Mark Levin Podcast — December 9, 2025

Episode: The Rise of the New Imperial Ruling Class
Host: Mark Levin
Special Guest: Roger Zakheim, Director of the Ronald Reagan Institute
Theme: Dissecting the emergence of a new "imperial ruling class" within America and the West, their alleged association with foreign regimes (notably Qatar), media manipulation, and the undermining of traditional American values and alliances.

Overview

Mark Levin delivers a fiery analysis on what he terms the "new imperial ruling class" — a coalition of political, business, and media elites, many of whom, he argues, are complicit in advancing the interests of authoritarian regimes like Qatar. Levin accuses these figures of betraying conservative, Judeo-Christian, and American values, using media influence, especially through podcasting, to spread anti-American propaganda. The episode is marked by sharp criticism of public figures who profess "America First" ideologies, but whom Levin sees as self-serving or outright traitorous. The show also features a substantial discussion with Roger Zakheim of the Ronald Reagan Institute on U.S. defense outlook and public sentiment.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Rise of the "Imperial Ruling Class" and Qatar's Influence

[02:22–13:41]

• Spectacle in Qatar: Levin describes a recent gathering of Western elites in Qatar as emblematic of a troubling trend: Western leaders, business figures, and media personalities seeking alliance with authoritarian regimes for personal gain.
• Qatar as Adversary: He outlines Qatar’s ties to terrorism, its opposition to the West and Israel, and its influence on Western infrastructure, including U.S. counterterrorism efforts.
  • “Qatar… has as its mission the destruction of the United States from within, the destruction of the west, and of course, the destruction of the State of Israel. And it puts its money where its mouth is.” — Mark Levin [05:15]
• Elite Appeasement: Levin accuses businesspeople, media, and "financiers" of celebrating Qatar’s monarchy and its anti-Western ideology.
• Podcasting as Propaganda: He draws parallels between modern podcasters and Tokyo Rose, claiming some U.S. media figures are unwitting (or witting) mouthpieces for Qatari propaganda.
  • “They use the podcasters and others as the Japanese used Tokyo Rose. Except Tokyo Rose was in Japan… They push a new form of propaganda.” — [08:04]

2. Media Figures, “Podcasters,” and Alleged Hypocrisy

[13:41–33:28]

• Personal Critiques: Levin calls out notable media personalities, including Tucker Carlson (“Kitarlson”), Steve Bannon, Neil Patel, Candace Owens, and Nick Fuentes.
  • “Tucker Carlson is a media creation… They’ve actually accomplished not a damn thing. They haven’t built a damn thing.” — [13:49]
  • “[They] become enormously wealthy… partying with whom they party. And then they want you to believe that they represent the little guy.” — [14:44]
• Accusations of Grifting: The term "grifters" is repeatedly invoked to describe those allegedly profiting by aligning with enemy regimes or spreading anti-conservative messages under a veneer of populism.
• Attack on Traditional Conservatives: Levin claims these figures smear authentic constitutional conservatives, labeling them as insufficiently "America First" or anti-MAGA.
  • “Traditional constitutional conservatives… are to be smeared and attacked as being the opposite of what they are…” — [09:20]
• Youth Targeted: He argues this new elite manipulates young, undereducated Americans vulnerable to dogma and historical revisionism.

3. Distortion of Americanism, MAGA, and Anti-Western Tropes

[15:08–33:28]

• Twisting "America First": Levin accuses these influencers of appropriating "America First" rhetoric while undermining America, its military legacy, and allies.
  • “America first becomes for them a bumper sticker for destroying America.” — [16:22]
• Vilifying Allies, Glorifying Adversaries: He claims critics deride Reagan, Churchill, and the Greatest Generation, yet praise dictators and anti-Western leaders.
  • “They tell us Reagan was no good, Churchill was no good, Hitler was misunderstood. Their prime minister of Qatar is a great man. Their prime minister of Iran is misunderstood. Putin is a great leader.” — [15:49]
• Consequences Predicted: Levin warns that mainstream acceptance of these perspectives threatens electoral losses and further erodes American institutions.
  • “These people are going to cost us… we’re going to get slaughtered thanks to these people.” — [30:05]

4. Qatar’s Activities and American Complicity

[34:40–38:17]

• Qatar’s Impact: Levin recounts Qatar’s funding of terrorism, its “brainwashing” of Western youth, and its infiltration of U.S. universities.
• Self-Contrast: He stresses that, unlike “grifters,” he’s never accepted foreign government money—“not a single foreign nickel from anybody.”
  • “I pay my way. Nor do I charge conservative groups…$100, $150, $200,000 to speak. I just speak.” — [37:48]

5. Critique of "America First" Politicians & Media Figures

[39:03–62:33]

• Marjorie Taylor Greene: Levin goes after MTG, painting her as a self-absorbed, ineffective legislator who benefits from the system she criticizes.
  • “She rode MAGA and now she tries to cripple MAGA. And that’s what all these guys do. That’s what all these frauds do…” — [54:56]
• Tucker Carlson: More barbs for “Kitarlson,” alleging he platforms extremists and cozies up to Qatar’s monarchy while feigning populism.
  • “He is an imperial ruling class elitist with his home in Maine and his home in Florida and his home in Qatar with his 150 to $200,000 of speech.” — [25:58]
• Others Mocked: Candace Owens, Nick Fuentes, Ilhan Omar, and Joy Reid are targeted as emblematic of anti-American, hypocritical, or performative opposition.

6. Discussion with Roger Zakheim, Ronald Reagan Institute

[88:39–107:14]

Reagan National Defense Survey & Insights

• Survey Methodology: Over 2,500 U.S. adults polled; margin of error ~2% — highly credible reflection of national attitudes.
  • “...Statistically significant, that we can constantly state that the outcome, the results represent the views of the American people.” — Roger Zakheim [89:02]
• Rejection of Isolationism: Strong majorities of both Republicans and “MAGA Republicans” favor U.S. global engagement and leadership.
  • “75% of Republicans believe that America should be leading the world…” — Zakheim [90:09]
• Continuity with Tea Party: Levin identifies overlap between Tea Party activism and MAGA’s internationalist, pro-defense orientation.
• Military Superiority: 87% of Americans want the U.S. to have the world’s strongest military.
• Missile Defense/Golden Dome: Overwhelming bipartisan support for missile defense investments.
• Support for Allies:
  • Ukraine: 62% want Ukraine to win, 64% back more weapons aid—with bipartisan support.
  • Israel: 66% overall (77% of Republicans) see Israel as an ally.
  • “They stand staunchly behind Israel, which is the only democracy in the Middle East.” — Zakheim [101:11]
• Values Endure: Zakheim and Levin reinforce the enduring legitimacy of Reagan-era and Tea Party values.

7. Immigration & Sanctuary Policies

[80:09–87:07]

• Various segments spotlight Democrat politicians and activists instructing illegal immigrants how to evade ICE, resisting federal immigration enforcement, and casting such actions as part of the broader anti-American agenda embraced by the new elite.
  • “Do not consent to entry and the right to keep your door closed. Sometimes ICE will show you paperwork… That is false. ICE is legally allowed to lie to you, but you have the right to remain silent.” — [82:42]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “[They] wrapped themselves in America first, which is repulsive.” — Mark Levin [15:43]
• “These are elitists, not you and me, not Mr. and Mrs. America. You get nothing out of this.” — [06:48]
• “America’s best days are yet to come. That’s because conservatives like you know and live the values our great country was built on.” — [01:55]
• “Their payday, their so-called fame, more like infamy, is not earned the old-fashioned way.” — [33:23]
• “If they destroy The Republican Party, Mr. and Mrs. America, what happens? The Democrats take over, the Marxists and the Islamists…” — [32:58]
• “How often do you hear these people criticize Qatar? Or care? About radical Islamism?” — [17:37]
• “[Roger Zakheim:] 87% of those surveyed want the US military to be the strongest in the world. 87%, Mark. I can’t think of another issue where we can get 87% agreement across the American people.” — [93:23]

Important Timestamps

• Qatar/Ruling Class Analysis: [02:22–13:41]
• Media Figure/Criticisms: [13:41–33:28]
• Youth & Indoctrination: [12:31–13:08]
• Attack on Reagan, Churchill, America’s Legacy: [15:49–16:22]
• Segment – Defense of US Alliances & Traditional Conservatism: [25:58–33:28]
• Discussion with Roger Zakheim (Key Data/Survey): [88:39–107:14]
  • Isolationism Data: [90:09]
  • Military Superiority: [93:23]
  • Support for Israel/Ukraine: [99:19–101:11]

Tone & Language

Levin maintains his trademark passionate, confrontational, and often sardonic style — unsparing in criticism but punctuated with appeals to traditional American patriotism, valorization of ordinary citizens, and reverence for Reagan- and Trump-era “America First” values. His condemnation of rivals is colorful and unfiltered, while his conversation with Zakheim is respectful and data-driven.

Summary

This episode is a forceful articulation of Levin’s long-standing concerns about American decline driven by self-serving elites, the subversion of conservative values, and the influence of foreign adversaries. He targets prominent media figures for allegedly betraying American interests, and calls for a recommitment to traditional, pro-ally, pro-democracy, and strong defense policies. Data from the Reagan National Defense Survey, presented by Roger Zakheim, underpins the argument that most Americans reject isolationism and stand by key U.S. allies, especially Israel and Ukraine, despite elite or media narratives to the contrary.

For full details or particular subjects (such as Reagan Institute survey results or Mark's pointed critique of specific figures), see timestamps as referenced above.