The Michael Knowles Show — 2 Liberals vs. 1 Conservative: BAR FIGHT | Sisson & Chris Mowrey

Date: February 7, 2026
Host: Michael Knowles (The Daily Wire)
Guests: Harry Sisson (liberal activist), Chris Mowrey (liberal commentator)
Format: Live debate with audience Q&A
Theme: “Bar Fight” – a raucous but structured face-off between conservative host Knowles and two progressive voices, dissecting the culture and politics of 2026 with audience participation.

Episode Overview

In this lively, adversarial episode, Michael Knowles convenes Harry Sisson and Chris Mowrey for a "Bar Fight" debate, pitting his conservative perspective against their progressive views on some of the most contentious issues in American politics. The discussion pivots between high-profile scandals (Epstein files, Trump and Biden controversies), policy (infrastructure, immigration, ICE raids), the nature of democracy within parties, political violence, “stolen land” narratives, and audience Q&A on hot-button issues.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump, Epstein Files, and Scandal Debates

(02:26–14:07)

• Topic: Did Trump "cover up" the Epstein files, and is this among the worst American scandals?

  • Harry Sisson claims Trump opposed full release of Epstein files, pressured GOP lawmakers not to back certain disclosures, and is hiding deeper personal involvement.
  • Chris Mowrey rebuts that Trump presided over the largest declassification of Epstein-related docs (3.5 million), says Joe Biden never released any.
  • Sisson alleges obstruction is still an attempt at cover-up, regardless of outcomes.
  • Mowrey retorts with historical perspective, mentioning scandals like Teapot Dome, Grant Admin, Clinton-Lewinsky, and Chappaquiddick, claiming Trump’s conduct is not the worst.

• Notable Moment:

  • Harry Sisson on the necessity of full transparency:
    "There are emails out there where they're pretty clearly talking about committing crimes… The American people deserve to know who those names are." (03:10)

• On Evidence Against Trump: Sisson cites a WSJ report alleging Trump allowed Epstein special access at Mar-a-Lago.
  Mowrey and Knowles ask for concrete prosecutable crimes; Sisson concedes direct evidence is currently lacking but rebuts that obstruction and enabling are still damning.

2. Comparing Biden & Trump’s Productivity

(20:24–25:54)

• Topic: Was Biden the most effective modern president?
  • Harry Sisson touts Biden as extraordinarily productive, passing more fiscal legislation than any president in 70 years, including infrastructure, CHIP manufacturing, PACT Act for veterans.
  • Knowles and Mowrey challenge on inflation and "pork," alleging Biden's bills included unnecessary spending and led to inflation spikes.
  • Arguments ensue whether economic woes are due to Biden, Trump, or prior systemic issues.
• Memorable Exchange:
  • Sisson, listing signature Biden bills:
    "Joe Biden passed the largest infrastructure bill in American history … rebuilt roads and bridges and removed every single lead pipe in America." (21:50)
  • Mowrey retorts:
    "The problem with those bills is … they passed a lot of nonsense spending that damaged the economy, brought inflation up to 9%." (24:41)
  • Sisson fires back:
    "Donald Trump spent more money than Joe Biden did." (25:15)

3. Party Nomination Processes & Democracy

(26:16–29:59)

• Question: Is a party’s non-competitive nomination anti-democratic?
  • Sisson and Knowles argue that Kamala Harris (as post-Biden nominee) was uncontested because no Democrat chose to run—delegates still technically voted—so the process was not subverted.
  • Mowrey notes parties are private clubs lacking true democracy; the rules could change arbitrarily.
• Sisson:
  "If Democrats want a primary process, then somebody has to primary Kamala Harris. Nobody did." (27:19)

4. ICE Raids and Trump’s Immigration Policy

(32:49–36:44 & 38:09–40:45)

• Topic: Are Trump's ICE raids reckless and "limitless"?
  • Knowles (channeling audience Q): Trump’s ICE ramped up raids, targeting blue-state cities with less oversight, leading to abuses including fatal shootings.
  • Mowrey claims blue states refuse to cooperate, making ICE’s presence necessary.
  • Sisson attacks alleged hypocrisy:
    "You don't care about crime. You voted for a convicted felon." (36:12)
  • Arguments spiral into legal technicalities about deported individuals’ status, with both sides citing and disputing “Kilmar Rodrigo Garcia’s” legal status and humanitarian parole.

5. Border Enforcement & Value of Immigration

(62:26–87:02, extended segments)

• Core Conflict: Should all undocumented immigrants be deported or only violent criminals?
  • Mowrey pushes for strict enforcement: "Because it's the law."
  • Knowles (liberal in this segment, note role reversal): Argues for focusing on violent criminals, citing Cato Institute and other studies showing immigrants are net economic contributors and less likely to commit violent crimes.
  • Audience challenges: Why risk even one American death for illegal immigration?
  • Mowrey and some audience insist: "Every crime committed by an illegal immigrant was preventable by enforcement."
  • Sisson consistently brings up Trump’s criminal record as a counterpoint to law-and-order arguments.
• Notable Quote (on immigration economics):
  • "Undocumented people have paid the federal government roughly $10 trillion in taxes … that's a $4 trillion surplus." — Knowles citing Cato Institute (64:35)
  • "Every violent crime that an illegal alien commits is unnecessary." — Mowrey (91:15)

6. Political Violence — Which Side Is Worse?

(71:08–78:48)

• Mary Margaret (audience/White House correspondent) challenges Harry, claiming right-wing violence is overblown compared to recent left-wing violence (citing Charlie Kirk’s assassination).
• Sisson rebuts, detailing right-wing acts (Melissa Hortman's murder, Jan 6, Paul Pelosi assault) and accuses Trump of mocking left-leaning victims.
• Mowrey brings up data from The Atlantic showing rise in left-leaning violence, especially when factoring in underreported events.
• Knowles and Sisson discuss personal experiences with threats and violence.
• On Trumper Pardons:
  • Sisson:
    "Do you condemn Donald Trump pardoning people who beat police officers almost to death?" (76:44)
  • Mowrey: Evades outright condemnation, says, "I don't fully condemn political violence … in certain cases the death penalty is justified." (77:42)

7. "Stolen Land" & Historical Narratives

(61:12–86:13)

• Mowrey: America isn’t “stolen” — new world land acquired by war, treaties, and purchase in line with international law.
• Knowles/Sisson: Argue America's founding involved "sin," and that while the phrase “all land is stolen land” is simplistic, it reflects a complex history of conquest and displacement.
• Sisson rebuffs as minor cultural flashpoint:
  "There are probably more important issues out there than what Billie Eilish does at the Grammys." (85:07)
• Audience Question: Should progressives who advocate hosting immigrants in homes actually do so?
  • Sisson: "It's voluntary … I won't be taking anybody in because I have a one-bedroom in New York City." (81:45)
  • Mowrey jabs about size of Sisson’s apartment.

Audience Q&A Highlights

• Gavin Newsom vs. JD Vance (2028 prospects) (41:22–45:13)

  • Sisson and Knowles both assert Newsom as stronger, explain JD Vance’s flip-flop on Trump as opportunistic.
  • "JD Vance, obviously, his entire career depends on him loving Donald Trump." — Knowles (43:33)

• Christian Zionism, Israel, and Biblical Justification (48:16–52:32)

  • Mowrey outlines Catholic (non-evangelical) theology: Christians are spiritual Israel; secular Zionism is a product of 19th century nationalism.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On ICE shootings:

  • "He was tackled by eight ICE agents on the ground and then shot in the back of the head nine times." — Sisson on Alex Preddy (54:51)
  • "If you tapped me with your SUV, I probably would." — Mowrey on use of force (55:52)

• On January 6 and political violence:

  • "It's the largest example of political violence in modern American history." — Sisson (73:41)
  • "I don't fully condemn political violence in as much as … in certain cases, the death penalty is justified." — Mowrey (77:45)

• On illegal immigration debates:

  • "We want legal immigration. We recognize the system is broken. We wanted to fix it. Joe Biden introduced a bill. Donald Trump shut it down." — Sisson (93:21)

• On blowback and hypocrisy:

  • "You voted for a felon. You can't talk about them being undocumented and breaking a law if you voted for a felon." — Sisson (68:55)

Timestamps by Major Segments

| Segment | Start | End | |---------------------------------------------------|------------|------------| | Trump & Epstein Files | 02:26 | 14:07 | | Productivity & Legislative Achievement Debate | 20:24 | 25:54 | | Nomination Process/Democracy | 26:16 | 29:59 | | ICE Raids & Immigration Policy | 32:49 | 36:44 | | Border/Legal Status, Deeper Immigration | 62:26 | 94:31 | | Political Violence & Pardons | 71:08 | 78:48 | | “Stolen Land” & Historical Claims | 61:12 | 86:13 | | Audience Q&A (Newsom/Vance, Israel, etc.) | 41:22 | 52:32 |

Tone & Style

• The debate is robust, combative, and frequently sarcastic, with plenty of audience involvement and live reactions.
• Sisson and Mowrey both use humor and pointed jabs, while Knowles is sharp, occasionally sardonic, and devotees significant time to legal, historical, and philosophical context.
• Insults and laughter abound, particularly when referencing contentious accusations (Epstein, Trump criminality, ICE raids, etc.).
• The debate is often circular, with repeated demands for yes-or-no answers vs calls for "nuance."

Conclusion

An unruly but revealing episode, this Bar Fight format underscores the deep divides—and some surprising overlaps—between contemporary liberals and conservatives. Issues of law, social justice, political violence, and America’s historical narrative are litigated energetically. Through it all, each side accuses the other of bad faith and hypocrisy, while audience questions and moderator jibes keep the conversation fast-paced, unscripted, and anarchic.

For listeners pressed for time:
Key segments to catch for the most sparks are the Epstein files debate (02:26–14:07), the immigration and ICE argument (32:49–40:45 and 62:26–94:31), and the discussion of “stolen land” (61:12–86:13), each of which features memorable back-and-forths, pointed audience questions, and distilled versions of contemporary political fault lines.