The Michael Knowles Show
Host: Michael Knowles (The Daily Wire)
Episode: Ep. 1917 - USA DESTROYS Its Evil Tophat In Olympic Hockey Match
Date: February 23, 2026

Episode Overview

In this lively episode, Michael Knowles revels in the U.S. Olympic Hockey Team’s gold medal victory over Canada, humorously referring to Canada as “America's evil top hat.” Knowles uses this uplifting sports moment to kick off discussions on patriotism, American identity, and the contrast between American attitudes and those abroad. The episode then shifts to weightier political topics, including recent Supreme Court rulings on Trump’s tariffs, ongoing attempts on Donald Trump’s life, cartel chaos in Mexico, and a notably tense debate between Tucker Carlson and Mike Huckabee over Israel’s legitimacy and U.S. policy. The show closes by reflecting on political language, voting standards, and liberal reactions to both international and domestic events.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

U.S. Olympic Hockey Victory & American Identity

• [06:10–06:55] Main Theme
  Knowles celebrates Team USA’s win over Canada for the Olympic gold—a first since the “Miracle on Ice.” He highlights Jack Hughes, who scored the winning goal after losing teeth and bleeding during the game, yet continued to play and expressed pride in America.
• Patriotism & Attitude:
  Knowles contrasts Hughes’ upbeat attitude with what he sees as the norm among younger American athletes, noting that “it's sad that our standards have fallen so low that an Olympic athlete winning gold and saying nice things about our country is surprising to us.”
  • Quote:
    • “I’m lucky I’m from the best country in the world. We got great dentists there, too. So I’m lucky I’m American, and they’re going to fix me right up.” — Jack Hughes ([05:28])
    • “Just so proud. I’m so proud to be American. I’m so proud of this group...” — Jack Hughes ([05:38])
• Distinctly American Cheerfulness:
  Knowles humorously compares the exuberance and resilience shown by Hughes to the more stoic or gloomy national attitudes in Europe, Russia, and elsewhere, arguing this “grinning, missing-teeth” energy is distinctly American.

Healthcare in America vs. Other Countries

• The Healthcare Debate ([07:30–13:55]):
  Building off Hughes’ joke about American dentists, Knowles discusses criticisms of U.S. healthcare. He argues that while leftists call for socialist healthcare, real-world examples in the UK and Canada reveal horror stories—like 10-day ambulance waits or encouragement toward medical euthanasia for the disabled—suggesting these systems are far from ideal.
  • Quote:
    • “The only way [socialist medicine] works is that we have a substantially capitalist healthcare system that actually funds the whole thing.” — Knowles ([08:31])
  • Underlines the hypocrisy of American leftists who ignore such failings while demanding similar systems for the U.S.

Supreme Court Strikes Down Trump’s Tariffs

• [14:00–23:30] Breakdown of Supreme Court Ruling:
  Knowles explains the Supreme Court’s 6–3 decision overturning the centerpiece of Trump’s economic plan—broad tariffs—via the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). He unpacks the court's ideological divide, highlighting that "squishy conservatives" (Roberts, Gorsuch, Barrett) sided with liberals, while the strict originalists (Thomas, Alito, Kavanaugh) dissented.
  • Quote:
    • “When Clarence Thomas and Sam Alito agree on something, I assume they’re right.” — Knowles ([18:46])
  • Critiques establishment conservatives who mischaracterize the ruling as a triumph of originalism.
  • Points out President Trump’s rapid response, implementing new tariffs through a different legal channel almost immediately.

Violence & Instability: Trump Assassination Attempts, Cartels in Mexico

• [23:40–29:00] Recurring Attempts on Trump's Life
  Knowles notes yet another failed assassination attempt on Trump at Mar-a-Lago, describing how police and Secret Service shot the armed assailant. He laments that society has become numb to such incidents, inferring left-wing rhetoric has made such violence “justified.”
  • Quote:
    • “Is it even a news story? … The libs try to murder Trump so frequently.” — Knowles ([25:05])
    • [Police statement about the shooting: ([27:26])]
• Mexican Cartel Violence
  Casual discussion of recent cartel violence in Mexico following the army’s takedown of a cartel leader. Knowles jokes about American interests only being truly threatened when a “Costco is attacked,” poking fun at North American priorities.

Tucker Carlson vs. Mike Huckabee: Israel’s Right to Exist

• [29:00–37:45] Overview of Interview
  Knowles recaps a pivotal, face-to-face conversation between Tucker Carlson (skeptical of U.S. Israel policy) and former Arkansas governor/Mike Huckabee (pro-Israel, serving as ambassador). The conversation pivots on Israel’s right to exist, international law, and appeals to biblical justification.
  • Huckabee’s Defense:
    • Israel has a legal right to exist, acknowledged by international bodies and “defended through war” ([30:21])
  • Tucker’s Counter:
    • “You keep saying Israel has a right to exist. And I want to know what other countries have a right to?” — Tucker ([30:48])
    • Presses Huckabee to clarify what “right to exist” means—legal, biblical, or something else.
  • Memorable/Controversial Exchange:
    • “I just read Genesis 15… from the Nile to the Euphrates… Does Israel have the right to that land?” — Tucker ([33:00])
    • “It would be fine if they took it all.” — Huckabee (with a laugh) ([33:18]), opening a diplomatic can of worms.
• Knowles’ Analysis:
  Argues Huckabee erred by invoking biblical claims, which aren’t persuasive to many Americans (including most Christians), and notes that “Zionism” has murky uses depending on whether rights are justified by law, history, or religion.
  • Quote:
    • “It seems to me… it behooves the pro-Israel side to ground their arguments in more modest ways… on the low but solid ground of international law and the interest of great powers.” — Knowles ([37:10])

Voting Hypocrisy in New York City

• [44:42–46:24] Voter ID vs. Work Requirements:
  Knowles points out that to shovel snow for the city, you need three forms of ID, but to vote, none are required. He mocks liberal arguments about the sanctity of democracy when standards for minor employment are higher than those for voting.

Closing Notes and Tone

• [46:24–47:51] Tone:
  The tone is at once sarcastic and exasperated, especially when calling out political or cultural hypocrisy. Knowles maintains his typical blend of satire, rhetorical mockery, and polemic argumentation throughout.
• Closing Promos:
  The episode briefly teases additional content on Daily Wire+, with Knowles encouraging loyal listeners to subscribe for more "unvarnished, candid views.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jack Hughes, after losing teeth and winning the gold:
  “I’m lucky I’m from the best country in the world. We got great dentists there, too. So I’m lucky I’m American, and they’re going to fix me right up.” ([05:28])
• Knowles, on American identity:
  “Smiling is not uniquely American, but it is distinctly American.…We look kind of goofy because we’re smiling all the time.” ([06:50])
• On Supreme Court Tariffs Decision:
  “When Clarence Thomas and Sam Alito agree on something, I assume they’re right.” ([18:46])
• On attempts to assassinate Trump:
  “Is it even a news story? … The libs try to murder Trump so frequently.” ([25:05])
• Tucker to Huckabee on Israel:
  “You keep saying Israel has a right to exist. And I want to know what other countries have a right to?” ([30:48])
• Huckabee’s tongue-in-cheek response:
  “It would be fine if they took it all.” ([33:18])
• Knowles, on defending Israel:
  “It behooves the pro-Israel side to ground their arguments in more modest ways… on the low but solid ground of international law and the interest of great powers.” ([37:10])
• On New York’s work requirements vs. voting:
  “If you want to shovel snow… you need three forms of identification. But if you want to vote, you don’t need any. Does that… make a lot of sense?” ([44:55])

Timestamps for Major Segments

| Segment/Theme | Timestamp | |:---------------------------------------------------|:---------------| | U.S. Olympic Hockey Victory & Patriotism | 04:18–06:55 | | Jack Hughes Interview (patriotic reaction) | 05:28/05:38 | | American Cheerfulness vs. the World | 06:55–08:15 | | U.S. Healthcare System Critique | 07:30–13:55 | | Supreme Court Decision on Tariffs | 14:00–23:30 | | Trump Assassination Attempts/Cartel Violence | 23:40–29:00 | | Tucker vs. Huckabee on Israel’s Right to Exist | 29:00–37:45 | | Quotes from Interview | 30:21–33:18 | | Voting vs. Employment Standards in NYC | 44:42–46:24 |

Final Thoughts

This episode is a mix of jovial celebration and sharp culture criticism, using a rare Olympic triumph as a springboard into deeper commentary about American resilience, national identity, political double-standards, and U.S. foreign policy. Knowles keeps his tone lively, provocative, and pointedly critical—especially regarding perceived liberal hypocrisies and inconsistencies. For listeners seeking a comprehensive, polemical take on both pop culture and politics from a conservative perspective, this installment encapsulates Knowles’ signature style.