The Tony Kinnett Cast – Ep. 517

Date: March 11, 2026
Host: Tony Kinnett (The Daily Signal)
Main Theme: National security crises, terror threats, Middle East tensions, and legislative gridlock in Washington, analyzed from a conservative, Middle America perspective.

Episode Overview

This episode opens with the ongoing partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the surge in Islamic terror threats across North America and Europe, set against a backdrop of chronic political dysfunction in DC. Tony Kinnett offers his signature blend of sharp critique, cultural commentary, and inside-baseball analysis, with deep dives into:

• Recent terror threats and attacks in the US and Canada
• Iran's escalation in the Strait of Hormuz and US military response
• Political and legislative wrangling over the SAVE America Act and DHS funding
• Media failures and the culture war over how these events are covered
• Broader implications for the American Right, Left, and upcoming midterms

Key Discussion Points & Segments

1. Department of Homeland Security Shutdown & Rising Terror Threats

[00:04 - 03:41]

• DHS remains partially shut down, due to a political standoff over immigration enforcement and ICE funding.
• Terror threats are rising, not just random events but orchestrated by radical Islamic networks active in North America.

Notable Quote:

"There are two active terror threats... my God, if you do not have the outrage over actual terror attacks that are going on right now, the Department of Homeland Security... is shut down and instead we're talking about TSA and travel times." — Tony Kinnett [03:41]

Speaker Mike Johnson soundbite [01:52]:

• Critiques the "Democrat shutdown," blaming Democrats for ongoing threats and closure of critical agencies: CISA, CBP, Coast Guard, FEMA, TSA.

2. NYC & Toronto Terror Plots—Details & Fallout

[03:41 - 09:45]

• Updates on a failed bombing at a New York protest; suspects connected to high-powered IEDs found in a Pennsylvania storage unit.
• Gunfire attack on the US Consulate in Toronto, Canada. Canadian police urge public to submit evidence.
• Discussion on the political and ideological environment that allowed such threats to grow in US and Canadian cities.

Notable Quotes:

"If you ever say... that the group who is willing to throw bombs at you if you criticize their culture... that that group might not be compatible, [liberals] get very, very, very angry." — Tony Kinnett [07:34]

"[One suspect] hoped it would 'be even bigger than the Boston Marathon bombing.'" — Speaker Mike Johnson paraphrased [01:52]

3. Islamic Terror, Media Coverage, and Political Hypocrisy

[09:45 - 15:00]

• Critique of politicians and media figures (e.g., Zoran Mamdani, CNN) for alleged "gaslighting" on roots and realities of Islamist terrorism.
• Connection drawn between open borders, lax enforcement, and radicalization.

4. Iran in the Strait of Hormuz: Mine-Layers Sunk

[15:00 - 24:45]

• [18:30] Iran lays mines in a last-ditch effort to disrupt shipping.
• US Navy destroys 10+ Iranian minelaying vessels with drone strikes; dramatic CENTCOM footage discussed.
• Trump's stern warnings: any new mines "will have consequences at a level never seen before."
• Rebuttal of media hysteria over the shifting of THAAD missile defense batteries (rotation, not withdrawal).

Notable Quotes:

"They have no navy anymore... The Turban Redneck Brigade, the Hafiyeh Khaloum, has now taken to the Strait of Hormuz and found out... the United States military who enjoys blowing up speedboats from the cartels... really enjoys blowing up mine laying speedboats in the Eastern hemisphere." — Tony Kinnett [19:45]

5. Media Narrative Wars: White House Messaging, Axios, & The Save America Act

[24:45 - 27:35]

• Commentary on Axios report: Trump’s staff tells GOP to downplay "mass deportations"—Kinnett calls out headline malpractice and internal GOP confusion.
• Ribbing of left-leaning media's coverage and perceived double-standards.

6. Minnesota Fraud, Tim Walz & Democratic Talking Points

[27:35 - 28:43]

• Governor Tim Walz claims fraud investigations mean his state is tackling corruption rather than creating it.
• Kinnett criticizes the logic and defensive posture—argues the scale of fraud is due to systemic policy failures.

Notable Quote:

"No, no, actually he did everything right. And it is, but it is. If you can follow this..." — Tony Kinnett [25:18]

7. Media, Mob Culture & "The View" on Reign of Terror

[26:41 - 27:35]

• Clip from "The View": Commentators lament "reign of terror," venting about the GOP, with Kinnett suggesting such rhetoric tacitly encourages real-world violence.
• Kinnett decries a "permission structure" on the Left for violent outbursts.

8. Capitol Hill Update w/ Rob Bluey – The SAVE America Act & Congressional Stasis

[28:08 - 37:04]

• Rob Bluey (Daily Signal President) joins to discuss legislative gridlock:
  • SAVE America Act: requires proof of citizenship and voter ID; hugely popular but stuck in Senate.
  • Senate GOP leadership (Thune) unwilling to force a vote or filibuster.
  • Possibility of including SAVE in a reconciliation bill, but procedural hurdles exist.
• Broader discourse: Dems aren't being held accountable for DHS shutdown.

Notable Quotes:

"If you listen to John Thune, what he says... we have to get the Dept of Homeland Security funding bill done before we do anything else." — Rob Bluey [30:40]

"It's really something that needs to be a concentrated message... not only coming from Republicans in Congress, but the White House as well." — Rob Bluey [36:00]

9. UK Terror Attack, Iranian Regime Collapse, & Global Jihadist Threat

[37:04 - 41:49]

• Breaking: Islamic terror attack on anti-Iranian-protesters in Birmingham, UK.
• Context of regime instability in Iran and spillover violence across the West.

10. The Save America Act, Senate Leadership & Blame Games

[41:49 - 46:00]

• Senate Majority Leader John Thune candidly admits: "We don't have the votes" to break the filibuster or even do a "talking filibuster" on SAVE [42:05–42:16].
• Kinnett calls for on-record votes: "Why not get the individuals on record, go ahead and hold a vote... see who's going to go on the record and be forward or against it." [43:00]
• Criticizes GOP foot-dragging, suggesting time is running out for those facing primaries.

11. The Culture War, Democrat Overconfidence, & Media Contradictions

[46:00 - 49:52]

• Democrats (Adam Schiff, et al.) run “reckoning is coming” narratives—Kinnett predicts this is hubris.
• Bill Maher grills Schiff on foreign policy—exposes left's struggles for clear positions.

12. Carville’s Rant, Economic Grievances, & Party Messaging Meltdowns

[53:24 - 57:07]

• Democrats’ only message: rage, resentment, and what Kinnett calls “crazy” rhetoric (spotlights James Carville’s on-air meltdown).
• Both parties’ messaging problems, but warns Dems especially of “insane” tactics turning off voters.
• Critiques Republican passivity.

Notable Quotes:

"You hear me, you fat asshole? This is what we believe... I got Trump derangement syndrome. I hate the mother... I want to hate him more." — James Carville [56:12]

13. Midterm Strategy & The Failure of Policy Vision

[57:07 - 69:00]

• Predicts Democrats will default to emergency/calamity rhetoric ("we're all going to die").
• Warns GOP not to rely on being “not Democrats” or only on hopes of economic rebound.
• Calls out both sides for lacking positive, forward-looking agendas.

14. Economics: Housing & Energy Costs Explained

[63:04 - 68:00]

• Two big drivers of high housing costs: supply shortage and high interest rates.
• Energy prices rising due to grid strain, regulatory bottlenecks, and government-protected utility monopolies.
• Both parties are criticized for not offering actionable solutions.

15. U.S. Foreign Aid, NGOs, and Distraction from Real Corruption

[70:57 - 74:16]

• Rep. Tim Burchett’s frustration: US continues sending money to corrupt regimes and NGOs in Afghanistan.
• Kinnett blames Americans for being distracted by conspiracy theories rather than real accountability.

16. Media Criticism: CNN’s Coverage of NY Bombing (Steven Kent Segment)

[79:55 - 89:03]

• Guest: Steven Kent (Consumer Choice Center) skewers CNN for their "tone deaf" coverage of the NYC attempted bombing.
• Debate on mainstream media's downplaying of Islamist motivations and bias in coverage.

Notable Quotes:

"Have you ever just found yourself, you know, caught between two worlds, two desires: to go out and enjoy the sunshine, or do jihad?" — Steven Kent, mocking CNN's framing [81:07]

"Our politics is being taken over by... people who cannot accept the fact that they are losing... They want to [blame others]." — Steven Kent [88:05]

Memorable Moments, Notable Quotes, and Analysis

Outrage Over Political Priorities

"I think at this point there should be some direct calling out of the names and the national campaign of these are the people that do not give a flying damn if you are ripped into shrapnel and shreds..." — Tony Kinnett [03:41]

Trump on Iran's Minelaying

"...the military consequences to Iran will be at a level never seen before." — Trump (paraphrased by Tony Kinnett) [18:30]

Carville’s Full Meltdown

"You hear me, you fat asshole? This is what we believe. ...I got Trump derangement syndrome. ...I pray to God... I want to hate the son of a..." — James Carville [56:12]

Steven Kent's Satirical Media Critique

"Have you ever walked outside on the first day of spring at 75 degrees... There's a grenade in my pocket and it wants me to throw it at civilians?" — Steven Kent, mocking CNN [81:07]

Rob Bluey on Legislative Gridlock

"The Save America act is one of the single most important pieces of legislation that could be accomplished... And why is it that Republican leadership... [isn't] forcing the Democrats to stand on the floor and argue against an issue that has 80% support?" — Rob Bluey [31:56]

Tony Kinnett on Senate Delays

"You and I knew all along this is what it was about, because now... you're the majority leader, it's your job to find the votes... You would have had a defense... had you come out and said that first. But instead we did the political I'm not going to talk about it routine." [44:00]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• DHS Shutdown & Speaker Johnson Soundbite: 00:04 – 03:41
• NYC & Toronto Terror Attacks: 03:41 – 09:45
• Islamist Radicalization & Media Gaslighting: 09:45 – 15:00
• Iran’s Mine-Laying & CENTCOM Strikes: 15:00 – 24:45
• Axios/White House Messaging; Media Critique: 24:45 – 27:35
• Minnesota Fraud/Tom Walz: 27:35 – 28:43
• "The View" & Cultural Messaging: 26:41 – 27:35
• Capitol Hill w/ Rob Bluey (SAVE America Act): 28:08 – 37:04
• UK Terror Attack & Iranian Instability: 37:04 – 41:49
• Thune & Senate Delays on SAVE: 41:49 – 46:00
• Democrats’ Overconfidence – Adam Schiff: 46:00 – 49:52
• Carville Rants & Econ Woes: 53:24 – 57:07
• Midterms/Party Vision Analysis: 57:07 – 69:00
• Housing & Energy Costs Explained: 63:04 – 68:00
• Rep. Burchett, Foreign Aid Gripe: 70:57 – 74:16
• Comparing Right-Wing Media Madness: 74:16 – 79:55
• Steven Kent CNN Critique (NYC Bombing): 79:55 – 89:03

Summary & Takeaways

National Security:

• DHS shutdown is occurring while legitimate terror threats (and attacks) target North America and Europe.
• Multiple high-profile attacks/plans, notably in NYC and Toronto, trace to radicalized individuals with Islamist motives.

Middle East:

• Iran’s minelaying in the Strait of Hormuz is depicted as a desperate gambit; US responds decisively with military force and warnings.

Domestic Politics:

• GOP and Dems are gridlocked on basic national security legislation and voting reform (SAVE America Act), despite bipartisan public support.
• Republican Senate leadership under fire for lack of vision and urgency.

Media & Culture:

• Legacy media (CNN, etc.) criticized for downplaying Islamist terror and prioritizing narrative over facts.
• Cultural polarization fuels "crazy" rhetoric on both sides—seen as a liability for Democrats heading into midterms.
• Tony advocates for clarity, accountability, and a return to "serious" political leadership.

Solutions (or the Lack Thereof):

• Tony and guests push for honest debate, public votes, and action over endless messaging or posturing.
• The need for vision in Republican leadership is highlighted as essential for the midterm fight ahead.

Tone & Style

• Energetic, sardonic, unapologetically right-of-center, calling out both Left-wing and establishment Republican failures.
• Mix of policy analysis, media criticism, cultural commentary, and humor.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

If you want a deep-dive on recent terror threats, sharp takes on Congress’ legislative logjam, and a caustic dissection of media and political culture, this episode captures Tony Kinnett at his most incisive. Insights abound on the interplay between security, governance, and the shifting landscape heading into the 2026 midterms.