The Rubin Report with Dave Rubin

Episode: Gavin Newsom Humiliated as His Answer for CNN Backfires Spectacularly
Date: February 24, 2026

Overview

This episode of The Rubin Report centers on California Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent media missteps, notably his widely criticized comments during a press tour—particularly relating to SAT scores and efforts to appear relatable to black voters. Dave Rubin uses this as a springboard to examine Democratic identity politics, political hypocrisy, and the contrasting approaches of politicians like Donald Trump. The discussion also extends to the U.S. border crisis, the situation with Mexican drug cartels, issues facing law enforcement, and culture commentary ranging from celebrity outrage to Team USA’s hockey victory.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Gavin Newsom’s Pandering and Media Backlash

• Newsom's Viral Clip:
  Newsom faced criticism for a clip where he attempted to identify with black voters by downplaying his own academic achievements.
  • Quote: "I'm not trying to impress you. I'm just trying to impress upon you. I'm like you, I'm no better than you. You know, I'm a 960 SAT guy." — Newsom (03:44)
  • Rubin's Response: Rubin argues this is the “soft bigotry of low expectations,” calling it “hardcore bigotry” (04:12).
• Dyslexia Defense:
  Newsom later attributed his reading struggles to dyslexia, a defense Rubin finds opportunistic and unconvincing.
  • Quote: “Now he's claiming that his reading issues are because of his dyslexia. Sort of like when Joe Biden ... they were claiming that it was just a stutter.” — Rubin (04:47)
• Newsom’s Inconsistencies:
  Rubin notes Newsom claims reading difficulties when among black audiences but later boasts about reading a 263-page book in under two hours to a mostly white audience. (07:02, 07:29)
• Pattern of Pandering:
  Similar examples include Hillary Clinton’s "hot sauce in my bag" remark and Joe Biden’s infamous "you ain't black" comment (08:22–09:38).
  • Rubin: “Everything about him obviously is inauthentic and fake.” (03:59)

2. Privilege & “Cope Maxing”

• Newsom’s Privileged Upbringing:
  Rubin reviews Newsom’s attempt to downplay his family’s wealth and connections, discussing “cope maxing”—a term for excessive rationalizing or denial.
  • Discussion with Dana Bash: (11:34–12:32)
    • Newsom acknowledges privilege but insists on hard work's role.
    • Rubin: “There’s nothing wrong with coming from a family if they made their money in an honorable, legal way...” (12:32)
• Family Ties:
  Further probes into Newsom’s lineage—connections to Oppenheimer, a grandmother with Soviet ties, and more—are used by Rubin to highlight Newsom’s efforts to mask privilege (14:55–15:34).

3. Masking & Authenticity in Politics

• Newsom “Wearing a Mask”:
  In his memoir, Newsom discusses crafting a political persona as “wearing a mask,” which Rubin implicates as inauthenticity.
• Contrast with Trump:
  By contrast, Rubin claims Trump is who he appears to be, connecting authenticity as a rare political asset (16:13).
  • Rubin: "Do you think Donald Trump privately is wildly different than the Donald Trump that you get? ... Those are all obviously Donald Trump." (16:39)

4. California’s Decline: Homelessness and Crime

• On-the-Ground Reality:
  Video and anecdote about a 12-year-old homeless boy in Los Angeles serve as evidence for what Rubin calls the “fruits of Gavin Newsom’s labor.” (21:29–21:44)
• Sanctuary Policies and Pardons:
  Critiques include Newsom’s pardoning of an illegal alien convicted of attempted murder, interpreted as undermining community safety (24:00).

5. The Trump Approach: Focus on Victims of Illegal Immigration

• Human Stories:
  Trump’s meeting with families affected by crimes committed by illegal immigrants is highlighted, contrasting the Democratic Party's perceived indifference.
  • Laura Wilkerson’s Testimony: "He looked me straight in the eye and he said, I will never forget the story of your sweet son and I will never give up fighting for the American family." (25:14)
  • Laken Riley’s Mother: “You said from the beginning, literally the day after this happened, that you would not forget about Lakin.... You have not forgotten.” (26:55)
• Proclamation:
  Trump declares Feb 22 as National Angel Family Day (28:06).

6. Border and Cartel Crisis

• Escalation in Mexico:
  Discussion of cartel violence, advanced weaponry, and U.S. policy responses.
• Dan Bongino Interview:
  Describes the sophistication of cartels’ technology and potential threat to U.S. security (30:55–31:25).
• Mexican Politics:
  Contrasting approaches to cartel violence under President Claudia Sheinbaum, who opposes aggressive tactics (32:43–33:14).
  • Mexican Senator Lily Tellez: Advocates for U.S. assistance in fighting cartels (34:55–35:15).

7. Hypocrisy and Policy Failures in Progressive Cities

• NYC and Emergency Measures:
  Criticism of inconsistencies—requiring multiple forms of ID to shovel snow but less stringent requirements to vote (44:54–45:25).
• Deaths Among the Homeless:
  Discussion around overdose and exposure deaths, ineffectiveness of outreach, and failure to address root issues (46:34–47:27).
• Policing Crisis:
  Video shows police officers being pelted during a blizzard, used to illustrate morale and control breakdown (48:33–49:05).
  • “They want the New York City Police Department to be destroyed so he can usher in his Sharia compliant policing.” (49:27)

8. Radical Left and Cultural Commentary

• Bill Ayers and Overthrowing Capitalism:
  Ayers openly speaks on podcast about the need to overthrow capitalism and his hope for progressive electeds (51:57–52:30).
• Freedom of Speech Ironies:
  Classic comedic critique from Richard Jeni on left-wing hypocrisy—"These are the sensitive liberal people who are always yelling about everybody's freedom of speech... unless you happen to say something that pisses them off." (41:12–41:56)

9. Celebration and Patriotism

• Team USA’s Olympic Victory:
  Reactions to Team USA men's hockey win, pushback against FBI Director Kash Patel's locker room celebration, and criticism of The View’s response (54:35–55:18).
• State of the Union Attendance:
  Remarks on the women’s hockey team declining the State of the Union invite, drawing parallels to culture war politics (57:44–58:29).
• Polarization in Congress:
  List of Democratic lawmakers not attending Trump’s State of the Union, framed as disrespectful.
• Challenge for the Right:
  Rubin calls for unity among conservatives, warning of the dangers of infighting and blackpilling (61:17–64:08).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Newsom’s Pandering:
  • "It's the most prime example of the soft bigotry of low expectations..." (04:12, Dave Rubin)
• On Democratic Identity Politics:
  • "What happens when you look at this group and think, I have to pander to them to get their votes... you end up saying constantly crazy, competing things." (07:29, Dave Rubin)
• On Trump’s Authenticity:
  • "You know who doesn't wear a mask? Donald Trump. ... That's the thing that became his sort of center of gravity that attracted everybody to him because everybody else was so fake." (16:39, Dave Rubin)
• On the Reality in California:
  • "That is the real Gavin Newsom. That is the fruits of Gavin Newsom's labor. That is the crap I used to see every day in Los Angeles." (21:43, Dave Rubin)
• On Border Security:
  • "They have new type of weapons and they can commit mass terrorist attacks fairly easily." (31:28, Dave Rubin)
• On Progressivism and Law Enforcement:
  • "You have tons of people just throwing things at [police]. At what point would it be fully...and they can't do anything." (49:05, Dave Rubin)
• On Team USA’s Victory:
  • “We are allowed to celebrate. ... It's an honor. ... If you were on the women's hockey team, you are representing the United States of America." (58:29, Dave Rubin)
• On the Direction of America:
  • “There is a side that is basically pro America... And there is a side that wants to burn the whole damn thing down.” (60:17, Dave Rubin)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:44 | Newsom’s controversial “960 SAT guy” comment | | 04:12 | Rubin details “soft bigotry of low expectations” | | 07:02 | Newsom brags about speed-reading a 263-page book | | 08:22 | Compilation: Hillary’s hot sauce, Biden’s “you ain’t black,” Hochul’s computer comment | | 11:34 | Newsom’s upbringing and privilege discussed with Dana Bash | | 16:13 | “Wearing a mask”/authenticity in politics comparison: Newsom vs. Trump | | 21:29 | Homeless 12-year-old in Los Angeles—California’s decline under Newsom | | 25:14 | Angel mom Laura Wilkerson testifies about Trump’s support | | 26:55 | Laken Riley’s mother on Trump's promise | | 28:06 | Trump signs National Angel Family Day proclamation | | 30:55 | Dan Bongino on cartel weaponry and tech | | 34:55 | Mexican Senator Lily Tellez welcomes US help against the cartels | | 41:12 | Comic Richard Jeni on left-wing free speech hypocrisy | | 44:54 | NYC ID requirements: shoveling snow vs. voting | | 46:34 | NYC homeless deaths and city response | | 48:33 | Viral video: NYC police being pelted with snow/ice | | 51:57 | Bill Ayers on overthrowing capitalism, embrace of radical left electeds | | 54:35 | The View’s reaction to Team USA’s celebration and the Kash Patel controversy | | 57:44 | Discussion about women’s hockey team declining State of the Union invite | | 60:17 | Rubin on America's diverging paths and call for right-wing unity | | 64:08 | Hockey players reflect on representing the USA, underscore pride and honor |

Conclusion

Dave Rubin frames the episode as a clear contrast between what he characterizes as the inauthentic, pandering politics of Gavin Newsom and today’s left, versus the perceived authenticity and patriotism of the current Republican movement. He uses direct quotes, news clips, and cultural commentary to highlight the pervasiveness of identity politics, policy hypocrisy, and the erosion of American civic pride—while calling for unity among conservatives to counteract both leftist excesses and right-wing black-pilling. The episode is a rapid-fire, satirical, and sometimes incendiary diagnosis of modern political spectacle, with recurring themes of authenticity, celebration of America’s successes, and warnings of societal decline.

For full context and all the punchlines: listen to the episode at the timestamps above.