VINCE Episode 156: "Biden Is Back: 'Democracy Is At Stake'"
Date: October 28, 2025
Host: Vince Coglianese
Guest: Michael Knowles (The Daily Wire)
Episode Overview
In this hard-hitting and candid episode, Vince Coglianese delves into the current political chaos in America, highlighting perceived dysfunction on the left, the rise of socialist leadership in New York City, and a spate of politically motivated violence. Special guest Michael Knowles joins Vince in-studio for an unvarnished discussion on political violence, spiritual revival, and the deepening rift between conservatives and the American left. The show blends sharp analysis with biting wit, aiming to make sense of America’s intense news cycles and tumultuous politics.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Societal Decline and Panhandling in America
[03:30 – 13:00]
- Vince begins with a personal observation on the dramatic increase in panhandling across U.S. cities, particularly in the Washington, D.C. area.
- Attributes the rise not only to economic hardship but to larger societal malaise and failed local Democratic policies.
- Quote: "It's a sign of societal decline. Don't you think that your community seems to be on the path towards degradation if the street corners are kind of third world filled with people begging for money? Not a good sign at all, actually." (Vince, 06:04)
- Provides an example of local government action: Loudoun County, VA passing an ordinance to curb street exchange of cash, resulting in decreased panhandling.
- Criticizes Fairfax County officials for failing to address the problem—asserts Democrats have “no sympathetic case for allowing panhandling.”
- Draws a broader connection between urban decay and political ideology—arguing that socialist experiments lead to “concentrations of wealth, utter corruption, and despair.” (12:00)
2. The Rise of Socialist Leadership: Zoran Mamdani as NYC Mayor
[13:00 – 19:00]
- Vince explores the potential election of Zoran Mamdani, a self-identified socialist/communist, as New York City’s next mayor.
- Suggests New York’s changing demographics and massive immigrant population play a role in this political shift.
- Posits Mamdani’s leadership represents a full assault on capitalism and American ideals, with the Democratic establishment enabling this shift.
- Quote: "Communism will wreck New York City and by extension, the United States of America. Just imagine, New York is the capitalist center of the United States... what Zoran Mamdani represents is a full blown attack on capitalism." (Vince, 16:10)
- Laments the city’s lost identity and mass exodus of residents with means as “refugees” moving to Florida and other states.
3. Democratic Weakness, Left-Wing Radicalism, and Political Violence
[17:16 – 32:00]
- Plays a clip of Speaker Mike Johnson denouncing the Democratic Party’s “radical insurgent movement” and the party leadership’s endorsement of Mamdani.
- Quote: "What we're witnessing is truly the End of the Democratic Party as we've known it. And even some Democrats are now saying that out loud." (Mike Johnson, 18:28)
- Vince asserts that moderates in the Democratic Party lack the strength to contain violent extremist elements, which emboldens radical actors.
- Highlights the endorsement of left-wing figures with extreme positions (e.g., defunding police, abolishing borders, ending immigration enforcement).
- Emphasizes a rise in “assassination culture” on the left, with reference to the murder for hire plot against Attorney General Pam Bondi and the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk.
- Quote: "The left has a assassination culture. If you've got 50% of lefties... who desire President Trump's assassination and could have justified it, it's no surprise that there are people putting out hits on Attorney General Pam Bondi." (Vince, 26:22)
4. Escalating Rhetoric: Comparing Trump to Hitler
[27:32 – 29:46]
- J.B. Pritzker and Joe Biden are both played making dire warnings about the erosion of democracy and equating current politics to the rise of Nazi Germany.
- Pritzker: "I haven't suggested that Donald Trump is Hitler. The dangers that we saw in, in, you know, Nazi Germany are the dangers that we need to react to now." (27:32)
- Biden: "Truth be told, our very democracy is at stake. In my view, we all agree that our politics is broken, that political violence... is out of hand, that America should be a place not of extremism and fury, but of decency and grace." (29:02)
- Vince rebuts, arguing these warnings are inflaming “weak and vicious minds” and that most violence is coming from the left, not the right.
5. Interview with Michael Knowles: Political Violence, Media Distortion & Spiritual Revival
[30:36 – 50:53]
Political Violence and Media Framing
- Vince welcomes Michael Knowles for a frank dialogue on assassinations and the left's rhetoric.
- Knowles cites data showing liberals more likely to justify political violence, especially among younger voters.
- Quote: "Very liberal people are eight times as likely to justify political violence as conservative people. It's getting worse as you look at younger voters." (Michael Knowles, 32:27)
- Both criticize the concept of "stochastic terrorism" as leftist overreach to police speech and silence political opposition.
- Knowles addresses how leftist violence is systematically excluded from official statistics and media reports.
- Quote: "It's clear the left doesn't commit political violence so long as you don't count the political violence the left commits." (Knowles, 36:43)
Law Enforcement and the Insurrection Act
- Vince proposes invoking the Insurrection Act to restore order; Knowles agrees decisive action is overdue.
- Quote: "We cannot continue as a country if our cities are burning. If you have radical, organized left wing terror ... we have tools at our disposal and I think they need to be used." (Knowles, 38:35)
The Biden Era, Spiritual Revival, and the Role of Suffering
- Both reflect on whether the Biden years have ultimately benefited America by convicting conservatives and spurring a spiritual revival.
- Knowles draws a parallel between bad leadership and spiritual chastisement, noting a spike in Bible sales and increased church attendance after Charlie Kirk’s assassination.
- Quote: "You really had a full mask off... stuff that we never thought in a million years could happen in the United States... Last November, most Americans went out and they voted for Trump... The classical Christian view... When God sends us bad leaders, it's to chastise us." (Knowles, 40:24-41:54)
- Discuss Charlie Kirk's legacy as a Christian martyr, importance of first principles, and renewed public interest in Christianity.
Donald Trump: Spiritual Complexity and Humility
- They discuss Trump’s spiritual journey and humility, arguing Trump is uniquely open about his flaws.
- Quote: "Trump is one of the most humble politicians I have seen in my life... he said, look, Charlie was better than me in this." (Knowles, 45:42)
- Both find hope and encouragement in Trump’s recent faith expressions and candidness regarding his own shortcomings.
6. Michael Knowles’ Congressional Testimony on Political Violence
[48:02 – 50:53]
- Knowles previews his upcoming testimony before Congress (2:30 PM ET), promising to hold Democrats like Cory Booker and Adam Schiff accountable for inflaming rhetoric.
- Quote: "We're gonna bring something to Capitol Hill today that is rarely there, which is facts and evidence. And we'll see what they have to say." (Knowles, 48:31)
7. Media Accountability & Karine Jean-Pierre Critique
[51:06 – 56:45]
- Vince unpacks how left-leaning media and Democratic officials are scapegoating outgoing White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre for years of misleading the public about Biden’s mental fitness.
- Quote: "Now they're looking for a way to excuse their own behavior... they're saying, well, we didn't lie to you. It was her, it was her problem." (Vince, 53:14)
- Plays clips of Jean-Pierre defending herself and invoking her identity (“black,” “queer woman”) as a shield against criticism.
- Quote: "I woke up every day very proud to be the White House press secretary... I woke up every day as a black woman who is queer." (Karine Jean-Pierre, 56:06)
Vince’s Response
- Vince lambasts this as an irrelevant defense, expressing frustration at identity politics being used to evade substantive accountability.
8. Closing Thoughts
[56:45 – End]
- Vince reiterates his belief that the American left is in decline, that new leadership and a return to first principles are needed, and expresses optimism about conservatives’ clarity and spiritual momentum.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Vince on panhandling and societal decay: "It's a sign of societal decline..." (06:04)
- Michael Knowles on left-wing political violence: "It's clear the left doesn't commit political violence so long as you don't count the political violence the left commits." (36:43)
- Vince on assassination culture: "The left has a assassination culture." (26:22)
- J.B. Pritzker’s warning: "The dangers that we saw in Nazi Germany are the dangers that we need to react to now." (27:32)
- Joe Biden: "Truth be told, our very democracy is at stake." (29:02)
- Michael Knowles on Trump’s humility: "Trump is one of the most humble politicians I have seen in my life..." (45:42)
- Vince mocking Karine Jean-Pierre’s identity defense: "Who cares that you're black? Who cares that you're queer? ... What are these irrelevant details?" (56:45)
Major Timestamps
- 03:30-13:00: Panhandling, societal decline, and local ordinances
- 13:00-19:00: Zoran Mamdani, NYC politics, socialist ascendancy
- 17:16-19:46: Mike Johnson’s remarks on Democratic Party radicalism
- 19:46-30:36: Political violence, assassination plots, comparison to Nazi Germany
- 30:36-50:53: In-studio interview with Michael Knowles—political violence, Biden era, spiritual renewal, Trump, future of conservatism
- 51:06-56:45: Karine Jean-Pierre’s media defense, identity politics, Vince’s rebuttal
Tone & Style
- Candid, direct, and unsparingly critical (especially of left-wing politicians and media)
- Sarcastic humor to underscore points of frustration or absurdity
- Earnest and optimistic when discussing conservative spiritual revival and first principles
- Engaged, conversational, and occasionally combative, especially in discussion with Michael Knowles
This episode of VINCE is a comprehensive, unfiltered look at the perceived unraveling of the American left, the complications of political violence, identity politics, and the hope of spiritual reawakening, all while maintaining a brisk, conversational, and at times, tongue-in-cheek tone.