The Daily Beans — "Thirsty, Sloppy, Small" (feat. John Fugelsang)
Date: September 26, 2025
Hosts: Allison Gill (AG), Dana Goldberg (DG)
Guest: John Fugelsang
Episode Overview
This Friday episode covers a whirlwind of major US political news—including the legal targeting of former FBI director Jim Comey, a secretive meeting of military leaders, moves to suppress the Epstein files, and the resignation of controversial Oklahoma schools chief Ryan Walters. The hosts are joined by comedian and author John Fugelsang, who discusses the explosion of Christian Nationalism, his recent book tour, and the fallout from the "Kimmel Effect." The conversation balances progressive, fact-based analysis with the show's signature sharp wit and camaraderie.
Major Discussion Points & Key Insights
1. Indictment of Jim Comey
- Breaking News: Trump’s U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia has secured an indictment against former FBI Director Jim Comey for false statements and obstruction of justice ([00:00], [05:03]).
- AG: "I can't believe they got an indictment." [04:47]
- Third charge not pursued; details to be covered on Sunday’s Unjustified podcast.
- Comey's alleged crimes: obstructing a Congressional investigation and making false statements about FBI leaks.
2. Pentagon Power Shuffle and Military Alarm
- Urgent Meeting: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has summoned roughly 800 generals and admirals to a secretive meeting in Virginia ([06:55]).
- Move seen as an attempt to "decapitate" military leadership or consolidate control, sparking alarm within the ranks.
- AG: "Imagine putting all of the flag officers in the world in one building and telling everyone about it." [07:53]
- Cites Project 2025 and concerns about purges of women and people of color.
3. Government Shutdown and Massive Layoffs Threatened
- White House Orders: Agencies to prep for mass layoffs if government shuts down; unclear which programs would continue ([08:09]).
- Memo chills federal workforce, ties layoffs to partisan priorities.
- Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries blast the move as political intimidation; vow it won’t affect Congressional Democratic strategy ([09:44]).
- AG: "[They've] been putting [the federal government] in a wood chipper." [10:01]
4. Epstein Files Discharge Petition: Panic and Stonewalling
- Suppression Efforts: The White House and Congressional allies are scrambling to prevent a floor vote to release the Epstein files, with pressure on GOP signers to withdraw support ([10:44]).
- AG: "I have to assume it's because they're in there." [11:47]
- Situation Room meetings dedicated to Epstein strategy, highlighting the files’ political volatility and fears for Trump's donors ([12:20]).
- Notable Quote: "They were talking about what to do about Epstein. The room where they do stuff like get bin Laden." [12:20]
- Breaking: Judge grants expedited review of AG's FOIA suit for FBI training videos on redacting Trump's name from files ([14:09]).
5. Ryan Walters Resigns as Oklahoma School Superintendent
- Controversial Figure Steps Down: Walters, known for extreme right views and numerous scandals, leaves to head a conservative educators' group ([15:29]).
- Attempted to inject Christian Nationalism and conspiracy theories into the classroom; ties to Turning Point USA.
- Ongoing legal challenges against his policies; Oklahoma remains last in national education rankings.
- DG: "I just wish he was not able to be in any sort of position of power at all." [01:55]
- AG: "He's tried to require social studies teachers to promote conspiracy theories..." [17:05]
Interview Highlight: John Fugelsang
Fugelsang joins to discuss his new bestseller "Separation of Church and Hate," Christian Nationalism, and the Kimmel Effect on free speech.
Separation of Church and Hate: Why Fight Christian Nationalism?
- John Fugelsang (Guest, recurring Friday favorite) just appeared on The Daily Show to discuss his book ([23:59]).
- Purpose: Arm both atheists and believers to challenge the right-wing distortion of Christianity for political gain.
- JF: "Atheists and believers have to work together to beat back the batshit Christian nationalists." [24:45]
- Right-wing Christians “legislate directly against [Jesus’] actual teachings.”
- AG: Having biblical knowledge is a "good arrow to have in your quiver." [26:28]
Rapture Hysteria & Spiritual Narcissism
- Discussion: Frequent apocalyptic predictions are a grift and distraction ([27:32]).
- JF: "Rapture is a business... this fascination with the world ending, it's pure spiritual narcissism." [27:53]
- "They don't care what Jesus talked about." [28:12]
The Kimmel Effect & Right-Wing Media Blowback
- Free Speech Victory: Disney/ABC’s reinstating Jimmy Kimmel after government interference attempts drew record viewers ([28:52], [30:12]).
- JF: "This is the ripple effect of this screw up... the gang that couldn't smear straight." [33:14]
- MAGA outrage and attempted censorship backfired—millions watched Kimmel’s monologue.
- JF: "ABC and Disney and Monday Night Football just told them to piss off. That's even bigger than Kimmel having a great monologue." [33:54]
Weaponization of Justice Department: The Comey Indictment
- Chilling Legal Precedent: Comey and John Bolton both targeted for prosecution as political retribution, not legal merit ([38:22], [41:19]).
- Trump prioritizes punishment over legal plausibility: "Trump doesn’t even need possible cause. He just wants a grudge and a lawyer willing to humiliate themselves." — JF [39:38]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “He’s just going to keep on doing it, and then he will throw something else up to distract us. Like the Tylenol will be.” – John Fugelsang on Trump’s weaponized chaos ([41:11])
- “You can hate Bolton and you can hate Comey and still decry the weaponization of the Justice Department.” – AG ([41:29])
- “Imagine putting all of the flag officers in the world in one building and telling everyone about it.” – AG ([07:53])
- "They don't care about Jesus, they don't care about Satan, they care about conservative Christian power. That's their religion." – JF ([25:30])
- “ABC and Disney... told [the censors] to piss off. That’s even bigger than Kimmel having a great monologue.” – JF ([33:54])
- "Rapture is a business. This fascination with the world ending, it's pure spiritual narcissism." – JF ([27:53])
- “You kicked some ass today. And gave the school group touring the Capitol something to talk about when they got home.” – Good news segment, listener submission ([55:53])
Timestamps for Key Segments
| Topic | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------------------------------|------------------| | Episode News Headlines & Overview | 00:00–02:16 | | Jim Comey Indictment – Breaking Discussion | 04:47–05:03 | | Military Generals' Secret Meeting | 06:55–08:09 | | Government Shutdown Threat & Mass Layoffs | 08:09–10:44 | | Efforts to Suppress the Epstein Files | 10:44–14:09 | | FBI Training Videos/FOIA Lawsuit Breakthrough | 14:09–15:29 | | Ryan Walters Resignation & Oklahoma Education Controversies | 15:29–19:31 | | Interview with John Fugelsang Begins | 23:59–44:32 | | Christian Nationalism, “Separation of Church and Hate” | 24:45–27:53 | | The Kimmel Effect, Free Speech and Disney’s Resistance | 28:52–36:39 | | Weaponized DOJ & Legal Attacks on Political Enemies | 38:22–41:19 | | Listener Good News & Closing | 46:13–59:22 |
Original Tone & Style
- Wry, progressive, and sharp. Hosts don’t shy away from calling out hypocrisy, nor from celebrating progressive wins, and express solidarity via their active, compassionate rapport with each other and listeners.
Listener “Good News” Segments
- Post-it activism for economic justice (“10/18-nokings.org”) ([47:25]).
- Shout-out to Douglas Week, a cultural event highlighting hidden history ([51:56]).
- Community action for gender affirming care in Michigan ([54:42]).
- Celebration of intergenerational political engagement among U.S. expats in the EU ([56:22]).
Closing & Takeaways
This episode encapsulates the volatile, often surreal state of American politics under Trump’s continued influence, emphasizing the need for community, historical perspective, and persistent activism. The guest interview offers a toolkit for countering Christian Nationalism, highlights corporate media’s role in defending free expression, and underscores the urgent need to call out political weaponization of institutions.
For more:
- Listen to “Unjustified” Sunday for a deep-dive into the Comey indictment.
- Follow John Fugelsang’s work: SiriusXM, Substack, and his NYT-bestselling book.
“We’re out there. Whether the mainstream media acknowledges we’re out there or not. Progressive media is a strong infrastructure and there’s more of us than there are of them. And they’re counting on us being disconnected and divided.” – John Fugelsang [43:02]
End of Summary.