The Tony Kinnett Cast – Ep. 456

Title: Tim Walz Self-Destructs Over BILLIONS in Fraud Under His Watch, War Crime Allegations
Date: December 2, 2025
Host: Tony Kinnett (The Daily Signal)
Length: ~65 minutes (excluding commercial breaks and non-content sections)

Episode Overview

This episode centers on two major stories:

1. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz under fire for alleged complicity and mishandling of widespread fraud (billions of dollars) within state social service programs, particularly involving members of the Somali diaspora.
2. War crime allegations surrounding U.S. military operations against narco-terrorist boats, and political fallout for officials such as Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Senator Mark Kelly.

Tony Kinnett uses his signature sardonic, hyperbolic, and irreverent tone to dissect political spin, mainstream media coverage, and guest responses, with frequent contributions from “Producer Nick.” The episode includes extended rants and mockery, particularly targeting Democratic politicians and media figures.

Key Discussion Points & Timestamps

1. Minnesota Social Services Fraud Scandal

(03:33 – 15:35)

Background:

• The New York Times reports that during Governor Tim Walz’s tenure, an organized crime ring perpetrated over a billion dollars of fraud in Minnesota's social programs, often tied to the Somali diaspora.
• This is not “Republicans pouncing”—prosecutors and even Walz’s own state employees accuse Walz of ignoring and suppressing fraud reports.

Kinnett’s Points:

• Walz previously downplayed the fraud (“there’s government, there’s fraud that happens”).
• Walz’s administration refused to hand over data and records to federal authorities, always invoking the need to avoid “targeting immigrants.”
• Whistleblower account (“Minnesota Department of Human Service Employees”) claims retaliation by Walz against those raising concerns and that Walz diminished legislative oversight.

Notable Quote:

“Tim Walz is 100% responsible for massive fraud in Minnesota.”
– Minnesota Dept. of Human Service Employees (05:27)

Memorable Moment:
Kinnett highlights the absurdity—NPR and mainstream outlets ignored fraud due to political sensitivities. Kinnett also lampoons Walz’s tendency to posture as pro-immigrant at the expense of accountability.

2. Democrat Politicians Deflect on Immigrant Crime/Fraud

(15:35 – 23:14)

• Dialogue shifts to how national Democratic figures (Tim Kaine, Amy Klobuchar, Mark Kelly) respond to questions about migrant crime and fraud, usually by pivoting to “don’t blame all immigrants” or accusing critics of racism.
• Kaine and Klobuchar both dodge specifics, generalizing that “all states have crime,” or “immigrants are the backbone” of their communities.
• Kinnett mocks this rhetorical maneuvering as “the backbone” argument—whatever group is under fire, suddenly they're “the backbone.”

Notable Quote:

“Don't say that all Afghans in the United States... are bad... Our immigrant communities in Virginia have been an enormous source of strength.”
– Tim Kaine (16:34)

Quote – Lampooned:

“Mark Kelly: ‘...they don't want brown people coming to the United States.’”
– Mark Kelly (22:08)
Kinnett derides this as cheap identity politics.

3. War Crime Claims Against the Trump Administration

(23:14 – 49:10)

Events:

• Mark Kelly and other Democrats circulate claims that orders issued for U.S. military strikes on narco-terrorist boats amounted to “war crimes.”
• The Washington Post alleges Secretary Hegseth ordered to “kill everybody” during a strike, which becomes media fodder for war crimes accusations.

Kinnett’s Analysis:

• Ridicules the coverage as “Animal House” level farce, dismisses the idea these drug boats are innocent parties, and frames the legal precedent for such strikes post-9/11.
• Points out Senator Mark Kelly’s own record (“I have sunk two ships... never questioned whether those strikes were legal... it was a time of war.” – 32:12).
  Kinnett notes, under current legal theory, strikes on narco-terrorist boats are lawful.

Memorable Moments & Quotes:

“He’s posting pictures of turtles with RPGs. Think of the children.”
– Tony Kinnett, mocking outrage over Hegseth’s meme “Franklin targets narco-terrorists” (45:28)

“If the order was given to destroy the boat completely... a second strike would follow up. Every eliminate-the-grid-square strike... was about importance of eliminating the threat entirely.”
– Tony Kinnett (33:53)

Tension:

• Kelly wavers—first says he’d refuse such orders (32:12), then backpedals, saying he’s “not aware of any illegal orders” (36:50).
• Kinnett claims this is political posturing, not principled concern.

4. Mark Kelly and ‘Threats’ from Trump

(49:10 – 51:35)

• Mark Kelly states on air:

“President Trump is trying to silence me, threatening to kill me.”
(40:07)

• Kinnett and Nick dismiss this as melodrama, arguing Trump was using legal language around “treason” and “sedition,” and such ranting is political theater.

5. Other Scandals and Judicial Maneuvers

(51:35 – 55:00)

• News breaks that appellate court has disqualified Trump’s U.S. Attorney nominee, Alina Haba, for improper process. Kinnett warns Trump must quickly push confirmations through Congress or risk judicial sabotage.
• Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett claims white supremacists commit more crime than immigrants (54:30), which Kinnett calls misdirection.

6. NYT: Biden’s Migrant Strategy, Media Admissions, Immigration Fallout

(55:00 – 60:00)

• The New York Times admits explicitly that the Biden administration allowed many migrants in, granting temporary status to incentivize legal crossings—who then received Social Security numbers and federal benefits (57:45).
• Kinnett replays his old critiques: Americans were told no federal money or services were going to migrants, now NYT confirms otherwise.
• Discussion of how media and politicians have reversed positions or denied reality for years on this.

7. Redistricting, Partisan Attacks, and Political Violence

(60:00 – 63:00)

• Kinnett mentions threats, bomb hoaxes toward lawmakers, and claims both parties exaggerate or exploit such threats for messaging.
• Brief mention of Trump calling Tim Walz "retarded" and a state senator using their disabled child as political cover for opposing redistricting.

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps & Attribution)

• “Tim Walz is 100% responsible for massive fraud in Minnesota...”
  — MN Dept. of Human Service Employees, via Tony Kinnett (05:27)

• “I take responsibility for putting people in jail.”
  — Tim Walz (09:52)
  Kinnett’s response: “There it is. He takes responsibility for putting people in jail. Amazing... Of course, he ignored the fraud for at least a year…”

• “We let Tim Walz know of fraud early on... but no, we got the opposite response...”
  — MN DHS Whistleblower (05:50)

• “It’s always, ‘Don’t say mean things about Somalians... the fraud, that's like nothing, you know... fraud is just the donations of a thankful and charitable group of people.’”
  — Tony Kinnett (15:01)

• “I have sunk two ships... never in that situation questioned whether those strikes were legal... it was a time of war.”
  — Mark Kelly (32:12)

• “He’s putting out on the Internet turtles with rocket propelled grenades. Have you seen this? Is the Secretary of Defense... This is not a serious person.”
  — Mark Kelly (45:28)

• “No, I don't think he can [sue Trump for calling him ‘retarded’]. There's no legal standing. There's no damages...”
  — Tony Kinnett (63:15)

Memorable Moments

• Outrage over Franklin the Turtle meme:
  Kinnett and Nick mock liberals for losing their composure over a joke image—the meme “Franklin targets narco-terrorists”—as a sign of misplaced priorities (45:20–47:00).

• Mocking “backbone” rhetoric:
  The recurring bit that every group under scrutiny is described as “the backbone” of America (“illegal immigrants, they're the backbone...”) (13:49–14:18).

• “Brown people”/identity politics satire:
  Kinnett lampoons politicians who frame immigration pauses as racist, noting how the definition of “brown people” changes for rhetorical purposes (22:08–23:10).

Summary Table of Significant Segments

| Time | Segment/Theme | Notable Quotes / Points | |----------|--------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------| | 03:33–15:35 | MN Social Services Fraud & Walz’s Response | “100% responsible for fraud…” | | 15:35–23:14 | Dems deflecting on migrant crime/fraud | “Backbone of the community…” | | 23:14–49:10 | War crime narrative, Kelly’s military record | “I have sunk two ships…” | | 49:10–51:35 | Mark Kelly claims Trump is threatening him | “Trump is threatening to kill me” | | 51:35–55:00 | Judicial rulings, Crockett’s claims | “More crime from white supremacists…” | | 55:00–60:00 | NYT on Biden migrant benefits, media reversals | “Biden gave them Social Security…” | | 60:00–63:00 | Redistricting, political threats | “Bomb threats aren’t unique to…” | | 63:00–end | Listener question, legal take on ‘retarded’ slur | “Not grounds for defamation…” |

Tone & Style Notes

• Language: Irreverent, sometimes abrasive. Heavy use of sarcasm, mockery, and analogies.
• Perspective: Strongly critical of Democratic politicians, legacy media, and “political correctness.”
• Voice: Blends pointed investigation with comedic exaggeration (“sheriff with a big iron,” “Franklin the turtle blowing up narco boats”).
• Format: Pacing jumps between direct reporting, live fact-checking, and rants.

Conclusion

For those who missed the episode, Tony Kinnett offers a blistering right-of-center analysis on two major current controversies: alleged large-scale fraud overseen by MN Governor Tim Walz (with both media and whistleblower corroboration), and the political/media buildup around supposed war crimes by U.S. military and Trump officials. Throughout, Kinnett ruthlessly skewers the rhetoric of Democratic figures who, in his view, ignore evidence and deflect blame by appealing to identity politics and moral equivalence.

Listeners are treated to sharp satire, moments of dark military humor, and a critical exposure of media narratives—highlighted with quotes, examples, and a healthy dose of Kinnett’s personality.

Skip-the-blather shortcut: For a primer on the Minnesota fraud story, start at 03:33. For “war crimes” allegations, begin at 23:14. For hot takes and memes, don’t miss 45:20 (“Franklin the Turtle”).