Podcast Title: The Michael Knowles Show
Host/Author: The Daily Wire
Episode: Ep. 1760 - Fallout From Iran: Regime Change?
Release Date: June 23, 2025
Description: Bask in the simple joys of being right. The Michael Knowles Show cuts through the madness of our politics and culture, analyzing the top stories of the day. Monday through Friday.
1. Introduction to President Trump's Attack on Iran
Timestamp: [00:42]
Michael Knowles opens the episode by addressing the significant and controversial event of President Trump's recent military action against Iran. He highlights the gravity of the situation, noting that Trump's decision to bomb Iran has reopened old geopolitical wounds and poses the risk of escalating into an all-out war.
Notable Quote:
"We have completed our very successful attack on the three nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan. All planes are now outside of Iran airspace. A full payload of bombs was dropped on the primary site, Fordo. All planes are safely on their way home. Congratulations to our great American warriors."
— President Trump ([00:42])
2. Analysis of Trump's Remarks and Their Implications
Timestamp: [02:15]
Knowles delves into the nuances of Trump's remarks, pointing out the unusual aspects of the President’s speech. Unlike Trump's typical style, the speech was brief and lacked his usual bravado. Knowles notes the presence of key cabinet members like Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Rubio, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth during the announcement, suggesting a display of unity within the administration.
Notable Quote:
"He was standing there with J.D. Vance, Vice President, Secretary of State Rubio, and Pete Hegseth, the Secretary of Defense, who were there not only for their roles in the government."
— Michael Knowles ([02:15])
3. Feud Between President Trump and Congressman Thomas Massie
Timestamp: [07:35]
A significant portion of the discussion centers around the conflict between President Trump and Representative Thomas Massie. Knowles explains that Massie, a libertarian and conservative Republican, has been a vocal critic of Trump's approach to the Iran strike. While Massie argues that the strike was unconstitutional, Trump vehemently disagrees, labeling Massie as a "negative force" within the party.
Notable Quotes:
"Congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky is not MAGA, even though he likes to say he is. Actually, MAGA doesn't want him, doesn't know him and doesn't respect him."
— President Trump ([15:00])
"We don't want to achieve regime change. We want to achieve the end of the Iranian nuclear program. That's America's objective and that's what the President has set us out to do."
— J.D. Vance ([09:40])
"This is unconstitutional. We need to open up impeachment investigations for what?"
— Thomas Massie ([17:43])
Knowles criticizes Massie’s stance, arguing that Massie’s interpretation of the War Powers Act is inconsistent with how it has been applied by previous presidents across both parties. He emphasizes that Massie’s rigid adherence to libertarian principles undermines practical governance.
4. Generational Divide Within the Republican Base
Timestamp: [06:55]
Knowles highlights a generational split within the Republican base concerning the Iran strike. Older conservatives (Boomers and Gen X) perceive the strike as a demonstration of American strength, while younger conservatives (Millennials and Gen Z) view it as potentially indicative of weakness and overreliance on foreign influences.
Notable Quote:
"On the right, on the one hand, you have boomers and Gen X, who I think view this as a display of strength... However, I think to millennials and especially zoomers on the right, I don't think this plays a strength. I think millennials and especially zoomers view this as a display of weakness."
— Michael Knowles ([07:45])
5. Domestic Front: JoJo Siwa’s Claims of Being Pressured to Be a Lesbian
Timestamp: [32:10]
Transitioning to domestic issues, Knowles discusses JoJo Siwa’s recent statements claiming she was pressured by the LGBT community to identify as a lesbian. He interprets her remarks as an attack on the pro-LGBT narrative, suggesting that societal pressures can influence personal sexual identities.
Notable Quote:
"Either what JoJo Siwa said is right, that kids are groomed by the LGBT community into adopting LGBT identities... Or you have to deny the lived experience and the self-professed sexual orientation and identity of a young queer girl."
— Michael Knowles ([32:10])
6. Nancy Pelosi’s Financial Gains Amidst Political Turmoil
Timestamp: [25:30]
Knowles shifts focus to criticism of Democratic leaders, particularly Nancy Pelosi, highlighting reports of her significant financial gains. He cites a New York Post report detailing Pelosi’s investment activities, accusing her of corruption and questioning the ethics of her financial maneuvers.
Notable Quotes:
"Nancy Pelosi has outperformed every large hedge fund in the country last year. She raked in between $7.8 and $42.5 million in 2024."
— Michael Knowles ([25:30])
"No one can possibly look at this and say it's not corrupt. It's just not possible."
— Michael Knowles ([26:45])
7. Anti-Pornography Legislation and Coalition Building
Timestamp: [40:50]
In discussing cultural issues, Knowles covers the growing coalition against pornography, which now includes feminists, religious crusaders, and alpha male influencers. He references a Supreme Court case challenging Texas legislation requiring age verification for porn sites, framing it as a battle between protecting minors and upholding First Amendment rights.
Notable Quote:
"Once viewed as a fringe moral crusade, the war against porn has ballooned into a multi-pronged mainstream force over the past decade that now counts feminists, religious crusaders, alpha male influencers, and a growing number of politicians among its ranks."
— Michael Knowles ([40:50])
8. Critique of Libertarianism and Its Role in Modern Politics
Timestamp: [20:00]
Knowles offers a critique of libertarianism, particularly focusing on its perceived impracticality and ideological rigidity. He distinguishes libertarian principles from conservatism, arguing that libertarianism fails to achieve tangible political successes and misunderstands human nature.
Notable Quote:
"Libertarianism is a utopian political ideology that misunderstands human nature and therefore politics."
— Michael Knowles ([20:00])
9. Gavin Newsom’s Ambitious Political Moves
Timestamp: [23:15]
Highlighting political strategizing, Knowles discusses California Governor Gavin Newsom’s attempts to position himself as a frontrunner for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination. He critiques Newsom’s tactics as outdated and ineffective, comparing them unfavorably to the strategies employed by the American right a decade earlier.
Notable Quote:
"Gavin Newsom is thirsty for a debate with J.D. Vance. He tweets out on Juneteenth, 'Hey, J.D. Vance. Nice of you to finally make it out to California. Let's debate.'"
— Michael Knowles ([23:15])
10. Call to Action and Membership Promotion
Timestamp: Various
Throughout the episode, Knowles intersperses discussions with promotions for Daily Wire memberships and related services. He encourages listeners to join the community for exclusive benefits and early access to content, emphasizing the importance of aligning with like-minded individuals who value truth and tradition.
Notable Quote:
"If you are not yet a Daily Wire plus member, now is the time to change that. You get every single daily wire show, including this one, at least an hour before anyone else."
— Michael Knowles
Conclusion
In this episode of The Michael Knowles Show, host Michael Knowles provides a comprehensive analysis of the recent military strike on Iran, delving into the political dynamics within the Republican Party, particularly the clash between President Trump and Congressman Thomas Massie. He explores the generational divides within the conservative base, critiques libertarian ideologies, and addresses domestic cultural battles such as JoJo Siwa’s claims and anti-pornography legislation. Additionally, Knowles highlights the financial controversies surrounding Democratic leaders like Nancy Pelosi and critiques the strategies of political figures like Gavin Newsom. Throughout the discussion, he emphasizes the importance of unity within conservative ranks and the challenges posed by internal and external political pressures.
Note: Advertisements and non-content segments have been excluded from this summary to focus solely on the substantive discussions and analyses presented in the episode.
