Podcast Summary: The Matt Walsh Show – Ep. 1619 "It's Time For America To Focus On Its Own Problems"

Release Date: June 24, 2025
Host: Matt Walsh
Podcast: The Matt Walsh Show by The Daily Wire

1. Introduction and Overview

In Episode 1619, Matt Walsh addresses a series of pressing issues, primarily focusing on the recent developments in the Middle East, the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on society, controversial media practices during Pride Month, and the pivotal mayoral race in New York City. As always, Walsh provides his no-holds-barred perspective on these cultural, religious, and political matters.

2. Middle East Ceasefire and Its Aftermath

Update on the Ceasefire:

Matt Walsh begins by discussing President Donald Trump's attempted ceasefire between Iran and Israel, which quickly unraveled. He explains that the ceasefire was a strategic move by Iran to project strength while revealing their weakness. Iran had pre-informed the U.S. and Qatar about launching a minor missile strike, which was largely intercepted without causing casualties. This maneuver, according to Walsh, was orchestrated to maintain domestic support while downplaying Iran's vulnerabilities.

Political Reactions:

Walsh highlights the divided reactions among U.S. politicians. While some, like Senator Ted Cruz, praised the ceasefire as a diplomatic victory, others, notably Senator Lindsey Graham, condemned it as insufficient. Graham's fervent speech demanded continued military action against Iran, likening the Iranian leadership to Nazis ([05:59]).

Lindsey Graham: "Regime change is coming to Iran one or two ways... The Ayatollah is not normal. These are not normal people. Stand with Israel."

Walsh criticizes Graham's stance, arguing that relentless military intervention could lead to broader conflicts and American casualties. He also references comments from Mark Levin, who expressed concerns about Iran's potential to rebuild its nuclear capabilities if the current regime remains intact ([06:42]).

Ceasefire Breakdown:

Despite the initial agreement, tensions flared hours later as Iran and Israel accused each other of violating the truce. President Trump expressed frustration, particularly with Israel's military actions, urging restraint and questioning both parties' commitment to peace ([09:27]).

Donald Trump: "Do you believe that Iran is still committed to peace?"

Trump eventually called for Israel to cease bombardments and reduce military engagements, leading to a temporary lull in the conflict ([10:05]).

3. Focus on America's Internal Issues

Transitioning from international affairs, Walsh emphasizes the necessity for the United States to prioritize domestic problems over foreign entanglements. He argues that America's involvement in the Middle East is unsustainable and detracts from addressing critical national issues.

Border Security and Immigration:

Walsh highlights the administration's efforts to secure the southern border, acknowledging progress but pointing out that deportations are insufficient to address the estimated 11 million illegal aliens in the country. He proposes mass deportations and stringent measures against organizations aiding illegal immigrants, likening such efforts to criminal activities.

Matt Walsh: "Another comment. Worse, my teacher wrote his feedback of my graduation thesis with AI. It's not just going in one direction. The teachers are abusing the technology just as much as students, just that they're not being held accountable at all. Academia is dead."

Economic and Social Policies:

Walsh critiques proposed socialist policies, specifically targeting the New York City mayoral race between Andrew Cuomo and Zoran Mamdani. He warns that Mamdani's socialist agenda, including state-run grocery stores and rent controls, would devastate the city's economy and drive out taxpayers ([58:02]).

4. The Impact of AI on Society

A significant portion of the episode delves into the detrimental effects of AI on human intelligence and societal structures. Referencing a controversial MIT study, Walsh asserts that AI, particularly large language models like ChatGPT, undermines critical thinking and intellectual engagement.

Key Findings from the MIT Study:

The study involved 54 subjects who wrote essays using ChatGPT, Google Search, or no assistance. Results showed that AI users exhibited reduced brain engagement and declining performance over time. Walsh interprets these findings as evidence that AI fosters intellectual laziness and hampers brain development.

Matt Walsh: "Yes, it makes us dumber. And I mean that's not exactly what the study's claiming. That is my editorialization, but I think that it's true."

Broader Implications:

Walsh expresses concern over AI's potential to eliminate millions of jobs, erode creativity, and degrade human knowledge and purpose. He critiques the reliance on AI for educational purposes, citing how students and educators misuse it, leading to the decline of the education system.

Matt Walsh: "The burden of improving the entire world and bringing peace and happiness to everyone who lives on the globe does not fall on the United States of America. That is not our job."

5. Controversial Media Practices: Drag Queen Weather Reports

Walsh critiques a media segment where a drag queen delivers the weather report in Maine as part of Pride Month celebrations. He views this as a failed attempt by the LGBT movement to normalize drag culture, which he believes alienates moderates and undermines the movement's goals.

Analysis of the Segment:

He mocks the drag queen's performance and name, questioning the rationale behind using drag queens as mainstream media figures. Walsh argues that such practices backfired, leading to the decline of the LGBT movement's influence as it alienated the very people they sought to engage.

Matt Walsh: "The LGBT movement tried to normalize drag queens, and this should be the red line. There's a massive web of NGOs and non-profits that do exactly what this guy's doing... they all need to shut down."

6. The Pivotal New York City Mayoral Race

A major focus of the episode is the imminent mayoral election in New York City between incumbent Andrew Cuomo and challenger Zoran Mamdani, a 33-year-old Muslim socialist from Uganda.

Candidates' Profiles:

• Andrew Cuomo: Represents open-border Democrat policies, advocating for diversity as the city's strength.
• Zoran Mamdani: Promotes socialist ideals, including state-run grocery stores and extensive rent controls. Walsh portrays him as an outsider whose policies would lead to economic collapse.

Implications of the Election:

Walsh warns that Mamdani's victory could spell disaster for New York City, resulting in economic decline and loss of taxpayer confidence. He emphasizes the city's importance to the nation's economy and stability, asserting that its downfall would have nationwide repercussions.

Matt Walsh: "The people of New York City will have no homes and no food, will have nothing except a slick, talking, failed trust fund rapper from Uganda named Zoran Mamdani."

7. Listener Feedback and Final Thoughts

In the latter part of the episode, Walsh reads listener comments reinforcing his concerns about AI's negative impact on education and society. He underscores the urgency of addressing these issues, advocating for a return to valuing human creativity and reducing reliance on AI.

Personal Stance on AI:

Walsh clarifies that while he acknowledges some beneficial uses of AI, he strongly opposes its pervasive role in creative and intellectual endeavors, vowing never to relinquish his creative processes to machines.

Matt Walsh: "What I would have asked Google for, I'll ask the chatbot... I will never, ever do it."

Conclusion:

Wrapping up, Walsh reiterates his call for America to prioritize its internal challenges over foreign involvements, emphasizing national sovereignty and the well-being of its citizens.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Lindsey Graham on Iran:
  [05:59] "Regime change is coming to Iran one or two ways... The Ayatollah is not normal. These are not normal people. Stand with Israel."

• Donald Trump questioning peace commitment:
  [09:27] "Do you believe that Iran is still committed to peace?"

• Matt Walsh on AI's impact:
  [17:15] "So the good news is that there is actually a way around it... but it's just that, like, everything has to be done in class."

• Zoran Mamdani on grocery prices:
  [58:02] "Grocery prices are out of control... I'm Zoran Mamdani, and as mayor, I will create a network of city owned grocery stores."

• Zoran Mamdani on rent freezing:
  [61:56] "I'm running for mayor to freeze the rent for every rent stabilized tenant."

Conclusion

In this episode, Matt Walsh fervently advocates for America to concentrate on its domestic issues rather than engaging in foreign conflicts. He critiques the rise of AI as a threat to human intelligence and creativity, condemns certain media practices as harmful to societal norms, and warns against the potential economic downfall stemming from the New York City mayoral race. With his characteristic directness, Walsh calls for policies that prioritize national sovereignty, economic stability, and the preservation of human intellect and creativity.