The Tony Kinnett Cast – Ep. 489

Title: BUSTED: Fake Photos of Minneapolis Shooting Draw Thousands to Riots, National Guard Called In
Date: January 27, 2026
Host: Tony Kinnett, The Daily Signal

Overview

This episode dives deep into the chaos following a deadly shooting during a federal law enforcement operation in Minneapolis. Tony Kinnett unpacks the conflicting narratives, the spread of AI-generated fake photos, political posturing from both sides, and the eruption of civil unrest. He critiques media misinformation and political responses, analyzes the actions of protesters and law enforcement, and argues for patience pending investigation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Breaking News: Minneapolis Shooting Sparks Turmoil

• Situation Summary:

  • An ICE and U.S. Border Patrol operation in Minneapolis led to a confrontation with protester Alex Preddy, resulting in his fatal shooting.
  • Federal and local political tensions intensified, with calls for impartial investigation and the National Guard deployed.

• Crisis Leadership Updates:

  • President Trump sends Tom Homan (former ICE Director) to Minnesota, coordinating with Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey (04:10).
  • White House and DHS discuss reducing the federal agents' presence and ensuring state-run investigation.

2. Breakdown of the Minneapolis Incident

• Who Was Alex Preddy?

  • Former ICU nurse known for protesting/obstructing federal law enforcement activity.
  • Present at an active ICE operation, warned an illegal immigrant to evade arrest, and allegedly interfered with traffic and officers (12:10).

• Event Progression (with Video Analysis):

  • Multi-angle Breakdown:

    • Preddy steps into the road, waves traffic, films passing vehicles, and obstructs officers.
    • He’s shoved, pepper-sprayed, struggles with officers.
    • Shouts of “gun” by an officer, followed by a burst of 10 gunshots. Preddy is killed (23:30).

  • Competing Claims:

    • Left: Asserts Preddy was executed after being disarmed; circulating fake photos.
    • Right: DHS Sec. Kristi Noem claims Preddy aggressively approached agents with a firearm—a stretch not fully supported by footage.

3. Disinformation and Fake Images Spread

• Key Analysis:

  • Tony scrutinizes widely-shared photos—shows they’re AI-generated, misrepresenting the incident (82:10).
  • Points out signs (e.g., anatomical impossibilities) in manipulated photos.
  • Mocks influencers jumping to “Gestapo” and “Holocaust” rhetoric based on false visuals.

• Quote:

  • “The problem with this… notice that the officer… has no head… his right arm is growing out of his boobs… If you know anything about human anatomy… that’s not how the song goes, Jim.” — Tony Kinnett (105:20)

4. Legal & Political Firestorm

• Politicians’ Responses (and Missteps):

  • Kristi Noem (DHS Secretary): Asserted Preddy arrived to "inflict maximum damage" (44:30) — called “a bad statement” by Tony, pushing for fact-based patience.
  • Governor Tim Walz:
    • Called for National Guard, made Anne Frank/Holocaust comparisons, said ICE “are not law enforcement” (68:50).
    • Tony calls this “very, very problematic… They are law enforcement.”

• Legal Clarifications:

  • Carrying a firearm at protests is legal in Minnesota unless the gathering becomes a riot or the carrier lacks ID (52:20).
  • Tony corrects false statements by Cash Patel and others.

• Notable Political Quotes:

  • “You can bring a firearm to a protest fully loaded, with as many magazines as you want. Protest, yes. Riot, no. It matters.”—Tony Kinnett (52:10)
  • “You do not have a right to interfere with an arrest. You just don’t. Nope.” — Tony Kinnett (111:40)

5. Escalation and Unrest

• Protests Intensify:

  • Crowds gather, some rioting and targeting suspected ICE agents and hotels, vandalism ensues (77:05).
  • Signal encrypted chat used by activists (allegedly including local officials) to organize actions and doxx agents.

• Law Enforcement Response:

  • National Guard deployed to maintain order, distinguishable from federal law enforcement.
  • Critique of chaotic messaging, calls for clearer, calmer leadership (91:00).

6. Analysis of the Shooting – What Actually Happened

• Technical Breakdown:

  • Video analyst "Landur" concludes: Preddy was likely disarmed; possible “SIG misfire” triggers the first shot, then officers overreact (94:00).
  • Tony: Most reasonable theory given ambiguous footage, urges waiting for official investigation results.

• Memorable Line:

  • “Armchair Monday morning quarterback… Very easy for us to do… Real life’s not like that.” — Tony Kinnett (127:55)

7. Media Misinformation, Gaslighting & Social Reactions

• Influencers and Virality:

  • Critiques social media influencers rushing to judgment, amplifying AI images and “fascism” rhetoric (111:05).
  • Satirizes performative activism and emotional appeals based on misinformation.

• Quote:

  • “TikTok-educated politics. Well said. Well put.” — Tony Kinnett (108:35)

• Media Outlets:

  • ABC News called out for headlines reinforcing anti-ICE sentiment using unconfirmed data.

• Comparison to Past Protests:

  • References to George Floyd protests surface, differences noted in evidence and context.

8. Political Aftermath & National Fallout

• Shutdown Threats:
  • AOC, Adam Schiff, and Senate Democrats threatened to block DHS funding over the incident, risking government shutdown (114:30).
• State Leaders:
  • Kathy Hochul, Andy Beshear (Kentucky), and others issue “extra stupid” statements—often legally dubious or politically opportunistic (129:10).
  • Attorney General Keith Ellison, implicated in investigating ICE, calls federal presence “unlawful occupation”—Tony rebuts as “not unlawful, not an occupation.”
• Internal DHS Schism:
  • Divisions inside DHS between Kristi Noem’s camp and Tom Homan/others over messaging and law enforcement methods (99:30).

9. Lessons and Final Takeaways

• Obstructing Law Enforcement:

  • Tony’s main argument: “Obstructing federal law enforcement is wrong, it is illegal, and it is going to put you very likely in a rough position.” (117:50)

• Need for Accurate Info:

  • Cautions against wide circulation of unverified claims, especially in highly charged incidents.

• Role of State-Federal Cooperation:

  • Argues that working with federal officials is the best way to minimize confrontations.
  • Highlights successful ICE operations in states like Florida when locals cooperate.

• Reflections on Responsibility:

  • “There’s only one person in this world that could have absolutely prevented Alex Priddy from getting shot that day, and it’s Alex Priddy.”—guest Joey Jones via Fox excerpt (134:40)

Important Segments & Timestamps

| Time | Segment | |----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:00 | Introduction and breaking news | | 04:10 | Trump's intervention and DHS shakeup | | 12:10 | Background on Alex Preddy and Minneapolis tensions | | 23:30 | Video breakdown of shooting (multiple angles) | | 44:30 | Kristi Noem’s statement and Tony's critique | | 52:10 | Legal debate: carrying firearms at protests | | 68:50 | Gov. Walz’s Holocaust comparison and National Guard deployment | | 77:05 | Protests escalate; violence and misinformation | | 82:10 | Analysis of fake/AI-manipulated photos | | 91:00 | Need for cool-headed law enforcement leadership | | 94:00 | “SIG misfire” theory of shooting—technical breakdown | | 108:35 | Commentary on “TikTok-educated politics” and social media influence | | 111:40 | Rights vs. law—no right to interfere with arrests | | 114:30 | Political fallout: government shutdown threats | | 117:50 | Tony’s primary takeaway: consequences of obstructing law enforcement | | 127:55 | Armchair quarterbacking and why it’s unrealistic | | 129:10 | Critique of leaders’ statements (Kathy Hochul, Beshear, Ellison, etc.) | | 134:40 | Joey Jones on personal responsibility and law enforcement training |

Notable Quotes

• “You do not have a right to obstruct federal law enforcement. You don’t.” — Tony Kinnett (111:40)
• "Protest, yes. Riot, no. … The context is important." — Tony Kinnett (52:10)
• “The best course of action is to wait for an investigation to be concluded...” — Tony Kinnett (97:45)
• "The problem with this particular photo... his right arm is growing out of his boobs." — Tony Kinnett (105:20)
• "Obstructing federal law enforcement is wrong, it is illegal, and it is going to put you very likely in a rough position." — Tony Kinnett (117:50)
• “Every word in these developing situations deeply, deeply matters.” — Tony Kinnett (91:00)

Tone & Style

• Direct, critical, and often sarcastic; Tony maintains a brisk, no-nonsense, investigative tone.
• Willing to point out errors from both sides—quick to correct misinformation and admonish political grandstanding.
• Uses humor/satire to lampoon viral influencer activism and absurd political analogies.

Summary for New Listeners

If you missed this episode, Tony Kinnett offered a meticulous, play-by-play breakdown of a controversial federal shooting in Minneapolis—the facts, the fog, and the fallout. He deconstructed viral misinformation, corrected political myths, and reflected on how political, media, and activist responses can inflame already-volatile situations. His consistent message: Wait for facts, don’t interfere with law enforcement, and demand responsible leadership from all sides.