The Dan Bongino Show – “Follow The Money” (Ep. 2483)
Date: March 30, 2026
Host: Dan Bongino
Main Theme:
This episode unpacks the pervasive influence of money behind radical left-wing activism, analyzes the left’s dependency on open borders and government handouts for political dominance, and explores Donald Trump’s strategic instincts on issues ranging from foreign policy to government fraud. Bongino argues that the political and media establishment is disconnected from everyday Americans, and details the ongoing battle between grassroots reality and astroturfed activist movements.
Episode Overview
- Main Theme:
The show centers on the phrase “follow the money,” dissecting how massive sums flow through NGOs and political influence operations—primarily benefiting the radical left—and the implications for American politics. Bongino interweaves discussions of Trump’s consistent worldview, government fraud, new media’s leverage against legacy media, and the cultural disconnect between leftist movements and everyday Americans.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Opening Reflections – America’s Resilience, Main Street vs. Elite Politics
[05:00 – 09:30]
- Bongino recounts seeing an overweight man jogging, using this as a metaphor for regular Americans’ resilience and aspirations.
- He contrasts these everyday struggles with leftist activism:
- “Don’t give a shit about any of that stuff, folks. Frankly, they probably don’t know half of the people in Podcastan. All they know is work and providing for their families.”
- Advocates staying optimistic and proud of American liberty, even amidst doom-and-gloom political punditry.
2. “Follow The Money”—Exposing the Real Power Behind the Left
[15:00 – 24:00]
- Reveals the findings of investigative journalist Asra Nomani, who uncovered that over $3 billion funds a network of about 500 NGOs fueling radical activism under a faux-grassroots guise:
- “These 500 groups with... a $3 billion budget collectively... their political influence, their contributions, go mostly to the Democratic party.” (Nomani, [1:58:00])
- Argues these are not organic movements, but astroturfed “bullshit,” distinct from the lives of ordinary Americans.
3. Trump’s Consistency and Agency—Debunking “Dog Walk” Theories
[25:00 – 35:00]
- Plays an archival clip of Trump on Iran policy from the 1980s to show the former president’s positions have not changed.
- “He’s been saying the same thing since the 80s... just listen to him. You don’t have to listen to me.” ([26:18])
- Refutes notions that Trump is easily manipulated by foreign interests or donors.
4. The Left’s Real Agenda—“Anti-Anti Communism” & Hypocrisy
[35:00 – 43:00]
- Applies David Horowitz’s “anti-anti-communist” theory: The modern left acts not on principle but in opposition to whoever threatens their power.
- Highlights Trump’s knack for exposing leftist hypocrisy on social issues:
- Trump (on Fox):
“When I look at gays for Palestine... but they kill gays. They kill them instantly. They throw them off buildings. And I’m saying, who are the gays for Palestine?” ([38:30])
- Trump (on Fox):
- Bongino:
- “[The left] doesn’t give a shit about gay rights. They care about getting rid of you. They will throw gays overboard in a heartbeat to achieve power.”
5. Exposing Government Fraud—The “Nick Shirley Moment”
[43:30 – 56:00]
- Refers to Nick Shirley’s undercover exposes on welfare fraud, claiming it reveals systemic rot.
- Steven Miller (former Trump advisor):
- “In blue states... all these programs are operated on the honor system. No verification takes place before individuals are enrolled... Nobody would validate any of these facts before writing you a check.” ([45:15])
- Bongino posits that Trump’s administration uniquely recognizes and acts on this.
6. New Media Supremacy—Why Legacy Outlets Are Panicking
[56:00 – 1:01:00]
- Conservatives now dominate platforms like X, TikTok, Rumble—circumventing mainstream gatekeepers.
- Predicts a tidal wave of grassroots whistleblowers, creating “a thousand more Nick Shirley’s.”
7. Whistleblower Rewards—Scott Bessen’s “Genius” Fraud Incentive
[1:01:00 – 1:06:00]
- Highlights Treasury Secretary Scott Bessen’s new proposal: up to 10–30% rewards for whistleblowers who uncover fraud.
- Scott Bessen:
“We’re encouraging whistleblowers... and we will be giving rewards up to 10–30% of the fines that we levy.” ([1:03:45])
- Scott Bessen:
- Bongino: “Freaking genius... No admin before would have done this. They would have been afraid of the headline: ‘Vigilante rewards.’”
8. Open Borders + Welfare = Dems’ Only Path to Power
[1:06:00 – 1:16:00]
- Quotes Stephen Moore and others on the necessity of open borders for demographic advantage in blue states.
- For the left, success demands flooding entitlement systems with immigrants, not organic support.
- Explores criticism and demonization of hardline immigration advisers like Stephen Miller.
9. Democrat Hostility to Law Enforcement—Defund ICE, Reparations
[1:16:00 – 1:26:30]
- Features Congress members Pramila Jayapal and Joaquin Castro advocating not just to defund ICE, but to prosecute agents and offer reparations to those detained for illegal immigration status:
- Jayapal:
“They need to be brought before us, and we are going to have to have some form of reparation.” ([1:19:45])
- Jayapal:
- Media (e.g., ABC’s John Karl) expose the misleading Democrat narrative about ICE funding and TSA lines during the government funding debate.
10. The Disconnect—Elites vs. “Running Guy” & “Brooklyn Chris”
[1:26:30 – 1:37:00]
- Returns repeatedly to the motif of “running guy” and “Brooklyn Chris” (viral everyday Americans), showing how radical messaging doesn’t resonate with the nation’s majority.
- Shares vox pop interviews of ordinary citizens unconcerned with leftist abstractions, but simply wanting order, safety, and opportunity.
11. Astroturf Activism—Violence, Bullying, and “Paid Protesters”
[1:37:00 – 1:48:00]
- Asra Nomani highlights how NGO money drives manufactured activism.
- Features activist thugs bullying independent journalists at protests:
- “Because I’m a free American citizen, you dipshit. He doesn’t even have to be a reporter.” ([1:45:22])
12. Red State Migration—Blue States Bleeding Tax Base
[1:48:00 – 2:03:00]
- Covers new data showing tax flight from high-tax blue states (CA, NY, IL, NJ) to red states (TX, FL, TN).
- Pleads, humorously, that liberals not bring their politics to conservative havens:
- “We don’t want you. Please stay the out.”
13. Blue Cities, Failed States, and Populist Pushback
[2:03:00 – 2:10:00]
- Explains blue-state decay is concentrated in deep-blue cities—rural areas remain conservative but lack numbers.
- Plays Spencer Pratt’s viral mayoral debate response:
- Pratt:
“If we look at what Karen Bass was doing 20 years ago, she was in Cuba learning how to make bombs... I’m pretty proud of what I was doing at 20 on reality television. It was still TV versus trying to destroy America.” ([2:08:30])
- Pratt:
14. The “Trump Racism Hoax” and Leftist Media Narratives
[2:10:00 – 2:14:00]
- Critiques yet another media-driven accusation of Trump racism, this time re: military promotions.
- Dismisses it as manufactured rage bait, emphasizing the broader media strategy of painting Trump as out-of-touch with “normal” Americans.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Dan Bongino:
“The left doesn’t give a shit about gay rights. They care about getting rid of you. They will throw gays overboard in a heartbeat to achieve power.” ([41:50])
- Scott Bessen (Treasury):
“We’re setting up a website and we will be giving rewards up to 10–30% of the fines that we levy.” ([1:03:45])
- Steven Miller:
“Most federal benefits... the reality is that there is nothing. Particularly true in blue states... no verification...” ([45:15])
- “Running guy” motif:
- Ordinary citizens are “not lobbying for men’s penises in the women’s room or to defund the police... All they know is work and providing for their families.” ([08:55])
- Pramila Jayapal:
“They need to be brought before us and they need to be held account for the trauma that they have created. And we are going to have to have some form of reparation.” ([1:19:45])
- Spencer Pratt:
“If we look at what Karen Bass was doing 20 years ago, she was in Cuba learning how to make bombs... I’m pretty proud of what I was doing at 20 on reality television.” ([2:08:30])
Useful Timestamps & Segments
- Motivational Opening & “Running Guy” Story: 05:00–09:30
- Asra Nomani & NGO Funding Revelation: 15:00–24:00
- Trump Iran Consistency Clip: 25:00–27:30
- Horowitz’s “Anti-Anti Communist” Theory Explained: 35:00–37:00
- Trump on Hypocrisy in Progressive Movements (Fox clip): 38:30–41:00
- Steven Miller on Blue State Fraud: 45:15–46:50
- Scott Bessen’s Fraud Whistleblower Program: 1:03:45–1:06:30
- Pramila Jayapal & Joaquin Castro on ICE and Reparations: 1:19:45–1:22:30
- John Karl (ABC) Calls Out Dems on ICE Funding: 1:26:00–1:28:30
- Red State Migration Data Discussion: 1:48:00–2:03:00
- Spencer Pratt L.A. Mayoral Debate Clip: 2:08:30–2:09:50
Structure & Tone
- Language: Sharp, direct, often irreverent—Bongino uses blunt language and humor to emphasize points (“This is your party, bro... Take a bow, mother.”).
- Tone: Combative, energetic, populist, with moments of sincere personal reflection and motivational cheerleading.
- Style: Frequent use of stories/analogies (e.g., “Brock Lesnar bar fight theory,” “running guy” story, “Brooklyn Chris” interviews), interspersed with primary-source clips, and regular debunking of media narratives.
For Listeners Who Missed the Episode
This episode is a wide-ranging critique of left-wing power structures—arguing that big money, rather than genuine grassroots sentiment, fuels radical activism and that Democrats’ only route to power is via mass immigration and transfer payments. Bongino paints Trump as uniquely consistent and instinctually savvy on both national security and bureaucratic reform, and says the conservative base is now empowered by new media and an appetite for exposing government waste and fraud. He warns of a radicalizing left, increasingly out of touch with “regular Americans,” while celebrating the resilience and optimism he finds in everyday encounters.