The Rubin Report – Episode Summary

Podcast: The Rubin Report
Host: Dave Rubin
Episode: CNN Panel Melts Down Over Liberal Racism Against the SAVE Act
Date: February 13, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, Dave Rubin unpacks reactions to the SAVE Act, a proposed election security bill, and explores its coverage on CNN. He delves into broader topics, such as liberal narratives around racism, voter ID laws, Western immigration crises, and recent controversy around the release of Epstein files. Rubin also discusses recent events in Australia, Spain, and Canada, connecting them to debates about immigration, national identity, and 'woke' ideology in Western politics.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. CNN’s Reaction to the SAVE Act and Claims of Racism

• Rubin begins by referencing a contentious CNN panel where conservative commentator Scott Jennings attempts to explain the SAVE Act—as requiring federal election voters to show ID, “like every other civilized nation in the world.”
• CNN panelists argue the law will “disenfranchise overwhelmingly a lot of people of color,” labeling it “Jim Crow 2.0” and a new “poll tax.” Dave rebukes these points, highlighting poll data strongly backing voter ID among Black and Hispanic voters.

Quote:
"[...] 76% of black voters think we should show an ID to vote. 80% of Hispanic voters, 83% of the American people. Are you saying that black voters are too dumb to know what's good for them? I mean, isn’t just that sounds pretty condescending." — Dave Rubin (04:26)

2. Debate Over Female Voters and Bureaucratic Hurdles

• He addresses Michigan Rep. Hillary Scholten's claim that “160,000 women could find themselves unable to register” due to name changes after marriage. Dave suggests common-sense solutions, mocking the idea that documentation issues should halt the act rather than motivate administrative fixes.
• He pivots to classic Rubin humor, riffing on printers, ink prices, and the triviality of technological barriers.

Quote:
"If what you said is true, and it likely is not...you create a website and you call it women who got married and are a little confused about this new bill.net and then what you would do is they could just upload a document...” — Dave Rubin (07:03)

3. Republican Holdouts & Mitch McConnell’s Evolution

• Dave exposes that four Republican senators (Murkowski, McConnell, Collins, Tillis) are not supporting the SAVE Act, despite historically touting voting security.
• He plays a vintage Mitch McConnell clip [11:27] from 1987, highlighting concerns about election fraud then, contrasting them with his current hesitance.

Quote:
“Where did the guy from 1987 go? I mean, I guess that’s what the swamp does to you.” — Dave Rubin (13:29)

4. Immigration, Cultural Clashes, and The ‘Invasion’ of the West

• Explores how Australia, Spain, and Italy are handling mass immigration, connecting societal issues and alleged crime rises with lax immigration policies.
• Rubin draws dramatic comparisons with historical waves of immigration to the US, juxtaposing images of past and present migrants and disputing accusations of racism.

Quote:
“These are all radically insane, extreme things. And Donald Trump and the Republicans and every sane American has now less than 10 months...Because if the Republicans lose the midterms...eventually the border will be open...the voting system...rigged and flooded. There will be rapists on the street. You will not know the difference between boys and girls.” — Dave Rubin (42:22)

5. Australian and European Unrest: “The West is Under Siege"

• Cites recent protests and violence, particularly in Australia, as evidence of cultural conflict and uncontrolled migration.
• Ties media framing of these incidents—such as New York Times headlines blaming the Israeli President’s visit for unrest—to broader left-wing failures to face up to the downside of mass migration.

Quote:
“And the day after October 7...there were people outside the Sydney Opera House screaming ‘gas the Jews.’ Not ‘kill the Israelis,’ ‘gas the Jews.’” — Dave Rubin (15:45)

6. The Epstein File Mess and Partisan Infighting

• Details the confusion and political jockeying over recently released Epstein files, highlighting how both sides are using the scandal for political gain.
• Plays a heated exchange between Rep. Thomas Massie and Attorney General Pam Bondi [27:48–28:30], illuminating bureaucratic redactions and accusations of cover-up.

Notable Moment:
Pam Bondi and Thomas Massie squabble over the redaction of Les Wexner’s name:
“He needs to get—You're a failed politician.” — Pam Bondi (28:19)

• Rubin observes the partisan nature of the outrage, noting Massie’s lack of outcry during the Biden years but finding his points worthwhile.

Quote:
“The problem is everyone is now using this for their political purposes. Massie does not like Trump, so he sees a reason to go after the Trump administration for this. That’s not to say he doesn’t care about the victims...But he’s using it for political purposes.” — Dave Rubin (29:55)

7. Trans Activism, Violence, and ‘Woke’ Policing in Canada

• Reports a mass shooting committed by a trans-identified male in Canada.
• Criticizes Canadian police for respecting the shooter’s “chosen pronouns,” lambasting “woke” values overriding common sense or respect for the victims.

Quote:
“Why should we be respecting someone who just murdered eight children?...While the bodies are still warm, you’ve got a police officer talking about respecting the pronouns of the murderer. Absolutely psychotic.” — Dave Rubin (37:16)

• Uses this as a launching pad to criticize “woke” ideology infecting law enforcement, politics, and media—aided by a City News AI-altered mugshot.

8. What Is a Woman? – Defining Reality vs Ideology

• Plays a U.S. congressional exchange in which Rep. Nancy Mace forces Tim Walls to define “woman,” exposing leftist discomfort with basic biology [40:20].

Quote:
“What do you want me to say? I don’t know. Boys have penises, girls have vaginas. Can we move on to hearing about the economy? Perhaps.” — Dave Rubin (40:47)

9. Even Democrats Think the Party Is Too Liberal

• Rubin highlights polling that 58% of voters now think Democrats are “too liberal,” suggesting the public is rejecting far-left politics and framing it as an opportunity for the Republican party.

Quote:
“It is extreme not to know the difference between boys and girls. It is extreme to allow people who will destroy your culture into your country. It is extreme to attack law enforcement who are just doing the very job that they were sworn in to do. Those are all extremist positions.” — Dave Rubin (42:22)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• “[...] 76% of black voters think we should show an ID to vote. 80% of Hispanic voters, 83% of the American people. Are you saying that black voters are too dumb to know what's good for them? I mean, isn’t just that sounds pretty condescending.” — Dave Rubin (04:26)
• "If what you said is true, and it likely is not...you create a website and you call it women who got married and are a little confused about this new bill.net..." — Dave Rubin (07:03)
• “Where did the guy from 1987 go? I mean, I guess that’s what the swamp does to you.” — Dave Rubin (13:29)
• "And the day after October 7...there were people outside the Sydney Opera House screaming ‘gas the Jews.’ Not ‘kill the Israelis,’ ‘gas the Jews.’" — Dave Rubin (15:45)
• "[On immigration] This has nothing to do with skin color, guys. This has nothing to do with race. This is not racist or anything else. Why are these people coming? Because...when these people come to these countries, well, they do things like Pakistani rape gangs in Britain..." — Dave Rubin (24:00)
• “Why should we be respecting someone who just murdered eight children?...While the bodies are still warm, you’ve got a police officer talking about respecting the pronouns of the murderer. Absolutely psychotic.” — Dave Rubin (37:16)
• “What do you want me to say? I don’t know. Boys have penises, girls have vaginas. Can we move on to hearing about the economy? Perhaps.” — Dave Rubin (40:47)
• "It is extreme not to know the difference between boys and girls. It is extreme to allow people who will destroy your culture into your country. It is extreme to attack law enforcement..." — Dave Rubin (42:22)

Key Timestamps for Segments

• Intro and show housekeeping: 01:31–03:56
• CNN Panel and the SAVE Act debate: 03:56–06:47
• Married women voter claim & printer as metaphor: 06:47–09:45
• Mitch McConnell through the years: 11:27–13:29
• Immigration crises in Australia, Spain, Italy: 14:20–21:45
• Epstein files, Pam Bondi v. Thomas Massie: 27:48–31:37
• Trans shooter, pronouns, Canadian ‘wokeness’: 36:52–40:20
• Congressional debate: What is a woman?: 40:20–41:56
• Voter polling on Democrats, wrap-up: 41:56–44:44

Episode Takeaways

• Rubin frames voter ID debates as common sense, not racist, and criticizes media-manufactured outrage.
• The SAVE Act is painted as a rational measure, with opposition interpreted as patronizing to minorities or motivated by political opportunism.
• Draws direct lines from Western Europe and Australia’s immigration debates to U.S. border and voting controversies.
• Warns about ‘woke’ values eroding common sense in policing, media, and public discourse.
• Argues bipartisan interest in the Epstein case is more about damaging Trump than seeking justice for victims.
• Closes by declaring the Democratic Party as out of touch with mainstream America, forecasting dire consequences if Republicans fail to act.

Tone:
Wry, combative, unapologetically partisan, brisk, and peppered with pop culture and personal jokes—true to Dave Rubin’s usual style.