The Tony Kennett Cast – Ep. 392

Date: August 23, 2025
Host: Tony Kennett – The Daily Signal
Episode Title: Trump to Deploy Troops to Chicago, Canada Caves on Tariffs, FBI Raids Bolton's Home

Episode Overview

Tony Kennett breaks down a whirlwind week in U.S. and international politics with his trademark sarcasm, sharp commentary, and Hoosier middle-American perspective. Key topics include Trump’s National Guard deployment to Chicago, reactions from local and federal officials, Canada’s capitulation on tariffs, the FBI’s raid on John Bolton, and the latest shifts in U.S. crime, trade, and political discourse. Tony also dives into cultural meme moments, listener questions, and the continued struggle over narrative and authority in American politics.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump's National Guard Deployment to Chicago

• Announcement & Context
  • Trump declared his intent to deploy National Guard troops to Chicago, following intervention in Washington, D.C.; aims to address crime surges in major U.S. cities ([01:26]).
  • Deployment covers 19 states; 1,700 troops mobilizing in support of Homeland Security, targeting crime and illegal immigration ([02:21]).
• Legal and Political Reactions
  • Tony highlights legal precedents allowing federal control over the National Guard in emergencies, referencing 1930s court rulings ([03:00]).
  • Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson protests the action, asserting there’s no formal communication and claiming crime statistics in Chicago are improving ([03:35]).
    • Tony rebuts: “You and I both know that walking through downtown Chicago or the South Side or any part of ‘Chiraq’ after 6pm is not in your best interests.” ([05:41])
  • Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker accuses Trump of creating chaos to distract from his own failures; Tony lampoons Pritzker’s position ([11:14]–[13:55]).

2. Crime in D.C. – Early Results of Federal Intervention

• Dramatic Reduction in Homicides
  • Tony notes D.C. just went nine days without a homicide for the first time in decades, correlating to the National Guard and federal law enforcement presence ([06:53]).
  • Media reactions are mixed. CNN’s Abby Phillips questions the wisdom of deploying troops, while analyst Scott Jennings defends the progress ([08:10],[09:06]):
    • Scott Jennings (09:06):
      “I don’t think it’s theater. I think it’s working. They’ve arrested hundreds of people... gotten a lot of illegal guns off the street.”
  • Tony mocks media flip-flopping on whether D.C. crime is a real issue ([08:19]).

3. FBI Raid on John Bolton

• Breaking News Coverage
  • Former National Security Adviser John Bolton’s home and office searched by the FBI, reportedly over classified document handling ([17:50]).
  • Tony contextualizes: Bolton, once a Trump critic and prior supporter of the Mar-a-Lago raid, now faces similar scrutiny ([19:47]).
    • Scott Jennings (19:47):
      “I don’t think he cared about the classification system… it simply had no impact on him. Whatever.”
  • Tony: “Oh, it’s retribution? Yeah, probably...I just don’t care.” ([20:11])
  • Media claims White House is using the FBI for political retribution ([32:03]–[32:32]), to which Tony responds with sarcasm about previous political investigations.

4. Canada Caves on Trump Tariffs

• Mark Carney’s Admission
  • New Canadian PM Mark Carney walks back his tough stance, publicly accepts revised trade deals under Trump, reducing tariffs on most goods ([27:01]).
    • Carney: “Canada currently has the best trade deal with the United States… while it’s different from what we had before, it is still better than that of any other country.” ([27:08])
  • Tony relishes Canada’s reversal, mocking progressive claims: “Is there a way we can get Canadian tears mixed in with the maple syrup they send down now?” ([27:25])

5. National Issues & Political Narratives

• DEI Grant Funding Cut

  • Supreme Court upholds Trump’s right to cut $783 million in federal DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) research grants ([15:11]).

• Partisan Tit-for-Tat & Rule Changes

  • Tony invokes the “play stupid games, win stupid prizes” principle, recounting how changes like the nuclear option for Senate confirmations backfire on their originators ([22:45]).
    • Mitch McConnell (quoted): “You’ll regret this, and you may regret it a lot sooner than you think.” ([22:45], [33:06])

6. Media Culture & Political Figures Mocked

• Kamala Harris’ Campaign Spending
  • Revelations of Kamala Harris’s campaign burning through $1.5 billion in 15 weeks, with $9,000 spent on ice cream ([35:25]).
  • Tony roasts Harris’ desperate social media video to promote her own book: “There is nothing more sad or more desperate than an author carrying their own books around.” ([37:22])
• Cultural Segmentation Memes
  • Tony and Producer Nick riff on cultural content, like viral videos about hair bonnets and racialized cultural behaviors—satirizing attempts at forging tribal narratives ([49:20]).
  • L.A. residents using fire hydrants as baths featured as an urban decline symbol ([51:33]).

7. Listener Mail & Open Q&A

• Democratic Primary Predictions

  • Tony asserts AOC is the most likely 2028 Democratic nominee, rejects Newsom’s viability outside of coastal states, and speculates on the party’s future ideological tilt ([53:52]).

• Trump Administration’s Stake in Intel

  • Tony criticizes the administration's acquisition of 10% of Intel, argues against government picking industrial winners ([54:00]–[60:19]).

• Imperialism vs. State Intervention

  • Tony distinguishes between expanding U.S. territory/sovereignty and owning private businesses, supporting protectorates but not nationalization ([62:35]).

• Right-Wing Internal Critique

  • Tony explains his willingness to criticize figures on the Right while giving credit where due, underscoring the value of honest internal debate ([65:46]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Tony Kennett, on crime stats manipulation:
  “When you manipulate statistics, I’m sure you can say, hey, crime is down. It’s wonderful. You and I both know that walking through downtown Chicago or the South Side or any part of ‘Chiraq’ after 6pm is not in your best interests.” ([05:41])

• Donald Trump:
  “Chicago’s a mess. You have an incompetent mayor, grossly incompetent. And we’ll straighten that one out probably next.” ([01:26])

• Scott Jennings, on D.C. crime crackdown:
  “I don’t think it’s theater. I think it’s working. They’ve arrested hundreds of people… If it improves a little bit in our nation’s capital, that’s good for every state because every state has people that visit there all the time.” ([09:06])

• Mark Carney (PM of Canada):
  “Canada currently has the best trade deal with the United States…while it's different from what we had before, it is still better than that of any other country.” ([27:08])

• Tony Kennett, mocking J.B. Pritzker’s reaction:
  “I do want to point out that when you have fools like this that are criticizing guardsmen, you realize that the individuals who would be sent to Chicago are in the Illinois National Guard…those are your citizens of Illinois, and they're going to destabilize Chicago? How so?” ([13:26])

• Tony Kennett, on the John Bolton raid:
  “Oh, it’s retribution? Yeah, probably... I just don’t care.” ([20:11])

• Tony Kennett, on Kamala Harris’s spending:
  “Top Democrats have $9,000 on ice cream, bro. That’s a lot.” ([35:25])

• Tony Kennett and producer banter, on cultural segmentation:

  • “The desperation to isolate off into cultural groups is such a weird thing. And I say that as a Hoosier who is very proud of things that Hoosiers do. None of those come with colors attached, though.” ([51:01])

• Tony, on media infighting:
  “You want to get two Protestants going, ask them about Calvinism. Hoo, boy.” ([65:46])

Important Segment Timestamps

• Trump National Guard announcement & reactions: [01:26] – [06:28]
• D.C. crime drops, media/guest reactions: [06:53] – [09:49]
• Bolton FBI raid & media responses: [17:50] – [20:11]; [31:37] – [33:12]
• Canada’s trade concession (Carney): [26:58] – [28:11]
• Kamala Harris campaign spending/book plug: [35:25] – [37:22]
• Cultural memes/social media: [49:20] – [51:33]
• Open mail time/ Q&A / 2028 predictions: [53:52] – [65:46]

Overall Tone & Style

Tony Kennett’s tone is witty, biting, and unapologetic – blending news analysis, satire, and pop culture riffs aimed at both liberal and Republican bungling. He delights in skewering the mainstream media, political grandstanders (especially on the Left), and keeps the show fast-paced and interactive, often addressing listener mail and real-time social media chatter.

For Listeners Who Missed It

This episode delivers a high-energy, skeptical take on the week’s most contentious events: Trump’s bold law-and-order strategy, political backlash from blue city leaders, a symbolic victory for Trump with Canada, and liberal consternation over the shifting enforcement of rules in American political life. It’s both rapid-fire and detailed, mixing serious policy analysis with comic relief and viewer participation.

Key Takeaway:
Tony frames 2025 as a year of boomerang consequences—media and political class maneuvering often producing unintended reversals, with Trump’s aggressive tactics redrawing the boundaries of executive power and U.S. political debate.

End of Summary