The Dan Bongino Show (Ep. 2452): "Obama's Fixer Is Back In The News"

Date: February 13, 2026
Host: Dan Bongino
Guest: Congressman Brandon Gill (TX-26)
Producer: Cumulus Podcast Network

Overview

In this episode, Dan Bongino delivers his signature direct, sometimes profane political analysis, focusing on the shifting tides in major news stories, government accountability, border security, and the latest on the release of the Epstein files. Bongino asserts the media’s hypocrisy in covering scandals depending on partisan interests, details failures of government cooperation in a high-profile criminal case, and celebrates recent positive economic news. The episode also features an in-depth interview with Congressman Brandon Gill about immigration, welfare fraud, the challenges of assimilation, and the broader implications of open borders. Throughout, Bongino rages at media bias, institutional distrust, technology’s rapid impact, and the bifurcation of American political discourse.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Media Manipulation & Accountability

Timestamps: 00:02 – 14:00

• Ox’s Gourd Effect: Bongino opens by referencing a media bias he calls the “who’s ox’s gourd effect”—how media outlets flip their stance on sources/scandals depending on whom it politically hurts or helps. He points to shifting media narratives as more Democrats are named in the Epstein files.
• Epstein Files Release: Bongino is “elated” about the full release of Epstein’s files, attributes this transparency to President Trump, and condemns liberal outlets for downplaying Democratic connections like that of Obama’s former counsel, Katherine Rumler.
• Notable Quote:
  • “Now all of a sudden, they're not so much about accountability anymore.” (02:40)
• No Heroes:
  • “There are no fucking heroes in this story. You understand? Mistakes are made all the time. We're fallible people.” (12:20)

2. The Guthrie Case: Law Enforcement Coordination

Timestamps: 04:20 – 11:00; 13:00 – 15:00

• Bongino explains complexities in federal-local law enforcement cooperation, rebuffing TV-style notions that the FBI can simply take over local cases.
• Critiques Pima County, Arizona sheriff for not cooperating and not using the FBI’s forensic lab.
• Plays commentary from ex-police officer Randy Sutton, who criticizes unprofessional leadership and communication in the case.
• Notable Quote:
  • “We have a $12 billion FBI in a lab for a reason. Use it.” (03:20)

3. Media Bias and The “Red Universe” vs. “Blue Universe”

Timestamps: 33:40 – 38:40

• Bongino reviews a Media Research Center (MRC) study showing Apple News almost exclusively features left-wing outlets, deepening America’s partisan divide.
• Asserts this informational split explains why “your liberal sister-in-law” lives in a different (misinformed) world.
• Notable Quote:
  • “You live in basically two separate, completely different worlds, the red world and the blue world. And there's no intersection anymore.” (23:45)

4. Positive Economic News & Critique of Doom-and-Gloom

Timestamps: 15:00 – 17:30; 91:45 – 94:50

• Celebrates latest economic figures: robust GDP growth (4-5%) and CPI inflation numbers below expectations.
• Laments that the conservative “doom and gloom” crowd ignores achievements under Trump.
• Compares Trump’s economy favorably to Obama’s, noting Obama never saw 3% GDP growth.
• Notable Quote:
  • “The grade for me on the economy so far is a freaking A minus. And the only reason I say minus is because I know there's more coming next year.” (17:08)

5. Immigration, Law Enforcement, & Media Lies

Timestamps: 20:40 – 31:00

• Denounces media narratives about ICE targeting non-criminals or arresting people in hospitals/churches, calling them “bullshit.”
• Points to stats showing the majority of those deported under Trump had criminal charges or convictions.
• Raises the issue of Democrats seeking to ban ICE enforcement at polling places, suggesting an implicit admission that illegal aliens may vote.

6. Apple News, Disinformation, and Foreign Influence

Timestamps: 37:25 – 46:20

• Warns that closed media ecosystems (like Apple News) enable persistent misinformation, entrenching Americans in rival realities.
• Alleges foreign adversary influence—specifically the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)—amplifies U.S. divisions via information operations.
• Notable Quote:
  • “The threats out there, ladies and gentlemen—drones, the threats of AI getting out of control, the threats from hypersonic missiles, the threats from space—are real. They are not artificial.” (47:06)

7. Technology, Surveillance, & AI Risks

Timestamps: 47:00 – 56:30

• Discusses exponential advances in AI (referencing Matt Shumer’s viral blog), the rapid loss of privacy, and the coming trade-offs between liberty and security.
• Warns that widespread AI use in law enforcement/tax audits will render everyone a potential criminal.
• Notable Quote:
  • “Your kids are going to be living in a world where everybody is watching all the time. Everybody. You don't want them in handcuffs. Be very careful how you vote.” (57:30)

8. Elections, Voter ID, Filibuster Debate

Timestamps: 57:40 – 68:30

• Champions the SAVE Act (national voter ID), stressing broad bipartisan support and criticizing Democrats for opposing it.
• Asserts Democrats are poised to remove the filibuster if they regain the Senate, to enable election law changes and D.C. statehood.
• Highlights liberal reversals on the filibuster, playing historical clips of Democratic leaders calling it a racist relic.
• Notable Quote:
  • “If the Democrats take power in the Senate, they are going to drop the filibuster within probably a couple of months.” (60:56)

9. Race, Crime, and Border Security

Timestamps: 68:30 – 79:35

• Argues real racism is not voter ID but the toleration of out-of-control crime in minority neighborhoods due to failed leftist policies.
• Applauds plummeting violent crime and murder rates under the Trump administration, alongside declining illegal immigration.

Interview Segment: Congressman Brandon Gill

Timestamps: 82:54 – 102:09

Topics:

• Drone Threat & Military Readiness: Acknowledges growing congressional awareness about the warfare implications of drones and technology, but concedes the U.S. is behind the curve (83:34).
• Welfare Fraud in Minnesota: Details systemic failures that allow large-scale fraud among asylum populations, especially noting the combination of open borders and a poorly controlled welfare state (85:15).
• Assimilation & Multiculturalism: Argues for re-adoption of the “public burden” doctrine and full assimilation, citing low English proficiency among some immigrant populations as evidence of insufficient assimilation (87:20, 90:27).
• Political Implications: Notes open borders manipulate congressional apportionment, boost blue states, and facilitate illegal votes due to lax voter ID laws (93:14, 96:04).
• Filibuster Reform: Supports the idea of a true, talking filibuster—“If they're going to threaten to do it, make them actually do it... Let them make that case because that’s an argument that we will win.” (99:37)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On media hypocrisy:
  • “You guys gonna be honest about this stuff or not?” (11:00)
• On missing context for voters:
  • “You're not going to see that anywhere. You will see this however I want to. I got this Sky News clip about this horrific shooting up in Canada.” (39:49)
• On informative divides:
  • “Why would your liberal sister-in-law... throw you out of the house? Because she’s probably watching or reading Apple News where she's never heard the other side of the story. Which, by the way, is the truth.” (37:45)
• On Democrats and immigration:
  • “It is like a way of systematically rigging our elections in favor of the Democrats.” – Congressman Gill (93:14)
• On illegal voting:
  • “If illegal aliens aren't voting in our elections, then why does it matter if Immigration and Customs Enforcement is enforcing immigration law at polling places?” - quoting Sean Farish (28:00)
• On technological threats:
  • “Be very careful how you vote... Your kids are going to be living in a world where everybody is watching all the time. Everybody. You don't want them in handcuffs.” (57:30)
• On voter ID criticism:
  • “76% of black voters think we should show an ID to vote... Are you saying that black voters... are too dumb to know what’s good for them?... It sounds pretty condescending.” (64:12)
• On political messaging:
  • “How are the Republicans losing on this issue? The answer is... Apple News. The Democrats aren't reading any conservative media outlets.” (91:45)

Structure & Timestamps for Key Segments

• Media manipulation/Epstein files: 00:02 – 13:00
• Guthrie case – law enforcement cooperation: 04:20 – 11:00
• Good economic news: 15:00 – 17:30
• Immigration/ICE narrative: 20:40 – 31:00
• Red vs Blue universe; Apple News bias: 33:40 – 38:40
• Foreign disinformation & information warfare: 37:25 – 46:20
• Rapid AI change & personal privacy: 47:00 – 56:30
• Election reforms, filibuster debate: 57:40 – 68:30
• Race, crime, border policy: 68:30 – 79:35
• Congressman Brandon Gill interview: 82:54 – 102:09

In Closing

Dan Bongino’s show continues to be an aggressive, culture-war-centric news and opinion platform, blending law enforcement experience with unabashed conservative commentary. This episode crystallizes concerns about media bias, governmental dysfunction, surveillance technology, and the prospects for conservative policy wins if procedural hurdles (like the filibuster) are removed. The episode’s interview with Congressman Brandon Gill brings granular policy analysis and an unfiltered assessment of both the immigration system and the tactics used, overtly or subtly, to maintain Democratic electoral advantages.

For listeners seeking a punchy, unvarnished conservative take—complete with behind-the-scenes insight and no shortage of expletives—this episode delivers across multiple hot-button political fronts.