Trump FLOATS Taking Cuba (Plus: Joy Reid COMPARES US To Iran) | RISING - Rising Recap

Podcast: Rising

Published: 2026-03-17

Duration: 50 min

What Happened

Robbie Soave criticized the late Paul Ehrlich's predictions on overpopulation, noting that his warnings about mass starvation due to rising global population were proven wrong. Soave argued that Ehrlich's recommendations for government-imposed limits on family size were extreme and unnecessary, as technological advancements have allowed for increased food production, especially in countries like India.

The discussion also covered President Trump's recent comments on potentially taking control of Cuba. Trump stated he could take or free Cuba, claiming it would be an honor. The conversation highlighted Cuba's current struggles, including an island-wide blackout and civil unrest, exacerbated by U.S. sanctions blocking oil shipments.

Lindsay Joy Reid's comments on comparing the U.S. to Iran drew criticism from conservatives online. Reid highlighted issues like women's rights and abortion access in the U.S., suggesting that America is only marginally better than Iran in these areas. This sparked a debate on whether such comparisons are valid or hyperbolic.

Kristi Noem, former DHS Secretary, faces a perjury investigation after allegations that she misled Congress about ICE detention practices and a $220 million DHS ad campaign. While Democrats push for the DOJ to investigate, DHS has denied any wrongdoing, calling the accusations a political stunt.

RFK Jr.'s proposed changes to vaccine policy were blocked by a federal judge, who ruled that the changes bypassed the traditional scientific review process. The judge emphasized the importance of relying on independent experts to guide vaccine recommendations, highlighting concerns about public trust in vaccines.

President Trump criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom's dyslexia, suggesting it should disqualify him from the presidency. Trump labeled Newsom a low IQ person, which drew responses emphasizing that dyslexia does not equate to low intelligence. Newsom himself encouraged those with learning disabilities not to be discouraged by Trump's remarks.

Key Insights

• Robbie Soave argued that Paul Ehrlich's predictions about overpopulation were misguided, as technological advancements have enabled increased food production, disproving Ehrlich's scarcity concerns.
• President Trump's comments about potentially taking control of Cuba highlight ongoing tensions and the impact of U.S. sanctions, which have contributed to Cuba's current economic and social struggles.
• Joy Reid's comparison of the U.S. to Iran on women's rights issues sparked controversy, illustrating the contentious nature of discussions around abortion rights and press freedom in America.
• A federal judge blocked RFK Jr.'s proposed vaccine policy changes, emphasizing the need for scientific processes and expert review to maintain public trust in vaccination programs.