VINCE Podcast Episode 105

Title: Title change: What You Missed From The Putin Meet
Host: Vince Coglianese
Date: August 18, 2025
Podcast Network: Cumulus Podcast Network
Featured Guest: Michael Knowles (The Daily Wire)
Other Notables: Ed Martin, Steve Wyckoff, Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Marco Rubio, John Solomon

Episode Overview

This episode focuses on dramatic developments in global diplomacy, U.S. politics, and investigations into prominent Democratic officials. Vince Coglianese recaps President Trump’s high-profile summit with Vladimir Putin in Alaska, sets the stage for Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky’s arrival in Washington, and introduces new updates on grand jury investigations targeting prominent political figures. The episode also features a deep dive into the new Michael Knowles documentary on Pope Pius XII, insights into the rapid clean-up of Washington D.C., and a scathing critique of former FBI Director James Comey.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Personal Updates and D.C. Clean-Up

• [03:00–06:50] Vince shares a story about spending the weekend on the Potomac River, observing a cleaner and safer Washington D.C. and credits the Trump administration for removing homeless encampments and restoring order around the city’s landmarks.
• Quote: “It was for the first time in a long time there wasn't blight everywhere...they were able to walk into the museums with ease.” (Vince, 04:35)
• Vince pushes back against chatroom skeptics, emphasizing that homeless people have been moved into shelters: “They got all these homeless people off the streets. They put them in the shelters, they got them out of D.C.” (Vince, 05:53)

2. The Trump-Putin Alaska Summit

• [06:51–13:45] Vince describes the visual spectacle of Putin’s Air Force arrival, including B2 bombers flying overhead—a major symbolic flex from the U.S.

• Quote: “As Putin was stepping off the plane, they flew a couple of B2 bombers over the top of his head, which was totally awesome.” (Vince, 06:55)

• Vince plays President Trump’s post-summit remarks, highlighting progress but noting one unresolved “most significant” point.

  • Quote: “There are just a very few that are left. Some are not that significant. One is probably the most significant.” (Donald Trump, 07:49)

• Article 5-Like Guarantees: Vince and U.S. envoy Steve Wyckoff discuss the new security framework being proposed for Ukraine—a step short of full NATO Article 5, but with significant U.S.-European security guarantees.

  • Quote: “The United States is potentially prepared to be able to give article guarantees, but not from NATO; directly from the United States and other European countries. That is big. I mean, really big.” (Steve Wyckoff, 10:34)

• Analysis: Vince is cautiously optimistic, noting that both U.S. and Russian leaders affirm Ukraine will not join NATO.

• Putin Praises Trump, Blames Biden and Obama:

  • Quote: “If President Trump were in office over the last four years, there would have been no invasion of Ukraine. …I think that overall, me and President Trump have built a very good businesslike and trustworthy contact.” (Vladimir Putin, 12:46)

3. Zelensky’s Visit and the U.S.-Europe Diplomacy

• [13:46–18:12] Vince previews Volodymyr Zelensky’s new round of talks at the White House, joined by European leaders.
• The media’s “bullying narrative” gets debunked by Marco Rubio, who insists that European leaders' presence is not to stop Trump from pressuring Zelensky, but to ensure a collaborative peace process.
  • Quote: “This is such a stupid media narrative that they’re coming here tomorrow because Trump is going to bully Zelensky into a bad deal.” (Unidentified Trump Admin Official, 16:27)
• Vince highlights that a trilateral Trump-Zelensky-Putin meeting could happen within the week, depending on the success of these talks.
  • Quote: “If things go well here today, Monday...they could have a trilateral meeting with Vladimir Putin by the end of the week.” (Vince, 16:52)
  • Quote: “Pretty significant items, but I think they can be reached now. It's really up to President Zelensky to get it done.” (Donald Trump, 17:43)

4. Grand Jury and DOJ Investigations: The Ed Martin Updates

• [21:54–29:59] Vince shares clips and detailed commentary regarding Ed Martin’s investigations targeting Letitia James, Adam Schiff, and even members of the January 6th committee.
• Ed Martin’s Approach:
  • Quote: “When you lie and you cheat on one thing, chances are you're lying and cheating on a lot of other things as well.” (Ed Martin, 23:04)
  • Ed hints that grand jury inquiries will expand far beyond initial mortgage fraud—possible signals of systematic Democratic legal and political corruption.
  • Grand jury activity: Four are active in NY, VA, and PA; notably, none in D.C.—a move to avoid perceived local political bias.
    • Quote: “There are at least four grand juries currently doing work on the weaponization Russia collusion all the way through Ukraine impeachment investigation.” (John Solomon, 29:30)

5. Interview: Michael Knowles on Pius XII & Fake News

• [33:39–37:23] Michael Knowles discusses his new documentary ("The Pope and the Secret Vatican Files of World War II"), correcting the record on Pope Pius XII and exposure to “fake news” campaigns against the Catholic Church.
  • Quote: "If anyone ever were the victim of fake news, Pius XII would be pretty high up on that list. He's been called the silent Pope. He's been called Hitler's Pope by propagandists ... it's just bunk." (Michael Knowles, 34:19)
• Knowles contextualizes the need for deeper historical understanding, arguing propaganda and mischaracterization are pressing issues—then and now.

6. Washington D.C. Clean-Up & Political Optics

• [37:30–44:55] Vince and Knowles explore the politics of cleaning up the capital, Democrat backlash, and Trump's federal authority over D.C.
  • Quote: “D.C. already belongs to the federal government. It is a federal district... Trump is working within the confines of the Home Rule Act, taking over parts of the police department, as is his right.” (Michael Knowles, 39:06)
• Discussion of crime, quality of life, the importance of clean public spaces as national symbols, and Democratic resistance rooted in electoral politics (i.e., D.C. statehood debate).

7. Race, Voting Power, and the Baltimore/Oakland Problem

• [44:25–45:55] The hosts critique Democratic mayors' racializing of Trump's urban policies and discuss Republican inroads with black male voters.
  • Quote: “Trump won 1 in 5 black male voters in 2024... That’s a massive shift... The way that they’re choosing to respond... is probably wrongheaded, doubling down on racial grievance.” (Michael Knowles, 45:02)

8. Accountability for Russiagate & Public Attention

• [45:55–48:18] Knowles and Vince note the challenge of holding high-level officials accountable for “Russiagate” and related scandals, lamenting short public attention spans.
  • Quote: “If these people are not held to account... I promise you, they're going to do it again in 28 and 32 and 36.” (Michael Knowles, 47:46)

9. James Comey Critique: From FBI to Swiftie

• [49:15–53:00] Vince lampoons former FBI Director James Comey, who released a cringe-inducing video professing his love for Taylor Swift in an effort to avoid political accountability.
  • Quote: "You see, Taylor Swift and I go way back. I went to my first concert of hers 15 years ago. I've been to a second, and I have financially supported the attendance of a lot of family members" (James Comey, 50:01)
  • Vince uses a satirical “truth filter” to mock Comey’s priorities and persona, tying it back to earlier critiques of political distraction and lack of justice.

Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• 06:55: “As Putin was stepping off the plane, they flew a couple of B2 bombers over the top of his head, which was totally awesome." — Vince
• 07:49: “There are just a very few that are left. Some are not that significant. One is probably the most significant.” — Donald Trump
• 10:34: “The United States is potentially prepared to be able to give article guarantees, but not from NATO; directly from the United States and other European countries. That is big. I mean, really big.” — Steve Wyckoff
• 12:46: “If President Trump were in office over the last four years, there would have been no invasion of Ukraine..." — Vladimir Putin
• 16:27: “This is such a stupid media narrative that they’re coming here tomorrow because Trump is going to bully Zelensky into a bad deal.” — Unidentified Trump Admin Official
• 23:04: "When you lie and you cheat on one thing, chances are you're lying and cheating on a lot of other things as well." — Ed Martin
• 29:30: “There are at least four grand juries currently doing work on the weaponization Russia collusion all the way through Ukraine impeachment investigation.” — John Solomon
• 34:19: "If anyone ever were the victim of fake news, Pius XII would be pretty high up on that list..." — Michael Knowles
• 39:06: “D.C. already belongs to the federal government. It is a federal district... Trump is working within the confines of the Home Rule Act..." — Michael Knowles
• 45:02: "Trump won 1 in 5 black male voters in 2024... That’s a massive shift..." — Michael Knowles
• 47:46: “If these people are not held to account... I promise you, they're going to do it again in 28 and 32 and 36.” — Michael Knowles

Other Memorable Moments

• Vince recounts the story of a homeless Trump supporter who continues to back the President even after repeatedly losing his tent in city clean-ups (53:00–54:00).
• Mockery of James Comey’s Taylor Swift fandom serves as a sardonic highlight, offering levity and pointed cultural critique.
• Vince plugs upcoming radio segments and promises more updates on the Zelensky-White House meeting planned for the same day, noting ongoing coverage.

Summary Table of Key Segments with Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment Description | Key Participants | |-----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------| | 00:00–06:50 | D.C. clean-up and personal anecdotes | Vince | | 06:51–13:45 | The Alaska Trump-Putin summit: optics, Article 5, posturing | Vince, Trump, Wyckoff, Putin| | 13:46–18:12 | Zelensky & White House meetings, Europe’s role, “bullying” narrative debunked | Vince, Rubio | | 21:54–29:59 | Ed Martin on DOJ grand juries, Schiff & Letitia James investigations | Vince, Ed Martin, John Solomon| | 33:39–37:23 | Michael Knowles: Vatican files, Pius XII, fake news | Vince, Knowles | | 37:30–44:55 | D.C. politics: Democrats’ pushback, statehood debate, urban policy | Vince, Knowles | | 44:25–45:55 | Trump’s gains with black voters and Democrats’ response | Vince, Knowles | | 45:55–48:18 | Pursuing Russiagate accountability; public attention criticism | Vince, Knowles | | 49:15–53:00 | James Comey’s “Swiftie” moment; Vince’s satirical takedown | Vince, Comey | | 53:00–54:00 | Story of homeless Trump supporter “David Barnes” | Vince |

Tone & Language

The entire episode is delivered in Vince’s signature conversational, irreverent style: fast-paced, deeply skeptical of mainstream media, unapologetically pro-Trump, and interspersed with humor and personal asides. Michael Knowles brings erudition and historical insight, while Ed Martin and other guests punctuate the show with developments in legal and political battles.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode synthesizes the tense developments in international diplomacy (Trump-Putin and Ukraine peace efforts), rapid action in U.S. urban policy (notably the clean-up of Washington D.C.), and ongoing accountability efforts in the Justice Department. It features robust internal discussion, debunking of media narratives, and an extended, nuanced conversation with Michael Knowles—making it an essential listen for those following the convergence of U.S. domestic and foreign policy in the Trump era.

Listeners leave well-informed on the key outcomes from the Putin summit, the evolving Ukraine peace framework, the deepening of DOJ investigations, and enjoy insightful commentary on the symbols and politics of American civic life. All of this is presented in the forthright, entertaining style that defines VINCE.