Summary of The Michael Knowles Show
Episode: 1657 - Crazed Priestess Berates Trump On Wokeness: I Was There
Release Date: January 22, 2025
Host: Michael Knowles
Producer: The Daily Wire
Introduction
In Episode 1657 of The Michael Knowles Show, host Michael Knowles delves into the tumultuous events surrounding President Trump's inauguration festivities, focusing on a controversial incident at the National Cathedral. Knowles provides firsthand accounts, analyzes recent executive actions, and critiques the current political landscape, all while highlighting the administration's swift moves in its early days.
National Prayer Service and the Crazed Priestess
Timestamp: [00:00 – 09:56]
During a national prayer service marking the culmination of President Trump's inauguration, a priestess from the National Cathedral delivered a lecture critical of Trump, specifically targeting issues like transgender rights, immigration laws, and religious boundaries.
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Michael Knowles' Observations:
- Disappointment in Religious Leadership: Knowles criticized the priestess, questioning her religious credentials and understanding, stating, "It is no wonder that a woman who would mistake herself for a bishop might also confuse a foreign national for an American citizen or even a little boy for a little girl." (01:51)
- Misrepresentation of Faith: He condemned her use of non-Christian elements in a Christian cathedral, such as Islamic prayers, asserting, "The chanting of the Muslim call to prayer does not belong in a cathedral of any sort." (06:30)
- Distortion of Religious Doctrine: Knowles emphasized the impossibility of women serving as priests in traditional Christianity, referencing St. Paul's writings: "first of all, it is just simply impossible for a woman to be a priest. St. Paul is clear about this in Scripture." (04:15)
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Notable Quote:
"President Trump is a total machine, a total machine. I can't get over it."
— Michael Knowles (07:45)
President Trump's Initial Actions and Pardons
Timestamp: [09:56 – 32:36]
Knowles transitions to discussing the flurry of executive actions taken by President Trump in his first 24 hours back in office.
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Pardoning of January 6 Participants:
- Scope of Pardons: Trump granted pardons to all individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol riot, including high-profile figures like Enrique Tarrio, the head of the Proud Boys. Knowles highlights the political significance, stating, "This is more sweeping than some people predicted, and it serves a political purpose." (20:15)
- Implications: The blanket pardons suggest Trump's stance that the January 6 prosecutions were unjust and politically motivated. Knowles interprets this as a move to undermine the legitimacy of the event and its subsequent investigations.
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Rescinding Affirmative Action:
- Executive Order Details: Trump revoked Executive Order 11246, originally established by Lyndon Johnson, which mandated affirmative action for federal contractors. Knowles explains, "This is an executive order from Lyndon Johnson. EO11246... will ban all federal contractors from discriminating on the basis of race, which is exactly what affirmative action does." (25:50)
- Closure of DEI Offices: Concurrently, Trump issued a memo directing all federal agencies to shut down Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) offices by 5 PM Eastern on January 22. The memo included strict measures against any attempts to disguise DEI programs under different nomenclature. Knowles likens this to historic political power plays: "This is like When Charles II showed up and he dissolved the Parliament." (28:30)
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Notable Quote:
"President Trump is backing up the talk with words, with actions. This is like, you know, Trump talked about himself as a big, tough guy for so many years... He can actually walk the walk."
— Michael Knowles (30:10)
Trump’s Crypto Investments and Political Signals
Timestamp: [32:36 – 37:00]
Knowles shifts focus to President Trump's foray into cryptocurrency, highlighting the launch and implications of "Trump Meme Coin."
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Details of the Trump Meme Coin:
- Launch and Valuation: Launched shortly before the inauguration, the Trump Meme Coin is a token on the Solana blockchain. It now comprises 89% of Trump's net worth on paper, valued at approximately $58 billion, positioning Trump among the world's top 25 richest individuals by this metric.
- Strategic Significance: Knowles posits that Trump's investment in crypto isn't merely personal but a strategic political maneuver to align with and support the libertarian-leaning cryptocurrency community. He suggests, "It's a signal to me Trump is going to fulfill his promises to the bitcoin community... he's going to make some money." (35:20)
- Critique and Skepticism: While acknowledging his own reservations about crypto's volatility, Knowles interprets Trump's actions as an endorsement of crypto's legitimacy and a push for governmental support in the sector.
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Notable Quote:
"President Trump is saying the whole January 6 thing was a political operation, it was a setup, it was a hoax."
— Michael Knowles (36:45)
Border Security and Republican Unity
Timestamp: [37:00 – 40:00]
The discussion moves to border security, highlighting statements from Senator Lindsey Graham and the Republican stance on immigration.
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Senator Lindsey Graham’s Proposal:
- Financial Commitments: Graham advocates for a $100 billion allocation towards border security and a $200 billion investment in military capabilities to counter China threats.
- Republican Unity: Knowles emphasizes that despite internal divisions within the Republican Party, there is a unified front on this critical issue, reflecting Trump's campaign promises.
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Notable Interaction:
Lindsey Graham: "I have never been more worried about an attack on our homeland than I am now." (32:36)
Michael Knowles: "Absolutely right. So you have even here, I think it's helpful that Lindsey Graham is the one going out because Lindsey Graham is sometimes considered a little bit squishier." (33:30)
Critique of Democratic Leadership and Policies
Timestamp: [40:00 – 55:00]
Knowles offers a scathing critique of Democratic leaders and policies, particularly targeting Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) and her allegations against Trump.
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AOC’s Accusations:
- False Allegations: Knowles addresses claims made by AOC branding Trump as a rapist, dismissing them as unfounded and exaggerated. He references legal settlements where media outlets had to pay Trump for defamatory claims.
- Political Strategy: He suggests that Democrats are using these accusations as a means to undermine Trump and justify their retreat from the political arena.
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Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act:
- Legislative Actions: Knowles discusses the passage of this act in the House, highlighting that 145 Democrats voted against it. He interprets this as an endorsement of allowing violent criminals to remain in the country, underscoring the Democrats' alleged prioritization of power over public safety.
- Implications: The vote is portrayed as a move to flood the country with immigrants who are statistically likely to support Democratic agendas.
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Notable Quotes:
"Do you really think Donald Trump's a rapist? Do you really think that?"
— Michael Knowles (45:15)
"They voted you guys just voted literally, to support actual rapists in America illegally..."
— Michael Knowles (50:00)
Elon Musk and Media Critique
Timestamp: [55:00 – 60:00]
In a tangential discussion, Knowles touches upon Elon Musk, addressing allegations of Musk having Nazi sympathies.
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Allegations and Context:
- Viral Clip: Knowles references a viral clip where Musk is perceived to perform Nazi-like gestures, which Musk clarifies was in the context of celebrating a significant victory.
- Defense of Musk: He defends Musk, arguing that the gestures were misinterpreted and that such attacks are baseless and intended to tarnish Musk's reputation.
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Notable Quote:
"Who are you trying to convince with that nonsense? Elon Musk is a Nazi. Who are you?"
— Michael Knowles (58:30)
Conclusion
Michael Knowles wraps up the episode by reiterating the swift and decisive actions taken by President Trump, emphasizing the administration's commitment to dismantling what they perceive as liberal and woke policies. He underscores the importance of preserving American values, securing the nation’s borders, and holding political adversaries accountable.
- Final Thoughts:
- Unified Republican Front: Knowles champions the Republican Party's unified stance on critical issues despite internal challenges.
- Optimism for America's Future: He remains optimistic, declaring, "The golden age of America is here," highlighting the administration's early achievements and setting the tone for future episodes.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
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On Trump's Efficiency and Strength:
"President Trump is a total machine, a total machine. I can't get over it."
— Michael Knowles (07:45) -
On Affirmative Action Rescission:
"This is an executive order from Lyndon Johnson. EO11246... will ban all federal contractors from discriminating on the basis of race, which is exactly what affirmative action does."
— Michael Knowles (25:50) -
On Presidential Pardons:
"This is more sweeping than some people predicted, and it serves a political purpose."
— Michael Knowles (20:15) -
On Democratic Policies and Voting:
"They voted you guys just voted literally, to support actual rapists in America illegally..."
— Michael Knowles (50:00) -
On Elon Musk's Allegations:
"Who are you trying to convince with that nonsense? Elon Musk is a Nazi. Who are you?"
— Michael Knowles (58:30)
Final Remarks
Throughout the episode, Michael Knowles maintains a fervent conservative stance, critiquing liberal policies and Democratic leadership while lauding President Trump's actions and policies. The discussion is marked by strong language and unwavering support for Trump's administration, reflecting the show's objective to "cut through the madness of our politics and culture."
Note: All timestamps are indicative and correspond to the transcript provided.