Spot On with Link Lauren

Episode Date: December 8, 2025
Host: Link Lauren
Guest: Lydia Moynihan (New York Post)
Major Topics: Meghan Markle and her father, Halle Berry vs. Gavin Newsom, Somali fraud scandal in Minnesota, trends like "doll moms," Sydney Sweeney, and changes to Southwest Airlines' seating policy.

Episode Overview

This episode of “Spot On with Link Lauren” continues Link’s signature blend of irreverent commentary and unfiltered perspectives, focusing on headline cultural and political stories. Link welcomes guest Lydia Moynihan for an energetic discussion of topics ranging from Meghan Markle’s fraught family dynamics and celebrity politics, to a sprawling welfare fraud scheme allegedly involving the Somali community in Minnesota, and cultural trends that exemplify contemporary anxieties. The conversation weaves through serious scandal, pop culture flashpoints, and societal phenomena with relentless wit and skepticism.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Meghan Markle 'Abandons' Her Father [02:25–10:30]

• Situation: Meghan Markle’s father, Thomas Markle, is hospitalized in the Philippines after his foot (possibly leg) was amputated. He has publicly pleaded for Meghan to visit or contact him.
• Link’s Take:
  • Meghan’s estrangement from her father is highlighted, with Link criticizing her refusal to reconcile despite her vast resources.
  • Suggests Meghan is embarrassed by her father’s image and background, more interested in celebrity than family.
  • Raises skepticism about Meghan’s claim of having emailed her father—emphasizes that with her resources, contact would be simple if she cared.
  • Criticizes Meghan for “revisionist history” regarding her upbringing.
• Notable Quotes:
  • “He didn’t beat you. He didn’t kill anyone. I don’t see what’s so bad that’s irreparable.” — Link Lauren (03:40)
  • “She can do revisionist history, but the dad hasn’t done anything that terrible, right?” — Link Lauren (03:50)
  • “I think Meghan Markle wanted Oprah and the Beckhams and all these celebrities at her big royal wedding … She was perfectly fine throwing her dad under the bus.” — Link Lauren (05:05)
  • “Get over it. The man is 81 years old. He’s pleading for help in a hospital bed in the Philippines, and it speaks to your character Megan Markle.” — Link Lauren (09:08)
• Perspective on Family:
  • Link allows for the idea of cutting off toxic family, but insists “that’s not the situation here.”

Prince Harry’s Media Appearance [09:38–10:30]

• Context: Harry’s appearance on Stephen Colbert is described as “cringe” and unfunny.
• Criticism:
  • Both Harry and Meghan are accused of hypocrisy for leveraging their royal identities for fame while claiming to despise the institution.
  • “You’re both two little hucksters. You’re two little jokes. … Nobody wants you.” — Link Lauren (10:24)

2. Halle Berry vs. Gavin Newsom on Menopause Support [12:05–13:30]

• Issue: Halle Berry criticizes California Governor Gavin Newsom for vetoing menopause support legislation.
• Analysis:
  • Lydia and Link suggest Newsom’s policies are disconnected from the needs of women, with Link launching into humorous but cutting jabs at the governor’s demeanor.
• Notable Quotes:
  • “He’s a bizarre, weird, beta male. Even the way he sits … Gavin Newsom’s testicles might be the size of like an Eminem.” — Link Lauren (13:24)
• Broader Implication:
  • Suggests Hollywood’s turn against Newsom could signal wider political trouble for the governor.
  • Critiques Dem leadership for neglecting women’s interests.

3. The Minnesota Somali Fraud Scheme: "Single Greatest Theft" [16:51–26:36]

• Background: Major welfare scam involving Minnesota’s Somali community; may total billions in taxpayer loss.
• Guest Commentary (Lydia Moynihan):
  • Sees the scandal as transformative for U.S. attitudes on immigration and government trust.
  • References a Trump analogy: “the woman takes in the snake … and the snake bites her.”
  • Believes the story’s only getting traction in mainstream media because of Trump’s inflammatory comments.
  • Suggests politicians likely knew more than they claim; expects files/paper trails are being destroyed to avoid repercussions.
  • Questions about Ilhan Omar’s awareness and involvement are raised: “Was she just clueless, or was she aware and not raising alarm bells?” — Lydia Moynihan (19:29)
• Political Fallout:
  • Both hosts argue the right could leverage this as a unifying “midterms” issue, able to bring along independents and even some Democrats.
  • “There’s something for everyone … this has really united a lot of people.” — Link Lauren (24:18)
• Notable Anecdote:
  • Lydia describes how even liberal acquaintances are outraged, showing the story’s broad resonance.
• Broader Themes:
  • Frustration with waste, fraud, and abuse of public funds.
  • Disillusionment with political leadership and lack of accountability.

4. “Doll Moms”: A Symptom of Modern Malaise? [26:36–33:48]

• Phenomenon: Women, many single and childless, raising life-like dolls as if they were children and posting about it online.
• Analysis:
  • Lydia (self-disclosing as a single, childless woman) suggests it’s driven by unfulfilled desires for family, and challenges around modern dating.
  • Notes cultural disdain for traditional family life, leading women to channel maternal instincts into such hobbies.
  • “It’s a tragedy to me … most women want to get married and have babies and have a family. And that is so fulfilling and important.” — Lydia Moynihan (28:26)
  • Link connects “doll moms” to political radicalization, suggesting isolation drives people to seek fulfillment in politics or government as surrogate family.
  • “These women do expect folks like Mamdani and others to parent them in a way or take the reins.” — Link Lauren (33:33)
• Suggested Solution:
  • Lydia: “Download a dating app.” — (32:53)
• Cultural Criticism:
  • Both see this as symptomatic of deeper problems in men’s achievement and engagement, women’s mental wellbeing, and declining birthrates.

5. Sydney Sweeney and the Perils of Not Being "Woke" in Hollywood [33:48–42:05]

• Context: Sydney Sweeney walked back previous comments and distanced herself from culture war accusations after facing backlash for an American Eagle campaign.
• Host & Guest Analysis:
  • Both think Sweeney’s neutral or conservative stances made her uniquely popular but also a lightning rod in Hollywood.
  • “I do think conservatives got way too excited about somebody in Hollywood who seemed kind of normal.” — Lydia Moynihan (35:49)
  • “If you’re even in the middle now, if you’re an independent, you’re a MAGA to these liberals in Hollywood.” — Link Lauren (39:02)
• On Culture Wars:
  • Argue that standing firm and refusing to capitulate to online mobs is increasingly rare and admired.
  • “People are really drawn to strong individuals who stand their ground.” — Lydia Moynihan (39:48)
• Wider Cultural Critique:
  • Normalcy is now exceptional—Link jokes that at an SEC school you’d find “100 Sydney Sweeneys in 30 seconds,” but Hollywood’s culture wars blow up any hint of non-wokeness.

6. Southwest Airlines’ New Obesity Policy [46:06–50:14]

• Policy Change: Southwest Airlines will remove open seating, require obese passengers to purchase extra seats.
• Link’s Perspective:
  • Supports policy, says personal responsibility should trump entitlement to accommodations.
  • Noted that special boarding for disabled is regularly abused (“20 people in wheelchairs at boarding, all waltzing off the plane at landing”).
  • “If you know you’re bigger, you’re thick, maybe you’re big boned … that’s on you, right? It’s not on the airline to accommodate you, especially Southwest.” — Link Lauren (48:22)
• Guest Soundbite (Charlamagne, The Breakfast Club):
  • “If you’re too big for one seat, then you just gotta buy two seats… You shouldn’t have been eating so much bread.” — (47:52)
• Community Reaction:
  • Link encourages listeners to weigh in, but insists the airline should not be blamed for refusing to accommodate extreme cases.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Meghan Markle:
  • “I don’t think anything that terrible has happened where she can’t forgive. ... He didn’t beat you. He didn’t kill anyone.” — Link Lauren [03:40]
• On Family Estrangement:
  • “You can cut off family members if something terrible happens... But that’s not the situation here.” — Link Lauren [08:40]
• On American Royals:
  • “You’re two little hucksters. ... You can try and knock President Trump... Nobody wants you.” — Link Lauren [10:24]
• Halle Berry’s Call-Out:
  • “He’s a bizarre, weird, beta male. Even the way he sits...” — Link Lauren [13:24]
• On Minnesota Fraud:
  • “That’s not a good defense… their best defense is we’re utterly incompetent and stupid and have no clue what’s going on in our state.” — Lydia Moynihan [21:55]
• On “Doll Moms”:
  • “If you don’t acknowledge it, you’re gonna become a psycho who’s recording yourself getting your dolls up in the morning.” — Lydia Moynihan [30:22]
• On Sydney Sweeney:
  • “She was sort of teaching a masterclass before this in just like, you don’t have to give an inch.” — Lydia Moynihan [38:15]
• On Southwest Fat Policy:
  • “If you know you are bigger, you’re thick, maybe you’re big boned and you need two seats on an airplane. There’s no shame in that. But that’s on you, right? That is on you. It’s not on the airline to accommodate you…” — Link Lauren [48:22]

Segment Timestamps

• [01:00] — Show intro, episode preview.
• [02:25] — Meghan Markle–Thomas Markle family drama commentary.
• [09:38] — Prince Harry’s Colbert appearance and critique.
• [12:05] — Halle Berry torches Gavin Newsom over menopause bill.
• [16:51] — Lydia Moynihan joins: Somali welfare fraud scheme breakdown.
• [26:36] — “Doll moms” trend and cultural commentary.
• [33:48] — Sydney Sweeney backlash, PR, and the Hollywood culture war.
• [46:06] — Southwest Airlines seating/obesity policy.
• [50:14] — Snacks endorsement (Masa chips)/wrap-up.
• [52:29] — Final remarks and teaser for next episode.

Overall Tone

Link’s style is humorous, direct, and sometimes biting, blending cultural and political skepticism with pop culture snark. Guest Lydia Moynihan matches with thoughtful, sometimes self-deprecating observations, offering a balance of seriousness with levity.

Summary Takeaway

This episode, true to Link Lauren’s “no-nonsense” tagline, tears into both establishment figures and fringe trends, intertwined with bold critiques and moments of wit. Whether lambasting Meghan Markle’s family choices or dissecting large-scale political fraud, the discussion is fast-paced, sharp, and unapologetically opinionated—serving listeners a rapid-fire rundown of the week’s most talked-about scandals and culture shocks.