The Rob Carson Show: Mary Walter Breaks Down the Epstein Files Drop & TPUSA Event

Date: December 22, 2025
Host: Mary Walter (in for Rob Carson)
Podcast: The Rob Carson Show, Newsmax Podcasts

Episode Overview

Guest host Mary Walter leads a lively, insightful, and at times sharply humorous exploration of current conservative movement drama: the fallout from Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest (AMFest), Nicki Minaj’s headline-making “come to Jesus” moment, and the highly publicized Epstein Files document dump. Walter balances topical breakdowns, memorable guest contributions, and listener engagement—while also spotlighting issues of decorum, party unity, and the real-world implications of “the files.” The episode is spirited, opinionated, and designed to both entertain and provoke thought.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Two Weeks with Mary Walter

• Mary introduces herself as guest host for two weeks, expresses affection for Rob Carson’s generosity and humorously comments on his “Austin Powers” decorating taste.
• She promotes her own podcast and upcoming Christmas week episode with Hans Von Spakovsky (starts at [03:27]).

2. Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest (AMFest) Drama

Segment Begins: [05:34]

Nicki Minaj’s Unexpected Appearance

• Walter highlights Nicki Minaj’s surprising pro-Trump shift, noting Minaj’s past support for Obama, Hillary, and Bernie.
• "I did not have Nicki Minaj on my 2025 bingo card as having her come to Jesus moment when it comes to Trump." — Mary Walter [05:59]
• Minaj emphasized the power in allowing people to change their minds.

Erica Kirk’s Strength

• Praises Erica Kirk for her resilience ("her husband was assassinated three months ago on national TV") and for persevering to ensure AMFest happened.

Conservative Infighting: Shapiro, Carlson, Fuentes, Owens

• Ben Shapiro firmly denounced Tucker Carlson for platforming Nick Fuentes and Candace Owens for "vomiting all sorts of hideous and conspiratorial nonsense" [17:08].
• "Hosts are indeed responsible for the guests they choose and the questions they ask those guests." — Ben Shapiro [17:44]
• Tucker Carlson shot back, mocking Shapiro as a "cancer that spreads."
• Candace Owens: Criticized for lacking “grace” regarding comments about Charlie Kirk’s assassination and Brigitte Macron. Walters objects to Owens making conspiracy allegations so soon after Kirk’s death.
• Megyn Kelly adds to the feud, calling Shapiro “a marginal figure” and ending their friendship.
• Steve Bannon attacks what he sees as an “Israel First” rather than “America First” crowd.
• J.D. Vance tries to “clean up” and restore party unity.

Walter frames this as damaging spectacle akin to "Real Housewives Jersey," warning it undermines conservative unity ahead of midterms.

Notable Quote

• "You don't fight your battles on a public stage, in my humble opinion." — Mary Walter [08:57]

3. Scott Jennings on the State of the GOP

Segment Begins: [24:11]

• Jennings, from CNN, forcefully asserts the Republican party does not need to accept "everything that oozes in under the door," particularly anti-Semitic figures.
• "If you had a political party meeting, Republican meeting, and somebody came in and said, 'Hey, I have an idea: Let’s raise all the taxes to 100%,' you’d beat them up and throw them out. So if somebody oozes in and says, 'Hey, I have an idea: deny the Holocaust. Let's, you know, turn our back on Israel. Let's attack the Jews... why wouldn't we treat them the same way?'" — Scott Jennings [24:11]
• Jennings condemns Candace Owens’ conduct regarding Erica Kirk as “disgusting and vile” [25:14].
• Walter concurs: “I agree with Scott Jennings. It is disgusting, and it’s just wrong.” [25:45]

4. Nicki Minaj: A Conservative “Come to Jesus” Moment

Segment Begins: [28:15]

Minaj on Trump and J.D. Vance

• Minaj expresses admiration: "He has... given so many people hope that there’s a chance to beat the bad guys and to win and to do it with your head held high and your integrity intact. He’s from Queens, New York, like me." — Nicki Minaj [28:15]
• She relates to Trump and Vance’s ability to “connect with the world” and various groups [29:01].

On Changing Her Mind & Responding to Haters

• Minaj: “One thing I think we need to learn how to do is accept people changing their minds and allowing people to change their minds.”
• When asked about backlash in her industry:
  "I didn’t notice... When people are like, 'what do you think about them?' I’m like, 'I don’t think about them.' Bingo. We don’t even think about them. We don’t have time to... We’re too busy building. We’re the cool kids.” — Nicki Minaj [34:27]

Role Models for Young Men

• “For young men... Don’t be Newscom[?], yes. Dear young men, you have amazing role models, like our handsome, dashing president... Like the assassin JD Vance, our vice president.” — Nicki Minaj [36:59]
• Mary Walter quips about Minaj’s dramatic phrase "assassin," but praises her underlying message.

Religious Freedom & Global Persecution

• Minaj discusses working with Trump administration at the UN to highlight Christian persecution.
• "No group should ever be persecuted for practicing their religion. We don’t have to share the same beliefs in order for us to respect each other." — Nicki Minaj (quoted by Mary) [27:35]

Walter expresses genuine surprise and newfound respect for Minaj’s substance and evolving views.

5. Breaking Down the Epstein Files Drop

Segment Begins: [38:42]

Skepticism Over “Bombshells”

• Walter argues Democrats hoping for Trump dirt in the files will be disappointed, noting nothing is likely to surface that wasn’t already leaked when politically useful:
  "If there was a bombshell about President Trump... it would have been leaked out." [38:57]

Need for Caution:

• On images of Bill Gates, Bill Clinton, and others, Walter warns against guilt by association:
  "Just because you were at that resort doesn’t mean that you participated in, you know, sex trafficking..." [39:58]

Scott Jennings Reframes

• Jennings:
  "Regarding Bill Clinton, I’m sorry to tell you the reason that Bill Clinton’s picture is in the Epstein files is because this has always been a story about Bill Clinton and not Donald Trump. We should call it the Clinton files, not the Epstein files. That’s what we’re learning tonight." [45:15]

Controversy Over Redactions and Removals

• DOJ removed 16 photos post-publication, spurring outcry. Discussion over whether the law allows retroactive redactions after mandatory release deadlines.
• Walter notes the left’s sudden selectivity about process:
  "Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we ran the government that way all the time? ... The outrage over not following the letter of the law exactly, seems to be very small." [47:09]

On Naming Alleged Perpetrators

• Walter worries about due process:
  "A victim can name a name, but without an investigation, I don’t think you have the right to publish that because people aren’t going to read allegedly in front of it..." [48:10]

Trump’s Lawyer Responds

• Todd Blanche (Trump’s lawyer) on Meet the Press:
  On redactions: “No, not unless it’s supposed to be redacted under the law, which means victim information... I have no reason to believe that the lawyers that were working on this case were talking about President Trump because he had nothing to do with the Epstein files.” [53:28]
  On photos: “If there’s photographs that we have of President Trump... they, of course, will be released with the exception of any victims...” [55:00]

6. New York’s School Phone Ban: Social Experiment

Segment Begins: [58:25]

• NY state bans phones in public schools during school hours (“the great phone lockup”).
• At first, parents (more than students) struggle with the change; teachers report “pleasant buzz,” more socializing and spontaneous board game or sports activities.
• Walter muses on generational changes, supports the experiment, and fields a caller’s concerns about school shootings and communication.
• Walter: “I think parents are more upset about this than kids because the parents, ‘oh my gosh, I have to be in touch with my child at all times.’ Again, I’m Gen X. I was raised feral...” [58:59]

Caller Nathan (New Hampshire) questions property rights and safety. Walter counters that phones can also be a distraction and liability in emergencies.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “Shapiro just came into dinner and flipped a table a la Teresa Giudice... But Teresa’s getting paid for her antics. Ben Shapiro is not.” — Mary Walter [18:59], on conservative drama
• “We have lost how to be graceful in our society, both men and women.” — Mary Walter [10:05]
• “I love this audience. I love when you guys call in. We always have such good conversations. So I’m looking forward to the next two weeks.” — Mary Walter [03:15], inviting engagement

Timeline of Major Segments

| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | |------------|------------------------------------------------| | 03:27 | Show intro, guest lineup, podcast plug | | 05:34 | TPUSA’s AmericaFest drama, Nicki Minaj, Kirk | | 17:08 | Ben Shapiro’s AMFest speech on Tucker, Fuentes | | 24:11 | Scott Jennings on anti-Semitism, GOP drama | | 28:15 | Nicki Minaj on Trump, values, role models | | 38:42 | Epstein files coverage, media/dem drama | | 45:08 | Scott Jennings: Epstein files focus on Clinton | | 53:28 | Todd Blanche on Meet the Press, redactions | | 58:25 | NY State school phone ban—social outcomes | | 69:29 | Callers debate phone ban, school safety |

Episode Tone & Takeaway

The episode is dynamic, honest, and occasionally sharp-edged in its critique of both internal conservative squabbles and media/FBI/Democratic conduct. Mary Walter keeps the tone light, humorous, and accessible—while urging a focus on unity, grace, due process, and the need to elevate real debate. The segments with Nicki Minaj are particularly engaging, offering a rare cultural crossover. The extended Epstein files discussion provides thoughtful skepticism and a warning against jumping to conclusions based on association.

For Listeners:
If you want a lively, analytical rundown of the recent conservative infighting, the true state of the Epstein Files, and a surprising dash of Nicki Minaj as a political thought leader—delivered with wit, respect, and genuine audience engagement—this episode is well worth your time.