Steve Deace Show | On Iran: What's Our OUT?

Date: April 9, 2026
Host: Steve Deace (Philadelphia)
Panelists: Todd Erzin, Aaron McIntyre (Des Moines)
Guest: Ryan Walters

Episode Overview

This episode of the Steve Deace Show pivots around America's entanglement with Iran, public confusion on the war's objectives and endpoints, and the recent rise of anti-Semitic rhetoric in conservative circles. The core theme explores not just current events, but deeper spiritual and cultural sifting underway among both conservatives and Christians—a "mind virus" Steve argues is intentionally dividing the right. Steve is joined by education reformer Ryan Walters to discuss fighting teachers' unions, and the roundtable further unpacks messaging, leadership, and moral clarity in turbulent times. The episode is heavy on Christian theology, historical parallels, and sober reflection on America's national and spiritual condition.

Opening Reflections: Spiritual Undercurrent Amid Division

[00:00–08:36]

Key Points:

• Steve reports from Philadelphia after speaking at TPUSA Faith's "Make Heaven Crowded" event, emphasizing an undercurrent of spiritual hunger in the country.
• Gospel Framework: Steve outlines the four foundational Gospel points—sin, repentance, redemption through Christ alone, and regeneration–saying these truths are drawing sold-out crowds despite increasing “literal demoniac invasion” and division.
• Encouragement to Listeners: He frames this spiritual revival as something the “enemy is afraid of,” and argues that current discord is evidence of effective spiritual warfare (“the sifting that is taking place”).
• Quote:
  “The amount of people that are interested in that message...they’re all packed, they’re all sold out. And this is one of the major reasons that we’re seeing literal demoniac invasion on our side right now. Because the enemy is afraid.” —Steve [03:42]
• Todd and Aaron respond with affirmations and personal echoes of recent moving faith experiences, reinforcing a message of hope amid discouraging cultural signs.

Aaron's News Rundown: War, Political Drift, & Cultural Absurdity

[09:20–16:04]

Segments & Timestamps:

• [09:20] Iran War & Ceasefire Confusion:
  • The US-Iran ceasefire remains shaky; Iran wants Israel’s Lebanon operations stopped.
  • Trump’s blustery Truth Social post: Vows overwhelming force, but US remains on cautious standby.
  • J.D. Vance’s clarity: There are multiple “10-point” Iranian proposals, with media muddying the waters by picking up random versions.
  • Notable quote:
    “I’ve seen various organs, the New York Times, CNN, others pick up and run the original 10 point proposal based on little more than a random yahoo in Iran...then them saying that somehow represents the negotiating position of the government.” —J.D. Vance [11:00]
• [12:09] Domestic Crime & Security:
  • Updates on high-profile criminal cases and national security leaks.
• [13:45] GOP Policy Drift:
  • Mike Johnson may let the Planned Parenthood funding ban lapse.
• [14:18] Hacking & Propaganda:
  • Humorous segment highlighting US firms vetting for North Korean infiltration.
• [15:07] Woke Culture:
  • Mockery of growing, convoluted inclusivity acronyms in Canadian political discourse.

Iran: “What’s Our OUT?” – Leadership & Messaging Crisis

[17:49–26:46]

Key Discussion Notes:

• Steve lambastes America’s current inability to deliver clear, unifying leadership—especially regarding Iran.
  • He says most people (even on the right) have no idea “what’s the out” in Iran; even Trump voters could not articulate an endpoint for the war.
  • The disconnect is seen as both a messaging and existential crisis.
  • Quote:
    “Us not knowing what the out is doesn’t mean that we are saying the people running the show don’t know what the out is. That’s a separate question...But I promise you, if I just went out on the streets...and I asked them, ‘What’s the out here?’ How many of them...could give me a definitive answer in two minutes or less?” —Steve [26:45]

Leadership Model Highlighted:

• J.D. Vance praised as a communicator: “Our best messenger since Reagan” [19:00], able to clarify murky situations in plain language and inspire confidence.
  • Steve argues that messaging is the main power a president now wields (“the power of the bully pulpit”).
  • Criticizes Trump’s often “erratic” communication during crises for sowing unease rather than assurance.

Roundtable Consensus:

• Unclear “out” from Iran war: None of the panelists can articulate an exit strategy; America is not united enough to confront Iran as Israel is.
• Israel vs. US Resolve: Contrasts Israel’s generational unity behind its government post-October 7 vs. America’s infighting—even within its own parties.

Interview: Ryan Walters – Countering the Teacher Unions

[31:42–46:14]

Ryan Walters’ Mission:

• Recently left Oklahoma Superintendent post to lead Teacher Freedom Alliance, organizing over 14,000 teachers nationwide.
• The group acts as an alternative “professional association” to the major teachers’ unions, providing liability protections, training, and community without union ideology.

Key Quotes:

• “We can actually get education back...I feel like there’s a ticking clock here. If public schools continue to be captured by the unions, by the left, good people are never going to be a teacher.” —Ryan Walters [33:25]
• “We provide liability protection for teachers...we’re already certified in 49 states...You don’t have to join the union for these protections.” [36:14]

Importance:

• Steve draws the connection: Real education reform requires not just “great curriculum” but boots on the ground—teachers who have protection and community, emboldened to resist woke agendas.
• Emphasizes building coalitions between conservative parents and teachers, especially in blue states where the need is greatest.

Panel Reaction:

• Key takeaway: Grassroots school takeover is a feasible, non-negotiable strategy to rescue the country—"Five families showing up can turn a school district around.” [47:18]

Theology Thursday: “Dialogue with Trypho”—Truth, Heresy, Israel, and the Current ‘Mind Virus’

[49:02–77:57]

Context Setting:

• Steve teaches on Justin Martyr’s “Dialogue with Trypho” as a model for current debates: navigating between rejecting the Old Testament (Marcionism) and denying Jesus as Messiah.
  • Analogy: Just as Martyr rebuked both extremes, Christians today face the need to reject both anti-Christian scapegoating (anti-Semitism) and heretical distortions of the faith.

Key Cultural & Spiritual Analysis:

• Rising Anti-Semitism on the Right:

  • Steve decries the sudden online surge of anti-Jewish scapegoating— “the oldest scapegoat ploy in all history”—as supernatural, not organic.
    • Examples: Cites Candace Owens, Benny Johnson, and Tucker Carlson as spreading or incentivizing these narratives.
    • Stresses the “Jewish scapegoat” narrative is a narrative in search of facts rather than honest inquiry.
    • Memorable quote:
      “No one that ever goes down the rabbit hole of Jewish scapegoating ever comes back a better person for it. Nobody does.” [71:45]

• Why Real Conversation is Difficult Now:

  • Sober, nuanced discussions about Iran are being “drowned out” by a “mind virus” that hijacks legitimate criticism and steers it toward bigotry and unreality.

• Personal Reservations About the Iran War:

  • Steve reiterates he was never on board with the war (“What’s the out?”), but says he cannot ally with the current opposition because it’s mostly animated by “dark, sinister, godless” aims rather than rational critique.

Panel Reflections:

• True discernment is seeking truth, not clinging to “narrative” or lies. Spiritual warning: “You’re either pursuing the truth, or you’re pursuing narrative or lies.” —Aaron [76:02]

Dialoguing with Trypho (aka Tom Woods) – Addressing Critiques

[78:09–94:32]

Structure:

Steve uses the “dialogue” framework to address libertarian Tom Woods’s public critiques. Each is read out and answered in order.

Main Exchanges:

1. On Trump’s Profanity vs. Tucker Carlson’s Blasphemy [80:01]:

   • Tom: Accuses Steve of hypocrisy—rebuking Tucker for theology, but not Trump for bad language.
   • Steve:
     • Points out Trump publicly shared the Gospel from the White House (!!) on Good Friday—when has Tucker done likewise?
     • Distinguishes that he holds Tucker (who claims to teach Christianity) to a higher standard than Trump (who does not).

2. On Trump’s Rhetoric about “Destroying Persia” [83:33]:

   • Tom: Trump’s wild rhetoric is as dangerous as anything Tucker says.
   • Steve: No one takes Trump’s hyperbole at face value—he’s not trying to “redefine Christianity” as Tucker is.
     • Emphasizes: “My priority is always the gospel, not public policy. Public policy is an extension of the gospel.” [85:42]

3. On Seven Seconds of Tucker’s Monologue [86:08]:

   • Tom: It’s unfair to judge a whole argument by a short offensive soundbite.
   • Steve: It only takes one moment to discredit many minutes of virtue—just as a single heinous claim would cancel any compliments.

4. On Multipolar World (China et al.) [89:11]:

   • Tom: “Every reasonable person” recognizes the limits of US power; should share power with China/Russia/Iran.
   • Steve/Todd/Aaron: Flat-out reject the premise; China’s values are incompatible with US liberty—the evidence of bad faith (IP theft, COVID, etc.) shows the folly of appeasement or “sharing power.”
     • Todd warns against the intellectual vanity of “being too smart by half.”

5. On Neocon vs. Buchanan Foreign Policy [93:57]:

   • Steve: “I don’t have a narrative. My world is not as simple as Mark Levin vs. Pat Buchanan,” calling for scriptural discernment over tribal allegiance.

Notable Quotes

• “I think that he [J.D. Vance] is the best communicator I’ve seen on our side since Reagan. And ... our best chance to save the next generation of young men before they go off the cliff into the abyss of nihilism.” —Steve [19:05]
• “We cannot do another era of ‘trust the plan’… We need someone who stands up and communicates that there is a plan and it’s being activated.” —Steve [21:32]
• “No one that ever goes down the rabbit hole of Jewish scapegoating ever comes back a better person for it. Nobody does.” —Steve [71:45]
• “We are trying to pursue truth with the caveat that all of us are fallen and we’re not going to do it perfectly at the end of the day.” —Aaron [77:11]
• “My priority is always the gospel, not public policy. Public policy to me is an extension of the gospel.” —Steve [85:42]

Important Timestamps

• [03:42] — Spiritual overview of the gospel and the current revival
• [09:20] — Iran ceasefire details and J.D. Vance’s media critique
• [19:00] — Why J.D. Vance’s communication matters for the right
• [23:50] — The panel debates “what’s the out” in Iran; no answers
• [33:25] — Ryan Walters on fighting the teachers’ unions
• [41:31] — Linking parents & teachers for local school reclamation
• [53:18] — Justin Martyr, "Dialogue with Trypho," and theological underpinnings
• [71:45] — Steve’s rebuke of rightwing anti-Semitism as a “mind virus”
• [80:01ff] — Steve-Tom Woods dialogue: clarifying principles on Trump, Tucker, war, and American power

Summary Table

| Segment | Theme/Discussion | Timestamp | |---------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------|------------| | Spiritual Opening | Gospel, hope, culture war, revival | 00:00–08:36| | News Montage | Iran war, domestic instability, culture absurdities | 09:20–16:04| | Iran War “OUT” | Leadership, confusion, messaging crisis | 17:49–26:46| | Ryan Walters Interview | Teachers’ unions, grassroots reform, practical activism | 31:42–46:14| | Roundtable Reaction | How few parents can flip a district; actionable localism | 46:19–47:49| | Theology Thursday | Truth/narrative distinction, anti-Semitism’s danger, Justin Martyr | 49:02–77:57| | Trypho (Tom Woods) Dialog | Addressing libertarian critiques, prudence, gospel first | 78:09–94:32|

Tone & Takeaways

• The tone is earnest, sometimes “snarky,” but ultimately grave and theologically serious. Steve weaves scripture, American history, and cultural analysis to call for realignment on both spiritual and civic fronts.
• The episode is less about offering policy answers to Iran and more about the larger crises of leadership, unity, and discernment plaguing both America and the right.
• The dialogue with Tom Woods models real-time debate and exemplifies Steve’s commitment to pursuing truth over tribal loyalty or narratives.

For listeners, this episode delivers a robust blend of Christian worldview, urgent current affairs analysis, and “inside baseball” on the conservative movement’s present perils and possibilities.