The Michael Knowles Show - Ep. 1858

Title: Marjorie Taylor Greene Joins The Resistance?
Date: November 17, 2025

Overview

In this episode, Michael Knowles explores internal rifts in the Republican Party, notably Marjorie Taylor Greene’s surprising conciliatory turn on CNN and her tension with Donald Trump over the release of the Epstein files. The conversation expands to the ideological schisms fracturing American politics, the enduring relevance of the Epstein scandal, Trump’s pivot on economic policies, and sharp commentary on modern Western decline—highlighted by a World War II veteran’s somber perspective. Knowles also tackles topics like psychiatric medication, the totalitarian drift of liberalism, and youth attitudes toward marriage.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Surprising Pivot

Timestamps: 01:27–05:39

• Context: Greene, a stalwart pro-Trump conservative, appears on CNN to apologize for her past “toxic” rhetoric, calling for more kindness in politics—especially after the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

• Notable Quote:
  Marjorie Taylor Greene [04:46]:

  "I would like to say humbly, I'm sorry for taking part in the toxic politics. It's very bad for our country ... I am committed ... to put down the knives in politics. I really just want to see people be kind to one another."

• Knowles’ Reaction:

  • Skeptical of Greene’s shift, Knowles frames her rhetoric as adopting leftist slogans ("be kind") and questions whether this reflects genuine remorse or a political realignment amid a feud with Trump.
  • He draws parallels to Liz Cheney’s break from the GOP, emphasizing that political allegiance often matters more than ideological consistency.
  • Notable Quote:
    Michael Knowles [05:39]:

    "Politics is not primarily about ideas ... it’s about people forming coalitions to work together to attain power ... That’s what this is about."

2. The Epstein Files Divide the Right

Timestamps: 15:57–24:27

• Trump’s Stance:

  • Trump calls for the release of the Epstein files, asserting Republicans "have nothing to hide" and emphasizing the issue as a Democrat "trap."
  • According to Knowles, Trump’s previous hesitancy was due to potential distractions from his administration’s priorities rather than any implication in wrongdoing.
  • Knowles’ Take:
    • He bets no serious Trump-damaging evidence will emerge from the files.
    • The renewed focus on Epstein exposes cracks in GOP unity, with Greene maneuvering publicly to maintain her populist bonafides.

• Notable Quote:
  Michael Knowles [24:49]:

  "We will not find anything in the Epstein files that are released that is seriously damaging to Trump ... It’s become an issue in the Republican Party. It’s splitting the coalition, not over ideas, just over people. And politics is about people."

• Quote from Trump (paraphrased) [17:27]:

  "House Republicans should vote to release the Epstein files because we have nothing to hide ... It’s time to move on from this Democrat hoax ... and get back to the economy, affordability, and winning."

3. Politics: Coalitions over Ideology

Timestamps: 06:00–11:00

• Knowles underscores that, historically, coalition-building and personal alliances trump ideology in politics.
• References figures like Liz Cheney and John Fetterman to illustrate how practical allegiances—rather than perfect issue alignment—determine "whose side you’re on" at key moments.

4. Vindication: Trump Tariffs Lowered Inflation

Timestamps: 27:58–32:42

• Knowles highlights a Federal Reserve report stating tariffs lowered US inflation by dampening demand—a key right-wing economic argument, contrary to previous bipartisan consensus.
• Warns, however, that the economic pain from slowed growth and employment remains a valid concern.
• Notable Quote [30:39]:

  "The Trump economic policy was proven right ... All the geniuses now look like idiots. So there are still major economic problems ... but the fact that they were right should give us a little bit of confidence."

5. Cultural Decline: A Veteran’s Lament

Timestamps: 35:04–37:55

• A 100-year-old WWII veteran voices despair on British TV, saying the sacrifices of his generation were “not worth it” given the state of modern Western society.

• Notable Quote [35:09]:
  WWII Veteran:

  "All the hundreds of my friends ... gave their lives for what? A country of today? No, I'm sorry. The sacrifice wasn't worth the result that it is now."

• Knowles’ Analysis:

  • Reviews the ideological threats of communism and Nazism, arguing that liberalism—once triumphant—is itself failing, leading to cultural and spiritual erosion.
  • Calls for a post-liberal, tradition-rooted politics grounded in the "common good."

6. The Totalitarian Drift of Left-Liberalism

Timestamps: 41:00–45:00

• Knowles discusses an incident of a shy student’s suicide after being punished for expressing a dissenting view in class, framing modern Western societies as "totalitarian" rather than merely authoritarian.

• Critiques the coercive social and institutional power of contemporary liberalism, which demands ideological conformity and punishes deviation.

• Notable Quote [43:04]:

  "Liberalism is totalitarian too, inasmuch as it seeks to control every aspect of your life ... In some cases, that's totalitarian. And another one of these buzzwords—authoritarian—doesn't quite fit."

7. Other Segment Highlights

• Marriage Trends: Knowles references a new trend where 12th-grade girls are now less interested in marriage than boys, promising further discussion in a future episode.
• SSRI Controversy: Previews an in-depth interview about psychiatric drugs and violent behavior, linked to increased violence, especially among left-leaning youth (27:24–28:09).
  • Guest Dr. Wit Deering [27:36]:

    "Are there differences between a depressed person and a non-depressed person? No."

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Marjorie Taylor Greene [04:46]:

  "I'm sorry for taking part in the toxic politics ... I've been working on this a lot lately to put down the knives in politics."

• Michael Knowles [05:39, on coalitions]:

  "When push comes to shove... at the crucial moment, when it's about which coalition is about to amass power, [she] sides with the other team."

• Michael Knowles [24:49]:

  "We will not find anything...damaging to Trump. However, it's become an issue in the Republican Party. It's splitting the coalition — not over ideas, just over people."

• WWII Veteran [35:09]:

  "The sacrifice wasn't worth the result that it is now."

• Michael Knowles [43:04]:

  "Liberalism is totalitarian too, inasmuch as it seeks to control every aspect of your life."

Important Segments and Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------------------|--------------| | Marjorie Taylor Greene on CNN – calls for 'kindness'| 04:46 | | Knowles: 'Politics is about coalitions, not ideology'| 05:39–11:00 | | Trump’s full statement on Epstein files | 17:27–19:30 | | Knowles’ 'no bombshells for Trump in Epstein files' | 24:49 | | SSRIs & Violence teaser with Dr. Wit Deering | 27:24–28:09 | | Fed vindicates Trump tariff policy | 27:58–32:42 | | WWII vet laments decline, “not worth the sacrifice” | 35:04–35:54 | | Cultural & ideological analysis of Western decline | 37:55–45:00 |

Tone and Language

Knowles’ tone throughout is skeptical, combative, and exudes confidence in his own (and the populist right’s) worldview. He uses irony and directness, punctuated by playful jabs at political adversaries and repeated assertions that “politics is about people.”

Summary for Non-Listeners

This episode dissects the tumult within the GOP sparked by Marjorie Taylor Greene’s surprising pivot on national discourse and Trump’s new stance on the Epstein files. Knowles argues the real battle isn’t over policy details, but over group identity, loyalty, and power within political coalitions. He vindicates Trump’s tariff policy, laments Western cultural decay with a WWII veteran’s sobering testimony, and warns of rising totalitarianism within modern liberalism. Sprinkled throughout are sharp observations on contemporary issues—from psychiatric medication to gender attitudes toward marriage—offered in Knowles’ distinctively trenchant, right-populist tone.