"YOUR WELCOME" with Michael Malice

Episode #371: Owen Shroyer
Released: July 9, 2025
Host: Michael Malice
Guest: Owen Shroyer (War Room host, January 6th “martyr”)

Episode Overview

In this high-energy, wide-ranging conversation, Michael Malice welcomes Owen Shroyer for a deep-dive into American political reality, the repercussions of January 6th, the latest Jeffrey Epstein bombshells, and the ongoing transformation of right- and left-wing politics in America. Both dissect not only headline news and administration narratives, but also body language, PR crises, and the psychological fallout among political operatives.

The episode is packed with pointed observations, disagreement, sharp humor, and a mutual refusal to accept easy narratives—whether the topic is Trump’s response to the Epstein saga, the future of the MAGA movement, or the changing face of the Democratic Party.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Owen Shroyer’s Imprisonment and "Political Prisoners"

• [00:21-05:06]
  • Malice introduces Shroyer as a “January 6th martyr,” thanking him for his “service.”
  • Shroyer shares how he frames his prison time:

    “If this is my duty to serve the country, this is nothing compared to what my forefathers did serving in the military... If that's what it takes to save the country, I'd gladly do it again.” (Shroyer, 01:48)

  • Discussion of solitary confinement (“the SHU”), its use for both safety and punishment, and its political usage in high-profile cases like Shroyer, Ross Ulbricht, and Jacob Chansley.

    “When there’s not even the pretense that this is a violent person, it clearly becomes some kind of Soviet era type situation.” (Malice, 04:23)

2. The Epstein Case and White House Reaction

• [05:06-10:57]
  • Shroyer breaks news of a White House cabinet meeting where Trump, when asked about Jeffrey Epstein, angrily shuts down the topic and delegates to Pam Bondi, who then dismisses questions about any “client list.”

    “Now the latest we have from the White House is that Epstein was just a pervert with a porn stash. Wasn't an agent. Now shut up and quit talking about it.” (Shroyer, 07:51)

  • Both hosts express frustration with the lack of transparency, and examine why those with blackmail leverage would “flip” only now.

    “How can we sit here and be told... Epstein had cameras in all of his rooms... and then they just come out and say, oh no, Epstein was just a pervert pedophile and he had a giant porn stache?” (Shroyer, 10:24)

  • Malice zooms in on the contradictions, asking why high-ranking officials like Dan Bongino and Kash Patel appeared unconvincing and uncomfortable when forced to publicly toe the party line.

    “If they’re telling the truth, it doesn’t make sense, and if they’re lying, it doesn’t make sense.” (Malice, 12:44)

3. Trump Administration’s Shifting Narrative and PR Crisis

• [10:57-19:49]
  • Observing Trump being publicly “flummoxed” over Elon Musk and Epstein, a change from his usual composed style (“stable genius, steady hand”).

    “He was clearly flummoxed today when the Epstein file... was brought up. That’s not the Trump we’re used to.” (Shroyer, 09:08)

  • Body language and inconsistent messaging now apparent among administration figures (Bongino, Patel, Caroline Levitt)—interpreted as evidence of internal propaganda and lack of comfort with dishonest messaging.

    “They're not good at it. It's not what they're there to do. ... It's really a bad look right now, unfortunately for Trump.” (Shroyer, 17:23)

  • Notable mention that Levitt stopped wearing her crucifix:

    “She took off her crucifix. Now she doesn't wear it anymore... I don't think is insignificant.” (Shroyer, 16:38)

4. The MAGA Movement, Right-Wing Fractures, and Democratic Party Resurgence

• [19:49–34:25]
  • Fallout for Bongino: How can he return to media after being “the receipts guy” but overseeing no deep state accountability?
  • Permanent damage from the Epstein controversy compared to the “not fatal” MAGA rift over the Iran strikes.

    “This car crash scene of the Epstein debacle—this is permanent damage. ... I don't even think we can properly assess the damage yet.” (Shroyer, 22:22)

  • Malice disagrees that the fallout is “fatal,” arguing the news cycle and voter memory will bury the controversy, especially if “a ZoroN or Bernie type” runs in 2028.
  • Discussion on J.D. Vance’s silence and the “voter apathy” trend, with the America Party (Elon Musk’s creation) fueling disaffection on the right.
  • Prediction: Both parties will, by 2028, be defined by much younger, ideologically “purer” wings (“socialists vs. nationalists”), breaking from political decorum and embracing bold, polarizing stances.

5. Immigration, Economy, and Shifting Populist Rhetoric

• [36:04–43:30]
  • Trump triangulating on deportations: balancing enforcement with economic realities for farms and factories.

    “If a farm has 25% of its workforce that is a illegal alien... are you going to deport all the people that are actually willing to work these jobs?” (Shroyer, 37:05)

  • Discussion of welfare’s role in discouraging citizen employment, and the idea of taxing remittances (money sent by foreign workers abroad), particularly referencing India.
  • Malice and Shroyer agree this is tearing at the coalition unity on the right, while also missing a chance to deliver a knockout blow to the Democrats.

6. The Death of "Woke" Leftism and The Rise of Economic Communism

• [43:30–46:32]
  • Malice: “The woke fever is broken.” Both hosts see the Democratic Party veering away from social obsessions and towards economic leftism—full-throated socialism and communism.
  • Shroyer (sarcastically) welcomes the new division:

    “I'm kind of rooting for it to take over just because it's the future of American politics where it's basically socialists versus nationalists.” (Shroyer, 44:29)

  • Dispute whether leaders like AOC understand the actual economic consequences or simply don’t care about their impact.

7. 2028 Electoral Forecasts and Strategic Party Warfare

• [46:32-end]
  • Malice foresees the Democrats running a “perfect AB test” in 2026, using midterms to find the ideal 2028 candidate; he warns not to underestimate the party’s survival skills.
  • Both debate the chances of disruptive left-wing candidates (e.g., Mamdani) breaking through the Democratic machine in New York, culminating in a friendly wager.
  • Shroyer’s closing thoughts emphasize finally making the connection with Malice and hints at future collaborations.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “If this is my duty to serve the country, this is nothing compared to what my forefathers did serving in the military.” — Owen Shroyer [01:48]
• “When there’s not even the pretense that this is a violent person, it clearly becomes some kind of Soviet era type situation.” — Michael Malice [04:23]
• “Now the latest we have from the White House is that Epstein was just a pervert with a porn stash. Wasn't an agent. Now shut up and quit talking about it.” — Owen Shroyer [07:51]
• “If they’re telling the truth, it doesn’t make sense, and if they’re lying, it doesn’t make sense.” — Michael Malice [12:44]
• “He was clearly flummoxed today when the Epstein file... was brought up. That’s not the Trump we’re used to.” — Shroyer [09:08]
• “This car crash scene of the Epstein debacle—this is permanent damage. ... This is cars totaled. We’re still assessing the scene. We're still counting bodies.” — Shroyer [22:22]
• “The only thing voters hate more than wasteful spending is cutting it.” — Malice [28:22]
• “I'm kind of rooting for it to take over just because it's the future of American politics where it's basically socialists versus nationalists.” — Shroyer [44:29]

Important Segment Timestamps

• [01:48] — Shroyer on his mindset as a political prisoner
• [04:23] — Malice on the political use of solitary confinement
• [07:51] — Shroyer breaks the White House’s Epstein narrative
• [10:24] — Malice and Shroyer on insider knowledge and body language
• [16:38] — Noticing shifts in Trump administration officials’ behavior and symbols (the crucifix detail)
• [19:49] — Fallout for Dan Bongino and right-wing media figures
• [22:22] — Defining the Epstein situation as permanent, reputational damage
• [28:22] — Malice on fiscal politics and American voters’ attitudes
• [37:05] — Shroyer on the immigration labor crisis and pragmatism
• [43:30] — Malice on the waning of “woke” leftism and rise of economic leftism
• [44:29] — Shroyer’s forecast: socialists vs. nationalists as future of American politics

Conclusion

This episode offers a bracing, often darkly comic, and at times conspiratorial look at the American political landscape through the prism of scandal, shifting coalitions, and public trust. Both hosts obsess over false narratives, PR blunders, and the transformation of both the right and left. For listeners seeking a blend of political inside baseball, skepticism, and irreverence, this episode stands as a revealing snapshot of the new abnormal in American politics.