Episode Summary: “Is This Why They Were Hiding The Evidence?” — VINCE, Episode 192 (Dec 22, 2025)

Host: Vince Coglianese
Podcast: VINCE, Cumulus Podcast Network
Air Date: December 22, 2025
Episode Theme:
A hard-hitting review and analysis of the Brown University and MIT shootings, criminal justice and immigration failures, large-scale benefit fraud cases, accountability for officials, and cultural/policy shifts under the Trump administration.

Overview

In this intense and fast-paced episode, Vince Coglianese unpacks the tumultuous week of news stemming from two campus shootings allegedly committed by a Portuguese national, explores the implications for immigration policy, exposes massive welfare fraud, and rails against officials and policies he views as fundamentally harmful to America. The episode is characterized by Vince’s trademark mix of sarcasm, directness, and exasperated wit, offering listeners both a detailed recap of events and strong political commentary.

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. Brown University & MIT Shootings: Breaking Down the Case

Timestamps: 01:30 – 15:00

Key Points

• Shooter Identified: Claudio Manuel Neves Valente, a 48-year-old Portuguese national, former Brown student, linked to both the Brown University shooting (2 dead, 9 injured) and the murder of a nuclear physicist at MIT.
• Suspect’s Death: Valente died by suicide as police closed in—tracked via attempts to evade detection (changing license plates, phone tactics).
• Critique of Authorities: Vince heavily criticizes Providence authorities for incompetence, withheld information, and lack of campus security, raising suspicions of a cover-up.
  • "We were spending all week talking about how just absolutely incompetent and buffoonish the authorities were..." (05:21)
• Motives: Connections drawn between the suspect’s physics background, his familiarity with the building, and a personal vendetta toward his targets.
• Immigration Twist: DHS Secretary Kristi Noem reveals Valente entered via the diversity lottery program—sparking an administrative pause on the program.

Notable Quotes

• Vince: "He does look like a killer… he’s just, he’s got the face case of one, that, that’s Claudio Valente." (05:48)
• Vince, on the lack of cameras: "Well, tell that to the MIT professor’s family. The lack of cameras in that building had nothing to do with anything. Well, that’s crap for a million reasons." (11:58)

Notable Moments

• [06:48] – Brown President provides background on suspect’s time at Brown (“he was here over two decades ago”).
• [11:41] – Vince and press confront the Brown President about security failures.
• [14:23] – Rhode Island AG admits shooter “made a barking noise” but was silent otherwise.
• [15:56] – Revelation: Shooter entered via diversity lottery; Trump administration moves to halt the program.

2. Welfare & Medicaid Fraud Unveiled in Minnesota

Timestamps: 20:00 – 29:00

Key Points

• Somali-Led Fraud: Vince dives into large-scale fraud by Somali nationals in Minnesota, amounting to possibly $9-18 billion stolen via fake Medicaid housing stabilization claims.
• Systemic Failures: Criticism lobbed directly at MN officials:
  • Governor Tim Walz (“Tampon Tim”), AG Keith Ellison, Mayor Jacob Frey—accused of turning a blind eye and retaliating against whistleblowers.
• Accountability: Vince demans not just the prosecution of fraudsters but of the officials who enabled the fraud.
• Comparisons: The sums stolen dwarf amounts needed for national projects (e.g., border wall).

Notable Quotes

• Joe Thompson, assistant U.S. Attorney: "Taxpayer money could be taken with little risk and few consequences." (24:04)
• Vince: "You can just morally blackmail everybody into not pursuing you for your fraud by saying they’d be racist for doing it, which is exactly what the Somali community did as they were fleecing American taxpayers." (24:13)
• Joe Thompson: "The magnitude of the fraud in Minnesota cannot be overstated. Staggering amounts of money that have been lost…" (25:08)

Notable Moments

• [21:41] – DOJ press conference on new defendants charged.
• [23:41] – Prosecutor explains “fraud tourism.”
• [27:30] – $18 billion in suspicious claims, “half or more” believed fraudulent.

3. Broader Immigration Enforcement & Additional Fraud Cases

Timestamps: 30:00 – 36:00

Key Points

• Food Stamp/SNAP Fraud: Recent busts of Haitian and Romanian nationals exploiting SNAP for millions in cash, using fake stores.
• **Vince rails against the “left’s” claims that welfare fraud is nonexistent, emphasizing personal financial cost to taxpayers.
• Other enforcement news:
  • Illegal Salvadoran MS-13 gang member in Virginia accused of multiple violent offenses, released and allegedly commits another murder after release due to local policy gaps and prosecutor inaction.

Notable Quotes

• Vince: "You’re getting your paycheck. And then you’re looking at it… and just to be clear, some percentage… is going to jackasses like this who came into our country not to be productive, not to contribute, but instead to destroy and to steal." (34:12)
• Vince, on food stamp fraud: “They ran fake stores… They converted all those food stamps into cash and then they spent it on luxury items for themselves.” (35:29)

4. Law Enforcement & Judicial System Failures

Timestamps: 36:00 – 51:00

Key Points

• Fairfax County, Virginia:
  • Local law enforcement policies led to MS-13 gang member’s release prior to allegedly killing again—despite ICE detainers.
  • Steve Descano, Soros-funded Commonwealth’s Attorney, repeatedly dropped prosecutions of dangerous offenders.
• Judicial Consequences:
  • Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan found guilty of felony obstruction for aiding illegal alien’s escape from courtroom.

Notable Quotes

• Vince: "You want to prevent an official from abusing their power? Demonstrate the consequences…" (52:18)
• Vince, on George Soros DA funding: "George Soros sins have a body count. People are dying in our country because of what he’s done to it." (44:26)

Notable Moments

• [42:46] – Local news exposes released MS-13 gangster’s violent history.
• [51:03] – News report and bodycam footage of Judge Dugan’s obstruction.

5. Child Protection & Health Policy Shifts

Timestamps: 52:30 – 56:20

Key Points

• Federal Ban on Transgender Procedures for Children: Trump administration & RFK Jr. announced prohibition on childhood gender transition surgeries and hormones under HHS.
• Voices Heard: Chloe Cole (transition regretter and activist) offers a personal testimony at HHS presser.
• FDA Head, Dr. Marty Makary: Condemns medicalization of gender confused youth as predatory and unsupported by evidence.

Notable Quotes

• RFK Jr.: “So-called gender affirming care has inflicted lasting physical and psychological damage on vulnerable young people. This is not medicine. It is malpractice… We’re done with junk science driven by ideological pursuits, not the well-being of children.” (54:01)
• Chloe Cole: “Every boy and every girl deserves to be loved the way that they were beautifully created in their mother’s womb…” (54:48)
• Dr. Marty Makary: “Let’s be honest… Pushing transgender ideology in children is predatory. It’s wrong, and it needs to stop.” (55:54)

Memorable Moments & Tone

• Vince’s Bulleted Outrage:
  • Repeats the “Tampon Tim” mockery and slams local officials with both data and scathing humor.
  • Accuses universities and bureaucracies of hiding embarrassing failures, e.g., “Millions of dollars a year to be a moron. That’s the head of Brown University.” (13:15)
  • Comedic digressions with Major, his dog, offering brief levity among grim topics.
• Audience Engagement:
  • He frequently addresses his audience directly: “This is what you voted for… a course correction.” (56:00)
• Final Encouragement:
  • Ends with gratitude, Christmas wishes, and commentary about the “course correction” and fight for American values.

Important Timestamps

| Time | Segment/Quote/Event | |:---------:|--------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:20 | Brown University killer confirmed dead; suspect background | | 06:48 | Brown President on suspect’s past affiliation | | 11:46 | Brown President questioned about campus cameras | | 14:23 | AG on witness statements (“barking noise”) | | 21:41 | MN Medicaid fraud prosecution press conference | | 23:41 | “Fraud tourism” explained (US attorney Joe Thompson) | | 25:08 | Thompson: “Magnitude of fraud… cannot be overstated” | | 34:45 | Gov. Walz reacts, “We will not tolerate fraud”—community notes| | 42:46 | WJLA on MS-13 gangster murder case in Fairfax | | 51:03 | News report: Milwaukee judge aids illegal alien’s escape | | 54:01 | RFK Jr. announces HHS ban on pediatric gender transitions | | 54:48 | Chloe Cole testimony | | 55:54 | Dr. Marty Makary commentary (FDA Head) |

Conclusion

VINCE’s “Is This Why They Were Hiding The Evidence?” is a whirlwind recap and analysis of high-profile violent crimes, immigration and welfare abuses, and a government response Vince deems finally effective under Trump—but long overdue due to years of official negligence and ideological capture. Blistering, provocative, and unfiltered, Vince’s voice dominates the episode, tying local stories to national shifts and urging accountability at all levels. This is essential listening for those tracking the intersect of crime, policy, and America’s cultural battles as 2025 comes to a close.