Timcast IRL · October 13, 2020 · 2h 0m

Timcast IRL #148 - Chairman Of The Proud Boys, Enrique Tarrio, In Studio

politicsculture-warmediaelectiongovernment

Episode Recap

Tim Pool hosted Timcast IRL episode 148 on October 13, 2020, featuring Enrique Tarrio, Chairman of the Proud Boys, in studio. The discussion centered on the Proud Boys' planned presence in Portland during protests in late September 2020, which Pool had criticized as a potentially dangerous situation given the volatile environment with Antifa and Black Lives Matter activists. The conversation addressed the controversial moment during the presidential debate when Joe Biden shouted out the Proud Boys and Donald Trump responded with 'stand back and stand by.' Pool examined media coverage and criticism from organizations like the Anti-Defamation League and Southern Poverty Law Center, while also questioning why journalists were instructed not to interview Tarrio following the debate. Tarrio, who is of Cuban and African descent, addressed accusations of white supremacy despite not being white himself. The episode explored the founding of the Proud Boys as a drinking club by Gavin McInnes on his show, and how the organization gained prominence after the J20 inauguration day riots. The discussion touched on the political dynamics of the 2020 election, with Pool noting Democrats' refusal to denounce Antifa and their subsequent need to point fingers at other groups amid poor polling numbers. The conversation provided a platform for Tarrio to clarify the organization's purpose and address misconceptions about its membership and objectives.

TL;DR

  • →Enrique Tarrio, Chairman of the Proud Boys, appeared in studio to discuss his organization and address accusations of white supremacy despite being of Cuban and African descent
  • →Tim Pool discussed his criticism of the Proud Boys planning to go to Portland in September 2020, calling it an extremely bad idea given the Antifa and BLM presence
  • →The conversation addressed the presidential debate moment where Biden named the Proud Boys and Trump said 'stand back and stand by,' with Pool questioning why journalists were told not to interview Tarrio
  • →Tarrio explained the Proud Boys were founded as a joke on Gavin McInnes' show and started as a 'drinking club with a patriot problem' not intended to become a formal organization
  • →The ADL and SPLC criticisms were addressed, with Pool noting he researched the harshest professional criticisms to ask Tarrio about directly
  • →Pool and Tarrio discussed media coverage, political dynamics of the 2020 election, and the Democrats' refusal to denounce Antifa

Key Moments

  • 0:00
    Opening and Portland Criticism
    Tim Pool opens by discussing his criticism of the Proud Boys planning to go to Portland in late September, calling it an extremely bad idea given the violence from Antifa and BLM
  • 20:00
    Enrique Tarrio Introduction
    Pool introduces Enrique Tarrio as Chairman of the Proud Boys and explains they will discuss media coverage, ADL and SPLC criticisms, and accusations of white supremacy
  • 35:00
    Racial Background Discussion
    Tarrio addresses his ethnic background, explaining he is Cuban and African descent with indigenous ancestry, noting the irony of being called a white supremacist despite not being white
  • 50:00
    Proud Boys Origin Story
    Tarrio explains the founding of the Proud Boys as a joke on Gavin McInnes' show that wasn't supposed to become an actual organization, created partly to help an intern meet people
  • 80:00
    Media Coverage and Political Dynamics
    Discussion of media coverage, journalists being told not to interview Tarrio after the debate, and Democrats' refusal to denounce Antifa during the 2020 election cycle

Notable Quotes

“I was very critical. I said it's a bad idea. And I've talked to a lot of Trump supporters who have actually agreed that there's an issue with respecting, there's a challenge in respecting the rights of individuals to have their free speech”

— Tim Pool · opening criticism of Portland plans

“I heard you are a white supremacist. And I couldn't help but notice that you're not white. Well, probably like really bad at my job, being a white supremacist”

— Tim Pool · questioning media narratives about Tarrio

“I'm African and Cuban descent from both. Actually some of my ancestors are indigenous to Cuba. And I don't think I have any white at all. I've never cared about somebody's race or religion. It's not a thing for me”

— Enrique Tarrio · explaining his ethnic background

“If you ask what the Proud Boys are, in just like the simplest terms, we're a drinking club with a patriot problem is all we are. We don't take ourselves seriously”

— Enrique Tarrio · defining the Proud Boys organization

“They needed to find somebody. And they could have, Biden could have picked so many other groups... And we became public enemy number one for Democrats because they refused to denounce Antifa”

— Tim Pool · political analysis of media narrative

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