Podcast Summary: The Rubin Report "The Exact Moment CNN Host Realizes Ilhan Omar Is a Monster After ICE Shooting Answer"

Host: Dave Rubin
Date: January 13, 2026

Episode Overview

In this charged episode, Dave Rubin reacts to the recent death of his friend and Dilbert creator, Scott Adams, before diving into coverage of a controversial ICE-involved shooting in Minneapolis. The discussion focuses on public and political reaction—particularly from Ilhan Omar and the broader progressive left—highlighting perceived double standards, incitements to violence, and media complicity. The episode also covers ongoing protests in Iran, drawing parallels between authoritarianism abroad and domestic unrest. Rubin delivers his signature blend of critique, skepticism toward left-wing activism, and unapologetic support for free speech and law enforcement.

Key Topics & Insights

1. Honoring Scott Adams (00:43-05:33)

• Rubin opens the show with commentary on missing the previous day due to a colonoscopy, then solemnly announces the passing of Scott Adams.
• Reflections on Adams:
  • Adams is praised for his "master at framing," his role in free speech battles, and contributions to Locals (Rubin’s platform).
  • Rubin plays a final clip (04:15) of Adams reflecting on death and contemplating religious conversion, citing the “risk-reward” logic of faith:

    “If it turns out there is something there and the Christian model is the closest to it, I win. So with your permission, I promise you that I will convert.” – Scott Adams [04:15]

  • Rubin notes the importance of integrating logic and spirituality.

2. Situation in Iran and America’s Moral Role (05:33–09:03; 46:27–55:09)

• Breaking News: Trump urges Iranians to keep protesting the regime, vowing "help is on the way." Rubin underscores America’s unique position as "the last moral force in the world."
• Comparison: The bravery of Iranian protesters is contrasted with the "twisted" domestic unrest in America, blaming leftist agitators for breeding chaos on the streets.
• Later updates: The crisis in Iran escalates, with reports of imminent executions and thousands killed ([54:46–57:34]). Rubin argues that Trump’s rhetoric—"make Iran great again"—now creates an obligation to act.

3. ICE Shooting Incident and Ilhan Omar’s Response (09:03–20:31)

• Incident recap:
  • Woman in Minneapolis shot by ICE after allegedly trying to drive into officers.
  • Quickly becomes a new rallying point similar to BLM protests.
• Ilhan Omar’s Reaction:
  • Publicly calls Trump a tyrant, accuses ICE of “clear murder”, and signals support for continued activism:

    “We are showing the nation that regardless of what the tyrant in the White House believes, we know that we are here to stay.” – Ilhan Omar [09:03]

  • In a CNN interview, Omar dismisses dangers, suggests "don't get in front of a moving car" [13:03], and insists the shooting was "murder:"

    "I am very comfortable with the word murder... you do not see this person, this officer... clearly murdering this woman." – Ilhan Omar [15:28]

• Rubin’s Reaction:
  • Decries Omar as inciting revolution and importing "sectarian violence" from Somalia.
  • Argues that activists and politicians like Omar obfuscate the facts and intend to destabilize America for revolutionary ends.
  • Plays and critiques protest footage featuring calls for "armed resistance."

4. Media and Political Reaction—Mainstream vs. Alternative (20:31–39:05)

• Media as Activist Arm:
  • Rubin asserts the media enables and covers for leftist politicians. Example:
    • Jacob Frey (Minneapolis mayor) repeats “ICE get the F out” line and rationalizes inflammatory rhetoric [20:31].
    • Jake Tapper (CNN): Presses on whether it's fair to label the officer before the investigation, is at times challenged by guests like Kristi Noem [26:18].
• Compilation of Leftist Reactions:
  • Progressive guests uniformly defend the protester, equate ICE to murderers, and stress “white privilege” among activists [28:45].
  • Rubin mocks the logic behind these points, calling the arguments “a colonoscopy of verbal nonsense.”
  • Presents Scott Jennings’ structured rebuttal outlining the sequence and legality of the ICE action [39:05]:

    “This person is part of a group of people who form convoys to interfere with federal law enforcement operations... this is a felony to do that. … They didn’t follow lawful commands to stop… They accelerated a car into the officer.” – Scott Jennings [39:05]

5. Broader Cultural Analysis: The Collapse of Institutions & Imported Ideologies (15:50–20:31; 61:31–63:15)

• Money Laundering Allegations:
  • Rubin claims Omar is involved in "massive money laundering" to Somali interests, playing a clip of her pushing back against federal investigations [19:58].
• Will Tanner & Elon Musk on Western Decline:
  • Rubin reads (multiple times) a viral tweet on how formerly “high civilization” countries collapsed when they imported “bad ideas” (“race, communism and anarcho-tyranny”). Musk retweets in agreement.
• Institutional Subversion:
  • Rubin and guests detail how media and educational institutions have been captured by the left, referencing former KGB defector Yuri Bezmenov’s theory on ideological subversion [61:31]:

    “It takes from 15 to 20 years to demoralize a nation... Marxist-Leninist ideology is being pumped into the soft heads of at least three generations of American students...” – Yuri Bezmenov [61:31]

6. Domestic Security vs. Blue State Instability (40:05–44:39)

• Florida as Contrast:
  • Rep. Byron Donalds asserts Florida’s strict enforcement and leadership under DeSantis prevents similar unrest:

    “Any official within the state of Florida... if they think for a moment that they are going to flout federal law or state law, they will be removed from office.” – Byron Donalds [44:39]

  • Rubin stresses that lawlessness is localized to “blue states and blue cities.”

7. Iran—Global Authoritarian Threats and US Response (46:27–59:56)

• Iranian Regime's Escalation:
  • Reports of mass killings, pending executions, and leadership cracks.
• Global Perspective:
  • Rubin highlights the UAE’s ban on student funding for UK universities—citing radicalization concerns—to illustrate how even Muslim states are now wary of Western leftist influence.
• Panel Analysis:
  • Political and regional context is given by reading articles and featuring an explanatory clip from Elika Laban, who traces Iran’s 1979 revolution to a "Red-Green alliance" of Marxists and Islamists [58:44]:

    “Iran is not the past. Iran is a warning of what happens when that ideology goes unchecked.” – Elika Laban [58:44]

• Will the Iranian Regime Fall?
  • Rubin cites a 46% odds estimate by "polymarket" and bets yes, predicting US and Trump will play a decisive role.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “We are the last moral force in the world. It’s simply true...It’s America.” – Dave Rubin [06:00]
• “Everything you say is a lie and an obfuscation and a confusion for the revolution.” – Dave Rubin, addressing Ilhan Omar [13:23]
• “This woman was part of a group...who try to be ICE interrupters...mainly white people, which is what we ask them to do.” – CNN guest [29:35]
• “If that woman...just blocked traffic, shut the car off, took the keys out...If they had walked up to her and shot her, do you think Scott Jennings would be defending it? Of course not. This is a completely different situation.” – Dave Rubin [40:05]
• “You got Mark Ruffalo, you got Cynthia Nixon...just lesbians are out of their freaking minds.” – Dave Rubin, in a controversial rant about “celebrity douchebags” [34:35]
• “Think about it: what would our founders think about someone like Ilhan Omar doing what she is doing right now?” – Dave Rubin [17:33]
• “That is the strange place we seem to be in this first month of 2026. But we’ve got 11 months left of the year and it’s America’s 250th and I think everything's gonna be okay.” – Dave Rubin [63:43]

Timestamps of Important Segments

• Scott Adams tribute & final message – 00:43–05:33
• Trump’s statement on Iran; Rubin’s views on American intervention – 05:33–09:03, 46:27-55:09
• Ilhan Omar’s response to ICE shooting (“tyrant,” “murder”) – 09:03–15:45
• Omar dismisses danger, doubles down on rhetoric (CNN clips) – 12:52–15:45
• Allegations of Omar’s money laundering; congressional hearings – 19:58–20:31
• Discussion of Minneapolis Mayor Frey and media coverage – 20:31–26:18
• Jake Tapper, Kristi Noem, and the media’s role – 26:18–27:01
• Montage of progressive/leftist media commentary – 28:45–33:08
• Scott Jennings fact-checks ICE shooting narrative – 39:05–40:05
• Yuri Bezmenov on ideological subversion – 61:31–62:31
• Elika Laban on Iran’s revolutionary history – 58:44–59:56

Conclusion & Takeaways

Throughout the episode, Dave Rubin frames ongoing domestic unrest—particularly surrounding law enforcement, immigration, and progressive activism—as a sign of America flirting with ideological chaos, even as foreign nations like Iran struggle to escape it. He singles out Ilhan Omar as emblematic of these dangers: an elected official whose rhetoric and alleged corruption threaten the stability of American ideals. Media complicity, imported radicalism, and the erosion of institutional trust are recurring themes, with Rubin urging listeners to maintain clarity and vigilance. The international crisis in Iran is not only a news item but a lens for reflecting on America's own trajectory between liberty and revolution.

Further Listening

Rubin mentions that Elika Laban will appear as a guest on his show on Friday to further discuss Iranian history and revolutionary theory. For ongoing discussion, join the show's community at rubinreport.locals.com.