The Michael Knowles Show: Ep. 1932 - The Oscars Take A Swing At TPUSA

Date: March 16, 2026
Host: Michael Knowles
Producer: The Daily Wire

Brief Overview

In this episode, Michael Knowles navigates the latest in politics and culture—including media takes on TPUSA at the Oscars, escalating international tensions with Iran, domestic policy priorities, and viral trends questioning parenthood. He combines sharp commentary, characteristic humor, and a clear conservative worldview to analyze current events and their deeper implications.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Oscars Recap and the Conan O'Brien TPUSA Joke

Timestamps: 04:50–08:30

• Knowles opens by admitting he didn't watch the Oscars, reflecting on years of diminishing viewership and cultural irrelevance.
• The highlight: Conan O'Brien’s Oscars joke poking fun at Turning Point USA (TPUSA) and conservative culture.
  • Quote (Conan O'Brien, 05:22):
    “Tonight could get political... If that makes you uncomfortable, there’s an alternate Oscars being hosted by Kid Rock. Yeah, it’s at the Dave & Buster’s down the street.”
• Knowles’ reaction is positive, seeing it as recognition of TPUSA's cultural impact:
  • Quote (Michael Knowles, 05:37):
    “Some of the right got upset about this joke. I liked it. I think it’s pretty funny…The import of that joke is that TPUSA matters... When it comes to politics, I think it’s great.”
  • He draws parallels with Charlie Kirk (TPUSA founder) being parodied on South Park, framing such jokes as “a badge of honor.”
• Knowles critiques another Conan joke about British actors and pedophilia in Hollywood, saying the joke failed because it was not grounded in reality, especially regarding British police handling of grooming gangs.

2. The Iranian War and Its Geopolitical Impact

Timestamps: 10:00–17:00

• Discussion turns to the ongoing war with Iran, fluctuating oil prices, and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
• Knowles summarizes Energy Secretary Chris Wright’s remarks on gas prices:
  • Quote (Chris Wright, 13:01):
    “I think this conflict will certainly come to the end in the next few weeks... after that, we’ll see a rebound in supplies and a pushing down of prices.”
• Knowles’ analysis:
  • The war presents both grand-strategic opportunity and high risk for the Trump administration.
  • If the U.S. recalibrates the Iranian regime it achieves decades-old strategic objectives; failure would have far-reaching negative consequences, comparing potential legacy impacts to those of George W. Bush after Iraq.
  • Quote (Michael Knowles, 14:00):
    “If the Iranian regime survives... and the Iranians can conclude from this war that when they close the Strait of Hormuz, America will back down...that’s not great.”
  • Stresses patience, saying Trump's original timeline for the operation is still on track.

3. Is the CIA Investigating Tucker Carlson?

Timestamps: 19:56–22:00

• Knowles reports on Tucker Carlson’s claim that the CIA is preparing a criminal case against him for possibly acting as a foreign agent due to communication with Iranian contacts.
  • Paraphrased quote (Tucker via Knowles, 19:56):
    “The CIA is preparing some kind of criminal referral against me... for talking to people in Iran before the war. They read my texts.”
• Knowles’ skepticism:
  • He breaks down why accusations against Tucker (being pro-Arab, pro-Qatar, pro-Iran, pro-Russian) logically conflict, suggesting much of the information is just “layers of misinformation.”
  • Emphasizes the prevalence of propaganda during wartime and advises listeners to remain skeptical of extreme claims.

4. Cuba on the Brink & Trump’s Foreign Policy Legacy

Timestamps: 25:00–32:00

• Shifting to Latin America, Knowles argues Trump’s foreign policy is systematically advancing longstanding U.S. strategic goals:
  • Post-Venezuela, Cuba is weakened, with nationwide protests and leadership scrambling for solutions.
  • Likens Trump’s approach to Reagan’s Cold War posture—spotting and exploiting regime vulnerability.
  • Quote (Michael Knowles, 28:00):
    “Trump is fulfilling goals that we have had from the perspective of grand strategy since the 1950s. He could be a truly transformative president if it works. If it doesn’t, he’ll go down in disgrace.”
• Speculates—perhaps controversially—that Trump’s aggressive moves aboard could be a hedge against looming losses in the midterms.

5. Immigration, Crime, and the Sanctuary City Debate

Timestamps: 36:30–44:00

• Knowles comments on a recent crime perpetrated by a twice-deported illegal immigrant in New York.
• Argues that “sanctuary” policies directly enable preventable crimes:
  • Quote (Michael Knowles, 41:30):
    “Every single crime that the illegals commit here is needless, is gratuitous, is preventable. And therefore the people who are fighting tooth and nail to keep those illegals in this country… have blood on their hands.”
• Asserts that crimes committed by illegal immigrants are uniquely intolerable since, unlike with citizens, "every single one... was preventable."
• Uses this issue to critique Democratic politicians and preview attacks on likely gubernatorial candidate Eric Swalwell, whose California residency is under question.

6. Voter ID and the SAVE America Act

Timestamps: 44:00–48:25

• The conversation addresses ongoing efforts to pass voter ID requirements (the SAVE America Act).
• Knowles expresses consternation that such a popular measure can’t get through Congress despite overwhelming public support.
• Plays a clip of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer critiquing the bill and highlights what Knowles sees as an accidental admission that large numbers of ineligible voters could be removed from the rolls.
  • Quote (Chuck Schumer, 48:06):
    “It allows ICE to kick tens of billions of people off the rolls... and they don’t tell them until election day...”
• Frames the issue as Democrats protecting illicit votes to maintain power.

7. Viral Column: "I Regret Having Children" and Cultural Critique

Timestamps: 49:00–58:00

• Knowles examines a New York Magazine article describing regretful parents, especially mothers, using Reddit testimonials.
• He lambasts the premise, saying it’s misleading and ultimately serves as "copium" for women who, having prioritized career and independence over family, now regret it.
• Deploys a C.S. Lewis analogy to argue you can’t appreciate the deeper joys of family life from a distance.
  • Quote (Michael Knowles, 54:00):
    “You know, there’s actually something better. There’s something called having children, having a family, growing a family.”
• Suggests such columns mark "the last gasp of a failed ideology of feminism," contending that most women will realize family is more fulfilling than “getting drunk at brunch.”
• Concludes the segment on a somber note about the costs of cultural lies about motherhood and careerism.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Conan’s TPUSA joke:
  “You know, the only thing worse than people talking about you is people not talking about you. When it comes to politics, I think it’s great.” -- Michael Knowles, 05:37

• On parenthood regret in media:
  “Turning to Reddit to find samples of well-balanced, mentally stable people is like going to visit the pygmies to put together a basketball team.” -- Michael Knowles, 49:00

• On strategic risk in Iran:
  “If it works out, it will achieve many American grand strategic goals that we’ve had for many decades. If it doesn’t work out, this will be one of the great blunders. It could tarnish President Trump’s legacy…” -- Michael Knowles, 14:00

• On immigration and crime:
  “Every single illegal who’s here who commits any crime... was preventable. And therefore the people who are fighting tooth and nail to keep those illegals in this country… have blood on their hands.” -- Michael Knowles, 41:30

• On the SAVE America Act and Chuck Schumer:
  “What an odd thing to say! Why would voter ID legislation permit ICE to kick all these people off the voter rolls? Was that a little Freudian slip?” -- Michael Knowles, 48:25

• On women's cultural programming:
  “This article is copium for them. And I really, really feel for these women... They realized they were lied to. Even if they don’t… have certain hints that things aren’t really working out.” -- Michael Knowles, 56:30

Important Timestamps

• Oscars & Conan’s TPUSA Joke: 04:50–08:30
• Brits Elites Joke & Analysis: 08:09–10:00
• State of the Iran War, Oil Prices: 10:00–17:00
• CIA & Tucker Carlson: 19:56–22:00
• Cuban Protests & Trump Doctrine: 25:00–32:00
• Immigration, NYC Subway Crime: 36:30–44:00
• Voter ID & SAVE Act Debate: 44:00–48:25
• Parenthood Regret Column: 49:00–58:00

Tone and Style

Knowles’ delivery is confident, combative, and often sardonic. He employs humor (sometimes darkly), historical allusions, and pop culture references to defend a traditionalist, conservative worldview. He welcomes audience engagement and frames many topics as evidence that his side is “right all along.”

Summary Takeaway

This episode blends reactive cultural commentary (the Oscars and viral media) with sober analysis of major international moves, suggesting high stakes for both America’s role in the world and its domestic cohesion. At every turn, Knowles contextualizes news inside long-term battles about values, identity, and the meaning of political victory for conservatives.