Podcast Summary: The Dan Bongino Show – "Another BS Hit Piece" (Ep. 2498)
Date: April 20, 2026
Host: Dan Bongino
Co-hosts/Contributors: Justin
Main Theme:
Bongino delivers no-nonsense commentary on a new media “hit piece” against FBI Director Kash Patel, critiques mainstream liberal narratives, breaks down upcoming midterm stakes, argues for conservative principles in governance and economics, and highlights the dangers of government overreach – all while encouraging listener activism ahead of November’s elections.
Episode Overview
Dan Bongino opens the show with a discussion of a recent poll recognizing alternative media’s dominance, including his own show. The bulk of the episode centers on a scathing refutation of a hit piece targeting FBI Director Kash Patel published by The Atlantic. Bongino then pivots to the broader fragmentation of the news landscape, critiques on liberal policy, arguments over federal spending, the consequences of a possible “national divorce,” economic policy debates, and the stakes in the approaching elections. The show is punctuated with calls to action, personal anecdotes, and signature blunt, comedic invective.
1. Alternative Media’s Rise and the Bongino Show’s Success
Timestamps: 00:02–06:40
-
Bongino crows about a recent poll where his show performed well among 2024 voters’ news sources.
-
He stresses the importance of never taking one’s audience for granted in the new fragmented, choice-heavy media landscape.
"There are no intellectual days off... Do not ever take you, the audience, for granted." – Dan Bongino (05:45)
-
Brief mention of the Hollywood Reporter article on the end of shared media moments and audience loyalty.
2. The Atlantic’s “Hit Piece” on Kash Patel: Bongino’s Deep-Dive
Timestamps: 06:40–15:00; 48:49–49:00
A. Bongino’s Rebuke of the Atlantic Story
-
The Atlantic, written by Sarah Fitzpatrick, claims FBI Director Kash Patel is absent, drinking excessively, and causing concern among colleagues.
-
Bongino, who worked daily with Patel, calls these claims "BS," noting Patel’s documented presence and busy official travel schedule.
"Most of Kash’s schedule is official... You can just look at it and see where he is." – Dan Bongino (08:50)
-
Asserts the accusations are politically motivated, targeting effective Trump officials as with Pete and Bobby Kennedy.
-
Points to public data—crime reductions, major arrests, and opioid death drops—to demonstrate the FBI’s recent effectiveness under Trump and Patel.
"They have to take away a chit from Donald Trump who put these people in charge and got results no other president could get." (12:17)
B. Notable Moments/Quotes
-
Describes Patel’s daily schedule, visible both internally and on social media.
"He gets in at about 6 to 6:30, goes to the gym... stays till about 7 o'clock... The story is bullshit." (10:07–11:11)
-
Cash Patel’s response (Clip from Maria Bartiromo appearance):
"This FBI has the most prolific year in crime reduction in U.S. history... 20% homicide reduction, 20% drop in opioid deaths..." – Kash Patel (13:45–14:42)
-
Bongino reports Patel will sue The Atlantic for $250 million over defamation.
"Kash Patel filed that lawsuit for 250 million over its story on his... alleged drinking." (64:49)
3. Critique of Liberal Narratives and Policy
Timestamps: 17:20–47:59
A. Upcoming Midterms: The Stakes
- James Carville’s revealed strategy if Democrats regain Congressional control:
- Pack Supreme Court (add justices)
- Grant D.C. and Puerto Rico statehood (add Senate seats)
- Open US-Mexico border, mass amnesty
- "You want to get kicked square in the nuts in November ... then either sit it out or vote for Democrats." (17:48–18:00)
B. National Divorce: Debating Red Vs. Blue States
-
Plays and discusses a clip by progressive commentator Kyle Kulinski advocating a “national divorce,” claiming blue states would thrive.
-
Bongino rebuts with population and migration data: People are fleeing blue states for red ones.
"As if there isn't a real world experiment going on right now where people are leaving." (23:17)
"Liberals, please leave. Go to New York and California. We don't want you." (24:13)
-
Debunks claim that red states are net tax receivers by referencing Matt Palumbo’s analysis showing blue states get more federal money per capita.
C. Crime and Social Metrics
D. Wealth Tax and Economic Principles
-
Rips into leftist economic ideas, especially the idea of a “wealth tax.”
-
Quotes iconic thinkers for support—Margaret Thatcher and Thomas Sowell.
"There are no solutions, only trade offs... Three questions: Compared to what? At what cost? What hard evidence do you have?" – Thomas Sowell (34:21–35:16)
"You want to see wealthy people flee, take their money, their ideas, and their businesses with them? Institute a wealth tax..." – Margaret Thatcher (40:52–41:47)
-
Stresses the high income tax burden already carried by the richest Americans.
"1% of taxpayers pay between 30 and 40% of the entire income tax load... They pay double what they earn." (38:58–39:15)
E. Dangers of Innovation Exodus
- Warns about the negative impact of overregulation and confiscatory taxes on entrepreneurship and national security (using Elon Musk and Starlink, industrial robotics, space warfare as examples).
"If we can't win this unmanned systems battle... The United States could find itself under attack with no good solution." (44:50–45:03)
4. Geopolitics: Iran, National Security & NATO
Timestamps: 49:04–57:11
-
Raises alarm over Iran’s near-nuclear status as highlighted by a recent "60 Minutes" segment.
"UN inspectors believe Iran has close to 1,000 lbs of uranium enriched to 60%... enough for 10–11 nuclear bombs." (51:46–52:02–52:07)
-
Critiques Western/European hesitance in dealing with security threats, particularly in NATO, highlighting America’s outsized contribution.
"80%... of the work is done by us. They contribute, but not nearly as much as we do... NATO's the guy who shows up after you’re done moving—always there for the beer and pizza afterwards." (55:43–57:23)
5. Supreme Court Speculation: Possible Pre-Election Retirements
Timestamps: 57:37–62:21
-
Reports D.C. rumors about a potential Supreme Court retirement (Samuel Alito or Clarence Thomas) before the election.
-
Outlines the high stakes if this occurs for GOP turnout and the balance of the Supreme Court.
"You lose our two best guys... You're hoping you get them pushed through quick... We've been disappointed with Supreme Court appointments over and over again." (59:15–59:53)
-
Urges listeners to activate their networks (“10-10-10”) to mobilize voters.
6. Health Hack Segment: Easy Longevity Habits
Timestamps: 62:28–64:39
- Bongino discusses the benefits of high-intensity, short-duration exercise—specifically, doing 100 air squats per day—citing a Washington Post story.
"Two minutes a day – the easiest life hack ever... You change your whole life. You can live longer. It’s easy. It’s free." (64:09–64:13)
7. Closing Remarks and Calls to Action
Timestamps: 64:48–66:47
- Reiterates Kash Patel’s lawsuit against The Atlantic, the importance of continued FBI reform, and the necessity of not taking the audience for granted.
- Urges listeners to consume and share the show on Rumble (the exclusive home for their video).
- Ends with gratitude for the audience and a preview of more non-standard guests and health content.
Notable Quotes
-
On media hit pieces:
"The story is bullshit. They only want him out because he’s effective." – Dan Bongino (10:55, 64:49)
-
On upcoming elections:
"You have a choice. This is a binary. You have a choice. It’s not a perfect choice. Nothing is, but it’s a choice." (20:03)
-
On taxes:
"If you think taxes are such a great benevolent force... why don’t you... just donate all your money?... The government can surely spend it better than you, right?" (42:21–42:31)
-
Audience appreciation:
"The life you all have given me, it’s a gift. I will never take you guys for granted." (15:09)
Summary Table of Key Segments
| Timestamp | Segment | Main Points |
|-----------|-----------------------------------|-------------|
| 00:02–06:40 | Rise of Alternative Media | Polling success, importance of audience loyalty |
| 06:40–15:00 | Atlantic Hit Piece on Patel | Direct refutation, defense of Patel's record, lawsuit |
| 17:20–23:15 | Midterms & Dem Strategy | Carville’s plan: DC/PR statehood, court-packing |
| 20:46–26:04 | National Divorce Debate | Kulinski clip, Bongino’s rebuttal |
| 26:28–30:15 | Crime & Taxation in Red/Blue States | Local crime dynamics, tax myth debunked |
| 34:21–41:47 | Economic Philosophy (Sowell/Thatcher) | Principles of trade-offs, wealth tax dangers |
| 44:50–46:49 | Tech/Entrepreneurship & National Security | Drones, tech exodus concerns |
| 49:04–57:23 | Iran & NATO | Iran’s nuclear capabilities, NATO’s reliance on US |
| 57:37–62:21 | Supreme Court Speculation | Pre-election retirements, impact on turnout |
| 62:28–64:39 | Health Hack | Air squats, simple life-improving habits |
For Listeners Who Haven’t Tuned In
This episode epitomizes Bongino’s blend of hard-hitting rebuttals to adversarial media, culture war analysis, policy deep-dives, humor peppered with invective, and urgent appeals for civic engagement. If you want explicit anti-mainstream takes, defense of the Trump-era FBI, and a rallying cry for the conservative base, this is a representative entry. The episode also showcases the importance of independent media narratives, and includes practical health tips and a focus on regular, actionable ways to participate politically as the 2026 elections approach.
Listen on: Apple | Spotify | Rumble