VINCE – SPECIAL: Vince's Best of 2025
Host: Vince Coglianese | Cumulus Podcast Network
Date: December 31, 2025
Episode Overview
This "Best of 2025" special episode features host Vince Coglianese’s signature mix of sharp political insight, humor, and commentary, compiled from the year’s standout moments on the VINCE podcast. With contributions from recurring voices like Justin G and Ben Shapiro, the episode offers highlights on the past year’s major political events, viral media moments, the ongoing border debate, overseas conflict, media bias, and government accountability. A brisk, witty energy carries through the episode as Vince and his guests analyze both the spectacle and substance of U.S. politics.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
A. "Daddy Trump," NATO, and Political Humor
[02:14–07:42]
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Clips from President Trump’s recent interactions with NATO leaders highlight international dynamics, Trump's unique rapport with world leaders, and the role of personality in diplomacy.
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Notably, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte (mispronounced "Ruda" here) jokingly calls Trump “Daddy,” creating viral media buzz and providing fodder for humorous back-and-forth between Trump, reporters, and the podcast crew.
“Then Daddy has to sometimes use strong language... Daddy, you’re my daddy.”
—Vince Coglianese and Justin G [05:29–07:28] -
Vince notes the positive reception of Trump by international allies and lampoons critics who bristle at the "Daddy" meme, framing left-wing outrage as further evidence it's working.
"Honestly, the more you get pissed off by it, the more I like it."
—Vince Coglianese [08:26]
B. “Alligator Alcatraz” and Border Security Debates
[11:00–20:05]
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Ron DeSantis’s “Alligator Alcatraz” immigration detention center in South Florida is dissected. Vince mocks Democratic outrage over supposed poor conditions ("gray" turkey sandwiches, proximity of sinks and toilets), emphasizing the detainment's deterrent purpose.
“If I had somebody preparing a turkey sandwich for me every day, I’d be in a much better situation. But I don’t have that. I’m not an illegal alien detainee.”
—Vince Coglianese [14:53] -
Democratic Representatives’ complaints about conditions—led by Debbie Wasserman Schultz—are met with sarcasm, as Vince questions whether their standards are out of touch with normal American life.
“Bathrooms do have... Toilets and sinks in the same room is not the most unusual thing ever. Whatever elitist life she's come from, maybe that's not the case.”
—Vince Coglianese [17:30] -
Contrasting Republican and Democratic visits: Republican lawmakers praise facility conditions and food, reinforcing partisan divides over border policy and humanitarian narratives.
“The food was so yummy looking in there that we’re actually hungry. I’m hungry. Yeah, I’m hungry. That's the truth.”
—Ben Shapiro [20:37] -
News of detainees choosing “fast track deportation” to avoid detention centers is seen as evidence of successful deterrence, with Vince tying these outcomes to Trump/DeSantis policy aims.
“It is inspiring illegal aliens to get the hell out of the country before they end up in Alligator Alcatraz.”
—Vince Coglianese [21:08]
C. Global Conflict: Israel, Gaza, and Geopolitical Moves
[24:11–27:09]
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Breaking news on IDF action against Hamas leadership in Qatar is analyzed with guest Ben Shapiro, who contextualizes the U.S. and Israeli response following failed negotiations.
“...Qatar has never been an honest broker in these negotiations... Has directly funneled billions of dollars to Hamas.”
—Ben Shapiro [24:43] -
Ben suggests the strike is less about hostage release, more a message that “no one is safe,” continuing the “consequences” theme.
“If you are a top member of Hamas and you refuse to turn over hostages...then you’re not going to be immune just because you’re sitting in Qatar while you’re doing it.”
—Ben Shapiro [26:09]
D. Domestic Crime, Media Narratives & Societal Trust
[27:09–33:54]
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Viral Charlotte train murder case leads to discussion about under-policing, media race narratives, and public trust.
“We do not actually have an over-policing crisis in the United States. We have an under policing crisis... where we release people onto the streets who are clearly dangerous...”
—Ben Shapiro [27:50] -
Coglianese and Shapiro critique media bias—suggesting selective reporting based on the race of suspects and victims perpetuates public misunderstanding and political divisions.
“...they’re tired of the media pretending that crimes don’t exist when the racial characteristics don’t fit their narrative.”
—Ben Shapiro [29:56] -
Impacts of suppressed stories and “Good Samaritan” crackdown on public willingness to intervene in emergencies are further discussed.
“You can’t sort of just react in a crisis. You have to train so that you do react in a crisis.”
—Ben Shapiro [32:10]
E. Book Segment: "Lions and Scavengers"
[33:54–39:15]
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Shapiro introduces his new book, delineating "lions" (builders, moral actors) vs "scavengers" (blamers, destroyers), applying this lens to societal and political conflict.
“There is a part of all of us that is a lion and a part that’s a scavenger...”
—Ben Shapiro [33:54] -
Discussion covers why left-wing activism forms strange coalitions ("Queers for Palestine") and the deep importance of religious/moral frameworks in preserving civilizational values.
“...the underlying moral system that lions rely upon is a faith based system, because there is no such thing as a morally absolutist system in the absence of a faith assumption."
—Ben Shapiro [35:46] -
Vince expresses ambivalence about the role of institutional destruction and reform, referencing Covid-era failures and corruption.
F. The Nature of Reform: Skepticism, Expertise, Replacement
[39:15–41:02]
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Both host and guest warn against blind destruction of institutions, urging evidence-based reform and replacement of broken systems with transparent, qualified alternatives—not populist chaos.
“You don’t trust the experts. And you also don’t trust the non-experts. You don’t actually trust anybody. You skeptically approach evidentiary questions and look for good answers.”
—Ben Shapiro [40:14]
G. Viral Memes, Shutdowns & Political Satire
[43:48–48:38]
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Viral “sombrero memes” involving J.D. Vance lampooning Democrats (esp. Hakeem Jeffries) are referenced, with Vince reveling in leftist frustration and failed meme attempts from Gavin Newsom.
"I make this solemn promise to you that if you help us reopen the government, the sombrero memes will stop."
—J.D. Vance [44:19] -
Vince mocks Democratic talking points warning of mass death from a government shutdown (Bernie Sanders, AOC)—framing their messaging as laughable and detached from reality.
“50,000 people. Are you serious? 100 bajillion people are going to die if Donald Trump gets to keep the government open for seven more weeks.”
—Vince Coglianese [47:23]
H. Massive Surveillance Scandal: FBI & Senate Spying
[51:35–54:13]
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Dan Bongino breaks news about Republican senators and a congressman being spied on by the FBI during Jack Smith’s “January 6” probe (Operation Arctic Frost).
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The timeline (post-Mar-a-Lago raid, mid-Trump indictment) is presented as evidence of political motivation.
“This is almost two months later. They’re casting this net, this fishing expedition against members of the Senate and the House... it should shock every American.”
—Sen. Ron Johnson [53:16] -
Vince underscores the scope and gravity of the scandal, raising hypothetical concerns about Democratic control and future weaponization of government agencies.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)
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"Daddy, you’re my daddy."
—Justin G/Vince Coglianese, NATO segment [07:20] -
“If I had somebody preparing a turkey sandwich for me every day, I’d be in a much better situation. But I don’t have that. I’m not an illegal alien detainee.”
—Vince Coglianese [14:53] -
"Bathrooms ... tend to have sinks in them. Toilets and sinks in the same room is not the most unusual thing ever."
—Vince Coglianese [17:30] -
“It's inspiring illegal aliens to get the hell out of the country before they end up in Alligator Alcatraz.”
—Vince Coglianese [21:08] -
"We do not actually have an over policing crisis in the United States. We have an under policing crisis..."
—Ben Shapiro [27:50] -
"There is a part of all of us that is a lion and a part that's a scavenger."
—Ben Shapiro [33:54] -
"You don’t actually trust anybody. You skeptically approach evidentiary questions and look for good answers."
—Ben Shapiro [40:14] -
“If that was funny, JD Vance would share it... The left can’t meme. They don’t have a sense of humor.”
—Vince Coglianese [45:35] -
"50,000 people. Are you serious? That’s 100 bajillion people are going to die if Donald Trump gets to keep the government open for seven more weeks..."
—Vince Coglianese [47:23] -
"They're casting this net, this fishing expedition against members of the Senate and the House... it should shock every American."
—Sen. Ron Johnson [53:16]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- [02:14–07:42] – "Daddy Trump", NATO summit, humor
- [11:00–20:05] – Alligator Alcatraz facility, border debates
- [24:11–27:09] – Israel-Hamas conflict update (with Ben Shapiro)
- [27:09–33:54] – Charlotte train murder, crime, media bias (with Ben Shapiro)
- [33:54–39:15] – Lions and Scavengers, civilization (Ben Shapiro book)
- [39:15–41:02] – Reforming institutions, skepticism, trust
- [43:48–48:38] – Memes, shutdown, Sanders/AOC
- [51:35–54:13] – FBI surveillance of Republican senators (Ron Johnson segment)
Conclusion
Vince closes the episode with gratitude for his team and audience, previewing a big year ahead (with a nod to Dan Bongino's imminent return). The episode stands as a sampler of the VINCE podcast’s style: irreverent political banter, pointed criticism, and a readiness to confront sensitive or charged topics head-on.
"What a cool year we had... We've got an exciting year in store. It's going to be amazing."
—Vince Coglianese [Closing remarks]
This summary encapsulates the key themes, discussions, and memorable moments in the "Best of 2025" highlight special, preserving the directness, wit, and political edge characteristic of the VINCE podcast.