Trump’s Iran Checkmate & Swalwell’s Meltdown

Summary

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The Rob Carson Show

Episode: Trump’s Iran Checkmate & Swalwell’s Meltdown

Date: April 13, 2026
Host: Rob Carson
Featured Guest: Gordon G. Chang

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Episode Overview

This episode dives into several politically charged and timely issues with Rob Carson’s signature blend of humor, strong opinions, and cultural commentary. The main focus is Donald Trump’s dramatic decision to impose a total embargo and naval blockade on Iran, the implications for global energy markets and China, and how this bold move is viewed in the larger chess game of international relations. Other key segments include a discussion of astronaut Victor Glover’s faith, reactions to diversity pandering in the space program, and an escalating scandal involving Congressman Eric Swalwell. The episode culminates in a heated discussion about the Democrats' potential use of the 25th Amendment against Trump, with Carson warning of serious repercussions.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Iran Blockade: A Checkmate Move

• [00:22, 24:13, 24:56] Rob Carson kicks off by describing Trump’s decisive blockade of Iranian shipping, an embargo on all trade to and from Iran in response to their closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
  • “Donald Trump has basically imposed a complete embargo on all, all traffic, all shipping going to and from Iran. So there you go, that’s what to do.” (00:22)
• [24:56] Gordon G. Chang lauds the action:
  • “I certainly applaud President Trump. This is a great move. … If the strait is not open to all, it's going to be open to none.”
• [25:27-27:51] Discussion of the strategy’s impact, highlighting how this move pressures both Iran and its ally, China.
  • Chang emphasizes that this proceeds without costly military action: “You just need to take out the money flows. And the biggest money flow for them is through the Strait of Hormuz.” (34:00)
• [33:18] Donald Trump (quoted): “We don’t use this trade. We don’t need this trade. We have our own oil and gas, much more than we need... We produce more than Saudi Arabia and add Russia to it. Substantially more.”

2. Global Repercussions: China & The Oil Equation

• [26:52–29:59] The blockade’s effect on China—now the world’s largest oil importer—is discussed extensively:
  • Chang: “China now is in a very difficult position… they’re going to have to negotiate with President Trump.”
  • Chang predicts Chinese propaganda will escalate to pressure Trump, rather than Iran, to fold.
• [27:22, 34:23] Carson connects the blockade to a larger restriction of China’s ability to wage war, referencing manufacturing and energy dependencies shifting back toward the US.

3. American Space Triumph & Faith in Public Life

• [02:20–04:30] Carson describes the Artemis capsule landing, celebrating astronaut Victor Glover’s public thanks to God before vanishing behind the far side of the moon.
  • Notable Quote (Victor Glover): “I wanted to thank God in public, and I want to thank God again, because even bigger than my challenge ... the gratitude of seeing what we saw ... it’s too big to just be in one body.” (04:06)
• Discusses how American astronauts invoke transcendence and individual faith—contrasting with how, in Carson’s view, Chinese or Russian cosmonauts would express allegiance to the state or party.

4. Diversity, Identity, and Political Pandering in Space

• [05:30–06:11] Rob critiques former astronaut Mark Kelly’s comments about not wanting an “all-white crew,” calling it condescending and pandering.
  • “Of all the things that he could say after that glorious speech by Victor Glover, he panders to black people with pablum. Honestly, I would just be so upset.” (06:11)
• Rob challenges the notion of “white people” as a monolith and highlights the diversity within European backgrounds.
  • “White people is really a construct … that’s the diversity of white people. And honestly, it doesn’t matter.” (06:11)

5. Eric Swalwell Scandal & the Double Standard

• [09:00–18:51] Carson launches into a detailed and sardonic takedown of Rep. Eric Swalwell, citing multiple sexual misconduct allegations and frustrations over Congressional cover-ups.
  • “Over 50 former staffers of Eric Swalwell have called for his resignation following a series of sexual assault and misconduct allegations.” (09:49)
• Carson critically notes Congress’s refusal to out those involved in harassment settlements.
  • “They sealed it. So we can’t know who got paid and who did the sexual dalliances. That’s how sickening they are.” (10:39)
• Swalwell’s Measured Response:
  • “Allegations of sexual assault are flat. False. They’re absolutely false.” (16:26)
  • “But those mistakes are between me and my wife. And to her, I apologize deeply for putting her in this position.” (16:55)
• Party Reaction:
  • Sen. Mark Warner: “If any of these allegations are true, he should no longer be a candidate, at least candidate for governor. … I don’t know any of the facts and I’m a little old fashioned. I, I feel like I ought to hear…” (18:33)

6. Media & Political Hypocrisy

• [20:16] Carson mocks Swalwell’s past self-righteousness:
  • Swalwell (past): “Democrats, sometimes we stand too much on virtue and like modesty.”
  • Carson: “Democrats stand on virtue and modesty. Are you out of your nut?”
• [21:14–21:27] On the Chinese spy scandal:
  • Swalwell defends himself, but Rob lambasts his credibility.

7. 25th Amendment Talk and Political Civility Breakdown

• [39:52–40:44] Pramila Jayapal expresses willingness to invoke the 25th Amendment against Trump:
  • “I said that a week ago that we should invoke the 25th Amendment, as you point out. … I have taken the position that we need to do whatever we can to get get him out.” (40:10)
• [40:44–41:39] Carson forcefully responds, warning of civil unrest:
  • “If the Democrat Party pulls this crap, I’m going to tell you right now, there will be a civil war in this country because we’re done with it. 80 million of us are done with this nonsense, this destruction. And by God, we are not going to allow you to take our president from us.” (40:44)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Rob Carson on Iran Blockade:

  • “They wanted to f around and find out. They didn’t follow the rules … so Donald Trump says, okay, fine, we’ll just shut down all trade. There you go.” (00:22)

• Gordon G. Chang on China’s Dilemma:

  • “China now is in a very difficult position … they’re going to have to negotiate with President Trump.” (27:51)

• Victor Glover’s gratitude:

  • “The gratitude of seeing what we saw, doing what we did and being with who I was with, it’s too big to just be in one body.” (04:06)

• Rob Carson on Congress’s double standard:

  • “Just a month or so ago, the Congress voted against publicizing the money that they paid to settle sexual harassment suits by congressmen. They sealed it.” (10:39)

• Eric Swalwell’s defense:

  • “Allegations of sexual assault are flat. False. They’re absolutely false. … I do not suggest to you in any way that I’m perfect or that I’m a saint. … But those mistakes are between me and my wife.” (16:26–16:55)

• Carson’s warning on use of 25th Amendment:

  • “If the Democrat Party pulls this crap, I’m going to tell you right now, there will be a civil war in this country because we’re done with it. 80 million of us are done with this nonsense.” (40:44)

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Segment Timestamps (Approximate)

• Opening, Iran Blockade News — 00:22
• Victor Glover & American Faith — 02:20 – 04:30
• Pandering in Space Diversity — 05:30 – 06:30
• Swalwell Scandal Details — 09:00 – 14:08, 15:42 – 21:27
• Trump’s Iran Checkmate Analysis (with Gordon G. Chang) — 24:13 – 38:50
• 25th Amendment & Political Anger — 39:52 – 41:39

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Tone & Style

Carson’s tone throughout is brash, humorous, and unapologetically partisan, mixing cultural commentary, deep skepticism about Democratic leadership, and moments of patriotic pride. The style is conversational with a strong undercurrent of ridicule towards political opponents. Gordon G. Chang provides measured, analytical contributions, particularly on foreign policy.

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Useful Takeaways

• Trump’s unprecedented blockade of Iran is cast as a sophisticated, low-cost move with global ramifications, especially for China’s energy security.
• Carson frames American faith, as exemplified by Victor Glover’s remarks, as core to the nation’s exceptionalism.
• The episode fiercely critiques both Democratic and Republican rivals, the mainstream media, and political hypocrisy, especially regarding sexual misconduct in Congress.
• The potential invocation of the 25th Amendment is met with warnings of civil unrest, reflecting Carson’s urgent call for his audience to resist what he frames as overreach by Democrats.

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This summary encapsulates the central themes and energies of the episode, bringing forward key moments, memorable quotes, and the interplay between entertainment, analysis, and political mobilization that define The Rob Carson Show.

Transcript

[Rob Carson]

Hold it.

[Gordon G. Chang]

Now

[Donald Trump (quoted)]

you are about to hear the most interesting, informative, thought provoking and funny show in America on air and on the World Wide Web. This is the Rob Carson Show.

[Rob Carson]

This is the Rob Carson Show. Hello, it's Monday. Welcome to it. There's a lot of stuff happening right now. Donald Trump has basically imposed a complete embargo on all, all traffic, all shipping going to and from Iran. So there you go, that's what to do. They wanted to f around and find out they didn't follow the rules of the, the cease fire and open up the Straits of Hormuz. So Donald Trump says, okay fine, we'll just shut down all trade from and to Iran. There you go. We'll talk about this with Gordon Chang at the bottom of the hour. You know, China is big friends with, with Iran and this won't end well for him. Also I heard reports that 100 tankers were headed to America to get filled up with sweet, sweet American crude oil to, to take to their countries and all of that because you know what we are, we are energy independent in a weird. Do you remember, you know when, when the, the, the Middle east basically held the world hostage with regard to the flow of oil. OPEC was always turning off the spigot, raising the price. When Jimmy Carter was the president of the United States they did that and caused massive gas lines, oil lines and gas lines essentially in America and all. And that's not happening anymore. That's not happening anymore. Obviously the conflict has brought the price of oil up. Did you expect anything less? Joe Biden did it by green energy nonsense and spending money we didn't have and blowing up the size of the government printing money. That's how he did it. And then of course got the war started between Russia and Ukraine which has been going on for over four years. So there is that, There is that. I want to, I want to play some good news right now. I guess it was Friday night. We were out, my friends and I were out and we were hanging in this restaurant and we looked up and we saw something we haven't seen in a while. And that is a capsule of astronauts landing in the sea off the coast of California. And that was the Artemis crew landing successfully. After the going the furthest from the earth. Any man is gone, any human being is gone. And round trip of 700 and plus thousand miles. It's the longest people have flown before. So it's pretty remarkable. Although you know there have been people in orbit, you technically have flown more. But anyway it was the furthest we've been from Earth. And it was. It was an amazing thing. And I noticed last week that this Victor Glover, who's an astronaut on the. On the craft before they disappeared behind the dark side of the moon for the first time, and all contact was cut off from them, from humanity, from Earth, from the space capsule that we call Earth. And he thanked God. He thanked God. And I was thinking, you know, there's a reason why America exists, and I believe it's because God has blessed us. I know I don't like to bang the Bible or anything, but we were the first country to acknowledge that our rights come from God and not from man. And so when Victor Glover said that as he went around the far side of the moon, you know, you kind of wonder what the Communist Chinese would have said if they were the first. They would have probably thanked the Dear Leader or the party. Without a doubt. Without a doubt. It would have been that or former Soviet Union. Did you ever hear them thanking God? Did you ever hear, you know, any Russian cosmonauts talking about God in space when, when the Soviet Union was around? No, you don't. And, and, you know, this is, this is pretty. It's pretty cool. Here's a Victor, Victor Glover, he was at a. They did a, you know, a presser with all the astronauts. And here's one of the things he said at this presser this, this weekend

[Gordon G. Chang]

on April 3rd,

[Victor Glover (quoted)]

I wanted to thank God in public, and I want to thank God again, because even bigger than my challenge, trying to describe what we went through, the gratitude of seeing what we saw, doing what we did and being with who I was with, it's too big to just be in one body.

[Rob Carson]

It's amazing. He's a really remarkable man. I just grabbed this off of social media. There were some people. Victor Glover was in his driveway, I guess, and they were driving by and he, he said a few things about God. Nope, he didn't. Never mind. I'll just go ahead and go past that. Meanwhile, here is Mark Kelly. Mark Kelly is, you know, the guy who was selling the military to disobey Donald Trump's orders. Mark Kelly is former astronaut and basically hyper negative. Hates Donald Trump. Will not say anything good about Donald Trump. But he was at National Action Network nonsensical convention this weekend. It's, it's, it's Al Franken's weird. Al Franken's big charity, big racist charity and event. It's like the CPAC for morons who are racist. But anyway, Mark Kelly, he talked about how terrible it would be if, if there were an entire crew of white guys on a, on a craft. When you're the commander, you get some say in who your other crew members are going to be. So the last thing I would want in a space shuttle crew would be 7 white guy US Navy test pilots like me. It would be a disaster. Why? Why, why, why exactly would it be a disaster? This, this is just pure pandering. I mean, honestly, I'd be insulted. You know, he goes to the National Action Network and he says, oh, you know, all you people of color would want is. I certainly would not like to see an all white crew like me. What do you.

[Gordon G. Chang]

What?

[Rob Carson]

Who cares? Who cares? Honestly, it's ridiculous. I was talking about, you know, white people. White. White people is, is really a construct. And AOC actually said it a few weeks ago as the only kind of smart thing she's ever said. What do you think about Irish, English, German, Dutch, Swiss, Italian, Slavic, Armenian, Polish, Hungarian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Czech, Greek, Croatian, Serbian, Swedish, Tur, Turkish, Georgian, Estonian, Bulgarian, Portuguese, Albanian? That's the diversity of white people. And honestly, it doesn't matter. Of all the things that he could say after that glorious speech by, by Victor Glover, he, he panders to, to back black people with pablum. Honestly, I would just be so upset. You know, and like I said, I've spoken a lot of people to a lot of people of color since moving here. I've hung out with a lot of black people since I moved here, met some really cool people, went out on a date with this woman who just happens to be a person of color. And you know what? I don't care what color. She didn't matter to me. But she talked about the Democrat Party and she talked about how badly she was treated when she left the Democrat Party. And more and more people are getting it. More and more people are starting to understand, and more and more people like Mark Kelly are disappearing into oblivion. They see your tricks. Okay, Mark. They see your tricks. Democrat Party, they're not fooled anymore by you. They know you've only used black people for their votes and then discard them after the election. They get it. It's coming. It's big. It's big. It's big. When the dollar convertibility into gold ended in 1971, it was fixed at 35 bucks an ounce. Don't you wish you would have had some at $35 an ounce? Because it's gone up 30, 12,000% since then. Yeah. Meanwhile, the dollar has lost 85% of its purchasing power. So gold has gone up in value dramatically. Our government spends and prints money like it's going out of style and consequently everything's more expensive. Central banks are buying gold at record levels. Big firms like Vanguard and Blackrock have significant stakes in gold. Why don't you learn a little more right now? Birch Gold has announced their Learn and Earn Precious metals event. It's going on all month through the end of the month, through the 30th of this month. And they're going to provide you rewards for learning the basics of investing in precious metals. No, no, you know, pressure. They just want to teach you why it's good to have some in your portfolio. I got my money with Birch Gold or good share of it anyway. Sign up to get free silver on your next purchase. And all you got to do is get signed up. Here's how you do it. It's the same old, same old. Text my name Rob to 989-898 Rob to 989-898 to join Birch Gold's Learn and Earn Precious Metals event by April 30th. Text Rob to 989-898 today for Birch Gold. So Eric Swalwell, we all knew he was a, an extreme scumbag. There have been all sorts. We knew it because he was, he was having sex with Fang Fang. Chinny Chitty Fang Fang. Remember that? Yeah, yeah. So we know that, that he was, he was very, he was kind of a sleazeback pretty much. And so now he's in a whole lot of trouble. We have a new. This is our new sound effect we're using when we talk about Eric Swalwell. Eric Swalwell being held accountable. He is being accused of by many women of sexual diliances. Over 50 former staffers of Eric Swalwell have called for his resignation following a series of sexual assault and misconduct allegations. You know, I find very interesting. Just a month or so ago, the congress voted against publicizing the money that they paid to settle sexual harassment suits by congressmen. They sealed it. So we can't know who got paid and who did the sexual dalliances. That's how sickening they are. Meanwhile, just a couple of months ago I had to sit through an hours long video presentation about sexual harassment where I had to be quizzed after every video segment. And I worked by myself. That's the lunacy of this, this entire movement. It started with Clarence Thomas. I never understood how you could not understand what is acceptable and what is unacceptable sexual behavior at work. But unfortunately, even in 2026, you have evil, awful people like Eric swallows well, going after young women, ruining their careers, ruining their lives, allegedly. I've got details coming up on this. Why he was forced out, why the Democrat Party is not standing by him even though they stand by everybody else. That's all coming up. This is the Rob Carson Show. Hey guys, it's Carson. If you are on Medicare or about to be, you could be overpaying right now and never know it. Here's why. Millions of seniors are in a plan that doesn't fit their needs. Because Medicare is complicated. 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This fall, you're invited to experience Washington, D.C. in a truly unforgettable way with me, Rob Car, and other Newsmax listeners. Imagine strolling through our nation's capital as America celebrates 250 years and seeing history come alive with an expert guide. Together, we'll tour the White House Visitor center, step into the halls of democracy with a guided tour of the U.S. capitol building, visit Arlington National Cemetery and the Changing of the Guard. Stand in awe before the towering figure of President Abraham Lincoln and take in the beauty of DC's legendary memorials with a special nighttime illumination to all, our adventure includes premium hotel accommodations for four nights in the heart of D.C. in addition to six meals, ground transportation, guides and gratuities. Space is limited, so don't wait. Visit travelwithrob.net to book your DC getaway today or give our friends at Cruise and Tour a call at 800-383-3131. That's 800-383-3131 or travelwithrob.net.

[Pramila Jayapal]

Hey Quick question for all the people mad at Donald Trump for calling that reporter a piggy.

[Rob Carson]

Yeah.

[Pramila Jayapal]

Would you prefer to call her Hitler, racist, rapist, pedo, dictator, fascist? Would you prefer one of those?

[Rob Carson]

And nobody ever called Eric swallows. Well, that even though he's a complete scumbag. 50 former stabbers have called for resignations. A letter, open letter, described the allegations, quote, the. The allegations reported by the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN are serious, credible, and demand accountability. We stand unequivocally with our colleague who showed extraordinary courage in coming forward to share her truth. We believe her. Remember? Believe her. Remember that?

[Gordon G. Chang]

Huh?

[Rob Carson]

Huh? Both cnn, the Chronicle reported that a former staff staffer accused the California gubernatorial candidate of sexual assault, saying the two had sexual relations after a night of drinking, believed that she could not have the mental capacity to consent. Three other women also told CNN that Swalwell would send unprompted nude photos and graphic messages. Who does that? Who does that? You know, what the heck? Really? What has been described is not a political attack, is the account of a young woman who trusted her employer, was targeted, exploited by someone in a position of power over her and who has carried this burden for years. The corroboration reported by both outlets, including medical records and multiple witnesses, makes clear that this cannot be dismissed or deflected. No statement, no cease and desist order and no claim of political motivation changes what our colleague experienced. After calling for a full investigation into the matter of the former staffers ultimately concluded that Swalwell should not only drop from the California governor's race, but also resign from Congress. And, you know, the Congress makes you, in your workplace, you own a business. Everybody's got to go through stupid sexual harassment training every frigging year. I had to do it when I was selling cars. I just had to do it to work at Newsmax. And this is what they're forced to do, you know, And I work by myself. What am I going to slap my own ass? I mean, hey, hey, man. Hey, you know, Rob. You know, you put out on the first date. Rob. Hey, man, you're looking pretty good in those jeans. Rob, really. I work by myself, and I had to do all this. It's just ridiculous. Here is Eric Scumbag. I mean, Swalwell, doing his little mea culpa.

[Eric Swalwell]

Nobody believes him today through anonymous allegations. A lot has been said about me today through anonymous allegations. And I thought it was important that you see and hear from me directly.

[Rob Carson]

By the way, he taped this at a home belonging to Stephen Klubeck, one of a Democrat benefactors in Beverly Hills, by the way. And apparently the video taken at Klubeck's residence. And the billionaire's been shacking up with alleged Honey Trapper. Accused of burglarizing the home of rich older men in. In Los Angeles. Klubeck is supposed to marry the Honey Trapper Only fans model Adva Lavi. That there. That's a good place to do your mea culpa in June. But their weddings reportedly in jeopardy due to allegations against her. This is where he chose to do this video.

[Eric Swalwell]

Allegations of sexual assault are flat. False. They're absolutely false. They did not happen. They have never thought you're supposed to

[Rob Carson]

believe all women happened.

[Eric Swalwell]

And I will fight them with everything that I have. They also come on the eve of an election.

[Rob Carson]

Yeah.

[Eric Swalwell]

Where I have been the front runner candidate for governor in California. I do not suggest to you in any way that I'm perfect or that I'm a saint.

[Rob Carson]

There you go. Here.

[Eric Swalwell]

I have certainly made mistakes in judgment in my past.

[Rob Carson]

True.

[Eric Swalwell]

But those mistakes are between me and my wife.

[Rob Carson]

Yes.

[Eric Swalwell]

And to her I apologize deeply for putting her in this position.

[Rob Carson]

Well, there he is admitting it. At least something.

[Eric Swalwell]

I also apologize to you.

[Rob Carson]

How many times you're gonna hear this? How many times have we heard this from either politicians or televangelists? How many times have we heard this in any way?

[Eric Swalwell]

You've doubted your support for me. But I think you know who I am.

[Rob Carson]

Yeah.

[Eric Swalwell]

For over 20 years, I've served.

[Rob Carson]

Yeah.

[Eric Swalwell]

As a city councilman, as a member of Congress and as a prosecutor who went to court.

[Rob Carson]

You've been caught on behalf of talking about how you only F10s, particularly on

[Eric Swalwell]

behalf of sexual assault victims. That's who I am and have always been. This weekend I'm going to spend time with my family and friends.

[Rob Carson]

Yeah, of course.

[Gordon G. Chang]

Of course.

[Eric Swalwell]

And I appreciate those who have reached out to me to show support.

[Rob Carson]

Yeah. Very few have, actually. Here's Mark Warner. He's. He's unfortunately a senator from Virginia. And here he is. No real support. This is like an abandonment. Like, it's like there's no. I don't believe this. And all this. He's basically saying he's toast.

[Dana Bash]

Senator, I do want to ask about allegations of one of your fellow. Against one of your fellow Democrats, Eric Swalwell. Allegations of rape and sexual misconduct. He denies these allegations as false.

[Rob Carson]

Say they all those women are wrong.

[Dana Bash]

Ever happened. You are a leader in your party. Do you think he should resign from Congress or face expulsion?

[Rob Carson]

Congress just voted to keep under wraps. The sexual harassment and an assault payoffs to people who've been sexually assaulted or harassed on Capitol Hill. They're keeping it from us.

[Mark Warner]

You know, Dana, I have seen the reports. I think I've met Mr. Swalwell once or twice, but it was never when

[Rob Carson]

we were out at a bar with some women.

[Mark Warner]

I want to hear his side of the story. But obviously if any of these allegations

[Gordon G. Chang]

are true,

[Mark Warner]

he should no longer be a candidate, at least candidate for governor. But again, I don't know any of the facts and I'm a little old fashioned. I, I feel like I ought to

[Rob Carson]

hear a little old fashioned. I gotta believe you gotta have this evidence. Well, of course. Moron. Conservative journalist explains why the liberal media is going along with the destruction of Eric Swalwell. This on Gateway pundit, the upcoming June 2 gubernatorial primary. Not like other primaries. Instead, one Democrat primary winner and one Republican primary winner facing off in the general election. The top two vote getters advance to the general election. Now if you go look at the polls, you can see there's a very real chance two Republicans could win the primary, which would ensure a Republican governor. The media and Democrats cannot allow this to happen. So it's been decided that Swalwell must be sacrificed. His sacrifice will break the three way tie between the top three Democrat candidates. Swalwell, Katie Porter and Tom Steyer. And once Swalwell's 15% support moves to the other two, one or both is certainly to go on to compete in the general election, which practically ensures Democrats hold on to the governor's seat. We will see. If Swalwell were polling at 30% instead of his current 15%, the media cover up of his allegations would continue. That's the way they do it. That's the way they do it. Here's Eric Swalwell a couple of years ago on Jimmy Kimmel show the consequences for everyone else.

[Eric Swalwell]

Like women in their bodies, kids in their safety at school, you know, seniors in their health care. Like to him it's just, it's me, me, me. Democrats, sometimes we stand too much on virtue and like modesty.

[Rob Carson]

Democrats stand on virtue and modesty. Are you out of your nut?

[Eric Swalwell]

And we think everything is a Harvard Law School moot court competition.

[Rob Carson]

Oh my God.

[Eric Swalwell]

We just need to talk about this like it's a gut check to the regular folks and, and not make.

[Rob Carson]

No, no, less of a gut check. More, more a kick in the ball.

[Eric Swalwell]

It's so complicated. Just be real.

[Rob Carson]

Say a lot of nasty things about

[J.D. Vance]

you on Fox News and they're your

[Rob Carson]

parents that doesn't that upset them and make them go, I'm not. I see that what they're saying.

[Gordon G. Chang]

Yeah.

[Rob Carson]

And by the way, he. He banged the Chinese spy. A honey pot Chinese spy. Here he is on Charlemagne. Oh, God. Show talking about that.

[Eric Swalwell]

Did the Chinese spy scandal hurt your credibility or the Republicans just weaponized like a. A nothing burger, so to speak. You know, the fact that the FBI and the House Ethics Committee said it was bullshit, like, I. I would hope that would be enough. But like in a disinformation society, like, like I recognize that it's information. Everyone on the right's favorite meme.

[Rob Carson]

Sure. Yeah.

[Eric Swalwell]

My wife tells me all the time, you know what?

[Rob Carson]

He's still married to you.

[Eric Swalwell]

Second. They're not going after you. You're not affected.

[Rob Carson]

Wow, this is so.

[Eric Swalwell]

I wear it as a badge of honor that these guys would want to lie about me all the time.

[Rob Carson]

It's the only honor you have because you spent so many times trying to get honor is what it was. Yeah, I just said that. Anyway, yeah, he's a scumbag. He's done. He's out. And that's their Democrats. But look, they still got Katie Porter and Tom Steyer. Not exactly the most delectable people. And Steve Hilton is kicking butt. And there's a lot of fraud in California. Gordon Chang joins us to talk about the blockade of Iran in a couple minutes. Don't go anywhere. Hey, guys, it's Rob Carson for Ethos. I've worked very hard to get where I am today. I want the best for my kids. Both of my kids got kind of kicked in the teeth from COVID protocols. My son missed two years of college. My daughter high school. A good deal of their lives will be spent making up for time away from classes and friends when I'm gone. I want them to be able to live a great life and have kids. That's why I have life insurance. This is why you need to purchase life insurance from Ethos. Ethos helps provide financial security. Ethos protects your loved ones. In as little as 10 minutes, you can have life insurance. For me, it was almost instant. All you have to do is answer a few health questions online to get the ball rolling. Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes. Go to ethos.com Newsmax that's the code. Ethos.com Newsmax Application times and rates may vary. That's ethos.com Newsmax hey, guys, it's Rob Carson. For Relief Factor, there's a reason why at my age, I could still crush it at the gym, carry an armchair by myself, or do any home improvement project without pain during or after. And that's Relief Factor. When it comes to supplements, the two things that matter most, it works and you trust it. Relief Factor was created by a combat wounded Vietnam veteran. He decided to become a doctor simply to help people to heal them. If pain is holding you back, find out why so many people, including me, make Relief Factor a part of their daily routines. Try the three week quick start today. Go to relieffactor.com that's relieffactor.com or call 800 for relief. That's 800 for relief. For relief factor,

[Donald Trump (quoted)]

we'll never have a nuclear weapon. Iran, you marking it down? Iran will not have a nuclear weapon. And we agreed to a lot of things, but they didn't agree to that. And I think they will agree to it. I'm almost sure of it. In fact, I am sure of it. If they don't agree, there's no deal. There'll never be a deal. Iran will not have a nuclear weapon. And we're going to get the dust back. Mr. President will get it back. Either we'll get it back from them or we'll take it.

[Rob Carson]

Wow, that is unbelievable. I got to tell you, kind of a shock to the system. Donald Trump kind of, I don't know, a check made on Iran. We were kind of worried that this, this, this cease fire wasn't going to hold because Iran is not allowing traffic through the Straits of Hormuz. Donald Trump decides, okay, we'll just, we'll just go ahead and blockade the country. So they can't trade, they can, they can't trade with other countries. They can't receive or deliver goods. This is gigantic. I didn't expect it. I was, you know, but then again, this is Donald Trump. Gordon Chang. Gordon G. Chang on the Newsmax hotline. Gordon G. Chang on Twitter. Gordon, I have been dying to talk to you about this, my friend. Did you expect this and what do you think?

[Gordon G. Chang]

I certainly applaud President Trump. This is a great move. The Iranians have been imposing a toll on traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. So their ships were getting through, but ours were not. And so it was just important for the president to say, look, he's going to seize ships that have paid that toll. He's going to impose fairness. So if the strait is not open to all, it's going to be open to none. And the U.S. navy can enforce this. I think this is really good news on the part of the press from the president.

[Rob Carson]

Well, you look at the other possibilities to increase bombing sorties, all of this, the possibility of boots on the ground with regard to island and, you know, the defensive positions that Iran has on there. And then all of a sudden, out of nowhere, you see this. Did you even in your wildest dreams think this was going to happen?

[Gordon G. Chang]

I did not think it was going to happen. I've been arguing it should happen for some time now. Because my point is Kharg island, you don't have to take it. It. I mean, the casualties there would be needless. All you have to do is close the strait and then Carg island becomes irrelevant. And that also is true for the narrow portion of the Strait of Hormuz. We don't need to take that either. All we need to do is just sit off the shore and interdict shipping. Shipping is not going to try to get through there if we announced as President Trump did, that he's going to stop shipping. So this is incredibly good move, and it's a move which has very little cost to it for us.

[Rob Carson]

It's remarkable because, you know, we had all this bloviating last week from the what's left of the ayatollahs, you know, whoever's in charge, cardboard or whatever. And then they're like, well, we're going to shut down the Straits of Hormuz. And Donald Trump says, nah, we're going to shut it down. I just think it's spectacular. I really do.

[Gordon G. Chang]

Yes. And really what it does is it puts a lot of pressure on China.

[Rob Carson]

China, yes.

[Gordon G. Chang]

China was getting oil through the Strait, not as much as they needed, but they were getting oil through there. And their cargo ships were also passing the Strait of Hormuz. So that's not going to happen anymore. And that's important because it says to China, look, you're no longer going to get this advantage by supporting Iran. And that means, basically, China now is in a very difficult position.

[Rob Carson]

Well, you look at the fact that if we're there and we're controlling that, we've already severely damaged the possibility of any sort of war machine from China with regard to Taiwan, because you cannot have a war machine unless you got the gas. And we had severely restricted that. I mean, think about the ways that this can impact not only the economy of China, but the Chinese Communist Party. Can you put this in perspective for us, Gordon Chen?

[Gordon G. Chang]

Yeah. China is the world's largest oil importer now. It also has the World's largest strategic petroleum reserve, which is enough basically for 140, maybe 150 days of import cover. That's really good. But that's eventually going to be drawn down, as we are seeing right now. So the important point here is that although they can weather this for a little while, meanwhile they at some point are going to have to have that straight open, which means they're going to have to negotiate with President Trump.

[Rob Carson]

Wow. So how is China going to confront Iran on this? And what do you suppose China will make them do to get the oil flowing again, get the trade flowing again? Clearly this is going to impact the people in power in Iran and in the possibility of, I hope and I believe a regime change. But what is China, do you suppose they're going to tell Iran they need to do?

[Gordon G. Chang]

That's a great question. And I don't know how far Beijing can go because I think the mullahs are intransigent. But what we know China will do is it will try to get President Trump to back down. So there's going to be a malicious and an unprecedented propaganda campaign. And it's, you know, the course of this war is going to be determined by one guy and a lot of people are going to try to influence him and the Chinese are going to be working very hard on it. Remember, this was a war that was never going to be popular. But President Trump did this because he realized the danger to the American public and to the publics around the world. So he's going to be a tough thing for China to crack. But they're going to try it and they're going to throw everything at it because they realize that he is probably, in their view, I think they think they've got a better chance of convincing the American public to force Trump to back down than they do about getting the mullahs to back down.

[Rob Carson]

That's just you look at, you, look at what China's doing. You've got, you've got Neville Singham there supported by the Chinese Communist Party. And I'm sure that the Chinese Communist Party has had a good deal to do with this boots off or out of Iran propaganda. A good deal to do with the Democrat Party basically saying that this was a, this, this campaign was folly. This campaign was disastrous. And it has worked pretty well with it, with a certain portion of the American public. I saw it this weekend. I saw it a lot in Washington, D.C. you know, you don't, you're not seeing the full, full throated support of our US Military getting no support from the Democrat Party. I don't think they'll win. I think the good news is going to be too overwhelming. What do you think?

[Gordon G. Chang]

Yeah, it's not only the Democratic Party, it's also a big portion of the Republican Party. And the point here is that President Trump, I think, has a great case to make to the American public, but he has not made it effective because we see this in the poll numbers. If you look at the facts, Rob, the facts support the president. As a matter of fact, the facts are much better than the president has actually told the American public. But he needs to make that case.

[Rob Carson]

Yeah, well, you've also got the media, our American media has never been this way before. They are literally siding with the Iranians, saying that, you know, I know that the, you know, the Ayatollah is bad, but I mean, really. But it's like saying, I know that Hitler is killing the Jews and everything. But you know what Stephanie Rule last week said, I know the Ayatollah is bad, but you know, the people are willing to die for this. And I'm like, well, the same thing could be said about, about Hitler's Germany. You know, I know the, I know that the death camps are bad, but man, the people in Germany are really behind this. I mean, can you believe this? Gorgeous Jordan?

[Gordon G. Chang]

Yeah, this is, this is really bad. And when you look at it, it's basically Trump derangement syndrome. You know, the one thing the Democrats should understand, they look a little bit of history. The last time we have seen this in the American public is when the Republicans just hated fdr. And how did that work out for the Republican Party? Well, it didn't. And I hope the Democrats understand that history view. This is not going to work out for them either.

[Rob Carson]

Yeah. Well, can we take a break and come back, Gordon?

[Gordon G. Chang]

Sure.

[Rob Carson]

I've got much more I want to talk to you about. Gordon Chang, by the way, on the, on the phone. And also if you go to Twitter, it's Gordon G. Chang. Gordon G. Chang there on Twitter. He's got some great books about the collapse of the coming collapse of China, etc. Hopefully that's going to happen. Let's take a break and come back. This is the Rob Carson Show.

[Donald Trump (quoted)]

Let a country blackmail or extort the world, because that's what they're doing. They're really blackmailing the world. We're not going to let that happen. And you know, the amazing thing is we don't. Can you believe this? We don't use this trade. We don't need this trade. We have our own oil and gas. Much more than we need. We have more oil and gas than Saudi Arabia. Think of this. We produce more Saudi Arabia and add Russia to it.

[Rob Carson]

Wow.

[Donald Trump (quoted)]

Substantially more. And by next year, we'll have double that amount. So we don't need it, but the world needs it. And many ships are heading to our country right now as we speak to load up with the best.

[Victor Glover (quoted)]

Really?

[Donald Trump (quoted)]

I guess you could say somebody said the best and sweetest. I don't know exactly what sweet is, but when it relates to oil, it's a good thing.

[Rob Carson]

Well, I got to tell you, I'm just blown away. President Trump's blockade of Iran could be poised to deliver a staggering blow to the Iranian economy, including the cash flows needed by the regime to pay the host of soldiers and thugs it requires to stay in power. That from John Hayward on Breitbart. Gordon Chang, what do you think about. About those thoughts from the President?

[Gordon G. Chang]

Oh, absolutely. Really, what we need to do is starve the regime because you got no mullet for the mullahs. There's no more war. So really, that's what President Trump is doing. And he's doing it at low cost because, as I mentioned, you don't need boots on the ground. You just need to take out the money flows. And the biggest money flow for them is through the Strait of Hor.

[Rob Carson]

What are you hearing from China? Because a lot of things have happened, a lot of major blows to Chinese manufacturing with the offshoring of, of, you know, for instance, iPhones are going to be built in America. Now you've got a lot of other products that are moving to America to be manufactured. You know, remember we used to be a manufacturing hub of the entire world. When Made of America, Made in America meant something. I mean, look at what's happened. This has got to really be depressing the Chinese economy and impacting the power of the Chinese Communist Party.

[Gordon G. Chang]

Yes. Well, first of all, the increase in the cost of energy, not only gasoline, but more important, diesel. And what the government has been doing is it's been letting oil out of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, but it's also been eating a lot of the cost of the increase in oil. And it has to do that because ultimately Chinese factories are going to go out of business if they have to absorb 100% the cost of energy. So the government is picking up a good portion of the tab.

[Rob Carson]

Well, we haven't heard as much from China as we normally do, have we? I mean, normally you're reading much more so are they just kind of laying low, not wanting to upset the apple cart? Maybe not to get on the bad side of Donald Trump? Because I'm not mistaken, Donald Trump's going to China here, what, in about a month or so, right?

[Gordon G. Chang]

Well, it's scheduled for May 14th and 15th, but we'll see if it actually occurs because if the war is still going, I don't think he should be going to the capital of an enemy combatant. And the reason is that the Chinese will portray, whenever any foreign leader goes to China, China, by the way, they're always portrayed as acknowledging submission to the grand celestial court. So going to China is a very dangerous thing for a foreign leader, but especially in the middle of a war, because the Chinese are going to be saying to everybody, Donald Trump realizes he needs China's help in ending the war. And even though we're supporting Iran and giving them all these weapons to kill Americans, he's still coming here.

[Rob Carson]

Yeah.

[Gordon G. Chang]

So, yeah.

[Rob Carson]

Interesting. That's interesting, interesting.

[Gordon G. Chang]

If Trump wins the war by then, then the Chinese are not going to want him there. And the reason is they don't want an unpredictable President Trump rummaging around their capital because he'll be triumphant.

[Rob Carson]

Yeah, yeah, that's true, that's true.

[Gordon G. Chang]

But, you know, who knows how this will turn out?

[Rob Carson]

China's great. China's good. Just not great like America. I can see it's unbelievable. Let me ask you, you know, I was mentioning earlier the triumph of the Artemis mission around the moon, and I would imagine it would be a little demoralizing for some of the other powers of the earth. I mean, we played golf on the moon 47 years ago, for God's sake. But I was wondering, you know, you had Victor Davis on the, on the craft, you know, quoting scripture, talking about Jesus before they went around the moon landing here, thanking God and all of this. What do you suppose that a Chinese astronaut, who would they have thanked? The party, the leader. What do you suppose?

[Gordon G. Chang]

Yeah, of course, because it's all party directed and there would be all of that propaganda from the far side of the moon.

[Rob Carson]

This is why I know that we're on the right side of good and of God. Gordon Chang, do you believe that?

[Gordon G. Chang]

Absolutely. Communism is against faith, it's against life. You know, Havel told us that. And the Chinese are taking on a pretty powerful figure. So they're ultimately going to fail because atheists just can't stand up to God.

[Rob Carson]

Yeah. And I think we are in a battle of good and evil. I think evil had really kind of wrapped its arms around the earth and we're in the middle of this existential battle. But I believe good will win, otherwise Hitler's nephew would be in charge of Germany right now. So there you go. Gordon Chang, always a pleasure having you on. Where can people find all of your glorious work?

[Gordon G. Chang]

Well, on X at G O R D O N G C H A N G. And I archive all of my articles for free on my website, www.gordon c-a n g dot com.

[Rob Carson]

Very good, my friend. God bless you. Have a glorious week. We'll talk again soon.

[Gordon G. Chang]

Thanks so much, Rob, and stay safe.

[Rob Carson]

All right, let's take a break and come back. This is the Rob Carson Show. So Donald Trump pulls off the ultimate checkmate this weekend. Cuts off and it cuts off all trade to and from Iran, something nobody expected. Everybody was thinking forever war and they're gonna be boots on the ground and Carg island and all that. It was a master, masterful display of intelligence, of, of, you know, just the brilliance, actually. It was really brilliant. But here's Pramila Jayapal on Ms. Now, the worst network ever. A propaganda establishment that really is, I mean, honestly. But here's what they're going to do. If the Democrats regain power of either a House in November, which they cannot do, they're going to use the 25th Amendment to get rid of Donald Trump. And I'm going to tell you right now, that happens, there will be a civil war.

[J.D. Vance]

Do you support using the 25th Amendment? If. I mean, obviously J.D. vance is not the guy to do it. This Cabinet is not going to do it. But your colleague Ro Khanna, who I spoke to earlier this week, was talking about the need for a moral position and moral conviction in taking that position as opposed to just realistically whether or not it would happen.

[Pramila Jayapal]

Oh, absolutely. I said that a week ago that we should invoke the 25th Amendment, as you point out.

[Rob Carson]

Why is that?

[Pramila Jayapal]

Is something that. Because we won, fortunately, by the process we have. And there was actually a bill that was introduced, I think it was last session, by Jamie Raskin, to change that process, by the way, should we ever get control of the House back. But right now, invoking the 25th Amendment requires the vice president and then requires him to get a majority of the Cabinet. And so I have taken the position that we need to do whatever we can to get get him out.

[Rob Carson]

I'm done. Oh, this temper tantrum. We've had it going on for 10 years. I'm bloody done with it. I'm done with it. We have to drive the Democrat Party into the pits of hell. When November comes around, we have to regain massive amounts of both the House and the Senate. And then we need to start seeing arrests and convictions of people who literally who have broken the law, who have stolen from you and me, who have gone after the opposition, have censored our speaker, opened our southern border to our enemies, causing the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Americans, the trafficking of hundreds of thousands of women and children. It is time. And if the Democrat Party pulls this crap, I'm going to tell you right now, there will be a civil war in this country because we're done with it. 80 million of us are done with this nonsense, this destruction. And by God, we are not going to allow you to take our president from us. I'm just telling you, you, I'm just telling you what's happening in Virginia right now. Right now the people of Virginia are rejecting Abigail Scamberger because she lied about who she is to get into office and she's going to pay the price for it. I've got details coming up on the other side of the break. Oh, it's crazy. She is going down. And I love it. I just love it. I do want to mention this. A lot of people been talking about my bed, my ghost bed. And you know, it's kind of funny. You talk about ghost bed, right? It sounds kind of funny, but it's the best bed I've ever owned in my life. I was talking to my friend this weekend, Mia or Sia. We were at this ball game and she said, oh, yeah, a lot of people are getting this ghost bed. I said, I know, I know. She said a lot of people are talking about the ghost bed. It is the best bed I've ever had. I sleep until the sun comes up. I did it again this morning. It keeps you cool when it's hot, it keeps you warm when it's cold. It keeps. It's just wonderful. I look forward to going to bed. I sometimes don't want to get out of bed. I haven't been that way in a long time. Ghostbed.com Carson for 10% off already low saving. You're not going to believe what it costs, by the way, a lot cheaper than a conventional mattress. Ghostbed.com Carson Ghostbed.com Carson Last hour of the show on the way. Blaine Holt joins us. Don't go anywhere.