Real America’s Voice – American Sunrise Early Edition

Date: November 25, 2025
Host: Jake Novak
Special Guests: Mike Ring (Old Glory Bank CEO), Mitch Eppner (former federal prosecutor), Emily Finn, David Zier

EPISODE OVERVIEW

This episode of American Sunrise Early Edition dives into a wide spectrum of current events and cultural debates through the lens of “faith, freedom, and the values that built this nation.” The Thanksgiving holiday, recent political and legal developments, US economic trends, sports betting scandals, and a slice of community life all take center stage. Host Jake Novak steers candid, rapid-fire conversations aimed at “challenging mainstream narratives” and offering “honest views.”

KEY DISCUSSION POINTS & INSIGHTS

1. Thanksgiving Reflections – The Most “American” Holiday

(05:14-06:52; 13:13-15:38)

• Novak opens by praising Thanksgiving as “not only the greatest American holiday, but probably the greatest holiday in the world” (05:18).
• The show underscores Thanksgiving’s roots in self-reliance and capitalism, emphasizing how early Pilgrims nearly starved under collectivism until they introduced private property and individual responsibility.
  • Novak: “It is the most capitalist holiday there ever is... when the Pilgrims got to Plymouth Rock... they were basically communists and they almost starved to death. It wasn’t until they gave every pilgrim family a parcel of their own land… that they did well and celebrated that surplus with the first Thanksgiving. It is a capitalist holiday, Mike.” (14:14)
  • Ring: “You cannot have a free society without capitalism. If the government controls your property... you are actually not free… Capitalism is the core to freedom.” (14:36)

2. The State of the US Economy: Are We in a “Great Spot”?

(06:52-13:13)

• Novak welcomes Mike Ring (Old Glory Bank CEO) for a breakdown of “how the economy is doing.”
• Ring grades the economy: “B plus, maybe an A minus. Much better than you and I did at school, Jake.” (06:52)
  • Ring cites:
    • Trailing twelve-month GDP growth: 4.5%
    • Inflation down to 3%; “for the first time since Trump won, we actually have GDP that is higher than inflation.”
    • Unemployment “steady at 4-and-change… that really is full employment.”
    • Stock market “at an all time high.”
• Affordability Crisis: Ring admits affordability is an issue but blames previous “Biden inflation,” claiming only “two ways” to resolve it: reduce demand or “increase supplies”—the latter being Trump’s focus. (07:55)
• Jake Novak: “If we’re talking about the cost of anything and it’s not in the parameters of supply and demand, that person is wasting your time. And that includes health care.” (08:45)
• Mood vs. Reality: Both Novak and Ring criticize the mainstream media for “trying to make us feel like we’re in a bad spot” (10:22), insisting that consumer spending is strong and “we have a president who is focusing on the right things: peace, security, and investment” (10:59).

3. Media Collusion and Economic Messaging

(08:45-13:13)

• Novak and Ring lambast “collusion” among mainstream media to “talk down the economy,” focusing on negative angles and ignoring strong fundamentals.
• Discussion of “Meet the Press” segment with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant (paraphrased; segment involves composite inflation and media simplification).
  • Novak: “There’s nothing worse when you have these anchor people… and they have a piece of paper that somebody gave him. Banana prices are up. She doesn’t know what banana prices are. Why can’t they get people to just have a conversation?” (12:27)
• Both joke about candidates for Federal Reserve Chair, with Ring humorously nominating himself. (13:13)

4. Political and Legal Developments

Federal Judge Tosses Indictments

(03:10, 47:24)

• Headlines: Federal judge dismisses indictments against James Comey and Letitia James due to improper appointment of US Attorney Lindsey Halligan—“charges can be refiled, but… this is a setback for the Justice Department.”

Possible Court-Martial for Senator Mark Kelly

(03:10, 21:34-25:49)

• Department of War may court-martial Senator Mark Kelly over his participation in a video urging active duty military to “question and disobey orders.”
• Novak: “This would be a great lesson… for the last ten years, [Democrats have] done more than flip the chessboard, Emily. They’ve set it on fire and destroyed so much of their country to spite him, our country, despite him.” (22:54)
• Emily Finn: “He’s a veteran, okay? A NASA astronaut. He has done amazing things… For Pete’s sake, you could have at least sent him an email, you know, out of respect beforehand. But yes, there does need to be consequences for this…” (23:15)

5. Pro Sports Betting Scandals & “Corruption” in Sports

Chauncey Billups Indictment

(03:10, 47:24, 49:50-59:30)

• Story: NBA Hall of Famer and suspended Trailblazers coach Chauncey Billups pleads not guilty to participating in a mob-controlled, rigged poker game.
• Mitch Eppner (former prosecutor) analysis:
  • “The government has a very, very difficult case to make. There are only two things that could make [it] illegal: if he knew the games were rigged or if he knew they were taking a rake…” (49:50)
• Wider problem: Novak and Eppner discuss the entanglement of leagues with betting sponsors and the explosion of “prop bets” that open the door to insider corruption.
  • Novak: “The NBA, I think, has a gambling problem.” (51:42)
  • Eppner: “These are inefficient markets, meaning there is inside information that’s out there… in baseball, in basketball, in football, you couldn’t have anything to do with gambling. They can’t say that anymore.” (52:08)
  • Concern: Leaks and manipulation around player injuries and strategy can allow friends/family of insiders to profit—modern platforms make this much easier.
  • “If fans believe that sports have become like pro wrestling where it’s scripted… people lose all interest,” warns Eppner (56:21).
  • Novak’s prediction: “I think five, ten years from now, you’re not going to be able to bet like you can now. That’s going to be heavily restricted.” (57:54)

6. Community Snapshot: Life at a Long Island Diner

(66:01-68:47)

• Correspondent David Zier live at Embassy Diner in Bethpage, Long Island, interviews local residents about their hopes, economic struggles, tradition, and what they’re thankful for.
  • Zier highlights the loss of diner culture amid small business pressures: “Diners are hurting because the insurance costs, the general liability cost, the food costs, the labor shortage, the high property taxes, the high utility bills.” (67:35)
  • Novak and Zier nostalgically discuss the decline of intergenerational family businesses and late-night culture, describing diners’ role as a pillar of community and Americana.

7. Other News & Quick Takes

Markets & Oil Prices as Peace Indicator

(32:31-32:37)

• Novak walks through flat stock futures, gold at $4,132/ounce, and Bitcoin volatility.
• Explains using crude oil prices as a “proxy” for optimism or pessimism about Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations: “If they’re bidding oil down, that means we’re closer to peace. If they’re bidding it up, we’re probably not.” (32:37)

Health & Consumer Tips

• Car Advice: Don’t “top off” your gas tank as it can damage your car’s fuel and sensor systems. “When that gas pump shuts off, just call it a day...” (36:52)
• Auto Prices and Insurance: Sticker shock over the new Honda Prelude (dealers asking $60,000), and eye-popping car insurance costs for young drivers in Toronto, Canada ($13,000/yr).
• Crash Test Dummies: Introduction of female crash test dummies—a step towards equality, but also likely to fuel new legal arguments in personal injury cases (36:50).

Obamacare Subsidy Negotiations Stall

• The Trump administration proposes extending subsidies with reforms, but negotiations are on hold after pushback from Congressional Republicans wanting more input (32:57).

Trump Signs Executive Order Targeting Muslim Brotherhood

• President Trump initiates process to designate Muslim Brotherhood and affiliates (like CAIR) as terrorist organizations—the list of impacted groups is “long indeed.” (03:10; teased but segment postponed to next episode)

China’s Stake in Russia-Ukraine Peace

• Noted as a sign of shifting world order: “China’s President Xi called President Trump… Xi’s panicking because he doesn’t want the war to end.” (03:10, 47:24)

MEMORABLE QUOTES & MOMENTS

• “It is the most capitalist holiday there ever is… The Pilgrims were basically communists and they almost starved to death. It wasn’t until they gave every pilgrim family a parcel of their own land… that they did well and celebrated that surplus with the first Thanksgiving.”
  — Jake Novak (14:14)

• “You cannot have a free society without capitalism. If the government controls your property… you are actually not free.”
  — Mike Ring (14:36)

• “There’s nothing worse when you have these anchor people, I call them hostesses and hosts, and they have a piece of paper that somebody gave him. Banana prices are up. She doesn’t know what banana prices are. Why can’t they get people to just have a conversation?”
  — Jake Novak (12:27)

• “If fans believe that sports have become like pro wrestling where it’s scripted… most people lose all interest.”
  — Mitch Eppner (54:14)

• “This would be a great lesson… for the last ten years, [Democrats have] done more than flip the chessboard, Emily. They’ve set it on fire and destroyed so much of their country to spite him, our country, despite him.”
  — Jake Novak (22:54)

• “Diners are hurting because of the insurance costs, the general liability cost, the food costs, the labor shortage, the high property taxes, the high utility bills… it’s a dying art.”
  — David Zier (67:35)

TIMESTAMPS FOR KEY SEGMENTS

• Thanksgiving as a “capitalist” holiday: 05:14–06:52, 13:13–15:38
• US Economy Report with Mike Ring: 06:52–13:13
• Media Collusion on Economics: 08:45–13:13
• Court-Martial of Senator Mark Kelly (w/ Emily Finn): 21:34–25:49
• Sports Betting Scandal w/ Prosecutor Mitch Eppner: 49:50–59:30
• Long Island Diner – Community Segment (live report): 66:01–68:47
• Markets/Oil as peace indicator: 32:31–32:37
• Auto/Insurance Prices: 36:52–38:15
• Trump on Muslim Brotherhood – segment previewed: 03:10, 47:24, 68:47

OVERALL TONE AND LANGUAGE

• Tone: Conversational, often tongue-in-cheek, critical of mainstream narratives, overtly patriotic, and candid about both political and cultural divides.
• Language: Direct, sometimes sarcastic; strong rhetoric against political opponents and “mainstream media.”

IN SUMMARY

This episode uses the Thanksgiving holiday as a lens to discuss self-reliance, capitalism, and American freedom, tying those themes into ongoing debates about the US economy, legal battles over Trump-era officials, and cultural confidence in institutions from sports to small business. With a mix of economic statistics, policy analysis, cultural commentary, live local reporting, and media criticism, the show aims to encourage skepticism of official narratives while celebrating American traditions and values.