The Rubin Report — Episode Summary

Episode Title: 'Shark Tank' Legend Notices Something in Gavin Newsom Dems Refuse to See
Date: February 23, 2026
Host: Dave Rubin
Key Guests/Referenced Figures: Gavin Newsom, Kevin O’Leary, Bernie Sanders, Joe Rogan, Michael Malice, Bill Maher, Stephen A. Smith, AOC, Ron DeSantis, Zorhan Mamdami, Justin Pearson

Episode Overview

In this episode, Dave Rubin delivers a fast-paced and combative rundown of current political and cultural events, with a focus on California governor Gavin Newsom, Democratic policies, illegal immigration, cartel violence in Mexico, and the ongoing exodus of high-profile entrepreneurs and billionaires from California. The show features pointed criticism of progressive figures, analysis of American federalism, and what Rubin perceives as an escalating rural-urban and competent-incompetent divide in the U.S. The episode also notes comparisons between American and European approaches to governance and economics and ends with a proud reflection on American athletic achievement.

Key Discussions & Insights

1. Mexican Cartel Violence and Security

• Context: Coverage of the military operation that killed major cartel leader "El Mencho" in Jalisco, and its impact on tourists and democracy.
• Commentary:
  • Rubin admits not being a cartel expert but underscores how the situation highlights the fragility of democracy when criminal organizations rival the state.
  • Comparison is drawn with El Salvador’s President Bukele, who used force to defeat gangs, and the reluctance by U.S. cities to enforce the law strictly.
• Notable Moments:
  • [17:23] Bukele's quote: “If a state can't defeat crime, it's because the state is complicit. Right?”

2. U.S. Border, Illegal Immigration, and Political Paralysis

• Context: Discussion referencing Joe Rogan's podcast with Michael Malice, focusing on illegal immigration and U.S. policy.
• Key Points:
  • Rubin critiques what he calls “suicidal empathy” toward criminals and illegal immigrants, arguing there's a refusal to address sovereignty and enforcement meaningfully.
  • Offers hypothetical “clean cut” solutions—closing the border, offering voluntary departures, and, if necessary, forceful deportations.
  • Criticizes Democrats for not focusing on sovereignty (“There’s one party right now that simply does not care about the sovereignty of America and American citizens.”)
• Timestamp: [22:10]
  • Malice: "Well, I don't. I think one side is against it entirely. And many Republicans are. Don't think it's worth, you know, kind of overturn our whole society, get these 10 million people out."

3. Gavin Newsom—Slippery Narratives and Accusations of Pandering

• Media Tour: Critique of Newsom's interviews (notably with CNN’s Dana Bash), focusing on his claim his children’s needs would drive a presidential run and self-described lack of Machiavellian intent.
• Accusations:
  • Called “Machiavellian,” “cunning, scheming and unscrupulous” ([39:05]).
  • Accuses Newsom of pandering to black voters by claiming he's “dumb” and “poor” like them.
  • [49:15] “Gavin Newsom seems to think that black people are dumb…so he sits on a stage and tries to impress…‘I’m like you. I got a 960 on my SAT’…to sit there and say you’re dumb so you’re like me, what does that mean?”
• Fact-Checking Newsom:
  • Challenges claims about California’s population rebound and economic dominance, referencing data that shows a net loss of almost 2 million Californians since 2020.
  • Critique accelerated by referencing Kevin O’Leary (“Mr. Wonderful”) who blasts California leadership as “terrible management” and contrasts with Miami’s governance ([01:00:50]).

4. Wealth, Taxes, and the Exodus from California

• Bernie Sanders’ Wealth Tax Proposal:
  • Sounded off after billionaires (e.g., Sergey Brin, Larry Page, Peter Thiel, Larry Ellison) left California.
  • Frames the issue as billionaires “letting children die” rather than paying enough taxes ([01:09:44]):
    • “It is outrageous. What they are saying to the people of California is it doesn’t matter to us. We’re billionaires and we’re getting richer and richer. And if children die because they can’t get to a doctor, tough luck.”
  • Rubin retorts by noting top 1% pay 46% of federal taxes and accuses Bernie of never having built anything; claims Sanders’ most notable legislative achievement is moving a post office.
• Contrast:
  • Cites Florida as an example of lower taxes, higher services, and fiscal competency, quoting Governor Ron DeSantis:
    • [01:39:10] “Florida now has almost 4 million more residents than New York state does, yet New York’s budget is over twice as large as the state of Florida’s.”

5. City Management and the Urban-Rural Divide

• Competence vs. Incompetence:
  • Rubin forecasts increasing divergence between highly-controlled, “dependent” urban centers and more autonomous rural areas ([01:18:55]).
• NYC as Example:
  • Ridicules New York’s newly elected mayor Zorhan Mamdami as “half communist, half jihadist” and lampoons the city’s responses to a major snowstorm, including needing ID to shovel snow but not to vote.
  • Critiques spending priorities, sanctuary city policies, and the requirement for multiple forms of ID to shovel snow, highlighting inconsistency.

6. Immigration, Identity, and Urban Politics

• AOC on Foreign Policy:
  • Mocks AOC’s halting, vague answer on U.S. commitment to Taiwan at the Munich Conference ([01:27:45]); contrasts her lack of knowledge with viral “Miss Teen USA” meme.
• Illegal Immigration:
  • Highlights calls from progressive politicians to dismantle ICE and halt deportations.
  • Rubin rails against elected officials (Jayapal, Omar) who propose softer immigration stances while denigrating American values and history.
• National Wealth Tax Threat:
  • Bernie Sanders threatens to introduce a national wealth tax so billionaires can’t “run away” to other states.

7. Cultural and Societal Reflections

• American Exceptionalism:
  • Cites American dominance in tech (Stanford student discussion) and economic innovation.
  • Ridicules leftist minimizations of “Western values,” quoting Bill Maher ([01:54:32]):
    • “The west has also given us everything that makes your life good here…it’s about rule of law…democracy…scientific inquiry.”
• Pride in Achievement:
  • Celebrates U.S. hockey victory over Canada, offering a sentimental moment about national pride.
    • [01:59:34] Jack Hughes: “I'm lucky I'm from the best country in the world… I'm so proud to be American.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Cartels and Governance:
  • Bukele (via video): “[Criminals] have already graduated from the University of Crime when it comes to killing…The only way to solve a problem of insecurity that already exists is with force, with the force of the state.” [17:23]
• On Gavin Newsom:
  • Dave Rubin: “He is a demon. He has no testicles.” [42:40]
  • On Newsom's remarks to a black audience: “Gavin Newsom seems to think that black people are dumb, so he sits on a stage and tries to impress…So you’re dumb. So you’re like me. What does that mean?” [49:15]
• On Kevin O’Leary:
  • O’Leary: “You're a terrible manager. Why don't I just fire you and hire somebody else?... We have better managers.” [01:00:50]
• On Bernie Sanders:
  • “Just saying everyone should have health care doesn’t magically make it be that, yes, they want to kill those kids. Those are the people who build hospitals, who donate money…” [01:09:44]
• On City Budgeting:
  • Michael Malice: “The New York proposal is 127 billion. So it is more…Their budget is more than the entire state of Florida with three million more people.” [01:45:20]
• On Western Values:
  • Bill Maher: “It’s about rule of law…respect for minorities…democracy…scientific inquiry. These are all good things that came from the Western world. I wish the schools would teach that again.” [01:54:32]
• On American Hockey Gold:
  • Jack Hughes: “I'm lucky I'm from the best country in the world. We got great dentists there too…I’m so proud to be American…” [01:59:34]

Important Timestamps by Segment

| Timestamp | Content Description | |-----------|-------------------| | 17:23 | Bukele on crime and state complicity | | 22:10 | Rogan & Malice debate “clean cut” solutions to immigration | | 39:05 | Rubin reads definition of “Machiavellian”—slams Newsom | | 42:40 | Newsom’s inconsistencies called out as “demonic” | | 49:15 | Pandering to black voters and SAT scores | | 57:30 | Newsom on the SAVE Act, ID, and race | | 01:00:50 | Kevin O’Leary on bad management causing California exodus | | 01:09:44 | Bernie Sanders—Wealth tax, exodus of billionaires | | 01:18:55 | Urban vs. rural divide and competency | | 01:27:45 | AOC’s faltering response on Taiwan policy | | 01:39:10 | Ron DeSantis on Florida’s lean budget & state success | | 01:45:20 | NYC’s vast budget vs. Florida’s, Michael Malice analysis | | 01:54:32 | Bill Maher schools audience on Western values | | 01:59:34 | Jack Hughes celebrates U.S. hockey gold |

Tone & Style Highlights

• Language: Highly direct, mocking, irreverent, at times profane (“He has no testicles,” “douchebag,” “dick,” “demon”) in keeping with Rubin’s informal, combative approach.
• Humor: Frequent sarcasm and lampooning nicknames (e.g., “Lizard person Gavin Newsom,” “Timo Obama,” “Moron Zamboni”).
• Analogy & Hyperbole: Draws on pop culture (Halo, Call of Duty, Miss Teen USA), cartoonish exaggerations, and urban legends to make points stick.
• Emotional Peaks: Shifts between outrage at perceived political incompetence/corruption and bursts of patriotic pride.

Summary Conclusion

This episode of The Rubin Report offers a wide-ranging, high-energy critique of left-leaning governance both in the U.S. and abroad, hammering on themes of crime, immigration, economic mismanagement, and political hypocrisy. Through anecdotes, clips, and commentary, Dave Rubin underscores what he sees as the stakes for the coming elections — painting Democrats and especially Gavin Newsom as “Machiavellian” figures blind to their own failures, while contrasting them with more effective, pro-freedom leadership in places like Florida.

For listeners seeking a full-throttle, unabashedly right-leaning perspective on current American politics—complete with deep skepticism of media narratives and fiery takedowns of progressive icons—this episode delivers in signature Rubin Report style.