Timcast IRL · October 8, 2025 · 2h 0m

LEAKED Memo Says NO BACK PAY For Federal Workers Amid Government Shutdown w/ Matt Gaetz, Dave DeCamp, Curtis Mills

Featuring: Matt Gaetz, Dave DeCamp, Curtis Mills

politicsgovernmenteconomynewsmedia

Episode Recap

In this Timcast IRL episode guest-hosted by Matt Gaetz with Tim Pool and co-hosts, the panel engaged in a spirited discussion about the ongoing government shutdown and its real-world impacts on American citizens. The conversation centered on who bears responsibility for the shutdown, with Phil Labonte arguing that ordinary Americans are the primary losers when government services are disrupted. The discussion explored the political messaging battle around the shutdown, noting the peculiar dynamic where Republicans are blamed despite Democrats initiating the crisis over policy demands. The panel also delved into the Obamacare tax credit cliff that occurred simultaneously, with critical analysis of Democratic messaging strategies. A significant portion of the episode addressed the October 7th anniversary of events between the U.S. and Israel, alongside the Candace Owens-Charlie Kirk controversy regarding text messages about U.S.-Israel policy. International affairs were discussed, including situations in Somalia, Venezuela, and Ukraine. The Bearskin sponsor segment featured winter gear promotions with a 60% discount offer.

TL;DR

  • →Government shutdown debate: Phil Labonte argues Americans relying on government services are the real losers, citing VA payments, TSA delays, and air traffic control impacts
  • →Political messaging analysis: Panel explores why Republicans get blamed for shutdowns even when Democrats initiate them over policy demands
  • →Obamacare tax credit cliff: Discussion of how Democrats designed credits to expire and are now blaming Republicans for the resulting increases
  • →October 7th anniversary: Conversation about U.S.-Israel relationship policy in light of Candace Owens releasing text messages with Charlie Kirk
  • →International affairs roundup: Mentions of U.S. involvement in Somalia, Venezuela, and Ukraine as part of global policy discussion
  • →Senate procedural constraints: Explanation that 60 votes are needed in Senate for most legislation, making unilateral Republican action on shutdown impossible

Key Moments

  • 0:00
    Opening and Introductions
    Matt Gates guest hosts with introductions of Dave DeCamp, Curt Mills, Phil Labonte, and Alad Eliahu
  • 12:00
    Shutdown Analysis Begins
    Phil Labonte explains why Americans are the losers in government shutdowns
  • 18:00
    Political Messaging Debate
    Discussion of why Republicans are blamed despite Democrats initiating the shutdown
  • 28:00
    Obamacare Credits Discussion
    Analysis of the tax credit cliff and Democratic messaging strategy
  • 38:00
    International Affairs
    Coverage of Somalia, Venezuela, Ukraine, and U.S. foreign policy

Notable Quotes

“The government can't do bad things generally, but if you really take an honest look at it, if the government's shut down, that doesn't mean that the military is not doing stuff. That doesn't mean that you're going to stop paying taxes or there's going to be like a two or three week break. So really, it's theater.”

— Phil Labonte · shutdown analysis

“There's the Obamacare rugpole, which, by the way, so rich that Democrats are blaming congressional Republicans for a cliff in credits that they set up. Like, it's not like Republicans picked this day in history and said, this will be the day that the Obamacare credits... and it was designed this way by the Democrats.”

— Matt Gates · Obamacare criticism

“I think if you had to put a finger on why the Republicans are getting blamed with the Democrats is because there's an impression of Republican power right now because the Democrats are invisible. And so the sort of eyes glazed just scrolling through whatever is that Trump is the president.”

— Curt Mills · political messaging analysis

“I would like to say that the Democrats lose because they're the ones that kind of initiated it unnecessarily.”

— Phil Labonte · shutdown blame assessment

“Trump is being blamed for having not done something, keeping the government open, that he cannot do without the Democrats. And it seems as though this is more of a spasm reaction where they just, they need to fight on something.”

— Matt Gates · Trump criticism

Mentioned

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About the Guests

Dave DeCamp is the news editor for Antiwar.com, a publication dedicated to covering military interventionism and foreign policy from a non-interventionist perspective. He joined Timcast IRL to discuss the shutdown's implications and broader geopolitical issues.

Curt Mills serves as the executive director of The American Conservative magazine, bringing a conservative perspective on current events and political analysis to the discussion of the government shutdown and related policy matters.

Phil Labonte is the lead singer of the heavy metal band All That Remains and identifies as an anti-communist and counter-revolutionary, offering a unique perspective on political issues from outside the traditional media landscape.

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