American Sunrise Early Edition - November 21st, 2025
Podcast: Real America’s Voice
Host: Jake Novak (iHeartPodcasts)
Air Date: November 21, 2025
Main Theme & Purpose
This episode of American Sunrise Early Edition delivers unfiltered news and analysis with a focus on American values, faith, and freedom. Host Jake Novak, along with expert guests, examines key political developments, the Texas battleground, education issues, economic news, and cultural trends, all through a lens critical of mainstream narratives and left-wing politics.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. President Trump, Military Obedience, and "Gaslighting" (04:07–06:22)
- Topic: President Trump labeled a Democrat video that allegedly urged active-duty troops to disobey orders as "sedition" and a "capital crime."
- Insight: Jake argues that Democrats are "gaslighting"—a term he usually dislikes by claiming Trump’s reaction is itself the problem.
- Historical Examples: Reference to Soviet Bolsheviks in WWI and recent events in Israel.
Quote (Jake Novak, 04:13):
“The term ‘gaslighting’ is one of my least favorite terms in America right now ... But in this case, it’s really true ... they’re pretending that, oh, you’re the crazy one. Why acting so crazy? ... Don’t let them get away with it.”
2. The Texas Redistricting Battle & Legal Controversy (06:22–08:47)
- Guest: Tom Slocum, former Texas statewide GOP candidate and strategist.
- Topic: Federal Court put Texas’ redistricting map on hold, causing pre-election turmoil.
- Insight: Judge Jerry Smith issued a scathing dissent, labeling the move “the most blatant exercise of judicial activism.”
- Outlook: The case now heads to the Supreme Court, and Texas Republicans are confident of a reversal.
Quote (Tom Slocum, 06:34):
“Judge Jerry Smith … said it’s the most blatant exercise of judicial activism he’s ever witnessed … It’s just not commonplace what just happened here.”
3. Governor Abbott, the Muslim Brotherhood, and Texas Politics (08:47–10:14)
- Topic: Governor Greg Abbott pushes to investigate the Muslim Brotherhood in Texas.
- Insight: Move widely seen as a political campaign gesture; real work is delegated to Attorney General Ken Paxton.
- Pushback: Only significant opposition comes from figures like Ilhan Omar.
Quote (Tom Slocum, 09:25):
“We know that there are nefarious actors here with directions straight back to the Muslim Brotherhood.”
4. Open Primaries in Texas & the Teachers Union (10:14–12:20)
- Topic: Ongoing GOP effort to close open primaries in Texas.
- Insight: Open primaries allow crossover voting, weakening conservative candidates and empowering “RINOs” and teachers union-endorsed candidates.
Quote (Tom Slocum, 10:53):
“If you’re running for office ... and you don’t want to close the primaries ... that’s never a good move. ... Everybody wants closed primaries.”
5. Texas State Lottery Corruption Scandal (12:20–15:47)
- Topic: Reports of a massive lottery scheme in Texas involving “gangsters” buying all number combinations to guarantee winnings.
- Insight: The loophole was exploited by an international speculator, enabled by the state itself. There’s bipartisan frustration and calls for either ending or dramatically reforming the lottery.
Quote (Tom Slocum, 14:46):
“Do we really need a lottery that can be corrupted and be taken advantage of so easily? I don’t think so.”
6. Florida Democratic Congresswoman Indicted (19:00–22:21)
- Guest: Emily Finn
- Topic: Rep. Sheila Sharifoufilis McCormick indicted for stealing $5 million in Covid relief, allegedly for campaign use.
- Insight: Jake and Emily argue she’ll receive more favorable treatment than George Santos did.
Quote (Emily Finn, 20:52):
“George Santos did not steal $5 million. I mean, that is egregious ... Her constituents ... just have to vote her out and get someone in there with a lot more integrity.”
7. Music Break: Steely Dan vs. The Doors (22:21–23:30)
- Memorable/Light Segment: Emily Finn’s musical ear: Steely Dan’s "Black Friday" resembles The Doors’ "Roadhouse Blues." Jake suggests a DJ mashup.
Quote (Jake Novak, 22:30):
“That is Roadhouse Blues. Jim Morrison singing there ... you recognized it was the same key, but you recognized it was the same beat, same speed and time.”
8. Economic Update: Jobs, Markets, and Retail (26:06–28:39)
- Jobs: September report: 119,000 new jobs (double estimates); paradoxically, strong data reduces chances of a Fed rate cut, worrying investors.
- Retail: Walmart thriving (stock up 6%), Target down. Outgoing Walmart CEO praised for turnaround.
- Cultural: Critique of Cracker Barrel’s recent rebranding and board changes.
Quote (Jake Novak, 27:24):
“This is one of those good news is bad news days. … Good jobs numbers, good economics numbers and stocks still go down.”
9. Industrial Safety: Aluminum Plant Fires (28:40–33:24)
- Topic: Multiple fires at Novellas aluminum plant in Oswego, NY, threatening supply chains.
- Insight: Jake claims this points to serious safety mismanagement.
10. Generation Z, Education & the Department of Education (36:07–44:56)
A. Interview with Gregory Lykov: High School Senior & Syndicated Columnist
- On Education: Schools avoid controversial topics, leading students to adopt majority/teacher views.
- On Politics & Antisemitism: Concern about new NYC Mayor Zoran Mamdani’s stance on Jewish issues and charter schools.
- On Systemic Racism: Jake calls the teachers’ union and public schools the “real systematic racism.”
- On Federal Ed Bureaucracy: Argue for abolishing the Department of Education as unnecessary and indoctrinatory.
- College Process: Gregory seeks a challenging intellectual environment at the next level.
Quotes:
-
(Gregory Lykov, 36:44):
“Our education system is built on this emphasis of not discussing controversial topics ... inevitably teachers’ viewpoints ... are going to prevail and that’s what students are going to adopt.”
-
(Jake Novak, 40:48):
“The only real systematic racism in America is the public school system. … It’s coming from teachers union and the politicians, not from hooded guys in KKK outfits.”
11. Survey: Clergy Demographics & Faith (44:58–50:56)
- Guest: David Brody
- Topic: New survey: Over half of non-ultra-orthodox rabbinical students are LGBTQ+; similar trends in progressive Christian seminaries.
- Insight: Jake and David suggest LGBTQ+ candidates seek to “change the voice of God,” focusing more on social justice than traditional doctrine.
Quotes:
-
(Jake Novak, 46:11):
“I think these people want to change the voice of God. … They’re looking for that acceptance and trying to change the voice of God.”
-
(David Brody, 49:07):
“They’re going 80/20 … on the social justice, compassion gospel. … That’s what drives a lot of these folks into the clergy.”
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
Gaslighting & Treason Accusations:
"That’s gaslighting. It actually is gaslighting." (Jake Novak, 04:23) -
On Texas Redistricting:
"Judge Jerry Smith … said it’s the most blatant exercise of judicial activism he’s ever witnessed." (Tom Slocum, 06:34) -
On Open Primaries:
"This is going to neuter the rhinos here in Texas ..." (Tom Slocum, 11:22) -
On Systemic Racism in Education:
"The only real systematic racism in America is the public school system." (Jake Novak, 40:48) -
On Public School Debate Skills:
"If you can learn how to debate properly and civilly and with some knowledge of the topic, that’s a heck of a skill to have." (Jake Novak, 37:20) -
On Social Justice Clergy:
"They want to have the final say ... dictating to the congregation what Jesus really meant by everything." (David Brody, 50:27)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 04:07 — "Gaslighting," Trump, and military orders controversy
- 06:22 — Tom Slocum on Texas redistricting
- 08:47 — Abbott, Muslim Brotherhood, and Texas politics
- 10:14 — Closing open primaries in Texas
- 12:20 — Texas lottery corruption
- 19:00 — Florida Democrat indicted, double standards, with Emily Finn
- 22:21 — Steely Dan vs. The Doors music segment
- 26:06 — Jobs report, economic news, Walmart/Target
- 28:40 — Cracker Barrel fallout and industrial plant safety
- 36:07 — Gregory Lykov on education, politics, and college
- 44:58 — Survey on clergy demographics, with David Brody
Tone & Style
The episode is lively, fast-paced, and often combative. Jake Novak delivers direct commentary with humor and frequent sarcasm, often using pop culture analogies and personal anecdotes. The discussions with guests maintain a conversational tone, laced with continued critiques of Democratic politicians, the mainstream media, and progressive movements. Guests add expertise, local flavor, or lived experience to each segment.
This summary is designed to capture the full episode’s flow, key arguments, and most compelling moments for listeners who may have missed the show.