The Tony Kinnett Cast – Ep. 409

Date: September 18, 2025
Host: Tony Kinnett (The Daily Signal)
Main Theme:
In this episode, Tony Kinnett covers the fallout after Jimmy Kimmel is pulled from the air, unpacks how Democrats and mainstream media are allegedly covering up rapid, decentralized terror networks, and analyzes the political response—from Congress to Generation Z—following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. He also explores global unrest, notably the Gen Z-led revolution in Nepal, and discusses how younger conservatives are mobilizing in the U.S.
Note: Ads, promotional spots, and unrelated outros have been omitted for clarity.

Episode Overview

Tony Kinnett examines breaking news about Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension, delves into claims of media misrepresentation and political cover-ups surrounding the assassination of Charlie Kirk, and investigates the rise of “near-instant” terror networks both domestically and internationally, with a feature on Nepal. The episode ends on an optimistic note, highlighting Gen Z’s increased political engagement, especially on the American right.

1. Jimmy Kimmel Pulled Off-Air: Media Fallout & Reactions

Key Segment: [00:58–13:30]

• Kimmel’s Suspension: Tony reports that Jimmy Kimmel has been pulled indefinitely from ABC affiliates following controversial on-air comments about the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
  • Quote ([01:10], Tony): "Jimmy Kimmel...has lectured us for years about how we're awful and terrible...Why has Jimmy Kimmel had the plug pulled out from under him? ...because he got up in front of the nation and just a day and a half ago said this..."
• Discussion of Kimmel’s Comments: Tony plays clips and analyzes Kimmel’s remarks, arguing they were insensitive and inappropriate in the wake of Kirk’s death.
  • Quote ([03:10], Tony): "This is not how an adult grieves the murder of someone he called a friend. This is how a four year old mourns a goldfish."
• FCC & Defamation Issues: Coverage of FCC Chairman Brendan Carr and Benny Johnson’s discussion on possible policy violations by Kimmel, including defamation and election interference.
  • Brendan Carr: "There’s a very concerted effort to try to lie to the American people about the nature...of one of the most significant newsworthy public interest acts that we've seen in a long time.”
• Industry Reaction: ABC affiliate owner Nexstar releases a statement objecting to Kimmel’s comments, emphasizing the need for respectful and constructive dialogue.
• Tony’s Take: Skepticism about legacy media’s double standards and lack of sympathy for Kimmel’s situation:
  • ([13:10], Tony): “They can make fun of an individual's widow after he is murdered and assassinated...I have no sympathy at all. I hope he also enjoys the unemployment line until they give him an Emmy at next year's awards.”

2. Crime, Juvenile Justice Reform, and Political Messaging

Key Segment: [13:30–22:30]

• Juvenile Justice Debate: The Trump administration supports legislation enabling violent juveniles (as young as 14) to be tried as adults, reversing prior laws extending juvenile court eligibility to age 24.
  • Quote ([17:30], Tony): “If you are a 14-year-old who, through premeditated murder in cold blood, commit a violent crime...you should be tried as an adult.”
• Democratic Opposition: Rep. Robert Garcia and others argue this legislation would unfairly target “middle schoolers.”
  • Tony retorts: “A 24-year-old middle schooler? ...Only in the Baltimore school system.”
• Broader Frustrations: Tony argues Democrats are reluctant to combat crime, referencing “leftist acts of terrorist violence in the last decade grossly outnumber those on the right,” critiquing the classification of violent incidents in studies and media coverage.

3. "Near-Instant" Terror Networks & Media Cover-Ups

Key Segment: [22:30–33:00]

• Assassination of Charlie Kirk: Kinnett criticizes media and Democratic figures for allegedly downplaying the assassin’s (Tyler Robinson's) motives and left-wing affiliations. Media highlighted the perpetrator's identity and relationships, which Tony views as distractions.
  • Quote ([24:53], Tony): “You have people like the vast majority of the legacy media who has been trying to either cover for the transgender roommate who may be an accessory to murder...and other antifa cells now around the country…posting after-action reports on the Charlie Kirk assassination.”
• Antifa and Online Radicalization: References to Antifa cells using Discord and other platforms to quickly organize, suggesting terror networks can now mobilize for action in under two weeks.
• Mainstream Media's Framing: Critiques coverage by Montel Williams, Barack Obama regarding motives and partisan blaming.
  • Quote ([28:45], Tony): “‘When Dylann Roof went into a black church...my response was not...who may have influenced this troubled young man to engage in that kind of violence and now let me go after my political opponents.’ ...The lie detector determined that was a lie.”
• Congressional Chaos: Coverage of recent heated hearings, including Rep. Jasmine Crockett discussing safety concerns for black women ([27:41]) and sparring over who is most at risk in America.
  • Tony quips about political optics: “[31:00] They want their 15 seconds on TV stamping, and maybe it's for fundraising.”

4. "Near-Instant" Revolutions – The Nepal Case Study

Key Segment: [35:01–41:50]

Guest: Quinn Weimer, National Security & Foreign Policy Analyst

• Overview of Nepal's Crisis:
  • Gen Z in Nepal, frustrated by high youth unemployment (20.8%) and government corruption, fueled a sudden revolution after a social media ban and police violence ignited mass mobilization.
• Social Media as a Catalyst:
  • [37:40] Quinn: “It wasn’t a centralized protest…It just kind of sparked literally just in a second after protesters [reacted to] a social media ban and police violence. …Gen Z are now a part of history in documenting it...It's just so raw.”
• Comparison to Western "Flash Mobs":
  • [39:33] Tony: "With Starlink...you can essentially foment some type of violent reaction to something...within hours."
  • [40:33] Quinn: "I'm calling it the wet dream of many Gen Z. We have grown up on dystopian war revolution novels, and people are ready to take [action]..."
• Broader Implication:
  • [41:50] Tony: Modern unrest can now be organized in days or hours, not weeks or months.

5. How the Charlie Kirk Assassination is Galvanizing Gen Z on the Right

Key Segment: [43:32–59:00]

Guest: Nick Solheim, American Moment

• Gen Z Engagement:
  • American Moment has seen a notable uptick in young applications for their D.C. fellowship after the Kirk assassination.
  • [45:15] Nick: “What I'm seeing in a lot of these applications...we have a question that asks, ‘what motivated you to apply?’ And I've seen a huge uptick in ‘for Charlie’.”
• Youth Running D.C.:
  • [47:17] Nick: “The government, by and large, is run by people under the age of 30.”
• Optimism & Unity on the Right:
  • Tony highlights a difference between leftist and right-wing mobilization: The right is better at forming genuine personal and professional networks (“friendships, not networking;” [52:46]) and advocating for each other, even among ostensible rivals.
  • [49:18] Tony: "Now you have Generation Z on the right, [aligning with] kind of the boomer Stander barriers ... in this new populism ... there’s a genuine feeling of optimism."
• Practical Tips for Young Conservatives:
  • [52:46] Nick: “Networking is not real. It's called having friends.”
  • [54:34] Nick: "That is the mark of a true friend, right? ...someone who's willing to make those connections...but also to tell you that you're being stupid."
  • [55:35] Nick: "There are going to be some people whose thought process goes, we can only respond to violence with violence...you are just telling on yourself for not believing in prayer...No, prayer is real."
  • [56:46] Tony: "Don’t become who they say you are."
  • [58:26] Nick (quoting Doug Wilson): "Reformation starts around your dinner table."

6. Brief Policy & Industry Notes

Key Segment: [59:29–end]

• Federal Reserve Rate Cut:
  • Tony criticizes the Fed’s 0.25% rate cut as too small to boost demand: ([59:29]) “That ain't gonna do it. That's a bad read to the market. We'll talk about that more tomorrow.”
• Kimmel’s Firing – More Than Outrage:
  • Former McKinsey/Amazon exec Paul Swaney believes Disney/ABC’s move is as much about ratings decline as it is about moral outrage; Kimmel’s show lagged well behind Colbert in viewership ([~1:00:30]).
• Ball State University Note:
  • Tony briefly mentions a firing at his alma mater for “truly disgusting” behavior, tying in shifting standards for public figures and educators.
• Megan Kelly Ticket Giveaway:
  • Promotional note for a free ticket giveaway for Megan Kelly’s live tour.

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• Tony on Kimmel’s suspension:
  • “[01:10] Host: ‘Jimmy Kimmel...has lectured us for years about how we’re awful and terrible...Why has Jimmy Kimmel had the plug pulled out from under him?...because he got up in front of the nation and just a day and a half ago said this…’”
• Brendan Carr on FCC implications:
  • “[04:50] ‘There is a very concerted effort to try to lie to the American people about the nature...of one of the most significant newsworthy public interest acts that we've seen in a long time.’”
• Nick Solheim on who runs D.C.:
  • “[47:17] ‘The government, by and large, is run by people under the age of 30.’”
• Nick Solheim on optimism:
  • “[49:29] ‘We finally...have a class of staff in Washington that more accurately reflect the worldview of the American people, and specifically the people who voted for President Trump.’”
• Quinn Weimer on Nepal Gen Z revolt:
  • “[40:33] ‘I'm calling it the wet dream of many Gen Z. We have grown up on dystopian war revolution novels and people are ready to take [action].’”
• On conservative organizing:
  • “[52:46] Nick: ‘Networking is not real. It's called having friends.’”
  • “[56:46] Tony: ‘Don’t become who they say you are.’”

Conclusion & Tone

Tony Kinnett delivers a confrontational, sometimes humorous, Middle America-rooted right-of-center analysis, alternating rapid-fire monologues with banter and earnest moments with guests. He closes the episode on an optimistic note, urging listeners to build real communities, invest in youth, and not return the vitriol seen in political adversaries.