The Rob Carson Show – From Weed Wars to World Wars: Rob Carson’s Wild Ride Through Politics

Date: October 20, 2025
Host: Rob Carson (Newsmax Podcasts)
Main Guest: Gordon G. Chang, China analyst and author

Episode Overview

This episode of The Rob Carson Show delivers its trademark blend of humor, sharp political commentary, and cultural hot takes, even as live streaming faces technical issues. Host Rob Carson (longtime comedy writer for Rush Limbaugh) navigates through a whirlwind of topics: razor-thin political races in Virginia, evolving China-U.S. dynamics with Gordon Chang, the growing cultural annoyances connecting weed and undergarments, and his ever-present skepticism toward mainstream narratives. With election season in full swing and global challenges shifting, Carson and Chang dissect everything from weed lawsuits in DC to “soybean wars” with China, mixing pop culture, mockery, and interviews for an energetic and pointed hour.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Virginia Election Showdowns

• Rob Carson launches into the tight races in Virginia, using characteristic humor and name-calling to highlight Republican optimism and Democratic missteps.
  • Winsome Sears vs. Abigail Spanberger
    • Carson (01:40): “Gutter Winsome Sears running against Abigail Spamberger. That’s what I call her because she’s no meat, just filler and bad for you.”
    • Donald Trump audio (04:07): “I think the Republican candidate is very good and I think she should win because the Democrat candidate’s a disaster... your energy is going to double and triple [under Democrats].”
  • Attorney General Race (Jason Miyares vs. Jay Jones)
    • Carson discusses controversy over Jay Jones’ violent texts, expressing disbelief at Democratic tolerance.
    • Carson hammers Democrats for hypocrisy in their handling of candidates with problematic associations (timing of information releases, party priorities).
    • Memorable quote: “He is a sick man. What he said in his text would disqualify you from a background check in law enforcement. He should not be the AG for the state of Virginia.” (05:54)
• John Reed’s DIY Campaign Ad
  • Carson praises Republican LT. Gov hopeful John Reed for writing his own campaign ad, likening him to “Mr. Smith.”
  • Ad sample (09:51): “I'm John Reed, candidate for lieutenant governor, and I wrote this ad. Every generation faces a choice. Strength or surrender, courage or cowardice.”

2. Shutdowns & Trump’s Popularity

• Carson contrasts public reaction to Trump-era shutdowns, arguing the current climate doesn’t damage Trump’s standing.
  • Guest commentator (12:28): “[Trump’s] net approval rating is actually up a point…this shutdown hasn’t even [hurt] his support at all.”
  • Carson (13:16): “The Democrats are so incredibly full of crap…trying to get him thrown in jail for 700 years, taking his fortune and then trying to murder him…”

3. Satire and Music Parodies

• Trump parody song mocking Democrats for shutdowns, co-written with Jim Gossett (14:03):
  • Noteworthy lyrics: “Blame the shutdown on the Democrats. Schumer cannot be trusted. Schumer shut down. Fighting for illegals to get free health care.”
  • Carson (after the song): “If you’d like to help Jim Gossett out, patreon.com/jimgossettcomedy.”

4. Weed Lawsuits & ‘Stupid’ Culture

• Carson riffs on the omnipresence (and smell) of marijuana, highlighting a D.C. legal win by an elderly woman over neighbor’s excessive smoking.
  • Carson (15:13): “Weed never smells good. I don’t care if you’re a major pothead…Nobody needs a contact high.”
• Launches his “Not Catching the Stupid” segment, satirizing news like Kim Kardashian’s new underwear line (with fake pubic hair):
  • Carson (18:34): “Kim Kardashian’s skims just dropped thongs…micro string thongs with faux pubic hair. My God in heaven.”

In-depth Interview: China with Gordon G. Chang

(23:00 – 38:26)

a. Western Executives Return from China ‘Terrified’

• Carson introduces Chang as the show’s go-to China analyst and discusses recent Western anxiety about Chinese technological innovation in manufacturing (especially autos and robotics).
  • Chang (23:27): “They stole it from us. But nonetheless, China’s been making strides on its own…because they’ve poured an enormous amount of resources into the area.”
• China’s Demographic and Labor Crisis
  • Chang (24:29): “China manufactures more than half the world’s robots each and every year because their workforce has been shrinking since 2011…and they’re throwing people out of work.”
  • Impact: This trend undermines China’s supposed manufacturing advantage as automation will favor production closer to end consumers (e.g., “a robot in Kentucky” vs. a robot in China).

b. Drug & Tech Supply Chains “Returning Home”

• Carson notes Trump administration’s push to repatriate both pharmaceuticals and chip manufacturing.
  • Chang (26:20): “We’re making the world’s most sophisticated chips at a TSMC plant in Arizona. That’s a great milestone for the U.S.”
  • On drugs: “We don’t make the key starting materials…the APIs…most of them are made either in India or China exclusively. We’ve got a real problem there.”

c. Rare Earth Minerals & the Australian Deal

• Chang (27:37): “Trump and [Australian PM] Albanese signed that $8.7 billion deal for the co-production and co-mining of rare earths…cutting China out of its supply chain.”
• Carson notes importance of “dig, baby, dig” and shifting critical component production out of China.

d. Venezuela’s Drug Cartels and China’s Allies

• Carson and Chang discuss U.S. moves against Venezuela’s regime and its connections to China.
  • Chang (28:51): “That’s going to take one of China’s biggest proxies out of Latin America.”
  • Carson: “They’ve emptied their prisons into the U.S…What an evil way to do things…”

e. Soybean Wars

• Discussion turns to China’s halt in buying U.S. soybeans and its effect on American farmers.
  • Chang (33:03): “China this year has not bought a single soybean from the United States. That’s part of this tariff war…they’ve been violating their trade obligations.”
• Suggests tariff revenue should directly support U.S. farmers.

f. U.S. Industrial Policy and China’s Fragile Economy

• Carson brings up Trump’s push for price floors and a strategic mineral reserve strategy.
  • Chang (35:03): “People don’t like industrial policy, but what the Chinese have been doing is driving the prices of rare earths through the floor to make sure [American] businesses go out of business.”
• On China’s economic health:
  • Chang (35:59): “They’re probably about an 8½ [out of 10, with 10 = collapse]. Their economy is really in trouble…people are not committing money to all sorts of projects.”
• Carson & Chang praise Trump’s “3D chess” on trade—isolating China via tariffs and targeted deals.
  • Chang (37:21): “All these trade deals are isolating China…really good policy on our part.”

g. Closing Thoughts on U.S.–China Rivalry

• Carson (37:53): “Isn’t it nice to have Superman back, Gordon? Superman was gone and the world goes to hell…And Superman is back.”
• Chang (38:10): “Yes, certainly is.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Jay Jones’ Controversial Texts:
  Rob Carson (07:25): “If the Republican Party was sitting on it, why the heck didn’t they release it before early voting? Your argument is specious and idiotic.”

• On the Modern Democratic Party:
  Rob Carson (09:25): “Democrats are cool with it. They sold their souls. They just want that D in office.”

• On John Reed’s Ad:
  Rob Carson (10:45): “He wrote that ad. He didn't have a team of consultants come up with it. This is Mr. Smith right here.”

• On Trump-era Shut Down:
  Rob Carson (13:16): “You can kiss my butt. There you go. Just kiss right here. I'm taking it right? Yeah. I'm bending over right now.”

• On Weed in Everyday Life:
  Rob Carson (15:13): “Weed never smells good. I don't care if you're a major pothead…nobody needs a contact high.”

• On China’s Economic Struggles:
  Gordon G. Chang (35:59): “Their economy is really in trouble…people are not committing money to all sorts of projects. And that means the Chinese economy is going to sink further in the future.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Virginia Political Races – 01:08–11:00
• Trump and the Shutdown – 12:28–14:45
• Satirical Song – Shutdown – 14:03–14:45
• Weed Lawsuit & ‘Not Catching the Stupid’ – 15:13–20:11
• Gordon Chang Interview: China’s Tech Edge, Demographics, and Trade – 23:00–38:26
• China’s Economic Collapse / U.S. Strategic Moves – 33:03–38:15

Tone, Style, and Final Thoughts

True to Rob Carson’s style, the episode is energetic, brash, and laced with sarcasm—balancing pointed political analysis with comedy and parody. Guests like Gordon Chang add substantive, logic-driven insights on U.S.–China relations, while Carson’s solo sections blend pop culture and politics with irreverence and directness. The overall mood is combative, confident, and distinctly conservative-populist.