Mark Levin Podcast — "The Best Of Mark Levin"

Episode Date: January 2, 2026
Host: Mark Levin
Episode Theme: Highlights of Mark Levin’s recent commentary, focusing on American foundational values, U.S. foreign policy, the roots of the Republican Party, and contemporary threats to Western civilization.

Episode Overview

Mark Levin’s “Best Of” episode for the new year features extended reflections on America’s Judeo-Christian roots, the moral clarity in fighting terrorism, support for Ukraine and Israel, the origins and legacy of the Republican Party, concerns over Islamist and Marxist influences, critiques of contemporary conservative figures, and warnings regarding societal threats both foreign and domestic. Levin emphasizes learning and defending American history, tying past struggles for liberty and civil rights to present challenges, and calls for political clarity and civic engagement.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Responding to Terror, Defending the West

• Trump’s Retaliation Against ISIS: Levin reads a Trump statement regarding serious strikes against ISIS for murdering Americans, praising Trump’s tough response and drawing a line between effective anti-terror policy and weaker international stances ([01:12]).
  • Quote: “That’s the way you deal with terrorists. That’s the way Israel deals with them. That’s the way you have to deal with them.” – Mark Levin ([01:46])
• Support for Ukraine: Acknowledges Ukraine’s resilience and the cost paid by both sides in the conflict with Russia, commending Ukraine’s drone attacks on Russian oil infrastructure as acts of self-defense ([03:05]).
  • Quote: “Ukraine is fighting, they are fighters… these people clearly have no intention of going quietly, and they shouldn’t. I’m all for Ukraine. I’m on Team Ukraine. Yes, I am.” ([03:51])
• Bondi Beach Hero: Discusses Ahmad Al Ahmad, a Muslim man who disarmed a terrorist in Australia, contrasting his heroism with condemnation from some media and Islamist commentators ([04:06]).
  • Quote: “This is why I talk over and over again about the Islamists who murder non-conforming, non-fundamentalist Muslims.” ([05:01])

2. America’s Judeo-Christian Foundations

• History and Influence: Levin delves into early American religious coexistence, focusing on Jewish contributions (e.g., Solomon’s financial aid during the revolution) and the familiarity of the Founders with the Hebrew Bible ([07:35], [09:32]).
  • Quote: “Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison… were all very, very familiar and versed in what was called the Hebrew Bible. They studied it, they knew it backwards and forwards, and it influenced their views.” ([09:42])
• Distinction Between Faiths: Asserts that Christianity and Judaism foster tolerance and are separate from the Islamist vision, which entwines religious belief with governance ([17:41]).
  • Quote: “Christianity, both during the pre-revolutionary and revolutionary period and constitutional period – and today – is a beneficent faith. It is a tolerant faith. It is a humane faith. And that’s why minorities in America are able to live freely.” ([11:23])

3. Critique of Islamism & Internal Threats

• Americanism vs. Islamism: Argues Islamism is incompatible with American values, highlighting issues of assimilation, sharia law, and political Islam ([17:41]).
  • Quote: “Islamism is not compatible with American Judeo-Christian foundational principles… Islamists insist on the imposition of these viewpoints… on Christians, Jews, other Muslims, and everybody else.” ([18:35])
• Attack on Conservative Commentators: Blasts Tucker Carlson (“Katarlson”) and others for allegedly undermining Judeo-Christian values, dividing conservatives, and giving comfort to anti-Western ideologies ([29:12]).
  • Quote: “This is why in May and June, when I decided to take on Tucker Carlson and Steve Bannon… these are very powerful people. I said, they’re not powerful. They’re bullies.” ([29:49])

4. Origins and Legacy of the Republican Party

• Abolitionist Roots: Traces the party’s founding to opposition to the Kansas-Nebraska Act and the expansion of slavery, crediting Republican leadership with major civil rights advancements ([39:51]–[47:00]).
  • Quote: “Our party was formed to eliminate slavery, the enslavement of black people. That was the basis for the formation and the foundation of the Republican Party.” ([57:10])
• Modern Challenges: Warns against efforts by fringe elements to “destroy” the party, calling instead for a return to constitutional conservatism and proactive defense of first principles ([48:09]).
  • Quote: “They want to kill the party of Lincoln, the party of Theodore Roosevelt, the party of Coolidge, the party of Eisenhower, the party of Reagan and the party of Trump. And replace it with what?” ([48:35])
• Party Reform and Grassroots Engagement: Encourages listeners to get involved locally, defend the Republican Party against both leftist and pseudo-conservative attacks ([49:32]).

5. Contemporary Threats: Fraud, Radicalization, and Security

• Minnesota Welfare Fraud Scandal: Covers allegations that Somali-run groups committed large-scale Medicaid fraud in Minnesota, highlighting issues with assimilation and government oversight ([74:51]).
  • Quote: “Minnesota has become a magnet for fraud, so much so that we have developed a fraud tourism industry, people coming to our state purely to exploit and defraud its programs.” ([77:55])
• Rising Anti-Semitism & Imported Terrorist Networks: Details the spread of pro-Hamas activism in Western institutions, especially Europe, but warns of growing threats at home via lax immigration and campus radicalization ([92:20]–[105:00]).
  • Quote: “World War three is already underway… The Islamist war against the West, first battle with Israel, battles breaking open in Europe, battles will break open in the United States. I mark my words.” ([100:38])

6. Advice to American Youth & Listeners

• Rejecting Victimhood: Counsels young men and women not to buy into a narrative of hopelessness and societal failure, but to take initiative and responsibility, contrasting that ethic with what he sees as defeatist and hateful messaging from certain online influencers ([61:00]).
  • Quote: “Your salvation is found outside the government, in your own soul and mind and heart, your own motivation, your own character… Get off your ass and do something.” ([63:45])
• Defend and Teach History: Emphasizes the need to know, promote, and defend American history to combat poisonous revisionism and cynicism ([36:03], [58:00]).
  • Quote: “You’ve got to be willing to learn your history, you’ve got to be willing to promote your history. And most of all you’ve got to be willing to defend your history.” ([36:03])

7. Political Outlook

• Upcoming Elections: Discusses prospects for future elections, predicts economic improvement under Trump-era policies, and highlights Democratic Party weaknesses ([83:33]).
  • Quote: “The economy is going to get there. You’ll see… He’s [Trump] done a lot of things that are all pro-growth oriented. He’s going to get pro-growth. He’s going to get it. Let’s hope it’s in time for the midterms.” ([89:10])
• Democratic Party Struggles: Plays clips emphasizing Democrats’ low approval, even among independents and their own voters ([84:30]–[85:46]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “That’s the way you deal with terrorists… They need to be eliminated.” – Mark Levin ([01:46])
• “Ukraine is fighting, they are fighters… they shouldn’t go quietly.” ([03:51])
• “This nation was founded by Christians… It is a very, very good thing that it was.” ([11:23])
• “Islamists can never be assimilated into the American culture.” ([21:26])
• “If you hate America, you hate Israel and if you hate Israel, you hate America… When you attack Jews, you are attacking the Judeo-Christian belief system. You are attacking Americanism.” ([35:12])
• “Our party was formed to eliminate slavery… That was it.” ([57:10])
• “Your salvation is found outside the government, in your own soul and mind and heart… Get off your ass and do something.” ([63:45])
• “World War three is already underway… battles will break open in the United States. I mark my words.” ([100:38])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:12] – Trump’s stance on ISIS & U.S. anti-terror policy
• [03:05] – Support for Ukraine’s resistance
• [04:06] – Bondi Beach hero, condemnation of Islamist extremism
• [07:35], [09:32] – Jewish contributions to the American Revolution
• [17:41] – Judeo-Christian values vs. Islamism
• [29:12], [29:49] – Critique of Tucker Carlson & threats from internal division
• [39:51]–[47:00] – Origin of the Republican Party
• [48:09], [48:35] – Dangers of destroying the GOP, call for party unity
• [57:10] – Republican Party and civil rights legacy
• [61:00], [63:45] – Advice to youth: reject victimhood
• [74:51], [77:55] – Medicaid fraud scandal in Minnesota
• [83:33], [84:30]–[85:46] – Political outlook for 2026 elections, criticism of Democrats
• [92:20], [100:38]–[105:00] – Imported terrorism in Europe and the U.S., warnings for the future
• [106:58] – News brief: Possible link between Brown University and MIT professor shootings; anti-Semitism concerns

Tone and Language

Levin’s tone throughout is impassioned, direct, and confrontational, marked by a blend of historical narrative, policy analysis, political commentary, and rhetorical flourish. He invokes patriotism and historical memory, employs sharp critiques against ideological adversaries (leftists, Islamists, and certain conservative commentators), and routinely calls on listeners to take pride in America’s heritage and to act with courage in its defense.

Summary Takeaways

• America’s strength lies in its Judeo-Christian roots and constitutional principles, which must be defended against both external threats and internal subversion.
• The Republican Party, from its abolitionist foundation to its modern conservatism, is central to preserving American liberty and rights.
• Vigilance is required against radical ideologies, fraud, and societal division—both from foreign influences and misguided or hostile domestic voices.
• The most potent response to demagoguery and cynicism is civic engagement, historical literacy, and a renewed sense of collective purpose.
• Levin urges leaders and ordinary Americans alike to reject fatalism, confront bigotry, and participate actively in American civic life.