The Rubin Report

Episode: Cenk Vs. Dave, the Left Turns Violent & the Best and Worst of 2025

Date: December 31, 2025
Host: Dave Rubin
Guests: Sage Steele, Jillian Michaels, Dr. Drew Pinsky

Overview

This special holiday edition of The Rubin Report brings together Dave Rubin, Sage Steele, Jillian Michaels, and Dr. Drew Pinsky for a candid and lively reflection on the year 2025. In a spirit both celebratory and contemplative, the panel shares personal highlights, pop culture developments, political anxieties, and predictions for the future. The tone is warm, honest, and at times humorous—anchored in the camaraderie between the hosts as they grapple with big questions about society, politics, and individual growth.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening Banter & Holiday Mood [00:00—03:18]

• The episode opens with lighthearted talk about holiday outfits, family reactions, and the quirky Christmas tradition of discussing obscure toys, such as the "Labubu" dolls, which prompts playful mispronunciations and confusion.
• Memorable quote:
  — Jillian Michaels [02:25]: "Yeah, it’s sleek, I like it a lot. You know, I would be drinking if Dave had sent me a bottle of his tequila."

2. Pop Culture Recap & the Rise of the Labubu [03:39—08:56]

• Pop Culture Poem: Sage recites a playful AI-generated poem capturing 2025 events—TikTok's would-be ban, Labubu dolls, celebrities in space, Taylor Swift’s engagement, Jimmy Kimmel's on-off screen return.
• Notable reactions: — Jillian Michaels [05:44]: “ChatGPT also wrote, like, the number one country song, Breaking Rust. It’s terrifyingly good.”
• Labubu Craze: Extended riff on Labubu dolls' popularity as the new Cabbage Patch Kids/Pokémon, their scarcity, and odd cultural associations. — Dave Rubin [08:11]: "A little doll like this, that when we were kids would have been a three dollar doll... it's basically become the modern Cabbage Patch Kid."

3. Personal Reflections on 2025 [09:27—13:28]

• Panelists reflect on the strangeness of the year, comparing personal wellbeing with broader societal turmoil. — Dave Rubin [09:38]: “What goes on here in my little castle is amazing. The state of the world I've never been more concerned about.” — Dr. Drew [10:53]: “When you can engage with the next generation, it really makes everything meaningful... I see the whole world now as pre-Covid and post-Covid.” — Sage Steele [11:30]: “A year ago, I had just met my current husband… With divorce... there’s so much bad, and then you see this one silver lining.” — Jillian Michaels [13:28]: “Every interview is like stepping into the octagon …but having said that, I’m exceptionally grateful for the time… it’s the ultimate safe space.”

4. Challenges of Speaking Truth and the Nature of ‘Cancellation’ [14:25—20:14]

• The group discusses the difficulty and rewards of being truthful public figures, dealing with online vitriol, evolving beliefs, and the unique vulnerability of being “canceled”. — Sage Steele [14:25]: "I’m so proud of you, and I hope you take that the right way. Not in a motherly way... I’m just really proud. The change you have made in the last year alone is incredible." — Jillian Michaels [15:47]: “There have been moments where I get a little bit alarmed at some of the more kind of alt-right positions... it’s becoming really unpopular.” — Sage Steele [17:48]: “To be a black conservative… you question yourself and you’re like, oh my gosh, am I a sellout? ...I’m still really weak. I still get my feelings freaking hurt all the time."

5. Political & Cultural Polarization: Fears of the Fringe [20:14—22:28]

• Jillian expresses fear about the normalization of extremism on both left and right, worrying fringe ideas are being mainstreamed. — Jillian Michaels [20:14]: “It scares me, some of it… you’re starting to see this rise of identitarianism and homophobia and antisemitism... you’re seeing the fringe overgrow.” — Dave Rubin [21:10]: “The architecture of the Internet means that everything that is fringe will get pulled to the center... what happens when every fringe idea is centralized?”

6. Optimism & Predictions for the New Year [23:04—29:02]

• What are you quietly optimistic about?
  • Dave Rubin [23:12]: “...the midterms are going to be just fine for the Republicans... if Trump can move Russia/Ukraine toward peace... there will be a shift.”
  • Dr. Drew [24:15]: “Whenever there are great risks, there is great reward ... I’m optimistic.”
  • Sage Steele [24:39]: "I'm optimistic that the Trump administration is going to no longer do any print interviews… I think they have learned their lesson."
  • Jillian Michaels [25:09]: “Parenting teenagers has been awesome so far... I think you’re supposed to become a douche soon, and it’s not gonna happen.”
• Personal Resolutions:
  • Sage Steele [27:44]: “I am convinced that this year I’m gonna finally take better care of my health, Dr. Drew, because I’ve taken it for granted for a long time and really, really let it go.”

7. Trends Peaking and Issues to Dominate Next Year [29:10—34:26]

• What’s peaking?
  • Dave Rubin [29:10]: “I think big pants are over. Regular pants are back.”
  • Sage Steele [29:23]: “This crap, all this TikTok, it’s like, already peaked.”
  • Jillian Michaels [29:33]: “Weight loss drugs... now they look 25 years older. I think it’s giving people pause.”
• Issues for headlines in 2026:
  • Dave Rubin [30:05]: “If Republicans are winning the midterms, I think you’re going to see a psychotic uprising by the left like you’ve never seen before.”
  • Dr. Drew [30:38]: “I think the EU is going to fall apart in some way.”
  • Sage Steele [31:02]: “AOC reposted the most recent poll that she was leading as far as potential presidential candidates for 2028... these crazy, psychotic women on the left are not going anywhere.”
  • Jillian Michaels [31:45]: “AI. I continue to be amazed on a daily basis... where this goes and how quickly this is evolving is mind blowing.”

8. What Will Matter More Than People Expect? [32:37—34:26]

• Sage Steele [32:37]: "Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce wedding... I think it’s going to reverberate in the wedding world... it broke the Internet the day they got engaged.”
• Dr. Drew [33:20]: “Something’s going to move on the fertility front.”
• Dave Rubin [33:37]: “I think radical Islam is on the march, and I think it’s going to escalate severely in a very kinetic way throughout the world over the next year.”
• Jillian Michaels [34:00]: “I think radical period, you know, people... these radical elements are being elevated by accounts out of India, Pakistan, Russia... but then the NYT picks it up and it looks like a huge movement.”

9. Best & Worst Internet Moments of 2025 [35:31—43:47]

• Dave Rubin [35:39]: "My best Internet moment... was the day after Charlie died and I went on Piers on that ridiculous panel... busted out the receipts to my old boss, Cenk Uygur...”
• Dr. Drew [37:11]: “I reflect back on the COVID era… bringing out those [old] videos has been… I’m proud of that.”
• Sage Steele [38:16]: “The coolest for me… was being the third podcaster in the White House press briefing room... an honor, but so nerve wracking.”
• Jillian Michaels [41:13]: “Worst Internet moment... when we lost Charlie. ...Best moment: that fruit vendor Ahmed Al Ahmed disarming the terrorists—what a radical act of heroism.”
• Jillian Michaels [41:50]: “For me personally, I’d say…finally doing Rogan. ...Worst moment: Piers, you are the winner yet again on that one.”

10. Gratitude & Closing Challenge [43:47—47:58]

• Dr. Drew [43:47]: “One person you want to thank for 2025?”
  • Dave Rubin: “This has just been an absolute joy. ...I lost a couple people in our world this year… but I got you guys.”
  • Sage Steele: “I want to thank my parents. ...and to have them there on my wedding day... was scary at times that they might not be there.”
  • Dave Rubin: “David... he’s taking care of those little humans while I get to do these silly things in here all day.”
  • Jillian Michaels: “Every single person that has approached me on the street this year... you have no idea how much... we appreciate that.”
  • Dr. Drew (to Jillian): “You have the qualities I want in the octagon; I’m sorry it’s you, but I’m glad it’s you.”
• Final challenge:
  • Dave Rubin [46:54]: “For as crazy as all the politics got… let’s make 2026 the year of normalcy and decency… maybe we can save the whole freaking thing. And don't forget, 2026 is America's 250th anniversary.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Every interview is like stepping into the octagon… but it’s the ultimate safe space.” — Jillian Michaels [13:28]
• “The architecture of the Internet… means every fringe idea gets pulled to the center.” — Dave Rubin [21:10]
• "The change you have made in the last year alone is incredible." — Sage Steele, to Jillian Michaels [14:25]
• “Let’s make 2026 the year of normalcy and decency.” — Dave Rubin [46:54]
• “I just want you to know that for as much hate as you get... you're such an example.” — Sage Steele, to Jillian [14:25]
• “When you show the human side... we can inadvertently sometimes help others by just putting it out there.” — Sage Steele [39:45]
• “One person you want to thank for 2025?” — Dr. Drew Pinsky [43:47]

Major Segments & Timestamps

• Holiday Banter & Setup: 00:00–03:18
• Pop Culture Poem & Labubu Discussion: 03:39–08:56
• 2025 Reflections (Personal & Society): 09:27–13:28
• Challenges of Free Speech & Truth-Telling: 14:25–20:14
• Political & Cultural Polarization: 20:14–22:28
• New Year Optimism & Personal Goals: 23:04–29:02
• Trends & 2026 Issues: 29:10–34:26
• What Will Matter More Than Expected: 32:37–34:26
• Internet Moments (Best & Worst): 35:31–43:47
• Gratitude and Closing Thoughts: 43:47–47:58

Tone & Spirit

The episode is marked by good-natured ribbing, honesty, personal vulnerability, and optimism despite anxieties around politics and culture. The friendship among the group provides a warm foundation, as they encourage authenticity and resilience in the face of both personal and societal “crazy.”

Summary compiled for listeners who want all the key moments, debates, and emotional highlights of The Rubin Report’s 2025 year-end special—without missing the camaraderie and candid spirit that define the show.