The Rubin Report

Host: Dave Rubin
Episode: "CNN Reporter Humiliated as Question for Ted Cruz Blew Up in Her Face"
Date: September 17, 2025

Episode Overview

Dave Rubin hosts an emotionally charged episode in the aftermath of Charlie Kirk's assassination, focusing on media bias, political violence, and cultural reactions to the tragedy. He dissects televised news coverage—particularly CNN’s handling of the story, including an exchange with Senator Ted Cruz—and highlights the media's reluctance to openly accept the political motive behind the killing. Rubin also critiques wider cultural responses, from online radicalization to how both political sides address violence. Several notable moments include viral media clips, reactions from public figures, and a discussion about the growing acceptance (and even celebration) of violence in American culture.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Atmosphere After Charlie Kirk's Assassination

• Rubin notes a collective heaviness in society, likening the event's emotional impact to 9/11 or the attempted assassination of Donald Trump.
• Urges listeners to "level up as a society" in how we deal with these crises.

“We’ve got to level up as a society and as humans right now.” — Dave Rubin (03:10)

2. CNN Interview: Ted Cruz and Kaitlan Collins

(Timestamp: ~06:30–13:00)

• Senator Ted Cruz appears on Kaitlan Collins’ CNN show.
• Collins repeatedly claims law enforcement hasn't identified a motive for the shooting.
• Cruz pushes back, citing the indictment and family statements indicating the killer’s left-leaning political radicalization and animosity toward Kirk’s views.

Kaitlan Collins: “Law enforcement hasn’t laid out a direct motive... They’ve laid out a lot of evidence here...”

Senator Ted Cruz: “You just said law enforcement has not made it out a motive. That is objectively... That is objectively false.” (09:30)

• Rubin jokes about the awkwardness and exasperation in the exchange, calling CNN’s stance “like being hit in the head with a baseball bat.”
• Critique of media and academic reluctance to admit left-wing motivations.

3. Evidence from the Indictment

(Approx. 12:00–16:00)

• Rubin reads directly from the indictment and public statements, detailing the shooter’s shift toward leftist, pro-trans ideology, and personal animosity against Kirk.
• Shares messages from the shooter: “I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can’t be negotiated out.”
• Asserts the motive was clear, directly tied to political and identity issues, contrary to media suggestions.

4. Media Narrative Shift: ABC News and Framing

(Approx. 16:30–20:00)

• Shows a clip from ABC’s Matt Gutman describing the case as having a “touching” aspect due to the shooter’s loving messages to a trans partner.
• Rubin is critical: "First off, it's not an alleged murder. Charlie is dead. […] It's very touching. Very."
• Draws attention to the media portraying the act as romantic rather than ideological.

5. Scott Jennings vs. Montel Williams: Refusal to Admit Political Motivation

(Approx. 21:00–25:00)

• Scott Jennings argues the motivation was clearly political, citing direct evidence (e.g., “He etched the statements that are made by the left about Republicans… on the bullet casings.”)
• Montel Williams says, "I don't believe he was motivated politically. I think this was motivated emotionally."
• Rubin points out the circularity and evasiveness: “Where did the emotion come from? Why was he emotionally motivated to kill? It was because of the politics.”

6. Media Downplaying and Whitewashing

(Approx. 26:00–29:00)

• Scott Jennings criticizes the “movement by some people to completely say, well, we have no idea.”
• Rubin: “Scott is literally reading the words of the guy who is the admitted assassin…and then it's up to you, the public, to decide what to do with those words.”

7. Role of Media and Social Media in Radicalization

(Approx. 30:00–34:00)

• Rubin and a clip from Zachary Levi with Dr. Drew discuss how media labeling opponents as Nazis or fascists can push people toward violence.

“That's what desensitizes everyone and activates them to then go take matters into their own hands.” — Zachary Levi (33:10)

• Cites Democratic figures (e.g., JB Pritzker) with a track record of likening political opposition to Nazis, then denying it on TV, followed by mashup of their previous incendiary quotes.

8. Extreme Cultural Responses: Fetishizing Murderers & Celebrating Violence

(Approx. 49:00–62:00)

• Rubin recounts how the shooter of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson (Luigi Mangione) was celebrated online and had his charges reduced in court.
• Shows viral clips and Reddit posts where supporters fetishize Mangione, send him gifts in prison, and fantasize about relationships.
• Critiques a culture that celebrates or minimizes political murders, including Jimmy Kimmel making light of the situation and sharing staffers’ comments about the killer’s attractiveness.

“The bar is with the left. We have just set the bar so low, it’s almost incomprehensibly low.”

9. Online Celebrations and Callousness Toward Charlie Kirk's Death

(Approx. 64:00–69:00)

• Plays TikTok and social media videos of users dancing or making light of Kirk’s assassination.
• Mocks a Texas State student who was expelled for mocking the murder at a vigil.
• Concludes that a failed education and culture have created a generation desensitized to violence against political foes.

10. Positive Responses & Possible Paths Forward

(Approx. 73:00–83:00)

• Rubin shares a viral video of high school students at a school board meeting denouncing a teacher who supported violence against Kirk. Praises the students’ moral clarity.

“Maybe there’s going to be this incredible generation that will have grown up post Covid, post hysteria, post gender confusion...and say, you know what? Enough is enough. We actually do know what is right and wrong. And it doesn't matter what your political differences are. You cannot murder anybody.” (76:00)

• Notes rare but decent reactions from left-leaning voices:
  • Bill Maher: Openly mourns Kirk and criticizes anyone gloating over his death, regardless of political side.

    “If you’re on the other side of the political divide and you don’t care because the wrong team guy got shot, you. You’re what’s wrong with this country.” — Bill Maher (79:30)

  • John Fetterman: Cautions Democrats on dangerous rhetoric and its potential to provoke violence.
  • Arnold Schwarzenegger: Humanizes Kirk, noting loss of life due to opposing opinions is “just unbelievable.”

11. Calls for Moral and Political Renewal

• Rubin, referencing Ben Shapiro and Daily Wire’s million-dollar donation to Turning Point, emphasizes the coalition-building around shared values, not specific personalities.
• Concludes that society must “level up” morally and spiritually, as the culture appears on the verge of more violence unless a conscious shift is made.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• Dave Rubin:
  • “We’ve got to level up as a society and as humans right now.” (03:10)
• Sen. Ted Cruz to Kaitlan Collins:
  • “What you said is... objectivity false.” (09:30)
• Scott Jennings:
  • “He was motivated by hate. He was motivated by left wing radicalism.” (23:50)
• Zachary Levi:
  • “That's what desensitizes everyone and activates them to then go take matters into their own hands.” (33:10)
• Bill Maher:
  • “If you’re on the other side... and you don’t care because the wrong team guy got shot, you. You’re what’s wrong with this country.” (79:30)
• Charlie Kirk (quoted by Rubin):
  • “Assassination culture is spreading on the left. 48% of liberals say it would be at least somewhat justified to murder Elon Musk. 55% said the same about Donald Trump.” (70:30)
• High school student at meeting:
  • “Charlie did not deserve to lose his life because of a different opinion. But this teacher deserves to lose his job.” (75:20)

Timeline of Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-----------|--------------------| | 00:00–03:30 | Rubin’s intro and reflection on cultural mood | | 06:30–13:00 | Ted Cruz vs. Kaitlan Collins (CNN) | | 12:00–16:00 | Reviewing the indictment, evidence of motive | | 16:30–18:30 | ABC coverage and ‘romanticizing’ the murderer | | 21:00–25:00 | Scott Jennings lays out the motive; Montel Williams’ pushback | | 26:00–29:00 | Media “whitewashing” & consequences | | 30:00–34:00 | Role of media in radicalization (Levi/Dr. Drew) | | 49:00–62:00 | Social media and pop culture reactions to Mangione killing | | 64:00–69:00 | Online celebration/mockery of Kirk’s death | | 73:00–76:00 | High schoolers condemn teacher for approving violence | | 79:00–82:00 | Bill Maher and John Fetterman’s reactions | | 83:00–87:00 | Ben Shapiro and Daily Wire’s commitment to Turning Point |

Tone and Closing Remarks

Rubin’s tone is urgent, sometimes raw and emotional, with moments of both moral outrage and hope. He criticizes the media’s downplaying or reframing of political violence, laments the cultural shift toward “assassination culture,” and calls for a renewed commitment to shared values and free speech, rather than succumbing to cycles of retribution.

“How do we honor Charlie’s legacy? ... We’re going to have to figure out how do we push aside so much of this madness... we combine [spiritual and political values] when we figure out what our values are.” — Dave Rubin (87:00)

Rubin ends with a call for principled, value-driven coalition, remembering Kirk’s insistence on the Socratic method and openness to civil discourse, and the hope that the next generation might reject celebrating violence for genuine dialogue.

Summary Table

| Topic | Speakers / Highlights | Key Points & Quotes | |-------------------------------|--------------------------|---------------------| | Mood of the nation post-tragedy | Dave Rubin | “It really feels sticky…we’ve got to level up…” | | CNN/Ted Cruz exchange | Ted Cruz, Kaitlan Collins | “You just said law enforcement has not made it out a motive. That is objectively…false.” | | Media framing | ABC, Harvard Professor | ABC calls the killer’s texts “touching”; Harvard downplays ideology. | | Direct evidence of motive | Utah Attorney, Indictment | Family and shooter statements, pro-left turn, anti-Kirk animosity. | | Cultural celebration of violence | Kimmel, online posts, students | Culture shock at Reddit posts, TikTok dances, Kimmel jokes about killer. | | Pushback from right & rare left voices | Jennings, Maher, Fetterman | Maher: “If you don’t care because the wrong team guy got shot, you’re what’s wrong with this country.” | | Path forward | Rubin, Daily Wire, high school students | Calls for moral clarity, building on shared values, not personalities. |