Podcast Title: The Rubin Report
Host: Dave Rubin
Episode: Jake Tapper Humiliated as His Appearance on Megyn Kelly Backfires Spectacularly
Release Date: May 21, 2025

Introduction

In the May 21, 2025 episode of The Rubin Report, host Dave Rubin delves into the controversial fallout from Jake Tapper’s recent appearance on Megyn Kelly's show. Focusing on issues of journalistic integrity, media bias, and political accountability, Rubin dissects the dynamics of Tapper’s interview and broader implications for the media landscape.

Jake Tapper’s Controversial Interview with Megyn Kelly

Setting the Stage

Rubin begins by highlighting Jake Tapper's unexpected performance on Megyn Kelly’s show, where Tapper faced severe criticism for his handling of questions regarding President Joe Biden's mental acuity and health.

Dave Rubin [00:00]: "We are gonna kick it off with my friend Megyn Kelly, who did just an absolutely beautiful bang up job in her interview with Jake Tapper."

Megyn Kelly’s Hard-Hitting Questions

Megyn Kelly confronts Tapper with pointed questions about his previous coverage of Biden, alleging that Tapper failed to hold the president accountable for apparent signs of cognitive decline.

Megyn Kelly [04:15]: "I did ask Joe Biden to be transparent about his health records in an interview in 2020. I did ask him about the fact that voters..."

Megyn Kelly [04:24]: "You asked where she was moments after watching a videotape tribute to her. You lowered the flags at the White House after she died. This happened 13 days before you sat with him."

Kelly emphasizes that Tapper neglected to follow up on critical health concerns despite Biden’s promises of transparency.

Megyn Kelly [05:24]: "You covered the Biden presidency aggressively throughout the four years, and you didn't cover mental acuity hardly at all."

Rubin’s Defense of Kelly and Critique of Tapper

Dave Rubin commends Megyn Kelly for her journalistic approach, contrasting her assertiveness with what he perceives as Tapper’s failure to challenge Biden adequately.

Dave Rubin [08:17]: "Megyn is just doing that. That's a journalist doing journalism. She is holding him to account."

Rubin criticizes Tapper for aligning too closely with mainstream media narratives, suggesting that Tapper compromised his integrity in the process.

Dave Rubin [14:42]: "Jake, why didn't you say any of that while you were kind of running cover for the story... Now you're telling us the truth when you have a book to sell."

Hunter Biden Allegations and Media Silence

Rampant Criticisms of Hunter Biden

The discussion shifts to Hunter Biden, with Kelly asserting that he played a significant and unethical role within the Biden administration. She paints Hunter as manipulative and unethical, deeply involved in the family's political maneuvers.

Megyn Kelly [24:28]: "I just look at the record. I mean, after his brother died, he cheated on his wife with his brother's widow and then got her addicted to crack."

Rubin’s Rebuke of Tapper’s Silence

Rubin questions why Tapper did not bring these allegations to light during his tenure at CNN, especially given their severity and public interest.

Dave Rubin [25:10]: "Where were you during these four years? Why didn't you say any of that?"

Tapper’s Struggles and Public Backlash

The fallout from Tapper’s interview extends beyond personal criticism, affecting his professional reputation and casting doubt on his future as a journalist.

Dave Rubin [26:16]: "If you're running cover for the administration... he is just getting his comeuppance here."

Immigration and Media Bias

Critique of Democratic Immigration Policies

Rubin broadens the conversation to critique Democratic immigration policies, highlighting perceived double standards in how different immigrant groups are treated and reported on by the media.

Dave Rubin [27:54]: "The Democrats made him a martyr. You find a bad dude. Any who."

Marco Rubio’s Stand on South African Immigration

Highlighting Senator Marco Rubio’s stance, Rubin discusses the prioritization of white South Africans citing genocide, contrasting it with Democratic leniency on other immigrant groups.

Marco Rubio [40:31]: "These are people that on the basis of their race, are having their properties taken away from them and their lives being threatened and in some cases killed."

Dave Rubin [40:58]: "They're white people from South Africa... their families and kids were included."

Rubin argues that such selective compassion reflects a biased media narrative that favors certain groups over others based on race.

Racial Policies and Local Governance

Chicago’s Racial Policies Under Fire

Rubin turns to local politics, criticizing Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson for policies perceived as racially biased, particularly in hiring practices and law enforcement.

Dave Rubin [44:57]: "This guy is a complete racist. He is an utter buffoon."

Alex Thompson [35:06]: "I'm actually very proud of the work we've done with USAID."

Rubin highlights specific incidents where non-black restaurateurs lost their licenses, suggesting deliberate racial favoritism.

Dave Rubin [46:50]: "Your riverfront restaurant license was yanked and given to a black restaurateur. That seems to have reinforced the belief amongst real Chicagoans, white and black."

Policies Affecting Teens and Community Safety

Discussing urban safety, Rubin criticizes the involvement of teenagers in policy-making, arguing that solutions should stem from community and familial support rather than government mandates like curfews.

Dave Rubin [49:20]: "It's about the family and the community. So the government screws it up and they want the government to solve the thing that they screwed up."

Media Strategy and Public Accountability

Mocking and Confrontation as Tools for Accountability

Rubin emphasizes the importance of confronting biased media narratives through both serious critiques and satirical mockery. He recounts interactions with journalists like Jake Tapper and others to illustrate his points.

Dave Rubin [53:02]: "Why do you want an 86 Trump?"

Dave Rubin [53:36]: "You are a racist."

Breaking Out of NPC (Non-Playable Character) Mode

Rubin introduces the concept of NPCs—individuals who operate within rigid, predictable dialogue frameworks—and calls for listeners to break free from these constraints to engage in independent thought.

Dave Rubin [54:30]: "So to anyone that is stuck in that dialogue tree, whether it's Jake Tapper or your cousin, let's help them break out of NPC mode and think for themselves."

Conclusion

Dave Rubin wraps up the episode by reiterating the importance of media accountability, independent journalism, and the defense of free speech. He laments the pervasive influence of biased mainstream media and urges listeners to remain vigilant against such narratives. Rubin also promotes his upcoming appearances and encourages audience engagement through his newsletter and events.

Dave Rubin [50:01]: "You see what's going on here. I'm not going to make fun of those kids, obviously. I'm sure they're great kids and they're trying to do the best they can... But post Covid and BLM... we've poured so much bullshit on us that at some point we're like, just had enough bullshit."

Dave Rubin [55:39]: "We need to solve all of it by helping people break out of NPC mode and think for themselves."

Notable Quotes with Attribution

• Megyn Kelly [04:15]:
  "I did ask Joe Biden to be transparent about his health records in an interview in 2020."

• Megyn Kelly [05:24]:
  "You covered the Biden presidency aggressively throughout the four years, and you didn't cover mental acuity hardly at all."

• Dave Rubin [08:17]:
  "Megyn is just doing that. She's holding him to account."

• Dave Rubin [14:42]:
  "Jake, why didn't you say any of that while you were kind of running cover for the story..."

• Megyn Kelly [24:28]:
  "After his brother died, he cheated on his wife with his brother's widow and then got her addicted to crack."

• Marco Rubio [40:31]:
  "These are people that on the basis of their race, are having their properties taken away from them and their lives being threatened and in some cases killed."

• Dave Rubin [46:50]:
  "Your riverfront restaurant license was yanked and given to a black restaurateur."

• Dave Rubin [54:30]:
  "To anyone that is stuck in that dialogue tree... let's help them break out of NPC mode and think for themselves."

Final Thoughts

This episode of The Rubin Report underscores Dave Rubin's commitment to challenging mainstream media narratives and holding journalists accountable. Through his critique of Jake Tapper and broader discussions on media bias and political accountability, Rubin advocates for a more transparent and unbiased media landscape. Listeners are encouraged to engage critically with the information presented to foster a more informed and free society.