Rubin Report - Dave Rubin - Unexpected Iran Decision After Trump Pressure, Border Tragedy, DeSantis Clash | 4/23/26 FIRST LOOK
Aired: 2026-04-23
Duration: 06:16


=== Trump Pressures Iran Over Executions (04:25) ===

[00:00:04]  Good morning, everybody.
[00:00:05]  It's Thursday, April 23rd, 2026, and this is First Look.
[00:00:11]  We've got a big show today global pressure campaigns, a tragic reminder of failed policies here at home, and a major political battle heating up ahead of 2026.
[00:00:23]  Here's what is coming up President Trump pressures Iran, and suddenly, eight women are no longer facing execution.
[00:00:32]  A grieving family speaks out after a brutal killing they say never should have happened.
[00:00:38]  And later, DeSantis versus Democrats as Florida redistricting turns into a full blown political showdown.
[00:00:47]  Let's get into it.
[00:00:48]  We start overseas, where once again strong American leadership is making an impact.
[00:00:54]  President Trump announced that Iran will not execute eight female protesters after he personally called for their release just one day earlier.
[00:01:03]  In a post, Trump said four of the women will be released immediately.
[00:01:08]  And the other four will now face just one month in prison instead of execution.
[00:01:13]  That's not a small change.
[00:01:15]  That's the difference between life and death.
[00:01:18]  Trump thanked Iran's leadership for respecting his request, calling it very good news.
[00:01:24]  Now, predictably, Iran is trying to spin this.
[00:01:27]  Their judiciary is claiming the women were never going to be executed, saying Trump was misled by fake news.
[00:01:35]  But that doesn't line up with what we know.
[00:01:37]  At least one of the women, Bida Hamadi had already been sentenced to death for taking part in protests earlier this year.
[00:01:46]  Her crime included chanting slogans and participating in demonstrations, the kind of thing that gets you executed under that regime.
[00:01:55]  And this is all happening in the context of a much bigger conflict.
[00:01:59]  Trump recently extended a two week ceasefire with Iran while negotiations continue over their nuclear program.
[00:02:07]  His goal is clear end nuclear enrichment.
[00:02:11]  Retrieve roughly 1,000 pounds of highly enriched uranium, and stop Iran from holding the world hostage.
[00:02:19]  And let's not forget, this all started after the regime violently suppressed protests earlier this year, killing thousands.
[00:02:28]  So when you zoom out, this is what leadership looks like pressure applied, results delivered.
[00:02:35]  Now to a heartbreaking story here at home.
[00:02:38]  The parents of Sheridan Gorman, an 18 year old college freshman murdered in Chicago, spoke out for the first time.
[00:02:45]  And they're making something very clear.
[00:02:48]  This was preventable.
[00:02:50]  Gorman was out with friends early in the morning trying to catch a glimpse of the northern lights.
[00:02:55]  Instead, they encountered a masked man with a gun.
[00:02:58]  Sheridan warned her friends to run.
[00:03:01]  She made it about 40 feet, and then she was shot in the back and neck and killed.
[00:03:06]  The suspect?
[00:03:07]  Jose Medina, an illegal immigrant from Venezuela.
[00:03:11]  And here's where this story becomes more than just a tragedy, it becomes a failure of policy.
[00:03:17]  Medina was caught crossing the border illegally in 2023.
[00:03:20]  Border agents flagged him as a danger and a flight risk, and he was still released into the United States under Biden era policies.
[00:03:29]  Later, he was arrested for shoplifting in Chicago.
[00:03:33]  He didn't show up to court.
[00:03:35]  Nothing happened.
[00:03:36]  Because Chicago, like much of Illinois, is a sanctuary jurisdiction, meaning local authorities refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.
[00:03:47]  And now, an innocent young woman is dead.
[00:03:50]  The suspect's defense is already claiming he has the mental capacity of a child due to a past injury.
[00:03:57]  But Sheridan's parents aren't buying it.
[00:04:00]  They pointed out he had the ability to get a gun, wear a mask, wait for victims, and carry out the attack.
[00:04:08]  As her father said, a child does not do that.
[00:04:11]  And her mother said it plainly.
[00:04:13]  This wasn't senseless.
[00:04:15]  It was murder.
[00:04:17]  A preventable murder.
[00:04:18]  And they're demanding accountability, not just for the killer, but for the system that allowed him to be here in the first place.
[00:04:26]  And finally, a political fight is heating up in a big way.

=== Florida Republicans Face Redistricting Threat (01:46) ===

[00:04:29]  After Democrats pushed through a mid-decade redistricting plan in Virginia to boost their chances in Congress, they're now warning Florida Republicans not to do the same.
[00:04:40]  House Democrat leader Hakeem Jeffries even issued a threat.
[00:04:44]  F around and find out.
[00:04:46]  That's the message.
[00:04:47]  But Florida Governor Ron DeSantis?
[00:04:49]  He's not backing down.
[00:04:51]  In fact, he's leaning in.
[00:04:53]  DeSantis responded by basically inviting Jeffries to Florida, saying he'd pay for him to campaign, host him at the governor's mansion, even take him fishing.
[00:05:03]  Why?
[00:05:04]  Because, in his words, nothing would help Florida Republicans more than having a far left Democrat touring the state.
[00:05:12]  He even took a jab at Jeffrey's standing within his own party, suggesting the far left base isn't exactly buying what he's selling.
[00:05:20]  Here's what's actually happening Florida lawmakers are preparing for a special session starting April 28th to redraw congressional districts.
[00:05:29]  The justification?
[00:05:30]  Massive population growth.
[00:05:32]  DeSantis says Florida has experienced 10 years of population growth in just three, meaning the current districts are no longer fairly apportioned.
[00:05:42]  No final map has been released yet, but both parties know what's at stake.
[00:05:46]  Democrats want to block it.
[00:05:48]  Republicans see an opportunity to strengthen their hold.
[00:05:51]  And heading into 2026, this could be one of the biggest political battles in the country.
[00:05:58]  All right, that's your first look this Thursday.
[00:06:00]  Trump applying pressure and getting results overseas, a devastating reminder of failed policies here at home, and a political showdown brewing in Florida.
[00:06:11]  We'll keep tracking all of it.
[00:06:12]  I'm Dave Rubin.
[00:06:13]  Thanks for starting your day with First Look.
[00:06:15]  We'll see you next time.