The Michael Knowles Show

Episode: 2 Liberals vs. Michael Knowles: BAR FIGHT | Mike Nellis & Michael DeFeo
Date: February 14, 2026

Main Theme

This episode of "Bar Fight" features Michael Knowles debating two left-leaning guests: Mike Nellis (a senior advisor to the Kamala Harris campaign) and Michael DeFeo (a liberal content creator). The trio tackle three explosive issues: the killing of Alex Preddy and Second Amendment rights, Trump and the prosecution (or lack thereof) of Jeffrey Epstein associates, and a previewed final round on homelessness in NYC, which was cut short for subscribers. The tone is tongue-in-cheek but heated, with sharp personal jabs and lively (often combative) back-and-forth.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Alex Preddy’s Death & the Second Amendment

• DeFeo’s Argument: Alex Preddy’s killing by federal agents after legally carrying a firearm at a rally reveals Trump’s hypocrisy and hostility towards the Second Amendment, especially given Trump’s public comments following the incident ([01:30]-[04:13]).
  • “Donald Trump said you should not and cannot have guns in protests … is this not the exact nightmare that Alex Jones pushed that the NRA pushed for decades?” – Michael DeFeo [03:39]
• Knowles’ Response: Trump’s record is largely pro-Second Amendment with exceptions (e.g., bump stock ban). He believes the officers' actions may have been justified given Preddy’s prior activity and circumstances ([04:13]-[06:55]).
  • “Trump overwhelmingly has a pro Second Amendment policy agenda, albeit with some caveats.” – Michael Knowles [06:22]
• Nellis Interjects: Stresses Preddy did not threaten officers, was disarmed, and was killed on the ground—argues it was murder, not justified force ([07:05]-[08:23]).
  • “There’s no reason for him to be dead right now. And then the reaction from the right is that he died because he brought a gun to a rally.” – Mike Nellis [07:39]
• Nuance on Legal Rights: Group debates if carrying in context of obstructing law enforcement equates to a death sentence (Knowles says officers must assess “imminent threat”; DeFeo and Nellis insist this logic undermines the core of Second Amendment protections) ([09:00]-[09:51]).
  • “Americans should not face death at the hands of the state for just carrying a registered firearm.” – Michael DeFeo [09:09]
• Comparisons to Kyle Rittenhouse: Rittenhouse’s situation is contrasted with Preddy; Knowles argues difference is Rittenhouse fired back in self-defense ([10:08]-[10:31]).

Memorable Exchange:

• “What’s your evidence for that?” (Knowles challenging Nellis’s accusation that Trump only supports constitutional rights for his side) [13:54]
• “He’s got no problem using the power of the FCC to silence a comedian that he doesn’t like.” – Mike Nellis, referencing Jimmy Kimmel [13:56]
• “Is Jimmy Kimmel off the air?” – Knowles [14:05]

2. Trump, Epstein, and the Rot in Federal Government

• Nellis’s Argument: Trump’s failure to prosecute Epstein’s other high-profile associates (beyond Maxwell) exemplifies government corruption and elite impunity ([17:56]-[19:57]).
  • “There is a group of wealthy and powerful people who want us to hate each other so that they can get away with abusing little girls and little boys. And I’m sick of this shit.” – Mike Nellis [19:49]
• Knowles’ Counterpoint: Epstein and Maxwell—the main perpetrators—were prosecuted during Trump’s term, which actually undermines Nellis’s core premise ([20:05]-[20:49]).
  • “The two top people in the Epstein operation … were arrested and charged by Donald Trump, not by Barack Obama, not by Joe Biden.” – Michael Knowles [20:49]
• Calls for Names: Knowles repeatedly asks Nellis and DeFeo to name specific (prosecutable) individuals and charges; they argue they can’t because many documents are redacted and the DOJ has shielded information ([21:07]-[23:41]).
  • “I don’t have a specific name — because guess what, I’m not in the FBI.” – Mike Nellis [22:06]
  • “Why didn’t prosecute Bill Clinton — start there!” – Michael DeFeo [22:09]
• Legal Barriers: Knowles details the 2008 Non-Prosecution Agreement that shields several of Epstein’s close associates (e.g., Adriana Ross, Nadia Marcinko, Sarah Kellen) and argues there is insufficient evidence to pursue others ([22:51]-[23:41]).
  • “Those are the ones you’d want to prosecute. All women, by the way … you know why we can’t prosecute them? Because they’re protected by a 2008 non prosecution agreement long before Trump entered the scene.” – Michael Knowles [23:14]
• Audience Q&A: Listeners express cynicism about the lack of justice and frustration about the “FUBAR” nature of the case; Knowles claims total transparency is not realistic or possible ([26:38]-[28:41]).
  • “In either case, we are not going to get any more information.” – Michael Knowles [26:38]

Notable Moments:

• Nellis: “You should be pissed off that the federal government is lying to you like this.” [30:32]
• Knowles: “Other than arresting Epstein and Maxwell, releasing three and a half million files, other than that…” [30:46]

3. The Limits of Transparency & Systemic Rot

• Debate on Releasing All the Files: Nellis insists critical names are still concealed, while Knowles says some concealment is necessary to protect due-process and avoid undermining justice ([32:44]-[34:46]).
  • “Given the number of times they’ve lied, we should take nothing this administration says at face value.” – Nellis [33:06]
  • “It would undermine the bedrock principle of our system of justice. Which is that people are innocent until proven guilty.” – Knowles [34:23]
• Broader Implication: Nellis asserts both parties and many institutions are protecting elites; Knowles claims the practical obstacle is a lack of actionable evidence.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Second Amendment hypocrisy:
  “Americans should not face death at the hands of the state for just carrying a registered firearm.” – Michael DeFeo [09:09]

• On executive power and selective enforcement:
  “I believe that Donald Trump’s support for the Constitution is completely situational. He wants the Second Amendment for him and his people.” – Mike Nellis [13:40]

• On the Epstein question:
  “So you're saying Trump's a bad guy for not prosecuting anyone? I say great, who do you want to prosecute? You said, I have no idea.” – Michael Knowles [23:42]

• Audience skepticism:
  “I tend to agree with Mike … the whole situation is FUBAR.” – Audience Member [25:22]

• Bar Fight spirit:
  “Why do you expect to be taken seriously in a political debate when you showed up to the debate in a hoodie?” – Audience Member (to Nellis) [35:11]
  “It’s called Bar Fight!” – Nellis [35:19]

Important Timestamps

• 00:14 – Show rules explained (debate format, audience participation)
• 01:30-13:50 – Round 1: Alex Preddy’s death & the Second Amendment (in-depth back-and-forth)
• 17:56-34:46 – Round 2: Trump, Epstein, and elite impunity (debate, audience Q&A)
• 35:11 – Memorable audience question about dress code and “Bar Fight” spirit
• 36:10 – Lighthearted scoring and wrap-up

Tone & Dynamics

• Energetic and confrontational: Banter is rapid-fire, with all three mics jumping in, arguing over facts and philosophy. There is political theater but also substantive sparring on core issues.
• Bar-room atmosphere: Occasional joking and “shots fired” about clothing, personal credibility, and beer preferences maintain a lively mood, even as the topics get serious or heated.
• Audience participation: Listeners are encouraged to question the hosts and vote for the VIP guest of the night, reinforcing the informal bar-fight format.

Conclusion

This “Bar Fight” episode was a raucous, highly-charged debate over gun rights, government transparency, and the ability of Americans to trust their institutions. The hosts didn’t resolve the hot-button issues, but the episode delivered passionate arguments, earnest frustrations, and plenty of memorable barbs—true to both the “fight” and the “bar” in the show’s title.

For new listeners:
If you want lively point-counterpoint on headline scandals from both sides of the aisle—complete with audience heckling, irreverence, and occasional tequila shots—this episode captures the spirit of The Michael Knowles Show’s “Bar Fight” series.