Podcast Summary: The Michael Knowles Show

Episode: Ep. 1844 - Is Trump Going To Run For A Third Term?

Date: October 28, 2025
Host: Michael Knowles (The Daily Wire)

Overview

This episode centers on the recent viral speculation, especially from media figures like those on The View, about whether former President Donald Trump intends to pursue a rare and potentially unconstitutional third term in office. Michael Knowles scrutinizes these rumors, dissects the reactions from both sides of the political aisle, and clarifies the context behind Steve Bannon’s much-quoted remarks on the topic. The discussion segues into broader commentary on current Democratic figures, language games in public discourse, culture wars, and imminent candidates for the 2028 presidential election.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Speculation About Trump's "Third Term"

[00:00–05:00]
- Michael Knowles opens by referencing widespread media anxiety, particularly from The View and similar outlets, suggesting that Trump is preparing to remain president beyond the constitutionally permitted two terms.
- “The brain trust at The View sees monarchy just around the corner.” (Knowles, 00:00)
- Cites clips where Steve Bannon, Trump’s former strategist, teases the media and the left:
  - Bannon: “He’s gonna get a third term. So Trump 28. Trump is gonna be president at 28, and people just ought to get accommodated with that.” (Bannon, 00:25)
- Raised concerns about whether physical changes to the White House (like East Wing renovations) signal Trump's intent to remain.

2. Constitutional Reality & Interpretation of Bannon's Comments

[05:00–09:00]
- Knowles dissects Bannon’s comments as satire, mocking the mainstream media’s inability to recognize the joke:
  - He explains the running conservative joke that Trump’s "third term" refers to the belief among some on the right that Trump “won” the disputed 2020 election but didn’t serve, thus making 2025–2029 his figurative “third term.”
  - “It’s a joke. Steve Bannon is a very intelligent guy. He’s choosing his words very carefully here. He’s clearly having fun with the interviewer.” (Knowles, 06:38)
  - Criticizes media figures for taking Bannon’s remarks at face value, illustrating how language and inside jokes are misunderstood or weaponized for outrage.

3. Trump’s Own Position and Future Endorsements

[09:12–12:00]
- Knowles highlights Trump’s statements on Air Force One, where Trump endorses potential Republican successors (JD Vance, Marco Rubio), but coyly refuses to fully rule out running again.
  - Trump: “We have a great group of people... you’ll have to tell me.” (Trump, 09:12)
- Knowles interprets Trump’s refusal to issue a flat denial as a strategic move:
  - Maintains party energy and suspense, undermines Democratic narratives, and keeps potential rivals in check.

4. Analysis of the 2028 Republican Field

[12:00–15:00]
- Knowles assesses how Trump’s prospective endorsement of a Vance-Rubio (or Rubio-Vance) ticket could functionally unite the party and run as "virtual incumbents" in 2028.
- Evaluates the strengths each would bring, especially regarding foreign policy.
- Notes the disarray among potential Democratic candidates.

5. Democratic Candidates and the State of the Party

[15:00–22:00]
- Surveys the limited options for the Democratic nomination: AOC, Gavin Newsom, Kamala Harris, Gretchen Whitmer, J.B. Pritzker.
- Focuses on AOC’s recent campaign rally with Zohran Mamdani (described as a "Muslim Communist"), highlighting her rhetorical excesses and lack of control.
  - Offers a historical parallel with Howard Dean’s infamous 2004 campaign outburst:
    - “I’m seeing history repeat itself. Deja vu all over again with AOC.” (Knowles, 20:24)
- Argues that an overreliance on identity politics and coalition-building may limit Democratic appeal.

6. Language, Immigration, and Euphemisms

[27:00–33:00]
- Critiques Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson’s refusal to use the term “illegal alien”:
  - Johnson: “We don’t have illegal aliens…” (Johnson, 27:06)
  - Knowles explains the importance of precise language, referencing the “euphemism treadmill” (Steven Pinker) and his own book, Speechless.
  - “If the language didn’t matter, why would Brandon Johnson focus on it so much?... It’s a perfectly neutral term to describe a bad thing that the Libs want to hide.” (Knowles, 28:50)

7. Wokeness, Identity, and Democratic Messaging

[33:45–35:00]
- Plays a clip of former White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, who deflects a tough question by emphasizing her identity:
  - Jean-Pierre: “I woke up every day as a black woman who is queer, who had never — no one had ever seen someone like me at that podium…” (Jean-Pierre, 33:45)
  - Knowles satirizes the move as “the black lesbian defense” and argues the public has grown weary of this approach.

8. Kourtney Kardashian Lollipops and "The Party of Science"

[37:30–39:00]
- In a lighter segment, Knowles mocks celebrity science and the commercialization of dubious wellness products, using Kardashian as a symbol of liberal hypocrisy on “science.”

9. Kamala Harris as 2028 Candidate

[42:35–43:12]
- Examines Sen. Mark Kelly's tepid endorsement:
  - Q: “Do you think that Kamala Harris would be a strong candidate in 2028?”
    Mark Kelly: “Candidate? Yeah, absolutely.” (Kelly, 43:12)
  - Knowles deconstructs this careful language as a non-endorsement, arguing that Democratic leaders cannot say what they actually mean for fear of offending identity blocs.

10. Democratic Strategic Paralysis

[43:15–46:19]
- Argues that Democrats are stuck, unable to adapt or ditch unpopular “woke” notions, and lack credible leadership moving forward.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Bannon’s Joke ([06:38]):
- “Steve Bannon is a very intelligent guy. He’s choosing his words very carefully here. He’s clearly having fun with the interviewer.” – Michael Knowles
On Trump’s Endorsement Game ([10:13]):
- “He keeps a lot of juice, which is how he’s managed to stay on the right side of virtually every 80/20 issue.” – Michael Knowles
On AOC’s Political Skills ([17:00]):
- “She’s nuts, but I think she’s generally a pretty talented polit. That was a bad showing… If she can’t control herself… she is going to be the Howard Dean 2004 of the Democrats.” – Michael Knowles
On Language and ‘Illegal Alien’ Debate ([28:50]):
- “If the language didn’t matter, why would Brandon Johnson focus on it so much?... It’s a perfectly neutral term to describe a bad thing that the Libs want to hide.” – Michael Knowles
On Karine Jean-Pierre’s Deflecting ([33:45]):
- “I am a black lesbian. Okay. Never mind.” – Michael Knowles, lampooning the Press Secretary’s focus on identity after being asked about misleading the public
On Democratic Candidates ([43:12]):
- “Candidate? Yeah, absolutely.” – Sen. Mark Kelly, carefully avoiding saying Kamala would be a strong nominee
On Democrat Paralysis ([44:00]):
- “They’re totally stuck. The one issue they thought that they could maybe turn their fortunes around on was healthcare… you got nothing. Maybe they can try ‘I’m a black woman.’ Maybe they can try ‘I’m a black lesbian.’ They can. I don’t think other than that, I don’t think they have anything.” – Michael Knowles

Important Timestamps

00:00 – Show intro; The View’s third term “monarchy” fears
00:25 – Steve Bannon third term remarks cited
05:38 – Knowles explains Bannon's "joke" and media’s misinterpretation
09:12 – Trump comments on 2028, endorses Vance/Rubio, won’t rule himself out
15:00 – Top options for Democratic 2028 ticket considered, AOC's rally clip
17:00 – AOC’s Howard Dean moment analogy
22:14 – Mamdani’s campaign stance on gender and trans funding
27:06 – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson redefines "illegal alien"
28:50 – Language and euphemism section
33:45 – Karine Jean-Pierre deflects with identity politics
37:30 – Kardashian’s “science” lollipops segment
42:35 – Mark Kelly’s non-endorsement of Kamala Harris

Conclusion & Takeaways

Michael Knowles uses the Trump “third term” meme to highlight media credulity and left-wing paranoia, but pivots to emphasize the strategic messaging, language manipulation, and cultural disarray among Democratic leaders. He repeatedly underscores the right’s advantage in both narrative control and political unity, while lampooning the opposition's reliance on identity politics and shifting euphemisms. The episode is marked by a sardonic tone, layered conservative in-jokes, and Knowles' penchant for historical and pop culture analogies, aiming to reassure and energize his right-leaning listenership.