The Ebro, Laura, Rosenberg Show – Episode 35

"Pam Bondi Called Out + Cardi On Tour + R Kelly Speaks Out"

Date: February 12, 2026

Episode Overview

This packed episode of the Ebro, Laura, Rosenberg Show tackles the controversy around former Attorney General Pam Bondi's recent testimony, covers Cardi B’s politically charged tour kickoff, delves into revelations in the R. Kelly case, and explores currents in pop culture and hip hop. The hosts blend serious political commentary with their trademark humor, connect with listeners, and highlight key developments across music, media, and culture.

Table of Contents

• Pam Bondi & Political Theater (04:41–09:42)
• Cuba, U.S. Policy, and International Relations (09:31–10:47)
• Cardi B: On Tour & In The Rundown (10:47–13:13)
• R. Kelly Survivor Speaks Out (14:26–21:48)
• Epstein Files, Conspiracies & Ghislaine Maxwell (21:48–25:00)
• Pop Culture: Gene Simmons, Cardi B, and More (12:57–13:54)
• James Van Der Beek, Dawson’s Creek, and Nostalgia (26:04–30:48)
• Music Roundup: J. Cole, LMA, and Jill Scott (36:39–43:19)
• Listener Letters: Parenting in NYC (52:07–56:47)
• Rapid-Fire: Jeezy Divorce, Takeoff’s Trial, and More (35:13–47:52)
• Show Growth & Community (44:23–61:38)
• Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Pam Bondi & Political Theater (04:41–09:42)

• Pam Bondi Dissected: The hosts react viscerally to Pam Bondi’s testimony before Congress, calling her "a bozo" and "incompetent" (06:00). Rosenberg says: "I want to fight. No, I want to have a fist fight... It was disgusting. These are not serious people, is all I can say." (05:04)
• Bondi is accused of deflecting, refusing to make eye contact during victim testimony, and serving as a "cheerleader for Donald Trump." Laura calls out Bondi's refusal to acknowledge victims: "She has no soul... she would not even look up, just kind of with her little binder." (05:44)
• Ebro contextualizes this as "political theater" meant to distract from the Epstein files: "This was to take over the news cycle so that we're now talking about her, and not the actual Epstein files..." (07:56)
• They play a compilation of Pam Bondi’s comments, showcasing her argumentative, defensive tone (06:35–07:34).

Notable Quote

• "The whole thing is given a grownup version of Regina George from Mean Girls." – Ebro (07:38)

Cuba, U.S. Policy, and International Relations (09:31–10:47)

• Ebro highlights U.S. pressure on Cuba: "In the meantime, you know, they're strangling Cuba right now... any country that sends oil to Cuba ... will get a... tariff or economic embargo, that's according to Donald Trump." (09:42)
• Laura and Ebro discuss President Sheinbaum of Mexico vowing to help Cuba.
• Ebro references the historical context of U.S.-Cuba tensions and Marco Rubio's advocacy for continued pressure.

Cardi B: On Tour & In The Rundown (10:47–13:13)

• Cardi B’s Political Tour: Laura celebrates Cardi B beginning her "Little Miss Drama Tour," noting both her stage presence and her on-stage jokes about ICE (31:05–31:52).
• Rosenberg raises concerns: "I wouldn't make those jokes... I think they'll say she's threatening them." (31:59)
• Laura counters that Cardi B "looks fantastic" and is undeterred by her breakup, saying, "She’s getting that money, Rosenberg. She’s not stressed." (11:22)

R. Kelly Survivor Speaks Out (14:26–21:48)

• The hosts cover the first public interview and memoir of Rashauna LanFair, the girl in the infamous R. Kelly tape.
• Laura explains, "It’s sad... She really admits being young and impressionable and... not really understanding and being groomed." (15:14)
• They play an excerpt from CBS Mornings (16:16–18:48) where Rashauna describes "the start of him entering into my life in a different way" (17:21).
• Discussion addresses the lack of media coverage, possible fatigue with the R. Kelly story, and the importance of telling the survivor's story: "Much of the abuse and sexual abuse that happens to people starts in family scenarios." – Ebro (20:27)
• Laura highlights the complicity of adults: "Sparkle is the one who was encouraging her... she basically knew that is the way to get him to pay attention." (20:52)
• Rosenberg, speaking as a father, says: "Even try to fathom a world in which family members would alley-oop basically children in their family to a predator..." (21:21)

Epstein Files, Conspiracies & Ghislaine Maxwell (21:48–25:00)

• Panel discusses recent revelations, including the sheer number of Epstein file references to Donald Trump: "No one is mentioned more than Donald Trump. The only person... more than Donald Trump is Jeffrey Epstein." – Ebro (08:37)
• Laura and Rosenberg express outrage at Ghislaine Maxwell’s relatively light prison conditions. Rosenberg: "She was Epstein and Jace. She was setting it all up." (23:08)
• The hosts note how dark and detailed the official documents are, referencing reactions by those who viewed the unredacted files, comparisons to Watergate, and possible links to JonBenet Ramsey (24:10–24:46).

Pop Culture: Gene Simmons, Cardi B, and More (12:57–13:54)

• Ebro questions the significance of Gene Simmons’ comments criticizing hip hop’s inclusion in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
• Rosenberg is exasperated, "We have enough to be triggered about, we don't need that." (13:13)
• Laura reads Simmons’ quote: "It's not my music. I don't come from the ghetto." (13:45)
• Ebro responds, "Guess where rock and roll comes from? Black neighborhood." (14:03)

James Van Der Beek, Dawson’s Creek, and Nostalgia (26:04–30:48)

• The group reacts to the passing of actor James Van Der Beek.
• Ebro confesses to never having watched Dawson’s Creek, triggering friendly ridicule: "Yo, man, he was young, too, right?" (26:45)
• They reminisce about late-90s TV, with Rosenberg sharing, "Dawson’s Creek launched James Van Der Beek, Katie Holmes and Josh Jackson..." (28:48)
• Laura and Rosenberg explain it as a "teenage soap opera," and compare its reach to 90210.
• Lots of playful banter about generational divides in pop culture knowledge.

Music Roundup: J. Cole, LMA, and Jill Scott (36:39–43:19)

• Pause for a music check-in: Ebro and Rosenberg debate J. Cole’s new double album, with Rosenberg partially walking back his "no skippers" claim: "There are a few weird ones that I'm like, I am good on this..." (38:27–40:32)
• Ebro maintains, "There's things on the album that are so hip hop, nerdy hip hop... even if I don't think everything landed, I love the attempt." (42:19)
• They shout out LMA’s new album (36:34) and anticipate new Jill Scott music: "Jill Scott’s barring it up Philly style on the album." – Ebro (51:14)

Listener Letters: Parenting in NYC (52:07–56:47)

• The "Gurus" segment features advice for new NYC parents juggling work, childcare, and building community.
• Laura gives practical tips: "References are the best way to go when it comes to childcare." (54:02)
• Ebro suggests, "Try to find someone at your husband’s job, maybe recently had a baby, maybe knows a nanny that they like..." (53:33)
• They recommend My Gym, community centers, and local websites. Laura: "There's really cool websites. Like Mary Poppins is one of them..." (54:51)
• Both underline that figuring out parenting in NYC is hard and recommend day-by-day flexibility and community outreach.

Rapid-Fire: Jeezy Divorce, Takeoff’s Trial, and More (35:13–47:52)

• Jeannie Mai seen cozying up with Anderson .Paak post-divorce, leading to host speculation and jokes (35:13–36:20).
• Takeoff’s murder suspect’s trial set for November—a reminder of the glacial pace of the justice system: "When you realize how horrible it is... what the family must be going through..." – Rosenberg (47:07)
• Merch updates, show growth, and plans for new segments and live events.

Show Growth & Community (44:23–61:38)

• Show celebrates hitting 50,000 YouTube subscribers in just eight weeks (44:23).
• The hosts review their business model, upcoming advertisers, and pride in maintaining a show that's "good for the whole family" without cursing or adult content (60:01–60:23).
• Ebro is impatient for more rapid growth, while Rosenberg reassures: "Somewhat objectively, this is going pretty good. It's going pretty good." (60:27)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Pam Bondi:
  "No, she's a bozo. She's incompetent. She has no soul." – Laura (05:44)
  "The whole thing is given a grownup version of Regina George from Mean Girls." – Ebro (07:38)

• On R. Kelly Survivor’s Interview:
  "That's why I feel like this story needs to be covered, especially right now..." – Ebro (21:36)

• On Ghislaine Maxwell:
  "She was Epstein and Jace. She was setting it all up." – Rosenberg (23:08)

• On Parenting in NYC:
  "References the best way to go when it comes to childcare." – Laura (54:02)

• On Hip Hop in the Rock Hall:
  "Guess where rock and roll comes from? Black neighborhood." – Ebro (14:03)

• On Growth:
  "Even from when we hit 50 this week, we're now today we'll eclipse 52. The movement is real." – Rosenberg (61:31)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Pam Bondi takedown and audio compilation
• Epstein files, political distractions
• Cuba embargo discussion
• Cardi B’s tour and ICE joke
• R. Kelly survivor interview clip
• Epstein/Maxwell and JonBenet link
• J. Cole album debate
• New parent advice ("the Gurus")

Closing

The episode wraps by celebrating community engagement and teasing tomorrow’s guest, Vic Mensa. The hosts reiterate the show’s mission—serious content with light touches, community support, and honest conversations. Ebro sums up the vibe:
"Just don't call it a podcast." (00:00)