Bulwark Takes – Episode Summary
Episode Title: Robby Roadsteamer Sang Rod Stewart—Then ICE Opened Fire
Date: October 17, 2025
Host: The Bulwark
Guest: Robby Roadsteamer
Overview
This lively episode centers around comedian and satirist Robby Roadsteamer’s recent protest outside an ICE facility in Portland, Oregon, blending performance art, political satire, and direct action. Robby, known for his outlandish characters and musical comedy, recounts his surreal experience: performing a provocative parody of Rod Stewart’s “Do You Think I’m Sexy?” in costume (as a giraffe), only to be met with pepper balls and a brief detention by ICE agents. Through humor and storytelling, the episode explores protest culture, absurdity in American politics, and the role of satire as resistance.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Origins and Evolution of Robby Roadsteamer
- Post-prison Press Conference: Robby describes meeting the host during Steve Bannon’s release press conference, where he lampooned Bannon and “infiltrated” by impersonating media staff ([00:50]).
- Comedy Roots: Roadsteamer reveals his background in improv and stand-up, describing his transition to political satire, musical performance, and his experiences as a radio personality and music act ([01:46]).
- Shadowing Vermin Supreme: Robby highlights the influence of satirical activist Vermin Supreme, whom he followed for over a decade, learning about protest culture and blending performance with political demonstration ([03:03]).
2. The Portland Protest – Performance as Protest
- ICE Facility Performance: Robby details his act—singing his own political version of “Do You Think I’m Sexy?” aimed at anti-immigrant sentiments and ICE ([04:03]–[04:15]).
- Lyrics included: “If you hate brown people and you are a Nazi. Get the fuck out of Portland.” ([04:20])
- Scene Atmosphere: Describes a colorful protest environment with “furries,” performers, costumes, and a party-like spirit, contrasting with the aggression of law enforcement response ([04:48], [06:26]).
3. The ICE Confrontation and Detention
- Pepper Balls Fired: Robby describes being targeted with pepper bullets by ICE agents while in costume, leading to his face burning and eyes puffed ([05:06], [06:38]).
- Detainment: He details being arrested, handcuffed, and brought inside the facility, encountering around 20 agents who oscillate between mocking and recognizing him ([07:45]).
- Charges: Ultimately, he receives only a citation for “failure to comply with the directions of a law enforcement officer” ([11:53]), specifically for allegedly crossing a blue line, which he disputes (“I was clearly in bounds. Both feet in bounds. I was making a football motion.” [12:09]).
- Comic Banter with Agents: Even while detained, Robby remains in character, jokes with the officers, and references previous stunts and songs ([09:32], [10:08]).
- Release and Aftermath: Robby is released after about 20 minutes and returns to the party-like protest, highlighting the absurdity of the heavy-handed law enforcement response ([10:52], [11:46]).
4. Satire and Absurdity as Resistance
- On Fighting Absurdity: Robby and the host reflect on the power of satire and humor in confronting extreme politics, likening modern protest to professional wrestling (“Just treat it like WWE wrestling…get more absurder sometimes.” [14:03], [14:42]).
- Critique of Law Enforcement Priorities: The exchange satirizes the overreaction of ICE agents, juxtaposing the peaceful, absurd protest with the use of force for minor infractions ([13:27], [14:42]).
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On His Protest Bit:
“Are we gonna storm Burger King after this?”
— Robby Roadsteamer on confronting Steve Bannon ([00:50]) -
On Protest Performance:
“If you hate brown people and you are a Nazi. Get the fuck out of Portland.”
— Robby Roadsteamer, parody lyrics to Rod Stewart ([04:20]) -
Describing the ICE Reaction:
“The ICE Snipers and stuff. Like, oh, there they are with their Super Soakers up there and stuff. Glorified mall cops. They're getting pissed.”
— Robby Roadsteamer ([05:49]) -
On Absurdity:
“I love the taste of pepper balls in the morning.”
— Robby Roadsteamer, channeling Apocalypse Now ([06:26]) -
On Interacting with Agents:
“What was the Heath Ledger’s character? Like, well, most of you aren’t from the area either. Am I right? And they were, yeah, actually.”
— Robby Roadsteamer satirizing the ICE/detention dynamic ([08:22]) -
Summarizing the Situation:
“You have the president … saying that Portland is a hellhole… And then you’re there in a giraffe costume … singing Rod Stewart. And they decided that was so scary they had to shoot pepper balls at you and detain you. It’s a pretty strange state of affairs.”
— Interviewer ([13:27]) -
On Strategy:
“You can’t fight absurdity with valor … Just treat it like WWE wrestling and get more absurder sometimes.”
— Robby Roadsteamer ([14:03])
Important Timestamps
- 00:50: Robby describes Bannon press conference stunt
- 01:46: Transition from comedy roots to political satire
- 03:03: Influence of Vermin Supreme and protest culture
- 04:03–04:20: Portland protest; singing satirical Rod Stewart
- 05:06–06:38: Pepper balls fired; costume antics; “breaking” ICE agents
- 07:45–09:32: Detention process, banter with officers
- 11:53–12:09: Cited for “failure to comply”; Robby disputes crossing line
- 13:27–14:03: Host summarizes the broader absurdity
- 14:03: Robby’s reflection on satire, WWE politics
Final Thoughts
In this episode, Robby Roadsteamer illustrates how comedy and absurd performance can be both protest and commentary on U.S. politics and law enforcement. The show captures the wild collision of performance art and power, ultimately shining a spotlight on the surreal state of public dissent in America today.
Host: “It is fucking absurd that in the country, somebody can’t stand outside, sing a Rod Stewart cover, put on a giraffe costume, and not get shot at with pepper balls. … In a free country you should be able to do that.” ([14:42])
Robby Roadsteamer: “Absolutely. All you folks are great out there. God bless and enjoy the rest of your evening, folks.” ([15:13])