The Rob Carson Show

Episode: Lt. Col. Tony Shaffer: Trump Just Changed the Game on Ukraine & Russia
Date: September 24, 2025
Podcast: Newsmax Podcasts

Episode Overview

This episode of The Rob Carson Show features Lt. Col. Tony Shaffer reacting to Donald Trump’s bombshell comments on Ukraine and Russia. The episode covers Trump’s assertion that NATO should be able to shoot down Russian planes and that Ukraine should reclaim “all of its land.” The conversation expands to the consequences of polarized rhetoric, recent politically-motivated violence, the state of U.S. politics and the Democratic Party, and overarching themes of globalism, free speech, and climate policies. Rob Carson drives the discussion with humor, pointed commentary, and his signature irreverent style.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Ukraine and Russia Comments: Paradigm Shift

• [20:44–22:23] Rob Carson recaps Trump's statement:
  • Trump declared Ukraine should recover all its land and gave the green light for NATO to shoot down Russian planes—a move characterized as “earth shattering.”
  • Carson’s takeaway: "Putin must have really pissed off Trump, brother." [21:07].
• Lt. Col. Tony Shaffer's analysis:
  • Trump’s comments marked a turning point, signaling deep frustration with Putin and a willingness to openly confront not just Russia, but also Europe’s complicity in funding the war.
  • Shaffer: “Right on the world stage, basically telling the Europeans, you're part of the problem.” [21:47].
  • Shaffer highlights Trump's unique approach: “[He's] leading a global effort...make every country on the planet great again by recognizing that there is a global order… create misery for the people of these countries.” [22:23].

2. The Ripple Effect: NATO, Europe, and Rhetoric Becoming Policy

• [23:40–24:19] Trump’s rhetoric v. policy:
  • Shaffer notes it’s not just talk—Trump’s willingness to follow up rhetoric with action is what “they’re really worried about.”
• [32:12] Russia’s "Paper Tiger" Status
  • Trump defines Russia as a "dangerous paper tiger," suggesting they’re weaker than portrayed, but still threatening.
  • Shaffer: “Russians’ position…is what’s ours is ours and what’s yours is negotiable.” [32:12].
  • “So now [Trump’s] going to go hard back at him...finally we got a guy who understands how to do it.” [32:48].
• Historical Comparison:
  • Carson and Shaffer liken Trump’s tactics to Ronald Reagan’s strategy against the Soviet Union, but argue Trump has “multiplied it by a hundred” [34:19].

3. Political Violence and the Blame Game

• Dallas ICE Facility Shooting ([01:32–02:05; 25:07])
  • Carson covers a breaking story: an attack on an ICE facility in Dallas, with “anti-ICE” messages on shell casings, linking political rhetoric to real-world violence.
  • Quote: “This is the monster they’ve created. The Democrat Party…have called people like Donald Trump Nazi fascist, ICE officers, Nazi fascist Gestapo…Charlie Kirk was murdered just two weeks ago because of this. And I'm done with it. Done with it.” [02:22–03:26].
• Lt. Col. Shaffer on rhetoric:
  • “It’s the other Democrats who are now constantly inciting violence…The whole mislabeling is creating the conditions for violence here.” [25:07].
  • Calls for “common sense Democrat control,” drawing parallel to calls for gun control [27:15].
  • Emphasizes that there are limits to free speech, specifically when political language incites violence. [27:39].
• Democratic Figures’ Rhetoric:
  • Audio is played of elected Democrats and commentators using language equating ICE with “Gestapo,” referencing mask-wearing agents, and public leaders like Gavin Newsom and Kamala Harris. [26:00–26:39].
  • Carson summarizes: “This has resulted in blood…These same words…used on the shell casings of the shooter in Minneapolis, Charlie Kirk, and now…the killings in Dallas targeting ICE.” [26:40–27:15].

4. Culture War & Media Battles

• Jimmy Kimmel & Late Night Television ([11:12–15:24]):
  • Carson devotes substantial time mocking Jimmy Kimmel’s return to late night TV after a suspension for his handling of the Charlie Kirk incident.
  • Kimmel: “It was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man…nor…to blame any specific group.” [13:06–13:23].
  • Carson: “No apology to Trump supporters for you saying what you did, because you absolutely blamed it on Trump supporters.” [13:41].
  • Extended segment ridicules Kimmel’s emotional tone and compares him unfavorably to legendary host Jack Paar.
• Historical Parallels:
  • Carson replays a historic Jack Paar clip about censorship, drawing a contrast to modern media [16:15–18:21].
  • Concludes: “You're a pimple on Jack Parr's butt. Yeah, I said it. I said it.” [18:30].

5. Government Spending, the Democrats, and the Budget

• [08:15–10:02] Government Shutdown Showdown:
  • Carson and audio clips from Mike Johnson and Chuck Schumer debate the looming threat of a government shutdown.
  • Main talking points: alleged Democratic efforts to reinstate healthcare for illegal immigrants, support for liberal media outlets, and continued “massive” spending.
  • Carson’s verdict: “Screw your budget and screw your party. I wouldn't negotiate one little bit. And if you want to shut down the government, shut down the government.” [10:02].

6. Climate, Globalism, and Trump’s UN Critique

• [28:40-31:12] Trump’s Speech at the UN:
  • Carson and Shaffer share delight at Trump “shredding” the world’s green energy agenda at the United Nations.
  • Shaffer: “The green climate movement doesn’t understand climate…we’re getting ready…heading back into a net cooling phase because…the biggest contributor to global warming is the sun.” [29:30–30:12].
  • Fossil fuels as a “gift from God”: “The only renewable source of energy actually is fossil fuels. That’s it.” [30:37].
  • Carson: “You know what I call those windmills? Bird salad shooters.” [31:12].

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Carson (On Dems & ICE):
  “This is the monster that they've created. The Democrat Party on a number of different fronts have called people like Donald Trump Nazi fascist ICE officers, Nazi fascist Gestapo... Charlie Kirk was murdered just two weeks ago because of this. And I'm done with it. Done with it.” [02:20–03:26]

• Trump (clip, on Ukraine):
  “Let them get their land back. So we'll see how it all works out.” [19:48]

• Shaffer (on Trump’s strategy):
  “He's leading a global effort…make every country on the planet great again by recognizing that there is a global order... All it does is create misery for the people of these countries.” [22:23]

• Shaffer (on Democratic rhetoric):
  “We don't need common sense gun control. We need common sense Democrat control. How would that look? Can we deport Democrats to, say, I don't know, Cuba?” [27:15]

• Carson (on media & late night):
  “You're a pimple on Jack Parr's butt. Yeah, I said it.” [18:30]

• Shaffer (on climate policy):
  “The only renewable source of energy actually is fossil fuels. That's it.” [30:37]

• Carson (on political realignment):
  “This is it for the Democrat Party... they better get off this ship, because this is the ship of evil. This is the ship of darkness, and you don't want to be on board.” [34:39]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:44] Carson recaps Trump’s Ukraine, NATO, and Russia comments
• [21:05] Lt. Col. Shaffer joins, analyzes Trump’s new tone and policy signals
• [23:40] Trump’s rhetoric meets action; European complicity discussed
• [25:07] Political violence and Democratic rhetoric dissected
• [29:30] Climate change, green energy critiques, and UN speech highlights
• [32:12] “Paper tiger” Russia and new strategies for NATO/Ukraine
• [34:39] Carson declares a “turning point” in political realignment

Summary in the Show’s Tone

Rob Carson blends sharp-edged humor with urgent political commentary in this episode, unleashing on Democrats for their rhetoric, holding media figures to account, and celebrating what he sees as a Trump-led global turning of the tide on issues of war, sovereignty, climate, and “the world order.” Lt. Col. Tony Shaffer, providing expert military analysis, sees Trump’s “game-changing” statements as the foundation for a new policy direction that terrifies both Moscow and Brussels. Together, Carson and Shaffer link cultural, media, and violent events into a narrative of a society at a crossroads—one on the verge of rejecting political and ideological extremes in favor of strength, sovereignty, and unapologetic action.

(End of summary.)