Podcast Summary: The Rubin Report
Episode: Zohran Mamdani Forced to Explain Why He Lied as Media Turns on Him
Host: Dave Rubin | Date: October 29, 2025
Episode Overview
In this episode, Dave Rubin returns from a two-week tour in Australia, immediately diving into U.S. politics—primarily the New York City mayoral race, with a sharp spotlight on candidate Zohran Mamdani’s recent controversy. Rubin dissects allegations that Mamdani fabricated or misrepresented a family story to highlight Islamophobia, broadening the conversation to critique media narratives, leftist politics, and the recurring theme of 'victimhood culture.' Beyond Mamdani, the episode takes wide-ranging aim at progressive politicians (notably Gavin Newsom), media figures (Jon Stewart), and explores the broader issue of dishonesty in modern political discourse.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Dave’s Return & Global Political Sentiment
- Shares anecdotes from Australia, noting similarities and differences in political issues (00:04–04:02).
- Stresses America’s global cultural and political influence, especially regarding current events and leadership.
2. NYC Mayoral Race & The Zohran Mamdani Scandal
- Central Scandal: Mamdani previously claimed his "aunt" stopped using New York subways after 9/11 due to Islamophobic threats.
- Rubin debunks this, explaining the woman isn't Mamdani's aunt, did not wear a hijab, and wasn't in NYC post-9/11, but in Tanzania (05:35).
- Rubin plays Mamdani’s own explanations, where Mamdani maintains “my father’s cousin is my aunt… that’s how I referred to her growing up” (06:13).
- Rubin’s analysis:
- Asserts the story was exaggerated or invented for political gain.
- Suggests this is emblematic of left-wing 'victimhood' (08:37).
- Critiques the left's tendency to "make up things" for a narrative.
Notable Quote:
- “You just admitted it, bro. She ain’t your aunt… She is your father’s cousin. That is not your aunt. So why didn’t you just say it that way?” – Dave Rubin (06:33)
3. Victimhood Culture & "Islamophobia"
- Rubin claims Islamophobia is a “completely made up word” invented to silence criticism (08:48).
- Cites Christopher Hitchens: “Islamophobia — a word created by fascists and used by cowards to manipulate morons.” (11:01)
- Asserts that fear of radical Islam is not irrational, and that Islam as a political force is at odds with liberal values.
Notable Quote:
- “If you are a freedom loving person—a phobia is an irrational fear. But hold that for a second…” – Dave Rubin (09:12)
4. Double Standards and Identity Politics in Media
- Points out how mainstream media and politicians (e.g., Jon Stewart) promote identity credentials over substance (16:14).
- Criticizes Stewart for hailing a potential Muslim, socialist mayor as a "Jackie Robinson moment."
- Denounces the focus on demographics over merit or policy.
Notable Quote:
- “Who gives an F that he’s Muslim? That’s not the point.” – Dave Rubin (17:30)
5. NYC’s History: Crime, Policing, and the Guardian Angels
- Historical recount of NYC's decline in the 1970s and rise of Curtis Sliwa’s Guardian Angels (22:07–24:45).
- Emphasizes that neglecting policing leads to decay—a lesson relevant for the current race.
6. DeSantis, Florida vs. New York, and Political Choice
- Contrasts policies and migration trends between Florida (under DeSantis) and NY (potentially under Mamdani).
- Argues "decline is a choice"—people and businesses will leave areas that embrace radical progressivism (27:03).
7. Lying Politicians: Gavin Newsom as Case Study
- Switches focus to Gavin Newsom, detailing alleged lies about his childhood and wealth (30:07).
- Plays up inconsistencies in Newsom’s personal narrative, comparing him to Mamdani.
- Shows Newsom contradicting himself about his son’s admiration for Charlie Kirk (33:13).
8. Lying & Political Psychopathy
- Cites Jordan Peterson to describe patterns in politicians who "lie, get caught, and lie again."
- Discusses the lack of empathy in habitual liars and the abandonment of truth for immediate political necessity (42:16).
Notable Quote:
- “Everything is basically for the purpose of now… while normal people… there’s a fundamentally human reason not to lie.” – Dave Rubin (43:45)
9. Biden, Kamala Harris, and Democratic Party Dynamics
- Critiques Kamala Harris and Democratic officials for obfuscating Biden's cognitive issues (46:25).
- Harris: “My question was never about his capacity to be president…” (47:03)
- Rubin accuses officials of orchestrating a "coup lite" to protect their own interests.
10. Identity-First Politics
- Satirizes Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre’s focus on her intersectional identity (black, queer woman) (54:33).
- Criticized by a panelist: “She is just another evidence that DEI doesn’t work… Don’t you want to hire the best for the role, not just based on skin color?” (56:11).
11. Media Manipulation and Fact-Checking
- Targeted attack against Barack Obama’s call for government to regulate ‘news’ and fact-checking (01:11:41).
- Warns this would crush dissent and weaponize 'truth' for power.
- Rubin affirms First Amendment protections, decrying government overreach.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Zohran Mamdani Lying:
“He just can’t tell the truth. But what this really is about is the victimhood, his desire for victimhood.” (09:51) -
On Islamophobia & Hitchens:
“Islamophobia, a word created by fascists and used by cowards to manipulate morons.” – Christopher Hitchens (11:01) -
On Jon Stewart’s Endorsement:
“He’s actually gross… It’s an underserved community of Democrat socialists, and it’s—so what?” (17:24) -
On Decline of Cities:
“When you choose decline… when you choose leftism… you can destroy your city.” (25:28) -
On Newsom’s Lies:
“Everything that evil lizard snake person says is a lie designed to maximize his power and break your brain.” (38:55) -
On Political Psychopathy:
“The psychopath either can’t or won’t do that. Psychopaths have no compassion, but they don’t learn from experience either.” – Jordan Peterson (41:34) -
On Biden & Harris:
“Just, why not say, you know what… we really realized how bad… why not do it?” (47:44) -
On DEI & Press Secretary Identity:
“She was horrible, inept, incompetent, buffoonish, but black and queer.” (58:40) -
On Obama & Info Control:
“You want the government to have the power to tell us what is fact or fiction? That is the ground zero of stupidity when it comes to leftism.” (01:12:05)
Important Timestamps
- Opening & Trip Recap: 00:04–04:02
- Intro to Mamdani Scandal: 05:35–09:51
- Islamophobia & Hitchens Quote: 11:01–13:02
- Jon Stewart Endorsement Satire: 16:14–18:17
- NYC Policing History Clip: 22:07–24:45
- DeSantis on NYC/FL: 27:03–28:55
- Gavin Newsom Segment: 30:07–38:55
- Jordan Peterson on Lying: 41:34–43:45
- Kamala Harris Interview Analysis: 46:25–48:22
- Karine Jean-Pierre Identity Satire: 54:33–58:40
- Barack Obama on Info Control: 01:11:41–01:12:05
Language & Tone
Rubin’s delivery is sarcastic, forceful, and self-assured. The tone throughout is direct, irreverent, and often mocking towards progressive politicians and media personalities. Humor is interlaced with exasperation and occasional incredulity, especially when covering perceived absurdities regarding identity politics, media spin, and leftist narratives.
Conclusion
Dave Rubin’s October 29, 2025 episode is a rapid-fire, no-holds-barred critique of political dishonesty, identity-driven narratives, and the left’s alleged embrace of perpetual victimhood, using Zohran Mamdani’s scandal as a springboard. The show threads various newsmakers (from Gavin Newsom to Jon Stewart, Kamala Harris to Barack Obama) into a tapestry of critique about declining urban governance, the power of honest discourse, and governmental overreach in information control. For those seeking clear talking points and sharp-edged analysis from a right-libertarian perspective, this episode sharply delivers—heavy on skepticism and punchlines, relentless in theme.