Joe Armacost, widely known as “Producer Joe” from The Dan Bongino Show, passed away on Saturday, July 19th, after a battle with ALS. His death was publicly announced by Dan Bongino on social media, and further acknowledged by WCBM host Sean Casey during a Monday broadcast. Armacost had recently been staying with a close friend, Tommy Levin, during his declining health.

Sean Casey recalled Joe’s unique personality and his humorous on-air characters like “The Colonel,” a name affectionately referenced upon his passing. Though Joe had been showing symptoms for over a year, he was only officially diagnosed with ALS after a visit to Johns Hopkins. His diagnosis and struggle had remained mostly private until recently.

Armacost was a significant figure in conservative radio and podcasting, credited with producing over 2,900 episodes of The Dan Bongino Show. He had moved to Florida after the show ended, which coincided with Bongino’s appointment as Deputy Director of the FBI under President Trump.

In addition to his production career, Joe was also a musician and known for his sharp wit. The Constitution Project, a family friend, remembered his contributions to local radio and his earlier days playing in a rock band. Joe’s humor and conservative values made him a standout figure.

Dan Bongino, meanwhile, has returned to work following a temporary absence after a dispute with Attorney General Pam Bondi over the Epstein investigation. His position at the agency remains uncertain.

The DOJ is now seeking to unseal grand jury transcripts from Epstein’s case, citing strong public interest and a renewed push for transparency.