Podcast Summary: The Matt Walsh Show

Episode: I Have A DISTURBING Update About Target
Date: November 14, 2025
Host: Matt Walsh, The Daily Wire

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode centers on Matt Walsh’s reaction to recent news about Target’s new policy—dubbed the “104 program”—requiring employees to smile at shoppers within ten feet and greet or offer help to those within four feet during the busy holiday season. Walsh critiques the public backlash to this policy, explores the broader decline in customer service standards, and expands into commentary on broader societal and labor issues, including workforce quality and immigration policy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Target’s “Disturbing Demands” for Employees

• Target’s New Policy: Employees must smile at customers within 10 feet and offer help within 4 feet—called the “104 program” (00:20).
• Walsh sarcastically frames this as “disturbing” due to the social media backlash but points out the demand is for basic customer courtesy.

“So the disturbing demand is that the employees must be nice to the customers. ... That's the disturbing demand. The disturbing demand is that they smile and say hi to the customers who come in the door. So disturbing.”
— Matt Walsh (02:21)

Online Reactions

• Social media mocks the policy as “mandatory happiness” and “another reason to shop elsewhere.”
• Walsh reads several satirical online reactions:
  • “Nothing boosts morale like a mandatory happiness.”
  • “They did just fire a ton of employees and now they want them to smile about it.”
  • “This just gives me another reason to shop elsewhere.”
  • “This just gives me another reason to shop elsewhere.” (01:24)

Decline in Customer Service Standards

• Walsh reminisces about his own experience in customer service (“20 years ago or so”) when greeting and helping customers was expected (03:10).
• He argues that, nowadays, customers often feel ignored or even unwelcome in most retail spaces.

“Now I go into these places ... there will be no communication or acknowledgement from any employee at all. Except maybe they sneer at you like they don't even want you there.”
— Matt Walsh (03:40)

• He admits it’s possible that he, personally, is treated coldly, but insists this is a widespread problem ("most people have experienced this").
• Gives a backhanded compliment to Chick Fil A, noting even they are “teetering” in service quality.

Personal Anecdote

• Walsh admits that even when he’s approached by staff offering help, he typically declines, then wanders aimlessly—but maintains friendly customer service should remain the norm (04:55).

Broader Commentary: Decline of Work Quality in America

• Walsh expands the discussion to a wider trend of declining work standards across all sectors, not just retail (06:40).
• Shares personal experiences, noting it’s difficult to find contractors who do high-quality work.
• Connects the issue to national conversations about the labor force.

“There is certainly a major decline in the quality of work that's done in this country. And you can see it even in these low level customer service jobs. Especially in those jobs. You see it everywhere.”
— Matt Walsh (06:55)

Immigration, H1B Visas, and Solutions

• Touches on a statement attributed to Donald Trump about skilled-worker shortages and the use of H1B visas (07:07).
• Walsh agrees there’s been a “collapse of standards” but disagrees with the solution of bringing in foreign workers.
• Instead, he advocates for raising standards and job training among Americans rather than "cheap labor" immigration (07:25).

“No, you need to train up our own people. As I said, raise the standards in this country among our own people and for our own people. That's how you solve it.”
— Matt Walsh (07:44)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Target’s Policy:
  “You're saying that there's like the slightest obligation at all that comes with this job? So disturbing.” (02:55)
• On Customer Experience:
  “You feel guilty for even walking in the door.” (04:15)
• On Workforce Quality:
  “We all notice that there's been a collapse of standards in this country, there's no doubt about it.” (07:13)

Important Timestamps

• 00:00-02:30 — Introduction and reading Target’s new employee guidelines; satirical commentary on “disturbing demands.”
• 02:30-05:30 — Online responses and Walsh’s take on changing expectations in customer service.
• 05:30-06:40 — Personal anecdotes about service and general societal trends.
• 06:40-07:45 — Expanded commentary on workforce quality and discussion on labor, training, and immigration policy.

Overall Tone

Matt Walsh takes a sarcastic, critical stance throughout, mocking the online outrage and “bare minimum” expectations, while also expressing genuine concern for declining social and work standards in America. His tone is both confrontational and reflective, with anecdotal humor and cultural criticism weaved throughout.

For the full episode and further commentary, visit dailywire.com or The Matt Walsh Show on Twitter.