Mark Levin Podcast Episode Summary

Episode: 2/6/26 – Radical Left vs. Common Sense: The SAVE Act Debate

Host: Brian Mudd (in for Mark Levin)
Date: February 7, 2026

Overview

This episode centers on the fierce debate over the SAVE Act—legislation requiring proof of citizenship and voter ID for federal elections. Stepping in for Mark Levin, Brian Mudd dissects claims from prominent Democrats, notably Chuck Schumer, labeling the act as "Jim Crow 2.0," and counters what he sees as media distractions and radical leftist positions. Other core topics include the radicalization of current progressive politics, broader issues like illegal immigration, ICE, child gender transitions, and overlooked policy successes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The SAVE Act: Policy & Political Divide

• The episode’s core is the SAVE Act, which would require:

  • Proof of citizenship to register to vote
  • Voter ID at the polls

• Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, are accused of mischaracterizing the act as "Jim Crow 2.0," a racist throwback.

• Brian Mudd and guests argue the act is common sense and overwhelmingly popular, including among Black voters.

  Notable Quote:

  • Byron Donalds (on Schumer's claim):

    "Chuck Schumer can go to hell." (01:38)

  Polling Data:

  • Gallup: 84% of Americans support mandatory voter ID; 80% support among Black voters.
  • Other polls register even higher support, up to 93% (Sinclair Media).

  Legislative Status:

  • The bill passed the House (with 4 Democratic votes) and awaits a Senate vote.

2. Media Distraction and Real News

• Several stories (Trump's social media controversy, the Nancy Guthrie case) are described as "oxygen-sucking distractions" that prevent focus on substantive issues.

• Mudd emphasizes the lack of media coverage on impactful news, such as new prescription drug price drops (“Trump Rx”), ICE successes, and the SAVE Act itself.

  Notable Quote:

  "There are so many things that are not even scratches in the news that are the bigger stories that have profound impacts." (06:15)

3. Radicalization of the Democratic Party

• Mudd characterizes the modern Democratic Party as "radicalized" and out of step with mainstream America, especially on:

  • Voting standards
  • Illegal immigration and abolition of ICE
  • Taxpayer-funded abortion and child gender transitioning

  On ICE and immigration:

  • New polling suggests near-majority or plurality support among Democrats for abolishing ICE (YouGov: 46% support abolishing ICE).
  • Mudd notes that the average non-citizen is "914% more likely to commit a crime than you."
  • ICE and border police are crucial, with recent data showing historic drops in attempted border crossings and successful deportations.

  Notable Quote:

  "Democrats have become so radicalized, so extreme that effectively voting for them to represent you is a literal vote against you and your family's interests." (16:19)

4. Child Gender Transitioning & Medical Ethics

• Mudd decries child gender-affirming care as "mutilation," citing new developments:

  • The American Society of Plastic Surgeons now recommends against gender procedures for children under 19.
  • A major lawsuit in New York resulted in a $2 million award to a detransitioned woman.
  • California AG sued a hospital for stopping youth gender care.

• Pew Research: 56% of Americans favor banning gender transition medical procedures for minors, but Mudd sees this as evidence of slow but growing backlash.

  Notable Quote:

  "Any parent who supports gender transitioning for their children should have their children taken away because they should be behind bars." (22:08)

5. Caller Perspectives & Real-World Concerns

• Callers, many veterans and formerly homeless, discuss potential hurdles of voter ID for homeless or disenfranchised populations.
  • Mudd responds by referencing specific provisions in the SAVE Act, such as using government, military, or tribal ID, homeless shelters as addresses, and available advocacy.
  • He maintains the need for robust ID laws while acknowledging the need for support and flexibility for the truly disenfranchised.

6. Voter Fraud: Anecdotes and Data

• A caller from New York recounts intentionally "committing voter fraud" as a demonstration and being ignored by poll workers. (112:10–113:43)
• Mudd notes, since 1982, there have been 1,620 proven voter fraud cases, 1,382 convictions—averaging 38 cases annually.
  • Stresses the need for ID laws to prevent even rare but impactful instances.

7. Prescription Drug Pricing (“Trump Rx”)

• Major policy success cited: The Trump administration’s negotiated prescription drug policy ("Trump Rx"):

  • 40 commonly used drugs now average 80% cheaper.
  • Insulin price cut from $200 to $25 per month.

• Mudd criticizes both mainstream and conservative media for not giving this breakthrough coverage.

  Notable Quote:

  "You have 40 of the most commonly used prescriptions that are an average of 80% lower cost than what they were before. Trump Rx is up and running. How many news outlets are covering this?" (93:28)

8. Political Calculus: The Coming Shutdown Showdown

• The upcoming funding showdown over DHS and ICE is a flashpoint.
  • Democrats are pushing to restrict ICE activity, fund only limited enforcement, and possibly remove other means of identifying/removing illegal immigrants.
  • Mudd warns this is an effort to maximize future Democratic voters and enable more illegal immigration.

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Byron Donalds on Schumer: 01:38 ("Chuck Schumer can go to hell.")
• Voter ID Polling and Public Attitudes: 12:10–16:15 (Discussion of Gallup/CNN data)
• Radical Positions on ICE: 37:42–49:14
• Child Gender Transitioning Debate: 24:30–32:41
• Callers on Homelessness & Voter ID: 101:01–109:43
• Voter Fraud Demonstration (Caller Jim, Albany NY): 112:10–113:43
• Prescription Drug Price Drops / “Trump Rx”: 93:11–96:26

Notable Quotes

• On Schumer and the SAVE Act
  "Chuck Schumer can go to hell." – Byron Donalds (01:38)

• Common Sense vs. Radicalism
  "The distance between common sense and outrageousness has never been greater between the two major political parties." – Brian Mudd (29:24)

• On Child Transitioning
  "Any parent who supports gender transitioning for their children should have their children taken away because they should be behind bars." – Brian Mudd (24:45)

• On Voter Fraud
  "Since 1982 there have been 1620 proven cases of voter fraud. …There have been proven voter fraud in all 50 states." – Brian Mudd (54:35)

• On Media Priorities
  "There are so many things that are not even scratches in the news that are the bigger stories that have profound impacts." (06:15)

• On Policy Deliverables
  "The deliverables. That is the biggest news that's happened in the past 24 hours and it's not particularly close." – Brian Mudd, regarding "Trump Rx" (93:28)

Memorable Moments

• Sharp Retorts: Byron Donalds’ blunt response to Schumer’s “Jim Crow 2.0” claim set the confrontational tone early.
• Anecdotal Evidence: A caller described repeatedly signing incorrectly at voting sites in NY, never challenged or stopped—a vivid illustration of system flaws.
• Data Deep-Dive: Throughout, Mudd cited various polls and studies to demonstrate the chasm between Democratic politicians and American voters.
• High Emotion: Powerful denunciations of child gender transition policy, and calls for medical professionals involved to face prison.

Tone & Language

• Combative, sarcastic, and occasionally hyperbolic (“broken in the brain,” “child mutilators,” “sick bastards,” “Marxist apparatus”).
• Language is forceful, polemical, and tailored to a conservative-leaning audience—consistent with the Mark Levin brand.

Conclusion

Brian Mudd’s guest-hosted episode delivers a detailed critique of current progressive politics, centering on the SAVE Act and using it as a lens for broader political and cultural battles. The show weaves together legislative analysis, polling, media criticism, and combative rhetoric, aiming both to inform and to rally the conservative base ahead of looming legislative and electoral battles.