American Sunrise Early Edition – November 13, 2025

Podcast: Real America’s Voice (iHeartPodcasts)
Host: Jake Novak
Episode Theme: Politics, Current Events, and Cultural Analysis from a Conservative, America-First Point of View

Episode Overview

This episode dives into major political happenings in the U.S. and internationally, with a particular focus on the end of the government shutdown, foreign policy crises (notably Venezuela and Nigeria), controversy around immigration enforcement, the business pivot away from China by major American corporations, and critical media analysis. Jake Novak leads discussions with expert guests, including former Green Beret and podcaster Matt Tardio and Virginia political commentator John Reid, bringing sharp conservative commentary and deep skepticism of mainstream narratives.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. End of the Government Shutdown

• [02:41] Host Jake Novak: Recaps the reopening of the government after a seven-week shutdown, crediting House Speaker Mike Johnson for keeping the majority together and highlighting the futility of the shutdown initiated by Democrats.
  • "We may want to eliminate a lot of government jobs, but while you are working in a government job, you deserve to be paid. ... I don't believe in people working for free. That's called slavery. The Democrats used to like that, too." — Jake Novak [05:12]
• Critiques Democrats for lacking the numbers needed for a successful shutdown, arguing it resulted mostly in inconvenience for lawmakers and donors.

2. Growing U.S. Confrontation with Venezuela’s Drug Cartels

• [06:39] Interview with Matt Tardio (former Green Beret and law enforcement officer):
  • Venezuela is primarily a "transfer point" for South American drugs, with President Maduro alleged to be complicit in cartel activities.
    • "Maduro is likely making a lot of different deals with these guys. So that's why Venezuela is kind of a problem when it comes to these drugs flowing in and out." — Matt Tardio [07:40]
  • U.S. strikes on cartel infrastructure are discussed as defensive against the narcotics "war" being waged on America.
  • Dangers of smuggling routes not only for drugs, but also for human trafficking and even terrorism: "When you have drugs that are being moved in one direction, oftentimes you have bodies that are being moved in the opposite direction." — Matt Tardio [09:31]

3. Humanitarian Crisis and U.S. Policy in Nigeria

• [10:34] Tardio on Christian persecution in Nigeria:
  • Massive displacement and killings, with upwards of a million Christians displaced and 7,000 killed in 2025 alone.
    • "You have upwards of a million Christians being displaced... tens of thousands... have been killed over the last decade..." — Matt Tardio [10:54]
  • China’s and Russia's increasing influence, especially in natural resources, seen as a growing threat to U.S. strategic interests.

4. Immigration and Law Enforcement: Chicago’s ICE Release

• [12:49] Federal judge orders release of “hundreds of illegal aliens” arrested in Chicago (Operation Midway Blitz):
  • Tardio reacts strongly, describing it as a form of “insurrection” against U.S. law:
    • "If you ever needed a sign of an actual insurrection in this country, not January 6th, but a legitimate insurrection of judges directly violating US federal law, take a look at that federal judge ordering all of those illegals to be released back onto the streets." — Matt Tardio [13:36]

5. Media Criticism: Aftermath of Jeffrey Epstein Email Releases

• [16:57] Jake Novak and Emily Finn dissect mainstream media headlines about Epstein's allegedly incriminating emails about Donald Trump:
  • Novak argues the emails actually make Trump look good — e.g., Trump telling Ghislaine Maxwell to stop recruiting girls at Mar-a-Lago.
    • "...those emails make President Trump look a little bit, maybe better. He told Ghislaine Maxwell to get the heck out of Mar A Lago..." — Jake Novak [17:11]
  • Finn criticizes media for “teasing” evidence with misleading coverage:
    • "Now the Democrats are wanting to go after President Trump with any of the littlest bit of detail. ...I think it's a bit of a stretch with the small amount of information that is coming out now..." — Emily Finn [17:38]
  • They use the “Great Pumpkin” metaphor (from Peanuts) to mock those repeatedly disappointed by media promises of damning evidence:
    • "They keep promising their viewers...they've been leading you to the pumpkin patch like Linus and Sally with the Great Pumpkin. ...And the Great Pumpkin never comes and you never learn." — Jake Novak [19:09]

6. GM Exit from China: Economic and Strategic Shift

• [24:27] Novak discusses General Motors' order for suppliers to leave China:
  • Sees this as a pivotal “America First” move, rooted in fears over corporate espionage and desire to end major U.S. dependence on China.
    • "GM is reportedly telling all of its suppliers, thousands of them, to pull their businesses out of China... This is all about what America first folks like you and me have been calling for for years, the great decoupling." — Jake Novak [24:37]
  • Suggests this, along with news of Toyota investing billions in U.S. hybrid plants, may signal a new, less China-dependent era for American manufacturing.

7. AI and Economic Developments

• Highlights a $50 billion investment by Anthropic in U.S. AI data centers and Chevron’s expansion into AI energy infrastructure, positioning AI as a mixed force for economic change and job creation.

8. Virginia Election Fallout & Democrat Strategy

• [33:42] Extended interview with John Reid (Reid Revolution Podcast):
  • Discusses recent Democratic wins in Virginia, polling failures, and how Democratic strategy was seen as maximizing pain during shutdown to fuel electoral anger.
    • "This was another chapter in the Democrat playbook of we will cause as much damage as possible to the average voter in order to win their electoral goals." — John Reid [39:44]
  • Criticizes Democrats’ emboldenment, referencing controversial figures like Ralph Northam returning to influence.
  • Warns Republicans must do a better job framing narratives and countering media misattribution.

9. Apple’s Compliance with China’s Anti-Gay Policies

• [44:58] With guest David Brody:
  • Criticizes Apple for removing gay dating apps in China, debunking the idea that anti-gay policy is only religious.
    • "China doesn't have any religion, so we know that's bogus." — Jake Novak [46:06]
  • Brody links China’s censorship to demographic fears following the one-child policy:
    • "They have the fastest aging population in the world over there, which of course is going to lead to all sorts of economic disasters..." — David Brody [46:23]
  • Both see this as another underreported China story with deep implications for global economics and human rights.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• [05:12] Jake Novak (on the shutdown):
  “While you are showing up to work in a government job, you deserve to be paid. Seriously. I mean, I don’t believe in people working for free. That’s called slavery. The Democrats used to like that, too.”

• [13:36] Matt Tardio (on the judge’s ICE order):
  “If you ever needed a sign of an actual insurrection in this country, not January 6th, but a legitimate insurrection of judges directly violating US federal law, take a look at that federal judge ordering all of those illegals to be released.”

• [17:11] Jake Novak (on Epstein emails and Trump):
  “He told Ghislaine Maxwell to get the heck out of Mar A Lago and stop trying to recruit young women from there. That sounds good to me. But more importantly here, there’s no evidence of any wrongdoing here.”

• [19:09] Jake Novak (media metaphor):
  “They’ve been leading you to the pumpkin patch like Linus and Sally with the Great Pumpkin...and the Great Pumpkin never comes and you never learn.”

• [24:37] Jake Novak (on GM and China):
  “GM is reportedly telling all of its suppliers, thousands of them, to pull their businesses out of China... this is all about what America first folks like you and me have been calling for for years, the great decoupling.”

• [39:44] John Reid (on Democrat strategy):
  “This was another chapter in the Democrat playbook of we will cause as much damage as possible to the average voter in order to win their electoral goals.”

• [46:06] Jake Novak (on China’s anti-gay policy):
  “China doesn’t have any religion, so we know that’s bogus.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Government Shutdown Analysis: [02:41] – [07:07]
• Venezuela/U.S. Drug War Discussion (w/ Matt Tardio): [07:07] – [12:49]
• Nigeria/Christian Persecution: [10:34] – [12:49]
• Judicial Overreach and Chicago ICE Release: [12:49] – [14:37]
• Epstein/Trump Media Coverage: [16:57] – [19:58]
• GM Orders Suppliers Out of China: [24:27] – [28:00 approx.]
• Virginia Elections Breakdown (w/ John Reid): [33:42] – [41:41]
• Apple, China, and LGBTQ Censorship (w/ David Brody): [44:58] – [47:25]

Summary & Tone

The episode blends pointed political analysis, strong criticism of Democratic strategies and media narratives, and a strident “America First” standpoint. It’s packed with references to current events, skepticism of mainstream reporting, and advocacy for a tougher stance against China both economically and culturally. The hosts and guests speak candidly, often humorously, sometimes with sarcasm and sharp skepticism, always prioritizing conservative American values.

For listeners seeking nuanced, right-leaning interpretations of national and global news—with a focus on government accountability, media criticism, and U.S. sovereignty—this episode delivers a provocative and broad-ranging discussion.