The Rubin Report Summary: "NYC Mayor Has a Brutal Message for Zohran Mamdani"

Release Date: June 27, 2025
Host: Dave Rubin
Guests: Buck Sexton, Carol Markowitz

Introduction

In this episode of The Rubin Report, host Dave Rubin is joined by two prominent co-hosts, Buck Sexton and Carol Markowitz, for a spirited discussion focusing primarily on New York City's political landscape, the performance of its current mayor, Eric Adams, and broader societal and international issues. The conversation delves into Adams' policies, critiques of Democratic leadership in New York, and touches upon recent significant events involving Iran.

Critique of NYC Mayor Eric Adams

Dave Rubin initiates the discussion by expressing strong criticism of New York City's current mayor, Eric Adams. Rubin portrays Adams as a central figure responsible for various negative developments in the city. He references a recent Democrat primary in New York, highlighting Adams' shift from a Democrat to an independent, labeling him as a "moderate" but also as someone who has introduced problematic policies.

Notable Quote:
"He's a snake oil salesman. He will say and do anything to get elected." — Eric Adams (02:16)

Carol Markowitz echoes Rubin's sentiments, reminiscing about the challenging leadership years during Cuomo and De Blasio, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. She emphasizes the detrimental impact of their governance on the city's well-being.

Notable Quote:
"Cuomo was horrible as the governor of New York during COVID." — Carol Markowitz (01:14)

Analysis of Eric Adams' Policy Proposals

Buck Sexton offers a perspective that, despite Adams' flaws, he remains a preferable choice compared to his predecessors. Sexton acknowledges Adams' questionable background but sees him as a better alternative within the current political framework.

Notable Quote:
"I would be holding on to Eric Adams with my fingernails. He would be my guy." — Buck Sexton (03:55)

Carol Markowitz provides a critical view of Adams' initiatives, particularly his proposal to establish city-owned grocery stores aimed at reducing prices. She categorizes these policies as socialist and argues they are ill-conceived and potentially disastrous for public safety.

Notable Quote:
"What he wants to do would make things worse from a public safety perspective." — Carol Markowitz (09:03)

Discussion on Decarceral Legislation and Social Policies

The conversation delves into Adams' proposed decarceral legislation, which includes measures like decriminalizing drug possession and legalizing sex work. Carol Markowitz argues that such policies merely shift societal suffering without addressing the root causes, drawing parallels to issues observed in cities like San Francisco and Seattle.

Notable Quote:
"It's like squeezing the balloon. You don't actually get rid of the air, you just move it to one side." — Carol Markowitz (13:10)

Buck Sexton and Carol further discuss the implications of transforming grocery stores into government-run entities, equating these moves to steps towards socialism and predicting significant negative outcomes.

The Iran Strikes and Media Coverage

The panel shifts focus to recent military actions against Iran's nuclear facilities. Carol Markowitz asserts that substantial strides were made, claiming that 20,000 centrifuges were destroyed, countering CNN's assessment that the damage was minimal and temporary.

Notable Quote:
"I am very confident those centrifuges are gone, the Israelis destroyed." — Carol Markowitz (29:24)

Dave Rubin criticizes CNN's reporting, linking specific journalists like Natasha Bertrand to misinformation, thereby questioning the credibility of mainstream media outlets.

Notable Quote:
"CiNN the week before was liter were years away from having nukes... these people are liars who lie for money." — Dave Rubin (30:07)

Response to CNN and Media Bias

The hosts express frustration with what they perceive as CNN's biased and misleading coverage of significant geopolitical events. Carol Markowitz highlights the complexities within intelligence agencies that make it challenging to prevent leaks, while Dave Rubin emphasizes the need for skepticism regarding media narratives that downplay US military effectiveness.

Trump's Role in Middle East Peace Talks

Buck Sexton lauds former President Donald Trump's efforts in brokering peace agreements in the Middle East, suggesting that recent comprehensive plans to end hostilities in Gaza are significant achievements. He envisions a stable Middle East as a direct outcome of Trump's policies.

Notable Quote:
"President Trump has brokered a comprehensive agreement to end hostilities in Gaza within two weeks." — Buck Sexton (28:14)

Carol Markowitz reinforces the importance of strategic military actions in protecting American interests, commending Trump's administration for its decisive measures.

Tucker Carlson Segment

Dave Rubin introduces a segment featuring Tucker Carlson, criticizing Carlson's response to missile attacks on US bases in Qatar. The hosts express disappointment over what they perceive as Carlson's lack of support for US military actions and his measured approach during a time of crisis.

Notable Interaction:
"That's really the bumper sticker." — Dave Rubin (46:58)

Democratic Commentary and Future Outlook

The discussion turns to Democratic figures like Jasmine Crockett and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC). Buck Sexton criticizes Crockett's political stance and authenticity, suggesting that her approach is ineffective and unaligned with genuine Democratic values. He advocates for the Democrats to distance themselves from such figures to realign with their voter base.

Notable Quote:
"I'm just a fraud. AOC is less of a fraud to me, even though she does the same thing." — Buck Sexton (53:08)

Carol Markowitz emphasizes the need for the Democratic Party to "clean house" to reflect its true values, distancing from what she perceives as communist influences.

Conclusion and Event Promotion

The episode concludes with light-hearted discussions about the upcoming Dave Rubin birthday party, highlighting camaraderie among the hosts. They reaffirm their commitment to advocating for Florida's values and continue to express strong opposition to current Democratic policies.

Notable Quotes Recap

• Eric Adams (02:16): “He’s a snake oil salesman. He will say and do anything to get elected.”

• Buck Sexton (03:55): “I would be holding on to Eric Adams with my fingernails. He would be my guy.”

• Carol Markowitz (09:03): “What he wants to do would make things worse from a public safety perspective.”

• Buck Sexton (28:14): “If they can get some part of this done, it would just be unreal.”

• Carol Markowitz (13:10): “It's like squeezing the balloon... you just move the air to one side.”

Final Thoughts

This episode of The Rubin Report presents a critical examination of New York City's current leadership under Mayor Eric Adams, critiques Democratic policies, and discusses significant international military actions. The hosts advocate for strong leadership and express confidence in the strategies employed by Donald Trump's administration, while also voicing frustration with mainstream media narratives.