The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz Episode: Pizzagate: We Investigate the (Real) Government Plot to Stuff You with Cheese Release Date: February 7, 2025

Introduction

In this intriguing episode titled "Pizzagate: We Investigate the (Real) Government Plot to Stuff You with Cheese," hosts Dan Le Batard and Stugotz delve deep into a bizarre conspiracy theory intertwining the U.S. government's dairy policies with the ubiquitous stuffed crust pizza. Hosted from the Elser Hotel in Downtown Miami, the duo, along with guest David Gardner, unpacks the origins, developments, and eventual debunking of this cheese-laden narrative.

Origins of Government Cheese and Dairy Industry Intervention

The conversation kicks off with Pablo Torre introducing the central premise: a viral TikTok video by "Cupcake the Destroyer 21" alleging that the U.S. government orchestrated a cheese surplus to stabilize the dairy industry and prevent a stock market crash. This surplus allegedly led to the creation of "government cheese caves" where excess cheese was stored and distributed to major pizza chains like Domino's and Pizza Hut to foster the development of stuffed crust pizza.

Notable Quote:

Cupcake the Destroyer 21 [02:33]: “Encouraged them to buy an excess of cheese to make sure the stock market didn't crash surrounding the dairy industry, resulting in what we now know as the cheese caves.”

David Gardner affirms the historical context, explaining that during the Great Depression, the U.S. government, through federal milk marketing laws established in the 1930s and 1940s, guaranteed the purchase of milk and dairy products to support farmers. This led to surplus cheese storage solutions, which were later misinterpreted and sensationalized in the conspiracy theory.

Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) and Government Involvement

The discussion transitions to Dairy Management Inc. (DMI), a promotional organization founded in 1995, which operates under the oversight of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. DMI's primary mission is to increase cheese consumption through marketing strategies, funded by a levy on dairy sales. This relationship fueled the spread of cheese-centric products across various fast-food chains.

Notable Quote:

Mike Campbell [25:47]: “...they came up with the ingenious idea of creating a fund to pay for marketing schemes which the US Government would then oversee and control.”

Gardner elaborates on how DMI embedded food scientists within major restaurant chains to innovate and promote cheese-heavy products, effectively increasing cheese consumption nationwide.

The Creation and Impact of Stuffed Crust Pizza

A pivotal moment in the episode is the exploration of stuffed crust pizza's invention. David Gardner introduces Tom Ryan, the key figure behind Pizza Hut's original stuffed crust pizza developed in the 1990s. Contrary to the conspiracy theory, Ryan reveals that stuffed crust pizza was a product of corporate innovation, devoid of direct governmental involvement.

Notable Quote:

Tom Ryan [35:15]: “...creating stuffed crust pizza was a math equation. If you wanted to make a pizza more valuable, there were two ways to do it. Put more cheese on it or charge less for it.”

This segment underscores that while DMI played a role in promoting cheese products, the inception of stuffed crust pizza was an independent corporate endeavor, predating significant DMI influence.

Debunking the Pizzagate Conspiracy

As the hosts juxtapose the historical facts with the conspiracy theory, they highlight inconsistencies in the timeline. The creation of stuffed crust pizza by Tom Ryan in 1994 precedes the establishment of DMI and the alleged government schemes. Gardner dissects the layers of misinformation, clarifying that while the government influenced cheese consumption through DMI, it did not directly create stuffed crust pizza.

Notable Quote:

David Gardner [38:55]: “...the government did not create the original stuffed crust pizza, but DMI did have a hand in creating a stuffed crust pizza.”

Furthermore, interviews with Michael Moss, a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter, and Mike Campbell, an advertising executive, provide authoritative insights, reinforcing the separation between corporate innovation and governmental dairy policies.

Implications on Public Health and Diet

The episode also addresses the broader implications of increased cheese consumption, citing Michael Moss's concerns about public health. With cheese consumption tripling to an average of 33 pounds per year, Gardner and Moss discuss the resultant rise in obesity, heart disease, and diabetes, labeling it a significant public health issue.

Notable Quote:

Mike Campbell [31:52]: “...cheese was delivering to us not just the luscious sensation of mouthfeel, but also heart disease. And then to kind of realize that the federal government, with US taxpayer money supporting it, is in fact guiding and overseeing this effort to get us to eat more and more cheese.”

The Intersection with Pop Culture and Media

An unexpected twist in the narrative involves linking stuffed crust pizza's popularity with high-profile figures like Donald Trump. The conversation humorously touches upon a fictional scenario where Trump participated in Pizza Hut's advertising campaigns, further entwining the conspiracy in popular culture lore.

Notable Quote:

David Gardner [46:04]: “...this was Trump's first national ad campaign.”

This segment satirically illustrates how conspiracy theories can intertwine with mainstream personalities, amplifying their reach and believability.

Conclusion: Separating Fact from Fiction

In closing, Dan Le Batard and Stugotz, alongside their guest, dismantle the Pizzagate conspiracy by meticulously tracing its roots and highlighting factual inaccuracies. They affirm that while governmental policies and DMI have influenced cheese consumption patterns, the creation of stuffed crust pizza remains a testament to corporate creativity rather than a government plot.

Notable Quote:

David Gardner [40:21]: “The real truth behind this conspiracy theory is that the government did not create the original stuffed crust pizza, but DMI did have a hand in creating a stuffed crust pizza.”

The episode serves as a compelling case study on how misinformation can evolve and the importance of critical investigation in debunking unfounded theories.

Key Takeaways

• Historical Context: Government intervention in the dairy industry during the Great Depression led to surplus cheese storage, later misconstrued in conspiracy theories.

• Role of DMI: Dairy Management Inc., established in 1995, played a significant role in promoting cheese consumption through strategic marketing within the food industry.

• Corporate Innovation: Stuffed crust pizza was an independent innovation by Pizza Hut's Tom Ryan in 1994, preceding DMI's extensive influence.

• Public Health Concerns: Increased cheese consumption has had notable negative impacts on public health, linking marketing strategies to broader societal issues.

• Misinformation Dynamics: The episode highlights how conspiracy theories can blend with cultural elements, necessitating thorough investigative approaches to discern truth from fiction.

Final Thought: Through meticulous investigation and engaging dialogue, "The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz" successfully navigates the tangled web of the Pizzagate conspiracy, offering listeners a balanced perspective that emphasizes the value of evidence-based conclusions.