Truth in the Barrel: Episode Summary
Title: This Week Unfiltered | 07.17.25
Release Date: July 18, 2025
Hosts: Amy McGrath & Denver Riggleman

Truth in the Barrel, hosted by Amy McGrath and Denver Riggleman, delves into pressing political and social issues with the unique perspective of two military veterans who, despite their political differences, share a deep love for the United States. In the episode titled This Week Unfiltered | 07.17.25, released on July 18, 2025, the hosts unpack a range of topics from Trump's trade deal promises to government inefficiencies highlighted by recent Texas floods.

1. Trump’s Trade Deal Promise and Performance

The episode opens with a critical examination of former President Donald Trump's ambitious promise to close 200 trade deals within the first 90 days of his tenure. With 88 days elapsed, Amy and Denver scrutinize the actual outcomes versus the pledges.

• Amy McGrath [04:32]: "Trump promised 200 deals by now. How many do we have? We have three, three quote deals. And I'm like fake quoting, you know, whatever this is."

• Denver Riggleman [05:28]: Highlights the misrepresentation of trade deals, differentiating between true agreements and unilateral sanctions, emphasizing that "unilateral trade deal literally doesn't mean trade deal."

Insights:

• The hosts argue that the so-called trade deals lack substance, often being more about imposing sanctions rather than genuine agreements.
• The impact of these unilateral tariffs is discussed, including confusion and operational challenges faced by international businesses like Hyundai.

2. Government Fiscal Policies and Waste

The discussion shifts to fiscal responsibility and government inefficiency, critiquing the administration’s approach to budget cuts and waste reduction.

• Amy McGrath [10:09]: Points out the government's mismanagement: "Our government is incinerating 500 tons of emergency food, enough food that could feed 1.5 million kids for a week."

• Denver Riggleman [09:08]: Comments on the broader implications of governmental incompetence: "I always said stupidity is terminal."

Insights:

• The hosts highlight the inefficacy of budget cuts purportedly aimed at reducing waste, citing the destruction of essential resources as a glaring example.
• They discuss the minimal actual savings achieved versus the projected increase in national debt, criticizing the administration’s fiscal strategies.

3. Trump’s Shift on Ukraine Policy

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to analyzing Trump's recent policy reversal regarding military aid to Ukraine amidst its conflict with Russia.

• Amy McGrath [16:07]: Expresses skepticism: "Donald Trump hasn't put Russia on the Liberation Day tariffs. He's actually eased restrictions on Russia."

• Denver Riggleman [17:41]: Attributes policy decisions to ego-driven motives: "It's an ego fueled foreign policy... decisions based on ego."

Insights:

• The hosts debate the authenticity and effectiveness of Trump's new stance, suggesting that personal ego may be influencing foreign policy rather than strategic national interests.
• They question whether the promised support and deadlines for peace with Putin are rooted in viable strategies or political posturing.

4. Texas Floods and Government Response

The tragic floods in Texas serve as a case study for discussing government preparedness and response to natural disasters.

• Amy McGrath [28:55]: Emphasizes the preventable nature of the disaster: "If it's called Flash Flood Alley and they have documented flash floods and they know what the 500 flood plane looks like... you have to be prepared for them."

• Denver Riggleman [29:16]: Criticizes the administration’s approach: "Amy, I have a tough time, right, talking to sane and rational people about how there's no sanity or rationality in the policy decisions that are being made right now."

Insights:

• The lack of early warning systems and the failure to utilize allocated federal funds for disaster mitigation are highlighted as key factors contributing to the loss of life.
• The discussion underscores the broader issue of governmental cuts to essential agencies like FEMA and NOAA, which exacerbate the nation’s vulnerability to such catastrophes.

5. Media Consumption on Military Bases

Amy and Denver explore the influence of media preferences within the military, particularly the prevalence of Fox News and the implications for information dissemination.

• Amy McGrath [43:54]: Notes the lack of diverse news channels on military bases: "They have Fox channels. There's Newsmax, and there's abc, cbs, and NBC."

• Denver Riggleman [47:32]: Comments on the consequences: "If you only have one news channel... that's all you're going to watch."

Insights:

• The hosts express concern over the limited media diversity on bases, suggesting that reliance on a narrow range of news sources could lead to biased information consumption among military personnel.
• The Pentagon's ambiguous response to inquiries about mandated viewership is critiqued, hinting at possible underlying influences favoring specific media outlets.

6. Newsmax and Trump Media Alliance

The consolidation of pro-Trump media entities is scrutinized, raising questions about media ethics and potential conflicts of interest.

• Amy McGrath [48:42]: Criticizes the merger: "This merger is going to allow this far right propaganda to spread around the world."

• Denver Riggleman [48:42]: Draws parallels with hypothetical scenarios: "Imagine if there was Biden Plus and he had a great deal with Mother Jones... People would lose their mind."

Insights:

• The alliance between Newsmax and Trump Media is portrayed as a strategic move to amplify pro-Trump narratives globally.
• The hosts debate the ethical implications of such mergers, suggesting a potential for unchecked propaganda dissemination.

7. Whiskey Minute

Injecting a lighter moment, the hosts indulge in their shared passion for whiskey, showcasing Old Granddad bourbon.

• Amy McGrath [41:24]: Shares the history of Old Granddad: "Harry Truman... started his mornings, every morning at 5am with a shot of Old Granddad bourbon that, in Truman's words, 'got the engine running.'"

• Denver Riggleman [43:28]: Adds a personal touch: "Cheers to Harry Truman."

Insights:

• This segment highlights the hosts' camaraderie and appreciation for fine bourbon, providing a brief respite from the heavy political discourse.

8. Legislative Updates: Ro Khanna's Amendment and Base Naming

The episode concludes with updates on recent legislative actions aimed at transparency and social issues within the military.

• Amy McGrath [52:59]: Commends Ro Khanna: "Cheers to Rokhanna for trying to make sure that there's transparency in this and to break apart the conspiratorial thinking of the GOP."

• Denver Riggleman [55:11]: Applauds bipartisan efforts: "Cheers to Don and Derek."

Insights:

• The passage of amendments to release Epstein files and to bar the renaming of military bases after Confederates signifies ongoing efforts to promote transparency and address controversial historical legacies.
• The bipartisan support for these measures is noted as a positive step towards depoliticizing certain military and governmental functions.

Conclusion

In this episode of Truth in the Barrel, Amy McGrath and Denver Riggleman provide a comprehensive and unfiltered analysis of current political dynamics, governmental inefficiencies, and societal issues. Through their candid discussions and inclusion of personal anecdotes, they offer listeners a nuanced perspective on complex topics, all while maintaining their distinct but complementary viewpoints.