border exists but is not universal; drug-laden vehicles are a daily reality.
- Cartels are involved in U.S. marijuana production but focus more on higher-revenue drugs.
- Notable Satirical Moment: Alex’s ongoing “Big Booty Latina Amnesty” gag—mixing humor and political commentary.
Quote (Alex Stein, 31:57):
“I want amnesty for all big booty Latinas. I’m a big booty Latina connoisseur. I believe they deserve, you know, 100% amnesty.”
e. Martinez’s Close Call with Cartel Violence ([33:38]-[38:07])
- Sal recounts a hair-raising story of being cornered by cartel gunmen in Mexico, escaping by bluff, luck, and speed across the border.
Quote (Sal Martinez, 35:31):
“I had my Glock 9mm, and a little submachine gun... My heart was racing... For some reason, this guy got into his vehicle and the vehicle rolled backward. I said, holy—so I jumped in my truck, put it in reverse, and peeled out. They’re chasing me to the border…”
f. Undercover Ethics ([38:33]-[38:53])
- On whether undercover agents are allowed to use drugs if coerced: “I deny any knowledge.” (Sal Martinez, 38:51)
g. Will Cartel Violence Subside? ([39:19])
- Martinez: “The violence may slow down a little bit, but the problems are still there... there's going to be other cartel situations like this.”
3. Political Gaffes & Culture War Moments
- Theme: Critique of progressive politicians and identity politics ([41:33]-[52:12])
a. Gavin Newsom’s “Black Guy” Reading Gaffe ([41:33]-[45:38])
- Plays and mocks a viral clip of Newsom comparing being unable to read with being Black, calling it “one of the worst political gaffes” he’s ever seen.
Quote (Alex Stein, 44:06):
“Yeah, you are in the wrong business if you cannot read. But what’s really sad about this is that you’re lying. You can read... You are so full of crap, your eyes are brown, Governor Newsom... I hope they nominate you because you’re so stupid that I’ve lost any respect that I had.”
b. Kathy Hochul “Black Kids Don’t Know Computers” Clip ([45:38]-[45:53])
- Stein lambasts the New York Governor’s patronizing remarks about technology in Black communities.
c. Democrats, Voter ID & “Racism” Double Standards ([45:53]-[50:56])
- Stein points out inconsistencies in liberal policies, like requiring documentation for manual labor jobs (e.g., shoveling snow) but not for voting.
d. Identity Politics & Jasmine Crockett ([50:56]-[52:24])
- Segment highlights the internal struggles among progressive voters regarding race and candidate choice.
Quote (Alex Stein, 52:24):
“Jasmine Crockett has white women in a chokehold right now. They don’t know what to do... This is really sad that people are crying because they want to vote for the black woman and they feel guilty voting for a white male. It’s unbelievable.”
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|---------|-------| | [05:57] | Alex Stein | “You're a sexual pervert and you should be in jail. And I think indirectly, you are 100% responsible for Regina and Santos' tragic, tragic death.” | | [16:46] | Sal Martinez | “I had a desire to do good for God and country... there were four times I had an AK47 in my face... I would chew those suckers out.” | | [19:19] | Sal Martinez | “Politicians have a major part of this allowing this to happen... we have to take measures to stop economic funding these countries...” | | [23:55] | Alex Stein (mocking cartel cooperation) | “So are these cartels competing with each other or are they part of a big conglomerate...?” | | [31:57] | Alex Stein (satirical) | “I want amnesty for all big booty Latinas. I’m a big booty Latina connoisseur. I believe they deserve, you know, 100% amnesty.” | | [35:31] | Sal Martinez | “Next thing you know, the Suburban blocked me in, and I was trapped against the building... For some reason, this guy got into his vehicle... The vehicle rolled backwards... and I peeled out. They’re chasing me to the border…” | | [44:06] | Alex Stein (on Newsom) | “You are so full of crap, your eyes are brown, Governor Newsom...” | | [52:24] | Alex Stein | “Jasmine Crockett has white women in a chokehold right now. They don't know what to do... they're getting force fed information...” |
Timestamps for Important Segments
- [03:09] — Tony Gonzalez scandal and explicit texts discussed
- [13:11] — Transition to border/cartel segment
- [15:30] — Sal Martinez joins, cartel infiltration stories begin
- [19:19] — Cartels’ financial networks; complicity of politicians
- [25:21] — U.S. agencies “look the other way” for greater intelligence goals
- [31:57] — Satirical "Big Booty Latina Amnesty" segment
- [35:31] — Martinez recounts escape from cartel gunmen
- [41:33] — Gavin Newsom’s “I can’t read” gaffe, Democratic hypocrisy
- [45:38] — Kathy Hochul’s “Black kids don’t know computers” clip
- [50:56] — Jasmine Crockett, identity politics, and Texas Democratic primary
Summary & Takeaway
Alex Stein’s episode is a rollercoaster of scandal coverage, dark humor, political critique, and eye-opening law enforcement insider tales. The Tony Gonzalez sex scandal is dissected through both comedic and serious lenses, followed by an unusually detailed and authentic look at the U.S.-Mexico drug war, as recounted by Sal Martinez. Stein then pivots to cultural and political critique, lampooning the missteps and messaging failures of Democratic leaders, especially around issues of race and identity.
Overall Tone & Approach:
Unapologetically brash, sarcastic, at times vulgar, but always presenting an undercurrent of genuine frustration with corruption, hypocrisy, and societal issues.
For Listeners who Missed It: This episode offers both shock value and serious insight—a chaotic but illuminating blend of true crime, current affairs, and media critique, featuring unique first-hand accounts from a former undercover DEA agent and relentless, unfiltered analysis from Alex Stein.