The Rubin Report, November 26, 2025

"Are Megyn Kelly & Erika Kirk Right About Our Political Divisions?"

Host: Dave Rubin
Episode Theme:
In this pre-Thanksgiving episode, Dave Rubin hosts a casual yet thought-provoking Q&A with his community, reflecting on gratitude, political division (with reference to Megyn Kelly and Erika Kirk’s conversation), American cultural trends, and holiday traditions. Rubin emphasizes the value of open discourse, combating cultural and political “evil,” navigating tough family conversations, and living out gratitude. The episode is peppered with personal anecdotes, light-hearted banter around Thanksgiving, and insightful analysis of current political events and trends.

1. Gratitude, Holidays, and Personal Traditions

Overview

• Thanksgiving Plans: Dave shares that he’s hosting, emphasizing togetherness, gratitude, and food over politics or television.
• Holiday Traditions: Discusses seasonal decorating, food customs, and reflection at the dinner table.

Notable Moments:

• Dave on Gratitude:

  “Take a little time to get off this thing. Enjoy the family, enjoy the friends, enjoy the food. Be thankful that you live...that this is the greatest freaking thing ever and have so much to be thankful for, despite all the lunacy.” (03:10)

• Thanksgiving Ritual:

  “Everyone should be able to come up with something. Go around the table and say what you’re thankful for. If you don’t do that, that’s a good little tradition to have.” (05:03)

2. Political Division, Free Speech, and Responding to “Evil”

Key Discussion Points

• Megyn Kelly & Erika Kirk’s “Division Is Evil” Argument:
  Dave focuses on the need to actively confront bad ideas, quoting Edmund Burke, and weighs the balance between peace at family gatherings and the necessity of speaking up against ideological extremes.

• Family & Political Discourse:
  Dave advises being “forthright” but not combative at holiday tables, noting the challenge as politics infiltrates all aspects of culture.

• COVID as a Cautionary Tale:
  He references how conversation breakdown during COVID worsened division by making difficult topics taboo.

Notable Quotes:

• On Combating Evil:

  “There’s that great quote from Edmund Burke: ‘The only thing that’s necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.’...If more good people would just stand up...fight for it.” (07:16)

• On Table Talk:

  “If it’s getting hot, push a little bit...not to be nasty...but because otherwise...evil spreads.” (09:40)

3. Reader Q&A: Politics, Culture, and the Online World

Topics Covered

• Government Shutdowns & Retirement Funds

  • Proposal: Allowing federal employees penalty-free access to retirements during shutdowns gets approval.
  • Dave promises to pass the suggestion on to policymakers. (13:12)

• Texas Senate & Jasmine Crockett

  • Mixer of polling data and critique: “She is a fame whore...puts on the fake accent...If nothing else besides an eyelash model...” (15:35)

• Online Political Personas & Disinformation

  • Skepticism about Nick Fuentes' true orientation, referencing mass misinformation and social media manipulation.
  • “It went from a regular mirror...to a funhouse mirror that made us all look distorted.” (21:22)

• Favorite Holidays

  • Thanksgiving is easy, but Dave deeply prefers Passover for its enduring story of freedom and self-discovery.

    “Passover...is the age-old, eternal story of freedom. It’s the story of humanity, right?...How to be free, how to go out and be on the adventure of life.” (23:04)

4. Free Speech: When Not to Platform?

Exploration

• Should Some Beliefs Be Ignored or Deplatformed?
  • Dave asserts his autonomy in choosing guests and platforms.
  • Supports using open-ended questions to expose or challenge guest positions, trusting the audience to judge.
  • Critiques the selective “tolerance” of anti-Semitism vs. other forms of hate in media.
  • Cites his approach: not combative by default but ready to confront when necessary (referencing recent Piers Morgan interview).

Notable Quote:

“The idea that you have to platform everyone is kind of insane...I like to ask open-ended questions that then...you can watch them kind of wrap the noose around their neck and kind of hang themselves.” (26:04)

5. The Right, Anti-Semitism, and the Conservative Movement

Current Concerns

• Turning Point USA’s Direction:
  Community concern about anti-Semitism influencing youth through figures like Tucker Carlson.
  • Dave expresses some concern, hoping the original “wide tent” spirit continues.

    “My gut feeling is that it’s going in a slightly different direction, but we will see and I will root for a more positive outcome.” (29:45)

6. Politics & Money

Issues Raised

• Congressional Pensions:
  • Dave criticizes the idea that members (like Marjorie Taylor Greene) should get lifetime pensions after five years.
  • Unpacks reported wealth accumulation by politicians while in office as “come on, come on.” (34:10)

7. Lighthearted & Personal Q&A

Topics

• Favorite Thanksgiving Sides: Dave is a “stuffing guy,” shares pie stories, and reveals details about his annual smoked turkey (with fresh herbs, tips for “Big Green Egg” smokers).
• Holiday Sleep Habits: Proud, efficient sleeper; no snoring stories. (31:13)
• TV Recommendations: Plug for a new Apple TV show (“I think it’s called…”) with strong suspense and originality.

8. Closing and Takeaways

Final Thoughts

• On Dialogue: Throughout, Dave emphasizes thoughtful engagement—even at the risk of discomfort—as vital for a healthy society.
• On Gratitude: Repeats the value of gratitude, enjoying small things, and taking time off from digital frenzies.
• Thanksgiving Turkey Advice: Provides detailed step-by-step smoked turkey guidance for holiday cooks.

  “If you use fresh herbs…as opposed to using dry, I think that’s a key part. As far as the Big Green Egg…you want to get it so that you’re between around 300 and 350 and use the indirect…don’t go above 350…You're going to get that smoky flavor in there… the skin is gonna be crisp and it's gonna be nice and juicy on the inside." (36:23)

Farewell:

“I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving. I'm ready to go. All right, let's get out of here, guys…Have a good one. I am thankful for you, you guys. And we'll see you…on Monday.” (37:55)

Summary Table of Key Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |-------------------------------------------------------|-------------| | Opening and theme on gratitude | 03:10 | | On confronting ‘evil’ – Burke quote | 07:16 | | COVID and discourse breakdown | 09:40 | | Retirement & shutdowns | 13:12 | | Jasmine Crockett/Texas critique | 15:35 | | Social media manipulation & Nick Fuentes | 21:22 | | Passover & freedom story | 23:04 | | Platforming/Deplatforming and interviewer role | 26:04 | | Anti-Semitism/Turning Point USA | 29:45 | | Politician wealth accumulation critique | 34:10 | | Turkey recipe/Thanksgiving wrap-up | 36:23 | | Farewell | 37:55 |

Conclusion

This episode blends Rubin’s trademark blend of cultural commentary, practical advice, and fan interaction. He urges listeners to honor gratitude, participate courageously but constructively in discourse, remain vigilant about creeping extremism, and, above all, savor connections with friends and family over the holiday.