Truth in the Barrel: This Week Unfiltered | June 6, 2025

Hosts: Amy McGrath & Denver Riggleman

1. Tariffs and Their Economic Impact

In this episode, Amy and Denver delve into the recent escalation of Donald Trump's tariffs on steel and aluminum, which saw an increase from 25% to 50% as of June 4, 2025.

Amy McGrath emphasizes the inefficacy of these tariffs, stating, "It's dumb." (04:31). She questions the primary justification behind the tariffs—bringing manufacturing back to the United States—highlighting that such measures have not yielded the desired resurgence in domestic production.

Denver Riggleman echoes her sentiments, explaining, "...these decisions are not based on any economic fact or scientific fact. They seem to be very spontaneous." (05:37). He elaborates on the self-inflicted nature of these tariffs, noting their detrimental effects on supply chains and consumer prices without achieving significant benefits for American manufacturers.

The hosts also discuss a Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report suggesting that tariffs could reduce the deficit by $2.8 trillion by 2035. Amy points out the unrealistic conditions of this projection, which assumes tariffs remain permanent and unaltered over decades—a scenario she deems highly improbable (06:14).

Denver further critiques the strategy by highlighting the consequences for industries reliant on rare earth metals. He remarks, "What's interesting about this... they might have to make some of their parts in China..." (10:25), underscoring the irony of attempting to shield American manufacturing while inadvertently increasing dependence on foreign processing.

2. Renaming Navy Ships and Civil Rights Icons

The conversation shifts to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's controversial move to rename US Navy ships previously honoring civil rights figures like Harvey Milk and Harriet Tubman. Amy McGrath passionately defends the significance of these individuals, asserting, "America is bigger than just our warriors. It's also freedom, equality, equal rights..." (21:10).

Denver Riggleman criticizes the decision as a display of incompetence and prejudice, labeling it as "dumb" (17:46). He questions the underlying motives, suggesting that such actions stem from racial and gender biases, further alienating progressive segments of society.

The hosts agree that renaming ships during Pride Month is particularly insensitive and undermines the legacy of the honored figures. Amy reinforces the importance of recognizing diverse contributions to America's history, countering the narrow focus on a warrior ethos.

3. Ukraine Conflict and Russia's Nuclear Threats

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and Russia's alarming nuclear rhetoric following Ukraine's successful drone strikes into Russian territory. Denver Riggleman declares, "Ukraine won the war." (27:36), emphasizing the strategic advantages Ukraine has gained.

They explore Russia's revised nuclear doctrine, which now allows the use of nuclear weapons in response to conventional attacks—lowering the threshold for nuclear engagement. Amy McGrath summarizes, "They've lowered the threshold for when they say they could launch a nuke." (25:24).

Denver advocates for increased support and escalation from the US and EU, suggesting that Ukraine requires more advanced weaponry and financial aid to counterbalance Russia's aggressive posture. He uses vivid metaphors to illustrate the urgency, likening Russia's stance to that of a "beefier North Korea" and calling for a robust response to deter further escalation.

The hosts agree on the gravity of the situation, acknowledging that while Russia possesses extensive nuclear capabilities, active monitoring is essential to prevent catastrophic outcomes.

4. Whiskey Minute: Spotlight on Basil Hayden Bourbon

Transitioning to a lighter segment, Amy introduces the Whiskey Minute, featuring Basil Hayden Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, aged 10 years. She shares a personal anecdote about her husband bringing back a bottle from a distillery tour in Bardstown, Kentucky.

Denver Riggleman provides an expert breakdown of the bourbon's profile, explaining its high rye content and the resulting spicy flavor. He contrasts it with wheat-based bourbons, highlighting Amy's preference for the robust, peppery notes that make Basil Hayden stand out. Their shared appreciation for quality whiskey adds a convivial tone to the episode.

5. Federal Government Hiring Practices and Abortion Policy

In the Quick Shots segment, Amy and Denver address two pressing issues:

1. Federal Job Application Essays: The hosts criticize the Trump administration's requirement for federal job applicants to write essays demonstrating support for presidential executive orders. Denver sarcastically suggests using AI tools like ChatGPT to complete these essays, highlighting the performative nature of such loyalty tests (39:28).

2. Abortion Policy Changes: They discuss the Trump administration's recent rollback of Biden-era guidelines that mandated hospitals to stabilize patients needing emergency care, even if it involved performing abortions. Amy McGrath laments the erosion of protections for women's health, noting, "When I talked to conservatives, they would always say, I'm really against abortion, but not in the case of the life of the mother. What the Trump administration is doing now is basically saying, the life of the mother does not matter." (40:59).

Denver expresses frustration over Senator Joni Ernst's controversial remark, "we're all gonna die anyway," in response to questions about Medicaid cuts, labeling it as a demoralizing and dismissive stance toward women's healthcare needs (42:54). Both hosts condemn this outlook, emphasizing the administration's disregard for vulnerable populations.

Conclusion

Amy and Denver wrap up the episode with a toast to combating ignorance and affirming their commitment to uncovering and sharing the truth. They invite listeners to subscribe to their upcoming live show on June 10th, promising engaging discussions and spirited debates.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Amy McGrath

  • "It's dumb." (04:31)
  • "America is bigger than just our warriors. It's also freedom, equality, equal rights." (21:10)
  • "When I talked to conservatives, they would always say, I'm really against abortion, but not in the case of the life of the mother." (40:59)
  • "The life of the mother does not matter." (42:17)
  • "They're dumb." (22:33)

• Denver Riggleman

  • "These decisions are not based on any economic fact or scientific fact. They seem to be very spontaneous." (05:37)
  • "Ukraine won the war." (27:36)
  • "When you have somebody that's this morally loose, this ethically challenged..." (14:39)
  • "We're all gonna die anyway." (42:54)

Additional Resources

• Visit www.TruthintheBarrel.com for more episodes and updates.
• Subscribe to the podcast on your preferred platform and follow their YouTube channel for the live show on June 10th.

Timestamps Reference

• [04:31] - Discussion on tariffs being ineffective.
• [05:37] - Denver explains the self-inflicted nature of economic policies.
• [06:14] - CBO report analysis on tariffs.
• [10:25] - Impact of rare earth metals processing.
• [14:39] - Critique of Trump's ethical decisions.
• [17:46] - Renaming ships and its implications.
• [21:10] - Defense of naming ships after civil rights icons.
• [25:24] - Russia's nuclear doctrine changes.
• [27:36] - Denver's stance on Ukraine's progress.
• [39:28] - Federal job essay criticisms.
• [40:59] - Abortion policy changes discussion.
• [42:17] - Senator Joni Ernst's comment on Medicaid.
• [42:54] - Further critique of healthcare policies.

Cheers to another insightful episode of Truth in the Barrel, where truth meets tradition!