The Rubin Report: "Triggernometry Hosts Try to Hide Their Shock at Sam Harris' Charlie Kirk Claim"

Date: November 21, 2025
Host: Dave Rubin
Guests: Franklin Andres Camargo (PragerU commentator) & CJ Pearson (host, Family Matters)

Episode Overview

In this Friday roundtable, Dave Rubin is joined by PragerU’s Franklin Andres Camargo and returning panelist CJ Pearson to break down several key topics for conservatives: Sam Harris’ controversial claims about reactions to Charlie Kirk’s assassination, generational divides on the right, the push for stronger borders, persistent crime in blue cities, and the increasing openness to government solutions—even on the right. Along the way, the panelists reflect on the state of political rhetoric, free speech, and the future of conservatism in America.

Introductions & Guest Backgrounds

• Franklin Andres Camargo: Introduces himself as a “socialism survivor” from Venezuela, grateful for America’s opportunities, and now dedicated to keeping the U.S. “the greatest on earth.” (03:00)
  • Quote: “It wasn't my right to be here. It was a privilege. It was a blessing. So now I dedicate my time to try to keep this country the greatest on earth.” (03:15~)
• CJ Pearson: Conservative activist since age 12; creator of the controversial "Cruel Kids Party;" National Chair of the RNC Youth Advisory Council. (03:38)
  • Quote: “I also am the creator of the Cruel Kids party that New York magazine famously derided ... we’ve done it with Soulja Boy, Rick Ross, Waka Flocka. Up next, maybe Nicki Minaj.” (04:09)

1. The Sam Harris–Charlie Kirk Controversy

— Segment Starts [05:03]

A) Sam Harris’ Podcast Comments

• Sam Harris (playing a clip from his Trigonometry appearance) accuses right-wing figures of inflaming public division after the assassination of Charlie Kirk, likening them to “arsonists pretending to be firefighters.” (05:03)
  • Harris: “These people were arsonists pretending to be firefighters … just flinging matches into a landscape … soaked in gasoline … mostly by Trump and Trumpism and the grifters…” (05:12~)

B) Is Political Violence a Left Problem?

• CJ Pearson: Criticizes Harris’s framing, pointing to data and anecdotes showing left-wing acceptance of violence against conservatives, referencing prominent rhetoric ("Nazis, racists, fascists") and The Atlantic's coverage.
  • Quote: “They actually do really want us dead in many such cases. And so I’ve gotta say, it’s unfortunate to see him just gloss over this and act like we created this problem for ourselves.” (07:38)
  • “It’s actually shameful that … you have to have a security guard now because you don’t know if some deranged transgender will try to kill you for saying basic biological facts.” (08:06)
• Franklin Camargo: References Dennis Prager and YouGov data—over 60% of “very liberal” young people find political violence acceptable.
  • Quote: “They don’t have a moral compass right now … 62% of young people who identify themselves as very liberal are okay with political violence to achieve a political … goal.” (08:42)
  • “When you try to call someone Hitler just because he has a different view, you are doing something that is very dangerous.” (09:45)
• Both concur on a fundamental “moral asymmetry” in political discourse.
  • Rubin: “The right thinks that the left is wrong. The left thinks that the right is evil.” (08:38)

2. Sam Harris Softens toward Trump... Reluctantly

— [11:07]

• Harris (clip): Admits Trump deserved a Nobel Peace Prize for freeing hostages, credits his “unpredictability,” though simultaneously criticizes his “unprincipledness.” (11:12)
  • Harris: “There was no Democrat who was going to do it … Many of his weaknesses as a president, as a person, translated in that specific area into strengths.” (12:22)
• CJ: Argues unpredictability is a negotiation asset, referencing Trump’s approach to North Korea.
  • Quote: “People forget about that. He was calling him Rocket man … that type of unpredictability … is one of his biggest bargaining tools … the guy gets results.” (12:54)
• Franklin: Surprised by Harris giving even partial credit, says most on the left won’t grant Trump any positives, viewing all issues through an anti-Trump lens.
  • Quote: “Many of the things that the left … promotes is not even based on values or ideas, but it’s just a reaction to whatever Trump does or says.” (14:02)

3. Young Conservatives & New Right Priorities

— [16:26]

• Video of Naylan Haley (Nikki Haley’s son) on Tucker Carlson: Calls for limits on foreign students, ending dual citizenship, prioritizing “America First.”
  • Haley: “You’re either American or you’re not … People should have their loyalty to America first, and if they can’t do that, then this ain’t the country for you.” (16:47)
• Host Panel Reaction:
  • Rubin is skeptical of banning all dual citizenship (especially for non-elected citizens), but open to debate.
  • CJ: “Definitely for elected officials … your priorities should … be America.”
  • On young conservative sentiment: Acknowledges disillusionment, especially among young men. Blames economic “affordability crisis,” foreign turmoil, and perceived policy prioritization of immigrants/foreigners.
    • “I think that it’s a discussion that’s definitely being had a lot among young conservatives, remains to be seen whether or not that’ll be … adopted by the broader Republican Party.” (18:52)
  • Franklin: Warns about right-wing embrace of government intervention, links it to educational indoctrination and loss of American values.
    • “Some people are promoting, not just on the left, sometimes even on the right, is more government. But this would be a horrible mistake.” (19:42)
    • “The reason why young people right now … hate capitalism is because they hate America, not the other way around.” (20:25)

4. Generational Shift and Term Limits

— [23:04]

• Pelosi’s retirement: Panel notes her longevity, wealth accumulation, and the risk of her being replaced by even more left-wing figures.
  • Franklin: “The fact that a politician can have an entire career in Washington, D.C. for 30, 40, 50 years is simply disgusting.” (23:42)
  • “I fully support term limits … if the president … has term limits, any other public official should.”
  • CJ: Jokes that he’ll miss Pelosi for 401k stock tips; expects her seat to go to a further-left successor.
    • “She was in the middle of a primary challenge from AOC’s former chief of staff … She read the writing on the wall … even Nancy Pelosi may not have a place in this modern day Democrat party…” (25:28)

5. Crime, Media Bias & Woke Cities

— [27:56]

• Coverage of a brutal attack on a woman in Chicago—media’s silence due to race and narrative fit.
  • CJ: “This is the first I’m hearing of this story and I track the news for a living … Chicago, they’ve become third world countries.” (28:53)
  • Compares media priorities—Nicki Minaj did more to raise awareness of persecution in Nigeria than the news media.
• Rubin: Notes the “Daniel Penny effect”—people fear helping because they don’t want to be sued or demonized.
• Franklin: “[The left] think that criminals are victims, they are oppressed, they’re victims of this [white supremacy] system. … They can commit dozens of crimes and they would still be on the streets.” (30:39)
  • Argues the left’s incentives produce escalating crime. Calls for the right to adopt strong anti-crime policies and campaign on them.

6. Military Loyalty & ‘Illegal Orders’

— [34:14]

• Video of Rep. Jason Crow (D) defending a viral video encouraging military personnel not to obey “illegal” Trump orders—without specifying any actual illegal order.
  • Martha MacCallum presses for specifics, Crow dodges repeatedly.
  • CJ: “You can’t get anywhere with these people … you ask them how he’s a racist, they can’t tell you.” (35:46)
  • Franklin: Reminds that Venezuela is a narco-state and that Trump’s strong action against drug boats is a clear positive, but the left reflexively opposes Trump and even sides with cartels over giving him credit.
    • “20% of the cocaine that comes to the United States is from Venezuela. Of course we want to stop that.” (38:26)

7. Immigration, ICE Raids & School Absences

— [39:47]

• Rubin cites Charlotte, NC schools with 30,399 absences in one day following ICE raiding announcements—suggesting an “undeniable mess” in the system.
  • CJ: “If Donald Trump were a king, he’s such a gracious king because … we’re not separating [families] anymore, we’re sending them all back.” (41:30)
  • Franklin: “We have to do a strong work in America to try to fight illegal immigration. Illegal immigration is a problem for our country. … I’m an immigrant. I think immigration is not a right, it is a privilege.” (42:04)
    • Argues illegal immigration strains public resources and undermines assimilation and American ideals.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Franklin: “The reason young people … hate capitalism is because they hate America—not the other way around.” (20:25)
• CJ: “You can’t question results. And the guy [Trump] gets results … that’s my thing—be mad, but he gets results.” (13:20)
• Franklin: “They don’t have a moral compass right now … 62% of young people who identify themselves as very liberal are okay with political violence …” (08:42)
• Rubin: “The right thinks that the left is wrong. The left thinks that the right is evil.” (08:38)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:00] – Guest Introductions
• [05:03] – Sam Harris Audio, Charlie Kirk Reaction
• [07:00] – Discussion: Political Violence
• [08:58] – Dennis Prager’s Analysis & Free Speech
• [11:07] – 2nd Sam Harris Clip: Trump, Peace Prize, Hostages
• [12:49] – Trump’s Unpredictability as an Asset
• [16:26] – Naylan Haley: Foreign Students & Dual Citizenship on Tucker
• [19:15] – Franklin on Big Government Temptations for the Right
• [23:04] – Pelosi’s Retirement & Term Limits
• [27:56] – Chicago Train Attack & Media Bias
• [34:14] – Jason Crow, Military Order Scare Tactics
• [39:47] – ICE Raids, Charlotte School Absences
• [44:16] – Wrap-Up: Future of the Young Right

Tone & Style

• The episode adopts a frank, passionate, and sometimes combative tone in line with conservative talk radio, with hosts and guests openly critiquing the left while occasionally pushing back on elements of the modern right.
• Humor and irony are used, especially in discussions about elected officials and their foibles (e.g., tracking Pelosi’s stock trades).

Conclusion

Rubin closes with optimism about the next generation of conservatives, despite the serious challenges discussed—from media bias and urban crime to party identity struggles and immigration woes.

“If this all ends with the three of us on a boat back to Venezuela, you’ll know things have gone awry. However, I’m feeling a little more bullish on the young conservatives after talking to both of you.” (44:16)

For a deeper understanding, the above summary provides easy navigation to key discussions, quoted exchanges, and timestamps for further listening.