Podcast Title: The Matt Jones Show
Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts
Episode: Episode 6 - LA Protests
Release Date: June 12, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 6 of The Matt Jones Show, host Matt Jones engages in a candid and in-depth conversation with Billy Rutledge, known as Billy R Sports. The discussion navigates through pressing social and political issues, including immigration, transgender athletes in sports, the recent protests in Los Angeles, and the role of the military in domestic affairs. The episode offers diverse perspectives on these topics, blending personal opinions with broader societal implications.

Discussion on Transgender Athletes in Sports

Timestamp: [04:09]
Matt introduces the topic by highlighting a recurring issue in sports: transgender athletes competing in categories that may not align with their biological sex. He shares a notable statistic, stating, "High school sports in Kentucky has only one biological male competing in women's sports," to underscore the rarity of such cases.

Billy Rutledge: Agrees with Matt's perspective, emphasizing the minimal number of incidents: "It's happened one time."

The conversation delves into the specifics of the Riley Gaines controversy, where Riley Gaines tied for fifth place with Leah Thomas. Matt argues that the uproar over a fifth-place finish is disproportionate, questioning the significance of the issue given its rarity.

Notable Quote:
Matt Jones at [07:54]: "I think Democrats are stupid that we make this a big issue because we're on the losing side of the issue."

Billy concurs, pointing out that the media sensationalizes such events:
Billy Rutledge at [08:02]: "It's also to be able to control people's perceptions and opinions in some ways."

The duo reflects on the public feud between Riley Gaines and Simone Biles, viewing it as emblematic of why political issues often become so divisive over relatively minor incidents.

Immigration and Its Impact on the Economy

Timestamp: [10:00]
Matt shifts the conversation to immigration, presenting his stance on border control and the necessity of immigrants in various sectors of the American economy. He posits that while border security is essential, the sheer number of immigrants (estimated between 30 to 40 million illegal immigrants) poses significant challenges.

Billy Rutledge: Supports Matt's view on the importance of immigrants, stating, "Our workforce."

They discuss the hypothetical scenario of deporting all illegal immigrants, illustrating the potential economic fallout. Matt argues that removing such a vast number of workers would lead to skyrocketing costs and economic collapse, given the dependence on immigrants in industries like agriculture, construction, and retail.

Notable Exchange:
Matt Jones at [13:23]: "What do you think? Would that [economic crash]?"

Billy Rutledge: Agrees, emphasizing the impracticality of such an action:
Billy Rutledge at [15:05]: "Yeah, not. Not at once or really at all."

The conversation concludes with mutual agreement on targeted deportations for violent criminals, rather than a blanket approach.

Notable Quote:
Matt Jones at [15:22]: "Should we deport the violent ones? Do you agree with that?"
Billy Rutledge at [15:37]: "I do. Get him out."

Los Angeles Protests and Military Involvement

Timestamp: [19:00]
The discussion transitions to the recent protests in Los Angeles, focusing on the deployment of the National Guard and military presence in domestic unrest. Matt criticizes former President Trump's unprecedented move to deploy the military without state governor approval, deeming it a dangerous politicization of the armed forces.

Billy Rutledge: Expresses concern over military involvement, highlighting the potential for abuse:
Billy Rutledge at [21:06]: "If it's a state. Right. Normally, then is that good? I wouldn't want a president to run the military. Do you want the commander in chief?"

Matt underscores the historical precedent that the military should remain apolitical and exclusively under state control during domestic issues.

Notable Quote:
Matt Jones at [24:07]: "Military seems extreme."

They both agree that the military's role should not extend to policing civilian protests, viewing such actions as a slippery slope towards authoritarianism.

Political Polarization and Media Influence

Timestamp: [34:48]
Matt and Billy explore the landscape of political talk shows, noting the dominance of right-wing perspectives in radio and podcasts. They contrast this with the scarcity of left-leaning shows, arguing that the incentive structures favor extreme viewpoints to capture and retain audiences.

Matt Jones: Criticizes the lack of moderate voices, stating, "there's no incentive, because the moderates and liberals aren't listening."

Billy Rutledge: Agrees, highlighting the echo chamber effect:
Billy Rutledge at [40:54]: "It's usually an echo chamber."

The conversation touches on prominent figures like Joe Rogan and Ben Shapiro, discussing their influence and the reinforcement of partisan beliefs among listeners.

Notable Exchange:
Matt Jones at [41:02]: "They don't have any incentive... the only way they can get people to listen is to be as far right wing as possible."
Billy Rutledge: "That's a bigger issue. We've got a bigger issue when it comes to our structure of politics in general."

Vaccine Opinions and Public Trust

Timestamp: [42:31]
The dialogue shifts to public perceptions of vaccines, particularly in the context of COVID-19. Billy clarifies his stance, affirming that he is not anti-vax, having received the COVID vaccine himself. However, he expresses skepticism towards government messaging and acknowledges the complexities faced by officials during the pandemic.

Matt Jones: Discusses the potential consequences of widespread vaccine misinformation, pondering scenarios where public health directives could have life-or-death implications.

Notable Quote:
Matt Jones at [43:22]: "I think the government, Fauci and some of those people in encouraging people to do it, act like it would do more than it did. But I also think that the encouraging people to do it was the right thing because I think there would have been many more people die without it."

Billy reflects on the uncertainty and the psychological impact of the pandemic:
Billy Rutledge at [44:35]: "It's just unfortunate there's a mental health crisis."

Remote Working and Social Dynamics

Timestamp: [44:48]
Matt advocates for the importance of in-person work environments, arguing that remote work diminishes societal bonds and reduces opportunities for healthy interpersonal conflicts. He believes that face-to-face interactions are essential for building community and fostering diverse perspectives.

Billy Rutledge: Supports the notion, emphasizing the value of community connections formed through physical workplaces.

Notable Exchange:
Matt Jones at [45:07]: "We need to form bonds, sense of community, connections."
Billy Rutledge at [45:07]: "We."

Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks

In wrapping up the episode, Matt and Billy reflect on the pervasive nature of political tribalism and the influence of media on public opinion. Matt emphasizes the importance of maintaining belief systems and the dangers of falling into complete skepticism.

Notable Quote:
Matt Jones at [46:57]: "No, I'm serious. You got to believe in something. Like I always hear people say, you know, I do my own research. Well, but you're stupid."

Billy adds a cautionary note on misinformation and the challenges of discerning credible sources:
Billy Rutledge at [49:36]: "Yeah, I do that often."

The episode concludes with a brief promotion for Cornbread Hemp's wellness products, seamlessly integrating sponsorship into the narrative.

Conclusion

Episode 6 of The Matt Jones Show offers a robust discussion on contentious social and political issues, presenting a blend of personal anecdotes, statistical insights, and critical viewpoints. Matt Jones and Billy Rutledge navigate topics ranging from immigration policies and transgender athletes in sports to the role of the military in domestic protests, all while highlighting the challenges posed by political polarization and media influence. The conversation underscores the complexities of modern societal debates and the importance of nuanced dialogue in bridging ideological divides.