Republican Ejected, Daredevils Arrested & Death Rate Falls | 7/3/26 FIRST LOOK - The Rubin Report

Summary4 min read

The Rubin Report: “Republican Ejected, Daredevils Arrested & Death Rate Falls | 7/3/26 FIRST LOOK”

Episode Overview

Main Theme:
Dave Rubin delivers a punchy breakdown of current headlines in American politics and culture, focusing on free speech, patriotism, public safety controversies, and positive health statistics under the Trump administration. The episode tackles three main stories: a Republican lawmaker’s ejection over patriotic attire, a daredevil engagement atop the Empire State Building, and a historic low in U.S. death rates.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. GOP Lawmaker Ejected for Patriotic Attire

([00:04]–[04:00])

Incident Recap:
- Pennsylvania House Democrats eject GOP Rep. Eric Davonzo for wearing an America 250-themed suit, a red, white, and blue outfit meant to celebrate the U.S.'s upcoming 250th birthday.
- Speaker Joanna McClinton demanded Davonzo remove the suit or leave. Davonzo chose to leave “rather than strip down”.
Hypocrisy Highlighted:
- Rubin calls out perceived double standards: “This is the same Democrat controlled House that had no problem encouraging members to wear Pride colors for a photo op during Pride Month.”
  — Dave Rubin [01:55]
Lawmaker’s Response & Patriotism:
- Davonzo, a “bicentennial baby”, emphasized his district’s proximity to where the Declaration of Independence was signed, stating his choice was about patriotism.
- Davonzo leads a caucus focusing on onshoring manufacturing and tough immigration policies, and pushed for $250 “America 250” checks for households.
Bipartisan Support:
- Not all Democrats supported the ejection; Rep. Jordan Davis complimented the jacket, highlighting internal party disagreements.
Rubin’s Take:
- Criticizes the “left’s agenda” for limiting expressions of patriotism: “Complete hypocrisy. You can only love freely if it fits the left’s agenda.”
  — Dave Rubin [03:22]

2. Daredevil Engagement on the Empire State Building

([04:00]–[07:30])

Dramatic Stunt:
- Angela Nicolau and Ivan Kuznetsov surreptitiously accessed the Empire State Building’s top, getting engaged over 1,000 feet high after bypassing security overnight.
Legal Fallout:
- Both were arrested, facing felony charges including burglary and reckless endangerment.
- Rubin details the charges and the stunt’s mechanics, noting that Nikolau “wasn’t even wearing the engagement ring” in court.
Public Safety & Social Media:
- The act spurred debate about safety versus individual adventure:
  - “On one hand, the stunt was undeniably dangerous and violated the rules at one of America’s most visited landmarks … prioritizing social media clout over common sense.”
    — Dave Rubin [05:55]
  - Their attorney claimed “no real burglary tools and no risk to anyone,” calling the stunt “a message of love.”
Broader Reflection:
- Rubin frames the episode as illustrating the “tension between personal adventure and respecting boundaries in public spaces.”
  — Dave Rubin [07:23]

3. U.S. Death Rate Reaches Historic Low

([07:30]–[10:20])

Major Statistical Milestone:
- According to the CDC, 2025 saw a 4.6% decrease in the national death rate — the lowest since federal record-keeping began.
- Largest improvements seen in childhood death rates, with heart disease and cancer still top causes.
Opioid Crisis Progress:
- Decline credited to a sharp reduction in drug overdose deaths.
- Rubin attributes this to “President Trump’s second term agenda” and designating fentanyl as a “weapon of mass destruction.”
Public Health Details:
- Some increases in flu/pneumonia deaths noted, but overall life expectancy is trending towards a record high.
Rubin’s Analysis:
- Praises Trump-era policies for the shift:
  “This is what real results look like... America is getting healthier and safer. Fewer Americans are dying from preventable causes, especially the fentanyl crisis fueled by open borders in the previous administration.”
  — Dave Rubin [09:50]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“Democrats in Pennsylvania just showed the country exactly how much they hate patriotism.”
— Dave Rubin [00:34]
“What is so wrong with what I have on?”
— Rep. Eric Davonzo (paraphrased by Rubin) [02:40]
“This is the same Democrat controlled House that had no problem encouraging members to wear Pride colors for a photo op during Pride Month.”
— Dave Rubin [01:55]
“On one hand, the stunt was undeniably dangerous and violated the rules... prioritizing social media clout over common sense.”
— Dave Rubin [05:55]
“The trend is: Life expectancy is on track to hit a record high. Under President Trump’s leadership, America is getting healthier and safer.”
— Dave Rubin [09:34]

Timestamps for Important Segments

[00:04] – Episode opening and overview
[00:34] – Pennsylvania lawmaker ejected for patriotic attire
[03:22] – Rubin calls out hypocrisy in dress standards
[04:00] – Transition to Empire State Building engagement stunt
[06:15] – Legal reactions and public safety debate
[07:30] – America’s death rate plummets to historic low
[09:50] – Analysis: Trump administration and opioid crisis progress
[10:20] – Recap and episode close

Summary

Dave Rubin’s July 3, 2026 episode of First Look is a critique-laden yet energetic meditation on American values, spotlighting a heated clash over patriotic expression in Pennsylvania’s legislature, the consequences of dangerous social media stunts, and an optimistic turn in national health statistics. With pointed commentary and direct quotes, Rubin frames each event as reflective of larger cultural and political battles, ending on an upbeat note about the nation’s trajectory.

For listeners seeking distilled insights and pointed opinions on these events, this episode draws sharp connections between policy, culture, and the meaning of patriotism in contemporary America.

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Transcript1 lines

[00:04]
A
Hey everybody, I'm Dave Rubin and this is First Look. It's Friday, July 3, 2026. We've got a packed show for you today. Pennsylvania Democrats boot a GOP lawmaker from the House floor for wearing a patriotic America 250 suit. Daredevil couple sneaks to the top of the Empire State Building for a reckless engagement stunt. America's death rate plummets to an all time low in Trump's leadership. Let's dive in. Democrats in Pennsylvania just showed the country exactly how much they hate patriotism. A Republican lawmaker was literally booted from the House floor for the crime of wearing a red, white and blue suit to celebrate America's upcoming 250th birthday. House Speaker Joanna McClinton ordered State Representative Eric Davonzo to remove his patriotic outfit or leave the chamber. Divanzo, who represents part of Westmoreland county between Pittsburgh and Greensburg, showed up to Tuesday's session in the America 250 themed suit and tie. He was simply greeting colleagues and chatting with House Minority Whip Timothy o' Neill when the Speaker's office moved to eject him. Davonzo told Fox News Digital he was stunned after a photographer snapped a picture. Leadership informed him his attire was inappropriate. When he refused to leave, a House security guard delivered the ultimatum, take off the jacket or get out. Davanzo chose to walk off the floor rather than strip down. This is the same Democrat controlled House that had no problem encouraging members to wear Pride colors for a photo op during Pride Month. As Davonzo pointed out, they're allowed to wear tennis shoes, top hats, camo jackets, just about anything. But God forbid a lawmaker show up looking like a patriot during America's semiquincentennial celebration. Some Democrats even privately told him they disagreed with the ejection, including Representative Jordan Davis, who complimented the very colorful and very patriotic jacket. Davanzo leads the America first caucus in the State House, pushing to onshore manufacturing in Pennsylvania and enact an automatic death penalty for illegal immigrants who murder Pennsylvanians. He also introduced legislation to send $250 checks to every household to help families celebrate America 250. DiVanzo is a bicentennial baby born in 1976 and and he noted, the Declaration of Independence was signed just 250 miles east of his district. His message was simple. This is a big celebration coming up. I want to be patriotic. Why not? What is so wrong with what I have on? Meanwhile, the Trump administration is proudly showcasing the Great American State Fair as America prepares for its 250th birthday. But in Democrat run Pennsylvania under Governor Josh Shapiro, patriotism is treated like a dress code violation. Complete hypocrisy. You can only love freely if it fits the left's agenda. Even though brave Americans died for that flag Davonzo was proudly wearing. Two reckless daredevils turned the Empire State Building into their personal Instagram Prop. Angela Nicolau, 33, and Ivan Kuznetsov, 32, snuck to the top of the iconic New York landmark and got engaged more than 1,000ft in the air. The couple bought tickets Tuesday evening and apparently hid overnight inside the building. Early Wednesday morning, they emerge from a hatch on the 102nd floor. Kuznetsov used tools to loosen brackets on metal cables across a stairwell so they could access the antenna area where he dropped to one knee. They were arrested and hit with serious charges burglary, reckless endangerment and criminal mischief. All felonies plus misdemeanors for possession of burglary tools, trespass and criminal tampering. In court, Nikolau wasn't even wearing the engagement ring. Their attorney called it a message of love and claimed prosecutors overcharged, insisting there were no real burglary tools and no risk to anyone. On one hand, the stunt was undeniably dangerous and violated the rules at one of America's most visited landmarks, raising legitimate public safety concerns and drawing criticism for prioritizing social media clout over common sense. On the other hand, the couple framed it as a romantic, once in a lifetime moment, and their defenders argue the charges are overly aggressive given that building officials reportedly saw no immediate threat to public safety. Either way, the episode highlights the tension between personal adventure and respecting boundaries in public spaces. Great news for America. The national death rate tumbled to an all time low in 2025, according to the CDC's National center for Health Statistics. The rate fell 4.6% last year to 689.2 deaths per 100,000 people, the lowest since the federal government began tracking these statistics over a century ago. Nearly 3.1 million deaths occurred in 2025, down significantly from the prior year. Death rates dropped for every age group and for both males and females. The lowest rates were among children ages 5 to 14, while the highest remained among those 85 and older. Health officials credit a sharp decline in drug overdose deaths as a major factor. Unintentional accidents, which include overdoses, were the third leading cause of death. This is no coincidence. Lowering overdose deaths was a central priority of President Trump's second term agenda. Trump declared fentanyl a weapon of mass destruction and ramped up efforts at the border and in law enforcement to stop the poison killing so many Americans. Heart disease and cancer remain the top two causes, while a tough flu season early in 2025 drove up influenza and pneumonia deaths by 17%. The numbers are still provisional, as some certificates are being processed. But the trend is Life expectancy is on track to hit a record HIGHTY Under President Trump's leadership, America is getting healthier and safer. Fewer Americans are dying from preventable causes, especially the fentanyl crisis fueled by open borders in the previous administration. This is what real results look like, and that's your first look this Friday. Quick recap. Pennsylvania Democrats eject a GOP lawmaker for the crime of wearing a patriotic suit on the eve of America250. A reckless couple climbs the Empire State Building for an engagement stunt and faces felony charges. And America's death rate hits a record low, thanks in large part to President Trump's war on fentanyl. We'll keep following all of it. I'm Dave Rubin. Thanks for starting your day with first look. See you on Monday.