Podcast Summary: The Michael Knowles Show – Ep. 1768: Did USAID Cause COVID?
Release Date: July 10, 2025
Host: Michael Knowles
Platform: The Daily Wire

I. Introduction

In Episode 1768 of The Michael Knowles Show, host Michael Knowles delves into the controversial question: "Did USAID Cause COVID?" Drawing parallels with ongoing public skepticism surrounding events like the Jeffrey Epstein scandal and the JFK assassination, Knowles sets the stage for an in-depth analysis of USAID's potential role in the origins of COVID-19.

II. USAID's Involvement with the Wuhan Institute of Virology

Knowles introduces a shocking new report from The Daily Caller, authored by Emily Kopp, which alleges that USAID shipped thousands of viral samples to the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) over a decade-long program. These shipments occurred without a formal agreement, raising significant concerns about biosecurity and the potential for bioweapons development.

[12:30] Michael Knowles: "USAID funded the exportation of 11,000 samples from Yunnan Province to Wuhan, where COVID-19 originated, without ensuring these samples couldn’t be misused."

This $210 million public health initiative is criticized for undermining its intended purpose, a common theme in liberal programs according to Knowles. He emphasizes that the lack of transparency and oversight makes it unlikely that the full story behind COVID-19 will ever be uncovered.

III. Parallels with Epstein and JFK Conspiracies

Knowles draws connections between the obscured narratives of Epstein and JFK with the current USAID-COVID discussion. He argues that the United States' global influence and extensive intelligence operations often result in the nation being implicated in various global incidents, whether directly responsible or not.

[15:45] Michael Knowles: "We're the global empire, involved in everything. That's why you'll never get the full story on Covid."

He suggests that the prevalence of powerful elites involved in scandals like Epstein's further complicates the pursuit of truth, as uncovering such information could potentially destabilize the existing world order.

IV. Social Commentary: Sierra Ortega and Cancel Culture

Shifting focus, Knowles discusses the recent controversy surrounding Sierra Ortega from Love Island. Ortega was removed from the show after past social media posts resurfaced in which she used the term "chinky," a derogatory reference to Asian individuals.

[09:21] Sierra Ortega's Apology: "I want to first start by addressing... the entire Asian community. I am deeply, truly, honestly so sorry."

Knowles criticizes what he perceives as overzealous cancel culture, comparing Ortega's punishment to actors in classic films like Gran Torino, where offensive language is used by a heroic character.

[12:13] Michael Knowles: "Clint Eastwood's character in Gran Torino uses offensive terms, but he's the hero because he has charity and love for these people."

He argues that intent and context are often overlooked in modern discourse, leading to unfair vilification of individuals for actions that may not be malicious.

V. President Trump’s Controversial Remarks

The episode further explores President Trump's use of potentially offensive language. Knowles references an incident where Trump allegedly used the term "Shylock," a character from Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice, often associated with anti-Semitic stereotypes.

[19:35] Michael Knowles: "Shylock is a term that refers to Jews because it comes from the Merchant of Venice... But Trump gets to use the word because he has charity for these people."

Knowles defends Trump by highlighting his positive relationship with the Jewish community, suggesting that Trump’s intentions behind using such terms are misunderstood or taken out of context.

VI. Elon Musk and the White House Relationship

Discussing Elon Musk, Knowles addresses the fraught relationship between Musk and the White House, particularly following Musk's acquisition of Twitter. He references a segment from Pod Force One, where White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles discusses the breakup between Elon Musk and President Trump.

[22:26] Susie Wiles: "The President was very, very kind to him, and Elon had so much to offer us... but it came to a very troublesome ending."

Knowles emphasizes that a confrontation between Trump and Musk would not benefit the conservative movement, advocating instead for collaboration to further conservative causes.

[23:37] Michael Knowles: "We don't benefit from a Trump-Elon fight. Elon's great. Trump’s the president."

VII. The Viral Surrogacy Story

A viral video is examined where a woman celebrates her mother-in-law carrying her baby as a surrogate. Knowles critiques modern reproductive technologies and the ethical implications of such arrangements.

[30:10] Michael Knowles: "This is the best version of IVF and surrogacy there is. That's not to defend the mother-in-law, but to show how morally suspect these practices are."

He invokes Leon Cass’s "wisdom of repugnance", arguing that our immediate moral reactions should be taken seriously, despite modernity’s tendency to dismiss these gut feelings.

VIII. Cultural Commentary: Superman's Catchphrase

In the Membrum Segmentum, Knowles discusses the alteration of Superman's iconic catchphrase from "Truth, justice, and the American way" to "Truth, justice, and the human way." He criticizes this change as a reflection of secular humanism and a departure from traditional virtues.

[34:35] Michael Knowles: "Superman stands for truth, justice, and the human way. This means we stand for concupiscence, wrath, envy, pride, rape, and murder."

Knowles laments the loss of moral clarity and virtue in modern media representations, using Superman as a symbol of this cultural shift.

IX. Addressing Fake News and Media Bias

Knowles tackles the issue of media sensationalism by examining fabricated or repetitive news stories about Trump threatening to bomb Moscow if Russia invades Ukraine.

[40:38] Michael Knowles: "CNN reported Trump said he threatened to bomb Moscow if Putin attacked Ukraine. This has been reported for years with no new developments."

He criticizes the media for hysterically covering old stories to undermine Trump, asserting that these narratives are used as tools to discredit his leadership.

X. Conclusion

Throughout the episode, Michael Knowles maintains a critical stance towards both liberal policies and media practices, advocating for transparency, accountability, and traditional values. He underscores the importance of questioning official narratives and recognizing the United States' complex role in global affairs.

Notable Quotes:

• Michael Knowles on USAID and COVID:

  "USAID funded the exportation of 11,000 samples from Yunnan Province to Wuhan... That's why you'll never get the full story on Covid."
  [12:30]

• Sierra Ortega's Apology:

  "I am deeply, truly, honestly so sorry."
  [09:21]

• Michael Knowles on Cancel Culture and Gran Torino:

  "Clint Eastwood's character... he's the hero because he has charity and love for these people."
  [12:13]

• Michael Knowles on Trump's Use of "Shylock":

  "Shylock... But Trump gets to use the word because he has charity for these people."
  [19:35]

• Michael Knowles on Media Sensationalism:

  "CNN reported Trump said he threatened to bomb Moscow if Putin attacked Ukraine. This has been reported for years with no new developments."
  [40:38]

Note: This summary captures the primary discussions and viewpoints presented in Episode 1768 of The Michael Knowles Show. It aims to provide a comprehensive overview for those who have not listened to the episode, highlighting key arguments, controversies, and cultural critiques addressed by the host.