Podcast Summary: VINCE — "Disney Caves To The Woke Mob" (Episode 131)

Host: Vince Coglianese (Cumulus Podcast Network | VINCE)
Guest: Matt Van Swall
Date: September 23, 2025

Main Theme

Vince Coglianese dives deep into Disney's decision to reinstate Jimmy Kimmel following protests and alleged acts of violence after Kimmel’s suspension and explores the wider theme of left-wing activism manifesting as threats and terror to influence media and political outcomes. The episode also touches on the political landscape going into the midterm elections and features a discussion with Matt Van Swall about political violence, forgiveness, and faith after the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Disney’s Decision to Reinstate Jimmy Kimmel — Left-Wing Pressure & Violence

• Overview:
  Disney suspended Jimmy Kimmel after insensitive comments about Charlie Kirk's assassination. Massive backlash from Hollywood and reported acts of violence led to Kimmel's swift reinstatement.
• Details:
  • Jimmy Kimmel was suspended after falsely claiming Charlie Kirk’s killer was connected to the right, which Vince calls "callous and stupid" [03:10].
  • ABC affiliates Nexstar and Sinclair dropped Kimmel, leading Disney to suspend him "indefinitely," which Vince notes was predictably temporary [04:12].
  • Hollywood protests, led by a letter with 400+ celebrities (e.g., Meryl Streep, Jennifer Aniston), pressured Disney [05:28-06:44].
  • Quote:
    “Disney folded like a house of cards... Kimmel just had a vacation for a week and now he's going back on the air as of Tuesday evening this week.” — Vince [04:12]
  • Vince ridicules the small, actual public support for Kimmel’s return — “There were five people. Literally five people and someone dressed as a dinosaur” [41:05].

2. Acts of Left-Wing Violence & Terroristic Threats

• Narrative:
  Vince details how acts of violence and credible threats followed Kimmel's suspension and were reportedly intended to pressure affiliates and Disney.
• Key Events:
  • Shooting at ABC affiliate in Sacramento; shooter left a note criticizing Trump and referencing officials and Charlie Kirk [13:32].
  • Sinclair affiliates received violent threats, causing cancellation of a Charlie Kirk tribute [20:44].
  • Quote:
    “The left has an assassination culture... the left has killers in its midst, people who will use acts of violence to compel outcomes...” — Vince [22:57]
• Critique of Media Coverage:
  The mainstream media, according to Vince, downplays or obscures the left’s violence while framing the reinstatement as a victory for free speech [25:02].

3. Interview with Matt Van Swall — Political Violence, Morality & Forgiveness

• Background:
  Matt is a former leftist turned conservative, now vocal about his change following recent events.
• Discussion Highlights:
  • Shock at the left's violent reaction to Kimmel’s suspension compared to muted response to Kirk’s murder [33:10].
  • Noting a “bizarre sense of morality” where violence against political opponents is justified by many on the left [35:07].
  • Quote:
    “The solution to speech that they don’t like seems to be violence... it’s terrifying.” — Matt Van Swall [33:29]
  • Vince and Matt discuss mass support for violence against figures like Trump and Musk, as shown in polls [34:20].
  • On responsibility: “You are responsible for the words... that raise the temperature of the arena.” — Matt [36:01]
• Forgiveness at Charlie Kirk Memorial:
  • The reunion of Trump and Elon Musk, and Erica Kirk’s public forgiveness, framed as a contrast to the left’s tactics [37:32].
  • Quote:
    “Public forgiveness like that is one of the most beautiful things to witness.” — Matt [37:32]
  • Increased church attendance and political activism among conservatives noted following Kirk’s assassination [39:26].

4. Contrasts in Faith & Political Values

• Observations:
  The left is described as suspicious of faith in politics; the right is characterized as faith-driven and predicated on forgiveness and free speech [40:33].
  • “You never see forgiveness at a Nazi rally... Turning up the temperature like this is something the left seems to continue to do.” — Matt [41:43]
  • Matt’s affirmation in his conservative change: “It's predicated on love, forgiveness, making sure more people can speak — I can’t look at that and think anything other than I'm on the right side.” [41:56–42:34]

5. Upcoming Midterms & Republican Political Advantage

• Key Points:
  • GOP polling strongly ahead on economy, immigration, and crime [26:56].
  • Democrats lack coherent message; Republicans urged to focus on Trump’s successful “law and order” agenda [27:22–27:39].
  • Quote:
    “A 22% advantage (on crime). Republicans, please, I beg of you... follow Trump’s lead here.” — Vince [27:39]

6. Autism, Tylenol, and the Government Response

• Summary:
  Vince covers the Trump administration’s new guidance on autism, highlighting a potential link between acetaminophen (Tylenol) use during pregnancy and increased autism risk, as cited by RFK Jr. and leading scientists at a press conference.
• Timestamps & Highlights:
  • President Trump on autism rates: “Just a few decades ago, 1 in 10,000 children had autism… now it’s 1 in 31” [46:20].
  • RFK Jr. dispels the claim that rising autism is simply due to improved diagnostics [48:05].
    • Quote:
      “If it were better recognition or diagnosis, you'd see it in 70 year old men. I've never seen this happening in people my age... You're only seeing it in kids. It's an epidemic.” — RFK Jr. [48:05]
  • New FDA guidance announced on acetaminophen use during pregnancy, warning physicians, and promising a public awareness campaign [50:50].
  • Vince critiques media and pharma for downplaying the risks and being conflicted due to advertising dollars [53:30].

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Vince mocking the return of Kimmel:
  “This is all insanity. This is like a hostage crisis. Nobody wants this outcome. And the worst possible outcome is occurring now.” [06:44]
• On Disney’s business acumen:
  “Is there a dumber company than Disney?... This is a full blown communist collapse for Disney.” [08:35]
• Matt on left-wing violence:
  “I think it's just a bizarre sense of morality where, you know, shutting up someone... is a noble deed in the world, and getting rid of that person is a net positive in their mind.” [35:07]
• Elon Musk on Charlie Kirk assassination:
  “He was showing people the light and he was killed by the dark.” (as recalled by Vince and Matt) [38:52]
• Vince’s frustration with the media:
  “The media are not serving pregnant women. They're not serving Americans... No, they are anti-science, partisan lunatics.” [55:10]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Disney & Kimmel Suspension/Protests: [03:10 – 09:00]
• Violent Threats at ABC/Sinclair Affiliates: [13:32 – 23:00]
• Discussion: Political Violence/Assassination Culture: [33:10 – 36:56]
• Forgiveness & The Charlie Kirk Memorial: [37:32 – 41:56]
• Faith and Politics on the Right vs. Left: [40:33 – 42:34]
• Polls & Midterm Forecast: [26:56 – 27:39]
• Autism, Tylenol, and Government Health Policy: [46:20 – 56:56]

Conclusion

In this episode, Vince Coglianese provides a fiery, unfiltered account of current political turbulence around media influence, left-wing activism, and the consequences of caving to activist pressure. The conversation with Matt Van Swall gives personal insight into ideological shifts and the value of forgiveness in the face of tragedy. The episode concludes with a critique of institutional blindness and conflict of interest in public health messaging — all delivered in Vince’s combative, satirical style, energized by memorable moments and sharp commentary.