Podcast Summary: The Michael Knowles Show – Ep. 1757 "We're Officially Not Not At War"

Release Date: June 18, 2025
Host: Michael Knowles
Platform: The Daily Wire

1. Introduction: Declaring the State of War with Iran

Michael Knowles opens the episode addressing the complex and ambiguous nature of the United States' involvement in Iran. Referencing a recent post by former President Donald Trump on Truth Social, Knowles emphasizes the cryptic declaration:

"We are officially not not at war." [00:00]

This paradoxical statement raises questions about the extent and nature of U.S. engagement in Iran, highlighting the absence of formal declarations by Congress or explicit executive orders.

2. Analyzing Trump's Position on the Iran Conflict

Knowles delves into President Trump's stance, dissecting Trump's assertion of having "complete and total control of the skies over Iran" [10:55]. He questions the scope of "we" in Trump's statement, pondering whether it includes solely the U.S. or extends to allies like Israel.

"We're kind of in Schrödinger's war. We're simultaneously at war and not at war." [12:30]

Knowles critiques Trump's balanced approach, which acknowledges Iran's defensive capabilities while asserting American superiority. He notes Trump's strategy of offering Iran a face-saving option to avoid missile attacks on American personnel, thereby preventing escalation into prolonged conflict.

3. Divergent Views on War Powers and Presidential Authority

The discussion shifts to the constitutional implications of Trump's declarations. Knowles argues that the president, as commander-in-chief, possesses significant authority under the War Powers Act to engage militarily without a congressional declaration.

"The president is the commander in chief. The president has a lot of power... under the War Powers act, the president can do basically whatever he wants with the military for 90 days." [17:10]

He defends Trump's actions against isolationist and non-interventionist critiques, asserting that Trump's imperialist approach prioritizes American interests globally.

4. Support for Israel: A Religious vs. Political Obligation

Knowles addresses Tony Perkins' argument from the Family Research Council, which posits a biblical imperative for America to support Israel:

"By standing with Israel, we unlock the blessings of God... we cannot afford not to support Israel." [09:26]

Contrasting this, Knowles presents a Catholic perspective, emphasizing that while God has a plan for the Jewish people, there is no explicit religious obligation for the U.S. to support Israel politically. He critiques the notion that American prosperity is directly tied to unwavering support for Israel, arguing instead for alliances based on security interests.

5. Critique of Modern Education and Philosophical Decline

Shifting focus, Knowles examines viral claims that modern education surpasses that of the Founding Fathers. He disputes this, highlighting deficiencies in contemporary public education, such as:

• Lack of True Educational Content: "Public education doesn't teach us... it teaches us a lot of things that aren't true about our country, about our history." [35:08]
• Philosophical Ignorance: "They totally ignore philosophy consciously." [35:08]
• Moral Decline: He laments the erosion of philosophical and moral education, citing issues like gender ideology in schools.

6. Discussion on Regime Change in Iran

Knowles critiques Senator Lindsey Graham's aggressive stance on Iran, where Graham advocates for regime change to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons:

"If we don't fight for our freedom, we will lose it." [15:03]

Knowles expresses skepticism about the feasibility and wisdom of such an approach, referencing historical failures like Iraq and Libya. He introduces Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi as a potential alternative for stable regime change but remains doubtful of his capacity to restore order without causing further chaos.

7. Perspectives from Vice President J.D. Vance

In support of a measured approach, Knowles highlights Vice President J.D. Vance's views, which advocate for restraint and trust in presidential judgment:

"He is only interested in using the American military to accomplish the American people's goals." [19:45]

Vance emphasizes the necessity of preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear capabilities while avoiding prolonged military entanglement.

8. The Nature of Consciousness and Terminal Lucidity

Transitioning to scientific discourse, Knowles explores recent studies on terminal lucidity, which challenge materialist views of consciousness. He references a Science article discussing cases where Alzheimer's patients briefly regain cognitive functions before death, suggesting:

"Terminal lucidity makes absolutely no sense" if consciousness is solely a product of the brain. [25:10]

Knowles connects this to classical Christian philosophy, arguing against the modern presumption that the mind is purely material.

9. Criticism of Modern Morality and Legislation in the UK

Knowles condemns the UK's recent legislation to decriminalize abortion at any stage of pregnancy, portraying it as a regression to "pagan" values:

"They're saying this gets rid of an outdated, passe Victorian era protection of innocent babies." [35:54]

He vehemently opposes the law, arguing it violates ethical and moral standards upheld by Christianity over millennia.

10. Addressing Misconceptions About the Founding Fathers

In responding to a liberal commentator's claim that the Founding Fathers had less education than modern 12-year-olds, Knowles refutes the notion by:

• Highlighting the superior education and access to true information that the Founders possessed.
• Criticizing modern education for its focus on falsehoods and ideological indoctrination rather than genuine knowledge.

"We have much less access practically... public education... teaches us things that aren't true." [35:08]

11. Closing Remarks and Future Outlook

Knowles concludes by reiterating the importance of American resilience and moral clarity. He emphasizes learning from global developments, such as the Middle East conflict and UK's legislative changes, to fortify domestic values and policies.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• "We are officially not not at war." [00:00] – Michael Knowles
• "We're kind of in Schrödinger's war. We're simultaneously at war and not at war." [12:30] – Michael Knowles
• "By standing with Israel, we unlock the blessings of God..." [09:26] – Tony Perkins
• "If we don't fight for our freedom, we will lose it." [15:03] – Senator Lindsey Graham
• "Terminal lucidity makes absolutely no sense." [25:10] – Michael Knowles

Conclusion

In Episode 1757, Michael Knowles provides a comprehensive analysis of the United States' precarious position regarding Iran, critiques modern educational and moral frameworks, and defends traditional values against contemporary legislative changes. Through incisive commentary and strategic use of notable quotes, Knowles engages listeners in a critical examination of current geopolitical and societal issues, advocating for a return to foundational principles and informed leadership.