Podcast Summary: American Sunrise Early Edition – December 9, 2025

Podcast: Real America’s Voice
Host: Jake Novak (iHeartPodcasts)
Date: December 9, 2025

Main Theme

This episode of American Sunrise Early Edition is laser-focused on the 2026 midterm elections, with just under 11 months to go. Host Jake Novak explores key issues shaping the political landscape, including inflation, healthcare costs, illegal immigration, and intra-party tensions. The episode weaves national and local news, featuring interviews with Republican Senate candidate Don Brown and commentator John Reed, and offers cultural/political commentary on emerging personalities and hot-button stories.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Midterm Election Realities and GOP Focus (00:07–01:38, 32:49–34:15)

• The GOP is shifting its attention to pocketbook issues, particularly inflation and healthcare costs as pivotal campaign themes.
• Illegal immigration is framed as a winning issue handed to Republicans, citing controversial policies in Democrat-led states like Illinois (release of 1700 criminal illegal immigrants).
• President Trump is courting the farm vote with a $13 billion bailout plan for farmers affected by tariffs.

Quote – Jake Novak (00:07):
“The midterm realities are finally starting to dawn on the GOP, with the White House and even some voices in Congress now putting more of a focus on the key issues, especially inflation and health care costs... I’m laser-focused on them from now on.”

2. North Carolina Senate Race & Crime Issues (02:09–12:20)

• Jake Novak interviews Don Brown, Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in NC.
• Brown criticizes Democrat leadership for rising crime in North Carolina, especially in Charlotte, connecting it to illegal immigration and calling for federal intervention (National Guard).
• He targets outgoing Senator Thom Tillis for undermining Trump and mishandling drug issues linked to border security.
• Obamacare is branded a failure; Brown vows to be the “loudest voice” for real healthcare reform, pushing for market competition.
• Personal anecdotes about nursing home lockdowns during COVID drive home opposition to Gov. Roy Cooper’s policies.

Quote – Don Brown (03:31): "I immediately called on President Trump to bring in the National Guard to Charlotte... Democrat city of Charlotte and the Democrat governor have done nothing to really beef up security on the light rail."

Quote – Don Brown (08:14):
“I’m going to be the loudest voice in the United States Senate... It’s the cost of health care that is the principal problem with the cost of living. I call the Affordable Care Act the Astronomical Cost Act.”

Quote – Don Brown (10:33):
"For me, Jake, it's personal... The last time I saw my dad alive was... looking through the glass of a nursing home, watching my dying father because of Roy Cooper's unconstitutional mandates."

3. Healthcare Reform and Messaging (34:15–38:59)

• Jake Novak is joined by John Reed, former VA lieutenant governor candidate, to discuss GOP’s healthcare messaging and legislative needs.
• Both agree Republicans have a narrow window (about 6 months) to enact meaningful changes before the midterm campaigning overtakes Congress.
• They call for a smarter, relatable media campaign, possibly emulating successful messaging tactics from popular culture or political history (e.g., Ross Perot’s charts).

Quote – John Reed (35:18):
“We’ve got about six months to get something done here because the midterms will completely overtake all the debate... Republicans should sober up and recognize we’re probably going to have a really rough time of it next year.”

Quote – John Reed (37:40):
“If you don’t have a concerted PR campaign to explain what the problem is... you’re going to get your butt kicked. Republicans really need to get in the game here for the next six months.”

4. Illegal Immigration as a National GOP Issue (38:59–41:34)

• The release of over 1,700 criminal illegal aliens in Illinois is spotlighted as a campaign weapon for the GOP.
• Reed urges careful messaging to avoid backfiring, but both agree most Americans strongly support GOP positions on law enforcement and immigration.

Quote – Jake Novak (38:59): "I don’t think this is even a 50-50 issue in America. I think this is an 80-20 issue in America."

Quote – John Reed (39:53):
"Democrats are really, really reckless... everyone has to obey the law. But we need to be careful about the way we present this because it could backfire."

5. The Republican “Enthusiasm Gap” (41:34–44:08)

• Discussing Scott Rasmussen’s polling: while the GOP leads in the generic ballot, Democrat enthusiasm outpaces Republicans slightly (50% to 48%).
• Reed warns of midterm complacency among Trump supporters and emphasizes sustained engagement as critical.

Quote – John Reed (42:37): "This lack of enthusiasm from the Republican base was demonstrated in race after race... If you get angry or... stay at home, you're gonna lose your country."

Quote – Jake Novak (44:08): "If you support this guy and you don’t vote for a Congress that will support him, you might as well not have voted for him."

6. Media Suppression & The NYU Assault Story (15:23–19:46)

• Jake Novak covers the story of a female NYU student assaulted by a repeat offender who squatted in an NYU dorm. Despite ABC’s exclusive scoop, the story was quickly “suppressed”—implying university and media reputational concerns during admissions season.
• Guest Emily Finn decries higher education’s failure to ensure safety and transparency.

Quote – Emily Finn (17:12): “If everything there was was factual, it was all reported correctly, then this is something that the parents at NYU or the students... need to know that this is going on."

7. Market & Business News (21:43–26:34)

• Updates on Dow performance, bitcoin, and the brewing takeover battle for Warner Brothers (now up to $79 billion), compared to the high drama of 1980s hostile takeovers.
• McDonald’s is cracking down on franchises not complying with its new price-cutting agenda, threatening to revoke non-compliant franchises.

Quote – Jake Novak (22:50): "Attention McDonald’s franchisees... better be on board with the price cutting agenda... or else."

8. Emerging Political Personalities & 2028 Democratic Field (27:07–34:15, 45:36–49:05)

• Pete Buttigieg is seen testing a 2028 presidential run, with a scheduled appearance at the Detroit Auto Show, which Jake questions as a fit for Democratic primary voters.

Quote – Jake Novak (27:07): "He’s a nice, young, smiling guy, but I don’t know if putting him at the Detroit car show... is going to work.”

• Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett's possible Senate run from Texas is considered both a risk and a “soundbite goldmine.”
• Dr. Gina Louden counsels the host to focus on voter engagement and risks rather than the entertainment potential of a high-profile, controversial candidate.

Quote – Dr. Gina Louden (47:09): “There is... a huge contrast between... Donald Trump and a Jasmine Crockett, especially in Texas... God knows her candidacy would be rich [news].”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Don Brown (08:14):
  “Obamacare they call the Affordable Care Act. I call the Astronomical Cost Act. No American can say that insurance to health cost is more affordable since this monstrosity’s come in.”
• Jake Novak (38:59):
  “A lot of people look at those riots and they don’t care how much of a crackdown there is."
• John Reed (42:37):
  "If you get angry about something or... stay at home, you’re gonna lose your country. That’s what’s about to happen, and everybody should wake up to it."
• Jake Novak (44:08): “If you support this guy and you don’t vote for a Congress that will support him, you might as well not have voted for him.”
• Jake Novak (27:07): “I don’t know if Pete Buttigieg at the Detroit car show... is going to work. I have memories of Michael Dukakis in that tank...”

Timestamps for Major Segments

| Segment/Topic | Timestamps | |------------------------------------------------|-------------------| | Setting the Episode’s Theme | 00:07–01:38 | | Interview: Don Brown, NC GOP Senate Candidate | 02:09–12:20 | | McDonald’s Franchise & Warner Bros Business | 21:43–26:34 | | NYU Assault Story & Media Suppression | 15:23–19:46 | | Healthcare Reform, Messaging, John Reed Intvw. | 34:15–38:59 | | Illegal Immigration, National Campaign Focus | 38:59–41:34 | | GOP “Enthusiasm Gap” & Ground Game | 41:34–44:08 | | Jasmine Crockett, Dr. Gina Louden Segment | 45:36–49:05 |

Tone and Style

The episode features a punchy, urgent, and at times wryly humorous tone. Jake Novak’s hosting blends news analysis, opinion, and straight talk, while guests mirror that frank, partisan style. The podcast is unmistakably right-of-center, with recurring jabs at Democrat policies, tongue-in-cheek references (e.g., “Field of Screams”), and direct calls for Republican enthusiasm and turnout.

Conclusion

Today's American Sunrise Early Edition sets the tone for the coming campaign season: high stakes, a search for effective GOP messaging, and a determination to connect legislative priorities with voter frustration on crime, costs, and immigration. The hosts and guests stress urgency, honest communication, and voter turnout. The episode serves as both a campaign war room and a culture war talk show, inviting listeners to remain mobilized through the fast-approaching midterm elections.