The Rob Carson Show

Episode: "One Word for the Year: Yikes"
Date: January 2, 2026
Host: Mary Walter (sitting in for Rob Carson)
Notable Guests: Tony Kennett (Daily Signal)
Topic: 2025 in Review, New York City Politics, Anti-Semitism, Political Predictions

Episode Overview

The first broadcast of the new year dives into a retrospective on 2025, with substitute host Mary Walter prompting listeners to encapsulate the year with a single word. The episode navigates between personal stories, political commentary, and cultural observations. Key topics include the rise in anti-Semitism globally and in the U.S., expectations for New York City’s new leadership, predictions about upcoming national anniversaries and monuments, and a sharp critique of the current and future political climate.

Key Discussion Points

1. One Word to Describe 2025 (05:10–14:44)

• Mary Walter’s Perspective:
  Mary recounts her personal roller coaster year—highlighting highs like a Newsmax-sponsored diplomatic trip to Israel, professional opportunities, and the inauguration gala, as well as profound personal losses (the death of two cats and family members).

  • “For me, 2025 was a roller coaster… we had three cats, we ended it with one…” (06:45)
  • She notes the difficulty in being patient for medical results in the instant-information age. (02:15)

• Political Reflection:
  Mary frames the national mood as chaotic, with the murder of Charlie Kirk and subsequent public reaction as symbols of disorder. She attributes this chaos to deliberate efforts by “the left” to destabilize the Trump presidency.

  • “A lot of chaos, I think purposely set in motion by the left to make it seem like it's Trump’s fault.” (08:30)

• Caller Mark from Baltimore:

  • Mark’s one word: Anti-Semitism (09:41–13:23)
  • Mark reflects on the impact of the Iran–Israel war ("June 2025"), the global rise in anti-Jewish sentiment, and thanks the U.S. for supporting Israel.
  • He questions Mary about the perception of U.S. anti-Semitism among Israelis.
    • Mary’s Response:
      • Israelis are warm toward Americans, especially Trump supporters; there’s a belief among Israeli officials that only Trump can broker peace in the region.
      • She identifies a rift between Israeli and American Jews, suggesting Israel’s “problem is not with the media, your problem is with Jews in America.”
      • Notable quote: “I find myself defending Israel to American Jews. And that’s wrong.” (12:34)

Memorable Exchange

• Mark: “For us here in...the Jews world... it's anti-Semitism. There are no words...” (10:06)
• Mary: “They love Trump. There were signs everywhere. They love America and they love Donald Trump.” (11:27)
• Mary: “Israel’s got a problem with [American Jews].” (12:22)

2. 1998 Gallup Predictions for 2025 (15:00–21:10)

• Mary runs through a 1998 Gallup/USA Today poll about what Americans thought 2025 would look like.
  • Accurate: Rise of new diseases, commonplace gay marriage, more online shopping, gig economy, remote work, commonplace marijuana use.
  • Misfires: Woman President, environmental catastrophe, AIDS/cancer cures, space travel for ordinary citizens.
• “56% said most stores will be replaced by shopping on the Internet. That’s pretty much true.” (19:10)
• Observations on longevity:
  • “My husband's great-aunt lived to be 100... but that poor woman... she used to say all the time, 'All my friends are dead.'” (18:43)

3. Interview with Tony Kennett, Daily Signal (22:39–39:06)

New York City’s Socialist Leadership & Zoran Mamdani (23:09–33:43)

• Tony and Mary dissect the inauguration of Zoran Mamdani, newly-elected NYC mayor, focusing on his radical left policies and public events.

• Tony’s prediction for NYC politics:

  • “He has told you who he is. We have seen how these young Marxists act. He has already hired a lawyer to defend Al Qaeda. I’m not joking.” (25:33)
  • Tony warns that dismissing socialist policy ambitions as mere posturing is “idiotic” and expects Mamdani to find legal workarounds to fulfill promises, like gaining MTA control or implementing “free” transit.
    • “By the end of March, he has found a way to put the MTA under the exclusive control of New York City via some type of executive clause.” (27:12)

• Mary counters that posturing may falter because state-level fiscal and administrative controls remain.

• Both comment on the disastrous outcomes of Mamdani’s inauguration block party: overcrowded pens, no food or bathrooms—“the ultimate in socialism.”

  • “There’s none of that for the little people. But his wife was wearing...these super $650 boots.” (29:13)

• Tony:
  Draws a comparison to Bane’s revolution in “The Dark Knight Rises” and predicts a swift collapse when there aren’t resources or incentives for labor.

  • “That will come for New York... I do loathe the men and the women working in New York... who will have to suffer while these children learn their lesson.” (30:02)

• Commentary on voters’ responsibility:

  • “If you don’t care enough to get out and vote... you deserve what you get, good and hard.” (30:51)
  • Mary and Tony joke about “dad vs. mom parenting”—allowing self-inflicted consequences.

• On Mamdani’s first official acts:

  • Revoking executive orders, easing anti-Israel policies, drawing sharp rebuke from Israel’s government.
  • Tony lambasts left-wing rabbis who supported Mamdani:
    • “Those rabbis... care as much about being Jewish as the Westboro Baptist Church cares about actually being Baptist.” (32:38)

January 6th Panel Reunion: (33:43–38:31)

• Mary and Tony discuss the planned “reunion” of the January 6th House committee.
• Tony lampoons the idea:
  • “This has to be the gayest thing I’ve ever heard of… they’re going to reconvene like a high school reunion of all the losers.” (35:38)
  • He argues that further January 6th coverage will backfire, citing drops in Biden’s approval after previous efforts.
    • “It didn’t help Biden in 24. Right. This was going to push him to victory. And it pushed him in reverse.” (35:58)
  • Democrats, he posits, lack appeal beyond anti-Trump rhetoric.
• Mary: “The only thing the left has is being against Trump. They’re not for anything.” (36:37)
• Tony: “You have the socialists... There’s not enough white, angry, liberal, menopausal women to make it happen this year.” (38:21)

Quip on Voter Motivation

• Tony: “Voting is like going to the DMV. It sucks… Unless you live in Florida.” (37:27)

• Mary ends with: “Could you lay off the menopausal women? ...If men had to go through it, you’d have a totally different attitude.” (38:31)

• They part with mutual greetings for a blessed 2026.

4. National Anniversary Monument Plans (40:00–41:34)

• Trump proposes a triumphal arch modeled on Paris’s Arc de Triomphe for the 250th U.S. anniversary, near the Lincoln Memorial, to be funded with leftover private funds.
• Mary: “At first I was like, oh... but I think we need something to recognize the 250th anniversary.” (40:38)
• Mary jokes about Trump holding a small model of the arch, comparing it to the “Stonehenge” scene in Spinal Tap.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• "One word to describe 2025...for me, it was a roller coaster." – Mary Walter (06:22)
• "For us...it's anti-Semitism. There are no words..." – Mark, caller from Baltimore (10:07)
• "They love Trump. Trump’s the best. There were signs everywhere." – Mary Walter (11:27)
• "You have to sell American Jews in America...your problem is not with the media, your problem is with Jews in America." – Mary Walter (12:10)
• "He has already hired a lawyer to defend Al Qaeda. I’m not joking." – Tony Kennett (25:33)
• "Liberals are locusts, and they never connect their vote with the outcome." – Mary Walter (14:10)
• "Voting is like going to the DMV. It sucks… Unless you live in Florida." – Tony Kennett (37:27)
• "There's not enough white, angry, liberal, menopausal women to make it happen this year." – Tony Kennett (38:21)
• "At first I was like, oh [about the Arc de Triomphe project] ...but I think we need something to recognize the 250th anniversary." – Mary Walter (40:35)

Most Memorable Moments

• Candid personal reflection by Mary on her tumultuous year, moving seamlessly from heartfelt to humorous.
• The sharp exchange on the flawed Gallup predictions for 2025—poignant in how some folly of forecasting reflects today’s realities.
• Tony Kennett’s unsparing, colorful critique of the new NYC leadership and the consequences of left-wing policy experiments, mixing historical references with pop culture.
• The banter on women and menopause, showing the show’s acerbic but self-aware tone.
• Dismissal of anti-Trump obsession as a political strategy.

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [05:10] – One-Word Year Reflections & Mary’s Israel Story
• [09:41] – Caller Mark on Anti-Semitism and the Jewish Community’s 2025
• [15:00] – 1998 Gallup Predictions for 2025
• [22:39] – Tony Kennett Segment Begins
• [23:09] – New York City/Mamdani Discussion
• [33:43] – January 6th Panel Segment
• [40:00] – Trump’s Anniversary Arch Proposal

Tone & Style

The episode balances irreverent humor and deadpan sarcasm—hallmarks of the Rob Carson Show—while tackling heavy issues (anti-Semitism, NYC politics, electoral dysfunction) and lighter pop culture trivia. Mary Walter anchors the conversation with relatable anecdotes, while Tony Kennett provides pointed (sometimes barbed) political analysis. The language is direct, conversational, at points provocative, and generally skewed toward a conservative, talk radio audience.

For Listeners Who Missed It

This episode encapsulates the show’s blend of “funny and informative,” mixing political and cultural reflection with whip-smart, sometimes biting commentary. If you’re interested in the mood among conservative media at the dawn of 2026, the fate of New York City under socialist leadership, or the sociopolitical vibe-check for 2025, this episode is a perfect snapshot—replete with sharp humor, personal dispatches, and the usual skepticism of mainstream narratives.