The Rob Carson Show – Episode Summary

Episode Title: Psychotherapist Confirms: Trump Derangement Syndrome Is Real
Date: November 25, 2025
Host: Rob Carson
Key Guests: Victor Davis Hanson, Jonathan Alpert (psychotherapist), Doug Burns (former federal prosecutor)

Episode Overview

In this high-energy and humorous pre-Thanksgiving episode, Rob Carson challenges mainstream media narratives around Donald Trump, explores the phenomenon of "Trump Derangement Syndrome" (TDS) with psychotherapist Jonathan Alpert, and digs into recent legal battles involving high-profile Democrats with expert commentary from Doug Burns. The episode moves seamlessly between sharp political commentary, comedy, and pointed critiques of current sociopolitical trends, maintaining an irreverent, upbeat tone throughout.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump's Enduring Republican Support

• Carson and guests argue Trump still firmly controls the Republican Party, dismissing media claims of waning support.
• Data Point: “Republicans who approve of Trump. Six months ago, it was 87%. [...] It's the same number. It's 87%. He has not lost any support.” (Political Commentator, 01:26–01:42)
• Carson, with characteristic bravado, praises Trump's record and criticizes polling as misleading:

  “All those polls are crap.” (Rob Carson, 02:15)

2. Media Narratives & Cultural Division

• Carson mocks the ever-shifting negative media coverage of Trump and conservative figures, highlighting perceived hypocrisy and sensationalism.
• Lampoons stories casting figures like Elon Musk as villains one week and then dropping the narrative.
  • “A month ago, Elon Musk was a Nazi. [...] Where the hell are those people now?” (Rob Carson, 04:33–04:55)
• Victor Davis Hanson underscores Trump’s dominance over the GOP despite repeated efforts to defeat or discredit him:

  “They can’t decide whether they want to run against Trump or that he’s not going to be there. Whatever it is, he dominates the party like a colossus.” (Victor Davis Hanson, 05:08–05:39)

3. Trump Derangement Syndrome – A Real Psychological Phenomenon

• Carson discusses a viral claim by psychotherapist Jonathan Alpert that TDS is “real,” affecting roughly 75% of his patients.
• Alpert describes symptoms including hyper-fixation, loss of sleep, and being “traumatized by Mr. Trump.”
  • “People are obsessed with Trump. They’re fixated, they’re hyper fixated on Trump. [...] I would even go so far as to call it the defining pathology of our time.” (Jonathan Alpert, 10:16–10:53)
• Carson adds a personal touch, sharing stories of friendships lost over political differences and presenting a poll where 65% of his audience reported family or friendships destroyed due to Trump support (09:35–10:03).
  • “That’s the way Democrats are. They’re awful, awful people right now.” (Rob Carson, 10:05)
• Both Carson and Alpert lament America’s lost sense of unity, reminiscing about the bipartisan response to the Reagan shooting in the 1980s (11:18–11:51).

4. Political Tribalism & Social Division

• Includes a Bill Maher segment admitting, “the liberals are worse about this, I will admit it. We are just worse at the snobby thing, acting. I don’t know any conservatives [...] who don’t at least talk right.” (Bill Maher, 15:54–16:13)
• Carson agrees, highlighting what he sees as conservative tolerance compared to left-wing “snobbery” and ostracism:
  • “No Trump supporters went around and tore down Biden signs and, and nobody ever said, you’re not coming to my barbecue because you voted for a Democrat.” (Rob Carson, 15:11)

5. Cultural “Psyops” and Historical Revisionism

• Carson rails against changes like the removal of the Washington Redskins name and cultural icons (Land O'Lakes, Uncle Ben, Aunt Jemima), calling it misguided liberal activism and historical ignorance (17:48–19:08).
• Guest Mark May (former NFL player) affirms pride in the Redskins name as a Native American, rejecting claims of widespread Native American offense (19:10).

6. Legal Battles and “Weaponization” of Government

• In-depth analysis with Doug Burns about recent court decisions shielding James Comey and Letitia James, with a focus on perceived unequal treatment compared to Trump cases.
  • “Nobody, Judge Engoron, Judge Marshan, nobody would ever cut Donald Trump any kind of technical break like this in a million years.” (Doug Burns, 22:13)
• Discussion about the prospects for appeal and future prosecution strategies, underscoring the politicization of legal processes.

7. Divisive Rhetoric within the Military

• Carson and Burns condemn public calls for military insubordination as dangerous and unprecedented (30:23–32:22), specifically criticizing Senator Mark Kelly.
  • “For a guy with Kelly’s background to turn around and insinuate that orders should not be followed. [...] It's disgraceful.” (Doug Burns, 35:17)
• Pete Hegseth and others echo concerns about the erosion of order and discipline in the armed forces, blaming “snobby” liberals for fomenting division (34:52–35:17).

8. Loyalty and Political Accountability

• Quick-fire discussion on whether Pam Bondi should continue as Attorney General; consensus is Trump values loyalty and Bondi will remain (36:02–36:15).
  • “He’s got this weird thing going. It’s called loyalty. And some people still value that.” (Rob Carson, 36:07)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On TDS as pathology:

  “I would even go so far as to call it the defining pathology of our time.”
  —Jonathan Alpert (10:38)

• On lost unity:

  “When President Reagan was shot, people were united. [...] Our country has lost that.”
  —Jonathan Alpert (11:29–11:51)

• On left vs right social tolerance:

  “The liberals are worse about this, I will admit it. We are just worse at the snobby thing, acting.”
  —Bill Maher (15:54)

• On legal double standards:

  “Nobody would ever cut Donald Trump any kind of technical break like this in a million years.”
  —Doug Burns (22:13)

• On political division and the military:

  “You should never put out there, ‘You should go ahead and not follow these illegal orders.’ It’s a total disgrace.”
  —Doug Burns (32:22)

• On feeling vindicated and losing friends over politics:

  “For the people who’ve written me off, screw you. My life is better off without you.”
  —Rob Carson (10:13)

Key Timestamps

• 01:26–01:51: Trump’s consistent Republican approval ratings
• 05:08–05:39: Victor Davis Hanson on Trump’s party dominance
• 09:35–10:53: Carson’s poll & Jonathan Alpert on TDS prevalence
• 11:29–11:51: Alpert on the lost spirit of national unity
• 13:20–14:19: Discussion of lost friendships and family divisions due to Trump
• 15:54–16:25: Bill Maher’s admission about liberal elitism/snobbery
• 17:48–19:08: Carson on cancel culture and cultural symbols
• 22:13–25:06: Doug Burns on legal double standards and technicalities
• 30:23–33:05: Segment on military insubordination rhetoric
• 35:17–35:55: Closing thoughts on military loyalty, accountability

Overall Tone & Style

Rob Carson delivers his trademark blend of cutting humor and fiery political commentary, repeatedly ridiculing liberal “mania” and defending Trump and the MAGA movement as patriotic, embattled, and unfairly maligned. The show leans into culture war themes, celebrating Trump’s record, mocking progressive positions, and invoking a nostalgic longing for unity and common sense. Carson’s language is playful, irreverent, and often confrontational, especially regarding former friends, media critics, and Democratic leaders.

Conclusion

This episode is a whirlwind tour through current political controversies, psychological fallout from political polarization, and the deepening cultural rifts in America. Carson and his guests reject media narratives about Trump’s decline, argue that “Trump Derangement Syndrome” is a widespread and genuine pathology, and decry what they perceive as partisan weaponization of legal and historical institutions. The episode closes with defiant optimism and a call for joy, humor, and continued activism—MAGA-style.