Gavin Newsom Threatens 100% Tax on Federal Anti-Weaponization Payments to Californians
"Anyone from California that receives any of those funds, we want to tax 100% of those proceeds. And that's an action the state of California can take. It's an action we look forward to taking."
About this episode
On this May 28, 2026 episode of The Rubin Report, host Dave Rubin delivered a sharp contrast between conservative governance in Florida and Texas versus progressive policies in California and New York, framing the 2026 midterms as a choice between government control and individual liberty. The episode opened with California Governor Gavin Newsom threatening to impose a 100% state tax on any Californian receiving federal compensation from the DOJ's Anti-Weaponization Fund, a move Rubin argued violates multiple constitutional protections. Rubin then spotlighted Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announcing a property tax exemption increase to $250,000 for homesteaders, part of four consecutive years of budget cuts, while showcasing New York's Zohran Mamdani pushing government seizure of private buildings and massive public housing expansion. A resurfaced CBS interview with Dr. Jill Biden revealed she thought Joe Biden was having a stroke during the catastrophic 2024 debate, contradicting years of administration assurances about his fitness. Rubin also covered the AI policy divide, featuring Elon Musk's warning to Ted Cruz that China will dominate AI if Taiwan's chip fabrication facilities fall into CCP hands, and Kevin O'Leary's explosive claim that a CCP-linked billionaire named Neville Roy Singham is funding mass anti-AI disinformation campaigns across America. The second half featured a Rubin Report Locals community Q&A, where Rubin discussed his upcoming 50th birthday, his optimism about the future despite online toxicity, and his belief that the horseshoe right will not significantly damage Republican midterm prospects given Trump's 97% MAGA approval rating and 118-for-118 endorsement record.
Key takeaways
- Elon Musk warned Ted Cruz that China will win the AI race if it invades Taiwan and seizes advanced chip fabrication facilities that produce nearly all cutting-edge AI processors.
- Kevin O'Leary revealed CCP-linked billionaire Neville Roy Singham has funneled hundreds of millions into coordinated anti-AI campaigns targeting U.S. data centers and infrastructure.
- Dr. Jill Biden admitted on CBS she thought Joe Biden was having a stroke during the 2024 debate and had never seen him like that before or since, contradicting years of administration claims.
- California Governor Gavin Newsom announced plans to impose a 100% state tax on Californians receiving federal anti-weaponization compensation, likely violating Equal Protection and Bill of Attainder clauses.
- Florida Governor Ron DeSantis unveiled a property tax exemption increase to $250,000 for homesteaders, eliminating property taxes for 60% of Floridians, with a roadmap to full elimination.
- New York City Comptroller Zohran Mamdani announced plans to seize private buildings from landlords and transfer them to tenants, invoking the Marxist principle from each according to their ability.
- Rubin argued the 2026 midterms will hinge on a stark choice between government control championed by Democrats versus individual liberty and tax cuts championed by Republicans like DeSantis.