VINCE Podcast Episode 113: Tragedy In Minneapolis
Date: August 28, 2025
Host: Vince Coglianese (Cumulus Podcast Network)
Episode Summary: In this episode, Vince Coglianese examines the tragic shooting at the Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis. The episode delves into the identity and background of the shooter, social and political reactions, media coverage, mental health discussions, and broader issues surrounding gun rights and cultural decline in America. Vince delivers his analysis with his signature candid, direct style, with strong opinions about social policy, mental health, media integrity, and the responsibilities of families and government.
Main Theme and Purpose
The episode centers on the Minneapolis shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School, perpetrated by a transgender individual, and explores its implications for American society. Vince scrutinizes the left's response, the handling of transgender mental health, media bias, and political leaders’ roles, arguing that cultural and policy changes are necessary to prevent similar tragedies. He frames the attack as both a spiritual and social crisis and calls for direct, sometimes controversial, action and reflection.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Details of the Minneapolis Shooting
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Shooter's Background:
- Robert Westman (legally changed to Robin Westman in 2019), identified as transgender, with the support of his mother and Minnesota law in 2020. [02:31]
- Vince strongly challenges the concept of changing biological sex and frames the shooter's transgender identity as evidence of mental illness.
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Attack Summary:
- Westman attacked Annunciation Catholic School during a back-to-school Mass, killing two children (ages 8 and 10) and injuring at least 17 people, most of whom were children.
- Used multiple firearms: a semiautomatic rifle, a shotgun, a handgun, and a smoke grenade. [05:00]
- Manifesto and hateful messages—admiration of the Sandy Hook shooter and open antagonism toward Christianity and Trump were found.
- Attack labeled as "spiritually demonic" given the church’s symbolism for new life. [04:40]
"There was something deeply demonic about this attack on children yesterday inside of that Catholic church..." — Vince [04:40]
2. Patterns and Broader Trends
- Vince claims an epidemic of violence committed by individuals identifying as transgender or nonbinary, referencing other high-profile incidents.
- Argues repeated "indulgence" of mental illness by society and parents has led to tragedy. Lists numerous recent attacks attributed to transgender/“gender fluid” individuals.
"It's an epidemic... Are you starting to see a pattern here?" — Vince [09:08]
3. Government and Political Responses
- Mayor Jacob Fry (Minneapolis):
- Criticized for attacking the “thoughts and prayers” response and cautioning against villainizing the trans community. Vince interprets this as an attack on Christians and as promoting “demonic religion.” [15:03–20:34]
“Don't just say, this is about thoughts and prayers. Right now, these kids were literally praying.” — Mayor Jacob Fry [15:03]
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Vince responds:
"Your first response is to attack prayer. You even said it in your answer that these children were praying inside of that church. Of course the nation would react with prayer." [15:45] “He projects hate onto you, he roots on the descent of the mentally ill and then tells you that you have to join him in that...” [17:47]
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Fry doubles down on CNN, reiterating calls not to villainize the trans community, which Vince sees as deflecting from the real issue of untreated mental illness. [20:07–20:34]
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Governor Tim Walz & State Officials:
- Walz, AG Keith Ellison, and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan are criticized for championing Minnesota as a “safe haven” for transgender individuals and “gender-affirming care.” Vince characterizes these stances as institutionalizing mental illness and harming children. [24:58–29:20]
"We are going to fight for the continued abuse of children. We are going to fight for the continued descent into madness..." — Vince (Paraphrasing AG Ellison) [28:02]
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Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan:
“When our children tell us who they are, it is our job as grown ups to listen and to believe them.” [28:54]
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Vince reacts:
"No, it does not mean that you accept every bad decision your child makes." [29:23]
4. Media Coverage and Criticism
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Vince applauds the New York Post for accurate gender reporting, quoting the shooter's regret:
“I'm tired of being trans. I wish I never brainwashed myself.” — Robin Westman (manifesto) [32:30]
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Criticizes The New York Times for referring to the shooter as “her” and feigning ignorance about motive. [34:10]
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Calls out ABC’s Aaron Katerski and CNN’s Jake Tapper for inaccurate, misleading reporting about the shooter’s motives and identity, suggesting deliberate bias to manipulate public perception. [41:26–43:54]
"The ABC reporter said something that was accurate. Kind of. Donald Trump's name appeared, but it was such a dishonest presentation of the facts that it's a lie by omission." — Vince [41:26]
- Ridicules media and politicians (Amy Klobuchar, others) for basic factual ignorance about firearms, conflating semiautomatic with automatic weapons to further gun control narratives. [45:09–47:20]
"She said, I don't know the details, but it was clearly one of those automatic rifles. You don't know the details. You don't know anything." — Vince [47:20]
5. Broader Social and Policy Lessons
- Mental Illness & Society:
- Continuous assertion that transgender identification is a symptom of mental illness requiring intervention, not affirmation.
- Calls for institutionalization and medical intervention, not “indulgence” or “valorizing” perceived delusions.
“Stop indulging mental illness. Stop advancing it. Intervene and help. We have to commit people to medical institutions when they're in need of this.” — Vince [12:00]
- Second Amendment & Self-Defense:
- Calls for armed defense in schools and support for “good guys with guns,” arguing that gun-free zones invite attackers.
- Quotes John Lott’s research on mass shootings being more effectively stopped by armed civilians. [13:30–15:00]
- Labels proposals to disarm the public as hypocritical, noting politicians maintain their own armed security.
"When seconds count, the police are minutes away." — Vince [13:40] "I deserve to be just as well protected as you are." — Vince [48:20]
- Parental Responsibility:
- Emphasizes role of parents to provide “guardrails,” not affirmation of every childhood whim or perceived identity.
- Expresses empathy for the shooter's mother but cites her choices as illustrative of a larger cultural trend gone awry. [50:20–52:00]
"As a parent, you have a duty to intervene. You have a duty to rescue your child, to put them back on the right path, not to enable their destruction." — Vince [52:00]
- Religious Response:
- Urges Christian leaders to reaffirm the Biblical concept of man and woman, and stand firm against cultural trends contradicting scripture. [21:30]
"This Sunday from every pulpit all across the country, Christian pastors, Catholic priests, everyone of faith should be standing up there and telling their flock that God created us, man and woman." — Vince [21:30]
- Call for Cultural and Political Action:
- Encourages “national uprising” and continued social resistance to gender ideology, especially protecting children from what he describes as medical and psychological harm. [30:15]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On the Mayor's Response:
"You attack people for praying... Of course the nation would react with prayer." — Vince [15:45]
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On Mental Health:
“...The crisis only became worse and ended up harming so many other people. There are so many obvious lessons here... stop indulging mental illness.” — Vince [12:00]
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On Media Dishonesty:
“The ABC reporter... leaves in the impression of the viewer that this guy was somehow a fan of Donald Trump when he desired the death of the President of the United States.” — Vince [41:26]
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On Parenting:
"No, it does not mean that you accept every bad decision your child makes... You need to help them take those steps down the path to their own improvement." — Vince [29:23]
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On Gun Rights:
“The majority of would-be mass shootings are stopped by good guys with guns... Nobody tells you that. I'm telling you that.” — Vince [13:40]
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On Government Protection:
“I deserve to be just as well protected as you are. It's as simple as that. And I can take that matter into my own hands.” — Vince [48:20]
Timestamps of Major Segments
- 02:31 — Overview of the shooter, identity developments, and shooting details
- 05:00 — The attack, motives, weapons, and casualties
- 09:08 — Pattern of violence by individuals with gender nonconforming identities
- 13:30–15:00 — Discussion of Second Amendment, gun-free zones, and self-defense research
- 15:03 — Mayor Jacob Fry lashes out at “thoughts and prayers”; Vince's reaction
- 17:11–20:34 — Further comments from Mayor Fry and CNN coverage
- 24:27–29:19 — Minnesota elected officials’ stances on transgender "safe havens" and gender-affirming care
- 32:30 — New York Post covers shooter’s regret about transitioning
- 34:10 — Vince criticizes the New York Times’ misleading reporting
- 41:26–43:54 — Biased and misleading media coverage by ABC and CNN
- 45:09–47:20 — Incorrect reporting on firearms (CNN and Amy Klobuchar)
- 50:20–52:00 — Parental responsibility discussion
- 54:57–55:41 — Crime improvement in Washington, D.C. credited to federal efforts; data presented by Mayor Muriel Bowser
Conclusion and Final Reflections
Vince closes this weighty episode by arguing that the Minneapolis tragedy represents both a preventable failure and a call for societal transformation. He advocates for honest conversations about mental health, parental responsibility, the dangers of valorizing delusional behavior, self-defense rights, and the importance of courageous leadership—both in government and the pulpit.
"I want this country to be great again. That's all I'm rooting for, and I know you are too." — Vince [End]
For listeners who missed the episode, this summary provides a comprehensive overview of the tragedy, Vince’s impassioned analysis, significant reactions from officials and media, and the broader cultural and policy themes threaded throughout.