The Rob Carson Show: "Virginia MELTDOWN: AG Candidate’s Violent Texts Shock the Nation"

Episode Date: October 6, 2025
Host: Rob Carson
Notable Guest: John Reed (Candidate for Lieutenant Governor, Virginia)

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the political uproar in Virginia surrounding Jay Jones, Democratic candidate for Attorney General, whose violent texts from 2022 have recently surfaced. The show dives into the implications of this scandal, discusses the rhetoric of leading Democrats, highlights violence against conservatives, critiques media coverage, and explores the broader cultural and political climate. The episode features pointed commentary by Rob Carson and a pivotal interview with John Reed, who’s running for Virginia’s Lieutenant Governor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Virginia Political Scandal: Jay Jones’ Violent Texts

• [21:54 - 22:42]

  • Jay Jones, running for Virginia AG, is under intense scrutiny for past text messages in which he fantasizes about violence against political opponents, equating Republican Todd Gilbert to Hitler and Pol Pot, and expresses grotesque violence toward Gilbert’s family.
    • Quote (Jay Jones, cited by Rob Carson): “Gilbert, Hitler and Pol Pot. Gilbert gets two bullets to the head.” [22:26]
    • Quote from text: “Gilbert's wife could watch her own child die in her arms so that Gilbert might reconsider his political views.” [22:11]

• Carson and his guest John Reed underscore the real threat posed by such language—questioning if someone capable of this rhetoric is fit for public office.

  • Carson: “This is the kind of language that the Democrat Party has been fomenting for years, and it has culminated in death and now attacks on ICE, attacks on people in Portland...” [25:39]

2. Response and Reaction to Jay Jones’ Apology

• [24:33 - 29:36]
  • Jones has issued a “deep apology,” but Carson and Reed argue it's insufficient, with Reed emphasizing that such words are inexcusable, even if said “at 2 in the morning and you were drunk.” [24:33-25:39]
  • Reed: “This reveals a corruption of the mind and soul... If I have to worry about whether you want to kill me and kill my family, that is not all right.” [29:36]

3. Broader Concerns: Violent Rhetoric & Escalating Political Division

• [16:54 - 18:18], [26:18 - 27:22]

  • Carson frames Jay Jones’ texts as symptomatic of a trend in national Democratic rhetoric, pointing to escalating threats and incidents against conservative figures and officials.
    • Reed highlights: “Every morning I have to decide whether I'm gonna put on the new bulletproof vest... because the death threats are real.” [26:18]

• Carson draws connections to Antifa, ICE ambushes in Chicago, and violence against known conservatives, arguing that Democrat leaders are fueling a dangerous environment:

  • Carson: “This is essentially a civil war that has been declared by the Democrat Party.” [25:39]

4. Hypocrisy & Media Double-Standards

• [33:42 - 35:20]
  • Reed and Carson compare the reaction to Jones’ texts to hypothetical Republican transgressions, arguing that if a Republican made similarly offensive remarks, media and public backlash would be instant and overwhelming.
    • Reed: “Imagine if somebody who was running as a Republican... had used the N word and threatened to lynch black people... They would have already been forced to resign... But here, it’s 'I’m sorry,' and they think it’ll go away.” [33:43-34:38]

5. Transgender Policy & Social Issues in Virginia Race

• [35:40 - 37:03]

  • The discussion shifts to Abigail Spanberger ("Spamberger"), the Democratic gubernatorial candidate, critiqued for supporting progressive policies like letting biological boys into girls’ locker rooms and sports.
    • Reed: “I am against boys in girls sports... Women deserve private spaces where men aren't always leering at them.” [36:02]

• Republicans position themselves as returning to “common sense”, pitching a contrast to what they call radical Democratic positions.

6. Calls to Action, Urgency, and Fundraising

• [37:03 - 38:10]
  • Reed outlines the high stakes in the Virginia election, asserting that it will be seen as a bellwether for national momentum going into the next year's elections. He notes he’s being drastically outspent but remains determined.
    • Reed: “I'm being outspent 10 to 1... but I'm up at 4 in the morning fighting and, you know, campaigning.” [37:24]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

The Scandal at a Glance

• Rob Carson, on the gravity of Jay Jones’ text:
  “Three people, two bullets is what he wrote. Gilbert, Hitler, and Pol Pot. Put Gilbert in the crew with the two worst people you know, he receives both bullets. Went on to talk about his family, his kids being murdered as well.” [27:22]

John Reed on Political Violence

• John Reed:
  “You got to wear a bulletproof vest to try to maybe survive... Running for lieutenant governor in Virginia, not even being the lieutenant governor, but running for it. You got to wear a bulletproof vest to try to maybe survive. Come on. This is insane. We gotta stop it.” [26:18]

On Media Bias

• John Reed:
  “Imagine if somebody who was running as a Republican... had used the N word... They would have already been forced to resign and get out of the race...” [33:43]

On Policy and Division

• John Reed:
  “I am against boys in girls sports... Women deserve private spaces... Virginians are not on board with this. And we’re gonna make sure that they remember.” [36:02]

Rob Carson’s Summary & Call

• Rob Carson:
  “It is thoroughly sickening. I want to take a break and come back more with John Reed on the other side of the break. This is the Rob Carson Show.” [30:53]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:06] – Rob Carson Show opens; Carson shares personal anecdotes and introduces the Virginia scandal
• [21:54] – News montage and details of Jay Jones’ violent texts revealed
• [24:33] – John Reed interview begins: Immediate reaction to Jones’ texts, discussions about the gravity of the rhetoric
• [26:18] – Reed on personal impact and threats to his safety
• [27:22] – Discussion on repercussions of Jones’ actions within broader context of national political violence
• [29:36] – Reed on why apologies don’t erase character flaws
• [33:43] – Media double standards and hypothetical reactions if parties were reversed
• [36:02] – Broader policy divides (transgender sports, women’s spaces) in the Virginia race
• [37:24] – Reed appeals for support amid financial disadvantages
• [38:10] – Carson wraps up interview, offers continued support

Additional Highlights & Cultural Commentary

• [06:09 - 08:47] – Rob critiques NFL and Super Bowl halftime show decisions (specifically Bad Bunny), using it as a metaphor for perceived cultural and political shifts.
• [12:26 - 15:07] – Celebration of military traditions, expressions of patriotism, and criticisms of the “Karenization” of the military under Democrats.
• [16:54 - 18:18] – Details of ICE agents ambushed in Chicago, Carson ties it to broader political “war language” on the left.

Tone and Style

Rob Carson’s tone is energetic, humorous, and unapologetically pointed. The episode blends serious political critique with satire, frequent musical and pop culture references, and a sense of urgency around the upcoming Virginia elections. Carson and Reed maintain a conversational, combative stance against what they perceive as hypocrisy and radicalism among their political opponents.

Summary

This turbulent episode of The Rob Carson Show scrutinizes the alarming language and behavior of Virginia AG candidate Jay Jones, using it as a jumping-off point for a wider critique of Democratic leadership, violent political rhetoric, and mainstream media coverage. Carson and John Reed argue for accountability, decency, and “common sense” in politics, positioning the upcoming Virginia elections as crucial for resisting what they characterize as radical and dangerous trends nationwide.