The Rob Carson Show

Episode: From Tehran to Times Square: Protests, Pretenders, and Payback
Date: January 5, 2026
Host: Rob Carson (Newsmax)

Overview

This episode of The Rob Carson Show blends political satire, sharp commentary, and high-profile guest insights to dissect a dramatic week in world events. The main themes center on seismic political shifts—the mass protests in Iran against the ayatollahs, the U.S.-orchestrated arrest of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro, and what these signal for global freedom. Within the U.S., Rob zeroes in on corruption scandals, collectivist rhetoric from left-wing politicians (especially in New York), and a shifting media landscape. Humor, musical parody, and tough-talking optimism run throughout, with recurring commentary from Jim Gossett and legal analyst Thane Rosenbaum.

Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. Historic Protests in Iran

• Mass Protests Erupt: Rob opens with news of tens of thousands marching against the Iranian regime in Marvdasht, declaring:

  “I believe that we are witnessing history at light speed the last couple of days…It’s about time that they were able to throw those headscarves in the fire pit and walk free.” [00:46]

• Women’s Rights: Rob calls out Western silence over Iranian women's oppression and expresses hope for a coming revolution.

2. The Fall of Nicolás Maduro

• US Operation: Rob describes the unprecedented U.S. Delta Force raid that saw Maduro arrested and extradited:

  “They said you can go to China…but he chose to be proud in the face of a president who has cajones and a military that has been reborn because we don’t have pudding for brains as the president anymore.” [15:02]

• Celebration Across the Americas: Jim Gossett adds satirical songs, capturing the mood of Venezuelan exiles and Latin American communities (“Yes, they have no Maduro...and they thank the US of A” [03:05]).
• Impact on Authoritarianism: Legal analyst Thane Rosenbaum frames the event as a ‘domino effect’ following U.S. support for allies and military actions in Iran and elsewhere [25:34].

3. New York’s Left Turn: Critique of Collectivism

• Collectivism vs. Individualism:
  • Newly sworn-in NYC officials (notably Eric Adams and Zoran Mandami) are lampooned for parroting socialist talking points about making public transit free without funding plans.
  • Memorable moment:

    “We will replace the frigidity of rugged individualism with the warmth of collectivism.” —NYC Mayor Eric Adams [06:23]

    • Rob’s retort: “That is the dumbest fricking thing I’ve ever heard from an American politician. It is the most profoundly ignorant, uneducated and idiotic thing… Even the Washington Post editorial board said…that line could only be uttered by someone who overlooks the human misery…visited in the name of collectivism.” [06:29–07:15]
• Financial Reality: Rob ridicules the “it doesn’t matter how, just do it” mentality regarding funding massive social programs:

  “Maybe the tooth fairy riding a unicorn will descend…That’s how you end up with $200 trillion in California of unfounded liabilities.” [08:09]

4. Government Fraud & Entitlement Abuse

• Minnesota Somali Fraud Scandal:
  • Rob calls out endemic fraud in state welfare and autism programs, focusing on Somali-run nonprofits and politicians like Ilhan Omar, Keith Ellison, and former Gov. Tim Walz:

    “Whistleblower inside the DHS uncovered Somali Daycare Fraud Network in 2018, accurately citing $100 million in fraud and claiming it was funding Al Shabaab. Tim Waltz did nothing. Tim Waltz knew about it. So did Keith Ellison. So did Elon [Ilhan] Omar.” [17:57]

  • The “Feeding Our Future” program is singled out:

    “Claimed to distribute meals to schoolchildren, but instead stole $250 million. Ilhan Omar was in charge of getting the money.” [18:41]

• Call for Accountability: Rob insists that enablers and participants should be prosecuted and deported:

  “Parents of these children need to be removed from the United States as well. Not just the people who created this, but the actual people who said their kids had autism, who said their parents needed care, whatever, they all need to go. You’re gone. Back to Somalia with you.” [19:51]

• Broader Abuse of Entitlements: Elon Musk is brought in via sound bites to call government payout systems “the biggest scam of all time…probably a trillion dollar scam. There’s never been a trillion dollar scam.” [09:10–09:24]
  • He claims Democrats wield entitlements fraud to attract and keep illegal immigrants for votes. [11:13]

5. Media Change & “Astroturf” Protests

• Shift in Legacy Media:
  • CBS gets rare praise for covering the Maduro arrest positively, described by Rob as a “mea culpa,” while he predicts ABC, NBC will eventually follow as reality becomes too big to spin [30:40, 31:07].
• Fake Protests: Thane and Rob agree anti-American street protests are “astroturf”—elite-funded and insincere:

  “It’s astroturf. It’s as organic as a Twinkie...when hundreds of millions of Hispanics…are dancing in the streets, so are the people of America.” [27:52]

6. America’s Global Leadership and Its Critics

• Contrast with Past Presidents:
  • Thane Rosenbaum contrasts the unifying moments of Reagan and George W. Bush to today’s divided America:

    “What just happened over the weekend—the response by mainstream media—is not in any way comparable to Ronald Reagan at the Berlin Wall…when George W. Bush stood on the rubble…the networks covered it…Look what you’re seeing now…mainstream media is picked up by a new mayor now…they never give America the benefit of the doubt.” [29:21–34:36]

• Optimism for Change:
  • Rob expresses faith that historical tides are turning, with freedom movements gathering momentum globally and domestically:

    “I do believe we are witnessing history. I do believe 2026 is going to be an amazing year for America and for freedom around the world.” [38:37]

7. The Collapse of the Iranian Regime

• Regime Wobbling: Both see opportunity in the Iranian protests:

  “The ayatollah, he’s already shopping, he’s looking at Zillow in Russia is what I’m hearing. I don’t believe he’s going to be long for control in the country…This time, I think we can make this happen.” [35:18–36:41]

• Critique of Western Feminism: Thane laments the silence of American feminists:

  “Where were American feminists on this?…They will behead a woman if a husband or throws acid in the face…where are feminists on this?” [35:51–36:07]

8. New York’s Social Experiments & Consequences

• Separatism in NYPD:
  • Thane highlights reports that an NYPD officer refuses to salute the American flag for religious reasons, which Rob decries as a sign of breakdown in civic unity [37:28].

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “We are witnessing history at light speed.” —Rob Carson [00:46]
• “We will replace the frigidity of rugged individualism with the warmth of collectivism.” —NYC Mayor Eric Adams [06:23]
• “That is the dumbest fricking thing I’ve ever heard from an American politician…This is what happens when you are ignorant of history. You are doomed to repeat it.” —Rob Carson [06:29–07:23]
• “The only warmth of collectivism is bodies in body pits or ovens. That’s your collectivism.” —Rob Carson [07:23]
• “The biggest scam of all ever time ever…of human history.” —Elon Musk [09:11–09:18]
• “The hatred of America is so great that when you have a win like taking in Maduro…that’s considered a war crime by America.” —Thane Rosenbaum [27:52]
• “We have to overwhelm them with patriotism and faith and joy." —Rob Carson [30:16]
• “I do believe we are witnessing history. I do believe 2026 is going to be an amazing year for America and for freedom around the world.” —Rob Carson [38:37]

Important Timestamps

• [00:46]—Opening commentary on Iranian protests, regime change
• [03:05]—Satirical “No Maduro” song (Jim Gossett)
• [06:23–07:23]—NYC collectivism debate; Rob’s scathing response
• [09:11–09:18]—Elon Musk calls government fraud the “biggest scam of all time”
• [15:02]—Rob on the symbolism of Maduro’s arrest
• [17:57–19:51]—Details and outrage over Minnesota Somali welfare fraud
• [25:34]—Thane Rosenbaum: “It’s almost like dominoes falling” re: Venezuela/Iran
• [29:21–34:36]—Comparison to past unifying moments; criticism of US media and left-wing activists
• [35:18–36:41]—Iran regime’s vulnerability; missed opportunities in 2009 and after
• [37:28]—NYPD Islamist controversy
• [38:37]—Closing optimism about 2026 as a historic year

Episode Tone & Style

Energetic, irreverent, and combative—Rob Carson mixes humor and righteous anger with optimism. He uses satire, parody songs, and mockery especially toward progressive politicians and media. Guest Thane Rosenbaum provides sharp historical perspective and occasionally somber reflection, while still participating in Rob’s hopeful worldview.

For New Listeners

This episode is a whirlwind, touching on world-changing news—regime instability in Iran, a dramatic U.S. operation in Venezuela, and the slow (potential) undoing of corrupted American systems. If you’re looking for unfiltered conservative commentary that blends parody, history, and an unashamedly patriotic outlook, Rob Carson brings it all—spiced with moments of brash comedy and urgent calls for accountability.