The Rob Burgess Show

https://newsie.social/@therobburgessshow

The Rob Burgess Show is a weekly interview podcast, established March 2016. New episodes drop Fridays. In eight years and over 280 episodes, guests have included New York Times-bestselling authors and Pulitzer Prize winners. Subscribe to my Substack! https://therobburgessshow.substack.com/

How to listen to and support the podcast: https://linktr.ee/therobburgessshow
Subscribe to my Substack: https://therobburgessshow.substack.com/

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Last Notes

2026-05-01 21:29:48 UTC

Thoughts about Graham Platner?

2026-04-19 22:24:54 UTC

Trump’s poll numbers are bad but not bad enough for my taste. I’ve come to the conclusion that at least 1/3 of the country needs intensive cult deprogramming.

2026-04-07 13:14:10 UTC

Pretty incredible that we’re just supposed to go to school or work or whatever today and the mad king just posts about possibly ending the world at 8 p.m. EST.
https://assets.newsie.social/media_attachments/files/116/363/602/831/916/639/original/0cf78ba9a3a7299e.webp

2026-03-25 15:42:37 UTC

Three months without alcohol. Please clap.

2026-03-21 18:54:41 UTC

For no particular reason, was just thinking back to the hundreds of people who were fired for simply accurately quoting Charlie Kirk’s words after his death…
https://assets.newsie.social/media_attachments/files/116/268/680/937/221/003/original/702a7034eb08adee.webp

2026-03-15 16:23:17 UTC

Remember the reason for the season…
https://assets.newsie.social/media_attachments/files/116/234/111/738/981/592/original/41c657b3447d4bf8.webp

2026-03-05 14:37:52 UTC

This war in Iran is projected to cost $1 billion a day. The opportunity cost is staggering. Imagine the problems we could solve with $1 billion a day. Even lighting the money on fire would be less destructive since no one would be hurt or killed by that. This is worse.

2026-03-01 04:37:26 UTC

In your view, when, if ever, is war justified?

2026-02-28 13:52:00 UTC

The FIFA Peace Prize used to mean something…

2026-02-18 18:42:55 UTC

I’ve been thinking about it and here’s a telling difference between AI and other technological advancements: What else has ever been inserted into existing infrastructure without user consent? Every other one I can think of was driven by consumer demand because people wanted it.

2026-01-28 19:30:19 UTC

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https://assets.newsie.social/media_attachments/files/115/974/380/958/267/479/original/2933e0a8630ee52e.jpeg

2026-01-28 01:00:43 UTC

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https://assets.newsie.social/media_attachments/files/115/970/017/755/392/268/original/dd542427a6188b08.mp4

2026-01-28 00:23:01 UTC

The new Republican line about guns makes my head spin: “Don’t bring guns to a protest!” Spare me. First off, how many times did we see them open carry at protests in past years? And second, I read the Second Amendment like they suggested and nowhere in there does it say anything about that. You can’t just make up new rules. This isn’t Calvinball.

2026-01-25 15:38:56 UTC

Hope everyone is staying safe and warm today!

2026-01-25 14:17:38 UTC

Look, if this is what breaks through to the average normie/centrist/doesn't-talk-politics person, great. But I'm weary. I've been in a state of low-level panic for the past decade while being told I'm over-reacting and coming off as too strident the whole while. Welcome to the party, I guess. Where you been?

2026-01-25 01:10:23 UTC

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Of course:
https://assets.newsie.social/media_attachments/files/115/953/068/879/045/542/original/1d7f278365cdb431.jpeg

2026-01-24 23:08:20 UTC

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As the great Howard Zion put it:
https://assets.newsie.social/media_attachments/files/115/952/588/993/755/245/original/700403354c128a15.jpeg

2026-01-24 21:46:28 UTC

For as much sadness and despair as I feel, if their intent was to break the spirit of the people of Minnesota, that does not seem to be working.

2026-01-24 21:12:22 UTC

They lie like they breathe.

2026-01-24 20:53:23 UTC

It makes my blood boil when some of the most powerful people in the country post like they’re just helpless bystanders. One of us can whip caucus votes to block DHS funding, Chuck, and it sure isn’t me.
https://assets.newsie.social/media_attachments/files/115/952/058/324/725/660/original/5408ca12bfc593d8.jpeg

2026-01-24 20:29:01 UTC

The NRA didn’t stand up for Philando Castile, so I won’t be surprised when they shrink away here, too. But, give me a break…

2026-01-24 20:25:39 UTC

My long-held position is that you shouldn’t feel like you personally have to force yourself to watch amateur snuff films to be an engaged citizen. You can get what you need to be informed from print stories from trusted sources.

2026-01-24 20:12:33 UTC

Three more years (at least) of this. Somehow.

2026-01-24 00:36:30 UTC

As seen outside Native Bread in Fishers, Indiana:
https://assets.newsie.social/media_attachments/files/115/947/273/114/012/348/original/ec5e6aca84606ad9.jpeg

2026-01-19 18:08:02 UTC

“It may be true that morality cannot be legislated, but behavior can be regulated. It may be true that the law cannot make a man love me, but it can keep him from lynching me, and I think that's pretty important also.” — MLK

2026-01-17 19:22:59 UTC

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I know regular guest Jonathan Fowler and I talked about this Greenland thing during an episode of the podcast sometime during the first Trump term but I can't remember for the life of me which one it was. I remember thinking it was some fantasy we'd quickly forget. Oh, how naive I was.

2026-01-17 18:29:25 UTC

The Greenland thing has been insane since Trump started talking about it during his first term. He isn't letting it go though and he's doing everything he can to make it happen. Unbelievable it's gotten this far, but we apparently have to hold the line here, too. Nothing is too dumb to remain off the table.

2026-01-16 22:40:19 UTC

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That fact that he shares an ex with Don Jr. is enough to make me question everything about him.

2026-01-16 19:24:00 UTC

Maybe someone smarter than me will have to explain Gavin Newsom’s political instincts because I don’t get it. He trolls Trump well on social media but beyond that I’m baffled.

2026-01-09 23:08:26 UTC

Becoming increasingly clear that Renee Good wasn’t killed because ICE was in fear for their lives but because she wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of showing she was afraid.

2026-01-09 22:03:53 UTC

Well, that’s enough internet for one week, I think.

2026-01-08 18:43:57 UTC

I feel like the Venn diagram of folks who were trying to get people fired for their Charlie Kirk posts and the people who are celebrating the death of that woman yesterday is probably just a circle.

2026-01-01 01:10:04 UTC

I read 15 books in 2023.
I read 18 books in 2024.
I read 20 books in 2025.
Progress.

2025-11-22 21:57:57 UTC

Ignorance is bliss. Especially when it comes to intimate lives of Olivia Nuzzi, Ryan Lizza, Keith Olberman, RFK Jr. and Mark Sanford. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, I implore you not to investigate further.

2025-11-22 02:43:56 UTC

MTG is out of Congress and Trump loves Mamdani. That's what I call a Friday news dump.

2025-11-22 01:21:29 UTC

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Trump’s sudden flattery of Mamdani is so embarrassing for everyone who voted for this on both sides. Mamdani didn’t back down. Trump was totally charmed. House Democrats capitulated for nothing.

2025-11-21 19:27:10 UTC

Why did so many House Democrats go along with this? Every single Republican fell in line on the other side, so why can’t Democratic leadership unite and tell them to kick rocks? Giving into this performative nonsense just emboldens the right. https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/11/21/congress/house-denounces-horrors-of-socialism-00664412

2025-11-15 19:02:24 UTC

I was talking to my brother-in-law the other day and he said a right-wing theory someone was trying to tell him was that Trump was actually a spy and he was sent to infiltrate Epstein’s circle. Which is … wow, I guess that’s all they’ve got left in the tank at this point.

2025-11-13 23:38:58 UTC

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“Actually, the term is…”
Stop. We don’t have to do this.

2025-11-13 22:28:15 UTC

These Epstein emails are vile. And also apparently not as bad as what they’re still worried about hiding!

2025-11-13 15:52:07 UTC

In case you’re wondering where this is all heading:
https://assets.newsie.social/media_attachments/files/115/543/187/301/218/359/original/72574f1499804f76.jpeg

2025-11-11 02:12:14 UTC

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I would say, "Dems in disarray!" but that isn't it. Every Democrat I know personally is furious at this cave. It's the leadership that couldn't fight its way out of a paper bag.

2025-11-10 19:58:20 UTC

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Is the only silver lining that we may now see the Epstein files?

2025-11-10 16:48:50 UTC

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Every fighter knows when you’ve got your opponent on the ropes, you immediately fall to ground and assume the fetal position.

2025-11-10 16:41:39 UTC

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I’m old enough to remember as far back as six days ago when voters nationwide rejected Trump. What lesson has Democratic leadership taken from this?

2025-11-10 15:25:31 UTC

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If Democrats would ever like to wield power again, Schumer has got to go as leader.

2025-11-10 15:24:47 UTC

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https://theonion.com/chuck-schumer-helps-pull-democrats-back-from-brink-of-courage/

2025-11-10 15:22:29 UTC

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Democrats are like if the Washington Generals were a political party. Allergic to winning!

2025-11-10 15:21:50 UTC

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https://assets.newsie.social/media_attachments/files/115/526/080/904/232/397/original/3f291efde53509e9.jpeg

2025-11-10 15:20:16 UTC

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“I am not a member of any organized political party. I am a Democrat.” — Will Rogers

2025-11-10 15:19:14 UTC

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“A liberal is a man too broadminded to take his own side in a quarrel.” — Robert Frost

2025-11-10 15:12:07 UTC

Democrats, man. Who else could snatch defeat from the jaws of victory like them?

2025-10-27 19:07:53 UTC

If you want to make sure your musical instruments look like mine, be sure to check them with Southwest Airlines.
https://assets.newsie.social/media_attachments/files/115/447/697/983/681/212/original/d4e65e9307b17a37.jpeg
https://assets.newsie.social/media_attachments/files/115/447/697/983/403/562/original/f800f7dfc7773d67.jpeg
https://assets.newsie.social/media_attachments/files/115/447/697/982/456/845/original/89ee07b8c3ec44c8.jpeg
https://assets.newsie.social/media_attachments/files/115/447/697/975/629/995/original/b772bde71f9a690f.jpeg

2025-10-23 15:05:23 UTC

Tired of seeing Nazism becoming so mainstream.

2025-10-23 14:50:08 UTC

A tired game to play, but If Obama had bulldozed the East Wing of the White House, Republicans would have said what, exactly?

2025-10-19 16:16:52 UTC

In response to No Kings, Trump apparently posted an AI video of him flying a plane with the words “KING TRUMP” and dumping what looks to be diarrhea on fake protestors below. Which doesn’t exactly disprove any of the criticisms of him voiced by the millions of actual protestors yesterday. Also after the MedBed thing, there’s a non-zero chance Trump believes this is a real thing he actually did.

2025-10-13 19:59:24 UTC

Not a fan of conservatives claiming ownership of what make something “American” when they clearly hate most of the people living here.

2025-10-04 17:42:48 UTC

If someone is wearing a mask with no ID and is pulling people into unmarked vans, is it ICE or just someone pretending to be? How are people supposed to tell the difference?

2025-09-24 16:06:50 UTC

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Sounds like a skill issue, mate.

2025-09-24 15:29:22 UTC

Aren’t we always hearing from MAGA folks that Trump is super athletic and manly and doesn’t use teleprompters? So why would they care if his elevator turned into stairs and his teleprompter broke at the UN?

2025-09-19 12:56:54 UTC

Good thing I don’t live in North Korea. Something like this could never happen here, right?
https://assets.newsie.social/media_attachments/files/115/231/071/294/903/414/original/4cb8eafe650bbf21.jpeg

2025-09-18 17:49:25 UTC

Feb. 4, 1939
https://assets.newsie.social/media_attachments/files/115/226/559/338/418/671/original/531504fdaab30b20.jpeg

2025-09-13 18:20:55 UTC

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They are going to try to make the Groypers left wing just to square this circle:
https://assets.newsie.social/media_attachments/files/115/198/371/587/816/164/original/b6624f457c99c1f0.jpeg

2025-09-13 17:34:56 UTC

https://assets.newsie.social/media_attachments/files/115/198/190/868/943/290/original/b8473b725a341850.jpeg

2025-09-12 17:20:36 UTC

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When will this white-on-white violence stop? Where are the fathers?

2025-09-12 17:00:25 UTC

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https://assets.newsie.social/media_attachments/files/115/192/392/363/458/455/original/070638d00b331709.jpeg

2025-09-12 16:02:31 UTC

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Honestly as soon as I heard it was a shot from 200 yards away I knew the shooter would turn out to be right wing.

2025-09-12 14:32:11 UTC

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Also the Kirk shooter seems to be MAGA. Is it still the left’s fault somehow?

2025-09-12 14:20:54 UTC

I wonder how the new right wing hagiography of Charlie Kirk squares the idea of him being a free speech advocate with the Professor Watchlist.

2025-09-12 02:41:12 UTC

One reason I try not to make regrettable public statements is that I would not like that to be part of my legacy.

2025-09-12 02:33:08 UTC

It’s telling that the right views an accurate recounting of Charlie Kirk’s public statements as a smear.

2025-08-22 19:53:00 UTC

People know the aphorism, "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery," but I think the full quote is much more incisive:
"Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness."
That last part is important.

2025-08-14 01:51:45 UTC

Finding out someone from a band I loved when I was younger is a Trumper now is the quickest way to kill my nostalgia for listening to their music. Yikes.

2025-08-12 23:19:49 UTC

MAGA is very tough and manly which is why they are deathly afraid of cities.

2025-07-31 19:21:39 UTC

Republicans are against masks when they’re to protect our neighbors from a deadly pandemic, but for them when it comes to ICE agents jumping out of windowless vans to disappear people? Just making sure I have this straight.

2025-07-27 21:41:42 UTC

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I feel like everyone is waiting for some big revelation when Trump has been advertising who and what he is loud and clear in public for decades.

2025-07-27 17:45:36 UTC

We all know what Trump was doing with Epstein. There’s no mystery here.

2025-07-18 22:38:50 UTC

Be honest: How likely do you think this Epstein scandal is to actually result in consequences for Trump? Will his base ever leave him?

2025-07-06 19:50:50 UTC

I have a hard time thinking Jesus would be a concentration camp fan, but some “Christians” in this country somehow think otherwise.

2025-06-26 19:49:46 UTC

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and now that Cuomo has been vanquished the Democratic elite want to back an independent run by Eric Adams?! Resurrecting the political career of the sex predator didn’t work so let’s try resurrecting the criminal?!

2025-06-26 19:34:50 UTC

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Probably the most frustrating part is that this vacuum allows fake populists like Trump the space to claim the populist mantle while doing nothing for the people. And the Democrats don’t have an answer because they keep suppressing these grassroots movements in their own midst.

2025-06-26 19:03:52 UTC

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Anyway I wrote this years ago and things haven’t changed much since then: https://www.nuvo.net/voices/burgess-dont-write-off-your-base-democrats/article_f27d53f6-12a2-11e9-96d7-2fa8ba5d1110.html

2025-06-26 19:00:01 UTC

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The Democrats’ concerns seem to be rooted in the idea that they’ll alienate voters but running to the center got us another four years of Trump. As I’ve often said, I wish the Democrats were actually the Democrats that Republicans keep warning us about. They’re going to call you socialist anyway, so why not lean into it for once? You’ve lost all the levers of power being feckless. Maybe try something else for a change? It couldn’t be worse than it is now, could it?

2025-06-26 18:54:17 UTC

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“Oh no! People love policies that directly make their lives better! We must stop this!” https://apnews.com/article/new-york-mayor-zohran-mamdani-trump-biden-1561ca0aa1821f88b97603f00221b64f

2025-06-26 18:51:45 UTC

No one can snatch defeat from the jaws of victory like the Democrats which is why they will do everything possible to crush popular figures like Mamdani. Just ask Bernie.

2025-06-23 22:39:55 UTC

We are in deep when MTG and Tucker Carlson are emerging as the sane wing of the Republican Party.

2025-06-22 15:44:44 UTC

Luckily, pre-emptive military campaigns in the Middle East are notoriously easy to win and have no unintended consequences.

2025-06-13 01:24:13 UTC

I listened to a podcast while driving today. My phone was connected to the speakers. Later I found that Facebook listened to the podcast that the phone itself was playing and started showing me ads for things mentioned specifically in the episode also on the phone. The snake eats its own tail.

2025-06-05 20:43:04 UTC

Elon is attacking Trump for his Epstein ties in a way Democrats are unwilling or unable to do because they know Bill Clinton has the same issue. So they’re fighting with one hand tied behind their back. Something to think about.

2025-05-13 14:54:23 UTC

Once again, Republicans are all about state’s rights when it suits them. Otherwise, it’s like the 10th Amendment doesn’t exist.
https://assets.newsie.social/media_attachments/files/114/501/094/821/145/884/original/439126eff474589e.jpeg

2025-03-02 00:37:42 UTC

Every time I think about Zelensky’s meeting with Trump and Vance I get angry all over again. The most shameful display of an American administration in my lifetime.

2025-03-01 19:29:08 UTC

https://assets.newsie.social/media_attachments/files/114/088/826/982/915/038/original/c1afc15574839de0.webp

2025-03-01 00:00:09 UTC

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I hope every Republican who enabled Trump this past decade is proud of themselves.

2025-02-28 18:24:43 UTC

I feel so bad for Ukraine. Trump is betraying democracy right now.

2025-02-23 00:30:01 UTC

They’re not really trying to hide it any longer
https://assets.newsie.social/media_attachments/files/114/050/373/976/292/341/original/f29115208fb97d6c.webp

2025-02-14 19:04:40 UTC

Happy Valentine’s Day! (dun, dun)
https://assets.newsie.social/media_attachments/files/114/003/795/838/490/288/original/1923dd5e81f4a19e.jpeg

2025-02-13 01:55:17 UTC

And there you have it
https://assets.newsie.social/media_attachments/files/113/994/086/218/120/805/original/9250a066badf9e26.jpeg

2025-02-04 14:50:33 UTC

I’m sure Republicans would have been just fine with it if, say, Obama had given our Social Security and bank data access to unelected billionaire George Soros.

2025-01-25 22:32:24 UTC

Mitch McConnell could have voted to impeach and we would not be here right now. Anything he does now to resist Trump is too little too late.

2025-01-21 22:10:22 UTC

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Predictable but depressing that many articles can’t seem to call this anything other than a “curious gesture.” Please. Elon knew what he was doing. (Twice.) The white supremacists in the crowd knew when they cheered wildly. No one is actually confused here.