The Rubin Report – Episode Summary

Episode Title: ‘The View’ Hosts Aghast When Mamdani Accidentally Repeats Hamas Talking Points
Date: October 2, 2025
Host: Dave Rubin

Overview

In this episode of The Rubin Report, Dave Rubin analyzes recent controversial moments on “The View,” particularly focusing on Zorhan Mamdani's appearance and his statements about Hamas, Israel, and his candidacy for New York City mayor. Rubin transitions to wider cultural themes, including what he sees as the dangers of “woke” ideology, the erosion of free speech, trans issues in children’s entertainment, and resistance to cancel culture. Throughout, Rubin uses a mix of sarcasm, humor, and direct criticism in his trademark style.

Main Segments

1. Zorhan Mamdani on ‘The View’ and NYC Politics

Timestamps: [01:08]–[09:48]

• Rubin sets the scene: This is a pre-taped Yom Kippur episode, focusing initially on Mamdani’s recent, buzzworthy appearance on “The View.”
• Dave’s take: Rubin sarcastically describes Zorhan Mamdani as “the communist,” criticizing him as being “jihad adjacent,” a radical, and an apologist for Hamas, arguing that his policies would “destroy New York City.”
  • Quote (Dave Rubin, [03:51]): “That man you are talking to with his soft voice and his perfect suit and haircut, is going to destroy New York City. He is a communist and a radical, and I would say he's jihad adjacent...”
• Clips from ‘The View’:
  • Joy Behar’s concern: Joy and the panel ask whether Trump could follow through on threats to cut NYC federal funding, and whether using cities as “military training grounds” could be blocked.
  • Mamdani’s answer ([03:05]): “You know, this is just one of the many threats that Donald Trump makes. Every day he wakes up, he makes another threat a lot of the times about the city that he actually comes from... We have to fight that.”
  • More (“grocery prices” aside): Mamdani says he'd work with Trump if it meant cheaper groceries but maintains a combative stance on any policies harming NYC.
  • Rubin rebuke: Dave suggests that the Left’s desire for centralized control will undermine competition and innovation, especially regarding basic needs like groceries.
  • Quote (Dave Rubin, [04:18]): “The best way to control grocery prices is to have the government do it. That’s what you guys want right now… How about there’s something called competition?”

The Hamas/Israel Exchange on “The View”

• Sarah Hines presses Mamdani ([05:53]): “Just this week, you were evasive with a reporter about condemning Hamas. Given New York has the largest Jewish population outside of Israel, why should voters who see this as a moral red line trust your clarity and judgment?”
• Mamdani’s response ([06:07]): He claims to condemn Hamas and the October 7th attack, calling it “a horrific war crime,” but also describes Israeli military action in Gaza as “a genocide.”
  • Quote (Zorhan Mamdani, [06:07]): “Of course I condemn Hamas... which is a horrific war crime. And of course, my belief in a universality in international law is also... what’s happening in Gaza as a genocide.”
• Rubin reacts immediately ([07:05]):
  • Rubin angrily dismisses Mamdani’s invocation of “international law” as a sham.
  • He accuses Mamdani of hypocrisy: “Condemning Hamas while laundering anti-Israel venom is in balance. It's moral bankruptcy with the press pass.”

2. Viral Social Experiment: Exposing Mamdani’s Platform

Timestamps: [10:30]–[11:40]

• Clip shared by Rubin: Zach Sage, a content creator, pretends to gather signatures for Mamdani, but reads “his” radical policy proposals to prospective supporters, resulting in awkward confusion.
  • Policies include not condemning Sharia law, replacing the Bill of Rights with DSA’s manifesto, and “taxing whiter neighborhoods.”
  • Quote (Dave Rubin, [11:10]): “He’s going to tax white people higher. It’s on his website first.”
• Takeaway: Rubin claims most liberal supporters “don’t know what they’re doing.” He argues Mamdani is a symptom of a deeper cultural sickness: the “woke mind virus.”

3. Trans Ideology in Children's Programming

Timestamps: [12:38]–[15:35]

• Rubin highlights controversy: Clips from Netflix shows allegedly promoting trans identity to kids (“Dead End Paranormal Park” and a documentary featuring Georgie Stone).
  • Quote (Dave Rubin, [13:11]): “That’s not for children. But it’s marketed towards children. That is the problem.”
  • Clearly states his position against children being exposed to such topics, differentiating between adult choices and children’s programming.
• Comments on Elon Musk: Rubin notes Musk’s public condemnation of Netflix over this issue and encourages parents to closely monitor what their kids watch.
• On adults transitioning: Claims to wish “Georgie” well, but reinforces his stance that this is not for kids.

4. Cultural Shifts and the “Trans Debate”

Timestamps: [19:50]–[23:40]

• Emma Watson and J.K. Rowling dynamic:
  • Emma Watson makes a reconciliatory statement about Rowling—who’s been a lightning rod in the trans debate.
    • Quote (Emma Watson, [19:50]): “I can love her. I can know she loved me. I can be grateful to her. I can know the things that she said are true... the bigger thing is just what she’s done will never be taken away from me.”
  • Rowling responds on social media, critically but with nuance.
    • Quote (J.K. Rowling, summarized by Rubin, [20:26]): “[W]hat the trashing of women’s rights, in which Emma has so enthusiastically participated, means to women and girls without her privileges. ... the greatest irony here is that had Emma not... declared she loves and treasures me... I might never have been this honest.”
• Dave’s interpretation: Rubin gives Rowling credit, calls her “just great,” and critiques those sitting on the fence regarding trans issues.
• Fiona McKenn (GB News) adds analysis: She states the culture is slowly shifting back from radical positions but that it’s hard to sit on the fence.

5. Logic, Media, and “Woke” Walk-Backs

Timestamps: [26:05]–[27:23]

• Scott Jennings Example: Rubin plays a clip of Joe Rogan and Elon Musk praising CNN contributor Scott Jennings for bringing “logic and reason” to otherwise “clownish” cable news panels.
  • Quote (Joe Rogan, [26:37]): “Scott Jennings on CNN is good.”
  • Rubin notes that letting in a sane voice like Jennings “messes up the whole business model” that’s built on outrage and identity politics.

6. Community Q&A and Closing Thoughts

Timestamps: [27:23]–[35:33]

• Questions from Locals.com audience:
  • Trump’s internet “meme game,” Rubin’s ex-staffer Brock working on the White House social media team.
  • Upcoming Australia trip and possible meet-and-greets.
  • NYC mayoral election: Grim outlook; only hope is if Curtis Sliwa drops out and Cuomo consolidates opposition to Mamdani.
    • Quote (Dave Rubin, [35:33]): “It’s an abject disaster for the people of New York... It is deeply sad.”
  • Personal anecdotes: School discipline story, thoughts on fasting for Yom Kippur, and Ron DeSantis’s property tax policy proposal in Florida.

Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• Dave on Mamdani's alleged radicalism:
  [03:51] “He is a communist and a radical, and I would say he's jihad adjacent...”
• Mamdani on Hamas and Israel:
  [06:07] “Of course I condemn Hamas... which is a horrific war crime. ... what’s happening in Gaza as a genocide.”
• Rubin’s angry reaction:
  [07:05] “God, get the fuck out of New York City. If you're saying I just don't even know. I'm not in the mood today.”
• Cultural moment regarding Netflix and trans content:
  [13:11] “That’s not for children. But it’s marketed towards children. That is the problem.”
• On J.K. Rowling and Emma Watson:
  [20:26] “She’s just great. That was so well written. And she’s really making the broader point...”
• On CNN’s Scott Jennings:
  [26:44] “It's like just funny watching logic and reason to these people and they freak out.”

Episode Tone & Language

Rubin adopts a sarcastic, combative, and critical tone throughout, especially towards progressive/left-leaning figures and ideas. He frequently uses humor (both dry and harsh), as well as direct disparagement (“communist,” “radical,” “woke mind virus”) to describe his opponents. Nevertheless, he sometimes expresses empathy or nuance, especially when discussing individuals like Georgie Stone or Emma Watson.

Important Takeaways

• Rubin’s main argument: The political and cultural Left (as embodied by Mamdani, “The View,” Netflix, etc.) is engaged in dangerous overreach, threatening free speech, Jewish security, and the innocence of children.
• Call to action: Defeat radical candidates through debate and democracy; parents should be vigilant about children’s media exposure; those in poorly governed cities/states (notably Jews in NYC) should consider leaving.
• Warning: The spread of “woke” ideology, according to Rubin, is not just a political issue but a societal crisis.

Conclusion

This episode serves as both commentary on current New York City politics and a broader critique of progressive culture in media, education, and entertainment. Rubin blends political analysis, culture war skepticism, and community engagement, all in his direct and confrontational style.