The Josh Hammer Show Rubio's Message to Europe: Wake Up!
Feb 16, 2026
Erick Erickson, syndicated talk radio host and Republican strategist, joins to preview the 2026 midterms and analyze party risks. He and Josh debate GOP competence, the stakes for control of Congress, and how economic perception and policy choices like reconciliation could sway voters. They also discuss U.S. posture toward Iran and the implications for American strategy.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Auschwitz Rock On The Desk
- Josh Hammer mentions he keeps a rock from Auschwitz on his desk as a daily reminder of European horrors.
- He uses it to acknowledge Europe's tragic past while defending its civilizational achievements.
Encourage Allied Self-Reliance
- Do encourage allies to be self-sufficient and proud of their heritage to deter adversaries from testing collective strength.
- Rubio urges allies to stop being shackled by guilt and instead defend shared civilization.
Europe's Declining Strategic Capacity
- Europe has weakened militarily and politically since the Cold War and risks failing to defend Western civilization.
- Hammer argues the U.S. cannot indefinitely shoulder Europe's defense if Europe lacks resolve and military capacity.
