Mark Levin Podcast – 12/9/25: "History's Overlooked Heroes: The Founders You Should Know"

Episode Overview

Mark Levin’s December 10, 2025, episode is a passionate tribute to forgotten figures of the American founding and an extended live commentary on President Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania. Levin uses his platform to educate listeners about unsung patriots from the Revolution and the Constitutional Convention, drawing parallels to overlooked artists in history. The second half of the episode is dominated by live cuts from Trump’s rally, with Levin interjecting his commentary on political and economic developments.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Underrated Architects of the American Founding (02:14–13:17)

• Levin’s Mission: Levin opens by stating his intent to highlight lesser-known contributors to the American founding, akin to the underappreciated figures of the Impressionist art movement.
  • “Some of those who painted some of the most magnificent impressionist pieces are utterly unknown to the vast majority of us... It’s the same with our founding.” (05:36)
• Lesser-Known Constitutional Signers: Levin lists and describes several delegates:
  • William Samuel Johnson (Connecticut): Self-taught lawyer, played a peacemaking role during the Revolution, accused of British sympathies, later helped draft the Constitution.
  • Richard Bassett (Delaware): Cavalry militia captain, regular attendee at the convention, made no speeches, served on no committees—largely an observer.
  • Jacob Broom (Delaware): Farmer, surveyor, businessman, attended every session.
  • George Read (Delaware): Signed Declaration of Independence, voted against independence at the Continental Congress, championed small states, became a senator.
  • William Few (Georgia): Overcame personal adversity, Georgia senator, federal judge.
• Stats & Context:
  • "There were 70 delegates appointed, 55 attended, 39 signed the Constitution... some of the greatest founders disagreed with it because they thought it gave too much power to the central government." (10:57–11:32)
• Levin’s Educational Mission:
  • “One of my roles here is to fill these gaps... This is a big, big platform. Not just to rant and throw around curse words... I want to promote Americanism.” (12:01–12:35)

2. Haim Solomon – The Financer of the Revolution (14:22–26:31)

• Biographical Sketch:
  • Born in Poland, 1740. Came to New York in 1775, supported the Patriots, member of Sons of Liberty.
  • Arrested multiple times for espionage, escaped British captivity, resettled in Philadelphia.
• Critical Role:
  • Provided vital financing during the Revolution, especially at Yorktown.
    • “Madison, George Washington... turned to him. He helped convert French loans into hard currency, brokered large donations, including a $20,000 loan out of his own money at the request of Washington... enabled Yorktown.” (15:25–16:07)
  • “Without Solomon, that campaign could not have taken place.” (16:16)
  • Gave $650,000 (nearly $15 million today), died penniless because debts were never repaid.
• Advocate for Religious Liberty:
  • Fought discriminatory laws, co-founded the Mikvah Israel synagogue, pushed for religious tests to be removed.
• Unsung Legacy:
  • “What is his legacy? He has no legacy—except for me mentioning him and some of these other men. Haim Solomon deserves a legacy.” (25:25–25:50)
  • “For all the Jew haters out there who pretend to be America Firsters... they don’t even know what the hell they’re talking about.” (26:34–26:49)

3. Levin’s Critique of America-Trashers and Modern Influencers (07:24–13:13, 19:31–20:55)

• Condemnation of Hypocrisy:
  • “This is one of the reasons I get furious at people who trash [America] in the name of claiming they’re America first or MAGA..." (07:24–07:54)
• On Modern Podcasting Culture:
  • “If the podcast business was more oriented toward promoting America... less oriented toward grifters, narcissists, and foul-mouthed buffoons, this country would be better off.” (20:19–20:32)
  • “They’re not influencers, they’re destroyers.” (20:47–20:55)

4. Transition to Trump’s Pennsylvania Rally (32:35–95:02)

Levin’s Introduction & Commentary

• Economic Policy Praise:
  • “The vast majority of his executive orders are intended to reduce the bureaucracy, limit regulations, slash them like no president ever has.” (32:46–33:04)
  • “Trump has put in place a very, very similar program [to Reagan]. And as Reagan would say, stay the course.” (33:57–34:12)
• Electoral Focus:
  • Levin repeatedly highlights the stakes of the upcoming midterms, warning about the influence of disaffected right-wing voices.
  • “If we lose the midterm elections, you can thank Tucker Carlson, you can thank Candace Owens, you can thank Steve Bannon… they will cause us the election.” (37:22–37:52)

Trump Rally Highlights

(Selected highlights and notable quotes. Timestamps refer to Trump content as broadcast in the podcast.)

Opening Remarks & “Merry Christmas”

• "Remember when I started in 2015, I made my first speech and I said, we're going to bring back Christmas? Remember? ... Now everybody's saying merry Christmas again." (45:50–46:21, Trump)

Economic Achievements

• "Since my inauguration, we've created nearly 60,000 new Pennsylvania jobs, including 4,000 Pennsylvania manufacturing jobs... Under our leadership, more than 40,000 Pennsylvanians have been lifted off of food stamps." (48:45–49:08, Trump)
• "We're running this country right. We're also putting thousands of dollars in the pockets of hardworking Pennsylvanians with the largest tax cuts in American history." (85:28–85:57, Trump)
• "That's no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, no tax on Social Security. For our great seniors.... and all of that kicks in on January 1st." (85:57–86:12, Trump)

Energy Policy & “Drill, baby, drill”

• "America affordable again. That's what we're going to do. And again they caused the high prices and we're bringing them down. It's a simple message. If I had one message tonight… America affordable again." (57:09, Trump)
• "We have a very simple policy... Drill, baby, drill." (84:02–84:05, Trump)

Border & Immigration

• "If you don't share our values, contribute to our economy and assimilate into our society, then we don't want you in our country." (100:48–101:01, Trump)
• “They have no money and yet they come into our country and steal tens of billions of dollars. How stupid are we to allow that to happen?” (101:28–101:42, Trump)

Domestic Policy: Social Issues

• "We've cut federal funding for any school that pushes critical race theory or transgender insanity. No more money. We banned the chemical surgical mutilation of children... We stopped men from playing in women's sports." (106:33–106:54, Trump)

Foreign Policy & Military

• "In 10 months, I ended eight wars including Kosovo, Serbia, Pakistan and India. ... Knocking out ISIS in four weeks." (105:53–106:09, Trump)

Personal Testimony & Praise

• “He has a way of communicating with the American people that nobody does.” (77:24, Levin)
• “I don't know how this man does it. President, what is he, 78, 79 years old? He's happy, he's engaged, sharp as a tack. Just incredible.” (92:17–92:26, Levin)

Memorable Rally Moments

• Trump’s crowd banter, including inviting local figures to stand, joking about teleprompters, complimenting audience members, and an emotional story about wounded National Guardsmen and their families. (67:13–69:37)
• “My all-time favorite chart was the chart I had in Butler… how great employment was and all this.” (73:44–73:57, Trump)
• Lighthearted jabs at public figures, including Ilhan Omar (“She married her brother to get in, therefore she's here illegally. She should get the hell out, throw the hell out. She does nothing but complain.” *(63:54–63:56, Trump)) and Jimmy Kimmel.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• On unknown Founders:
  “How many have heard of William Samuel Johnson? … A self-taught lawyer, as many lawyers were back then...” (07:54–08:11, Levin)
• On the role of Haim Solomon:
  “Without Solomon, that campaign [Yorktown] could not have taken place.” (16:16, Levin)
• On the role of the podcast:
  “One of my roles here is to fill these gaps... I want to promote Americanism.” (12:07–12:35, Levin)
• On economic policy:
  “Trump has put in place a very, very similar program [to Reagan]. And as Reagan would say, stay the course.” (33:57–34:12, Levin)
• On modern political debate:
  "They're not influencers, they're destroyers." (20:55, Levin)
• On remembering overlooked patriots:
  "You will be remembered as great patriots who spoke out when you needed to speak out. You will be the Haim Solomons, you will be the Paul Reveres, you will be the Thomas Paines." (30:49–31:09, Levin)

Structure & Flow

• First 30 minutes: Levin’s teaching on unsung founders, why their stories matter, and the example of financier Haim Solomon.
• Middle section (~30:00–77:00): Shift to Trump’s live event, with analysis and praise from Levin.
• Final section: Continued Trump rally coverage, wrapping with discussion of the midterms and Levin’s strong endorsement of the President’s economic and policy approach.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:14–12:35: Forgotten Founders and stories from the Constitutional Convention
• 14:22–26:31: The story of Haim Solomon
• 32:35–37:54: Transition to Trump rally and economic policy briefing
• 45:00–108:47: Mark Levin's live coverage/interjection and Donald Trump’s Pennsylvania Rally (interspersed)
• 108:47–109:54: Closing commentary and reflection

Tone and Language

• Mark Levin: Direct, passionate, sometimes combative. Pride in American history, contempt for "grifters," and a clearly conservative, patriotic vision.
• Donald Trump: Boisterous, energetic, colloquial, blending serious policy points with crowd banter and signature humor.

Summary

This episode is a two-part experience: first, a compelling lesson on America’s unsung founders (especially Haim Solomon), and second, a lively, extended sharing of President Trump’s Pennsylvania rally, with Levin’s analysis. Both halves echo Levin's enduring message: American greatness depends on remembering—and living up to—the sacrifices of lesser-known heroes, confronting modern threats to patriotism, and recognizing economic revival through conservative governance.

For Further Listening

• For continued founder profiles, tune in to future episodes as Levin promises a series highlighting hidden patriots during America’s 250th anniversary year.
• For those interested in deep dives into American history, check timestamps 02:14–26:31.
• For Trump’s economic and policy roadshow with Mark Levin’s interpretation, start at 32:35.