The Michael Knowles Show – Ep. 1835

Title: Lib Magazine DISRESPECTS Trump With Botched Photo
Date: October 14, 2025
Host: Michael Knowles (The Daily Wire)

Episode Overview

Michael Knowles discusses the political and media fallout following President Trump’s historic brokering of peace in the Middle East, notably the release of Israeli hostages and the end of the Gaza war. Knowles scrutinizes the response from liberal media—especially Time magazine’s controversial cover photo, which he claims deliberately diminishes Trump. He also explores wider issues, including religious humility in Trump’s public comments, international diplomacy, Obama’s criticisms, and the broader friend/enemy distinction in politics.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Middle East Triumph and Media Response

Timestamps: 03:03 – 17:00

• Historic Achievement:
  Trump is credited with “the most significant international achievement of a presidential administration in decades”—securing hostage release and ending the Gaza war.

  “All of President Trump’s critics have to eat crow. He did the impossible.” (03:25; Michael Knowles)

• Time Magazine’s “DISRESPECTFUL” Cover:
  Knowles dissects Time’s cover photo of Trump—shot from a low and unflattering angle, which seems to erase Trump’s iconic hair.

  • Photo “de-Trumpifies” by downplaying his most recognizable feature.
  • Knowles asserts this is intentional image manipulation to diminish Trump’s uniqueness and the magnitude of his win.

  “The key to it... they get rid of the hair intentionally... because they had to diminish the distinctive nature of Trump’s accomplishment.” (08:44; Michael Knowles)

• Trump’s Own Reaction:
  Trump addressed the photo on Truth Social:

  “Time magazine wrote a relatively good story about me, but the picture may be the worst of all time. They disappeared my hair... Really weird.” (12:45; quoting Trump)

• Psychological Subtext:
  Knowles posits that after years of presenting Trump as evil, media can only acknowledge his good deeds by making his image less recognizable, indirectly refusing to credit Trump with the achievement.

  “Because Trump has done something here that is undeniably good... they have to try to convey that it’s not really Trump. They chose the latter course.” (14:35; Michael Knowles)

2. Trump’s Public Humility and Religious Reflection

Timestamps: 18:45 – 24:00

• Trump on Salvation:
  On Air Force One, Trump jokes with reporters about whether getting peace in Ukraine would help him get into heaven:

  “I don’t think there’s anything gonna get me in heaven. Okay. I really don’t… I’m not sure I’m gonna be able to make heaven.” (19:55; quoting Trump)

• Knowles’ Interpretation:
  Knowles praises Trump for humility, likening his answer to a traditional Christian attitude, in contrast to “once saved, always saved” modern conceptions.

  “This answer is humble. It expresses a kind of humility that is deeply Christian... Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.” (21:15; Michael Knowles)

3. Trump’s International Style and Aggressive Political Posture

Timestamps: 24:00 – 28:00

• Camaraderie with World Leaders:
  Trump caught on hot mic joking with the Canadian Prime Minister about accidentally calling him "President."

  “‘Thanks for upgrading me from Prime Minister to President. Oh, did I say that? Oh, that’s funny.’ He’s laughing, he slaps him on the back and then he goes, ‘At least I didn’t call you governor.’” (25:45; Michael Knowles paraphrasing Trump)

• Offensive vs. Defensive Politics:
  Knowles contrasts Trump’s “on the move” posture—asserting proactive policy changes—with what he calls the right’s historic defensiveness.

  “We gotta be on the move. Sometimes the best defense is a good offense.” (27:32; Michael Knowles)

4. The View’s MAGA Hat Bet and Liberal Reluctance

Timestamps: 29:15 – 32:40

• Alyssa Farah’s Promise:
  Co-host of The View promised to wear a MAGA hat if Trump secured Israeli hostages’ release.

  “If he does good, if he gets the Israeli hostages out, I promise I will wear a MAGA hat for one day on the show…” (30:12; quoting Farah)

• Will Liberals Acknowledge Trump’s Success?
  Knowles challenges whether The View (and by extension, the left) can openly concede Trump’s victories.

  “Can the left do that broadly or do they have to get the nasty picture of Trump… that tries to de-Trumpify Trump?” (31:45; Michael Knowles)

5. Obama’s Critique and Projection

Timestamps: 32:40 – 35:00

• Obama’s Statement on Political Prosecutions:
  Obama condemns “kangaroo courts and trumped up charges,” asserting the DOJ/FBI should avoid political meddling.

  “We don’t want kangaroo courts and trumped up charges. That’s what happens in other places that we used to scold.” (28:38; Barack Obama)

• Knowles’ Pushback:
  Accuses Obama of hypocrisy, referencing IRS targeting conservatives and the Russia probe.

  “He did all of it. He did it. You can’t even only blame Biden. It started Crossfire Hurricane... He did all that.” (29:20; Michael Knowles)

6. Friend/Enemy Distinction in Politics

Timestamps: 36:00 – 39:50

• Schmitt’s Political Theory:
  Knowles cites Carl Schmitt’s idea that politics is defined by the friend/enemy distinction—not as a matter of personal hatred but as a fact of political community.

  “When he says enemy, he’s very clear. He’s not talking about personal enemies... he’s talking about political enemies.” (37:35; Michael Knowles)

• Left’s Rhetoric of Existential Threat:
  Asserts that since 2020, prominent Democrats have described conservatives not as opponents but as threats to national existence—justifying political overreach.

  “They have been arguing that... we pose an existential threat to the country. That’s their language.” (38:05; Michael Knowles)

7. Deportation Policy and Criminal Aliens

Timestamps: 40:00 – 42:35

• High-Profile Deportations:
  Notes Trump administration’s deportation of serious criminals to countries like Eswatini, dismissing left-wing outcry.

  “These people are rapists and child rapists and murderers, okay?… If you don’t wanna go there, don’t break into our country." (41:52; Michael Knowles)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Time Magazine’s photo-editing:

  “They’re de-Trumpifying the picture. They’re taking away his distinguishing feature. And there is a deeply psychological reason behind this.” (09:22)

• On religious humility:

  “What is left unsaid here is I would require God’s grace to get me into heaven. That’s a deeply Christian expression… even if lots of it are being left implicit.” (21:59)

• On political offensiveness:

  “You gotta go on the offensive. Politically speaking, the American right... has been on the defensive... Trump flips that on a whole host of issues.” (26:45)

Important Segments (Timestamps)

• Trump’s Middle East Diplomacy & Media Reaction: 03:03 – 17:00
• Critique of Time Magazine’s Photo: 06:00 – 15:00
• Trump on Religion/Salvation: 18:45 – 24:00
• International Diplomacy Hot Mic: 24:00 – 28:00
• Alyssa Farah’s Bet & Media Graciousness: 29:15 – 32:40
• Obama’s DOJ Critique & Knowles’ Response: 32:40 – 35:30
• Friend/Enemy in Politics: 36:00 – 39:50
• Criminal Deportations: 40:00 – 42:35

Conclusion

This episode centers on how Trump’s outsized success in the Middle East poses a narrative crisis for his critics and the media, exemplified by the Time magazine cover’s subtle editorializing. Knowles uses this as a lens for reflecting on humility, honesty in media, and the need for conservatives to go on the political offensive. These themes are underscored by the reactions of opponents like Obama and left-leaning media personalities, whose consternation, Knowles argues, is proof of Trump’s lasting political impact.