The Rubin Report

Host: Dave Rubin
Episode: Remembering Charlie Kirk & 9/11
Date: September 11, 2025

Episode Overview

In this powerful and somber episode, Dave Rubin departs from his usual program to reflect on two significant events: the recent tragic death of Charlie Kirk, conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, and the anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Sharing personal stories, tributes, and memories, Rubin weaves together themes of grief, unity, political bravery, and the enduring challenges facing free speech and American values.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Remembering Charlie Kirk (01:14–10:31)

• Context of Charlie Kirk’s Death

  • Rubin opens with “an unbelievably heavy heart” due to the murder of Charlie Kirk the day prior in Utah.
  • Notes the episode is pre-recorded due to travel plans for the 9/11 Cantor Fitzgerald memorial.

• Origin of Friendship & Mutual Respect

  • Rubin and Kirk’s friendship began about a decade ago, amidst political differences.

    “We were kind of always measuring each other up… Like, can I trust this guy? He’s like a crazy right winger. And Charlie was kind of like, can I trust this guy? He’s a wackadoodle leftist. But there was something there. There was some desire to have conversation and debate and all those things.” (03:10)

  • Their first collaboration was at a Horowitz Freedom Center event in Palm Springs.

• Charlie’s Approach to Debate & Engagement

  • Charlie valued free speech and encouraged opposing voices at live events.

    “He always invited people that disagreed with him up first during the Q&A’s… that’s something that I’ve incorporated into all of my Q&As since then. I’m much more interested in hearing someone that has a counterpoint or another view. And Charlie was very brave at that.” (07:00–07:53)

  • Charlie is remembered as respectful, never mean-spirited, even in heated circumstances.

• The Cost of Boldness

  • Both Rubin and Kirk faced backlash, hostility, and even physical danger during college tours—requiring police escorts and dealing with protest disruptions.

  • Charlie’s commitment never wavered:

    “He would always double down and say, ‘I’m going to go back...’ Charlie really relished that fight.” (08:22)

• Political and Human Legacy

  • Kirk tried to mediate ideological divisions on the right and was regarded as a bridge-builder.

  • Rubin’s admiration extends to Kirk’s role as a husband and father, beyond politics.

    “We lost a good man for no good reason. And we should all think about that and see if we can take a horrific, horrific tragedy and spin it into something better.” (10:20)

2. Reflections on 9/11 and National Unity (11:27–25:40)

• Personal Experience of 9/11

  • Rubin recounts being in New York City on September 11, 2001; his father worked nearby and witnessed the second plane hit.

  • Describes the chaos, uncertainty, and shock, with a sense of normalcy suddenly shattered:

    “There are moments that the world changes, whether it’s one man being assassinated or whether it’s a horrific terrorist attack that kills 2,000 plus people.” (11:50)

• Broadcast Excerpts and Immediate Aftermath

  • Plays CBS News’ live coverage from the attack (12:59), emphasizing the confusion and lack of understanding in the early moments.

    “It’s hard to remember that even on that day when it first started, people didn’t realize it was a terrorist attack.” (13:20)

  • Tells of witnessing thousands streaming uptown, covered in ash—a city in shock.

• Leadership in Crisis: Rudy Giuliani

  • Rubin praises Giuliani’s calm and decisive guidance.

    “This man had his whole life… his whole life had led to this moment. And in horrible times, you need a great leader. And that was Rudy on this day.” (15:40)

  • Includes live comments from Giuliani on evacuation and emergency response. (15:42–16:35)

• “America is on bended knee…”: George W. Bush at Ground Zero

  • Shares and reacts to Bush’s famous speech to first responders and victims’ families, emphasizing national togetherness:

    “I can hear you. The rest of the world hears you. And the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon.” – George W. Bush (18:14–18:40)

  • Rubin: “That was the New York that I grew up in… talk about a guy who was made for that moment. I mean, that speech was just perfect.” (18:40)

• Healing and Symbolism: Bush Throws Out First Pitch

  • Rubin recounts the symbolic act of Bush throwing the opening pitch at Yankee Stadium following 9/11, as a marker of the city and nation’s healing. (19:25)

• Can America Unite Again?

  • Raises doubts about whether contemporary America could achieve the same unity, given today’s social media polarization, distrust, and ideological fractures:

    “If we had a terrorist attack the likes of which were comparable to what happened on 9/11… could we do it again with social media and all of the bad actors on there and the bots and the foreign actors and everything else?” (20:25)

3. Personal Stories & Closing Commitments (22:45–25:40)

• Vivid New York Memories Post-9/11

  • Rubin shares a moving story from weeks after 9/11: playing pickup basketball at a court near Gracie Mansion, where two men—after a heated argument—suddenly embraced, both crying. Symbolizes the city’s vulnerability, stress, and unexpected moments of solidarity.

    “They both started crying at the exact same time and hugged each other. I mean, it was crazy. I’m getting chills again telling you that story.” (24:40)

  • Notes the brief transformation of New York’s atmosphere: “There was less honking of horns… it even stopped for a little bit.”

• Final Thoughts

  • Rubin vows to “double down” on efforts to foster free expression and de-escalate polarization, in honor of Kirk and the memory of 9/11 unity.

    “Charlie, I will miss you. I have a feeling you’re going to be with us for a long time, one way or another, in this country. There’s not a feeling. I absolutely know that and I’m honored that we played this game of life together while we did so.” (25:24)

  • Encourages comments and personal 9/11 memories from listeners.

Notable Quotes

• On Charlie Kirk’s Integrity:

  “I never saw Charlie be not respectful to a single person… I never saw him be mean to anyone, never saw him put anyone down… he would always try to calm everybody down.” – Dave Rubin (06:03)

• On National Unity Post-9/11:

  “That was the New York that I grew up in. That’s the New York that I love. That’s what I wish New York still was these days, but that’s for another show.” – Dave Rubin (18:40)

• On Uncertainty for the Future:

  “Could we do it again with social media and all of the bad actors on there and the bots and the foreign actors and everything else? Like, could we do it with all of the new forces that have confused us about freedom and what America really is…? I’m not so sure.” – Dave Rubin (20:25)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [01:14] – Dave Rubin opens with remarks on Charlie Kirk’s death
• [03:10] – Rubin recounts meeting Kirk and building their mutual trust
• [06:03] – Kirk’s philosophy on engaging with opposing views
• [07:53] – How Kirk handled protest and danger at college events
• [11:27] – Rubin’s personal account of 9/11 unfolding in NYC
• [13:20] – Early news confusion on 9/11, CBS News coverage excerpt
• [15:40] – Role of Rudy Giuliani on 9/11 (live statements)
• [18:14] – George W. Bush’s ground zero speech
• [19:25] – Bush’s World Series first pitch and symbolism of national healing
• [20:25] – Rubin questions America’s capacity for unity today
• [24:40] – Moving personal story of shared grief and solidarity on a NYC basketball court
• [25:24] – Closing tribute to Charlie Kirk and Rubin’s commitment to free speech

Conclusion

This episode stands as both a tribute to Charlie Kirk’s courage in the “war of ideas” and a meditation on loss and unity—both personal and national. Rubin threads deep gratitude for meaningful debate, resilience in the face of tragedy, and a yearning for healing through civil discourse. The tone is frank, heartfelt, and laced with hope that, even from tragedy, better days and renewed community can emerge.