Podcast Summary
The Rubin Report with Dave Rubin
Episode: 'The View's' Sunny Hostin Didn't Realize How Condescending She Sounded Lecturing Her Audience
Date: February 10, 2026
Episode Overview
In this episode, Dave Rubin takes a relaxed approach to the day’s discussion, reflecting on the aftermath of a relatively uneventful news cycle following the Super Bowl. Rubin dives into the cultural and political debates sparked by the Super Bowl halftime show, explores the theme of "suicidal empathy" in progressive politics, and critiques recent statements and actions by public figures, particularly those on The View. He also touches on crime, urban decay, voter ID, and the improving economy, with lively commentary and a few memorable rants.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Super Bowl Halftime Show and Cultural Wars
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Rubin’s Perspective: The Super Bowl was lackluster, and the real conversation centers around the halftime show featuring Bad Bunny, whose performance was primarily in Spanish and included explicit lyrics. Rubin argues that the show missed an opportunity to unite Americans during the country’s 250th anniversary, instead pandering to "woke" trends.
- "They could have done something that really celebrated America, that would have brought more people in. They could have done that and they chose something else right now." (03:01)
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Groupthink Critique: Rubin likens the sudden adulation for Bad Bunny among suburban liberals to political conformity.
- Memorable Quote: "All of these people, like these middle aged mothers, 47 year old moms of three in the suburbs are telling you how much they love Bad Bunny, who they couldn't have pointed to three days before." (02:12)
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Reaction to The View's Commentary: Sunny Hostin and Whoopi Goldberg praised the halftime show for celebrating Puerto Rican heritage. Rubin criticizes Hostin for not addressing the controversial lyrics and notes the double standard if the show had been a "homage to America."
- Notable Moment: Rubin reads (explicit) translated lyrics to highlight this controversy (07:00–08:15).
2. Sunny Hostin’s Ancestry & The Racism Accusation
- Family Revelation: Hostin revealed that her family included Spanish slave traders who relocated to Puerto Rico after Spain ended slavery (08:32).
- Rubin’s Commentary: He calls out what he sees as ironic hypocrisy in Hostin’s self-righteousness.
3. Alternate Halftime Show & Capitalism vs. Socialism
- Joe Scarborough’s Take: Scarborough frames criticism of the halftime show as anti-capitalist. Rubin pushes back, arguing that providing choice (Turning Point's alternative halftime event) is capitalism in action and the NFL’s ratings took a hit.
- "If we've learned nothing over the last decade, when corporations try to force feed us politics or when you guys try to tell us how we should feel about everything, those of us who are not the brain broken wokesters ... we like competition." (12:39)
4. Theme: Suicidal Empathy
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Gad Saad’s Upcoming Book: Rubin promotes "Suicidal Empathy" and discusses the peril of unchecked empathy undermining societal order.
- "When you put empathy at the top of that hierarchy... you will ultimately allow every bad idea and you will allow every a bad person in and you will be able to defend nothing in the name of being good and being empathetic." (14:51)
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Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear: Criticized for citing his faith as justification for vetoing a ban on minors receiving gender-transition treatments (17:26).
- “He’s so empathetic, he will have children’s genitals chopped off.” (22:01)
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Judge Tracy Davis’ Sentencing: The judge halved a rapist and kidnapper’s 65-year sentence, citing his lack of opportunities, despite his lack of remorse and verbal abuse in court (20:46–23:14).
- “Are you a judge who is applying the law equally and blind with blindfold on, or are you a therapist? She's acting like a therapist.” (21:57)
- “He wants her to eat his dick, bitch, and spit on her ... she still wanted him to have less.” (23:00)
5. Crime, Urban Decay, and Policing
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Chicago Example: Feature on a new Black-owned restaurant that was burglarized days after opening; Rubin argues that policies prioritizing offenders over victims are destroying cities (24:52–25:39).
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Drug Crisis in LA: Reports from the streets illustrate the consequences of permissive attitudes toward drug use (28:40–29:41).
6. Voting Rights, Voter ID, and Election Integrity
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Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett: Defends political dishonesty as necessary in the current environment and argues against voter ID, admitting Democratic turnout falls when IDs are required (32:19–35:16).
- "No, not in this environment, I don't ... we are really in unchartered territory." (32:34)
- “Democrat numbers go down ... when there were voter restrictions in place. You're never going to guess what voter restriction she's talking about. Having to show an id. Hello!” (35:00–35:16)
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Barack Obama Flashback: Cites a 2008 Obama quote about both parties engaging in election "monkeying" (36:45–37:23).
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Counterpoints from GOP: Senators and guests argue that requiring ID for voting is common-sense reform long overdue.
7. Personal Responsibility: Health, Food, and the Culture War
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Realfood.gov & Mike Tyson Ad: Rubin praises the Super Bowl ad supporting real foods and healthy habits, contrasting it with pharmaceutical solutions to obesity.
- Tyson: "We're the most powerful country in the world and we have the most obese, fudgy people. Something has to be done." (43:14)
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Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (Bobby Kennedy): Now part of the Trump team, Kennedy discusses how nutrition and real food policies may save lives and ultimately the country.
- "This is warfare ... improving your health is going to improve even the symptoms of schizophrenia, of ADHD, of bipolar disorder." (47:11)
8. The Economy: Optimism and Political Stakes
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GDP Growth & Labor Market: Trump's pick for Fed chair, Kevin Hassett, and Trump himself discuss the rebound in U.S. economic growth, with 4% projected and declining labor force due to stricter immigration.
- "If our new head of the Fed ... does the job that he's capable, we can grow at 15%, I think more than [that]." (51:59)
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Narrative vs. Reality: Larry Kudlow and Trump discuss how positive economic numbers must be effectively communicated to overcome negative media spin (53:40–54:25).
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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Rubin on “woke” conformity:
"They could have done something that really celebrated America... Instead, they chose something else." (03:01) -
Reading Bad Bunny’s lyrics in translation to lampoon The View’s praise:
“Pussy with dick. Dick with ass. Push it in. Your tits rubbing my nipples. Push it in.” (07:00) -
Sunny Hostin’s family revelation:
"They were Spanish slavers who were so upset that Spain was ending slavery that they took the slaves and kept selling them in Puerto Rico." — Rubin (09:05) -
On Suicidal Empathy:
"When you put empathy at the top of that hierarchy… you will ultimately allow every bad idea and you will allow every bad person in..." (14:51) -
On political dishonesty:
"No, not in this environment, I don't [regret the rhetoric] ... we are really in unchartered territory." — Crockett (32:34) -
Mike Tyson on obesity:
"I was so fat and nasty, I would eat anything. I was like £345, a quart of ice cream every hour. I had so much self hate when I was like that, I just wanted to kill myself." (43:14) -
Bobby Kennedy on his mission:
"I prayed every single day that God would put me in a place where I could fix this. And so for me, when President Trump asked me to join his campaign in August of 2024, it felt providential..." (48:52)
Important Timestamps
- Super Bowl aftermath and halftime show critique: 03:01–06:26
- Sunny Hostin & family background: 08:32–09:05
- Joe Scarborough on capitalism and halftime show ratings: 09:50–12:39
- “Suicidal empathy” and Kentucky governor segment: 14:51–17:59
- Judge Davis’s sentencing and Thompson's reaction: 20:46–23:14
- Chicago crime and empathy for victims: 24:52–25:39
- Discussion on drug crisis in L.A.: 28:40–29:41
- Jasmine Crockett on rhetoric and voter ID: 32:19–35:16
- Obama on election monkeying (archive): 36:45–37:23
- Mike Tyson health ad / Bobby Kennedy’s food policy segment: 43:14–47:48
- Economic optimism and Trump/Kudlow segment: 50:41–54:25
Tone & Style
Rubin maintains a conversational, sometimes sarcastic, sometimes passionate tone—frequently punctuated by humor, satire, and direct critique of public figures and policies. Guest comments are included, and the show oscillates between policy deep-dives, cultural commentary, and moments of comedic irreverence.
For Listeners Who Missed the Episode:
This episode critiques progressive groupthink from popular culture to policy, highlights the unintended consequences of extreme empathy in politics and law, and spotlights the importance of personal and societal accountability—from health to election integrity to economic policy. Rubin’s style is energetic and combative, and the episode is rich in pointed commentary, illustrative anecdotes, and impactful soundbites from the news and his guests.
