The Rubin Report — Episode Summary

Episode Title: What Minneapolis Cops Are Saying That News Ignores
Date: February 12, 2026
Host: Dave Rubin
Guest: Michele Tafoya (Four-time Emmy-winning former sports journalist, now U.S. Senate candidate for Minnesota)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Dave Rubin sits down with Michele Tafoya, a seasoned sports journalist turned political candidate, to discuss the current turmoil in Minnesota, the interplay between local and national politics, the state of American sports in the culture wars, and Tafoya’s motivations for running for the U.S. Senate. The conversation is frank, wide-ranging, and often personal, providing insights into both Minnesota’s political crisis and the challenges of bringing national unity through sports.

Main Themes and Key Discussion Points

1. Sports, Politics, and American Identity

• Disillusionment with Politics in Sports
  Tafoya opens up about how politics has complicated the enjoyment of major sporting events like the Super Bowl and Olympics, for both fans and athletes.

“I've talked to former players who are having a hard time watching the Super Bowl... even one told me he's having a hard time watching the Olympic Games because of the politics around it.” (Michelle Tafoya, 03:29)

• Critique of the Super Bowl Halftime Show
  Rubin and Tafoya comment on the decision to have an all-Spanish halftime performance and the growing global focus of the NFL, noting its departure from American traditions.

“To me, it should have been such a celebration of America, and it just wasn't.” (Dave Rubin, 05:11)
“The fact that the Turning Point USA alternative halftime got... like 23 million sets of eyeballs on it is remarkable.” (Michelle Tafoya, 06:09)

• Politics in Olympic Representation
  Tafoya recalls the unity of the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" team, contrasting that era’s patriotism with the current climate, where athletes express ambivalence about representing the U.S.

“These players... are wearing our flag on your uniform. This is a game about countries competing against countries. So you’re either in or aren't, you know?” (Michelle Tafoya, 07:48)

2. Minnesota in Crisis: Policing, Crime, and Political Malpractice

• Criticism of State Leadership during Crises
  Tafoya sharply criticizes Minnesota’s Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey for their inaction during recent riots and law enforcement issues, drawing parallels to their response during the George Floyd riots.

“Governor Walz, you could have assisted, you could have helped. Mayor Fry, you could have assisted, you could have helped. But just like during the George Floyd riots... they were not around to do anything.” (Michelle Tafoya, 10:11–10:40)

• Police Frustration and Policy Failures
  Tafoya relays feedback from local law enforcement, expressing their frustration at being hamstrung by political leaders—even when tragedies could have been prevented.

“I've spoken with leadership in the St. Paul Police Department and Minnesota police officers who have said this stuff could have been avoided... had we been allowed to help.” (Michelle Tafoya, 10:37)

• Sanctuary Policies and Public Reaction
  Discussion of how sanctuary city policies and escalation of protests in Minneapolis are outgrowths of prevailing political priorities, with regular Minnesotans left frustrated and feeling unheard.

“They use words like embarrassment that they don't like to admit where they're from... they're angry as hell over the fraud.” (Michelle Tafoya, 20:49)

• Protest Tactics and Paid Activism
  The show touches on the appearance and funding of protests, suggesting coordination from outside interests and calling out the hypocrisy of some protest tactics (e.g., checking residents’ IDs at barricades).

“When you see the coordination, when you see the expensive gear that these people wear, it doesn't look organic to me.” (Michelle Tafoya, 18:38)

3. Fraud Scandals and Political Deflection

• Ongoing Fraud Investigations
  Tafoya and Rubin discuss how high-profile scandals have been sidelined in public discourse by the emergence of the ICE protests and other crises.

“The fraud conversation is not on the front page like it was... it's now it's coming back because we are seeing a quieting down of these ICE protests.” (Michelle Tafoya, 14:19–15:01)

• Leadership Integrity Concerns
  Tafoya alleges deep-seated corruption and untrustworthiness among Minnesota’s leadership, referencing future indictments.

“He is so up to his knees, up to his neck in fraud. And it's going to keep coming. The indictments are going to keep coming.” (Michelle Tafoya, 12:54)

4. Why Run for Senate? Policy, Pragmatism, and Representation

• Frustration as Motivation
  Tafoya points out that the scale of fraud and political dysfunction in her state finally pushed her off the sidelines into running for office.

“I think that the fraud really was the final straw... I gotta do this... I'm not gonna be able to live with myself if I don't at least put myself out there and try to fight for the people of Minnesota, for the things that they need.” (Michelle Tafoya, 22:29–23:24)

• Aiming to Represent the Forgotten Majority
  She emphasizes that many average Minnesotans are neither radical nor represented, and pledges to give them a voice.

“I've gotten emails saying, why isn't anyone speaking for us? They're interviewing all these crazies in Minneapolis and St. Paul. They're not talking to the rest of us.” (Michelle Tafoya, 20:49)

• Education as a Flash Point
  Tafoya becomes particularly passionate when discussing the decline in Minnesota's education standards, blaming increased spending without accountability and activist teachers for worsening performance.

“Less than 50% of our kids can read or do math at grade level... and it gets worse. By the time they're in 11th grade, they're even worse... That is unacceptable.” (Michelle Tafoya, 28:20)

5. Political Realities and Coalition-Building

• Minnesota’s Political Landscape
  Tafoya details the challenge and opportunity of flipping a Senate seat in a traditionally blue state, pointing to voter frustration after years of losses.

“Republicans here are tired of losing... Well, now they're seeing what the offshoot of they're not voting may be doing to the state and they are ticked off.” (Michelle Tafoya, 24:19)

• On Aligning with Trump and the Republican Base
  She is candid about not agreeing with every GOP platform, rejecting labels but supporting many of Trump’s policies where she sees results that matter to constituents.

“I'm not about labels, I'm about results... I think that he [Trump] is spot on on a lot of his policies... There's a lot that we agree on and I will focus on that.” (Michelle Tafoya, 29:49)

• Senate as a Lever for Local Concerns
  Tafoya explains how federal representation can impact local issues, especially fraud and education, and how she plans to keep her focus on regular Minnesotans even as a U.S. Senator.

“A lot of Minnesotans say, well, how can you help us from the Senate? But there are plenty of federal levers that can be pulled to change what's happening with this fraud, to change what's happening in education...” (Michelle Tafoya, 31:31)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the American Spirit in Sports:
  “Brought me chills. It made me cry. We all know how the story ends. And still watching it again, you just get the same goosebumps and the same American pride.” (Michelle Tafoya, 07:29)

• On Political Hypocrisy at Protests:
  “They're asking for id... which is what they don't want, apparently. But they're doing it because it's okay for them to do it.” (Michelle Tafoya, 15:01)

• On Education Decline:
  “It used to be... some of the best in the world. And now fewer than 50%... can read or do math at grade level. And it gets worse. By the time they're in 11th grade, they're even worse. So the longer they stay in school, the worse it gets.” (Michelle Tafoya, 28:18)

• On Political Motivation:
  “I'm not gonna be able to live with myself if I don't at least put myself out there and try to fight for the people of Minnesota, for the things that they need.” (Michelle Tafoya, 23:21)

Key Timestamps

• 03:29 – Politics impacting enjoyment of sports
• 05:11 – Reaction to Super Bowl Halftime Show
• 07:29 – Nostalgia for national unity in sports (“Miracle on Ice”)
• 10:11–10:40 – Criticism of Minnesota leadership during crisis
• 12:54 – Allegations of fraud among state leadership
• 15:01 – Protest tactics and hypocrisy
• 18:38 – Discussion of paid protesters and outside influence
• 20:49 – Real feelings of “regular” Minnesotans
• 22:29–23:24 – Motivations for running for Senate
• 28:20 – Education crisis in Minnesota
• 29:49 – Relationship with Trump and GOP unity
• 31:31 – Using the Senate seat to address local issues

Tone and Style

The conversation is direct, concerned, and passionate, reflecting the gravity of Minnesota’s current troubles but also aiming for hope and pragmatic solutions. Tafoya frequently grounds her arguments in personal experience and conversations with everyday Minnesotans, while Rubin provides national context and sharp questions.

Conclusion

This episode offers a candid analysis of the intersection between sports, politics, and public life, as well as a deeply personal account of Tafoya’s decision to run for Senate. Listeners gain insight into the lived realities of Minnesotans fed up with current leadership, the state’s education and crime challenges, and the sense of urgency felt by those seeking political change from within the community rather than as outsiders. Tafoya positions herself as a voice for common sense, accountability, and sovereign American identity—an antidote, she hopes, to the chaos and decline she sees in her state and in national institutions.