The Rob Carson Show – “Virginia’s Future on the Line: John Reid Talks with Carson”

Date: September 4, 2025
Host: Rob Carson
Guest: John Reed (Virginia Lt. Governor candidate)
Theme: The urgent political crossroads facing Virginia, contrasting conservative governance with progressive agendas, and the state’s pivotal role in shaping America's future.

Episode Overview

This episode puts the spotlight on the upcoming Virginia elections, featuring in-depth discussion with John Reed, GOP candidate for Lt. Governor. Rob Carson uses his trademark humor and populist commentary to underscore the stakes, particularly the risk of Virginia reverting to progressive policies under Democratic contenders like Abigail Spamberger. The conversation also explores current national issues—crime, border security, social movements—through the lens of Virginia’s unique history and its future path. Carson and Reed discuss conservative strategies for maintaining success in the Commonwealth, candidly addressing hot-button issues like sanctuary cities, transgender policies in schools, and economic growth.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Stage: Virginia at a Crossroads

• Carson’s Framing (01:05–02:40):
  • Satirical introduction of Abigail Spamberger (“Spam Burger: Nothing like a good spam burger, right?”), highlighting her support for sanctuary state policies.
  • Promotion of conservative candidates: “Winsome Sears needs to be governor and John Reed needs to be the lt. gov.”
  • Sets up the episode's main tension: “We'll talk to him at the bottom of the hour about a number of different things.”

2. Drug Crisis, Law Enforcement, and Political Sides

• Seizure of Drug Precursors (02:40–05:00):

  • Carson juxtaposes historic drug seizures under aggressive federal action (referencing Judge Jeanine’s report on meth precursors).
  • Blames Democrats for inaction, lauds Trump for direct intervention, including classifying cartels as terrorist organizations.

• Potent Quote:

  • Carson, on Democrat inertia (04:56):

    “They have killed more Americans than every terrorist organization in the world combined… Hundreds of thousands. Let me say it again here. Pay attention.”

• Satirical Song Parody (07:20):

  • Mocking Senator Chris Van Hollen and his alleged sympathies for criminals and gangs, highlighting partisan divides on law enforcement.

3. Judicial, Legislative & “Sanctuary State” Battles

• Legal Fights and Deportations (09:37):
  • Alan Dershowitz predicts Trump-era authority will prevail in deporting gang members, despite court challenges.
  • Carson’s commentary (10:05):

    "The Democrat Party wants to keep alien gang members in the country. Just remember that. They are so on the wrong side of history because they're on the wrong side of common sense insanity."

4. U.S. and U.K. Conservative Kinship

• GBN Reception Recap (12:37–20:05):
  • Carson shares his experience at a Great Britain News (GBN) event, expressing deep kinship between the U.S. and U.K. reformist movements.
  • Emphasizes parallels in censorship and “open borders” and highlights meeting high-profile conservatives, including Nigel Farage and Jim Jordan.
  • Memorable quote from Farage (18:04):

    “When I declared myself to be a candidate for the Prime Minister, I knew what the press was going to say. They were going to say that he's a drinker and they're going to say that he's a smoker and they're going to say that he's a womanizer. And to that I have to say, oh yes, I am actually.”

  • Emotional gratitude to listeners:

    “And all I could think about was you guys... it hit me how blessed I am because it's been a long road for all of us and a lot of bumps. And we got here, we got here and I’m doing a show in Washington, D.C. from my very own studio…” (20:00)

The Interview: John Reed on Virginia’s Political Future

[21:19–37:05]

1. Major Contrasts in the Governor’s Race

• Reed’s Framing (21:21):

  “Winsome is closing the gap hard because now voters are finally seeing the real Abigail Spamberger…one of her top priorities is to turn Virginia into a sanctuary state…She does not want state and local law enforcement cooperating with ICE.”

• Carson’s Spin (21:53):

  • Sardonically labels Spamberger “Spam Burger…a lot like Spam, a lot of filler and no meat. There’s nothing really there.”

• Respect Despite Disagreement (22:19):

  • Reed notes he’s always cordial with Democrats but says recent campaign tactics have shredded mutual respect:

    “I respect all three of you. I disagree with you, but I hope you don’t win…that is out the window with the way these folks are behaving.”

• Astroturfing and Political Activism (23:01):

  • Reed observes that “astroturf” protests at Republican events are manufactured and do not reflect the real will of Virginians.
  • Powerful, personal positioning as the “first gay candidate to run statewide in either party in Virginia” and his opposition to radical gender ideology in schools:

    “I’ll be damned if you’re going to tell me that this trans ideology is good for anybody. It’s abusive...and you’re disrupting the normal lives of every other student in these school systems by catering to delusional, delusional people who need help.” (23:20)

• Carson:

  “This LGBTQIA nonsense, it infantilizes people...They are living a childish fantasy...And honestly, I have no patience for it at all.” (24:11)

2. The Legacy of CRT and “Awokening” in Virginia Education (25:10–26:18)

• Agreement that the surge in gender and race politics (“CRT nonsense”) began in Virginia and is in its “death throes.”
• Carson underscores the need to prevent a backslide into progressive chaos, recapping the state’s painful past with DEI, boys in girls’ locker rooms, and educational discrimination.

3. Campaign Challenges: Outsized Democratic Spending

• Reed’s Challenge (26:18–27:30):

  “Gazella Hashmi, the radical Islamist…she’s not doing any campaigning. They’re just going to save their $3 million and try to blast me out of the water...I quit my job at the radio station...I need to get in the game and do what I’m good at: convince people with data and facts and reason and logic to back us here.”

4. Law & Order – Comparing Policy Outcomes in D.C.

• Carson’s Washington Observations (27:30):

  “I moved here five weeks ago...I go downtown last night. Washington, D.C. was the way I remember it...There were no homeless tents in the parks. And yet people...are trying to keep the feds, Donald Trump, from coming in and doing the same thing elsewhere.”

• Reed:

  “Republicans believe you should be safe and hopefully prosperous, even if you live in a bad neighborhood...We hate Trump and we hate the Republicans so much that we will put our own people in jeopardy.” (28:39)

5. Economic Growth & Labor Policy (32:58–34:37)

• Reed slams attacks on job cuts as misleading (“Look, I feel bad for anybody who’s lost a job...but...one of the great things about Northern Virginia is that it has a robust economic ecosystem and you can find another job.”)
• Warns Democrats intend to end right-to-work status, threatening Virginia’s business climate and “sending jobs to Tennessee, North and South Carolina.”

6. Reed’s Vision as Lt. Governor (35:10–36:36)

• Economic ambassador for the state, leveraging business experience and international connections.
• Pledges to be a “bulldog” for conservative values and a strong public defender of the administration:

  “No one’s going to bully me...I’m going to stand up for what I believe in...We better get people who are willing to stand up and tell the truth.”

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Rob Carson on U.S.–U.K. kinship:

  “We perfected it, and we built the greatest engine of individual and economic liberty in the history of mankind. And they [the Brits] acknowledged that last night, and they said, we need your help now.” (15:42)

• John Reed, on campaign adversity:

  “I am standing in the middle of the street with a BB gun and they’ve got a bazooka at me. I’ve got to be able to fight back.” (29:54)

• Reed, on dealing with smear campaigns:

  “What are they going to do, call me a homophobe for telling the truth? Heck, no. It’s time to stop this insanity.” (25:10)

Key Timestamps

• 00:00–02:40: Satirical monologue, episode setup, criticism of Democratic policies
• 02:40–05:00: Drug crisis, law enforcement action
• 09:37–10:05: Dershowitz discussion, legal outlook on gang deportations
• 12:37–20:05: Carson’s GBN event story, conservative kinship U.S.–U.K., meeting prominent figures
• 21:19: John Reed interview begins
• 23:20–25:10: Reed on trans ideology and activism in Virginia schools
• 26:18–27:30: Reed on campaign financing, “buying” elections
• 27:30–29:36: Carson & Reed on law and order, urban safety
• 32:58–34:37: Reed on jobs, economic policy, right-to-work status
• 35:10–36:36: Reed’s vision as Lt. Governor and “bulldog” approach
• 37:01: Interview conclusion

Closing Tone

Carson wraps with personal reflection on his path to Virginia, the turbulent political climate, and his conviction that a “great awakening” is underway. He exhorts listeners to stay vigilant, involved, and proud of the progress made in Virginia, affirming the conservative momentum driving the country's future.

For Listeners Needing the Essentials:

• Virginia's election is described as a fight for the soul of the state (and by extension, the country), centering on crime, education, and governance.
• Abigail Spamberger is cast as emblematic of failed, woke Democratic policies; John Reed and Winsome Sears represent the conservative alternative.
• Reed brings a unique voice as a gay conservative challenging radical gender politics in schools and vows to be an aggressive, unflinching advocate if elected.
• The interview blends policy arguments with sharp humor, personal anecdotes, and rallying calls to action for conservative listeners.

For campaign info:
John Reed for Virginia – johnreedforvirginia.com
Follow John on X/Twitter: @JohnReed4VA

Contact and Feedback:
Rob Carson – Newsmax Radio, social media links at newsmax.com

Prepared for listeners who want to cut through the noise and understand the stakes in Virginia’s 2025 elections—without missing the wit and fervor of the Rob Carson Show.