The Rubin Report: "Jake Tapper Humiliated as His Appearance on Megyn Kelly Backfires Spectacularly" – May 21, 2025

In this compelling episode of The Rubin Report, host Dave Rubin delves into the contentious interview between Jake Tapper and Megyn Kelly, highlighting the ensuing backlash and its implications for journalistic integrity and political discourse.

1. Introduction and Overview

Dave Rubin opens the episode by outlining his packed schedule, including upcoming events in Hungary and Israel as part of his "Don't Burn This World" tour. He briefly mentions his new newsletter, setting the stage for a substantive discussion devoid of typical show intros and advertisements.

2. The Jake Tapper and Megyn Kelly Interview

Rubin transitions to the focal point: Jake Tapper's recent appearance on Megyn Kelly's show, where Tapper's handling of questions regarding President Joe Biden's health sparked significant criticism.

a. Context of the Interview

Rubin contextualizes Tapper's position at CNN, noting his prior reputation as a moderate journalist transitioning from ABC News. He emphasizes that Tapper was expected to uphold higher journalistic standards compared to more partisan CNN figures.

Notable Quote:

"[...] Jake was thought of as the hero over there, right? Like he wasn't the obvious clown partisan dingbat like Stelter or Acosta or Don Lemon or Chris Cuomo."
– Dave Rubin [00:05:30]

b. Examination of Tapper's Book "Original Sin"

Tapper's book, "Original Sin: President Biden's Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again," aims to scrutinize Biden's cognitive health and administrative conduct. Rubin critiques the expedited publication process, hinting at possible external pressures influencing the book's release.

Notable Quote:

"The book has come out and the strange part about it is there's so much breaking stuff. It was all done very quick, quickly."
– Dave Rubin [00:03:50]

c. Critique of Tapper's Interview Performance

During the interview, Megyn Kelly confronts Tapper about perceived failures to critically examine Biden's mental fitness during his coverage at CNN. Rubin commends Kelly's assertiveness, contrasting it with what he views as Tapper's dismissiveness and lack of accountability.

Notable Quotes:

Megyn Kelly: "Joe Biden has been saying stupid things for decades. Okay?"
Jake Tapper: "But this minimizes it, too..."
– Megyn Kelly [04:15], Jake Tapper [04:21]

"Megyn is just doing Journalism 101. She is holding him to account."
– Dave Rubin [05:00]

d. Tapper's Defense and Rubin's Rebuttal

Tapper defends his approach by claiming comprehensive coverage of Biden's presidency, yet Rubin counters that Tapper neglected to address critical signs of cognitive decline, undermining his credibility as a journalist.

Notable Quote:

"Time and time again, when issues came up, you seem to be running cover for the President."
– Jake Tapper [05:26]

"It's bad that he did that. Was it in dereliction of his duties as a journalist? Yes."
– Dave Rubin [07:10]

3. Broader Political Commentary

Beyond Tapper and Kelly, Rubin expands the discussion to other political matters, critiquing CNN's alleged systemic cover-ups and media bias.

a. Hunter Biden Controversies

Rubin addresses revelations about Hunter Biden's unethical behavior and questions why Tapper remained silent on these issues until his book publication.

Notable Quote:

"Did you not think that this was gonna happen when you got the deal for the book and they write you the check and go, here's a 800 grand advance?"
– Dave Rubin [23:36]

b. Immigration and Marco Rubio's Testimony

Rubin discusses Marco Rubio's testimony regarding deportations of El Salvadorian immigrants, framing it as evidence of systemic racism and criticizing Democratic responses.

Notable Quote:

"You can still chime in on any of it. Here's another Tapper showing off."
– Dave Rubin [34:00]

c. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson's Racism

The episode touches on accusations against Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, with Rubin labeling him an "abject, old-fashioned racist" based on his policies and interactions with journalists.

Notable Quote:

"This guy is a complete racist. He is an utter, utter, utter buffoon."
– Dave Rubin [44:27]

4. Interaction with Guests

Rubin briefly features a segment with a reporter interacting with former FBI Director James Comey, mocking Comey's ambiguous references to a "seashell 8647" incident, further illustrating his critique of mainstream media's handling of controversial topics.

5. Concluding Remarks

As the episode wraps up, Rubin reflects on the pervasive "bullshit" in post-COVID and post-BLM America, advocating for personal responsibility and community involvement over governmental interventions. He underscores the importance of confronting misinformation and holding media personalities accountable, concluding with a lighthearted nod to his upcoming appearance on Piers Morgan.

Notable Quote:

"The way you solve problems is to help people break out of NPC mode and think for themselves."
– Dave Rubin [54:45]

6. Final Thoughts

Dave Rubin's detailed dissecting of Jake Tapper's interview with Megyn Kelly serves as a central theme, encapsulating his broader concerns about media integrity, political accountability, and societal issues. Through incisive commentary and pointed critiques, Rubin invites listeners to engage critically with mainstream narratives and seek truth amidst perceived biases.

Key Takeaways:

• Journalistic Accountability: Rubin emphasizes the need for journalists like Jake Tapper to hold political figures accountable, critiquing perceived shortcomings in Tapper's coverage of Biden.
• Media Bias: The episode underscores Rubin's view of systemic bias within mainstream media outlets, advocating for independent and transparent journalism.
• Political Criticism: Rubin extends his critique to various political figures and policies, highlighting issues like immigration, racism, and administrative incompetence.
• Call to Action: Encouraging personal responsibility and community engagement, Rubin urges listeners to discern and challenge misinformation actively.

Notable Quotes Compilation:

• "Jake was thought of as the hero over there... He gets caught in the CNN ecosystem."
  – Dave Rubin [00:05:30]

• "Megyn is just doing Journalism 101. She is holding him to account."
  – Dave Rubin [05:00]

• "It's bad that he did that. Was it in dereliction of his duties as a journalist? Yes."
  – Dave Rubin [07:10]

• "Megyn Kelly: 'Joe Biden has been saying stupid things for decades. Okay?'"
  – Megyn Kelly [04:15]

• "You can see what she's trying to do. She's Trying to like pin this on the word genocide."
  – Dave Rubin [40:10]

This episode of The Rubin Report offers a scathing critique of mainstream journalism practices and political narratives, advocating for greater transparency and accountability in media and governance.