American Sunrise – December 3, 2025 (Real America’s Voice / iHeartPodcasts)

Episode Overview

This episode offers a broad, energetic survey of political, cultural, and current events through the lens of conservative commentary, American values, and "real news." The hosts—Dr. Gina, David Brody, Terrence Bates, and guests—focus on the aftermath and deeper implications of a Republican special election win in Tennessee, possible red flags for the GOP, a major fraud scandal involving Somali immigrants in Minnesota, shake-ups in Pentagon press access, battles over immigration enforcement, President Trump’s health and media bias, as well as community resilience in the wake of tragedy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

[08:09] Tennessee’s Special Election—Pyrrhic GOP Win?

• Republican Van Epps won a congressional district in Tennessee—but by just nine points in a district Trump previously won by 22–24 points.
  • Dr. Gina: “This should have been a grand slam... Pyrrhic victory... it tells Republicans we have a lot of work to do.” (08:40)
  • David Brody: “Nine-point victory in a +20 district—problem. The Democrat outperformed past Democrats by 10 points in rural areas.” (09:12)
• The Democratic candidate was labeled "the AOC from Tennessee," and hosts question why, despite her openly dismissive comments about the district’s culture, she still closed the gap.
• Concerns for GOP: If Democrats run a centrist next time, they could flip the seat.

[11:06] Pentagon Press Corps Revamp & Matt Gaetz’s New Role

• Juxtaposition: Matt Gaetz, once a congressman and Attorney General nominee, now acting as a citizen journalist, asking tough questions at Pentagon briefings.
  • Dr. Gina: “He loves asking questions... might be just as happy [outside Congress] as inside.” (12:33)
• The Pentagon’s new press guidelines usher in more conservative, "citizen journalist" outlets and require tighter security and escorts.
• David Zier (reporting from Pentagon): "Legacy media" is out; new media like Gateway Pundit, TPUSA, and RedState get in to ask harder-hitting questions.

Security Concerns

• Dr. Gina queries if these restrictions are partly to keep possible spies (hostile foreign actors) out.
  • David Zier: “These new guidelines are common sense… Before, there was kind of a free-for-all… probably leaks… Now you need to be escorted everywhere.” (51:30)

[18:04] Minnesota Somali Fraud Scandal

• Massive Welfare Fraud: Sham nonprofits in Minnesota billed the state for undelivered services, with funds used for personal luxuries or ending up with terrorist groups like Al Shabaab.
  • David Brody: “Federal prosecutors have convicted at least 59 scammers.”
  • President Trump (quoted): “Somalians ripped off that state for billions of dollars… Welfare is like 88%. They contribute nothing. I don’t want them in our country… Their country stinks.” (22:55)
• Discussion on why Somali immigrants settle in such cold regions—suggestion: the generous welfare model attracts them.

[25:24] Targeted Immigration Enforcement in Minnesota

• Feds preparing new operations focused on Somali immigrants with final deportation orders.
• Minneapolis Mayor objects, citing risks of due process violations and wrongful detentions.
• Trump Administration Pauses: Green cards and citizenship processing from Afghanistan, Somalia, and other countries deemed higher risk.

[47:33 & 01:30:00+] President Trump’s Health—Media Bias & White House Strategy

• Trump's Physical: Clean MRI reported; mainstream media suggests cognitive and physical decline based on anonymous sources.
• Caroline Levitt (White House): “The standard for journalism... has dropped to such a historic low... we deal with it every day.”
• Curtis Houck (Media Research Center): Praises White House’s new Media Bias Tracker exposing fake or misleading stories, especially around the president’s health. Notes mainstream media ignored these concerns with Biden but amplify them for Trump.

[1:45:14] Discussion—Immigration, Afghan Shooter, and Targeted Communities

• Afghan Shooter Case: Afghan national under resettlement program charged with murder in D.C. Trump Administration pauses immigration from 19 non-European countries.
• Congressman Pete Sessions supports pausing and re-examining green card processes: “They are becoming radicalized in this country and we need to pay attention.”

[1:52:39] New Press Guidelines at Pentagon & White House

• New rules for both White House and Pentagon press access:
  • Required appointments or escorts for journalists
  • Intended to control leaks and prevent "snooping"
  • Conservative "new media" now dominate Pentagon briefings
  • Despite changes, tough questions are still being asked
  • Brian Glenn (White House correspondent): “I support making sure we don’t have members of the media sneaking around the White House, perhaps leaking information.”

[1:59:59] Market News & Economic Discussion

• Jake Novak addresses private payrolls declining by 32,000 jobs (ADP), warns the report is often a slight variation on government data, and shares:
  • Rental prices for apartments are dropping due to increased supply—good news for affordability.

[2:11:42] Schumer vs. Hegseth—Pentagon “Double-Strike” Drama

• Senate Minority Leader Schumer demands War Secretary Pete Hegseth testify under oath regarding September’s double-tap strike on a drug vessel. The Pentagon story has shifted.
  • David Brody: “For Chuck Schumer to come out and say, ‘Hegseth’s lying’… let’s just get the information.”
  • RAV team notes similar Obama-era operations invoked less outcry—claim of selective outrage.

[2:21:30] Sunny Side Up: Special Needs Rodeo in California

• Highlighting the Little Partners Rodeo for children with special needs, emphasizing inclusion, joy, and the emotional power of horses for therapy and self-confidence.

[2:27:23] Community Faith—Advent Reflections Amid Tragedy

• Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis, site of a tragic shooting, finds hope and resilience in faith.
  • Father Frank Pavone: “Tragedy doesn’t ruin the season… it is Christmas that answers tragedy.” (02:29:50)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dr. Gina (on the Tennessee election outcome):
  “This should have been a grand slam. This should have been, you know, at least 12 more points than it ended up being. So, you know, you want to give people a chance to enjoy their victory while at the same time it is rather Pyrrhic, David, because as we are approaching the midterms, this number needed to be a lot more solid. It tells Republicans it's a big red flag.” (09:00)

• David Brody (on Democratic gains in rural Tennessee):
  “A nine point victory in a plus 20 district, plus 24 at times, even before that for the president. That's a problem. And here's even a bigger problem: in the rural counties, in that district last night, the Democrat was outperforming past Democrats by 10 points.” (09:26)

• President Trump (on the Minnesota Somali fraud case):
  “They ripped off Somalians, ripped off that state for billions of dollars. Billions every year. Billions of dollars. And they contribute nothing... I don’t want them in our country... Their country stinks.” (22:55)

• Caroline Levitt (on media bias):
  “There are so many fake stories that have inaccurate characterizations... It’s all based on anonymous sourcing. The standard for journalism has dropped to a historic low in this country.” (01:36:45)

• Curtis Houck (on the new Media Bias Tracker):
  “You can sort it by journalist, by outlet, why it’s biased... They cite NewsBusters along the way, which we appreciate... The thing about the President's health is particularly egregious. It was ridiculous and irresponsible.” (01:39:10)

• Brian Glenn (on new White House press access):
  “I am a supporter of making sure that we don't have the media sneaking around the White House, perhaps leaking information that's not public privilege.” (01:55:18)

• Father Frank Pavone (on healing and faith):
  “Tragedy doesn't ruin the Christmas season... it is the Advent and Christmas season that answer tragedy. Violence is conquered, sin is conquered, and even death, death is conquered [in Christ].” (02:29:50)

Key Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |-------------|-------------------------------------------| | 08:09 | Tennessee Special Election Analysis | | 09:12 | Rural Democratic Surge in TN Discussion | | 11:06 | Matt Gaetz as Citizen Journalist | | 18:04 | Somali Fraud Scandal Unpacked | | 22:55 | Trump’s Statement on Minnesota Fraud | | 25:24 | Immigration Enforcement Operations | | 47:33 | Trump’s Physical, Media Bias | | 51:30 | Pentagon Press Restrictions & Security | | 1:30:03 | Immigration & Afghan Shooter Debate | | 1:45:14 | Pentagon & White House Press Rules | | 1:52:39 | Media Day at Pentagon—New Dynamics | | 1:59:59 | Markets, Economy, & Rental Prices | | 2:11:42 | Schumer Calls for Hegseth Testimony | | 2:21:30 | Inclusion Rodeo for Special Needs Kids | | 2:27:23 | Annunciation Church’s Advent After Tragedy |

Tone & Style

• Conversational, humorous, occasionally irreverent, but highly critical of left-leaning politicians and media
• Strong advocacy for conservative values and the "real news"/"citizen journalism" ethos
• Moments of warmth (Sunny Side Up, faith segments) balance heated political discourse

Conclusion

This episode of "American Sunrise" illustrates the shifting media landscape in politics, the Republican base’s anxieties heading into the midterms, and the ongoing cultural clash around immigration, crime, and media trust. Through a mix of news analysis, personal connection, and faith-based perspective, the hosts aim to both inform and energize an audience that feels underserved by legacy media.