The Dan Bongino Show - Episode 2388 Summary
Title: Did The Government Accidentally Tell The Truth About The Drones?
Host: Dan Bongino
Release Date: December 16, 2024
Network: Cumulus Podcast Network | Dan Bongino
1. Weekend Recap and Personal Anecdotes
Dan Bongino begins the episode by sharing a detailed account of a recent party he hosted. Despite initial concerns about potential rain and space constraints, the event was a success with over 250 attendees. Bongino expresses gratitude towards his wife, Paula, for orchestrating the event flawlessly.
Notable Quote:
"We're going to have a good party. And it held out."
[00:03]
He highlights the presence of notable guests, including President Trump, Jesse Kelly, and Leo Terrell, emphasizing the event's significance and the strong support from his community.
Highlights:
- Party Success: Over 250 attendees; minimal cancellations.
- Special Guests: President Trump sent a birthday video, Jesse Kelly, Leo Terrell, among others.
- Personal Touches: Bongino shares moments like singing "Chasing You" with Paula and acquiring a new leather jacket from Nate Smith.
2. Critique of The New York Times’ Stuart Thompson
Bongino transitions to a critical analysis of a New York Times article by Stuart Thompson, who reportedly spent 47 hours analyzing right-wing content on Rumble to conclude that the platform is inherently right-leaning.
Notable Quotes:
"If this doesn't show you how the media works, he picked his 47 hours for this article."
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"Stuart Thompson, who, let me tell you, he came into this piece, it came out this weekend, the day at a party, December 13."
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Key Points:
- Sample Bias: Bongino argues that Thompson's 47-hour review is insufficient and biased, focusing only on right-wing content.
- Media Reliability: He asserts that legacy media outlets like The New York Times are losing credibility, pushing audiences towards alternative platforms like Rumble and X (formerly Twitter).
- Alternate Reality vs. Truth: Bongino suggests that mainstream media perpetuates an "alternate reality," whereas truth is emerging through independent channels.
Quotes with Timestamps:
"Stuart Thompson, who, let me tell you, he came into this piece, it came out this weekend, the day at a party, December 13."
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"Stewart, I'm going to ask you a serious question because you're an asshole and I can't stand you."
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3. January 6th and FBI Involvement
Bongino delves into the January 6th Capitol riot, challenging the official narrative that no undercover FBI agents were present in the crowd. He references an IG report and asserts that federal agents and assets were indeed among the participants.
Notable Quotes:
"There were absolutely federal agents and FBI agents in the crowd."
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"What was their role there? They had to have a job."
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Key Points:
- IG Report Discrepancy: Bongino claims the IG report admits the presence of FBI assets but downplays their roles.
- Government Transparency: He contends that the government is withholding crucial information about the informants' missions during the event.
- Political Implications: The presence of FBI agents undermines the legitimacy of the insurrection narrative, according to Bongino.
Quotes with Timestamps:
"The IG report now ridiculously claims that there were no federal agents, basically, or FBI agents in the crowd."
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"What was their mission? They were in the crowd to incite a riot? Or were they just casually observing?"
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4. Media Bias and Trust Issues
Bongino criticizes the media's portrayal of various political issues, emphasizing the erosion of trust between the public and legacy media outlets. He highlights instances where media figures acknowledge past reporting errors, further diminishing their credibility.
Notable Quotes:
"Nobody trusts these people anymore. Their credibility, whether it's the media, left wingers, government bureaucrats, Swampies, Joe Biden. Nobody trusts them."
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Key Points:
- Differential Coverage: Bongino observes that conservative platforms receive negative press, while those with liberal audiences are favored.
- Public Perception: The skepticism towards traditional media has driven audiences to seek information from alternative sources like Rumble and X.
- Media Accountability: He calls for holding media accountable for biased reporting and misinformation.
Quotes with Timestamps:
"But now that we're getting down to it, Stewart was wrong yet again."
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5. Drone UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) Discussion
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to the mysterious drone sightings and the government's handling of the situation. Bongino proposes theories about foreign surveillance and criticizes the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for their ambiguous statements.
Notable Quotes:
"I think it's foreign governments doing what foreign governments do. Like China did with the spy balloon, which is they're just trying to surveil sensitive locations in the United States."
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"How do you know they're not a threat if you don't know what they are? It's like looking at some fancy weapon you've never seen before."
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Key Points:
- Foreign Surveillance Theory: Bongino aligns with opinions that drones are likely used by foreign governments for espionage, similar to past incidents like the Chinese spy balloon.
- Government Response Critique: He criticizes DHS Secretary Mayorkas for not providing clear information and for the perceived incompetence in handling drone threats.
- Public Safety Concerns: Bongino raises alarms about the potential dangers posed by unidentified drones and the lack of effective response mechanisms.
Quotes with Timestamps:
"The military doesn't want to shoot it down because it's going to land somewhere and nobody knows how to tell the public we can't secure the airspace."
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"Why would the government allow a United States senator be so frustrated? We heard this from both sides of the aisle."
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6. Implications for the Biden Administration
Bongino discusses recent actions by the Biden administration, particularly focusing on the dismantling of the border wall. He criticizes President Biden for auctioning off border wall materials, arguing that it hinders future efforts to secure the nation's borders.
Notable Quotes:
"Joe Biden will go down. I promise you when this is all done, as the worst president in modern US History, there will be no parallel."
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"He wants to make sure, unlike Stuart Thompson, doesn't want to acknowledge it's having sex traffickers. Biden wants to make sure sex traffickers have an easy time at no border wall."
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Key Points:
- Border Wall Auction: Biden's decision to auction border wall materials is portrayed as a deliberate move to impede border security.
- National Security Risks: Bongino links the dismantling of the wall to increased risks of sex trafficking, drug smuggling, and terrorism.
- Administration's Legacy: He predicts that Biden's actions will leave a lasting negative impact on national security and public safety.
Quotes with Timestamps:
"This is an auction in name only. The goal, quote, is to move all of it off the border before Christmas."
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"This guy can do a lot of damage. Keep your eye on the prize, folks."
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7. Media and Political Strategy Lessons
Bongino reflects on past political strategies and media maneuvers, emphasizing the importance of making issues tangible for the public to effect change. He references his foresight on immigration issues and how delayed media acknowledgment consequently affected political outcomes.
Notable Quotes:
"They are never aware of us until we beat them. And then they're shocked."
[Timestamp not specified]
Key Points:
- Strategic Influence: By making immigration a visible and pressing issue, Bongino believes the Republican Party successfully influenced public perception and policy.
- Media Lagging Response: He asserts that mainstream media fails to adapt and acknowledge truths until it's too late, damaging their credibility and influence.
- Future Implications: Emphasizes the necessity for alternative media to continue challenging the narratives presented by legacy outlets.
Quotes with Timestamps:
"We warned you about this years ago."
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"They know they're never safe. As they turn on him for doing something about immigration, now, he realizes the media is full of crap."
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8. Closing Remarks and Call to Action
In his closing, Bongino reiterates the importance of questioning mainstream narratives and encourages listeners to seek truth through alternative platforms. He emphasizes personal responsibility and resilience in the face of widespread misinformation.
Notable Quotes:
"Treat the government like you would your 7 or 8 year old."
[Timestamp not specified]
"We are always their story. Stuart, I'm going to ask you a serious question because you're an asshole and I can't stand you."
[Timestamp not specified]
Key Points:
- Skepticism Towards Government: Advocates for treating government communications with the same caution as one would a young child, implying simplicity and naivety.
- Community Support: Encourages listeners to engage with the Rumble platform and participate in live discussions to foster informed communities.
- Future Outlook: Suggests ongoing battles against media bias and misinformation, positioning Rumble as a bastion for truth.
Quotes with Timestamps:
"Download the Rumble app. We had a great week at Rumble. Join us live every day for the live chat."
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"I'll see you on the radio show here in Rumble in a few minutes."
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Conclusion
In Episode 2388 of The Dan Bongino Show, Dan delivers a fervent critique of mainstream media, particularly targeting The New York Times' Stuart Thompson for perceived bias and incompetence. He delves into issues surrounding the January 6th Capitol riot, questioning the official narratives about FBI involvement. Additionally, Bongino discusses the mysterious drone sightings, advocating for theories of foreign surveillance and criticizing governmental responses. His scathing remarks extend to the Biden administration's border security policies, which he claims undermine national safety. Throughout the episode, Bongino emphasizes the importance of seeking truth through alternative media platforms like Rumble, urging his listeners to remain vigilant against misinformation and media bias.
Note: The provided transcript did not specify exact timestamps for all quotes beyond the initial few minutes. As such, only the earliest quote has an exact timestamp.