The Rubin Report — Episode Summary

Episode Title: Senator Visibly Shocks Dave Rubin by Revealing the Real Reason the Shutdown Ended | John Kennedy
Release Date: November 18, 2025
Host: Dave Rubin
Guest: Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana), author of How to Test Negative for Stupid

Episode Overview

In this episode of The Rubin Report, Dave Rubin interviews Senator John Kennedy, known for his wit, memorable one-liners, and direct communication style. The discussion spans Kennedy's unique rhetorical approach, his political evolution from Democrat to Republican, candid insights into the state of both major parties—especially the Democrats' leftward shift—and a behind-the-scenes look at the recent government shutdown. Kennedy also addresses legislative impatience, the filibuster, Trump administration strategies, and shares anecdotes from his new book.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Kennedy’s Signature Wit and Communication Style

• Plainspoken Communication: Kennedy emphasizes his aim to speak plainly to Americans, recognizing that “most Americans… They were earning a living... They get up every day, they go to work. They obey the law. They pay their taxes. They try to do the right thing by their kids.” He wants to “give them the straight scoop.” (04:01)
• On His Humor: “God gave me the right to remain silent, but not the ability.” Kennedy credits his humor to his upbringing and reading habit, blending small-town sensibility with a strong memory. (02:13)
• Self-deprecation: “If people don’t like what I said in the clips, I deny everything.” (02:13)

2. Political Journey: From Democrat to Republican

• Blue Dog Democrat Roots: Kennedy was originally a conservative Democrat, reflecting Louisiana’s political culture before the national party “took a hard left and kept driving.” (04:34)
• Departure from the Democratic Party: “All of my legislation was being handled by Republicans, even though I was a Democrat. And my Democratic colleagues didn’t like me because I wouldn’t tow the line. So I said, okay, no, Moss, I quit.” (04:34)

3. The Leftward Shift of the Democratic Party

• Rise of the “Loon Wing”: Kennedy expresses concern over what he calls the “Bolshevik wing… the socialist wing, whatever you want to call it” dominating the Democratic Party, with moderates sidelined or silenced. (06:01)
• AOC’s Influence: He suggests Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is the de facto leader: “The leader of the Democratic Party is Congresswoman Ocasio Cortez. She’s backed up by Senator Sanders…her wing of the party is clearly in control.” (06:36)
• Disconnect With Average Democrats: Kennedy argues, “I don’t think most Democrats…hate George Washington…or think our kids ought to be able to change genders at recess... But the loon wing of the Democratic Party does, and they’re running the show.” (07:10)
• Shutdown as a Symptom: He connects this dynamic to the government shutdown: “That’s why we had a shutdown.” (07:58)

4. Inside the Shutdown: Shocking the Host

• Predicted Outcome: Rubin notes Kennedy accurately predicted the shutdown's resolution before it became public. (13:01)
• Democratic Strategy Revealed: Kennedy breaks down the negotiating ploy by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer:
  “At the last minute, Senator Schumer came forward and said, I’m going to shut it down if you don’t give me $1.5 trillion and extend the Obamacare subsidies and I’ll tell you how to spend the $1.5 trillion…It was an unserious offer. So we just shut it down and we never budged.” (10:18)
• Staged Defection: Kennedy claims, “I think it was much more carefully orchestrated than they’re letting on… I think [Schumer] was relieved to allow it to happen.” (11:24)

5. Filibuster and Legislative Strategy

• Advocating for Filibuster: Kennedy stands firm on keeping the Senate filibuster: “Yes, it’s to advance good ideas, but it’s also to kill bad ideas. And that’s what the filibuster allows you to do.” (13:43)
• Trump’s Pressure: Rubin asks about Trump’s push to end the filibuster. Kennedy responds, “I’ve told the President that…Had we not had the filibuster when Joe Biden was president, God help us all.” (13:53)
• Reconciliation as a Tool: Kennedy calls for Republicans to use reconciliation bills aggressively for key policy reforms, minimizing Democratic resistance: “We passed the one big beautiful bill… we can do two more reconciliation bills, but… we’ve just been sitting around, you know, pondering our navels.” (14:30)

6. Impatience Among Conservative Voters & Policy Proposals

• On the Right’s Urgency: Rubin observes a growing impatience on the right. Kennedy responds empathically, “I don’t blame folks for being impatient. I’m impatient myself…But you’ve got to worry about the short term, but remember, the long term is important too.” (16:16)
• Housing & Economic Policy Ideas: Kennedy outlines immediate steps he’d take:
  • Incentivizing cities to increase housing starts by tying federal funds to development rates.
  • Publicly talking up Trump’s aggressive deregulation efforts.
  • Doubling incentives for small business retained earnings (“If you leave it in the company, I would double that.”).
  • Frustration with GOP Senate inertia: “We need to get up off our ice cold, lazy butt… But I argue repeatedly… I’m gonna chase them like they stole Thanksgiving, man, until I get em to agree with me.” (17:47)

7. Insights from Kennedy’s Book: How to Test Negative for Stupid

• The Real Washington: “In Washington D.C. normal is a setting on the clothes dryer. In Washington D.C. common senses are legal. It doesn’t have to be.” (19:30)
• Storytelling Approach: Kennedy positions his book as a storybook with true anecdotes—intended to illuminate policy nonsense and provoke thought, humor, sometimes even “day drinking.” (19:48, 20:39)

8. Memorable Kennedy-isms and Lighthearted Closer

• On Blue America’s Diet: “‘Democrats are the well-intended arugula and tofu crowd.’ I’m big on arugula. I don’t like tofu. I had a steak, but I like arugula. What lettuce should I be switching to?” (21:00)
• On Kale: “Kale to me tastes like I’d rather be fat. The way…here’s how you cook kale. You cook it with olive oil because it slides more easily out of the pan into the garbage can.” (21:24)
• Classic Sign-off: “But don’t carry an NPR tote bag. That’s one. That’s a hard and fast rule, man.” (21:57)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “[W]hen I’ve got a few minutes to talk to the American people, I want to speak plainly and frankly…” — John Kennedy (03:36)
• “God gave me the right to remain silent, but not the ability.” — John Kennedy (02:19)
• “[T]he Louisiana Democratic Party, like the national party, took a hard left and kept driving.” — John Kennedy (04:39)
• “The leader of the Democratic Party is Congresswoman Ocasio Cortez… her wing of the party is clearly in control.” — John Kennedy (06:25)
• “I don’t think most Americans… think our kids ought to be able to change genders at recess.” — John Kennedy (07:15)
• “[I]n politics, what you do is what you believe, not what you say. Everything else is just cottage cheese, man.” — John Kennedy (08:53)
• “Stevie Wonder could have seen this one coming.” — John Kennedy, on the shutdown (10:18)
• “Had we not had the filibuster when Joe Biden was president, God help us all.” — John Kennedy (14:07)
• “We need to get up off our ice cold, lazy butt… But I argue repeatedly… I’m gonna chase them like they stole Thanksgiving…” — John Kennedy (17:50)
• “In Washington D.C. normal is a setting on the clothes dryer. In Washington D.C. common senses are legal.” — John Kennedy (19:30)
• “Kale to me tastes like I’d rather be fat.” — John Kennedy (21:29)
• “But don’t carry an NPR tote bag. That’s one. That’s a hard and fast rule, man.” — John Kennedy (21:57)

Important Segments & Timestamps

• (01:38) — Dave Rubin welcomes Senator John Kennedy and sets the stage for the discussion.
• (02:13–04:08) — Kennedy on his signature humor, communication philosophy, and purpose as a senator.
• (04:34–06:01) — Kennedy traces his departure from the Democrats and analyzes the party’s leftward shift.
• (06:01–07:58) — Critique of the new Democratic Party, AOC’s rise, and the “loon wing.”
• (08:02–09:53) — Rubin and Kennedy on Democratic moderates’ silence and party discipline.
• (09:53–13:01) — Kennedy details the government shutdown's backstage maneuvering.
• (13:43–15:45) — Debate over the filibuster and Republican Senate strategy.
• (15:45–18:56) — Discussion on conservative impatience and Kennedy’s urgent legislative wish list.
• (18:56–20:35) — Kennedy shares about his book’s purpose and contents.
• (20:55–22:08) — Exchange of witty quotes on food, lifestyle, and political stereotypes; playful closing.

Summary Takeaway:
This Rubin Report episode offers a compelling mix of political analysis, strategic insight, and signature John Kennedy wit. The senator pulls back the curtain on Washington drama, especially around the recent shutdown, and offers a sobering look at the current party alignments. Throughout, both men keep the tone lively, balancing sharp critique with humor and memorable sound bites for listeners craving straightforward commentary in tumultuous political times.