Podcast Summary: "Turkey, Therapy & Trump Derangement: A Thanksgiving Special"
The Rob Carson Show, Newsmax Podcasts
Date: November 26, 2025
Episode Overview
This Thanksgiving special of The Rob Carson Show blends Rob’s signature humor and pointed political commentary, featuring candid discussions on American gratitude, political polarization, cultural shifts, and even practical wellness tips for the holiday dinner table. The episode opens with reflections on the value of Thanksgiving, explores political culture war flashpoints, addresses "Trump Derangement Syndrome," and offers an extended conversation on healthy, real-food holiday feasting with guest Jennifer Gilardi. The show is marked by a mix of parody, emotional candor, and traditional conservative viewpoints.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Thanksgiving as an American Ideal (02:01–03:21)
- Rob Carson emphasizes the uniqueness of Thanksgiving as a national day for gratitude, contrasting American values with the divisiveness stoked by some on the political left.
- Quote: "Thanksgiving. It's the only holiday like it in the world where a nation stops to give thanks for the bounty they have in their lives for living here." (02:01)
- A clip of Donald Trump frames Thanksgiving in the context of American accomplishments and religious revival.
- Quote: “We draw strength from the love of family and friends and we express our undying gratitude for the men and the women of the United States Armed Forces.” (01:26)
2. Culture War, Religion, and Media Outrage (03:21–06:00)
- Rob and audio clips caricature left-wing media personalities, specifically criticizing Joy Reid and capturing the media’s portrayal of MAGA supporters as racist—an accusation Rob vehemently rebuts.
- Quote: “MAGA people don’t give a rat’s behind about the color of your skin. And only you guys are focused on race. How dare you!" (04:39)
- Rob uses strong, comedic language ("harpies from hell", "covens") to describe certain progressive pundits, underscoring the show’s irreverent, confrontational tone.
3. Trump Derangement Syndrome & Social Fallout (06:00–12:19)
- Rob unpacks the societal division attributed to "Trump Derangement Syndrome," referencing therapists and the phenomenon’s impact on families and friendships, even his own.
- Recalls the experience of a psychotherapist receiving death threats for diagnosing this syndrome.
- Personal anecdote: Rob details losing friends due to his conservative turn, expressing that despite loss, standing by personal convictions was “worth it." (09:41–12:19)
- Rob lampoons figures like Rosie O’Donnell for seeking therapy over Trump’s presidency, suggesting hard work as a cure for malaise.
- Jordan Peterson (audio clip) is cited on the value of selectivity in friendships, symbolizing Stoic self-reliance.
- Quote: “A man with few friends or no circle at all... That’s real strength, that’s confidence. He doesn't need your approval because he’s already won the only fight that truly matters, the one with himself.” —Jordan Peterson (11:12)
4. Politics and Military ‘Sedition’ (13:02–19:03)
- Discussion shifts to recent controversy involving Senator Mark Kelly and the so-called “Seditious Six,” with Rob and guest Mike Davis denouncing calls for military personnel to judge the lawfulness of orders.
- Quote: “What Mark Kelly is doing here... You could not get more dangerous than this. That is interfering with the chain of command.” —Mike Davis (15:30)
- Davis and Stephen Miller argue for court-martialing Kelly and frame Democratic leadership as fomenting insurrection.
- Stephen Miller rails against the Democrats for "trying to tear down democracy," listing alleged judicial overreach, immigrant protection, and internal subversion as evidence.
- Quote: “The Democrat Party is openly engaged every day in trying to tear down democracy... now fomenting rebellion inside the ranks of our armed forces and CIA." —Stephen Miller (18:44)
5. Healthy Thanksgiving: Real Food over Processed (21:26–36:57)
Guest: Jennifer Gilardi (Heritage Foundation, Restoring America Wellness)
- The segment pivots to practical Thanksgiving advice:
- Jennifer encourages real, whole ingredients ("real butter, coconut milk, nuts") while rejecting artificial foods like Cool Whip and processed oils.
- Quote: “Cool Whip might be one of the worst offenders out there. You're just better off going with whole cream, real whipped cream." —Jennifer Gilardi (22:48)
- Conversation is playful and relatable as Rob admits to “gourmet cook” status and Jennifer challenges prevailing dietary myths.
- Discussion highlights:
- Processed foods' lack of sustenance vs. nourishment from traditional fats (bacon fat, beef tallow, lard).
- Dangers of cheap, government-subsidized ingredients (corn, soy, wheat, sugar) leading to health decline despite lower food prices.
- Common sense nutrition: eat like "your grandma did," in moderation, and with movement.
- Contemporary carb-phobia, especially among women, is critiqued as a misguided legacy from decades of diet fads.
- Jennifer advocates adaptable moderation and physical activity: “You can have these things, but just know... it’s not called gorge giving, it’s Thanksgiving." (35:36)
- Both poke fun at AI-generated holiday recipes and share real-life favorites (e.g., Rob’s candied jalapeños, NYC’s Thanksgiving pizza pie).
- Jennifer encourages real, whole ingredients ("real butter, coconut milk, nuts") while rejecting artificial foods like Cool Whip and processed oils.
6. Notable Cultural Moments and Closing Barbs
- Show closes with Rob’s characteristic rapid-fire opinions on electric vehicles (“you’re a poser if you have an F-150 Lightning”), the gold market, critiques of politicians like AOC, and preview of next segments on cultural news.
- Exchanges are consistently irreverent, mixing political lament with gratitude and humor for the holiday season.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
- Donald Trump: "Make America great again. I think it’s the greatest expression in the history of politics." (01:44)
- Rob Carson: "If you have come here illegally and you don’t want to assimilate and don’t love the country, screw you. There you go. Ta da." (02:40)
- Rob Carson: "You sick, wretched, awful woman. My God, I told you. The Democrat Party is spiraling into hell and trying to drag us in with them, and we’re not going." (05:29)
- Jordan Peterson (audio): "A man with few friends or no circle at all... That’s real strength, that’s confidence." (11:12)
- Mike Davis: "What Mark Kelly is doing here... You could not get more dangerous than this." (15:30)
- Stephen Miller: "The Democrat Party is openly engaged every day in trying to tear down democracy." (18:44)
- Jennifer Gilardi: “Cool Whip might be one of the worst offenders out there. You're just better off going with whole cream, real whipped cream." (22:48)
- Rob Carson: "All things in moderation and occasionally to excess. Hell yeah." (35:12)
Timestamps for Major Segments
- [02:01–03:21] — Thanksgiving as a unique American moment
- [03:21–06:00] — Media culture wars, rebuttal to claims of racism
- [06:00–12:19] — Trump Derangement Syndrome, personal and societal impacts, Jordan Peterson on friendship
- [13:02–19:03] — Sedition allegations, military chain of command, Democrat Party criticism
- [21:26–36:57] — Jennifer Gilardi on making Thanksgiving healthy, food policy and wellness, carb phobia, food nostalgia
- [36:57–End] — Humorous tangents, preview of topics (EVs, gold, coming features)
Tone & Style
- Irreverent, satirical, and combative, true to Rob Carson’s background in talk radio and political parody
- Heavy emphasis on cultural pride, skepticism toward mainstream narratives, and celebration of tradition, particularly around food and family during the holidays
- Exchanges are casual, sometimes brash, with frank opinions and playful banter, especially during the wellness discussion
For Listeners: Key Takeaways
- Thanksgiving offers a rare chance for national gratitude—Rob insists this should transcend political divides.
- The episode satirizes what it perceives as hyper-partisan media and "Trump Derangement Syndrome," defending MAGA identity as non-racist and values-led.
- The “Make Thanksgiving Healthy” segment offers relatable, actionable tips: embrace whole foods, moderate your indulgence, and remember to move (and maybe walk off that big meal).
- Food nostalgia and distrust of processed fare ties into broader concerns about government policy and cultural health.
- The show retains its punchy, humorous edge throughout, mixing genuine advice with political and cultural critique.
Where to Find More
Guest Jennifer Gilardi:
- Heritage Foundation: heritage.org
- Personal website: jennifergilardi.com
Rob Carson Show Podcast:
Available on all podcast platforms — search for "Rob Carson Show" and subscribe.
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