The Rubin Report — Episode Summary

Episode Title: Dave Rubin Can’t Believe This Happened While He Was Off the Grid | Jillian Michaels Guest-Hosts
Release Date: September 2, 2025
Host: Dave Rubin
Guest Host: Jillian Melchior

OVERVIEW

In this episode, Dave Rubin returns from a month-long “off the grid” break, having completely unplugged from news, social media, and the relentless news cycle. Jillian Melchior sits in as guest host for a robust, rapid-fire rundown of the last month’s major political, cultural, and social developments—covering everything from national politics and culture wars to pop culture oddities. The tone swings from reflective and funny to serious as Dave reacts in real time to all he missed, while both hosts critically analyze the state of politics, media, and American society.

EPISODE STRUCTURE

1. [[01:01]] Opening: Dave’s Off-the-Grid Reflections
2. [[20:01]] Catching Up: News Recap by Category
   • National Politics & Trump
   • Additional Political News
   • Pop Culture & Society
3. [[152:15]] Predictions, Outlooks, and Final Thoughts

1. Dave’s Off-the-Grid Reflections (01:01–20:00)

Main Points:

• Dave describes his annual tradition of disconnecting each August: “This is my ninth year of doing this…really, really present.” [[04:03]]
• Unplugging is harder in the digital age; even controlling lights/alarms required some phone usage.
• Dave expresses deep gratitude for time with family, life, team, and self-reflection:

  "I’m the luckiest guy in the world…I spent so much time with my kids… David and I got to escape for a while… our 10th anniversary." [[04:54]]

• Random family anecdotes: ghostbusting-themed obsessions of his kids, eating "half a watermelon a day," napping daily, and putting on nightly puppet shows.
• On stepping away from public persona: “Really nice to not have everything be about me all the time…to just like be more present.” [[07:16]]
• Dave trained with a fitness coach for the first time, consistently ate healthy, and traveled to Mexico to work on his tequila project.

Philosophical Takeaways:

• Presence matters; unplugging provides critical perspective.
• Political bickering on the right—online spats, “destroying” opponents—felt meaningless in the real world:

  “The bickering …it just is so silly and ridiculous, and it has so little translation into reality.” [[12:15]]

• For the new season, Dave pledges to “double down on finding all of the good people that want to do great things with this country…” [[14:03]]

2. Catching Up: News Recap by Category (20:01–152:12)

A. National Politics & Trump

Kamala Opts Out:

• Kamala Harris announces she will NOT run for governor or president.
  • “She's nothing, she's nobody. She's gonna be a footnote. That's it. If I never have to say your name again, that would be a pleasure.” —Dave ([[22:35]])

Biden & The System:

• Dave and Jillian react to Joe Biden’s appearance at the National Bar Association, wondering at the attempt to keep his legacy alive:
  • “Can you believe…just over a year ago…they were pretending that man was President?” ([[25:37]])
• Discussion over the “farce” of Biden’s legacy and the system discarding public figures.

Hunter Biden News:

• Hunter is now Director of Development for an LA homelessness prevention nonprofit (Bosta), focusing on preventing eviction for undocumented residents. [[27:43]]
• Daily Beast ran, then retracted, a story echoing Hunter’s claim that Epstein introduced Melania to Trump after legal threats.
• “It’s all lies. And it’s lies on purpose…she turned around and threatened Hunter Biden with a billion dollar lawsuit over his defamatory remarks.” —Jillian ([[31:41]])
• Broader commentary on the epidemic of media fabrication, lack of accountability, and the role of the legal system in fighting back.

Russiagate/Tulsi Gabbard Revelations:

• Tulsi Gabbard alleges Obama, Hillary, and Soros concocted Russiagate; DOJ orders grand jury probe.
• Reactions to the cyclical nature of these stories; most of the public discards them quickly.

  “These things…burn hot for a second and then everyone just moves on.” —Dave ([[39:42]])

Trump’s Wins & Actions:

• Foreign policy:
  • Brokered peace agreements (Armenia-Azerbaijan, India-Pakistan, Cambodia-Thailand, Egypt-Ethiopia, Iran-Israel ceasefire, Yemen ceasefire) [[47:20]]
  • Efforts to resolve Ukraine war: In-person meeting with Putin in Alaska, attempts at brokering direct peace between Russia and Ukraine.
    Bill Maher praised Trump:

    “He really does not like war.” [[52:13]]

• Domestic:
  • Federalization of DC’s law enforcement led to drastic crime reduction and improvement in public safety stats ([[58:01]])
  • Initiatives to clean up homeless encampments, emphasizing treatment and services.

    “It’s not compassionate to have criminals out on the street. It’s not compassionate to have homeless people…like in San Francisco. That’s the reverse of compassion.” —Dave ([[64:32]])

  • Pushed for similar federal action in Chicago, NY, LA to address high crime.

Immigration & Policy:

• Bond requirements for Malawi/Zambia nationals, court victories allowing stricter deportation.
• Dean Cain joining ICE; states taking stiffer immigration stances ([[72:10]])
• Tragic example: CA issued a commercial truck driver license to an illegal immigrant who subsequently caused a fatal accident in FL.
• “At the end of the day, you either have laws or you don’t. So I don’t know what the answer to that is.” —Dave ([[80:01]])

B. Additional Political/Legal News

Redistricting Battles:

• GOP gains seats in Texas through controversial moves; Newsom responds with Prop 50, proposing to artificially lower Republican representation in CA's legislature (7% for 38% registered voters).
  • “Both sides are going to do it...Let's not belabor the point of California.” —Dave ([[115:47]])

2028 Predictions:

• Trump hints his successors could be J.D. Vance or Marco Rubio—“maybe they’ll come together.” Tulsi Gabbard named as a potential Secretary of State. ([[116:24]])

Spoofs & Copycats:

• Gavin Newsom releases Trump-style merch, mimics MAGA branding, and tries to become “California Trump.”
  • “But you can't fake becoming Trump. That's the thing.” —Dave ([[118:09]])

MSNBC to ‘Ms. Now’

• MSNBC changes its branding, some viewers mistake for Multiple Sclerosis.
  • “Chris, it’s still television for morons.” —Dave ([[150:24]])

C. Culture Wars, Pop & Social Issues

Affirmative Action & Education:

• Brown University agrees to a $50 million settlement and scraps affirmative action.
• Oklahoma implements a PragerU-driven ‘America First’ test for incoming teachers:

  “I love the fact that PragerU is involved with it. That is spectacular.” —Dave ([[87:37]])

Trans & Gender Politics:

• Nancy Pelosi pushes to legalize sex changes for minors at national level; Trump signs order banning chemical/surgical transition procedures for kids.

  “What they have done to young children, that is not to say an adult can’t dress however they want…but evil, I can’t believe. I mean still. Does she still think that’s a winner?” —Dave ([[91:32]])

• Jillian links Pelosi’s agenda to the pharmaceutical industry’s profits:

  “I think that’s what this is about…Lupron, off-label, is a multi-billion dollar business.” ([[91:32]])

Media & Narrative Manipulation:

• Jillian shares personal experience of being smeared as a racist on CNN after critiquing racialized Smithsonian exhibits, receiving attacks from both sides; broader commentary on old vs. new media.
  • “You represent…like the avatar for the new media…these things are now so disconnected.” —Dave ([[107:01]])

Racial Tensions:

• Concerns over spiraling race rhetoric and its effects on youth—white boys being “demonized,” possible right-wing backlash, dangerous rehashing of old divides.
  • “The more you demonize these young boys, the more you’re gonna breed a whole new generation of racists.” —Jillian ([[107:58]])
• Calls for teaching “about the good guys” who fought to end slavery and for more measured, nuanced historical education.

Lighter & Pop Culture Moments:

• Dave’s favorite: Hulk Hogan Appreciation Day declared in FL ([[118:51]])
• Howard Stern’s contract NOT renewed, ending a radio era:

  “That actually strikes me as the biggest news of the entire month in some weird way.” —Dave ([[142:47]])

• Cracker Barrel attempts a woke logo rebrand, loses millions.
• Dildos thrown onto WNBA courts repeatedly; viral, CNN covers the “dildo crackdown.” ([[136:11]])
• Male cheerleaders, NFL bringing back social justice end zone slogans (“Stop Hate,” “Choose Love”). Discussion of the persistence (“morphing”) of woke culture ([[148:25]])
• Chris Pratt on Club Random: “I’d hate to be so mired in hatred for the president that any success from his administration is something I’d be…allergic reaction to.” ([[150:32]])

FINAL SEGMENT: Predictions & Reflections (152:15–end)

• Jillian and Dave both feel general “weirdness” returning to the news cycle after unplugging, but see the experience as invigorating.
• Dave shares excitement about growth plans for the show, his tequila project, and commitment to “being better” and fighting for positivity and freedom.
• Jillian debriefs, noting the episode's density, and together they reflect on the enduring need for gratitude, perspective, and courage in media and culture.

NOTABLE QUOTES

• “The bickering of who's gonna destroy who? … It just is so silly and ridiculous, and it has so little translation into reality.” —Dave Rubin [[12:15]]
• “If you tell people that you’re gonna clean up cities and you actually start doing something, it starts cleaning up cities? Is that what you’re telling me?” —Dave Rubin [[62:49]]
• "At the end of the day, you either have laws or you don’t." —Dave Rubin [[80:01]]
• “Evil, I can’t believe. I mean still. Does she still think that’s a winner, lady?” —Dave Rubin, on Pelosi’s trans policies [[91:32]]
• “The more you demonize these young boys, the more you’re gonna breed a whole new generation of racists.” —Jillian Melchior [[107:58]]
• “You represent… the avatar for the new media…these things are now so disconnected.” —Dave Rubin [[107:01]]
• “I’m happy to hear that I was kind of right about my overall prediction, which is that not much happened. Some of the race stuff and I guess this just whatever… just like general crazy stuff.” —Dave Rubin ([[152:23]])

IMPORTANT TIMESTAMPS

• 01:01–20:00 — Dave’s “off the grid” recap, gratitude, and lessons
• 20:01–43:03 — National politics, Kamala, Biden, Hunter, Russiagate, Trump’s month
• 43:03–72:04 — Law enforcement crackdowns, homelessness, immigration policy, crime
• 72:04–99:14 — Immigration examples, woke pushback, Smithsonian/media narrative, school/teacher culture war
• 99:14–122:34 — Race relations, new youth radicalization, old vs. new media, LGBTQ+, school shootings, CNN episode
• 122:34–152:12 — Pop culture, business (Cracker Barrel, Stern), sports, new political figures
• 152:15–end — Reflections, predictions, season outlook

TONE & LANGUAGE

The episode features the trademark Rubin Report mix of personal warmth, humor, frankness, and cultural critique. Dave’s tone is grateful yet determined; he shows more resolve than rancor, with recurring calls for honesty, good faith, and focus on “the good guys.” Jillian’s style is sharp, energetic, and occasionally self-deprecating, matching Dave’s enthusiasm and adding behind-the-scenes insight.

CONCLUSION

This episode is an energetic, sweeping recap of a consequential summer month in US politics and culture. Both hosts stress the importance of perspective, refusing to be consumed by the cycle of outrage, and instead aiming to amplify sanity, decency, and constructive engagement. Whether discussing geopolitical negotiations, woke football fields, or playground puppet shows, the message is clear: By connecting with real life and real people, media personalities can find the resolve to push for meaningful, positive change in a chaotic era.