The Dinesh D'Souza Podcast

Episode: VANITY “NOT SO” FAIR

Date: December 19, 2025
Host: Dinesh D'Souza
Co-host: Debbie D'Souza

Episode Overview

This episode features Dinesh D’Souza and his wife Debbie in their signature “Friday Roundup” format, exploring a range of stories from the tragic Brown University shooting, a contentious Vanity Fair article on Trump staff, and reflections on political media bias, to global terrorism, U.S./Venezuela politics, and even a bizarre megachurch camel incident. With a blend of seriousness, wry humor, and philosophical musings, the pair dive into issues of political motive, the role of the media, the dangers of cultural naivete, and the perils and absurdities of contemporary life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Brown University Shooting & The Search for Motive

[00:51–07:00]

• Dinesh opens with an update on the Brown University and MIT professor shooting case. The suspect, reportedly a Portuguese man with connections to both universities, was found dead (suicide).
• Both speculate on the motive, expressing skepticism about official narratives and frustration with the lack of a satisfying explanation.
• Debbie raises the odd detail that the shooter allegedly “barked like a dog” during the attack, dismissing speculation about religious or ideological motives.
• Dinesh philosophizes on the necessity of intentionality in human behavior, rejecting explanations rooted solely in neuroscience:

  “As human beings, whenever we talk about anything, we cannot understand... behavior outside of intentionality.” (Dinesh, 03:30)

• Reflection on the pain for the victims’ families given the senselessness of the crime.

2. Vanity Fair Article on Susie Wiles & Conservative Media Engagement

[07:00–13:13]

• Transition to Vanity Fair’s profile of Trump aide Susie Wiles. Dinesh references his own experience being profiled by Vanity Fair (2014), noting the outlet’s reputation for liberal bias and selective quoting:

  “You can take a handful of accurate quotes, embed them in a context that’s completely distorting or misleading.” (Dinesh, 12:25)

• They debate whether it’s ever worthwhile for conservatives to engage with such media, with Dinesh concluding perceptions have changed—there’s “no reason” to do it now as conservative media have their own platforms.

Memorable Exchange:

• Debbie: “So Vanity, not so fair.” (08:51; quipping about the magazine’s reputation)
• Dinesh: “If you do these interviews, you’re going to get a smear. You should expect a smear. You cannot play dumb or play naive afterward and go, ‘Oh, they smeared me.’” (13:02)

3. Terror Attack at Bondi Beach & Western Naivete about Islamism

[16:02–23:25]

• The pair discuss a recent ISIS-linked terrorist shooting at Bondi Beach, Australia, highlighting the impact on a country perceived as less jaded and politically traumatized than the U.S.
• Dinesh contextualizes the local impact:

  “It’s kind of like 120 people in America being killed, which would cause an incredible firestorm.” (17:36)

• Debbie critiques the Western tendency to misunderstand Islamist violence—describing the U.S. legal system’s struggles with cases involving honor killings.
• The pair lament media reluctance to call terror attacks by their ideological names, mocking headlines like “Motive unknown,” despite clear Islamist slogans at the scenes.

Notable Quotes:

• Dinesh: “The West does not understand Islam. Even in America…” (20:12)
• Debbie: “That is not the motive behind this.” (21:10; referring to honor killings being miscast as domestic violence)

4. Media Bias: CNN’s Take on Trump and the First Amendment

[34:19–44:08]

• Debbie reads from a recent CNN article claiming the Trump administration is eroding the First Amendment. The hosts point out what they see as the hypocrisy and double standards of mainstream media.
• Dinesh argues:

  “Their true position is that censorship should be allowed when they do it and not allowed when we do it… They don’t believe in applying even standards to everybody.” (36:38)

• Both note that liberal media shape reality for their audiences, creating partisans whose “honest” view of facts is determined by selective exposure.
• Debbie calls out:

  “They’re the biggest gaslighters on the planet.” (41:10)

• Discussion shifts to Dinesh’s “2000 Mules” film and the use of cell phone geo-tracking, critiquing responses from liberal commentators.

5. Venezuela and Regime Change

[44:08–47:44]

• Dinesh and Debbie reflect on potential political change in Venezuela.
• Debbie distinguishes between regime change in Islamic countries (“usually it’s worse”) and Venezuela (“now or never”).
• They decry the current Venezuelan regime as both oppressive and a facilitator for drug cartels, noting the strategic importance of a free Venezuela for the U.S. and its neighbors.

6. Trump, the “Trump Kennedy Center” and Presidential Libraries

[47:44–49:09; 28:49–31:12]

• Light-hearted segment about Trump’s desire to rename the Kennedy Center after himself, with Debbie joking about naming rights for big donors—suggesting it might just become “the Trump Center”:

  “Why not Trump?... Call it the Trump Center. Forget about the Kennedy.” (48:41)

• Sarcastic suggestions for how to commemorate the Biden presidency (e.g., a symbolic auto-pen or an empty room as his “library”), questioning how a President so absent could have a legacy institution.

7. Megachurch Camel Incident

[49:09–54:54]

• The duo recount a viral story of a real camel kicking a woman during a Christmas nativity display at a Texas megachurch.
• Humorous remarks on the spectacle of megachurch productions:

  “Some of these megachurches have too much money… They have become religious entertainment.” (53:48)

• They laugh at how social media users responded with jokes, but Dinesh and Debbie conclude with gentle criticism of over-the-top church events.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On intentionality and human motive:

  “We act for motives. And very often, the first thing you do if you’re on a jury or you’re examining a crime is you’re like, if you’re saying, ‘this guy did it,’ why did he do it?” (Dinesh, 04:29)

• On liberal media engagement:

  “You do these interviews, you’re going to get a smear… You should expect a smear.” (Dinesh, 13:00)

• On media’s double standards:

  “Their true position is that censorship should be allowed when they do it and not allowed when we do it.” (Dinesh, 36:38)

• On the Kennedy Center:

  “I would go further and I would just say call it the Trump Center. Forget about the Kennedy.” (Debbie, 48:41)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Brown University Shooting: [00:51–07:00]
• Vanity Fair/Media Bias Discussion: [07:00–13:13]
• Bondi Terror Attack & Islamism: [16:02–23:25]
• CNN/First Amendment Critique: [34:19–44:08]
• Venezuela Politics: [44:08–47:44]
• Trump & Cultural Satire (Kennedy Center, Biden’s Library): [28:49–31:12; 47:44–49:09]
• Megachurch Camel Incident: [49:09–54:54]

Conclusion

This episode typifies Dinesh D’Souza’s style—a blend of dark news analysis, personal anecdotes, biting critique of “mainstream” media, and sardonic observations about politics and culture, punctuated by Debbie's warmth and asides. The episode delivers both serious reflection and comic relief, while taking firm stances on the vital importance of intentionality in human action, the perniciousness of biased media, and the need for clarity and realism in confronting global threats.