| Human Profile | |
| Name: | Michael John Knowles |
| Birthday: | March 18, 1990 (age 35 years), Born in Bedford Hills, New York |
| Height: | 5'10" (178 cm) |
| Education: | Fox Lane High School (Diploma) Yale University (BA), History and Italian Literature Ave Maria University (Doctor of Humane Letters) |
| Subscribers: | 2.59M |
| Views: | 1,330,768,556 |
| YouTube Revenue: | $1.3M - $6.7M |
| Videos: | 8979 |
| Channel Created: | February 2016 |
Overview
Michael John Knowles is an American conservative political commentator, author, and host for The Daily Wire, a Yale University alumnus known for translating Niccolò Machiavelli’s play Andria for its first English staging, for his daily program The Michael Knowles Show, his bestselling satirical book Reasons to Vote for Democrats: A Comprehensive Guide and Speechless: Controlling Words, Controlling Minds, and for his often controversial commentary on cultural and gender issues, in addition to co-hosting Verdict with Ted Cruz and hosting The Book Club for PragerU.
Latest News (Feb 16, 2026): Michael Knowles recently hosted a theological exploration of St. Thomas Aquinas with Fr. Gregory Pine and released a personal ranking of the top ten U.S. presidents for Presidents' Day. Additionally, Michael Knowles participated in a live debate against progressive commentators in Nashville and discussed the premiere of the series The Pendragon Cycle with Brett Cooper.
Early Life and Education
Michael John Knowles was born on March 18, 1990, in Bedford Hills, New York. He is of Italian and Irish descent. Knowles attended Fox Lane High School. Following high school, he enrolled at Yale University, graduating in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts in history and Italian literature.
During his time at Yale, Knowles contributed to the Yale Daily News and was an inaugural student fellow of the William F. Buckley Jr. Program. He also translated Niccolò Machiavelli’s play Andria into English, which was the first English rendering of the work to be staged. Raised Catholic, Knowles experienced a reconversion to the faith during college.
Career Beginnings in Acting
Before entering the world of political commentary, Michael John Knowles pursued a career in acting. He received training at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting. After graduating from Yale, he continued his acting studies with Wynn Handman in New York City. His acting work included appearances in web series, television movies, and independent films.
Transition to Political Commentary
Knowles’s career path shifted from acting to political commentary when he joined The Daily Wire in 2016, initially appearing as a cultural correspondent. The following year, he began hosting The Michael Knowles Show, a daily political podcast for the platform. This marked his formal entry into the media landscape as a conservative host.
A significant moment in his rising prominence came in 2017 with the publication of Reasons to Vote for Democrats: A Comprehensive Guide. The book, which consisted of 266 blank pages, became an Amazon bestseller. The satirical work garnered attention from conservative media circles and was praised by then-President Donald Trump.
Major Works and Projects
Knowles has authored two bestselling books. His first, the satirical Reasons to Vote for Democrats: A Comprehensive Guide, was released in 2017. In 2021, he published Speechless: Controlling Words, Controlling Minds, a book that critiques political correctness and argues that conservatives should establish and enforce their own cultural standards.
In addition to his daily show, Knowles has been involved in several other notable projects. In January 2020, he launched the podcast Verdict with Ted Cruz, co-hosted with the U.S. Senator. The podcast, which initially focused on President Trump’s first impeachment trial, became highly popular. Knowles co-hosted the podcast until 2022. He also hosts The Book Club for PragerU, a series that discusses significant works of literature. Furthermore, The Michael Knowles Show was syndicated for radio by Westwood One from 2021 to 2024.
Public Profile and Personal Life
Knowles is a frequent speaker at universities and conservative events, where his appearances have sometimes been met with protests. His public commentary on topics such as gender and culture has generated controversy. In a speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in 2023, he stated that “transgenderism must be eradicated from public life entirely,” a comment that drew criticism from multiple organizations.
He married his wife, Alissa, in 2018, and they have three sons. Knowles remains an active commentator and host in conservative media.