The Matt Walsh Show: Ep. 1516 - The Real Crisis Young Men Are Facing Today
Release Date: January 16, 2025
1. Introduction
In Episode 1516 of The Matt Walsh Show, host Matt Walsh delves into the pressing issue of the challenges young men face in today's economic and social landscape. The discussion navigates through online debates, societal expectations, and offers Walsh’s perspective on actionable steps for young men striving to succeed.
2. The Crisis Facing Young Men Today
a. The Obsolete "Pull Yourself Up by Your Bootstraps" Mentality
Walsh opens the episode by questioning the relevance of the traditional "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" ethos. He addresses growing sentiments among some right-leaning commentators that advising young people to start in low-paying jobs and work their way up is both outdated and dismissive of the systemic obstacles they face.
Notable Quote:
"Is it insulting and out of touch to tell young people to go work fast food and work their way up in the world?"
— Matt Walsh [00:00]
b. Online Debate on X (formerly Twitter)
Walsh examines a heated exchange on X between conservative commentator Chris Ruffo and a user known as Bronze Age Pervert. Ruffo advocates for perseverance despite economic hardships, highlighting opportunities like high-paying assistant manager positions at Panda Express. In contrast, Bronze Age Pervert argues that the current environment is the worst ever for building wealth, deeming such job suggestions as futile.
Notable Quotes:
"This environment is the worst in decades and maybe ever in America to build wealth through any normal career."
— Bronze Age Pervert [Timestamp Unspecified]
"If you believe it, is deeply insulting to suggest that he should go apply at Panda Express or UPS, what do you want him to do instead?"
— Matt Walsh [Timestamp Unspecified]
c. Matt Walsh’s Perspective
While acknowledging the validity of concerns about job scarcity and economic disparity, Walsh emphasizes the importance of individual agency. He challenges the anti-bootstrap camp to provide concrete solutions rather than fostering a sense of hopelessness.
Notable Quote:
"What should he do tomorrow? Don’t deflect... What should he do? Should he post about abolishing it?"
— Matt Walsh [Timestamp Unspecified]
Walsh advocates for young men to take proactive steps, starting with securing any available job to build experience and stability, despite the challenges.
3. Joe Biden’s Final Address and Related Commentary
a. Excerpt from Biden’s Speech
Walsh includes a clip from President Joe Biden’s final address, where Biden warns against the concentration of power among the ultra-wealthy, likening it to a budding oligarchy that threatens democracy and equal opportunities.
Notable Quote:
"Today, an oligarchy is taking shape in America of extreme wealth, power and influence that literally threatens our entire democracy..."
— Joe Biden [25:10 - 26:35]
b. Walsh’s Critique of Biden’s Address
Walsh critiques Biden’s speech as bland and ineffective, highlighting perceived contradictions such as Biden awarding a Medal of Freedom to George Soros while condemning oligarchies. He argues that Biden's rhetoric lacks sincerity and fails to address the complexities of power dynamics.
Notable Quote:
"You cannot be a friend and admirer of George Soros and also be worried about and opposed to oligarchies."
— Matt Walsh [Timestamp Unspecified]
4. Advocacy for Pardoning Pro-Life Advocates
Walsh discusses petitions from pro-life Americans who were imprisoned under the Biden administration, urging former President Donald Trump to grant them pardons. He underscores the perceived political targeting and persecution faced by these individuals.
Notable Quote:
"These are peaceful pro-life Americans mistreated by Biden... We're gonna watch the Daily Wire live as Donald Trump has sworn in as the 47th president of the United States."
— Matt Walsh [Timestamp Unspecified]
Walsh emphasizes the need for immediate action to pardon these individuals as part of Trump’s inaugural priorities.
5. Republican Congressman’s Death Penalty Bills for Child Sex Crimes
a. Introduction to the Bills
Walsh highlights Representative Anna Paulina Luna’s reintroduction of bills imposing the death penalty for those convicted of child sex crimes. These bills aim to ensure severe consequences for producing, distributing, or possessing child pornography and engaging in child sex trafficking.
Notable Quote:
"Holding Child Predators Accountable act mandates the death penalty or life imprisonment for anyone found guilty of producing, distributing or possessing child pornography."
— Matt Walsh [Timestamp Unspecified]
b. Support for the Legislation
Walsh expresses strong support for the bills, arguing that such heinous crimes warrant the highest level of punishment. He contends that the technological advancements in evidence collection make wrongful executions exceedingly unlikely.
Notable Quote:
"These crimes are especially easy to prove now beyond a shadow of a doubt... DNA evidence, there's cameras everywhere, cell phone data."
— Matt Walsh [Timestamp Unspecified]
6. Netflix’s Stance on Anti-Woke Movement
Walsh critiques Netflix for not aligning with other corporations like Meta and Amazon in distancing themselves from "woke" trends following Trump’s reelection. He notes that Netflix continues to produce content that he perceives as overtly progressive, such as the western miniseries American Primeval, which he praises for avoiding PC tropes but criticizes for progressive character portrayals.
Notable Quote:
"It's shockingly unwoke so far... The Indians are portrayed as generally warlike and ruthless, which is accurate, but just not how Indians are ever portrayed in westerns these days."
— Matt Walsh [Timestamp Unspecified]
Walsh appreciates the authenticity in storytelling but remains skeptical about Netflix’s commitment to shifting its corporate stance.
7. Audience Interaction and Comments
a. Balancing Priorities: Inauguration vs. NFL Playoffs
Walsh shares a viewer’s dilemma of choosing between attending inauguration events and watching a pivotal NFL playoff game between the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills. This anecdote underscores the clashes between national events and personal interests.
Notable Quote:
"Priorities in life, okay, this inauguration is historic... Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, that is also historic."
— Matt Walsh [Timestamp Unspecified]
b. Military Language and Decorum
A comment discusses perceived differences in language appropriateness between military personnel and civilian commentators. Walsh responds by affirming the importance of maintaining professionalism in various environments.
Notable Quote:
"There's nothing but the cleanest and most non-offensive language in the military... I have to do more than 50 pushups."
— Matt Walsh [Timestamp Unspecified]
c. Cancel Culture
Walsh addresses concerns about cancel culture, advocating for higher standards before attempting to terminate someone’s employment. He distinguishes between professional misconduct directly related to one’s job and unrelated personal actions.
Notable Quote:
"Bad people should be allowed to have jobs... If the offense they committed has nothing to do with their job directly, then I think the bar is higher for trying to get them fired."
— Matt Walsh [Timestamp Unspecified]
8. Critique of Comedian Bill Burr
Walsh dedicates a significant portion of the episode to criticizing comedian Bill Burr, accusing him of abandoning his comedic roots for partisan propaganda. He dissects Burr’s recent performances, highlighting perceived shortcomings and deviations from his earlier, more insightful work.
Notable Quotes:
"Bill Burr is no longer a comedian. He's like Howard Stern, Jimmy Kimmel, so many other former comedians like them. Now just a washed-up political hack."
— Matt Walsh [Timestamp Unspecified]
"Watching that clip, it's not hard to see that Bill Burr's downfall is even more tragic than Howard Stern."
— Matt Walsh [Timestamp Unspecified]
Walsh laments Burr’s shift towards supporting Democratic politicians and policies, arguing that it undermines his credibility and comedic integrity.
9. Conclusion
In this episode, Matt Walsh offers a comprehensive and critical analysis of the multifaceted challenges young men face today, intertwining social media dynamics, economic hurdles, and political discourse. He underscores the necessity for actionable solutions over defeatist attitudes and critiques prominent figures who, in his view, derail constructive conversations with partisan agendas.
Final Notable Quote:
"Some people like to mock the bootstraps mentality, but they have given young people precisely zero alternatives. They have not given them any idea of what they should actually do tomorrow."
— Matt Walsh [Final Remarks]
Walsh concludes by reiterating his stance on perseverance and proactive effort, encouraging young men to take control of their futures despite systemic challenges.
End of Summary