The Rubin Report

Host: Dave Rubin
Episode: Elon Musk Vs. Trump, Charlie Kirk, Zohran Mamdani's Worst Moments, Ilhan Omar Caught & More
Date: December 30, 2025

Episode Overview

Dave Rubin’s final live show of the year takes on a whirlwind of breaking news, bold opinions, and signature sarcasm. The overarching theme centers on the state of American politics at the close of 2025: the dramatic Trump re-inauguration, escalating political and media feuds (notably Elon Musk vs. Trump), deep concerns about political violence (with a focus on the shooting of Charlie Kirk), and sweeping critiques of left-wing politicians and cultural narratives. Major headlines include Trump’s bold executive actions, Middle East peace developments, and fresh social services scandals in Minnesota.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Trump’s Inauguration and the State of America

• Rubin reflects on Trump’s inauguration: A sense of national “lifting,” renewed optimism for free speech, economic improvement, and security.
  • "The moment that the swearing in was official, I felt something lift off my chest... we can be a great country again. We can be safer." (53:15)
• Emotional acknowledgment about Trump’s resilience amid threats and opposition.
  • "Donald Trump does not have to do this. He didn't need to do this. He could've been on one of his many golf courses... He literally did it because he loves this country." (55:30)
• Noted the unique nature of this inauguration—moved indoors for weather and security, leaving the public largely as spectators.

2. Trump’s Immediate Policy Moves

• Border and Immigration: Trump pledges a national emergency at the southern border, to halt illegal entry, reinstate “Remain in Mexico,” end “catch and release,” deploy troops, label cartels as terrorist organizations.
  • Excerpt from Trump’s speech: “All illegal entry will immediately be halted and we will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came... We will designate the cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.” (59:55)
• China and Tariffs: Discussion on Trump’s aggressive 400% proposed tariffs on China as leverage for fair trade.
  • Strong support for “first-mover” strategies: "We will not have that [economic dominance] forever. It's time to squeeze Chinese heads into the wall." (1:10:10)
  • The lesson: threats are used to get unfair players to the table, not necessarily to enact the full tariffs.

3. Media Narratives and the Russia Hoax Revisited

• Tulsi Gabbard’s Evidence: Coverage of Gabbard’s release of documents alleging Obama and his team manufactured “Trump Russia” collusion to undermine Trump.
  • "There is irrefutable evidence that detail how President Obama and his national security team directed the creation of an intelligence community assessment that they knew was false." (1:33:57)
• Rubin’s Reflection: How Democrats’ choices (Biden over Tulsi) shaped recent history, and the rapid shift of political alliances.

4. Elon Musk vs. Trump Public Feud

• Breakdown of the Escalating Online Clash:
  • Trump criticizes Musk over EV mandates and government subsidies, threatens to end those contracts.
  • Musk’s sharp retaliation links Trump to the Epstein files in a now-deleted tweet.
    • Musk: "Time to drop the really big bomb. Donald Trump is in the Epstein files … Have a nice day, Donald Trump." (1:20:30)
• Rubin’s View: Expresses disappointment that the spat played out so publicly but suggests politics has become “theater.”
  • "I also understand we're in a bit of Kayfabin. Politics is bread and crumbs for the masses, and everyone enjoys the fight." (1:22:20)

5. Middle East Update: Trump’s Reported Iran Strike & New Peace Initiatives

• Iran Strikes: Trump claims a successful attack on Iranian nuclear sites, U.S. planes exit safely, a message of deterrence to Iran.
  • Trump: “Our objective was the destruction of Iran’s nuclear enrichment capacity… our strikes were a spectacular military success.” (1:27:00)
• Israel-Hamas Ceasefire and Hostage Deal:
  • Rubin credits Trump for brokering a breakthrough, with hostages set to be released and Israeli troop withdrawals.
  • Quotes from Trump and news reports underscore the “unthinkable” progress toward peace.
    • Trump: “All parties will be treated fairly. This is a great day for the Arab and Muslim world, Israel, all surrounding nations and the United States of America.” (1:43:08)
    • Rubin: “100% of the credit here goes to Donald Trump. Whether you hate Trump, whether you love Trump… this is the guy who is making the unthinkable, intractable thing come to an end.” (1:44:20)
  • Outlines details of the phased hostage exchange, troop withdrawals, and security guarantees (1:45:35–1:49:00).

6. Assassination Attempt on Charlie Kirk

• Rubin’s Reaction: Condemnation of political violence and reflection on the dangers of escalating rhetoric and dehumanizing language.
  • "I don't want to narrate the end of the world… but something has shifted in the ether here, and it's not good." (1:54:25)
  • Personal anecdotes recount debate tours with Charlie Kirk, confrontations by protesters, and the transformation of campus and public discourse.
  • "If you call that guy Hitler enough, what do you think somebody might do if they actually started to believe that? And that's the dangerous position that we have put ourselves in." (1:58:40)
• Plea for Sanity: Challenges listeners to find a way back to mutual respect and live-and-let-live principles.

7. Government Shutdown and Federal Layoffs

• Shutdown Used for “Fat Cutting”: Trump administration uses the shutdown to identify and lay off “non-essential” positions.
  • "We are very against our will slashing the size of government. No, I think this is all the new unleashed Trump..." (2:08:05)
  • A philosophical shift: government is less valued post-Covid, Libertarian ideas about trimming government have landed with more people.

8. Minnesota Social Services Scandal & Left-Wing Accountability

• Tim Walz Accused: Detailed allegations that Minnesota's governor oversaw a multi-billion-dollar fraud in social services, with whistleblower retaliation and possible money funneled to the Somali diaspora—and perhaps even abroad.
  • Rubin reads from whistleblowers’ account: "Tim Walz is 100% responsible for massive fraud in Minnesota. We let Tim Walz know of fraud early on, hoping for a partnership... but no, we got the opposite response." (2:26:20)
• Media Forced to Cover: Points out how even the New York Times, usually friendly to Democrats, couldn’t ignore the scale of the scandal.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Trump’s Leadership:
  • "It's also nice when the hero's journey actually works, right?... Because he won and now I think we really will have this renewal." (56:43)
• On Political Violence:
  • "We live through this with Trump, who thankfully lived through his assassination attempt, and we can only pray that Charlie will live through this assassination attempt." (1:59:15)
• On Political Rhetoric:
  • "If most of us are just kind of, all right, let's live and let live... But what do you do when there's this other set of people who have been so broken into believing that you're evil?" (2:00:30)
• On Government Overreach:
  • "We will prove that there is no problem too large for government to solve and no concern too small for it to care about.” (mocking Zohran Mamdani’s speech) (2:17:10)
  • And Reagan: "I've always felt the nine most terrifying words in the English language are, 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help.'" (2:18:13)
• On the Elon Musk v. Trump Twitter Fight:
  • "What I think everybody wanted at first was guys don't do this publicly, like work this thing out. But I also understand we're in a bit of Kayfabin... Politics is bread and crumbs for the masses and everyone enjoys the fight." (1:22:20)
• On Israel-Hamas Breakthrough:
  • "100% of the credit here goes to Donald Trump... this is the guy who is making the unthinkable, intractable thing come to an end." (1:44:20)
• On Tim Walz and Fraud in Minnesota:
  • "Tim Walz is dishonest, lacks ethics and integrity, has poor leadership abilities, and has never taken any accountability for his role in fraud… Tim Walz is the head of the snake of corruption." (2:28:17)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Trump’s Inauguration Reflection: 53:15 – 56:43
• Trump’s Border and Tariffs Policies: 59:55 – 1:10:10
• Elon Musk vs. Trump Twitter Feud: 1:20:30 – 1:22:20
• Trump’s Iran Strikes & Address: 1:27:00 – 1:29:45
• Tulsi Gabbard’s Russia Hoax Evidence: 1:33:57 – 1:38:50
• Israel-Hamas Hostage Deal Details: 1:43:08 – 1:49:00
• Charlie Kirk Assassination Attempt Discussion: 1:54:25 – 2:00:30
• Government Shutdown and Layoffs: 2:08:05 – 2:13:50
• Minnesota Social Services Scandal: 2:26:20 – 2:29:10

Tone & Language

The episode is unabashedly sharp, weaving humor and blunt critique with moments of sincerity and concern. Dave Rubin’s delivery is irreverent, sardonic, and self-aware; he often dips into mockery for effect, but pulls back for heartfelt asides on political violence and the necessity of common ground.

Key Takeaways

• Dave Rubin regards Trump’s return as president as a “lifting of a national weight,” heralding a return to free speech and strength, especially in immigration, foreign policy, and economic issues.
• Political infighting (especially public ones like Musk vs. Trump) is understood as both real and performative, a blend of policy and spectacle.
• Escalating political violence, as seen in the Charlie Kirk shooting, is warning against polarized rhetoric and dehumanization.
• The left is criticized for what Rubin sees as unchecked fraud (Minnesota’s Tim Walz), failed narratives, and unwillingness to embrace bipartisan figures like Tulsi Gabbard.
• There’s gratitude and surprise that, despite everything, major breakthroughs (e.g., Israel-Hamas agreements) are possible, driven by “outsider” leadership.

For listeners who missed the episode, this summary provides an in-depth, timestamped guide to the major topics and insights, along with the tone and memorable soundbites that define The Rubin Report.