Mark Levin Podcast — "First it was Minnesota, Now it's Ohio"

Date: December 13, 2025
Host: Mark Levin
Podcast Network: Cumulus Podcast Network

Episode Overview

This episode centers on two primary themes:

1. Ongoing and alleged large-scale social service fraud scandals linked to Somali communities in Minnesota and Ohio.
2. Broader critiques of political and cultural issues, including commentary on assimilation, immigration policies, public integrity, contemporary race politics, and U.S.–Israel relations.

Mark Levin combines news analysis, listener calls, and signature commentary to address recent developments, reflecting on history, the American founding, and what he sees as threats to American principles.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. American Founders and History (01:55–08:11)

• Levin opens with stories about lesser-known Constitutional Convention delegates, emphasizing their sacrifices and the nation's founding principles.
  • Examples: Rufus King, John Langdon, Jonathan Dayton, William Paterson, William Blount, and Hugh Williamson.
• Notable Quote:
  "I'm not expecting you to memorize this... What I'm trying to do is trigger a deeper interest in this because our history is fantastic. You have people running around trashing our country...I'm countering that." (08:04)

2. Stephen A. Smith Race, Media, and Independent Thought (11:00–18:59)

• Levin discusses criticism of sports analyst Stephen A. Smith by retired NBA player Stephen Jackson, alleging uneven standards in how Smith addresses Black vs. white public figures.
• Mark comes to Smith’s defense, challenging Jackson’s “mental coward[ice]” and “race-baiting,” extolling Smith’s independence.
• Notable Quote:
  "He just wants a bomb thrower, that's all. Bomb thrower. Be a bomb thrower. Don't think independently... That's a mental coward, that's what that is." (14:09)

3. Heritage Foundation & America's Future (Periodically throughout)

• Repeated calls for listeners to participate in Heritage Foundation's survey about America's future, in the context of the upcoming 250th anniversary of U.S. independence.
  • These segues are intertwined with discussions about defending American values under attack.

4. Defense of Israel, Zionism, and Conspiracy Theories (20:16–37:23)

• Levin defends Zionism and evangelical Christian support for Israel, specifically referencing attacks on Mike Huckabee and others.
• Rebuts “replacement theology” and anti-Israel conspiracy theories, especially the idea that “Israel is blackmailing the U.S. government with Jeffrey Epstein files.”
  • Plays Huckabee interview clips denying false narratives about Israeli conduct in Qatar, genocide accusations, and "Epstein blackmail."
• Notable Quote:
  "There's not a controversial syllable in anything that he said because it happens to be the truth. That's exactly what took place." (27:23, on Huckabee’s comments)

5. Marjorie Taylor Greene Critique (37:23–38:59)

• Levin unleashes strong criticism of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, calling her “as dumb as she looks, now she’s gone from dumb to evil.”
• Accuses her of being self-serving, disruptive, and ineffective, asserting she is damaging the GOP for personal gain.
• Notable Quote:
  "She’s a disruptor, not for good reasons, but to self-promote." (40:50)

6. Somali Community Fraud Scandals in Minnesota and Ohio (39:13–57:07)

a. Minnesota Medicaid Fraud Basis (39:13–57:07)

• Reports on whistleblower allegations of massive social services (Medicaid) fraud in Ohio’s Somali community, building on similar prior scandals in Minnesota.
• Describes schemes involving doctors approving home-health payments for fake conditions, family members receiving payouts, and lack of government oversight.
• Critiques Republican officials for lack of action.
• Debates whether the issue is “criminals within the community” or a broader cultural problem.

b. Cultural Critique and Assimilation

• Levin leans into the argument that these issues stem from a Somali cultural mindset not compatible with American transparency and governance.
• Criticizes politicians and media for sidestepping or downplaying the cultural roots, accusing them of fostering group identity over accountability.
• Notable Quotes:
  "It is a cultural mindset. That doesn't mean every Somali is involved in it, but it is a cultural mindset that a community is involved in." (45:32)
  "Why do we have immigration rules and laws... to determine if they can assimilate into our culture?" (57:07)

c. Political Responses & Racial Politics (Minnesota Governor Tim Walz & Rep. Ilhan Omar)

• Levin critiques Minnesota Governor Tim Walz for alleged failures, playing clips of Walz and decrying what he perceives as hypocrisy on group accountability and “identity politics.”
• Discusses Ilhan Omar and the deliberate misframing of fraud issues as a matter of racism rather than culture and assimilation.
• Notable Quote:
  "The president has condemned what that community has done because so many...are recent immigrants...not because of their race, but because of their culture." (61:35)

7. Political Hypocrisy and Left-wing Corruption (Branding, BLM Fraud) (73:20–78:50)

• Extended commentary on the financial scandals plaguing Black Lives Matter organizations (citing leaders’ theft and misuse of funds).
• Links these cases to broader patterns of political corruption and the misuse of progressive causes for personal enrichment.

8. Callers’ Perspectives and Law Enforcement (100:08–107:23)

• Several police and public sector callers express frustration over rising taxes, crime, and underappreciated service.
• Levin commiserates and asserts these burdens are exacerbated by misallocations and wasteful government spending.

9. Assimilation, Immigration Fraud, and American Identity (79:11–96:01)

• Returns to Ilhan Omar and persistent accusations of immigration fraud (allegations about marrying her brother to facilitate U.S. citizenship).
• Reads at length from investigative reports and sworn officials.
• Laments lack of assimilation and expresses outrage over anti-American rhetoric from recent immigrants/descendants.
• Stresses U.S. immigration standards should prioritize self-sufficiency and willingness to adopt American culture.
• Notable Quote:
  "Our immigration standards require people...who can support the country. Is that so horrible?" (79:45)

10. Israel-Gaza Hostage Story & U.S. Foreign Policy (89:00–94:59)

• Details the murder of Israeli hostage Noah Marciano by a Palestinian doctor in Gaza’s Shifa Hospital.
• Expresses horror, using it as a touchstone for discussing American support for Israel and opposition to Islamist regimes.
• Critiques Biden administration pressure on Israel regarding Gaza reconstruction and security.
• Discusses failures to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization.
• Notable Quote:
  "Are we losing the peace, America? We the American people." (90:28)

11. Afghan “Allies” and Security Threats (96:01–99:40)

• Tulsi Gabbard’s revelation that more than 2,000 Afghan nationals with terrorist ties have been allowed into the U.S. post-Afghanistan withdrawal.
• Asserts mainstream media and Democrats ignore dangers of failed vetting and mass illegal migration.

Notable Quotes & Timestamped Moments

• "That's a mental coward, that's what that is." — Mark Levin (14:09)
• "They want to burn it down. That's what they're all about." — Mark Levin on certain Republican figures (42:17)
• "It is a cultural mindset...families within communities, clans, C L A N S within communities are involved in." (45:32)
• "Assimilation into our society...that is the case." (57:07)
• "The president has condemned what that community has done...not because of their race, but because of their culture." (61:35)
• "Our immigration standards require people...who can support the country." (79:45)
• "Are we losing the peace, America? We the American people." (90:28)
• "It's the ruling class elites that do this. This is how they buy support...This is how they seek one-party rule under the Democrat party." (100:55)

Major Timestamps

• Founders & American History: 01:55–08:11
• Stephen A. Smith Discourse: 11:00–18:59
• Defense of Israel & Zionism: 20:16–37:23
• MTG Critique: 37:23–38:59
• Somali Medicaid Fraud Analysis: 39:13–57:07
• Assimilation & Immigration: 57:07–61:35
• Ilhan Omar & Immigration Fraud: 79:11–94:59
• Israel Hostage Horror: 89:00–94:59
• Callers & Law Enforcement: 100:08–107:23

Tone & Style

Mark Levin’s tone is fiery, direct, and unapologetically conservative. He deploys a mix of legalistic rigor, sarcasm, exasperation, and didactic historical references. The language oscillates between formal and colloquial, designed to rouse and engage a politically invested audience.

Concluding Remarks

Levin ends the podcast with thank-yous and salutes to American service members, reiterating his commitment to traditional values, heroism, and American perseverance. He encourages listeners to remain vigilant, informed, and engaged, plugging his TV show for the weekend (Life, Liberty, and Levin).

Bottom Line

This episode serves as both an expose (on Somali Medicaid fraud in Ohio, following Minnesota), a cultural critique (on assimilation versus multiculturalism), and a reaffirmation of conservative, pro-American values. It is interspersed with pointed barbs at political opponents—left, right, and center—while defending selected political and cultural allies.