The Rubin Report – Episode Summary

Episode: This Fight Over RFK Jr. Was So Big It Could Be Cheryl Hines' Last Time on 'The View'
Date: October 16, 2025
Host: Dave Rubin
Location: Hotel room, Melbourne, Australia

Episode Overview

In this episode, Dave Rubin checks in from Australia while on tour, discussing recent political and cultural events, with a primary focus on Cheryl Hines’s contentious appearance on The View regarding her husband, RFK Jr., and broader issues of free speech, political polarization, and media bias. He moves from discussing the personal attacks Cheryl faced on daytime TV to critiques of rising socialist/communist influence in American and UK politics, and the disturbing tribalistic shifts he sees among the left and in urban leadership. The tone is direct, irreverent, and darkly humorous as Rubin lambasts "leftist craziness" and emphasizes the need for real debate and defense of Western values.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Cheryl Hines on 'The View' – Attacks and Free Speech

• Rubin introduces Cheryl Hines as a talented actress on a book tour, recently grilled by The View panel, particularly regarding RFK Jr.’s qualifications and his public stances on health.
  • [02:41–03:11] Sunny Hostin claims RFK Jr. is "the least qualified" for the Department of Health and Human Services; Cheryl Hines retorts by listing his public health advocacy.
  • Rubin argues the panel ignores Hines' purpose for being on the show (her book), instead resorting to political attacks.
  • He notes that RFK Jr. has a record of challenging "big pharma," questioning vaccine safety, critiquing food additives, and fighting for public health (“He has a track record of caring about people’s health.” – Dave Rubin, 03:31).
• The segment digresses into a debate over misinformation during COVID and accusations against RFK Jr.
  • [04:36–05:29] Hines asserts that claims about vaccines preventing COVID transmission were later acknowledged as misinformation, paralleling the panel's accusations toward RFK Jr.
  • Rubin criticizes the dismissive, hostile approach of The View: “You think Cheryl was like, ‘I would do anything to be arguing with Larry David right now.’” (05:29)
  • The panel's inability to treat Hines respectfully, conflating legitimate debate with "chaos," is highlighted.

2. Rubin’s Take on Media Hostility and 'Derangement Syndrome'

• He accuses The View panelists, especially Joy Behar, of ignoring more interesting aspects of Hines’ career for political point-scoring because they’re obsessed with opposing Trump/Kennedy:
  “There’s Trump Derangement Syndrome. You guys have Kennedy Derangement Syndrome.” (07:17)
• Rubin underscores the broader problem: media and left-leaning figures frame those asking tough public health questions as dangerous, rather than engaging honestly.

3. Rise of Socialism & “Revolution” in U.S. Politics

• Rubin transitions to New York City politics, focusing on the likely election of Zorhan Mamdani (labeled a “communist”), supported by Attorney General Letitia James.
  • [10:55–11:45] James and Mamdani, at a rally, critique the current “broken system” and the “lawless billionaires,” echoing progressive slogans.
  • Rubin mocks their chant-style speeches as robotic and likens their cadence to radical protest movements ("Why do they do that chanting thing?" – 11:51).
• Rubin warns that a collectivist, Marxist approach will drive productive citizens out:
  “If you are a person of means, if you are a person who loves freedom... you must leave that city.” (16:12)
• The episode references socialist hero Thomas Sankara (cited by Mamdani), critiquing admiration for revolutionaries with repressive records.

4. Leftist Control, Social Decay & Media Complicity

• Discusses how progressive leadership and media—in cities like New York, Minneapolis, Seattle—are nurturing systems that punish dissent, downplay crime, and promote equity over safety.
  • E.g., Ilhan Omar’s endorsement of socialist mayoral candidate Omar Fateh in Minneapolis; Jacob Frey being “not Somali enough” despite overtures.
  • Critiques UK policy for focusing on “extreme right-wing” threats while neglecting issues with mass migration and political Islam.
  • Mocks politicians who think “learning how to behave” will curb violence, citing Cincinnati’s police chief:
    "Guys, just learn how to behave. Would you just stop doing that? Why are you doing that? Are you hungry? Did something happen to you?" (27:45)

5. Cultural Absurdities & Erosion of Tradition

• Points to the Canterbury Church in England covering itself in graffiti in the name of diversity as “insane” and emblematic of Western institutions eroding their own traditions.

6. Community Q&A Highlights

• Responds to listeners on:
  • Whether future generations will equate current Democrats with Maoism if the left “wins” (28:47)
    • “If we win, yes, should the ideas of everything we’ve shown you… be remembered as as bad as Maoism or Stalinism? Absolutely.”
  • Jordan Peterson’s health: brief and respectful update, asking for prayers.
  • Lighthearted questions about Australia tour hopes and Golden Girls preferences.
  • Comments on the unresolved fate of Israeli captives.
• Jokes about Halloween plans and always keeping the tone both personal and interactive.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "This guy is just quite qualified. I get what Sunny’s saying. Like, he doesn’t walk around in a white lab coat all day. Like he’s done actual things in life…" (Dave Rubin, 03:26)
• “You think Cheryl was like, ‘I would do anything to be arguing with Larry David right now.’” (05:29)
• "There’s Trump Derangement Syndrome. You guys have Kennedy Derangement Syndrome." (07:17)
• "Why is it that you ladies are so insistent that we not look into why we are sick? Why do you not care that rates of autism have gone up?" (07:23)
• “Could you just stop shooting people in Chicago? Would you be able to do that for me?” (27:45)
• “How is socialism gonna come to America? It is going to come with a smile.” (18:50)
• “If you are a person of means, if you are a person who loves freedom... you must leave that city.” (16:12)
• “You all know there was not one Jew living in Gaza before October 7th. There ain’t one Jew living there now.” (20:40)

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:08–01:30] – Dave Rubin’s travel to Australia and setup of the episode.
• [02:41–07:17] – Cheryl Hines on The View & Rubin’s reactions.
• [10:55–16:12] – NY mayoral politics: Zorhan Mamdani, Letitia James, and socialist rally.
• [18:05–18:50] – Rubin on socialist “soft” tactics and political theater.
• [20:32–22:32] – UK and Minnesota political shifts; diversity & campaigning.
• [27:14–27:45] – Cincinnati police chief’s “learn how to behave” speech and Rubin’s satirical critique.
• [28:47+] – Listener Q&A, including generational judgment of Democrats, Jordan Peterson’s health, Australian travel, and cultural commentary.

Tone & Style

• Sarcastic, sometimes biting, deeply skeptical of mainstream media and progressive politics.
• Regular forays into humor, both light (“did Joey get raped? So everyone seems to be okay.”) and dark (“maybe you could visit me in the gulag if they win”).
• Deeply personal and direct with his audience, moving fluidly from analysis to community interaction to pop culture asides.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode is a broadside against leftist orthodoxy in media and politics, prompted by the treatment of Cheryl Hines on The View but expanding to Rubin’s sweeping critique of contemporary Western politics. He threads together the personal, the political, and the cultural, encouraging vigilance against what he sees as the erosion of free speech and traditional values, all delivered in his trademark mixture of exasperation and dark humor.