The Tony Kennett Cast (Ep. 415) – Summary

Date: September 26, 2025
Host: Tony Kennett (The Daily Signal)
Featured Guests: Producer Nick, Senator Ted Cruz (via committee audio), Virginia Allen (Daily Signal), Josh Hammer (Newsweek), Donald Trump (clips), others.

Overview

This high-energy episode dives into a week of explosive political and media developments, headlined by the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey. Tony Kennett offers sharp commentary on the growing fallout, federal accountability, partisan battles over the looming government shutdown, left-wing violence targeting ICE, tech companies’ complicity, and the latest in the culture wars, all from a “commonsense, middle-America perspective.” Notable segments include in-depth discussion with Daily Signal’s Virginia Allen and Newsweek’s Josh Hammer.

Key Discussion Points

1. James Comey Indictment (00:18 – 07:00, revisited at 38:01, 75:28)

• Breaking News: Former FBI Director James Comey indicted on two counts: false statements (perjury) and obstruction of a congressional proceeding.
  • Attorney General Pam Bondi Statement: “No one is above the law... holding those who abuse positions of power accountable.” (00:22)
  • FBI Assistant Director Dan Bongino: “Promises matter.” (00:35)
• Details of Crimes:
  • Perjury: Cited as “the most easily identifiable crime,” referencing Comey's denials under oath regarding leaks and classified info.
  • Obstruction: Allegations include efforts to impede congressional investigation and mishandling classified information (00:50–05:00).
  • Key Clip: Sen. Ted Cruz questioning Comey’s contradictory testimony on leaks. (03:40–06:29)
• Political & Legal Significance:
  • Kennett highlights the importance of airtight cases, references prior failures with “overcharging” (e.g., Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs RICO case).
  • Court proceedings expected in Eastern District of Virginia.
  • Potential implications for other Obama-administration officials.

“If you are lying here, it’s not going to be pretty. And guess what? It’s not pretty.”
— Tony Kennett (06:33)

“Comey’s ego... appears to be a serious screw to him in this situation.”
— Tony Kennett (05:00)

Notable Quotes

• “No one is above the law.” — AG Pam Bondi (00:22)
• “Promises matter.” — Dan Bongino (00:35)
• “One or the other is false. Who's telling the truth?” — Sen. Ted Cruz (06:06)
• “I can only speak to my testimony. I stand by what... I gave in May of 2017.” — James Comey via committee (06:11)

2. Budget Fight & Government Shutdown Drama (12:03–24:33)

• Democrat Leaders Plead with Trump: Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer publicly request Trump negotiate to avert shutdown; Dems want protections for health care, PBS, NPR, and illegal immigrant healthcare in the budget.
  • Kennett ridicules Democratic tone-shift from calling Trump “Nazi/Gestapo” to now “begging for cooperation.”
• Senate Vote Math Explained: Schumer claims Trump doesn’t have the 60 votes needed for major budget moves.
  • Tony debunks Schumer's “compromise” narrative; critiques media framing.
  • *Elizabeth Warren’s car-rant video dramatizing GOP “taking healthcare away from millions” is mocked.
• Trump Responds: “They want to have the border opened up so that criminals can pour in… they want to raise everybody’s taxes…” (18:08–18:57)

Notable Quotes

• “Please sit down and talk with us. Oh, por favor, señor. Incredible.” — Tony Kennett mocking Schumer (15:09)
• “It's such a good point... Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer... Shirley Temple and Little Debbie.” — Tony Kennett (13:41)
• “This is all caused by the Democrats. They... want to give money away to illegals illegally.” — Trump (23:06)

3. ICE Facility Shooting: Left-Wing Violence and Media Silence (24:33–38:38)

• Incident in Dallas: Gunman attacks ICE facility, leaving one detainee dead, two wounded; assailant commits suicide.
  • FBI (Director Kash Patel) confirms search history includes “ICE facility locations,” “Charlie Kirk shooting,” ballistic info, and anti-ICE shell casings.
• Role of Tech: Shooter used ICE-tracking/doxxing apps found on Apple and Google app stores—despite calls for removal, tech giants refuse.
• Political Rhetoric Cited: DHS Secretary Kristi Noem blames demonization of ICE agents.
• Media Double Standard: Host skewers major networks for ignoring the violence—compares to immediate feverish coverage of right-wing–attributed events.

“You can’t… expect that nothing bad is going to happen.”
— Virginia Allen (31:21)

“The shooter utilized ICE locating... apps… Apple and Google have refused to suspend the apps.”
— Tony Kennett (41:48)

4. Tech Hypocrisy & Political Violence (41:41–47:48)

• Kennett points out contradiction: Parler app was banned after Jan 6 due to “organizing protest,” while actual violence-facilitating ICE-tracking apps remain active.
• Discussion on government contracts with Apple/Google in light of their stance.
• Increased left-wing violence and warnings from law enforcement about lone-wolf actions.

5. Culture War: The ‘Savant’ TV Show & Media Narrative Collapse (47:49–54:03)

• Apple TV’s ‘The Savant’ Canceled: Planned thriller about “suburban mom” infiltrating right-wing cells to stop domestic terrorism is pulled following online ridicule and lack of public appetite.
• Kennett lampoons the premise, showing how the narrative of right-wing violence is overblown and out of touch with reality.
• *Producer Nick highlights left’s “fantasizing” about right-wing terror conspiracies.

“They so desperately want it to be right wing people doing the terrorism.”
— Producer Nick (54:03)

• Kennett and Nick lampoon Variety’s apologetics for the show, note the growing “mockery of the Overton window” on the left.

6. Sinclair/Nexstar, Jimmy Kimmel, and FCC/First Amendment Debate (57:54–75:26)

• Jimmy Kimmel Off the Air on Many Affiliates: After spreading misinformation about the Charlie Kirk assassination, Kimmel’s late-night show is kept off air by major broadcast groups (Sinclair, Nexstar).
• Democrats Threaten Sinclair / Nexstar: Prominent Dems (Bernie Sanders, AOC) put political pressure on broadcasters to restore Kimmel while simultaneously decrying “authoritarian” pressure from Trump administration.
• Debate over FCC, First Amendment:
  • Josh Hammer explains FCC regulations on broadcast media and debunks claims Kimmel’s First Amendment rights are violated; public interest can and should control how FCC-regulated broadcasters operate.
  • Cancel Culture Discussion: Both Hammer and Kennett reject the idea that all speech must be tolerated equally on public airwaves, calling it a “fetishization” imported from libertarian or leftist thinking.

“Jimmy Kimmel does not have a First Amendment right to say whatever he wants on ABC’s Late Night program.”
— Josh Hammer (67:00)

“If at any time that employer decides to take action against you for saying something that is so… contrary to the company’s values or… human decency, that is justice, not cancel culture.”
— Josh Hammer (73:32)

7. Quantico Generals Meeting: National Security Speculation (58:18–61:22)

• Breaking: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth calls urgent meeting of all U.S. military brass at Quantico; reason undisclosed.
  • Josh Hammer and Tony speculate on possible Taiwan, China, or even “Canada/Greenland” moves, with comic interludes.
• Broader theme of instability and global threats, with media’s info leaks discussed.

8. Closing: Comey Indictment Details; Audience Engagement (75:28–end)

• Official Indictment Language for Comey:
  • Count 1: False statements before Congress (18 USC 1001)
  • Count 2: Obstruction of Congressional proceeding (18 USC 1505)
• Rumors of Comey’s son-in-law resigning as Assistant US Attorney—announced but not yet verified.
• Rationale for Kimmel Segment: Kennett says the Kimmel/Nexstar affair reflects looming struggle over what rules apply in media, whether the left or right controls FCC leverage.
• Listener Shout-Outs: Tony thanks super chat donors, adds transparency about FCC fines, and closes with signature gusto.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

On Comey’s Indictment:

• “No one is above the law. Today’s indictment reflects this Department of Justice commitment…”
  — AG Pam Bondi (00:22)

• “If you are lying here, it’s not going to be pretty. And guess what? It’s not pretty.”
  — Tony Kennett (06:33)

On Democrats & the Shutdown:

• “Please. Please sit down and talk with us. Oh, por favor, señor. Incredible.”
  — Tony Kennett (15:09)

• “Americans have kind of heard the whole shutdown thing before, have they not?”
  — Tony Kennett (12:56)

On the ICE Attack:

• “He was someone who was watching that video of Charlie Kirk… [and] had searched for apps that would track where ICE agents were.”
  — Virginia Allen (29:00)

• “You can’t for one, use this kind of aggressive language, calling ICE agents Nazis, and then… expect that nothing bad is going to happen.”
  — Virginia Allen (31:21)

On Tech Double-Standard:

• “Apple and Google suspended Parler right after January 6… but when there are applications… used to coordinate violent acts… they have no problem.”
  — Tony Kennett (41:48)

On the ‘Savant’ Show:

• “They so desperately want it to be right wing people doing the terrorism.”
  — Producer Nick (54:03)

First Amendment & Cancel Culture:

• “Jimmy Kimmel does not have a First Amendment right to say whatever he wants on ABC’s Late Night program.”
  — Josh Hammer (67:00)

• “If at any time that employer decides to take action against you for saying something that is so… contrary to the company’s values or… human decency, that is justice, not cancel culture.”
  — Josh Hammer (73:32)

Notable Timestamps

• 00:18–07:00: Opening, Comey indictment, AG & FBI statements, Cruz exchange
• 12:03–24:33: Government shutdown, Dems’ plea to Trump, vote math, media/healthcare debate
• 24:33–38:38: ICE shooting, media silence, tech role, police investigation, rhetoric
• 41:41–47:48: Tech hypocrisy, Apple/Google, increasing political violence
• 47:49–54:03: Cultural narrative, Apple TV ‘Savant,’ Variety, meme backlash
• 57:54–75:26: Kimmel, ABC/Sinclair/Nexstar, Democrats threaten broadcasters, FCC/First Amendment deep dive
• 58:18–61:22: Generals’ Quantico meeting; security speculation
• 75:28–end: Wrap-up, indictment details, superchat thanks, closing remarks

Tone & Takeaway

• Fast-paced, confrontational, and heavily critical of “legacy” media and progressive narratives.
• Blunt and sardonic; Tony and guests frequently use sarcasm and humor to skewer both politicians and corporate actors.
• Strong emphasis on legal accountability, media double-standards, tech platform responsibility, and cultural pushback from the political right.
• Episode closes with a sense of ongoing chaos—major headlines dropping “right before we go on”—and a promise of more coverage “tomorrow, same time.”