The Michael Knowles Show – Episode 1885
Title: Hammer Wielding Trans Leftist ARRESTED Trying To Break Into JD Vance’s House
Date: January 7, 2026
Episode Overview
In this episode, Michael Knowles delivers an analysis of several high-profile news stories centered around politics, culture, and religion. The dominant theme is cultural and political turbulence—from a hammer-wielding trans individual attempting to break into Vice President JD Vance’s Ohio home, to reactions over a porn star’s public religious conversion, to Trump’s geopolitics and domestic abortion policies. Knowles weaves these stories together with interpretations about the state of the left, the shifting boundaries of acceptable discourse, and the persistence of traditional values.
Note: All summaries skip over sponsored segments and advertisements. Timestamps are provided for the major content sections.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The "Least Surprising" Story: Hammer Attack at JD Vance’s Home
[05:46–15:30]
- Knowles addresses the headlines about William DeFore (who allegedly goes by "Julia"), a trans-identifying individual arrested after trying to break into Vice President JD Vance’s house with a hammer.
- Background details are discussed: DeFore’s affluent upbringing, parents being doctors, donations to Democrats, and attending elite schools.
- Knowles asserts that the suspect fits a familiar pattern when politically motivated violence targets conservatives:
- “If you told a room of a hundred people... describe that person. Every single person in the room would describe exactly what I just read to you.” [07:55]
- He contends that, given recent patterns, society almost expects leftist violence against conservatives, especially involving “sexual identity issues.”
- Claims that Democrats have lost ground politically due to the public’s reaction to radical trans activism, arguing the left is trying to reposition itself as more moderate—but is caught in its own contradiction.
Notable Quotes:
- “It's always the ones you most expect.” —Michael Knowles [08:49]
- “The Democrats realize that they lost the last election largely because of the transgender issue... because that is an easy way to recognize that someone has poor judgment.” [10:14]
2. Culture War Tactics: Gavin Newsom’s 'Gay Joke' and Shifting Norms in the Left
[12:00–18:00]
- Knowles discusses California Governor Gavin Newsom’s press team making an anti-gay joke about commentator Benny Johnson.
- Interprets this as the left backpedaling from strict LGBT orthodoxy—making jokes they previously would have condemned as “intolerant.”
- Points out the political schizophrenia: Newsom publicly courts moderation but is rooted in progressive, sexual revolutionary ideals.
- Uses Newsom’s comment, “I want to see more trans kids,” to argue that the radical wing of the party remains influential and problematic.
Notable Quotes:
- “He realizes he can't be a woke leftist... but I think he's a true progressive.” [15:36]
- “They want to seem like the party of normal... they want to be the party that has a hold of the common sense... but they're still divorced from reality themselves.” [16:30]
3. Cultural Curiosities: Porn Star’s Public Religious Conversion
[23:00–31:40]
- Knowles turns to the story of Lily Phillips (possibly a stage name), a porn star who claims to have had a religious conversion after sleeping with 1,000 men in a day.
- Plays a snippet of Phillips explaining her desire for re-baptism despite her non-traditional beliefs (pro-choice, pro-gay marriage), and her stated intention to reduce her involvement in porn while prioritizing faith.
- Knowles clarifies theological points (e.g., "You can’t get re-baptized," and “Christianity does not permit so-called gay marriage or abortion”) and addresses confusion in many modern self-identity narratives.
- He emphasizes that conversion is a process—one in which the Church welcomes new believers but insists on conversion to Church doctrine, not vice versa.
Notable Quotes:
- “Baptism happens once... God doesn't screw up. God doesn't act insufficiently. It works. When God acts on you, that leaves an indelible mark on your soul.” [25:45]
- “If you say ‘I’m Christian, but I don’t have Christian values,’ that's confusing. You see how those things were opposed?” [27:37]
- “We'll welcome you at least, but not on your terms.” [30:38]
4. On Encouraging Sincere But Imperfect Converts
[31:40–36:10]
- Knowles encourages Phillips’s first steps, warning against making her an instant Christian celebrity or leader.
- He advocates for offering grace, assuming sincerity, and urging continued moral and spiritual growth.
- Criticizes both the “all or nothing” approach and the “no change necessary” attitude.
Notable Quotes:
- “This is really good stuff... but you gotta keep going.” [34:27]
- “It’s true, but God is the same for everyone... Because God is objectively real.” [34:56]
5. Interlude: Christmas Decorations and Christian Traditions
[36:10–39:36]
- Lighthearted segment explaining why his set’s Christmas decorations are still up—rooted in traditional Christian practice of keeping décor until Candlemas (February 2nd), not just December 25th or Epiphany.
Notable Quotes:
- “You have to keep them up until February 2nd, at least. I want that to become a dogma of the church.” [39:12]
6. Trump, the Hyde Amendment, and Abortion Politics
[39:37–44:44]
- Knowles plays a clip of Trump [28:33, see transcript] suggesting Republicans may need to be “flexible” on the Hyde Amendment (which bars federal funding for abortions).
- He clarifies that, practically, the Hyde Amendment is less effective than pro-lifers believe due to the fungibility of money; federal funds still enable abortion services indirectly.
- Describes the tension in GOP healthcare policy—more consumer choice, but less “choice” on abortion and radical gender medicine. Argues this tension is not hypocritical but difficult to message.
- Ultimately, Knowles believes Republicans will not give up the Hyde Amendment; instead, they should seek to strengthen restrictions on federal money funding abortions.
Notable Quotes:
- “The Hyde Amendment is a little less clear cut than some of us wish it were. Money is fungible. There's no doubt.” [41:55]
- “We're not making an idol out of choice, as ideologues do... we want good things.” [43:01]
7. Trump’s Venezuela Oil Move: Masterclass in Realpolitik
[44:45–48:10]
- Knowles covers Trump’s announcement that Venezuela will turn over 30–50 million barrels of oil as “war booty” to the U.S.
- Argues this move is not primarily about oil, but rather about weakening adversaries (China, Iran, Russia, Cuba), consolidating geopolitical advantage, and showing effectiveness where previous administrations failed.
- Suggests Trump’s pragmatic blending of economic and strategic interests avoids the pitfalls of pure ideological intervention (like Bush-era neoconservatism) or abstract foreign policy.
Notable Quotes:
- “Even if you hate the intervention, it was just a masterclass in foreign intervention... it achieves many of the purported goals of the neocons while throwing away their stupid abstract ideology.” [46:34]
- “You can’t divorce the two [material interests and geopolitical strategy].” [46:56]
8. Briefing Gaffes: Zoran Mamdani and Political Pretensions
[48:11–50:38]
- Commentary on the newly elected progressive NYC mayor, Zoran Mamdani, who claimed he was “briefed” on the Venezuela strike despite no security clearance or federal relevance.
- Knowles mocks this as a case of political posturing, likening it to everyone with a Twitter account “monitoring the situation.”
- Draws a lesson from the Gospels on humility and not seeking honors one does not deserve or cannot back up.
Notable Quotes:
- “Anybody with a Twitter account was precisely as well briefed.” [49:08]
- “Don’t try to puff yourself up and make yourself bigger than you are...” [49:45]
Memorable Moments & Quotes (with Timestamps)
-
“It's always the ones you most expect.”
—Michael Knowles [08:49] -
On the left’s changing stance:
“Even the left seems to expect this... I think we've turned a corner.” [10:11] -
On grace for converts:
“I always want to err on the side of grace when it comes to these things.” [35:05] -
On Christmas traditions:
“You have to keep them up until February 2nd, at least. I want that to become a dogma of the church.” [39:12] -
On the Hyde Amendment:
“The Hyde Amendment is a little less clear cut than some of us wish it were. Money is fungible. There's no doubt.” [41:55] -
On Venezuela:
“Even if you hate the intervention, it was just a masterclass in foreign intervention... it achieves many of the purported goals of the neocons while throwing away their stupid abstract ideology.” [46:34] -
On Mamdani’s gaffe:
“Anybody with a Twitter account was precisely as well briefed.” [49:08]
Additional Topics Briefly Mentioned
- Critique of NY Mayor Zoran Mamdani’s lack of real briefing on Venezuela [49:08]
- Humorous push for keeping Christmas decorations up until Candlemas [39:12]
- Brief reference to future episode on Christians and feminism near the end [50:38+]
Summary
This episode offers a classic Michael Knowles blend of sharp political-cultural commentary, religious reflection, and sardonic humor. Knowles connects seemingly disparate stories—a trans activist’s violent crime, religious conversions, political gaffes, and international intrigue—into a broader commentary on American values, the shifting Overton window, and the pitfalls facing both conservatives and progressives. Throughout, he asserts the need for grace (but not relativism) in matters of faith, skepticism of “flexibility” on core values, and the virtue of humility over self-inflation in public life.
For listeners seeking a punchy, unapologetic take on the day's biggest stories—with a focus on downstream cultural consequences—this episode provides incisive talking points and memorable sound bites, blending news analysis with conservative philosophy.