The Tony Kinnett Cast Ep. 457 – GOP’s Matt Van Epps WINS in Tennessee; Minneapolis Police Threaten to "Intervene" Against ICE

Date: December 3, 2025
Host: Tony Kinnett
Guests/Contributors: Producer Nick, Peyton McNabb, Rob Bluey, Stephen Kent

Episode Overview

In this episode, Tony Kinnett provides live coverage and analysis of the special election in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District, culminating in the GOP’s Matt Van Epps winning a closely watched race. The show also delves into controversy over Minneapolis city leaders and police vowing to “intervene” against ICE federal immigration enforcement, explores current news on border security, major fraud scandals, paid family leave in Minnesota, the ongoing “war crimes” scandal around War Secretary Pete Hegseth, and includes an extended discussion with Peyton McNabb about the dangers of gender ideology in women’s sports. Lighter moments include an analysis of Franklin the Turtle memes and a “Whatcha Watchin’” TV segment.

The tone is irreverent, punchy, direct, and unapologetically conservative.

Main Topics & Key Insights

1. Tennessee 7th Congressional Special Election – Bellwether for 2026

[00:34; 31:23; 40:01; 93:04 onward]

• Context:
  Tennessee’s 7th district race is highlighted as a national bellwether, due to a pro-Trump tilt and razor-thin GOP House majority. Polls close as episode airs.

• Candidates:

  • Matt Van Epps (R): West Point grad, self-described “Christian, husband, father, America First conservative, combat vet.”

    “I was an army helicopter pilot, worked in small business here in Nashville, served in Tennessee state government…” [40:01]

  • Afton Bain (D): State legislator, portrayed as a progressive activist, with viral clips bashing Nashville, tourism, and country music.

    “I hate the city. I hate the Bachelorettes. I hate the Pedal Taverns. I hate country music.” —Afton Bain [33:26]

• Campaign Dynamics:

  • Heavy national attention; Speaker Mike Johnson campaigns with Van Epps; Trump calls in.

    “She hates Christianity. She hates country music. How the hell can you elect a person like that?” —Donald Trump, via phone [32:14]

  • Bain’s controversial statements become campaign fodder; Tony lampoons her repeatedly.
  • Bain tries to walk her “I hate Nashville” comments back, but clips go viral.
  • On tough crime questions, Bain dodges; Tony: “Answer the question! She said, slapping her back and forth in the face with a leather glove.” [37:53]

• Live Returns Analysis:

  • Initial blue wave from Nashville/Davidson County; Van Epps closes the gap as rural and suburban votes come in.
  • “A dead heat election. A dead heat election.” [107:20]
  • Decision Desk HQ calls the race for Van Epps at 9:06 pm ET; AP lags but trend holds.
  • Final angle: lower than usual GOP margin in a Trump+20 seat, but a win nonetheless.

Notable Quote:

“I'm asking all Republicans and anyone who doesn't want a radical socialist in office to vote for us… The distinction here could not be more clear.”
—Matt Van Epps [40:01]

2. Minneapolis: Politicians & Police Threaten to “Intervene” Against ICE

[02:23-13:03, 58:00-62:14]

• Controversy:
  Minneapolis leaders, including Mayor Jacob Frey and state senator Omar Fateh, denounce recent ICE operations arresting over 70 Somalis on massive fraud; urge locals to “share resources” to thwart federal law enforcement.

• Police Involvement:
  Minneapolis Police Chief announces community should call 911 on “masked people” they suspect might be ICE, and police will “immediately respond and intervene.”

  “He's saying, hey, federal law enforcement shows up to your door, call us and we'll intervene against federal law enforcement. You can't do that. That's illegal.” —Tony [06:06]

• Sharp Critique of Lawlessness:
  Tony labels these policies as “illegal,” noting no evidence of ICE impersonation; slams the city's “sanctuary” posture.

3. Immigration/Biden’s Afghan Migrants & Trump’s Response

[09:31-11:13]

• Recent Murder:
  Afghan migrant involved in shooting/killing West Virginia National Guardsman in D.C.; survivor recovering.

• Trump Admin Reacts:
  Announces all Biden-era Afghan migrants to be “re-vetted.”

  “Any individual who threatens our national security… will be subject to removal.” —Carolyn Levitt [10:17]

4. Minnesota’s New Paid Family and Medical Leave

[12:00-15:13]

• Legislation:
  Governor Tim Walz touts new “paid family and medical leave” after overseeing a massive $1 billion fraud.
  Tony and crew openly mock his lack of clarity and delivery.

  “Coming from the guy who so strongly advocated for tampons in boys bathrooms… not surprised he's this concerned about wondering how babies are made.” —Tony [12:21]

• Skepticism:
  Tony: “A state-run program to give leave that anyone can just apply to… Give me money, money me, give me money. Incredible.” [14:13]

5. “War Crimes” & Beltway Politics: Pete Hegseth, Venezuela, Media

[15:08–23:16] – Segment with Rob Bluey (Washington, D.C.)

• War Department Fires:
  “90 days into these Venezuelan drug strikes,” with Dems attacking War Sec. Pete Hegseth over war crime allegations, amplified by WaPo but refuted by NYT.

• Beltway Take:
  Media and Hill Dems searching for a new outrage; Hegseth’s job presumed safe.

  “This is just the latest one… It’s the first week of December, so they’re onto something new. Pete Hegseth happens to be the guy.” —Rob Bluey [19:18]

• Media Integrity:
  Both hosts trash media for fabricating quotes, say most Americans aren’t paying attention.

  “In most journalism outlets, it would be a fireable offense.” —Rob Bluey [22:41]

• Cost of Living:
  As D.C. obsesses over “scandals,” White House and public are focused on economic issues.

6. National Border/Immigration Policy & SNAP Fraud Crackdown

[62:14–66:53; 63:05]

• Brooke Rollins (Agriculture Secretary) announces:
  States not turning over SNAP fraud data will lose funding; 21 states, nearly all blue, refusing.

  “22 states right now that are refusing to send SNAP data, 21 of 22 have Democrat governors…” [63:05]

• Theme of “Fraud”:
  Rolling cracks on blue states, fraudulent programs, and demands for accountability. Producer Nick ties fraud to electoral motivations, including illegal voting.

7. Cultural/Media Lampoons: Franklin the Turtle Memes

[70:21–78:23]

• Internet goes wild as Franklin the Turtle used in memes about current events and narco-terrorism, following a viral AI-generated kids’ book cover by War Secretary Hegseth.
• Tony highlights “Franklin learns about crime statistics,” “Franklin prints a ghost gun,” “Franklin annexes Canada,” and more; audience submissions celebrated.

8. Interview: Peyton McNabb on Transgender Participation in Women’s Sports

[43:50–57:38]

• Her Story:
  Peyton suffered a traumatic brain injury from a volley by a trans athlete; recounts the incident and emotional, political aftermath.

  “It completely changed my life forever… I would have really enjoyed to live as a normal 19, 20 year old, but I can't now because you [Governor Roy Cooper] chose this guy's feelings over my safety.” —Peyton McNabb [44:43, 49:14]

• On Empathy/Left’s Double Standards:
  Peyton and Tony skewer the “empathy model,” suggesting real female victims get ignored by left-leaning officials.

  “It’s so beyond the realm of common sense… that gap is what bewilders me.” —Tony [49:47]

• Electoral Impact:
  Peyton: “As long as Dems double down, Republicans keep winning elections; most of the country is sick of this.” [54:35]

9. Media Critique/TV Segment: “Whatcha Watchin’” with Stephen Kent

[80:59–93:02]

• Featured:
  • Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End (Japanese anime) – lauded for themes of stoicism, empathy/evil, Tolkien-esque adventure.
  • Stranger Things S5 – now “just fine,” but weaker special effects; ages of cast and nostalgia overkill.
  • Both hosts discuss the trend of draining cinematic intimacy due to “eye of God” camera angles and declining set discipline in streaming shows.

10. Election Night Wrap-Up & Lessons

[93:04–126:16]

• Live Vote Coverage:
  Tony provides running returns in granular detail, FAQs on recount law/voting procedure, and context for swing counties (especially Nashville/Davidson, Montgomery, Williamson).
• Key Takeaway:
  GOP holds the seat with Matt Van Epps, but the margin is worrying; turnout issues persist in off-year specials. Democratic vote remains resilient in urban pockets.

  “The party that goes into the midterms claiming they’ve got this in the bag gets screwed over by their own hubris every single time.” —Tony [118:20]

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• On Afton Bain (D-7th TN):
  • “Squirrels are after her. This is Afton Bain. This is a complete nutcase.” —Tony [32:29]
  • “Ah, yes. Hating tourism in a city that is primarily engaging in tourism as a part of its economy. Excellent move.” —Tony [33:49]
• On Minneapolis Police Chief:
  • “He's saying, hey, federal law enforcement shows up to your door, call us and we'll intervene against federal law enforcement. You can't do that. That's illegal.” —Tony [06:06]
• On Republicans' turnout problem:
  • “If Tennessee ends up losing this election for Republicans, it means… Republicans have a sink problem: your party only wants to come out for the big ones.” —Tony [104:43]
• On Paid Leave Law:
  • “He’s doing the blazer in the quarter zip thing, which unless you are a football coach in the SEC who’s currently like 3 and 15, I don’t think you have the right to wear that combo.” —Tony [12:21]
• On War Dept. Press Briefing:
  • “There was a sign there… ‘the most transparent War Department ever.’ AP, Washington Post would strongly disagree.” —Rob Bluey [18:02]
• On Empathy Model in Trans Sports:
  • “You can talk to any normal person on the street… Not some high-strung, antidepressant mandated, single lady in her fifties. I’m talking like real people.” —Tony [49:47]
  • “I thank God every day that I'll never be able to understand, because I do not want to think that way." —Peyton McNabb [50:48]
• On Franklin the Turtle Memes:
  • “Franklin calls ICE on people who don’t belong… Franklin grows tired of immigrants and their behavior… Franklin defends the library from rainbow crews… It delivered!” —Tony [73:10-77:31]

Important Timestamps for Segments

• Election Preview: [01:18–05:00]
• Minneapolis ICE/Police Controversy: [02:23–09:31]
• SNAP/Fraud and Paid Leave: [12:00–16:00]
• Beltway Roundtable (Rob Bluey): [15:57–25:21]
• Afton Bain Rant: [32:29–38:09]
• Peyton McNabb Interview: [43:50–57:38]
• Franklin the Turtle Meme-palooza: [70:21–78:23]
• Whatcha Watchin’ (Stephen Kent): [80:59–93:02]
• Live Election Returns & Analysis: [93:04–126:16]
• RESULT: Decision Desk calls Van Epps win: [121:58]

Episode Highlights & Takeaways

• Matt Van Epps wins Tennessee 7th in a tight but decisive victory, reaffirming GOP’s standing but spotlighting turnout issues even in red territory.
• Minneapolis city/state officials border on lawlessness in resisting federal immigration enforcement; Tony ridicules legal and political posturing.
• Paid leave laws in Minnesota and blue-state SNAP fraud draw intense skepticism; theme of accountability running through the episode.
• Real stories of injury and dismissal in women’s sports stoke continuing culture war fires; empathy vs. reality.
• Show mixes unflinching criticism, cultural humor (Franklin Turtle), and pop culture reviews with punchy, sarcastic tone.

Summary by The Tony Kinnett Cast Podcast Summarizer · December 2025