This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von — Episode #628: Tucker Carlson

Release Date: December 10, 2025
Host: Theo Von
Guest: Tucker Carlson

Episode Overview

Theo Von is joined by Tucker Carlson — host, interviewer, and recently ranked in the top ten podcasts nationwide — for a sprawling, candid, and often irreverent conversation. The episode mixes comedy and cultural critique, diving into topics from erectile dysfunction anecdotes to heavy-hitting analyses of American politics, media corruption, foreign policy, and the Gaza conflict. The two grapple with the state of truth, integrity, and justice in contemporary America, injecting humor and vulnerability along the way.

Notable Discussion Points & Insights

1. Nicotine, Erectile Dysfunction, and "Alp" (00:00–14:00)

• Theo kicks off joking about his erectile dysfunction in his 20s, “I had pretty bad erectile dysfunction in my 20s. And the lies I'd have to make up...” (04:02)
• The comic recounts living with a 70-year-old man mainly to steal his Viagra; segues into a tongue-in-cheek chat about the stigma and humor of ED.
• Tucker details how a joke about Zyn nicotine pouches on Theo’s previous show resulted in legal threats from Philip Morris, inspiring him to create a competing brand, Alp.
  • “I decided, I'm gonna make a competing product. And we did.” (07:31)
• Absurd rumor that “most Zyn users use it rectally” leads to running jokes about “oral only” pouches.

2. Formative Experiences & Success (14:00–16:20)

• Tucker shares thoughts on business success with Alp, revealing it's his first foray into commerce and it feels “embarrassing” how well it’s done.
• Guests at the Alp party included Mel Gibson, Vince Vaughn, and Jimmy John, illustrating the social circles involved.

3. Media, Cable Decline, and Podcasting Success (15:12–17:00)

• Theo congratulates Tucker on his top-10 podcast status.
• Tucker disses the culture of compliments in media, saying, “No compliments. I don't believe in that... That's the fastest way to rot your soul.” (15:27)
• The rapid migration from cable to new media and texting culture discussed.

4. Antisemitism Accusations & Identity Politics (16:51–21:54)

• Conversation pivots to serious territory: both discuss antisemitism accusations, with Tucker describing being labeled as such as a tool for control and societal division.
  • “They do it to make you into what they call you. They are trying to make you a hater. And that is, like, the key insight I've had over the last year.” (17:58)
• Critique on how identity accusations distract from real issues and faults: “They attack me on the things that I'm not. Why?... It's a form of control.”

5. Truth, Instincts, and Spiritual Resistance (21:54–25:14)

• Tucker argues we’ve moved “past rational argument”, recommending reliance on faith, love, and instinct: “We're at a stage where the only thing you can trust is God, the love of other people and your own God-given instincts.” (21:37)
• Theo voices bewilderment about the American response to the Gaza war and the mainstreaming of violence against civilians.
  • “At what point do people not trust what they're seeing anymore?” (22:33)

6. The Power Structures & the Loss of Agency (25:14–37:31)

• Tucker posits that the people with power — “the world's richest people,” not any ethnic group — make decisions, not ordinary citizens.
  • “Big decisions are made not by nations or kings or presidents... the world's richest people.” (27:12)
• Epstein’s case and government secrecy are cited as prime examples of institutional failure.
• Both discuss loss of national purpose and how traditions and meaning are challenged.

7. Purpose, Truth, and Freedom (37:31–41:21)

• Tucker distills the answer to contemporary existential dread:
  • “The first purpose is to love the people around you in your immediate orbit. And the second purpose is to tell the truth.” (35:49, 36:17)
• Theo laments the loss of faith in American systems; Tucker urges accepting the lack of control as liberating, advocating inner strength over external reliance.

8. On American Decline & Adaptation (41:21–47:00)

• The two reflect on generational responses to the shattering of American ideals, the collapse of cable media, and the necessity of adaptability.
  • “Strength is not actually the quality that helps you persevere... It's flexibility, the ability to pivot.” (42:28)

9. Fairness, Genocide, and the Gaza Conflict (47:00–52:05)

• Extended exchange on the moral clarity (or lack thereof) in America’s response to Gaza and the Israeli government.
  • “We do not kill people or expel them… because of their bloodline… That's the enemy of civilization right there.” (47:00)
• Discussion of American policies, subconscious biases, and double standards.

10. Rigged Institutions, Media Critique, and New Paradigms (52:05–89:00)

• Both lambast the decline of creativity, meritocracy, and integrity in American media, referencing Bari Weiss and Bill Ackman as mediocrities elevated by a corrupt system.
  • “If you pay close attention and you realize that the people running everything are stupid, then you think, well, actually the system is truly rigged.” (83:00)
• Speculation on old institutions dying and hope for creative, honest alternatives (podcasting, independent platforms).

11. Tech, Social Media, and Censorship Fears (89:00–107:38)

• AI, TikTok, the role of big tech in manipulation, and fears of YouTube censorship:
  • “My fear is... there'll be a crackdown on YouTube, and at that point... that would be a true disaster for the country.” (106:56)
• Fears of hate-speech narratives being used to scrub dissenting voices.

12. Foreign Influence and Political Sincerity (107:38–112:58)

• On foreign governments (especially Israel) using PR/marketing campaigns in the US:
  • “This is basically subliminal messaging. This is an effort to subvert what you think is true by making it dishonest. I'm paying you to lie…” (110:12)
• Sharp critique of politicians being compromised, and the destructive nature of widespread “little” moral compromises in the political class.

13. Christian Leadership, Gaza, and Evangelical Politics (119:34–126:41)

• Tucker’s “real rage” directed at American evangelical pastors who defend Israeli government actions in Gaza: “...their leadership in general has not only refused to condemn it, they've defended it. And at that point it's like, this is the great deception you read about in the New Testament.” (123:16)
• Discussion of church bombings, the Pope’s muted response, and the disappointment in spiritual leadership.

14. Investigating the Charlie Kirk Assassination (139:02–151:51)

• Tucker is critical and suspicious of the lack of transparency around the murder of Charlie Kirk.
  • “If you want the system to continue, you have to satisfy people the system is real. And if they're convinced that it's not real, at some point they'll overthrow it.” (145:26)
• Points to foreknowledge of the crime via social media, and finds the official story unconvincing.

15. Humor, Humanity, and Closing Reflections (151:51–End)

• Return to lighter banter — on Candace Owens, gay friends, slurs as “pay-per-view,” and playful riffs about past odd jobs and social taboos.
  • “I had to steal [Viagra]. I had to sneak in there and eat some of it at night.” (159:58)
• Theo asks Tucker if he fears any backlash, to which he replies nonchalantly: “I'm already. I was already voted Nazi of the week... I don't care. It's a lie.” (160:06)
• The conversation closes on a note of resilience and optimism, with both emphasizing the importance of telling the truth and loving those around you.

Notable Quotes

“They do it to make you into what they call you. They are trying to make you a hater.”
— Tucker Carlson (17:58)

“We're at a stage where the only thing you can trust is God, the love of other people and your own God given instincts.”
— Tucker Carlson (21:37)

“You just have to lock in your pilot light of what you feel is right and wrong.”
— Theo Von (21:54)

“We are being oppressed by dumb people… We imagine they're geniuses because they're evil. But we miss the obvious signs that these people are stupid.”
— Tucker Carlson (93:48)

“If you're telling me we have a duty to support Israel because a verse in Genesis tells you that… What does that mean? What is the Israel you're talking about? Shut up, Nazi.”
— Tucker Carlson (125:16)

“I feel so much better because I just concluded that everything you suspect is true… And the good things in life are still amazing. You can make a difference by telling the truth.”
— Tucker Carlson (158:41)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Nicotine, Erectile Dysfunction, and "Alp"............[00:00–14:00]
• Media Success and Decline of Cable...................[15:12–17:00]
• Accusations of Antisemitism..........................[16:51–21:54]
• Truth, Instinct, Spirituality........................[21:54–25:14]
• Epstein, Power Structures, Agency....................[25:14–37:31]
• Purpose, Freedom, Truth..............................[37:31–41:21]
• American Decline, Adaptability.......................[41:21–47:00]
• Fairness and Gaza Conflict...........................[47:00–52:05]
• Rigged Institutions & Media Critique.................[52:05–89:00]
• Tech, Social Media, Censorship.......................[89:00–107:38]
• Foreign Influence and Sincerity.....................[107:38–112:58]
• Evangelical Politics and Spiritual Leadership........[119:34–126:41]
• Charlie Kirk Assassination..........................[139:02–151:51]
• Humanity, Humor, and Closing........................[151:51–end]

Episode Tone & Style

The conversation oscillates between irreverent, deeply personal, and dead serious. Theo’s comedic storytelling sets a tone of candor, even as the discussion dives into controversial and often sensitive topics. Tucker responds with forthrightness, occasional self-deprecation, and a persistent focus on honesty, spiritual fortitude, and civic courage. Both take regular detours for laughter and absurdity, keeping the episode’s heavy content approachable, if sometimes darkly comedic.

For Listeners

This episode is an unfiltered, sprawling exploration of American anxieties, political reality, and what it means to seek purpose and truth in confusing times. Expect signature Theo Von humor, stark critiques, and the rare vulnerability that comes from honest conversation — all delivered in a style that keeps it engaging, unsettling, and surprisingly hopeful.