The Rob Carson Show — January 6, 2026

Episode Title: Welcome to the 80/20 Nation: Rob Carson vs. The Perpetually Wrong
Host: Rob Carson (with Doug Burns)
Podcast: Newsmax Podcasts

Overview

This episode of The Rob Carson Show dives into recent political and cultural events, focusing heavily on the arrest of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro by US forces under President Donald Trump, the reactions from Democrats and the media, and the resulting shifts in American society and politics. With Rob Carson’s signature humor and biting satire, the episode blends commentary, news analysis, and banter with guest Doug Burns (former federal prosecutor), critiquing what Carson calls the "perpetually wrong" left. The show positions itself as a celebration of American political victories and a takedown of progressive stances, particularly on law enforcement, crime, economics, and international affairs.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Kicking Off 2026: Good News and Economic Highs

• Carson opens by sharing positive news and mocking the idea of a "slow news day," especially for Democrats, whom he accuses of facing relentless bad news.
• The Dow Jones soars near 50,000 points after Maduro’s arrest, exceeding expectations and defying predictions that tariffs or Trump’s policies would harm the economy.
  • “I guess oil prices also didn’t [drop] yesterday, too, even though Donald Trump went in and got Nicolás Maduro. Up 600 points. An intraday all-time high...” — Rob Carson [01:21]

2. Maduro's Capture and Its Fallout

• Carson and Doug Burns discuss the arrest and extradition of Nicolás Maduro, portraying it as a huge win for U.S. policy and international justice.

• The show ridicules claims from the left that this was an unjustified act of "regime change" or war for oil.

  • “This is not a regime change. This is a demand for a change of behavior by a regime.” — Rob Carson [13:36]
  • “If your first instinct when you get up in the morning is to be on the dictator terrorist’s side just so you can oppose Donald Trump, it's probably time to rethink your political views...” — Doug Burns [09:42]

• They argue that Democrats oppose anything Trump does, even if it means defending a dictator:

  • “[Democrats] have fallen in love with him like crazy cat ladies do death row inmates.” — Rob Carson [08:36]

3. The "80/20 Nation" and Leftist Marginalization

• Carson presents the idea that America is naturally an "80/20 nation"—80% opposed to current progressive directions, with only 20% backing far-left causes and protests.

  • “There are 20% of these jackasses... They're the 20. And guess what? They don't mean D word for Richard. They really don't. So that's why I'm here, to malign them and ridicule them...” — Rob Carson [10:56]

• Uses protest movements as examples, arguing that opposition to Maduro’s takedown is confined to a noisy, but marginal minority.

4. Public Safety, Crime, and Immigration

• Carson credits Trump with a drop in crime and car theft rates after a crackdown on illegal immigration:
  • “Car thefts are plummeting as President Donald Trump’s official crackdown on illegal immigration... Murder rate all time low. Crime plummeting…” — Rob Carson [04:51]
• Details federal indictments against car theft rings, many involving foreign nationals. Critiques law enforcement limitations under previous administrations.

5. Democratic Hypocrisy and Political Satire

• The show lampoons Democrats for now allegedly defending Maduro, comparing them to people who’d mourn Hitler’s death just to spite FDR.

  • “If the Democrat Party... were around in World War II, they would have been mourning the suicide of Adolf Hitler and blaming FDR for it.” — Rob Carson [09:51]

• Extensive satire about the left's shifting targets for outrage—first Elon Musk, then Palestine, now Maduro.

  • “It is, it has really become, it's a glorious time to be a political satirist. It really, really is. I've been doing this a long time... this is the golden age, people.” — Rob Carson [19:39]

6. Legal Analysis: Maduro's Trial

• Doug Burns explains the legalities:
  • The arrest is not "regime change" but a lawful apprehension due to a standing US indictment.
  • Supreme Court precedent allows for trial even after forcible seizure (US v. Alvarez-Machain).
  • Head-of-state immunity does not apply if the US doesn’t recognize a person as a legitimate leader.
  • Maduro will face a fair trial under Judge Alvin Hellerstein, with little chance for the defense to claim “kidnapping” as a violation.
    • “A forcible seizure, a kidnapping, even where the country has an extradition treaty, does not defeat jurisdiction in the US federal court and the case can go forward to trial.” — Doug Burns [23:27]

7. Media Critique & Public Perception

• The hosts ridicule media refusal to credit Trump or US military for the successful operation, contrasting with the Obama administration’s handling of bin Laden.
  • “They couldn't give themselves to not only admit that it was good to depose this SOB... but they couldn't give Donald Trump the credit for that.” — Rob Carson [28:49]
• Critiques the orchestration and funding of anti-Trump protests, suggesting links to outside organization and George Soros.
  • “These are well funded, well organized, planned in advance protests.” — Doug Burns [35:49]

8. Domestic Scandals and Democrat State Fraud

• Discussion shifts to COVID relief fraud in Democrat-run states, now under federal investigation. Predicts a coming wave of indictments and accountability.
  • “This has been going on for a decade in states around the country... The federal government cutting off $10 billion in funding to states like California and, and other Democrat states…” — Rob Carson [35:49]
  • “It’s just going to explode and explode and explode… I think you're going to see some accountability here big time.” — Doug Burns [36:33]

9. Geopolitics and the Oil Chessboard

• The hosts reference how loss of Iranian and Venezuelan oil undermines China’s ambitions and global influence.
  • “If Iran and Venezuela fall at the same time, China loses 70% of its non U.S. regulated oil supply…You certainly can't have a war with Taiwan. You can't have AI dominance. There's no BRICS reserve currency.” — Rob Carson [38:04]
• Venezuelans, says Carson, are eager to return home if freedom is restored—framed as evidence of US policy success.

10. Memorable Moments & Satire

• Exchange with a protester: A Venezuelan man asks Gen Z protesters why they oppose Maduro’s arrest; they cannot answer him, reinforcing Carson’s caricature of activist ignorance.
  • “So we have here a bunch of busy body Karens wanting to actually step up and talk for the people of Venezuela...” — Rob Carson [40:57]

Memorable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• “I must have been bad last year because I asked Santa for a slow news day. We haven’t had one yet.” — Rob Carson [00:20]
• “If your first instinct when you get up in the morning is to be on the dictator terrorist’s side just so you can oppose Donald Trump, it's probably time to rethink your political views…” — Doug Burns [09:42]
• “It has really become, it's a glorious time to be a political satirist. It really, really is. I've been doing this a long time... this is the golden age, people.” — Rob Carson [19:39]
• “A forcible seizure, a kidnapping, even where the country has an extradition treaty, does not defeat jurisdiction in the US federal court and the case can go forward to trial.” — Doug Burns [23:27]
• “If the Democrats and this leftist media were in charge of World War II, they would have lamented Hitler’s suicide and blamed FDR for it.” — Rob Carson [30:01]
• “If this really works, we will go back to our country. We want to really rebuild our country and our nation.” — Venezuelan caller via Rob Carson [39:15]

Important Timestamps

• 00:20 — Carson’s satirical news day prayer and opening shot at Democrats
• 01:15–01:58 — Discussion of the stock market’s record highs following Maduro’s arrest
• 04:51–08:00 — Crime stats, Trump’s impact, and Democrats leaving blue states
• 08:15–10:56 — Debating Democrat support for Maduro and the “80/20 country”
• 13:34–14:07 — Regime change vs. behavior change in Venezuela
• 23:27–25:26 — Doug Burns’ explanation of the legal case against Maduro
• 28:49–30:01 — Media hypocrisy, crediting the military, and what if things had gone wrong?
• 35:17–37:35 — Organized protests, Soros funding, and COVID relief fraud
• 38:04–39:13 — Geopolitics: Oil, China, and Venezuelan emigration
• 40:14–40:57 — Protest exchange with Venezuelan man confronting US protestors

Conclusion

This episode captures Rob Carson’s sharp, irreverent, and relentless conservative take on the week’s biggest stories: the arrest of Nicolás Maduro, the left’s reaction (and alleged hypocrisy), economic booms under Trump, and emerging political scandals in Democrat states. Carson and Burns provide legal, political, and cultural context, continually skewering their opponents—setting a jubilant, combative tone for the 2026 political landscape. The show is both rapid-fire and satirical, reinforcing a narrative that the left is isolated and increasingly indefensible, while celebrating what Carson calls a new age of “winning” for the 80%.

For those who haven’t listened, this summary covers all the major themes, arguments, and notable moments in Rob Carson's own energetic and sarcastic style, providing an informative yet entertaining overview of the episode.