Podcast Summary: The Find Out Podcast - Episode 7: "How to Disarm MAGA’s Disinformation Machine"

Release Date: April 29, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 7 of The Find Out Podcast, the hosts delve deep into strategies for countering the disinformation propagated by the MAGA movement. With a blend of humor, candor, and insightful analysis, the team discusses recent political events, their experiences on the Unfuck America Tour in Houston, and broader societal issues affecting America's political landscape.

George Santos Sentencing

The episode kicks off with breaking news about George Santos, the controversial former congressman.

• Tim (00:00): Announces George Santos's sentencing to 87 months in prison, highlighting the irony and humor in the situation.

  "We had to get a reaction because it is kind of funny, because that guy is just pathetic." [00:00]

• Rich (00:21): Sarcastically refers to the sentencing as a "witch hunt", reflecting skepticism towards the legal actions against Santos.

  "Witch hunt." [00:21]

• Luke (00:22): Adds, "Yeah, the dogs weaponized." [00:22], indicating disdain for the legal process.

Unfuck America Tour in Houston

Transitioning from the Santos news, the hosts recount their participation in the Unfuck America Tour, aimed at challenging MAGA supporters.

• Tim (00:53): Sets the stage for the discussion about their encounter in Houston, Texas.

  "We have a lot of things to cover today, and we literally just got some breaking news." [00:53]

• Luke (01:02): Describes the chaotic experience of attempting to debate Charlie Kirk at Texas A&M University.

  "We went down there. We were supposed to debate him. That's his whole shtick, right?" [01:02]

• Rich (02:10): Shares personal interactions with MAGA volunteers, emphasizing the challenge of engaging with deeply entrenched beliefs.

  "He described himself as a fundamentalist evangelical Christian. I mean, this is a person who, if you wrote him down on paper and you wrote me down on paper, you couldn't even get us in the same room." [02:10]

Conversations with MAGA Supporters

The hosts discuss their meaningful yet frustrating conversations with MAGA supporters, highlighting moments of mutual respect and understanding.

• Rich (04:30): Recounts a poignant conversation where mutual respect emerged despite stark disagreements.

  "After talking to some of these... he said, 'you've been very respectful. You make eye contact, you haven't interrupted me. No, I would not describe you as a radical left lunatic.'" [05:05]

• Tim (06:33): Emphasizes the importance of recognizing common humanity to bridge political divides.

  "More situations where we actually get to have conversations with people is a good thing." [06:33]

• Zach (07:27): Advocates for respectful dialogue over aggressive confrontation to effectively reach and influence MAGA supporters.

  "If you just give them a piece of humanity, they will return it." [07:27]

Gun Control Discussions

A significant portion of the episode focuses on gun control, responsible ownership, and the pitfalls of opposing registries.

• Rich (42:12): Criticizes Trump’s approach to taxation and economic policies, tying it into broader discussions on responsible governance.

  "We can raise taxes on billionaires all day long. I'll sign up for that if that means that a server at a steakhouse... is able to do it a lot more easily." [42:12]

• Chris (64:59): Defends responsible gun ownership and challenges the notion that gun registries infringe on Second Amendment rights.

  "There is such a thing as responsible and safe gun ownership... I wouldn't have a problem with that list being federalized." [64:59]

• Tim (63:17): Shares firsthand experiences emphasizing the futility of armed resistance in mass shootings.

  "There are no, almost no examples of good guys stopping bad guys with guns without people dying." [63:17]

Economic Policies and Job Numbers

The hosts dissect the narrative surrounding job losses during Trump’s administration, attributing them more to external factors like COVID-19 than to his policies.

• Zach (19:55): Challenges the claim that Trump lost jobs, arguing that COVID-19 was the primary cause.

  "Trump didn't lose those jobs. Trump was on pace to gain jobs, and in the end, Covid lost those jobs." [19:55]

• Rich (25:09): Analyzes job recovery statistics, highlighting the similarities between Trump's and Obama's terms.

  "He had a full year of recovery under his first term... By the time we reached full employment again, it was the beginning of 2022." [25:09]

• Tim (22:41): Criticizes Trump's handling of the pandemic, suggesting that better early measures could have mitigated economic and health impacts.

  "If we had sent masks to everyone early on... we would not have ended it, and we still would have had losses." [22:41]

Debating Charlie Kirk

The episode features an in-depth analysis of the dynamics between the podcast hosts and Charlie Kirk’s debating style.

• Luke (28:38): Describes Charlie Kirk’s strategy of humiliating opponents, which often backfires by leaving individuals introspective and possibly swayed.

  "If Everybody had tripled down, quadrupled down... we might have made a Republican voter for life." [32:34]

• Rich (49:25): Critiques the performance of MAGA proponents on stage, emphasizing the importance of respectful debate to influence younger voters.

  "Creating a registry is so ridiculously a bullshit argument." [49:25]

Potential Solutions

The hosts explore actionable strategies to counter MAGA disinformation and foster meaningful political discourse.

• Chris (44:40): Highlights the need for concise, relatable messaging that resonates with everyday Americans rather than relying on complex policy jargon.

  "We need to start taxing Wall Street... that's how we actually make money." [44:40]

• Rich (45:30): Proposes the idea of comparing political leaders' records transparently to hold them accountable.

  "Let's just take the top 20 Republicans... let's see which is the party of law and order and family values." [62:28]

Concluding Remarks

The episode wraps up with the hosts reflecting on their mission and encouraging listener engagement.

• Tim (69:32): Announces new merchandise supporting American businesses, reinforcing the podcast’s commitment to its values.

  "All of our stuff is made in America... to support some American businesses." [69:32]

• Luke (69:34): Shares personal anecdotes, reinforcing camaraderie among the hosts.

  "Rich is the fucking best. We had a lot of fun." [69:34]

• Rich (69:42): Engages listeners with a fun challenge about guessing the hosts' heights, fostering a sense of community.

  "How tall do you think each of us are?" [69:42]

Notable Quotes

• Zach (07:27): "If you just give them a piece of humanity, they will return it." [07:27]

• Chris (44:40): "We need to start taxing Wall Street... that's how we actually make money." [44:40]

• Rich (49:25): "Creating a registry is so ridiculously a bullshit argument." [49:25]

• Tim (22:41): "If we had sent masks to everyone early on... we would not have ended it, and we still would have had losses." [22:41]

Conclusion

Episode 7 of The Find Out Podcast offers a comprehensive exploration of the challenges posed by MAGA’s disinformation machine. Through candid discussions, personal experiences, and strategic analysis, the hosts provide listeners with valuable insights into bridging political divides and fostering informed, respectful dialogues. The episode not only critiques current political dynamics but also proposes thoughtful solutions to promote stability and reason in America's contentious landscape.