Truth in the Barrel

Episode: This Week Unfiltered | 06.12.25
Release Date: June 13, 2025
Hosts: Amy McGrath & Denver Riggleman
Description: Amy McGrath and Denver Riggleman, military veterans and political enthusiasts from opposing sides of the aisle, delve into pressing national issues while sharing their passion for whiskey.

Introduction and Live Show Recap

Amy (01:16):
"Welcome to Truth in the Barrel. First and foremost, I want to thank everyone who joined us for the live show earlier this week. We had such a great time, great audience. It was really lively and inspired some pretty amazing discussions right then."

Denver (01:16):
"...it felt a lot shorter than an hour to me."

The hosts begin by expressing gratitude to their live audience and announce an upcoming live show scheduled for Tuesday, June 17th, encouraging listeners who missed the first session to participate in the next.

Trump’s Tariffs and the Impact on US Manufacturing

Amy (03:00):
"Trump's tariffs cause delays in equipment purchases. They cause total uncertainty. And this leads to, you know, less jobs, right?"

Denver criticizes the efficacy of Trump's trade policies, highlighting their detrimental effects on manufacturing, especially in the Midwest—the heart of American manufacturing that supported Trump's election. He emphasizes the lack of domestic supply chains, using the example of glass manufacturing critical for distilleries, which has shifted overseas to countries like Mexico, China, Italy, and France.

Denver (05:51):
"I think it's just this fundamental lack of how manufacturing works that is infecting the administration we have right now."

Amy (04:32):
"...prices are going up. It's a constant shifting of policy. And here's a fact, the manufacturing payrolls dropped by 8,000 last month."

They discuss how Trump's unilateral tariff imposition has not revitalized manufacturing as promised but has instead led to job losses and increased costs for consumers and businesses alike. Amy contrasts this with the manufacturing boom during the Biden administration, attributing it to strategic investments in electric vehicles and clean energy, which Trump is now reversing.

Amy (07:17):
"...since 2021, the region, the Midwest region, has added over 100,000 factory jobs. This was like the Biden plan. It was investments in electric vehicles, clean energy."

Denver mocks assurances from Democratic representatives that job losses are "all going to plan," pointing out the irony and failure of such claims.

Denver (08:12):
"...the plan is to lose manufacturing jobs."

The discussion underscores the hosts' belief that Trump's tariffs have done more harm than good, destabilizing supply chains and eroding manufacturing strength in key regions.

Threats and Harassment Against Public Officials

Amy (14:18):
"As if hurting the livelihoods of many of the factory workers that voted for him wasn't bad enough, Trump is now ramping up his threats to arrest governors, members of Congress, pretty much anyone who doesn't fall in line."

The conversation shifts to the increasing threats against public officials, citing a recent indictment of a congresswoman involved in overseeing ICE detention center conditions. Amy highlights the hypocrisy of ICE agents targeting lawmakers performing constitutional oversight.

Denver (16:37):
"...if saying we did great things after we destroyed ourselves is part of the news cycle and the media can't report on this honestly, we still go down the disinformation and propaganda rabbit hole every day."

They express concern over the lack of proper protection for congressional members and criticize the United States Capitol Police (USCP) for not taking decisive action against these threats.

Amy (22:53):
"...women officeholders were three to four times as likely as men to experience abuse targeting their gender."

The hosts emphasize the broader impact of these threats, noting that women and officials of color are disproportionately targeted, which poses a severe threat to democratic participation and the willingness of individuals to seek public office.

Trump’s Use of Military for Political Propaganda

Amy (30:23):
"How do you call everybody in the city of Los Angeles a criminal? She is a leader. She is one of our leaders of our country."

Denver discusses Trump's controversial use of the military for political ends, particularly referencing his speech at Fort Bragg where he used active-duty soldiers as political props. He condemns the erosion of military neutrality and the blurring of lines between military and partisan politics.

Denver (32:50):
"...cheers. Right. In a partisan way that's so profoundly out of touch with what we should share as American citizens, those values."

Amy laments the diminishing trust in the military, exacerbated by its politicization and involvement in internal conflicts like the Los Angeles protests. She worries about the potential loss of respect and trust for the military institution, essential for national security and unity.

Amy (36:47):
"...the leadership of our country and the language that we have allowed these leaders. It starts with language."

The hosts express deep concern over the radicalization within the military ranks and the lack of effective leadership to curb partisan influences, fearing it could lead to internal conflicts and diminish the military's role as a unifying national force.

Whiskey Segment and Cheers

Transitioning to a lighter topic, Amy and Denver honor the podcast's bourbon-centric theme by discussing their favorite whiskeys and celebrating positive developments.

Amy (37:20):
"Today I am drinking New Riff Kentucky Strait Bourbon whiskey. New Riff. I like it. It's very good."

They delve into details about whiskey production, specifically focusing on non-chill filtration and bottled in bond standards, educating listeners on the nuances of whiskey-making that preserve flavor and quality.

Denver (38:01):
"Chill filtration means that they actually cool the whiskey down to a very cold temperature before filtration because it takes out cloudiness... non chill filtration, you know, cheers to that because I think that's a more natural way of doing whiskey."

Cheer Section (40:04 - 51:07):

• Cheers to Mikey Sherrill: Celebrating Mikey Sherrell's victory in the New Jersey Democratic primary.
• Cheers to the United States Army: Honoring the 250th anniversary of the US Army and highlighting its contributions, such as the invention of SUVs, Ray-Ban sunglasses, bug spray (DEET), the EpiPen, electric razors, and Pringles.
• Cheers to Upcoming Events: Encouraging participation in the No Kings rally and appreciation for listeners joining the first live episode.

Amy (50:28):
"...the U.S. army and the Department of Agriculture developed dehydrated potato chips, which we now call Pringles."

The segment serves as a morale booster, shifting the tone from the intense political discussions to celebrating American ingenuity and leadership.

Closing Remarks

Denver (51:07):
"Cheers to our first live episode... subscribe to every single podcast we're on..."

Amy and Denver wrap up the episode on a positive note, encouraging listeners to subscribe to their podcast across various platforms and expressing gratitude for their audience's support.

Amy (51:44):
"Thank you for joining us. See you next time."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Amy (03:00):
  "Trump's tariffs cause delays in equipment purchases. They cause total uncertainty. And this leads to, you know, less jobs, right?"

• Denver (08:12):
  "the plan is to lose manufacturing jobs."

• Amy (14:18):
  "...Trump is now ramping up his threats to arrest governors, members of Congress, pretty much anyone who doesn't fall in line."

• Amy (22:53):
  "...women officeholders were three to four times as likely as men to experience abuse targeting their gender."

• Denver (32:50):
  "...cheers. Right. In a partisan way that's so profoundly out of touch with what we should share as American citizens, those values."

• Denver (38:01):
  "Chill filtration means that they actually cool the whiskey down to a very cold temperature before filtration because it takes out cloudiness... non chill filtration, you know, cheers to that..."

Conclusion

In this episode of "Truth in the Barrel," Amy McGrath and Denver Riggleman navigate through significant national issues, including the fallout of Trump's trade policies on American manufacturing, the alarming rise of threats against public officials, and the troubling politicization of the military. Balancing heavy discussions with their signature love for whiskey, the hosts provide insightful commentary, backed by data and personal experiences, while also taking moments to celebrate positive developments and American innovations. This episode serves both as a critical analysis of current political climates and a tribute to enduring American traditions and achievements.