Podcast Summary: The Michael Knowles Show | Ep. 1736 - When Did Canadians Become Jihadis?

Release Date: May 15, 2025
Host: Michael Knowles
Platform: The Daily Wire

I. Trump’s Foreign Policy and Economic Achievements

Time Frame: [00:00] – [03:26]

Michael Knowles opens the episode by highlighting former President Donald Trump's recent accomplishments in foreign policy and the economy. He praises Trump's ability to secure a $1.2 trillion economic commitment with Qatar, which is projected to support over 150,000 American jobs annually. Knowles emphasizes Trump's break from traditional bipartisan misadventures, asserting that his foreign policy doctrine has significantly reduced the risk of global conflict and recession.

Michael Knowles [02:12]: "President Trump has articulated his foreign policy doctrine, which breaks from decades of misadventures from both Democrats and Republicans, which has already greatly reduced the prospect of imminent global conflict, but also according to major financial institutions, which we'll get to, greatly reduce the likelihood of recession."

Knowles also highlights Trump's achievement in securing a new luxury airplane for the United States, replacing the delayed Air Force One, and lauds Trump's strategic statements on peace through strength.

II. Radicalization in Canada: The Jihadi Concerns

Time Frame: [14:11] – [21:02]

Shifting focus, Knowles addresses a disturbing trend emerging from Canada. He discusses a viral video featuring a Canadian Islamic scholar who glorifies martyrdom and extremist actions, raising alarms about the radicalization of Canadian youth.

Islamic Scholar [14:11]: "I live to fight for the sake of Allah. I live to defend Al Islam and the Muslims. I live to defend Al Masjid, Al Aqsa."

Knowles attributes this radicalization to mass migration and open-border policies, criticizing Western societies for their tolerant yet ineffective responses. He argues that merely condemning such ideologies or attempting to assimilate individuals into secular culture fails to address the root causes. Instead, he advocates for offering meaningful alternatives that align with true religious and moral values.

Michael Knowles [15:16]: "The strategy that we've undertaken so far, either to tolerate this nonsense or to just outright condemn it, doesn't work. You have to offer people an alternative."

III. The Impact of Deepfake Technology on Trust in Media

Time Frame: [20:08] – [21:02]

Knowles delves into the burgeoning threat of deepfake technology, showcasing a fabricated press conference featuring a simulated RFK Jr. The discussion underscores the potential erosion of trust in digital media as AI-generated content becomes increasingly indistinguishable from reality.

Michael Knowles [20:42]: "This is AI. Had I not told you this was AI, you might have been fooled."

He humorously yet critically examines the implications of this technology, suggesting a future where authentic media content becomes unreliable, thereby necessitating a return to in-person interactions and more traditional forms of communication.

IV. Interview with Senator Mike Lee: Banning Online Pornography

Time Frame: [26:05] – [37:38]

In a pivotal segment, Senator Mike Lee discusses his bill aimed at outlawing online pornography to protect children from explicit and obscene material. Knowles commends the Senator for addressing the outdated aspects of obscenity laws that fail to account for the digital age.

Michael Knowles [30:10]: "It would just take our legal tradition and continue it and adapt it for the digital age."

Senator Lee elaborates on the need to modernize the Miller Standard, a 1973 Supreme Court case that defines obscenity but remains vague and subjective in today's internet-centric world. The bill proposes a clear federal standard to regulate and restrict the distribution of obscene materials online, ensuring children are shielded from inappropriate content.

Senator Mike Lee [28:53]: "We need to update our laws to make sure that it's not just fair game out there so that we can protect our children."

Knowles and Senator Lee discuss the bill's potential impact, clarifying misconceptions that it seeks to criminalize all pornography. They emphasize that the legislation targets the distribution and accessibility of obscene material to minors, not the private consumption of adults.

Michael Knowles [37:01]: "Your bill, as some people are writing about it, would just take our legal tradition and continue it and adapt it for the digital age."

Despite acknowledging the bill's importance, Senator Lee remains realistic about its passage, noting the complexities and misunderstandings surrounding obscenity laws.

V. Mailbag: Listener Questions on Faith and the Death Penalty

Time Frame: [38:41] – [48:09]

In the mailbag segment, Michael addresses listener inquiries related to faith, marriage, and the death penalty.

1. Balancing Faith and Marriage Commitment

   A listener shares his struggle after converting to Catholicism while his wife does not attend Mass with him. Knowles advises leading by example, emphasizing the importance of shared faith practices without forcing participation.

   Michael Knowles: "If she is Catholic, then she really needs to go to Mass. It's not just a suggestion."

2. Christian Justification for the Death Penalty

   Abel, a Catholic student from Hungary, questions the compatibility of the death penalty with Christian teachings. Knowles defends the death penalty, citing biblical references and longstanding Church teachings that support its use under certain circumstances.

   Michael Knowles [43:29]: "Our Lord's sacrifice comes because of a legitimate power executing him according to the law. That's actually the incident that brings us our salvation."

3. Hypothetical Future of the Catholic Church

   A listener inquires about remaining faithful if the Pope were to adopt radical changes contrary to traditional teachings. Knowles firmly states his unwavering commitment to Catholicism, highlighting the Church's resilience in maintaining doctrinal integrity despite internal and external pressures.

   Michael Knowles [45:42]: "No, I will die a Catholic. It won't happen."

4. Time Travel Historical Event Observation

   Ryan from Florida asks which historical event Knowles would witness if given the chance to travel through time. Knowles humorously mentions the apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe as a significant event that reinforced Catholic faith in the Americas.

   Michael Knowles [48:09]: "Probably the apparition of Our lady in Guadalupe, the miraculous Tilma... a million people basically on the spot."

Conclusion

Michael Knowles wraps up the episode by reiterating the importance of addressing critical societal issues such as foreign policy, economic stability, religious integrity, and the protection of youth from harmful online content. Through insightful discussions and expert interviews, the episode underscores a conservative perspective on maintaining American values and safeguarding the nation's future.

Notable Quotes:

• Donald Trump [02:12]: "I believe it is God's job to sit in judgment. My job to defend America and to promote the fundamental interest of stability, prosperity, and peace."

• Senator Mike Lee [28:53]: "We're trying to do well."

• Islamic Scholar [14:11]: "I live to fight for the sake of Allah. I live to defend Al Islam and the Muslims."

• Michael Knowles [20:42]: "This is AI. Had I not told you this was AI, you might have been fooled."

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from Episode 1736 of The Michael Knowles Show, providing valuable perspectives on current political and cultural issues for listeners and non-listeners alike.