The Rob Carson Show — “Sayonara, NATO! Brigitte Gabriel Unleashed!”

Podcast: Newsmax Podcasts
Date: April 1, 2026
Host: Rob Carson
Featured Guests: Marco Rubio, Donald Trump (audio), Victor Davis Hanson, Brigitte Gabriel (National Security Analyst, ActForAmerica.org)

Episode Overview

This action-packed episode delves into a seismic shift in global politics: the US’s recent military campaign against Iran, the surprising withdrawal from NATO, and historic changes in the Middle East. Rob is joined by distinguished guest Brigitte Gabriel, who offers passionate, firsthand insight into international security, the collapse of the Iranian regime, and the path forward for the region. With cameo audio from Donald Trump, Victor Davis Hanson, and frequent interjections from Senator Marco Rubio, the show blends humor, sharp analysis, and moments of real emotion.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Historic Developments: Iran and Venezuela (01:11–05:39)

• US Action Against Iran:
  Rob Carson reflects on the US-led attack on Iranian nuclear facilities and the rapid pace of change in the region.

  • "We are witnessing history right now with the fall of the Ayatollah in Iran...We've been so bloody busy that we haven't had a chance to really celebrate the history we're seeing." (01:25 - Rob Carson)

• Venezuela’s Political Turnaround:
  Reports on Maduro’s ouster and reopening of the US Embassy in Caracas—framed as a symbol of shifting US foreign policy success.

• Positive Economic News:
  American manufacturing is rebounding (notably Mercedes Benz’s $4B investment). Rob interweaves humor: "They're going to build those cars you and I can't afford." (02:19 - Rob Carson)

Why the US Struck Iran Now (04:32–06:17)

Marco Rubio explains:

• Motivation for the Strike:
  • Iran's quest for nuclear weapons, despite international offers for peaceful nuclear energy, and the construction of secret facilities deep within mountains.
    • "Iran wants to have nuclear weapons. Of that there is zero doubt..." (04:32 - Marco Rubio)
  • Iran constructing a “conventional shield” of missiles and drones, making future attacks virtually impossible if not addressed immediately.
    • "We were on the verge of an Iran that had so many missiles and drones that no one could do anything impenetrable about their nuclear weapons program in the future. That was an intolerable risk." (05:40 - Marco Rubio)
  • US took preemptive action; the alternative would have meant a region (and world) at greater risk.

Europe’s Role and the NATO Rethink (06:17–12:13)

Theme: Growing US frustration with NATO and European allies.

• Frustration with NATO Allies:

  • European nations declined to support US military operations, notably through base access.
    • "They let us down. They forsook us." (08:32 - Rob Carson)
  • Rubio proposes a fundamental reconsideration of NATO membership.
    • "If we can only use [our bases] in their time of need, not in ours, then why are we in NATO?" (08:51 - Marco Rubio)

• Victor Davis Hanson’s Analysis:
  Outlines how NATO allies have historically relied on the US, but hesitate to reciprocate.

  • "It's always been a one-way street...when they want to take action in their national interest, they come to us." (11:23 - Victor Davis Hanson)
  • Criticizes Europe’s lack of self-reliance despite economic and demographic strengths.
    • "NATO members in Europe...are perfectly capable of stepping up and pulling their own weight. And this was a terrible, tragic error on their part." (11:40 - Victor Davis Hanson)

• Rob’s Commentary:

  • Heavy satire on European reluctance, calls out historical US sacrifices in Europe.
    • "They expect us to pull their rear ends out of the fire. We did it twice last century." (09:46 - Rob Carson)

State of the World: Winning Updates & Economy (16:57–18:20)

• Brigitte Gabriel & Marco Rubio Celebrate Wins:

  • "Lots of winning. It's oh, so good!" (16:59 – Rob Carson/Brigitte Gabriel)
  • Consumer confidence is up, signaling optimism in the US economy.
    • "We're coming in at 91.8. The expectation was 88. So this is an upbeat..." (17:57 - Brigitte Gabriel)

• Mercedes Benz Investment Highlighted:

  • $4B investment in Alabama, new milestones for American auto industry jobs.

The Middle East After the Ayatollah: Brigitte Gabriel Unleashed (23:40–39:14)

President Trump’s Approach (audio) & Brigitte’s Analysis (23:40–25:14)

• Trump’s Decisive Military Doctrine:
  • "President Trump will not finish this job one day too early. He will make sure that when we say it is done, he means it is done and the threat has been removed." (24:00 - Brigitte Gabriel)
• Speed and Effectiveness of US Campaign:
  • "What we have been able to accomplish is just phenomenal… World War II took four years. Here we have been able to accomplish in four weeks 90% of our objective." (24:00 - Brigitte Gabriel)
• Faith in US Military when ‘Unleashed’:
  • "I have faith in the American military...As long as they have a leader who unleashes the shackles...our military is capable." (26:03 - Brigitte Gabriel)

The Flow of Terrorism Funding — and Why It’s Over (27:54–28:59)

• The Critical Cut-off:
  • "This stops the money flow...the funding that has been poured into terrorist organizations...because Iran was funding them. Last year alone...Iran sent $1 billion to Hezbollah in Lebanon." (27:54 - Brigitte Gabriel)
• Personal Experience of Terror:
  • "I went through hell as a young person. I was actually talking to my friends in Lebanon...because they are in southern Lebanon, in the area that now Israel is moving into..." (29:07 - Brigitte Gabriel)

The Chance for Return: Brigitte’s Hope for Lebanon (30:18–30:54)

• Very Personal Stakes:
  • "I cannot wait for Israel to go in so I can actually go back home and see my home, the home that I grew up in...the places, the church my father built where I grew up singing in the choir until I was 20 years old." (30:18 - Brigitte Gabriel)
• Potential for a New Era:
  • "With the decapitation of Hezbollah, with the decapitation of Iran, the terrorist regime in Lebanon will not be able to grow...and give the people an opportunity to live in peace." (29:53 - Brigitte Gabriel)

The Future of Iran: Succession and Social Change (32:54–36:40)

• Post-Ayatollah Iran:

  • US and Israel likely planning for an interim government, possibly led by Pahlavi (exiled heir).
    • "Maybe Pahlavi will be the interim president working with the people in Iran until the Iranians choose somebody from the country..." (33:30 - Brigitte Gabriel)
  • The notorious Basij secret police likely to dissolve due to public hatred.
    • "If there is one organization in Iran that the population will revolt against, it's going to be the Basij." (35:39 - Brigitte Gabriel)

• Women’s Rights Revolution:

  • "It's so wonderful to see and know that the women in Iran are going to have the ability to live freely...to let their hair fly in the wind, to be able to breathe." (36:40 - Brigitte Gabriel)
  • Disappointment with Western feminists for not acknowledging this landmark liberation.
    • "They side with anybody that hates Trump and hates Israel, period. If Trump is saving the fish, the left is going to be upset..." (36:40 - Brigitte Gabriel)

Optimism for the Middle East (37:24–38:11)

• Historic Shift:
  • Many Arab states now stand with the US and Israel against Iran.
    • "All the Arabic blocs...are standing shoulder to shoulder with America and Israel against Iran and speaking up against Iran." (37:36 - Brigitte Gabriel)
  • European allies, in contrast, appear ‘on the wrong side of history’ by backing Iran’s former regime.

ActForAmerica.org: Mobilizing for Freedom (38:28–39:14)

• Brigitte’s Call to Action:
  • "We are the largest grassroots movement in America working...to preserve our culture and preserve our values. We have passed 300 bills...to protect America." (38:28 - Brigitte Gabriel)
  • Encourages listeners to get active: start chapters, volunteer, support ActForAmerica’s pro-freedom agenda.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On US-Iran Action

• Marco Rubio (on Iran’s nuclear ambitions):
  • "Iran wants to have nuclear weapons. Of that there is zero doubt." (04:32)
• Brigitte Gabriel (on military leadership):
  • "I have faith in what our military is able to execute. As long as they have a leader who unleashes the shackles from around their ankles and tells them, go do what you have been trained to do..." (26:03)

On NATO

• Rob Carson (on European allies):
  • "Whenever they need a war booty call, they just call us up. We go, okay, okay." (08:23)

On Women in Iran

• Brigitte Gabriel:
  • "To know that the women in Iran are going to have the ability to live freely, to let their hair fly in the wind, to be able to breathe..." (36:40)

On US Sacrifice

• Rob Carson:
  • "We got a lot of our servicemen buried at Point Duoc in France, for God's sake. And here we go." (09:46)

On Europe’s Failure to Step Up

• Victor Davis Hanson:
  • "NATO members in Europe...are perfectly capable of stepping up and pulling their own weight. And this was a terrible, tragic error on their part. And Americans are going to have a long memory..." (11:40)

Brigitte’s Hope for Lebanon

• "I cannot wait for Israel to go in so I can actually go back home and see my home, the home that I grew up in..." (30:18)

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:11 — Rob sets up the episode with major international headlines
• 04:32 — Marco Rubio explains why the US hit Iran now
• 08:05–09:46 — Is the US leaving NATO? Rob & Rubio discuss the value of the alliance
• 10:21 — Victor Davis Hanson: US as NATO’s perennial “muscle”
• 16:57–18:20 — Economic “winning update”: consumer confidence, Mercedes Benz jobs
• 23:40–25:14 — Brigitte Gabriel’s analysis on Iran's military defeat, faith in US military
• 27:54–28:59 — How Iran’s collapse ends terror funding in the Middle East
• 30:18–30:54 — Brigitte’s personal motivation: returning to a liberated Lebanon
• 32:54–36:40 — Who will lead Iran next? Women’s freedom and collapse of Basij
• 38:28–39:14 — ActForAmerica.org’s role & call to listeners for activism

Conclusion & Tone

Rob Carson wraps the episode with optimism:

• The fall of the Ayatollah signals an extraordinary new chapter for freedom in the Middle East.
• The US is reasserting its interests and reevaluating its global commitments, with “fair weather” European allies called out in no uncertain terms.
• Brigitte Gabriel’s emotional perspectives infuse the episode with authenticity and urgency.

The show is a brash, unapologetic blend of political humor, straight talk, and incisive analysis—anchored by Carson’s energetic radio style and guests who pull no punches.

For more or to get involved, Brigitte Gabriel encourages:
"Go to actforamerica.org right now and join us." (38:28)