Summary of The Dan Bongino Show - Sunday Special with Nate Smith, Mike Benz, Mike Lee, and Michael Knowles (11/24/24)

In the Sunday Special episode of The Dan Bongino Show, host Dan Bongino welcomes a diverse lineup of guests, including country music sensation Nate Smith, Deep State expert Mike Benz, U.S. Senator Mike Lee from Utah, and Michael Knowles from The Daily Wire. The episode delves into a variety of topics, ranging from Nate's inspiring rise in the music industry to in-depth discussions on national security, political appointments, and media credibility.

Interview with Nate Smith: From Healthcare to Country Music Stardom

Overcoming Adversity and Embracing Music

Timestamp [03:26]
Nate Smith opens up about his dramatic career shift from a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) working in hospitals to a burgeoning country music artist. The turning point came in 2018 when a devastating fire destroyed his hometown of Paradise, forcing him to start anew. A friend's timely gesture of sending him a guitar reignited his passion for songwriting, leading him to Nashville.

Nate Smith: "I was down to $14 in my checking account and didn't really have a backup plan... but I ended up somehow signing a publishing deal with Sony and getting a record deal a year and a half later."

Achieving Success and Maintaining Authenticity

Timestamp [05:07]
Nate shares his exhilaration in achieving three number-one hits and signing with Sony. Despite his success, he emphasizes the importance of creating impactful music that resonates with listeners across America.

Nate Smith: "I'm making songs that are making an impact on people in America and trying to be involved."

Balancing Large-Scale Performances with Intimacy

Timestamp [09:29]
Discussing the challenges of performing in massive stadiums versus smaller venues, Nate highlights his preference for intimate settings that retain a personal connection with the audience.

Nate Smith: "I'm just having a blast. And the best part of the show, it's like we're doing this thing together. God, I love America, brother."

Patriotism and the American Dream

Timestamp [12:22]
Nate expresses his deep-seated patriotism and pride in his American identity. He views his journey as a quintessential American story, exemplifying resilience and the pursuit of the American Dream.

Nate Smith: "My story is like an American story, starting from $14, and I'm playing stadiums and all this stuff. It just shows that anything's truly possible in this country, man."

Personal Anecdotes and Fan Interactions

Timestamp [07:50]
Dan Bongino recounts attending one of Nate's concerts where Nate personally acknowledged him and extended an invitation to meet his family post-show. This gesture underscores Nate's genuine nature and connection with his fans.

Dan Bongino: "He shoots me a text. He's like, 'Don't worry about it. Bring your daughter, bring your wife.' And the guy could not have been nicer, folks."

Deep Dive with Mike Benz and Michael Knowles: Unmasking the Deep State and Censorship

The Deep State's Influence on Political Appointments

Timestamp [16:00]
Mike Benz provides an in-depth analysis of how the Deep State is exerting pressure on President Trump's administration, especially concerning nominees like Matt Gaetz and Pete Hegseth. He discusses the recent withdrawal of nominees like Gates and the potential backlash against remaining appointees.

Mike Benz: "The Gates bombshell today of him dropping out sends a shockwave into the security of other picks that are currently staffing the cabinet ranks."

Hacking and National Security Concerns

Timestamp [16:43]
Benz delves into a recent hacking incident targeting Matt Gaetz's lawyers, questioning the legitimacy and origins of the hack. He speculates on whether it was orchestrated by insiders within the intelligence community or third-party actors, highlighting concerns over national security.

Mike Benz: "There's only two ways that you can be a hacker in this country. You can be a felon or a fed."

International Censorship Laws and Their Impact

Timestamp [20:08]
The conversation shifts to international censorship laws, such as Germany's NetsDG and the EU's Digital Services Act, discussing how these regulations are shaping internet freedoms and impacting platforms like Facebook and YouTube.

Michael Knowles: "They're going to balkanize the U.S. at the State level in terms of the rules of the road for the Internet."

Future Implications and Strategies Against Censorship

Timestamp [26:02]
Benz and Knowles discuss the anticipated backlash from the Deep State and the strategies they might employ to continue enforcing censorship. They emphasize the need for strong diplomatic efforts and potential renegotiations of international agreements to counteract these measures.

Michael Knowles: "We are going to need strong armed diplomacy in order to threaten to fundamentally renegotiate our posture with things like NATO and the EU."

Dealing with Legislative Challenges

Timestamp [30:58]
The discussion transitions to legislative challenges, with emphasis on the REINS Act and budget reconciliation as tools to curb bureaucratic overreach. Senator Mike Lee elaborates on the importance of these measures in restoring congressional authority over budgetary matters.

Senator Mike Lee: "The only way we're going to get this bureaucracy under control."

Exclusive with Senator Mike Lee: Budget Reconciliation and Voter ID Reform

Opposition to the End-of-Year Spending Bill

Timestamp [31:34]
Senator Lee articulates his stance against the proposed end-of-year spending bill, labeling it as a "dereliction of duty" that perpetuates bloated government budgets. He commends House Speaker Mike Johnson for opposing the bill and advocating for a shorter-term spending package aligned with Trump administration priorities.

Senator Mike Lee: "It would be a real breach of trust with our voters... Speaker Mike Johnson has said that that is not what he wants."

The REINS Act and Legislative Reforms

Timestamp [35:16]
Lee discusses the REINS Act (Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny), emphasizing its critical role in ensuring that Congress retains oversight over executive regulations. He underscores the necessity of this legislation to prevent unchecked bureaucratic power.

Senator Mike Lee: "We ought to get back to the point where Congress makes the law because only Congress is empowered to make the law under the Constitution."

Voter ID Legislation and Election Reforms

Timestamp [43:02]
Addressing voter reform, Lee advocates for the SAVE Act, which mandates proof of citizenship and photo ID for federal elections. He criticizes Democrats for blocking such measures and highlights the importance of safeguarding election integrity.

Senator Mike Lee: "If you're voting in a federal election, you must, upon registering, show some type of proof of citizenship. This is not onerous."

Overcoming Filibuster Challenges with Reconciliation

Timestamp [41:13]
Lee explains how budget reconciliation can be utilized to pass essential legislation without the need for the 60-vote filibuster threshold, outlining the types of bills that can be reconciled and the strategic importance of this approach for advancing the Trump agenda.

Senator Mike Lee: "We are allowed under certain limited circumstances to bypass the 60 vote cloture standard through budget reconciliation."

Conversation with Michael Knowles: Media Credibility and Political Communication

Critique of Mainstream Media and Advocacy for Alternative Voices

Timestamp [46:43]
Michael Knowles discusses the declining credibility of mainstream media outlets like The New York Times and CNN, arguing that their biased reporting has disconnected them from the American populace. He advocates for incorporating alternative media voices into official communication channels.

Michael Knowles: "The media, if they don't have this sister soldier moment soon where they rip the band aid off and just start telling the truth dispassionately, they're not going to have an audience."

The Rise of Podcasting and Dedicated Audiences

Timestamp [50:09]
Knowles emphasizes the shift towards podcasting as a medium that fosters a closer, more intimate relationship between hosts and their audiences. He compares this to traditional media, highlighting the importance of credibility and integrity in building a dedicated listener base.

Michael Knowles: "Podcasting is an a la carte on demand exercise... a dedicated audience that can make things happen."

The Importance of Authentic Communication in Politics

Timestamp [55:21]
Knowles and Bongino discuss the effectiveness of authentic, unfiltered communication styles, exemplified by podcasts and long-form interviews, over scripted television segments. They argue that genuine conversations resonate more with audiences and build trust.

Michael Knowles: "We are not trying to like, date these guys... We're looking for people to enact the Trump agenda."

Final Thoughts: The Intersection of Media, Politics, and National Identity

Throughout the episode, Dan Bongino weaves together conversations that highlight the interplay between media credibility, political appointments, and national identity. By bringing together guests from diverse backgrounds—music, national security, politics, and media—the show underscores the multifaceted challenges facing America today.

Notable Insights and Conclusions

• Authenticity Matters: Both Nate Smith and Michael Knowles emphasize the importance of authenticity—whether in music or media—for building a genuine connection with audiences.

• Guarding Against Bureaucratic Overreach: Senator Mike Lee and Mike Benz stress the need for legislative reforms like the REINS Act to ensure congressional oversight and prevent unchecked power within the executive branch.

• Media Evolution: The shift from traditional media to alternative platforms like podcasts represents a significant change in how information is disseminated and consumed, with implications for political communication and public trust.

• Protecting Election Integrity: Voter ID laws and election reforms are underscored as critical measures to safeguard the democratic process against fraud and ensure legitimate representation.

Memorable Quotes

• Nate Smith:

  "I'm making songs that are making an impact on people in America and trying to be involved."
  [05:07]

• Mike Benz:

  "There's only two ways that you can be a hacker in this country. You can be a felon or a fed."
  [16:43]

• Senator Mike Lee:

  "We ought to do them with an eye toward presumptively confirming them."
  [37:52]

• Michael Knowles:

  "The media, if they don't have this sister soldier moment soon where they rip the band aid off and just start telling the truth dispassionately, they're not going to have an audience."
  [46:43]

Conclusion

This episode of The Dan Bongino Show offers listeners a comprehensive exploration of current political climates, media dynamics, and personal success stories that embody the American spirit. By featuring guests who provide expertise in their respective fields, Dan Bongino fosters a rich dialogue on the pressing issues facing the nation, encouraging his audience to engage critically with the information presented.