Podcast Summary

Podcast: Real America’s Voice
Episode: American Sunrise Early Edition – December 15th, 2025
Host: Jake Novak (iHeartPodcasts)
Date: December 15, 2025

Main Theme

This episode presents a hard-hitting, rapid-fire rundown of the weekend's major global and domestic tragedies, with particular focus on recent headline-grabbing violence (from terrorist attacks in Australia and the Middle East to domestic shootings and the murder of Rob Reiner and his wife), the failures of government response, the status of American military personnel, concerns about crime and public safety, and political ramifications for New York City and the nation at large. Faith, freedom, self-defense, and government accountability form the connective tissue throughout.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Series of Global Violent Events

• The episode opens with host Jake Novak outlining several harrowing news events:
  • ISIS attack in Syria kills two American servicemen and a civilian (03:58)
  • Targeted shooting at Brown University: suspicion of anti-Christian or anti-Semitic motives (01:43)
  • Hanukkah attack in Sydney, Australia by Islamist terrorists, death toll at 16, one assailant known to authorities (01:43)
• Critical tone towards authorities and media for both underreporting and mismanaging these crises.

Quote:

"It was a very deadly weekend. But I want to start with our US servicemen because I don't think anybody else will."
– Jake Novak (04:45)

2. US Military: Policy Failures & Questions on Mission

• Syrian Attack and Retaliation:
  • Trump promises retaliation; confusion over whether the perpetrator was ISIS or Syrian security forces.
  • Colonel Rob Manus questions the continued mission and lack of clarity about why troops remain in Syria.
  • Discussion compares the situation with the US experience in Afghanistan.

Notable Segment:

"There are so many entities there, some that we supported, some that we fought against, especially the ISIS crowd... Who do we retaliate against, you know, what entity?"
– Colonel Rob Manus (05:53)

• Ongoing Bureaucratic Hurdles for Covid-Suspended Service Members:
  • Spotlight on General Chris Sage and 8,000+ others not properly reinstated after Covid-related ousters.
  • Frustration with bureaucratic obstruction termed "malicious compliance," contrary to orders from high-level Pentagon officials.

Key Moment:

"There are many, many people in the Air Force... having problems in this reinstatement process and it's because of what I call malicious compliance, where bureaucrats that disagree... are intentionally gumming up the works."
– Colonel Rob Manus (12:05)

3. Australia Hanukkah Terror Attack: Self-Defense and Gun Rights

• Host decries government culpability for allowing known terrorists to operate freely.
• Sharp criticism of strict gun laws preventing self-defense, especially for vulnerable Jewish communities.
• Comparative praise for the US Second Amendment, calls for expanded constitutional carry legislation domestically.

Memorable Quote:

"This is exactly what happens when people can't defend themselves. This is a human right."
– Jake Novak (07:48)

• Colonel Manus elaborates on armed perpetrators exploiting disarmed citizenry and law enforcement failures on scene.

• Push for proactive measures in Jewish communities (active shooter drills, First Aid, legal and firearms training).

Powerful Declaration:

"If you are planning to come into Jewish communities or Jewish events with an intent to kill us, we will kill you first. Have a nice day."
– Jake Novak (11:00)

4. Domestic Violence, Mental Health, and Crime

• Rob Reiner Family Tragedy:
  • Detailed report on the murder of Rob Reiner and his wife by their son, Nick Reiner, who struggled with lifelong addiction (04:05).
  • Host and guests discuss the non-political roots of some violence—mental health crisis among young men.

Insight:

"We have to address a mental health crisis in this country... violence has no place in this country."
– Emily Finn (22:30)

• Acid Attack in Savannah and Brown University Shooting:
  • Both possibly religiously motivated; broader discussion on rising violence against Christians and Jews.
  • Guest Emily Finn laments the lack of condemnation from elected officials and stresses need for vocal opposition to such acts (21:40).

5. New York City & Political Fallout: Zoran Mamdani and Sanctuary City Policies

• Mayor-Elect Zoran Mamdani:
  • Critically analyzed for refusing to condemn "globalize the intifada" slogan amid concerns after the Sydney attack.
  • Guests and host question Mamdani's preparedness, experience, and willingness to protect vulnerable communities.

Vanessa Simon:

"All eyes are going to be on Zoran... How is he going to handle not only condemning globalizing Intifada, but how is he going to protect not only our Jewish citizens... but all of our citizens?"
(36:33)

• Sanctuary City Law and ICE Enforcement:
  • Fears that Mamdani may order NYPD to impede ICE arrests, potentially increasing crime risks, especially for the poor and working class.
  • Sharp distinction drawn between impacts on poor/minority vs. wealthy neighborhoods.

Jake Novak:

"Crime always hurts the poor more... This is a war on the poor. Not rich whitey, not Park Avenue. It's a war on Bed Stuy. It's a war on the Bronx. It's a war on Far Rockaway, Queens."
(44:26)

• Prospects for Political Change:
  • Brief hopes pinned on potential gubernatorial candidates Elise Stefanik and Bruce Blakeman.

6. US Healthcare Policy and Market Watch

• Looming expiration of Obamacare subsidies (with 16 days left); Democrats blamed for orchestrating the situation.
• Host notes a recent uptick in health insurance company stocks may signal belief subsidies will be extended (32:13).

Economic Ticker:

• Comments on stock, commodities, and Bitcoin.

7. Lighter Sidelights: Human Interest & Market Trends

• Humorous story about a "drunk raccoon" plaguing a Virginia strip mall (31:35).

• Auto industry notes:

  • Average new car price dips below $50,000.
  • Rivian's stock up 37% over three months despite EV tax credit expiration.
  • Noteworthy business model: McGrath Honda near Chicago keeps its service center open 24/7.

• Survey result: Tesla owners most likely to lie to the police, per Wheels Away survey (34:00).

8. Faith and Self-Defense Framed as Responsibilities

• Closing reflections on the biblical imperative to self-defense; society and government rubrics judged by their willingness to allow or restrict this right (49:44).

David Brody:

"If you can't get a gun for self defense—goodnight nurse, if you will. ...The number one reason you would probably want to have a gun—no, you can't do it."

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

| Timestamp | Speaker & Quote | |-----------|-----------------| | 04:45 | Jake Novak: "I want to start with our US servicemen because I don't think anybody else will." | | 05:53 | Colonel Rob Manus: "Who do we retaliate against, you know, what entity? There are so many entities there, some that we supported, some that we fought against..." | | 08:55 | Colonel Rob Manus: "We should eliminate gun free zones all around the world... It's incredible what kind of idiocy we have going on with our laws in this country." | | 11:00 | Jake Novak: "If you are planning to come into Jewish communities or Jewish events with an intent to kill us, we will kill you first. Have a nice day." | | 12:05 | Colonel Rob Manus: "There are many, many people in the Air Force... having problems in this reinstatement process and it's because of what I call malicious compliance." | | 22:30 | Emily Finn: "This is what we have to address. It's a mental health crisis in this country... there must be a bigger thing happening in American society today that violence is so prevalent." | | 36:33 | Vanessa Simon: "All eyes are going to be on Zoran... How is he going to handle not only condemning globalizing Intifada, but how is he going to protect not only our Jewish citizens... but all of our citizens?" | | 44:26 | Jake Novak: "This is a war on the poor. Not rich whitey, not Park Avenue. It's a war on Bed Stuy. It's a war on the Bronx. It's a war on Far Rockaway, Queens." | | 49:44 | David Brody: "If you can't get a gun for self defense—goodnight nurse, if you will... The number one reason you would probably want to have a gun—no, you can't do it." |

Section Timestamps

• 03:58 – Main rundown of weekend violence
• 04:05–11:00 – Military/Foreign affairs, Syria, Australia attack, gun laws
• 12:05–16:19 – COVID military reinstatement issues
• 19:13–23:14 – Domestic violence, mental health, religiously-motivated attacks
• 36:27–46:14 – NYC politics, sanctuary city debate, safety and political prospects
• 32:13, 33:40 – Healthcare policy (Obamacare subsidies), market analysis
• 31:35–35:35 – Lighter news: raccoons, car industry, survey results

Overall Tone

The episode combines urgency, frustration, advocacy, and occasional levity. It is resolutely skeptical of mainstream narratives, centers faith/freedom as solutions, and builds its arguments with pointed criticism of policy failures and governmental inaction to defend vulnerable communities—especially regarding self-defense and Second Amendment rights.

Conclusion

Listeners receive an unvarnished, emotionally charged overview of recent crises, with pointed political analysis, calls for community empowerment and vigilance, and adamant advocacy for self-responsibility—both for one’s faith and one’s personal security. The episode caps with a look at New York’s political future, household economic trends, and the role of faith and rights in societal resilience.