Podcast Summary: Zero Hour with James Polis – Episode 68 | Was the Media Responsible for the Assassination Attempts Against Trump? Featuring Jill Savage

Introduction

In Episode 68 of Zero Hour with James Polis, broadcasted on October 13, 2024, host James Polis engages in a profound discussion with Jill Savage, a former sports broadcaster turned Blaze TV contributor. The episode delves into the tumultuous intersection of media influence, political instability, and societal chaos, questioning whether the media played a role in the assassination attempts against former President Donald Trump.

1. The Current Political and Media Landscape

Jill Savage opens the conversation by highlighting the unprecedented speed and intensity of recent news events, emphasizing the chaos that has engulfed the media cycle. She states:

“What do I have to do to get morale to improve? Because this has been the craziest news cycle that we have ever seen.” ([01:12])

The discussion quickly shifts to the overwhelming nature of continuous crises, from political turmoil to economic instability, compounded by rampant misinformation and disinformation. Savage attributes much of the current chaos to media manipulation aimed at discrediting prominent figures like Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.

Key Points:

• Media's Role in Political Instability: Savage contends that the media has actively worked to portray Trump as unstable and Harris as favored, creating a narrative that fuels public distrust and political polarization.
• AI in Media Events: James Polis raises concerns about the use of AI-generated humanoids in media events, suggesting that what appears to be large, human crowds are often artificial. Savage concurs, describing it as “terrible” ([05:17]).

2. President Joe Biden’s Presidency Under Scrutiny

A significant portion of the episode critiques President Joe Biden's leadership, with both hosts suggesting that his presidency is effectively nominal, lacking substantial policy implementation.

“Nobody's even talking about it right now.” – James Polis ([02:35])

Savage elaborates on Biden's perceived ineffectiveness, noting the absence of meaningful policies and accountability, and characterizes his administration as existing "in name only."

Key Points:

• Lack of Policy and Accountability: The hosts argue that Biden's administration fails to present clear policies or engage in substantive governance, instead relying on maintaining "vibes" without addressing critical issues.
• Media Makeovers: There’s criticism of efforts to rebrand and soften Harris's image without substantial change or policy backing.

3. The Fourth Turning and Societal Collapse

Savage introduces the concept of the Fourth Turning, a theory that suggests society undergoes cyclical periods of crisis leading to significant transformation.

“We're in a crisis situation right now. It started in 2008... for the next four years or so, we are going to be in economic hard times. We are going to be in political chaos still.” – Jill Savage ([11:38])

Key Points:

• Historical Context: The episode connects current events to the Fourth Turning cycle, indicating that society is deep within a period of intense crisis that began around 2008.
• Future Projections: The hosts anticipate continued economic and political turmoil, suggesting that the chaos will persist for the next several years before any substantial recovery or transformation occurs.

4. Trump’s Assassination Attempt and Media Response

A focal point of the episode is the near-assassination of Donald Trump and the media’s subsequent handling of the event.

“The assassination attempt on Trump has been gone for weeks now. They have pushed that story to the side.” – Jill Savage ([27:10])

Key Points:

• Media Suppression: Savage criticizes mainstream media for sidelining the assassination attempt, prioritizing other narratives over this critical incident.
• Family Perspective: Laura Trump shares her family’s distress over the conflicting reports and the initial denial by media outlets regarding Trump being shot, reinforcing the argument of media complicity or negligence.
• Doctor’s Confirmation: The eventual acknowledgment by Trump’s doctor that he was indeed shot underscores the media’s failure to report accurately and promptly.

5. The Intersection of Sports and Politics

Transitioning from political chaos, the conversation explores how sports serve as a refuge for the public amidst media-driven turmoil. Savage reflects on her own journey from sports broadcasting to political journalism.

“Sports has the ability to yet still bring people together, feel that community, feel like you're bigger than just your one self.” – Jill Savage ([20:28])

Key Points:

• Escape Mechanism: Sports are portrayed as the last bastion of competence and merit-based achievement, offering a unifying and non-political escape from daily news chaos.
• Political Overtones in Sports: Despite being a refuge, sports are not immune to political influences, with figures like Harrison Bucker and Dwyane Wade introducing political and social issues into the sporting arena.
• Impact of COVID-19: Savage recounts her transition from sports to media amid the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting how the crisis blurred the lines between sports and politics.

6. Technology, Media Manipulation, and Censorship

The episode delves into the role of technology giants like Meta (formerly Facebook) in controlling and censoring political speech, further complicating the media landscape.

“Meta came out and tried to label the Trump photo with his fist up in the air as misinformation.” – Jill Savage ([29:56])

Key Points:

• Social Media Censorship: Savage criticizes Meta for labeling genuine political expressions as misinformation, arguing that this suppresses conservative voices and distorts the public discourse.
• Google's Filtered Results: The hosts note how search engines like Google are manipulating search results to downplay significant events like the assassination attempt on Trump, replacing them with historical references instead.
• Impact on Public Perception: Such manipulations contribute to a divided and misinformed public, making it difficult for individuals to discern truth from fabricated narratives.

7. The Resilience of Donald Trump in Media

Despite media suppression, Donald Trump remains a dominant figure in the news cycle, illustrating his enduring influence and ability to capture public attention.

“Donald Trump is the chaos guy. He says things that are nonsensical at best. And we're going to give you the facts.” – James Polis ([08:14])

Key Points:

• Dominant News Figure: Trump continues to outpace other news stories, maintaining his status as a central figure in American politics and media.
• Truth Social and Media Strategy: Savage discusses how Trump’s platform, Truth Social, allows him to bypass traditional media filters, sustaining his direct line of communication with supporters.
• Comparative Influence: The conversation contrasts Trump with other media personalities like Tucker Carlson and Joe Rogan, highlighting Trump’s unparalleled ability to shape the news agenda.

8. The Future of Blaze News Tonight

Concluding the episode, Jill Savage outlines the mission and vision for Blaze News Tonight, positioning it as a beacon of truthful, insightful, and alternative journalism amidst mainstream media chaos.

“If it's a story that matters to our audience, we are going to do our very best to bring on the most intelligent people, the best sources that we can find to bring you solid information.” – Jill Savage ([41:37])

Key Points:

• Alternative News Source: Blaze News Tonight aims to cover stories sidelined by mainstream media, providing in-depth analysis and diverse perspectives.
• Focus on Hope and Solutions: The show seeks to offer not just headlines but actionable insights and hopeful narratives to inspire and inform its audience.
• Community Building: Emphasizing collective effort, Savage encourages listeners to join the movement towards reclaiming truthful and accountable media.

Conclusion

Episode 68 of Zero Hour with James Polis offers a compelling examination of the intricate web between media manipulation, political instability, and societal challenges. Through insightful dialogue with Jill Savage, the episode underscores the urgent need for alternative media platforms that prioritize truth, accountability, and community resilience in the face of pervasive chaos.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Jill Savage ([01:12]): “What do I have to do to get morale to improve? Because this has been the craziest news cycle that we have ever seen.”
• James Polis ([02:35]): “Nobody's even talking about it right now.”
• Jill Savage ([05:20]): “They know if they put policies out there, then people will attack her.”
• Jill Savage ([11:38]): “We are now seeing the catalyst moving us forward... for the next four years or so, we are going to be in economic hard times. We are going to be in political chaos still.”
• Jill Savage ([27:10]): “They have pushed that story to the side. We are still trying to cover that, trying to get to the bottom of that.”
• James Polis ([08:14]): “It's insane to see the news go from, we're going to tell you what the truth is... to confuse you so much that you're only going to have these kinds of vague feelings and memes to go off of.”
• Jill Savage ([20:28]): “Sports has the ability to yet still bring people together, feel that community, feel like you're bigger than just your one self.”
• Jill Savage ([29:56]): “Meta came out and tried to label the Trump photo with his fist up in the air as misinformation.”
• Jill Savage ([41:37]): “If it's a story that matters to our audience, we are going to do our very best to bring on the most intelligent people, the best sources that we can find to bring you solid information.”

Final Thoughts

This episode serves as a critical reflection on the pervasive influence of media in shaping political narratives and public perception. It calls on listeners to seek out alternative sources of information and remain vigilant against manipulative practices that undermine democratic principles and societal cohesion.