Smiling More & Laughing Less (At Trump's Comedy Routine) — with Todd Piro - 7-28-26

I want to make sure I understand this correctly. I was just looking at something about our podcast. And yesterday I had to leave the show midway through because I am, well, to put it better, to put it best, I am the king of all media in North Alabama, but I am also. The janitor of this place, as the operations manager of multiple radio stations, I spent the second half of my show cleaning up a bunch of water damage and nonsense, and now I can barely walk. But I look on here on my podcast, and one of the podcasts, Bugsie, explain this to me before we jump to Todd Piro. Is Dale a goblin-like creature? What the hell is that mean? I... So somebody yaffy knows said that their son was listening to you and he described you off of your voice alone as imagining you as some sort of goblin. And we tried to defend you and then ultimately our defenses were just agreeing. Yeah, well, if you saw me today hunched over and grunting and crying and sneezing and cursing, maybe they're right. Maybe I am some goblin-like creature. All right, moving on, let's get to a bunch of other goblin-like creatures, the American media. We got Todd Pyro here with us, who is not a goblin? You can see him every single morning on Fox and Friends First. This morning he joins us on Alabama. A&M's $350 million Bulldog Hotline, $350 million. That's the economic impact. the great state of Alabama gets from Alabama A&M. 238 million in North Alabama alone. And learn more at a.m.u.edu. Todd, speaking of goblins, like I said, did you go to the White House correspondence dinner yesterday? I didn't make the cut this time. And if I'm reading between the lines, it seems like the only people who went from Fox were like the D.C. people because the normal one, I mean, we send a huge contingent from all around the country. And it's expensive. Like they got to get hotel rooms for a number of days. And, you know, there, you know, a lot of travel from, especially in New York. But, you know, Chase Gallagher was there last couple years. So that's L.A. You just have people from all over. This time, you know, the room went from, I think, $2,700 to $600, something like that. And so no New York. It was only, only D.C. from the people that I saw in pictures. Do you smile enough, Todd? Do you find yourself smiling enough on television? Do you ever get told by your producers or management? Hey, Todd, smile a little more. No, because I'm a goofy BAS. I can't say the rest. Can I say that? You can say whatever you want, I guess. I'm a goofy bastard. Okay, yeah. Bastard's tame on this show. You can say whatever you want in that regard. But Trump bombed at this thing. He bombed hard. I've told my audience, I challenged them. I said, hey, if you can give me a moment where the crowd, like, legitimately laughs at something Trump is doing, I'll be more than happy to reward you with a WVNN-style t-shirt that we have. And nobody has...

No one's been able to pay that off. They've tried, and I went and looked and no. He bombed at this thing. I know you've been to a couple of these. Maybe polite laughter is given to some, maybe uproarious laughter here, but they weren't going to give Trump anything. Is that fair to say? Yeah, I mean, again, we have to remember those people still don't like him, whether it was a crowd of 2,700 in a big ballroom or a crowd of 600 in a small ballroom, you know. It's, what's that, you know, anything you multiply by a zero is still zero. So I think that's what we're facing here. You know, that's, I think there were a few things that I found entertaining. But, you know, I have to admit. Somebody very, very close to me in my family. He was a big Trump person. I don't want to say who, but said they didn't like his performance. So, you know, maybe next year. I like when he was there. Would it be easier next year if he didn't show up? Sure. I just want to make sure that when I come in town for this event. that he's there so I can stop by the White House and talk to him like I did in April before everything went down. Again, it's not about the presidency. It's not about the First Amendment. It's about me. And I want everybody there in Alabama to know that. That's the important thing. I didn't appreciate some of your colleagues who continuously... suggest that maybe they're the most important people that have ever existed on the planet and how important this is to honor journalism and all these other things by giving themselves awards. I do think that's an interesting way to look at it, but they've decided that Kaitlan Collins was worthy of an award. And I look back on all the stories she broke like that time she did the thing and there was that other one. And I look back on all the other stuff she did. It's just, you know, I think people outside, and again, it shouldn't even be for us. I mean, you guys, oh, it's a nerd problem. It's like, God, you guys are just dorks. I mean, there's really no other way to put it. It's just a bunch of dorks getting together. And I'm not suggesting you guys weren't cool in high school because I'm sure that room is full of alphas from high school and stuff. But man, you guys have been brainbroken. And I know I'm lumping you into this by the New York, D.C. elite media bubble. But maybe this should just be something where you guys meet in a dark room and have a good time. Well, admittedly, I don't like the event itself. It is a painful event. I'm not somebody who's like, oh, I get to dress up in a tux. No, that's an inconvenience.

I like wearing old shorts and a beat-up t-shirt. Like, that's Todd on his weekend. What I do like about this is the opportunity for, like, other events. There's a lot of networking that goes on. I'm not talking about last week. I'm talking about the real one that happens in April. And you go to the parties and you see people you haven't seen in a while and you, you know, reconnect. But. By and large, once you get into the vicinity itself, the Washington Hilton, you're in there like cattle. You're trying to connect with people, but you can't move, and they're giving these crappy drinks, and it is not a glamorous or fun thing. And then you have to sit through three hours of everything that you just set, which is the media patting themselves in the back. I mean, we never get an award at Fox. We ought to sit there. I mean, I remember two years ago, right? It was two years ago where the media gave themselves an award for saying that Joe Biden was in a mental decline. And I remember the Fox table, we have won. We had many Fox tables, but I was at one of them with some executives. And we're looking at each other like, dude, that was reported in 2021. Like the moment he entered office. And you're giving yourselves an award for something that was like early 2024. It's insane. Absolutely insane. And so. Sitting through that is a pain, trying to get in, trying to get out. You've got protesters protesting about who knows what. But again, it's one of those things that's a professional obligation. That said, there are other professional obligations I really enjoy. Like the fox tree lighting. I like that one. That one's fun. You know, you have some cookies. Yeah, you get in your, you see the tree lit and you have fun. That's a professional obligation. I like January, July 4th. Like I had a professional obligation. I had to work this year. 250. I went out on that awesome bark eagle, the Coast Guard cutter. That was a fun professional obligation. White House Correspondent Center is not that. Okay. That's fair enough. I think it's how most people will see it. Kaitlan Collins, what's her reputation, journalistically? I mean, look, I know this. She went to the University of Alabama School of Journalism, which I have suggested numerous times should be raised and the ground should be salted so nothing else could ever grow from there. She worked at the Daily Caller. She did a couple hits on Fox News, and now all of a sudden she is a liberal media darling. And I just wonder, is that, is her reputation one that she's doing a bit? Or is she highly respected in the business? Honestly, I know this is going to sound so arrogant and so elite. We don't really talk about the other people, unless it's the view because they say something insane, which they often do. But really, we're not talking about the celebrity of other people. We're Fox. We get all the ratings. People tune into us. The other people are, you know, fighting for the scraps at second and third. So if we talk about another media organization, it really is within the context of something inflammatory, something incendiary, something that requires comment. And that's the God's honest truth. Nobody's walking around these hallways like, there are Kaitlan Collins, you know, that's just not happening.

All right. So you only use them for content is essentially what you're telling me. 100%. Yeah, I don't disagree with that. I don't disagree with that at all. Okay, all right. Well, then let's move past this media conversation and get into some of the coverage. We talked about this last week. And I know you're looking at this from a very different perspective where you're living and things like this. I've been accused this morning of being a paid chill of the Data Center elite. So that conversation is still continuing here. We are watching in different states as data center ads are poking up in different places. Republicans like Tommy Tuberville seem to be embracing data centers and saying, hell yeah, we need to have more of them. Anyone disagreeing with that is just listening to the BS from China. And it seems like that's going to become quite an issue here. Still no. No concern for that in New York. And I'm not suggesting, meaning you guys don't care about it. I'm saying it's still not a national news story yet there. Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no. We did that today. We did the Fox News poll that just 70% of people don't want any these data centers anywhere near their towns. 70% is a real number. You know, 70% get your attention. So I think it's not just Alabama. I think it's beyond because you have to understand, like, Alabama is going to be pretty conservative. Obviously, you know, you guys know that. I don't need to tell you. And if they don't want these things, you have imagined that the Democrat, like we alluded to last week, they're trying to make their, I guess, one of their approaches in 2026 midterms, anti-data center. Well, you know, if the DNC tells New Yorkers to not like that a center. They're not going to like dentists. So you get that combo plus you guys. That's where you get at your 70%. Oh, yeah. I mean, I think that's true. And I'm sort of like honestly pro data center. I think a lot of the anger over this is overblown. I also believe that there's like a Chinese component to this because they want them. They want the data centers where they are. And they realize there's a lot of money that comes along with it and economic development and things of that nature. Not necessarily jobs, but the push against them is a pretty viable political tool. And you can also sow division in the country. But you're right. And this is my take. And I'm glad you're proud of that Fox Paul. I referenced it earlier. This is one of those rare issues where Donald Trump has taken. Let's say it this way. The 30 in the 70-30 position. Normally, he's on the other side, like on the transgender issue, for example. He's on the 70 side of the 70-30 issue. And in this particular case, he's on the 30. Do you see that changing? Do you see that changing at any point in time?

So long as China keeps advancing at an exponential rate and really catching up, if not passing us, no. Because look what he's doing with Iran. You know, he can't run again. He's not doing this for... I don't know. I saw him put a hat on, and your colleagues were very upset about that. He's not running again. So in 2028, he's gone. And so he's going to want to take care of China. He's going to want to take care of Iran. Two things he's doing right now. And, you know, he's not going to let himself be looked back upon in history as the one who let China get ahead. It's just not. Well, I'm hoping that's correct. And it's going to take a force of will where you basically just say, I don't care what you guys are saying. I mean, that's what's going to require in order to do that because I think the anti-data conversation is anti-Data Center conversation, I think is becoming super effective, super effective. And I'm kind of worried about it because I think it's kind of fact-free a little bit. But we are seeing some of that. All right. is about to start here it's kicking off we're getting ready to move into that but I have a random question for you at the University of Alabama the students there have put out a list of clothing for the fans to wear on this day you're supposed to wear black and on this day you're supposed to wear white which is The black is not a color for the University of Alabama, so I don't know why we're doing this. But people got pissed about this, openly pissed to the point where the school pulled it back and said, okay, okay, fine, wear whatever you want, essentially. Do you like the coordinated outfits for football games? If you're going to see the Giants or the Jets play, do you want to look up and see what color you're supposed to wear or do you want to be left the hell alone? It's funny you mention that. radio here in the city, and I guess the Jets are going to be doing a whiteout for the first game. And I think the commentary was like college teams do whiteouts, not pro teams. Penn State does that. You know, that's for kids in college, not for adults. We don't really do, yeah, the Giants don't, I've never had a team that has told me to dress in a certain color. That's just, that that's not a thing that teams do appear. And I would think that like a story program like in Alabama wouldn't do this unless it was like an integral part of a tradition like it is at Penn State. But, you know, times are changing. You know, everybody wants to sell gear and, you know, if maybe that's behind it. Also, the black doesn't make sense. Like, you guys have crimson and you have white. And that's it, right? Yeah, I would, if I would bet my entire house.

on the fact that there will never be a black University of Alabama Jersey that hits the field. I don't think it will never happen. Never. And so I don't get this either. It doesn't make any sense. I'm glad they're all pushing back on. All right. Todd Piro. Thank you. Oh, last thing. How are your boys going to do this year? How are those jets going to do? I have some inside Intel. I don't want to say who because I don't want to divulge my sources, but not great, not great. Better than last year. But, you know, all this talk of playoffs is that's not coming from inside the building, let's say. Are you a Jets fan, right? I'm a Giants fan. Oh, the Jets are going to be horrible. Okay, I said Jets. I meant Giants. I'm sorry. But yeah, either way. I think both are going to be rather bad. So congratulations to that. Here's a deal. 7 and 10, I think is a laudable goal. I'll be really happy with 8 and 9. Okay. Well, good. You sound like a Gator fan talking like that. The future is promising beyond that. Like, I just don't think it's this year. Okay. Okay, fair enough. There we go. Todd Pyro, thank you very much. Always appreciate him coming on. Fox and Friends First, always appreciate him making time for us to talk with us about anything from college football, the media, and people smiling. Yeah, you should smile more, guys. Hey, and that's just not a note for women. That's a note for everyone. You should all smile more. Except for Yavie, terrible smile. But everyone else should smile more. It's that simple. And anyone complained about it's a clown. Stay tuned. This is the Dale Jackson Show. What would you do if your online store converted 36% more shoppers? You could take 36% more vacation. Another pinacolada? Yes, please. Open a new retail location. With 36% more square feet. Fantastic. Hire 36% more help. You're hired and you're hired. Shopify has the world's best converting checkout, up to 36% better than other e-commerce platforms. What you do with those extra sales is up to you. Switch to Shopify today at Shopify.com slash listen and get a $1.5.com. slash listen.