The Rubin Report – Episode Summary

Episode Title: Gavin Newsom Humiliates Himself on Colbert by Saying This Live On-Air

Date: September 25, 2025
Host: Dave Rubin

Overview

This episode of The Rubin Report, hosted by Dave Rubin, centers on the fallout from recent political violence and rhetoric, using Gavin Newsom’s controversial appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert as a launchpad. Rubin critiques Newsom's warnings of "election stealing," analyzes mainstream media dynamics, discusses left-wing extremism, and responds to the Jimmy Kimmel controversy following the assassination of Charlie Kirk. The episode weaves together themes of free speech, media hypocrisy, and America's cultural divides, with Rubin’s trademark sarcasm, cultural references, and biting humor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Gavin Newsom on Colbert: Election Stealing and Media Echo Chambers

(Starts ~04:00)

• Rubin introduces Gavin Newsom as a central figure embodying the problems with current political discourse, labeling him as "the devil incarnate" and "a lizard man in human skin."
• Newsom’s Colbert appearance centered on claims that the GOP, especially Donald Trump, is working to "rig the midterm elections" and sow doubts about the possibility of a 2028 presidential election (04:02–04:47).
  • Newsom quote (04:02):

    "We got crushed in this last election, and now we're in a position where we are struggling to communicate... raising awareness around how Donald Trump is trying to rig the midterm elections and how I fear that we will not have an election in 2028. I really mean that in the core of my soul."

• Rubin’s critique (04:47–06:57):
  • Mocks Newsom’s "soul" statement, arguing Democrats control media but blame "communication" problems when people reject their ideas.
  • Points out the hypocrisy that claims of election theft were once taboo and "now it's cool again."
  • Notes how media like Colbert’s show functions as political PR, creating "monsters" and echo chambers.

2. Escalation of Rhetoric and Political Violence

(07:07–14:00)

• Violence at Dallas ICE Facility:
  • Reports on a shooting where three people were hurt, implicating anti-ICE motives and connecting the rhetoric from left-wing outlets and politicians to real-world violence.
    • Special Agent Joe Roth (08:35):

      "Early evidence... rounds found near the suspected shooter contain messages that are anti ICE in nature."

• Rubin discusses the demonization of ICE by Democrats and the media, drawing a direct line to violence against agents.
• Reads an extended quote from Jason Curtis Anderson (09:00) on the rise of left-wing domestic extremism, emphasizing "nihilistic accelerationism" and the need to acknowledge and moderate far-left rhetoric.
• Rubin’s warning:
  • Predicts RICO cases against left-aligned NGOs and politicians for allegedly coordinating street violence.
  • Links escalation of rhetoric to tragic outcomes, notably the assassination of Charlie Kirk — "I'm shocked, but I'm not surprised" (13:00), noting the dangerous climate fostered by relentless inflammatory language.
• Compilation of past Democratic rhetoric likening ICE to Nazis and government oppression, further fueling fear and division (16:11–17:18).

3. The Anne Frank Comparison and Narrative Manipulation

(19:00–20:43)

• Rubin responds to Maria Hinojosa's claim on MSNBC comparing immigrant children to "little Anne Franks," dismissing the analogy as exploitative and historically inaccurate.
  • Quote (19:00):

    "Please show me the little Anita Franco who is here in the United States, who is a legal citizen who’s been hiding in an attic. You are terrible people."

4. Law Enforcement, Masks, and Media Framing

(20:43–24:41)

• Sen. JD Vance and Ron DeSantis’ Defense of ICE
  • Vance and DeSantis argue political rhetoric has encouraged violence against law enforcement, and ICE agents wear masks for their own safety, not concealment.
  • Rubin uses superhero references (e.g., Spider-Man) to explain why officers protect their identities — "You don't want your aunt raped. That's why superheroes wear masks" (23:56).

5. The Jimmy Kimmel Apology and Media Hypocrisy

(26:49–34:08)

• Kimmel’s apology for comments/jokes referencing Charlie Kirk’s assassination is seen by Rubin as "fake emotion" and career preservation.
  • Kimmel quote (26:49):

    "It was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man... Nor was it my intention to blame any specific group..."

  • Rubin immediately fact-checks via Kimmel’s previous jokes:

    "We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this Kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them..." (28:36)

• Rubin and Andrew Colvitt accuse Kimmel of "fanning flames" and not truly reckoning with media’s role in division and subsequent violence.

6. Freedom of Speech and Big Tech/Media Manipulation

(34:08–41:34)

• Jen Psaki Compilation: Contrasts her defense of Kimmel (2025) with her support for coordinated social media bans (2021):
  • Psaki (35:49):

    "We're regularly making sure social platforms are aware of the latest narratives. You shouldn't be banned from one platform and not others for providing misinformation."

• Jim Jordan and Rep. Clyburn segments:
  • Highlight government coordination with big tech to suppress dissent during COVID.
  • CNN and YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki support for governmental oversight and censorship regarding pandemic information (39:29–40:26); over a million YouTube videos removed.
• Rubin’s critique:
  • Censorship is "a far more egregious version" than any issue about Kimmel — "No one has a right to a TV show" (36:17).

7. Identity Politics, Kamala Harris, and the Failure of Victim Narratives

(44:43–53:25)

• Kamala Harris media tour (Rachel Maddow, CNN, The View) is lampooned:
  • On Maddow, Harris awkwardly avoids, then admits, not picking Pete Buttigieg as VP "because he's gay" (44:43–45:35).
  • Discussion devolves into the pitfalls of identity politics, where candidates are chosen for demographic reasons, not competence.
  • Kamala blames her 2024 loss on time, not identity, while Joy Behar on The View reduces it to "racism and sexism" (52:48–53:25).
  • Rubin’s argument:

    "If Kamala Harris had good ideas, no one would have cared she was a woman. If she had good ideas, no one would have cared she was black... You guys give people the job because of identity politics. They’re not good at the job and then you blame their identity for that" (53:25).

8. Rejecting Victimhood and Reframing American Optimism

(54:46–55:57)

• Brandon Tatum clip:
  • Debunks the idea that Black Americans can’t succeed in the US. Tatum flips the question on a student:

    "America is a great place... If we don’t start acknowledging that, we’re going to screw up something good." (55:41)

• Rubin’s commentary:
  • Critiques the "cult of victimhood," arguing that real victims don’t want to be victims and pointing out the irony of privileged young Americans desperate to claim oppression.

9. Ben Shapiro on Healing America

(56:57–57:18)

• Shapiro’s prescription for national healing:
  • "Go to church. I say this as a Jew. This is a Christian country... Even if you didn't, church is good for you."
• Rubin echoes:
  • It’s about believing in something bigger to inoculate against media-driven nihilism and destructive narratives:

    "If you believe in something that is not just the thing that is happening on any given day... you have a built-in defense system against the monster we are all fighting." (57:18)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Rubin on Newsom:

  "He's the devil incarnate... a lizard man in human skin." (04:02)

• On media hypocrisy:

  "You created this monster. We created a little monster there, too." (07:07)

• On censorship and free speech:

  "No one has a right to a TV show... It's not free speech if you get canceled for lying about an assassination. Kimmel could start a YouTube tonight." (36:17)

• On victimhood culture:

  "Victims — real victims — don’t want to be victims... We've told our young people, victimhood’s the most important thing." (55:41)

• On restoring the country:

  "Go to church... believe in something. So that all the nonsense... when it comes your way, you have some defense against it." (57:18)

Timeline (Timestamps for Main Segments)

| Segment | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------------------------|---------------| | Show opens, Rosh Hashanah break, Newsom setup | 00:41–04:00 | | Newsom Colbert appearance / Rubin reacts | 04:02–06:57 | | Violence at ICE Facility and discussion | 07:07–14:00 | | Compilation: Democrats on ICE | 16:11–17:18 | | MSNBC Anne Frank comparison, Rubin responds | 19:00–20:43 | | JD Vance, DeSantis on ICE, superhero masks analogy | 20:43–24:41 | | Jimmy Kimmel apology segment | 26:49–30:12 | | Mainstream media — free speech vs censorship | 34:08–41:34 | | Kamala Harris identity politics & media tour | 44:43–53:25 | | Brandon Tatum on American greatness | 54:46–55:57 | | Ben Shapiro: Go to church (healing America) | 56:57–57:18 |

Conclusion

In this episode, Dave Rubin amplifies concerns about rising left-wing political rhetoric, the consequences of media hypocrisy, and the dangers of identity politics. Newsom's Colbert moment is painted as emblematic of establishment panic, and Jimmy Kimmel's controversy highlights perceived double standards in the culture wars. Rubin closes with a call for personal faith, resilience against mass-media narratives, and a reassertion of optimism for America’s future.