Matt Fradd, the host of the popular Catholic podcast "Pints with Aquinas" ("Pints"), announced at the end of October that he had signed a contract to join the Daily Wire starting January 2026.
"Pints" has become a hit with younger Catholics as Fradd interviews some of the greatest living minds and spiritual mentors in Catholicism. In my own journey to Catholicism, "Pints" was an invaluable resource for sound arguments, a prayerful approach and deeply moving conversations.
The Daily Wire (DW) is a conservative media network in the US known for its opposition to neo-liberal and left-wing politics. Founded by Ben Shapiro and Jeremy Boreing in 2015, it is now run by former game show host Mike Richards.
Some have been surprised by the move, but I’m not sure they should be. As a frequent viewer of some of DW’s shows, I know that there are already multiple Catholics working there as show hosts, including Matt Walsh, Michael Knowles and now Isabel Brown.
Knowles has already talked with Fradd on multiple occasions, both for DW and "Pints", and is always incredibly open about his Catholicism – possibly even forcefully so – in all his content and debates.
In this regard, Fradd’s move to DW could be viewed as a natural next step. Certainly, DW's conservative views on matters like abortion, same-sex marriage and gender align well with Catholic social teaching.
A good move by Fradd then? Well, many are concerned.
Fradd addressed these concerns in his announcement and stated very clearly that Pints would stay the same as before – freely and fervently promoting Catholicism.
Fradd admitted himself that he had been sceptical when approached by DW, and was worried that he would have to tone down his Catholic views, or would no longer have editorial control of his show – he was assured that neither would be the case.
Given the DW’s and Fradd’s assurances, we as viewers have, at this stage, no reason to think otherwise. As Fradd said at the end of his announcement, "if you are unsure, come along and see."
Nevertheless, apprehension is understandable. "Pints" means so much to so many young Catholics, and concerns about its demise or alteration are well warranted. This is particularly true given some recent fallouts and exits from the DW including Candace Owens, Brett Cooper and Jeremy Boreing.
However, the concerning trend brought to the fore by Fradd’s announcement is a growing antisemitism amongst younger, predominantly so-called "trad", Catholics.
By "antisemitism" I do not mean anti-Israel sentiments, concerns about Israel’s handling of Gaza and global affairs, genuine theological questions about whether the Church includes Jews/Israel, or even the phrase "Christ is King".
Nor am I dismissing that the term, antisemitism, is sometimes overused, falsely applied to genuine criticisms of Israel’s actions, or used to shut down theological conversations.
What I do mean when I say "antisemitism" is the resurgence of age-old tropes about "Jewish conspiracies" to control media, banking and politics.
Ben Shapiro, founder of DW and host of "The Ben Shapiro Show", is an openly Orthodox Jew. Andrew Klavan, although Christian, is ethnically Jewish. Many other DW staff are Jewish.
Because of this, there are feelings amongst some that DW is a "Jewish" or "Zionist" organisation and that DW has a "Jewish" line that, if crossed, it will fire and defame the guilty party.
But this isn’t true.
While Shapiro himself is clearly pro-Israel, this is not true of all DW hosts. Walsh is totally America first, and thinks that the US should have no part in Israeli conflicts. Knowles takes a more middle-ground position, but spoke out against IDF munitions striking the Church of The Holy Family.
Both presenters are Catholic, and both still have their jobs.
What can be seen happening amongst some young Catholics online in regard to Fradd’s move to DW is, in addition to genuine concerns, the expression of openly antisemitic rhetoric; giving vent to feelings that Fradd has been "bought out", or that his content is going to be "co-opted by the Jews".
Fradd addressed this antisemitism in a YouTube Short, joking that people’s concerns that “'Pints' with Maimonides … Aquinas, is not going to be the way it used to be” were understandable but unwarranted.
While wearing a Jewish Kippah on his head, Fradd also added that the only changes he envisions are a move to Nashville (where DW is based) and undergoing a small operation (humorously alluding to circumcision) – closing the video with the Jewish saying "l’chaim".
Though he also added that, “I think you’ll agree, that if you stick with me, ['Pints'] is going to be better."
It's a funny video and it is worrying that he is already facing antisemitic backlash for moving to a company which, by its own admission, is increasingly and almost overwhelmingly Catholic.
Andrew Klavan, a prominent American novelist, conservative political commentator and host of the DW's "The Andrew Klavan Show" – and who is a Protestant – even poked fun at Knowles and Fradd, saying that DW "now has more Catholics than the Vatican".
Fradd’s video should make Catholics uneasy. It should make us pause and consider whether we have a festering antisemitism problem amongst younger Catholics online. I am concerned we do.
Because has Fradd "sold out"? I for one don’t think so.
Truth be told, "Pints" needed some new energy. Fradd admitted this himself, explaining that he had lost energy, and was becoming increasingly happy to let "Pints" fizzle out.
I had felt something similar in recent months. That he looked tired, distracted and less genuinely motivated and present in his interviews.
My hope is that DW will breathe fresh air into the show without changing or restricting his content, and I think this was clear from his first appearance.
Fradd appeared on DW's "Friendly Fire" show on 29 October and, although visibly uncomfortable with reading adverts, he seemed to settle in well – I would encourage those with concerns to watch the episode.
Fradd was very clear about his Catholic beliefs in a short introduction: he proclaimed the Gospel, the truth of Mother Church and gave rational arguments for the Christian/Catholic Faith.
Nevertheless, I remain concerned for the future of "Pints" with DW, and the way adverts are crammed into shows can be annoying (although this is just a reality of online content, including "Pints").
What all Catholics can do is pray that "Pints" continues to touch lives, remain wholly and unashamedly Catholic and that God uses this move for His purposes.
And that, maybe, instead of DW influencing "Pints", the Catholic message of "Pints" will influence DW for the better.
Photo: Ben Shapiro and Michael Knowles speak on stage during The Daily Wire Presents Backstage Live at Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee, 14 August 2024 (Photo by Jason Davis/Getty Images for The Daily Wire)
Thomas Casemore teaches Religious Studies and is pursuing a master’s degree in divinity, researching St Bede and early British ecclesiastical history and spirituality
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