Real America’s Voice – American Sunrise

Episode Date: December 18, 2025
Podcast: American Sunrise (iHeartPodcasts/Real America’s Voice)
Hosts: Dr. Gina, David Brody, Terrence Bates
Featured Guests: Ben Berkwam, Cliff May, Oscar “El Blue” Ramirez, Colton Moore, Andy Biggs, Steve Gruber, Benny Ray Harmony, Jake Novak

Episode Overview

This December 18th episode of American Sunrise dives into a busy news day, anchored in coverage of major conservative events, current American political developments, and live updates from Turning Point USA’s America Fest (AM Fest). The show also explores reactions to President Trump’s recent White House address, U.S. foreign policy moves against Venezuela, reactions to tragedies at home and abroad, as well as lively debates on issues like gun control, healthcare, and the legal climate surrounding Trump and his associates.

The episode’s tone is energetic, often intermingling policy discussion and personal commentary, with an emphasis on protecting American family values, constitutional rights, and faith-based perspectives.

Key Episode Segments & Insights

[03:54] Show Kickoff & Hosts’ Banter (Culture, Patriotism, Christmas Music)

• Hosts introduce themselves from Palm Beaches (Gina), Washington, D.C. (David), and Denver (Terrence).
• Light-hearted debate about Christmas music sets a collegial and humorous tone.

[05:14] President Trump’s White House Address: Review & Reaction

• Trump’s Message (Recap):
  Trump discussed affordability issues, border security, “America First” positions, claimed opponents fostered chaos and harm, and celebrated the end of his first year of the second term (“after just one year, we have achieved more…”).
• David Brody’s Critique [06:16]:
  “That was a waste of time. That’s what I made of it. Womp, womp, where was the big reveal?...I’m used to yesteryear presidential addresses where you actually, if you’re going to say something from the White House, say something really, like important, not a campaign speech.”
• Dr. Gina’s Take [07:33]:
  President Trump “cannot do what he did last night. He cannot sit with no audience and stare at a blank screen…His best asset is his personality and his ability to relate to an audience.”
• Terrence agrees [08:29]:
  Positive to see the president, but the speech felt like a miss.

Memorable Quote:

“President Trump cannot do what he did last night...His energy is always off when he does it and it just never comes across with his best assets.”
– Dr. Gina (07:33)

[09:06] Preview: Turning Point USA AM Fest & Legacy of Charlie Kirk

• AM Fest Preview:
  • Honoring Charlie Kirk’s legacy
  • “Most conservative generation...in well over 50 years.”
  • Major speakers: JD Vance, Erica Kirk, Steve Bannon, Jack Posobiec
• David Brody [09:14]:
  “America Fest brings together the boldest voices, the biggest ideas, and the next generation of American leadership all in one powerful four-day event...a rallying cry for faith, freedom, and the American spirit.”

[10:17] AM Fest On-the-Ground Reports – Ben Berkwam [Law & Border]

• Security & Mood [10:29]:
  AM Fest venue under heavy security due to heightened threats and absence of Charlie Kirk this year.
• Spiritual Division & Healing [11:05]:
  “I pray that we come together and, you know, you see all this nonsense with people attacking Turning Point...God has taught me...avoid division and distraction.”
• Debate vs. Division [13:34]:
  “Charlie was all about debate on all sides, bringing people together...Let’s have a conversation is exactly Charlie’s heart in all this.”

Memorable Quote:

“Avoid division and distraction...Having those voices that may disagree coming together and saying, let’s have a conversation is exactly Charlie’s heart in all this.”
– Ben Berkwam (13:31)

• Candace Owens Mention, Spiritual Warfare:
  Internal debates and criticisms are seen as part of “spiritual warfare.”
• Leadership Vacuum after Charlie Kirk:
  Transition to Erica leading, lack of a clear new male figure especially for young men.

[15:01] On Demanding Answers & Conspiracy Theories

• Open Questioning:
  Hosts and guests discuss the need for honest questions about controversial issues (assassinations, 9/11, leadership transitions).
• David Brody [15:15]:
  “Asking the questions, I think, is absolutely legitimate...but don’t conflate those with the answers.”

[20:05] White House Plaques & Policy Moves [David Zier Live]

• New Presidential Plaques:
  Trump’s “Presidential Walk of Fame” features biting descriptions: e.g. “Sleepy Joe Biden” labeled as “by far the worst president in American history”.
• Executive Action:
  Trump moving to reclassify marijuana to Schedule 3, signing the NDAA ($901 billion defense bill).
• Healthcare Bill:
  Republican bill passes House—mixed reviews, focus on reducing healthcare costs, concerns about Obamacare subsidy extensions.

[24:45] National Weather & Historic Moments

• Weather Segment:
  “90 million people across the country are under some type of wind advisory or high wind warning.”
• Today in History:
  The 18th Amendment (Prohibition) ratified in 1917.

[28:13] Foreign Affairs: Trump Blocks Venezuelan Oil, Terror Designations

[28:39] Guest: Cliff May (Foundation for Defense of Democracies)

• Trump’s Move:
  Maduro regime in Venezuela labeled a foreign terrorist organization; oil blockade declared; ships seized.
• Analysis [29:59]:
  “So I think it’s all of the above and more...he doesn’t want South America, Latin America, continuing...being essentially influence-driven, directed by America’s enemies...China, Russia, Iran...Hezbollah...proxies...”
• Return of Monroe Doctrine:
  “It’s back. The Monroe Doctrine is back.”
• Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua cited as key adversaries.

[33:32] Russia/Ukraine Update: Putin’s True Intentions

• Cliff May [34:02]:
  “Let me translate from the Russian what Putin is saying: He’s saying, I’m going to do this militarily or there’s going to be a surrender. He’s not looking for peace...He’s been saying it for years: Ukraine’s not a country.”
  • Details Ukraine’s ongoing suffering, the abduction of Ukrainian children, broader implications for NATO and European security.
• NATO “Red Herring:”
  Unlikely Ukraine would ever join in the foreseeable future due to internal EU politics.

Notable Quote:

“Putin wants victory. Putin doesn’t want compromise. Putin doesn’t want peace. He doesn’t want diplomacy. Very important to understand who this guy is.”
– Cliff May (34:37)

[41:43] Health Segment: Benefits of Gardening

• Gardening may help seniors reduce knee pain/arthritis risk and boost overall wellness.
• “You cannot negate the benefits of grounding...Time you spend outside in the dirt with the best connection to earth is always going to make you healthier.” – Dr. Gina

[44:20] Venezuelan Tensions: Oscar “El Blue” Ramirez Live from Colombia

• Immediate Impact:
  Venezuelan National Guard deployed to all borders with Colombia after Trump designation. High tension and agitation at crossings.
• Risks to Journalists:
  “A journalist from Chile was snatched...by the National Guard of Venezuela, taken into custody over their territory...waited eight hours.”
• Goal of US Policy:
  “Donald Trump is sending a message...to have courage and to stand up against their own government...waiting to see what’s going to be the reaction inside of Venezuela.”

[53:16] Gun Control Debate: Schumer & Brown University/Bondi Beach Attacks

• Sen. Chuck Schumer calls for more gun control:
  “Congress must again act against gun violence and act against all forms of violent hate.”
• Hosts push back [54:12-58:04]:
  • Focus should be on individuals/mental health, not “the vehicle for committing the crimes,” says David Brody.
  • Dr. Gina warns of the dangers in “mental health” becoming a pretext for further restricting rights, concerned about possible leftist bias among mental health professionals.
  • “Every law is someone's morality injected into society.” – Dr. Gina

[61:15] Bondi Beach Attack in Australia: Moment of Faith

• Faith Segment:
  Focus on evil, not politics or religion alone, behind Sydney’s terror attack.
• Jonathan Shuttlesworth (Revival Today):
  • Argues radical Islam, not guns or mental health, is root problem, based on religious teaching.
  • “Can Islam ever coexist with Christianity or Judaism? No, it can’t coexist. Islam can’t even coexist with itself.”

[68:27] Second Hour: Trump Speech Redux, Healthcare, Marijuana Policy

Healthcare & Obamacare Subsidies

• Andy Biggs (AZ Rep.) [73:27]:
  “It’s a nice first step…We’re going to reduce premiums by about 12%...save $30 billion over 10 years.”
• On the process:
  “Disgruntled” that GOP colleagues crossed the aisle to renew Obamacare subsidies.
• Marijuana Reclassification:
  Biggs: “Extraordinarily dangerous, especially with all the data that’s coming out on the rates of schizophrenia and other mental illnesses related to pot.”

[81:15] Fulton County DA Fani Willis Under Fire

• Colton Moore (GA State Senator) [82:03]:
  Willis defends herself before Georgia Senate committee after dismissal of 2020 election case.
  • Accused of being part of “a RICO effort to take down President Trump...”
• Willis’s Responses:
  “Anytime she was pressed on any hard question, she always reverted back to some crazy answer like, ‘Well, you’re only asking that because I’m a black woman, which is absolutely ridiculous.’” – Colton Moore

[86:33] Financial News with Jake Novak

• Inflation Update:
  CPI below expectations; markets rally in response.
• Trump Media Merger:
  Trump Media (Truth Social) in $6 billion all-stock merger with TAE Technologies (Google-backed nuclear fusion company).
• Frontier-Spirit Airlines Rumors:
  “Misery Loves Company Airlines.”

[95:12] Jack Smith Testimony, Trump Investigations, and 2026 Midterms Outlook

• Steve Gruber Analysis [96:26]:
  • “Jack Smith is in the same group of people that are acting politically, not professionally ... because they hate Donald Trump so much they want to make sure they can disable him permanently.”
  • Trump primetime address seen as “ringing the bell” for the 2026 midterms, praised for focus and forcefulness.
  • “People vote their pocketbooks ... Approval numbers coming up ... because of the economic message.”

[104:19] America Fest (AM Fest) Live Update

• Benny Ray Harmony (Phoenix Correspondent) [104:59]:
  • Anticipates ~30,000 attendees, “completely sold out.”
  • Theme: Diverse, sometimes opposing perspectives on issues like Israel on stage (Tucker Carlson, Ben Shapiro).
  • “Younger generation...ability to make their choices for themselves.”
• Charlie Kirk Legacy:
  • Event embraces debate, open discussion, continued growth of conservative movement.

[113:18] Ben Berkwam – Final Preview of AM Fest

• “No other organization...brings together that lineup.”
• Focus: Arena of ideas, unity, faith, and revival in Charlie Kirk’s memory. Emphasis on faith as foundational: “God, family, country.”

Notable Quotes

• On Trump’s Speech:
  “If you’re going to say something from the White House, say something really, like important, not a campaign speech.” — David Brody (06:16)

• On Division in Conservative Circles:
  “Avoid division and distraction...Having those voices that may disagree coming together and saying, let’s have a conversation is exactly Charlie’s heart in all this.”
  — Ben Berkwam (13:31)

• On Gun Control:
  “Congress needs to try to implement measures that deal with people who have mental illnesses and deal with people who commit these crimes, not the vehicle for committing the crimes. That is guns.”
  — David Brody (54:12)

• On Keeping Faith at the Foundation:
  “If we don’t have Christ as the foundation, nothing else really matters.”
  — Ben Berkwam (115:23)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------------------|-----------| | Hosts’ Banter / Show Kickoff | 03:54 | | Trump’s Address—Analysis | 05:14 | | Bible Verse of the Day | 08:51 | | AM Fest Preview | 09:06 | | Ben Berkwam Live: AM Fest Security & Unity | 10:17 | | Conspiracy, Division, Legacy Conversation | 13:34 | | White House: Plaques, Marijuana, NDAA, Healthcare | 20:05 | | National Weather Update | 24:45 | | Trump-Venezuela Policy & Cliff May Analysis | 28:39 | | Russia-Ukraine Analysis with Cliff May | 33:32 | | Senior Health: Gardening Benefits | 41:43 | | Venezuelan Border Report: Oscar El Blue | 44:20 | | Gun Control Politics & Schumer | 53:16 | | Australia Terror, Faith Segment | 61:15 | | AM Fest Updates: Charlie Kirk’s Legacy | 113:18 |

Episode Summary

"American Sunrise" for December 18, 2025, provides an in-depth look at the conservative movement’s priorities and challenges at the close of the year. The episode emphasizes community and ideological unity at Turning Point USA’s AM Fest; analyzes President Trump’s policy moves and the response they’ve received; and tackles the ongoing tension between activism and authenticity in American politics and media.

The show weaves together live reports, faith commentary, political debate, and on-the-ground updates, with a tone that marries current event urgency to longstanding cultural concerns around traditions, faith, national sovereignty, and the preservation of constitutional rights.

Listeners are left with a call to unity, ongoing vigilance in upholding American values and institutions, and an exhortation to remain engaged—both spiritually and civically—as the political landscape heads toward the pivotal 2026 midterms.

This summary omits all advertisements and sponsor messages except where noted as enhances context for notable segments.