The Tony Kennett Cast - Ep. 475

Podcast by The Daily Signal
Date: January 6, 2026
Host: Tony Kennett
Featured Guests: Andreas Martinez Fernandez (Heritage Foundation), selected soundbites from U.S. politicians and other commentators

Episode Overview

This episode digs into major recent events and controversies from a staunchly conservative, populist angle, focusing especially on:

• The attempted attack on Vice President J.D. Vance’s home, attributed to what Kennett labels as “transgender terrorism.”
• The U.S. military operation that successfully apprehended Venezuela’s former dictator Nicolas Maduro (“Operation Absolute Resolve”) and the resulting political/geopolitical fallout.
• The resignation and looming legal troubles of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz amid massive fraud scandals.
• A critique of progressive urban policy in New York City, exploring themes of collectivist property reforms and landlord-tenant disputes.
• Observations on protests and economic instability inside Iran.
• Vigorous pushback against criticism of U.S. intervention abroad, especially from isolationist or left-leaning voices.

The episode features direct interviews, rant-style commentary, and frequent, pointed responses to political opponents, all delivered with Kennett’s signature irreverence.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Attempted Attack on VP J.D. Vance’s Home

[00:07–04:51]

• Incident: An individual (identified as William/Julia DeFore, a transgender-identifying male) was arrested after attacking the Vance residence with a hammer.
• Kennett’s Framing: Denounces the act as left-wing, transgender “terrorism,” comparing it to broader, left-leaning violent trends.
• Quote:

  “Vice President J.D. Vance is the latest of an individuals who have been targeted by left wing extremist transgender terrorism. That is what it is.” — Tony Kennett (04:16)

• Vance’s Statement: Thanks Secret Service and police; asks media not to share images of his home to protect his children.

2. U.S. Operation in Venezuela – Maduro's Capture

[04:53–15:35, 60:00+]

• News: Arrest and extraction of Maduro by U.S. Special Operations, following sophisticated coordinated action (“Operation Absolute Resolve”).
• Kennett’s Enthusiasm: Praises the mission as one of the most successful U.S. military operations in recent memory, akin to the Gulf War shock and awe.
• Quote:

  “It is without a doubt, the most incredible military operation in recent history. Operation Absolute Resolve involved ... several brilliant, highly coordinated military units ... The entire operation took less than 20 [minutes] ... Not a single American casualty. Incredible.” — Tony Kennett (09:17–12:33)

• Stock Market Response:

  “Dow jumping 600 points, an intraday all time high. Just shy of 49,000. That’s a big deal ... The United States was built to dominate.” — Tony Kennett (04:53–05:01)

Political Reactions and Debate

[05:51–08:37, 58:56–69:00+]

• Democrats’ Critique: Various Democrats (soundbites from Senators Fetterman, Murphy, and Hakeem Jeffries) decried the operation as unnecessary, illegal, or driven by oil interests, not narcotics or national security.
  • Murphy: “Venezuela is not a security threat to the United States.”
• Kennett’s Rebuttal: Points to Venezuela’s role as a hub for drugs (including precursors for fentanyl), arms for terrorist groups, and outposts for China/Iran/Russia.
• Expert Insights (Interview with Andreas Martinez Fernandez):
  • U.S. broke with a long pattern of neglecting Western Hemisphere threats.
  • Maduro’s Venezuela was central to narco-trafficking networks and allowed adversary regimes to gain a foothold near the U.S.
  • Quote:

    “What we have done is very specifically targeted the ringleader of a transnational narco terrorist group... and now we can use ... pressure tools that we have.” — Andreas Martinez Fernandez (23:14)

3. Potential Fallout, U.S. Policy Justifications, and International Law

[15:35–25:06]

• Kennett and Guests: Dismisses concerns about the U.S. being “imperialist” or violating international law. Draws historical parallels to early U.S. foreign actions.
• Debates on ‘Regime Change’: Rebukes both progressive and “populist isolationist” critics for pearl-clutching over “regime change," arguing U.S. intervention is justified given Venezuela’s actions and proximity.
• Quote:

  “If the United States wants to broker some harsh deals to benefit Americans, good ... Manifest Destiny. Piss off. ... That’s the legacy of the Spanish American War.” — Tony Kennett (75:24)

4. Minnesota: Fraud Scandal & Governor Walz’s Downfall

[25:06–36:10]

• Developments: Governor Tim Walz announces he won’t run for re-election amid a historic fraud scandal; possible federal indictments are pending.
• Kennett’s Analysis: Attributes the Walz scandal to left-wing policies, mismanagement, and hostility to accountability.
• Quotes:

  “He is easily the most corrupt governor since Huey Long. It is not even close.” — Tony Kennett (35:06)

• Legal Overview: Explains possible charges (conspiracy to defraud the U.S., wire fraud, bribery, obstruction, ignoring whistleblowers).
• Broader Message: Uses this local case to reinforce condemnation of progressive governance at all levels.

5. New York City—Property, Collectivism, and Landlord-Tenant Tensions

[42:05–48:50]

• City Initiatives: NYC plans “rental ripoff” hearings; tenant advisor Sia Weaver openly espouses collectivist, anti-private property views.
• Kennett’s Mockery: Lampoons these moves as “communist witch trials,” warning about historical failure of collective ownership.
• Quote:

  “Show me the Section 8 housing that looks amazing because everyone keeps it up and works on it and makes it pretty. If people do not own the thing ... they do not take care of said thing." — Tony Kennett (45:19)

• Guest Soundbite (Weaver):

  “For centuries we've really treated property as an individualized good ... we need to transition to treating it as a collective good.” — Sia Weaver (44:56)

6. Tumult in Iran and the Farce of Autocratic 'Stimulus'

[48:50–53:30]

• Protests: Mass demonstrations against the Ayatollah’s regime, regime officials fleeing, hyperinflation, and violent repression.
• Kennett’s Satire: Mocks regime’s attempt to buy calm with “a couple million” in currency—about $7 per person.
• Quote:

  “Now, if I'm throwing everything away ... openly on camera going against the government ... and the government ... [offers] $7. That's some great ... policy.” — Tony Kennett (52:54)

7. Pushback Against Critics of U.S. Action—Legal, Geopolitical, Historical Context

[60:00–69:00]

• International Law Debate: Kennett debunks the idea the U.S. is uniquely bound by “international law”; points out regime change is an accepted tool of U.S. statecraft.
• Quote:

  “The President operated within the current constitutional law … Congress passed the War Powers Act. If you don't like it, change the law.” — Tony Kennett (64:21)

• Bipartisan Relations: Points out even some Democrats (Fetterman) support the move.

  “America is a force of good order and democracy and we are promoting these kinds of values.” — Sen. John Fetterman (59:15)

• Critique of Isolationists: Rebukes Marjorie Taylor Greene and other populists—calls out their misunderstanding of geography, the drug trade, and U.S. economic interests.

8. Kennett’s Doctrine: American Strength, Manifest Destiny, and Global Dominance

• Broader Message: The episode’s underlying current is a call for unapologetic U.S. strength—militarily, economically, and diplomatically—especially in the Western Hemisphere.
• Quote:

  “The United States has just as much right and authority to broker harsh terms of negotiation as other countries do." — Tony Kennett (75:07)

Notable Quotes & Timestamp Highlights

• [04:16] — “...the latest of an individuals who have been targeted by left wing extremist transgender terrorism. That is what it is.” — Tony Kennett
• [12:07] — “I've never seen anything like this. ... It was amazing to see the professionalism and the quality of leadership, the professionalism. General Raisin Gain is fantastic.” — Unnamed U.S. Official
• [23:14] — “...very specifically targeted the ringleader of a transnational narco terrorist group, which was Nicolas Maduro, and taking him off the table. And now we can use ...pressure tools that we have.” — Andreas Martinez Fernandez
• [35:06] — “He is easily the most corrupt governor since Huey Long. It is not even close.” — Tony Kennett
• [45:07] — “...transitioning to treating [property] as a collective good and towards a model of shared equity will require that we think about it differently.” — Sia Weaver
• [52:54] — “The regime's response is, here's $7. I mean, that's some great foreign policy. That's some great local domestic policy. Beautiful.” — Tony Kennett
• [64:21] — “The president operated within the current constitutional law that exists under legal precedent in the United States ... If you don't like it, change the law.” — Tony Kennett
• [75:24] — “If the United States wants to broker some harsh deals to benefit Americans, good ... Manifest Destiny. Piss off.” — Tony Kennett

Additional Memorable Moments

• [13:49] — Kennett riffs on “the Macarena” as a soundtrack to American military dominance.
• [26:23] — Kennett describes the impact of the Venezuelan operation on Venezuelan immigrants’ willingness to return home.
• [69:10] — Extended critique of ‘neocon’ and populist right/left intersectional talking points, especially around Iraq, Libya, and Venezuela’s unique context.
• [73:00+] — Satirical “geography lesson” refuting claims that Venezuela “isn’t our neighborhood.”

Major Timecodes

• 00:07 — Opening news, Vance home attack
• 04:53 — Stock market reacts to Maduro’s capture
• 05:51 — Political soundbites on Venezuela; Kennett’s rebuttal
• 07:30 — Start of Andreas Martinez Fernandez interview
• 12:33 — Breakdown of the military operation
• 15:35 — Deeper context: Venezuela as regional security threat
• 21:10 — Arms manufacturing & Venezuela’s foreign alliances
• 25:06 — Transition to Minnesota: Walz resignation/fraud
• 42:05 — NYC “rental ripoff hearings” & collectivist property themes
• 48:50 — Iran street protests, economic collapse, regime response
• 58:56 — Politicians react to U.S. ops in Venezuela
• 60:00+ — Deep dive on legality, international law, U.S. primacy
• 73:00 — Tony's “manifest destiny” and foreign policy soliloquy

Tone & Style

Kennett delivers content in an energetic, combative, and highly opinionated manner, mixing humor, sarcasm, and populist rhetoric. He frequently mocks his political and ideological opponents, using anecdotes, historical references, and direct listener address to reinforce his arguments.

Summary for New Listeners

This episode is a dense, fiercely argued, and wide-ranging survey of breaking political events, all interwoven with a broader case for U.S. assertiveness both at home and abroad. Tony Kennett combines breaking news, guest interviews, and critical audio clips with extended editorial riffs, favoring a “common sense” middle-American lens heavily skeptical of the progressive left, the isolationist right, and the Washington establishment alike.