The Rubin Report

Episode: Is Joe Rogan Wrong on the Basic Facts of ICE?
Date: January 14, 2026
Host: Dave Rubin
Guest: Erin Molan (Australian broadcaster, host of The Erin Molan Show)

Episode Overview

In this lively episode, Dave Rubin is joined by Erin Molan for a frank discussion on recent controversies involving ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), media narratives in the U.S. and Australia, political correctness, and radicalism in both Western societies. Using recent remarks by Joe Rogan as a launching point, they dig into the facts about ICE operations, push back on sensationalism from politicians and the media, and draw comparisons to cultural and political challenges in Australia. The conversation is rich, witty, and steeped in the duo’s characteristic contrarian humor.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Joe Rogan’s Comments on ICE and the Facts

• Joe Rogan’s Viewpoint: Rogan described ICE agents in Minneapolis as militarized, masked, and compared their presence to “Gestapo” tactics, suggesting a climate of fear and wrongful targeting of U.S. citizens ([03:34]).
• Rubin’s Counterpoints:
  • Rubin challenges Rogan’s “slightly confused take” with data: Of roughly 700,000 ICE detentions from 2025 to present, only 170 were U.S. citizens (less than 0.1%), none of whom were deported. Most detentions of citizens were brief, resulting from mix-ups or interference during ICE actions ([04:07]).
  • Rubin acknowledges issues of optics—masked agents patrolling streets—but emphasizes there’s no systemic issue of citizens being wrongly deported.
  • "There are going to be mistakes every now and again... But the overall numbers, no Americans are being kicked out and nothing is perfect." – Dave Rubin ([04:07])
• Erin Molan’s Perspective:
  • Molan stresses that ICE has an important job—enforcing laws, keeping out criminals—and that public opinion is not nearly as negative toward ICE as Rogan suggests.
  • "He’s talking like every American now looks at them and sees them as murderers. I don’t think he’s giving enough credit to the American people... The vast majority just see it as a tragic, isolated incident." – Erin Molan ([05:28])

2. Media Optics, Political Correctness, and “White Savior” Narratives

• Clip Analysis: Rubin plays a clip of Pete Buttigieg and Chamath Palihapitiya discussing immigrant experiences, noting that some media/political voices presume minority groups feel threatened by Trump, while individuals (like Chamath) openly refute that ([08:01]).
• Erin’s take:
  • Highlights the absurdity of “white savior” progressives projecting fear onto minorities who may not share it.
  • Cites her experience in Australia: political correctness, virtue signaling, and cancel culture stifling authentic conversation ([09:52]).
  • “People, you know, speak up and say, no, that’s not how I feel. And I think that’s the best way to do it.” – Erin Molan ([10:52])

3. Reactions to the Minneapolis Shooting and Political Polarization

• Donald Trump’s Response: Trump addressed the father of the woman shot by ICE, expressing empathy while reiterating the gravity of her actions ([12:42]).
• Erin’s Analysis:
  • Notes Trump is “at his best”—showing humanity—contrasting with partisan efforts to blame him for the incident.
• Democratic Reactions: Rubin and Erin critique Democrats (Ilhan Omar, AOC) who frame ICE as villains and exploit tragedies for political gain ([16:02], [18:53]):
  • “What would she like reformed? Their efficacy? Like, what is she talking about? ...They’re achieving their objectives.” – Erin Molan ([16:23])
  • "[AOC]... the way she, you know, for those who are not that engaged and haven’t been following... that is insane." – Erin Molan ([19:46])

4. Media Misinformation and News Accountability

• Mainstream Media Criticism: Rubin and Molan call out MSNBC’s Katie Tur and “The View” for misrepresenting facts and spreading fear ([20:28], [23:19]).
  • “She is meant to tell the truth... If I ever inferred something that was not true or sold a narrative that was BS, I’d get my ass kicked. That was sports coverage.” – Erin Molan ([22:05])
  • Discusses the performative nature and lack of accountability in mainstream news and entertainment.

5. Broader Themes: Political Correctness, Cancel Culture, and Shift Toward Sanity

• Australian Parallels:
  • Erin outlines how political correctness has taken root in Australia, leading to an environment of self-censorship and “suicidal empathy,” drawing analogies to cultural shifts in the U.S.
  • Describes being labeled a racist for innocuous comments and the atmosphere of intimidation in media.
• Hope for Pushback:
  • Both Rubin and Molan sense a societal shift as more people tire of extremes and seek common sense.

6. International Issues: Iran Protests and U.S. Foreign Policy

• Iran’s Turmoil:
  • Trump’s Truth Social message encouraging Iranian protesters, and viral images of Iranians asking for Trump’s help ([31:52]).
  • Erin notes momentum inside Iran, Trump’s role in inspiring hope, and advocates strategic U.S. intervention—not ground war, but supporting freedom movements ([31:52]–[34:47]).
  • Points out progressive hypocrisy—left-wing figures reflexively oppose intervention and parrot Iranian regime propaganda ([37:31]).
  • “If you're willing to die en masse for your freedom, then I don’t really think this group of people are going to stuff it up once they get it. There’s too much at stake.” – Erin Molan ([35:00])

7. Rise of Open Antisemitism

• Pro-Hamas Protests in the U.S.:
  • Rubin shows footage of protesters chanting “We are Hamas” outside NYC synagogues ([48:51]).
  • Erin is blunt: “Finally they are telling us exactly what they think and who they are... They have always been pro-Hamas. At least now finally they’re saying the quiet part out loud.” ([49:47])
  • Both worry about normalization of radicalism, the lack of consequences, and implications for Jews and broader society.

8. Australian Updates: Bondi Shooting, Culture, and Integration

• Bondi Shooting and Aftermath:
  • Erin recounts hearing the attack from her Sydney home, laments Australia’s embrace of self-loathing and political correctness, and criticizes the government’s slow response to naming Islamic extremism ([51:28]–[54:00]).
  • Notes legal immigration’s strain on infrastructure and social cohesion, government appeasement to interest groups, and the loss of national pride (“the only place I hear the Australian anthem played is at Jewish events”—[56:31]).
  • “Australia needs to get back to who we are as a people, to what we value, what the people prior to us... went and died for.” – Erin Molan ([56:31])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“He’s talking like every American now looks at them and sees them as murderers. I don’t think he’s giving enough credit to the American people...”
– Erin Molan [05:28]

“There are going to be mistakes every now and again. But the overall numbers—no Americans are being kicked out and nothing is perfect.”
– Dave Rubin [04:07]

“I just love it because it’s like this white savior thing that these people have—offended on behalf of those who aren’t offended. In fact, the complete opposite feel safer.”
– Dave Rubin [09:04]

“You put your name in a show so you don’t get fired. I tried that with a tattoo... Didn't work.”
– Erin Molan [01:50] (opening banter)

“She should be denaturalized and deported. Putting aside the marrying her brother thing... she’s using her position as a sitting member of Congress to break the laws she swore to protect.”
– Dave Rubin [17:07]

“People, you know, speak up and say, 'No, that’s not how I feel.' I think that’s the best way to do it.”
– Erin Molan [11:09]

“If you wanted to brainwash a generation, what would be the best thing to do? You would send 2-year-olds to government schools...”
– Dave Rubin [47:22]

“Australia needs to get back to who we are as a people... If they don’t love it, they’re not going to fight for it, they’re not going to protect it, they’re not going to embrace it.”
– Erin Molan [56:31]

Key Timestamps

03:34 – Joe Rogan’s ICE comments and the duo’s detailed fact-check
05:28 – Public perceptions of ICE: U.S. vs. Australia
08:01 – Pete Buttigieg, Chamath Palihapitiya, and “white savior” progressives
12:42 – Trump’s response to Minneapolis shooting
16:02–22:05 – Ilhan Omar, AOC, Jon Stewart: Critiques of left-wing politicians and media
23:19–24:53 – “The View,” celebrity activism, and mainstream media mockery
31:52–33:58 – Iran protests, U.S. foreign policy, progressive opposition
48:51–50:22 – “We Are Hamas” chants in NYC; normalization of extremism
51:28–57:49 – Bondi shooting; Australia’s cultural crossroads and integration challenges
59:16 – “More Bluey, less jihad”: Final notes on Australian cultural exports

Tone and Language

The conversation is fast-paced, irreverent, and at times biting, with frequent humor and sarcasm from both Rubin and Molan. They are critical of “elite” narratives, call out hypocrisy and exaggeration across the media and political spectrum, and root their arguments in both data and personal experience.

Summary Takeaway

This episode tackles the ICE controversy through a blend of statistical rigor and media criticism; challenges alarmist, ideological storytelling; and explores broader cultural anxieties on both sides of the Pacific. Rubin and Molan’s rapport and willingness to call out both the right and the left make for an animated, thought-provoking episode that arms listeners with facts, skepticism, and a dash of optimism about the emerging backlash to political insanity.