Michael John Knowles (born March 18, 1990, in Los Angeles, California) is an American conservative political commentator, author, podcaster, and media host. He gained prominence through his affiliation with The Daily Wire, joining the outlet in 2016 as a contributor and later becoming a host of The Michael Knowles Show, a daily political podcast launched in 2017. He also serves as a podcast co-host at The Daily Wire. Knowles is known for his sharp, Catholic-influenced critiques of progressive policies, often focusing on social issues like abortion, gender ideology, and cultural conservatism. His style blends humor, debate, and traditionalist values, appealing to a young conservative audience. Prior to The Daily Wire, he worked as a contributor for The College Fix and hosted PragerU's The Book Club, establishing himself as a voice in campus conservatism.

Knowles has authored books including 'Reasons to Vote for Democrats: A Comprehensive Guide' (2017), a satirical work, and 'Speechless: Controlling Words, Controlling Minds' (2021), which critiques political correctness. He co-founded the podcast 'Verdict with Ted Cruz' in 2020, collaborating with the Texas senator on legal and political discussions. Funded in part by conservative donors like Farris Wilks, Knowles has built a career amplifying right-wing perspectives through media. He has faced controversies, including backlash in 2019 for comments on transgender individuals during a Yale University speech, where he argued against gender transition surgeries for minors, leading to protests and accusations of transphobia. Despite such incidents, he remains a key figure at The Daily Wire, employed under co-CEO Jeremy Boreing and collaborating with colleagues like Matt Walsh on projects critiquing modern liberalism.

His work extends to live tours, such as the 'The Michael Knowles Live Experience,' and appearances on platforms like Fox News. Knowles identifies strongly with his Catholic faith, which shapes his opposition to issues like same-sex marriage and euthanasia. He is married and maintains a relatively private personal life, focusing public attention on his ideological battles against what he terms 'woke' culture.