The Michael Knowles Show

Ep. 1900 – Finger Blown Off: Libs Bend the Knee to Trump
Date: January 28, 2026
Host: Michael Knowles (The Daily Wire)

Overview

In this episode, Michael Knowles unpacks the political drama unfolding in Minnesota, where Governor Tim Walz rapidly reversed his anti-ICE stance after a call with President Trump. Knowles critiques the left’s “Marvel movie morality,” discusses the outsized role of fantasy in progressive politics, addresses viral incidents from anti-ICE protests (including a protester reportedly losing a finger), examines leftist denial over Trump’s mass deportation strategy, and closes with thoughts on faith, media perception, and even the grievances of Michelle Obama. The episode blends current events with Knowles’ signature caustic wit and cultural observations.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Minnesota ICE Protest Crackdown and the Walz–Trump Call

• Timeline Recap:
  • Gov. Tim Walz compared ICE to Nazis and illegal immigrants to Anne Frank.
  • Trump called Gov. Walz.
  • Next day, Minnesota State Patrol aided in arresting anti-ICE protesters outside a hotel hosting a Border Patrol commander.
• Political Pressure:
  • Liberals on social media and colleagues (referenced debates and personalities) were outraged at Walz seemingly “bending the knee” to Trump.
  • “Aiding local police in arresting the protesters was the Minnesota State Patrol. That’s coming from Governor Walz. The libs are furious.”
    —Michael Knowles [03:23]
• Spin on Personnel Change:
  • Claims that reassignment of Border Patrol’s Greg Bovino shows Trump caving.
  • Knowles rebuts: Tom Homan, more famous for mass deportations (and who received an Obama-era medal), is taking over.
  • “If you’re a lib or an illegal alien, or violent criminal, I don’t think you’re relieved to see Tom Homan show up.”
    —Michael Knowles [05:42]
  • Political maneuver: The White House highlighted Homan’s Obama medal so Dems “couldn’t attack” the replacement.

2. Trump’s Strategy: Carrot and Stick

• Trump’s Truth Social: “Governor Tim Walz called me with the request to work together… I told Governor Walz that I would have Tom Homan call him and that what we are looking for are any and all criminals that they have in their possession. All the illegals are criminals… The governor very respectfully understood that and I will be speaking to him in the near future.” [08:18]
• Knowles describes this as Trump’s unique combination of charm and threat—hugging opponents after forcing their hand, as he did with Walz and previously with NY officials.
  • “By hugging Walz, you put Walz in a terrible position. Walz just called this guy Himmler the other day… And then two days later, he says, actually, I love the Nazis! Long live the Reich.” [10:35]
• Why the Flip?
  • Possible threats: Violating Insurrection Act, connections to alleged Somali fraud, obstruction of law enforcement.
  • “Whatever it was, Trump talked some sense into him and he got the message.” [13:25]

3. Marvel Movie Morality: The Fantasy of the Left

• Knowles skewers left-wing activists for approaching politics like a superhero movie:
  • Viral video: Protester allegedly grabs a flashbang and blows off a finger.
  • “They think that physical impossibilities become possible if they just think highly enough of themselves. They really think… when the cops throw a grenade at you… you’re Bugs Bunny, you’re the Roadrunner.” [15:16]
• Real world consequences:
  • “You know what really happens when you drive your SUV into a cop? The cop shoots you in the face… That’s a very sad reality.” [16:20]
• He links this cartoonish thinking to broader leftist delusions (e.g., gender ideology).

4. Escalating Rhetoric: Calls for Violence & Poisoning

• Audio of a healthcare worker from VCU Health encouraging poisoning ICE agents:
  • “The single ladies where these ICE guys are going… get on Tinder, get on Hinge, bring some Ex-Lax, put it in their drinks. Get them sick… Not enough to make them die, just enough to incapacitate them…” [18:26]
• Knowles reacts with alarm:
  • “Obviously you can’t have healthcare professionals talking about poisoning their patients… The most disturbing part is the Marvel movie morality of it.” [19:17]
  • Celebrates her firing, calling for more such consequences, arguing the right must insist on standards— “We need norms for the good of these people, too. These people need to learn down to the most basic thing: a woman cannot beat up a man.” [20:26]
• Broader critique of the “make believe” world leftists inhabit.

5. Cultural References & Demonstrations of Biological Reality

• Story of the Williams sisters challenged by a low-ranked male tennis player to debunk gender “delusion.”
  • “Venus and Serena Williams… played a guy ranked 204, and he completely trounced them…” [22:48]
  • “Women can't beat up men. They're not as physically strong as men… These ladies out there… think they can because they watched that new stupid Star Wars.” [23:39]

6. Immigrant-Led Violence: Not an Aberration

• Report: Muslim man in Washington state asks Christian about faith, then stabs him and his dog.
  • “This sort of thing is common in some Muslim countries… we previously didn’t have to deal with this in America. Now we’re dealing with this more.” [25:15]
• Links mass immigration, particularly from refugee backgrounds, to increased disorder.
  • Directly ties the story to support for Trump’s mass deportation approach.

7. Christianity, Abortion, and the Limits of Inclusion

• Audio clip: Students for Life’s Kristen Hawkins debates a “pro-abortion pastor” who denies the Trinity.
  • “Do you believe in the Trinity?” – “I do not.”
    —[30:18]
  • “You’re not Christian.” —Kristen Hawkins [30:24]
• Knowles reflects:
  • “This is an outright rejection of the Council of Nicaea... C.S. Lewis says the broadest definition for Christianity is belief in the Nicene Creed… And what’s the answer to this guy?” [31:22]
  • Discusses the failure of sola scriptura to produce unity in the church, drawing a parallel to leftist “you can’t define my sex, or what an American is” ideology.

8. Collective Denial and Mass Deportations

• Viral video: “Socialist dad” can’t believe people are out at restaurants after a police-involved shooting in Minneapolis.
  • “They ate as though they could consume the fear... Everything was packed... none of these people were remotely bothered by the world and what is clearly an escalating situation... we are in a state of collective denial.” [36:40]
• Knowles:
  • “I’m not in denial. I saw what happened. I’m a little saddened… I think the real denial here is from the libs, who don’t realize how real this all is. Most Americans voted for mass deportations in 2024.” [37:41]
• Trump’s win seen as a mandate for current policies; Knowles frames liberal outrage as psychologically disconnected from mainstream sentiment.

9. Media Manipulation: The “Pretty” Martyr

• MSNBC accused of airbrushing/AI-altering an image of protester Alex Preddy after his shooting to make him more photogenic.
  • “They put up a fake photo. They look maxed him... A horrible final indignity: your own side, which you blew yourself up for, finally says, as your epitaph, he was pretty ugly, so we just drew a different picture of him.” [44:54]
• Broader point: “You can’t believe what you see in the establishment media. You can’t even believe the pictures of their own guys.” [46:10]

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “Aiding local police in arresting the protesters was the Minnesota State Patrol. That’s coming from Governor Walz. The libs are furious.” —Michael Knowles [03:23]
• “If you’re a lib… I don’t think you’re relieved to see Tom Homan show up. Tom Homan is the guy who is more famous or from your perspective, infamous for deporting people.” [05:42]
• “By hugging Walz, you put Walz in a terrible position… He says, actually, I love the Nazis! Long live the Reich.” [10:35]
• “They think that physical impossibilities become possible if they just think highly enough of themselves… when the cops throw a grenade at you, you’re Bugs Bunny, you’re the Roadrunner.” [15:16]
• “You know what really happens when you drive your SUV into a cop? The cop shoots you in the face… That’s a very sad reality.” [16:20]
• “We need standards. We need norms for the good of these people, too.” [20:26]
• “Venus and Serena Williams… played a guy ranked 204, and he completely trounced them…” [22:48]
• “This is not just one crazy guy. We previously didn’t have to deal with this in America. Now we’re dealing with this more in America.” [25:15]
• “Do you believe in the Trinity?” – “I do not.”
  “You’re not Christian.” —Kristen Hawkins [30:18–30:24]
• “What decides what defines what is a Christian? A sola scriptura approach to the faith cannot produce a unified church.” [32:45]
• “I’m not happy that these people are dead… I feel sorry for their delusion… I’m not losing sleep over it. I’m not missing a meal.” [37:41]
• “They put up a fake photo. They look maxed him... Your own side... finally says, he was pretty ugly, so we just drew a different picture of him.” [44:54]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:23] – Minnesota protest crackdown & leftist outrage.
• [05:42] – Tom Homan replaces Bovino; Trump’s immigration approach.
• [08:18] – Trump’s statement about the Walz call.
• [10:35] – The “hug” strategy and Walz’s reversal.
• [13:25] – Speculation on how Trump changed Walz’s mind.
• [15:16] – “Marvel movie morality” and viral protest injuries.
• [18:26] – Healthcare worker calls for poisoning ICE agents; Knowles' reaction.
• [22:48] – Williams sisters example, gender and athleticism.
• [25:15] – Washington state religious stabbing & implications.
• [30:18–30:40] – Kristen Hawkins debates pro-abortion pastor.
• [36:40] – “Socialist dad” and the denial over mass deportations.
• [44:54] – MSNBC image manipulation of Alex Preddy.
• [47:44] – Michelle Obama complains about being defined by her husband.

Closing Moments

Michelle Obama Segment

• Michelle Obama laments being reduced to “Barack Obama’s wife” during the presidency.
  • “There’s always something to complain about. You can always feel justified in your complaining. Just don’t.” —Michael Knowles [48:15]
• Knowles urges gratitude over grievance, drawing a contrast with the former First Lady’s attitude.

Notable Takeaways

• Political reversals are often fueled by behind-the-scenes threats, alliances, and strategic personnel moves.
• Progressive activism and leftist culture, in Knowles’ view, are untethered from reality, heavily influenced by pop-cultural fantasies.
• Mass deportation policies have deep popular support, despite elite/media framing and left-wing outrage.
• Mainstream media’s use of manipulated imagery is cited as evidence not to trust the establishment narrative.
• Knowles advocates clear moral and social boundaries, criticizing both leftist relativism and right-wing libertarianism.

For anyone who hasn’t listened, this summary captures the fast-paced, combative, and culture-war-focused style of The Michael Knowles Show. The episode is packed with references to current events, ideological clashes, media criticism, and Knowles’ religiously informed commentary.