Podcast Summary: The Tony Kennett Cast – Ep. 384 Title: Adam Schiff in Deep Trouble, Liberals Admit DC Crime is Horrible as Media Denies It
Release Date: August 12, 2025
Host: Tony Kennett
Produced by: The Daily Signal

Introduction and Inflation Insights

In the latest episode of The Tony Kennett Cast, host Tony Kennett delves into pressing national issues, starting with the newly released July inflation numbers. Reporting a 2.7% year-over-year increase—slightly below the anticipated 2.8%—Kennett interprets this as a positive indicator amidst Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell's persistent warnings about skyrocketing inflation.

Kennett highlights that Powell had previously suggested inflation would surge due to maintaining high-interest rates, yet the latest figures challenge this projection. Reflecting on the unexpected moderation in inflation, Kennett remarks:

"Now, the new inflation numbers for July are out. Let's just dig right in. It's a 2.7% year-over-year increase, that's slightly below the 2.8% forecast. ... It doesn't really make Powell look like a competent federal chairman."
—Tony Kennett [00:30]

Breakdown of CPI Components

To provide a deeper understanding, Kennett references Chief Steven Sund’s analysis of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) categories. Sund explains that energy prices fell by 1.1%, driven by a 2.2% decrease in July gas prices. Meanwhile, food prices remained flat at 0% and even dipped by 0.1% in grocery stores. Shelter costs, typically on the rise, continue to increase, reflecting ongoing rent hikes.

"Energy fell by 1.1%. That was largely driven because of gas prices falling in the month of July by 2.2%. ... Food flat 0% and actually down at the grocery store by 0.1%."
—Chief Steven Sund [01:45]

Implications for the Trump Administration

Kennett posits that the below-expected inflation figures serve as a significant advantage for the Trump administration, contrasting sharply with Powell's earlier pessimistic forecasts. He emphasizes that recurring lower-than-expected inflation rates over the past six months undermine Powell's credibility:

"Now, again, this is a considerable win for the Trump administration because now for the fifth time out of the last six months, inflation has been lower than expected."
—Tony Kennett [02:16]

E.J. Antony’s Nomination and Economic Forecasts

Shifting focus, Kennett discusses the nomination of E.J. Antony by President Trump to lead the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Antony, a senior investigative columnist at The Daily Signal and a Heritage Foundation alumnus, is praised for his accurate economic predictions and independent stance:

"E.J. Anthony is independently recognized as a brilliant economist. And do you know why he's recognized as a brilliant economist? Number one, because he's often right."
—Tony Kennett [02:36]

Kennett further explains the broader economic strategies of the Trump administration, including tariff policies aimed at controlling inflation without burdening American consumers excessively.

Washington D.C. Crime and Media Portrayal

A substantial portion of the episode critiques the current status of crime in Washington D.C. Kennett condemns the D.C. Police Chief's inability to articulate the chain of command following President Trump's federalization of the D.C. police, highlighting it as a failure of leadership. He asserts that despite media portrayals suggesting safety, the reality on the streets tells a different story:

"And the media's portrayal vs reality ... If you're listening to it, I just want you to picture a wealthy guy with over styled hair in a suit and then the T-shirt because you reach a certain point of wealth where you think you're all that."
—Tony Kennett [08:00]

Kennett recounts personal observations of violent incidents in D.C., challenging reports from left-leaning media that claim a significant reduction in crime rates. He cites Nancy Pelosi and other liberal figures who downplay the severity of the situation, juxtaposing their statements with firsthand accounts of street violence and safety concerns.

"Violent crime in D.C. is down by over 25% from last year and at a record 30 year low."
—Donna Brazile [14:00]

Kennett vehemently disputes these claims, offering his own experiences witnessing the dangers prevalent in the capital:

"I saw men passed out from if they were not yet overdosed on their way to an overdose. I have seen corpses lying on the street as police were attending to a crime which had just been committed close to Union Station."
—Tony Kennett [07:50]

Adam Schiff’s Alleged Misconduct

One of the episode's focal points is the investigation into Representative Adam Schiff of California. Kennett discusses a declassified FBI memo released by Director Cash Patel, which alleges that Schiff orchestrated the leaking of classified information in 2017 to undermine President Trump. This revelation positions Schiff in significant legal jeopardy, potentially facing charges of libel, slander, and espionage.

"Now, this particular memo shows ... what happened is that Schiff disseminated not just information that was probably false that he knew was false in order to slander the President of the United States."
—Tony Kennett [25:00]

Kennett references statements from Republican figures like Steve Scalise and Chief Steven Sund, who express deep concerns about Schiff's actions and their implications for national integrity. Scalise emphasizes the selective nature of the leaks:

"He selectively put in a report the names of members of the press, of members of Congress who he has had political disagreements with."
—Steve Scalise [26:22]

Chief Sund corroborates these concerns, highlighting Schiff's repeated assertions of having substantial evidence against Trump despite the lack of publicly disclosed proof:

"So you've said on more than one occasion that you've seen ample evidence of ... the Trump campaign's Russia collusion."
—Chief Steven Sund [29:07]

The episode critiques Schiff's credibility and integrity, suggesting that his actions may constitute an abuse of power and urging for accountability within governmental institutions.

Tony Kennett’s Dispatch from Israel

Concluding the episode, Kennett shares his experiences from his trip to Israel. He provides vivid accounts of visiting historical and religious sites, engaging with families affected by recent conflicts, and observing the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. Kennett underscores the stark contrast between international media narratives and the ground realities he witnesses, particularly regarding the American community's reception and the operational status of aid efforts.

"There is aid being provided to Gaza and it is definitely from the Israeli government. ... It is really cool to see the results of very careful excavations of again, just such beautiful history."
—Tony Kennett [28:00]

Kennett also touches upon the collaborative dynamic between American visitors and the local Israeli population, dispelling notions of widespread anti-Christian sentiment based on his personal interactions:

"Every single person I spoke to ... treated me any worse the wear because I'm a Christian."
—Tony Kennett [40:00]

He highlights the unified support among various communities in Israel, emphasizing the profound gratitude expressed by individuals towards Americans and the shared commitment to regional stability and humanitarian aid.

Conclusion

In Ep. 384 of The Tony Kennett Cast, Tony Kennett offers a comprehensive analysis of economic indicators, critiques of political leadership, exposes alleged high-profile misconduct, and shares insightful observations from his international reporting in Israel. The episode underscores Kennett's commitment to uncovering truths behind mainstream narratives, advocating for accountability, and providing listeners with a grounded perspective on complex national and international issues.

Notable Quotes:

• Tony Kennett [00:30]: "It doesn't really make Powell look like a competent federal chairman."
• Chief Steven Sund [01:45]: "Food flat 0% and actually down at the grocery store by 0.1%."
• Steve Scalise [26:22]: "He selectively put in a report the names of members of the press, of members of Congress who he has had political disagreements with."
• Tony Kennett [07:50]: "I saw men passed out from if they were not yet overdosed on their way to an overdose."
• Donna Brazile [14:00]: "Violent crime in D.C. is down by over 25% from last year and at a record 30 year low."

This summary provides a comprehensive overview of Episode 384 of The Tony Kennett Cast, capturing the essential discussions, insights, and critical viewpoints shared by Tony Kennett and his guests.