American Sunrise Early Edition - October 17, 2025

Podcast: Real America’s Voice
Host: Jake Novak
Guests/Contributors: Dr. James Nezzo (Political/Legal Contributor), Ben Berkwam (RAV Reporter), Emily Finn (RAV Contributor), Mike Britton (Artillery Tea), Adam Smith (Green Beret, NC Congressional Candidate)
Air Date: October 17, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of American Sunrise Early Edition is a fiery, unapologetically partisan rundown of the week’s biggest headlines in politics, domestic policy, world affairs, and America-first cultural issues. Host Jake Novak celebrates what he calls a “big week for America and President Trump”—from surprise progress in the Middle East to domestic controversies, the ongoing government shutdown, and revelations of law enforcement failures. The episode features lively segment breakdowns, sharp critiques of political adversaries, and conversations with conservative newsmakers and contributors.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Week in Review: “A Great Week for America, a Bad Week for the Left”

(00:37–03:31)

• Host Jake Novak recaps a series of news seen as triumphs for Trump and the political right:
  • An unexpected peace development and hostages returned from the Middle East.
  • President Trump rumored to meet with Russian President Putin in Hungary to push for peace in Ukraine.
  • Former Trump advisor John Bolton indicted for mishandling classified documents.
  • NYC mayoral debate described as a “real crime” due to the candidates’ and moderators’ performances.
• Quote:

  “No World War III and the war over. We won, they lost.” — Jake Novak (03:17)

2. Foreign Policy & Geopolitics: Trump’s Middle East Dealings

(03:31–05:06)

• Dr. James Nezzo lauds Trump’s role in brokering Middle East peace, likening it to an extension of the Abraham Accords and asserting it “transforms the Middle East in profound geopolitical ways.”
• The deal is presented as a strategic signal to Russia and China regarding American influence and resolve.
• Quote:

  “Everyone…who says we’ve lost our leverage with China and Russia, well…they ought to hand in their credentials as being an expert because they don’t know what they’re talking about.” — Dr. Nezzo (04:39)

3. Domestic Critics & Drug Cartel Policy

(05:06–08:14)

• Novak takes aim at both progressive and libertarian critics of Trump, specifically calling out Rand Paul and Thomas Massie for opposing aggressive action against Mexican drug cartels.
• Dr. Nezzo calls such critiques baseless, arguing cartel targeting is legal, moral, and precedented.
• Quote:

  “Rand Paul may be a good eye surgeon…but he is a terrible lawyer, a terrible constitutionalist, and a terrible historian.” — Dr. Nezzo (06:15)
  “Ignore them. They’re idiots.” — Dr. Nezzo on libertarian critics (07:55)

4. Government Shutdown: Blames and Political Strategies

(08:14–10:44)

• Shutdown in its 17th day is painted as “Schumer’s failure”; American public is supposedly unfazed by it.
• Both host and guest argue Democrats are responsible, suggesting Schumer is acting from personal political preservation against a rising left wing (AOC).
• Analogy made to “pulling the curtain back” during COVID shutdowns, revealing the failures of big government.
• Quote:

  “AOC is going to thrash the heck out of this guy.” — Dr. Nezzo on Schumer facing a left-wing primary (10:38)

5. Judicial Critique: Supreme Court and Ketanji Brown Jackson

(10:44–12:40)

• The panel lambasts Justice Jackson’s recent comments on Voting Rights Act, calling her “out of her depth” and “an embarrassment” even to other liberals.
• Anecdote referencing Senator Roman Hruska's defense of “mediocrities” on the bench.
• Quote:

  “The woman is an intellectual midget.” — Dr. Nezzo (12:02)

6. Illinois Police Scandal: Illegal Alien Cop Exposé

(13:53–16:00)

• Ben Berkwam reports on an Illinois police officer discovered to be a visa overstay, hired despite being in the U.S. illegally.
• Discussion points:
  • Lax standards at state/local law enforcement, undermining federal law.
  • The deeper issue of accountability and public safety.
• Quotes:

  “Non citizens can’t have a gun. So how can you be a police officer?” — Berkwam (14:54)
  “He got a job as a police officer.” — Berkwam (15:55)

• Emily Finn:

  “With all of the lawlessness in Illinois, with J.B. Pritzker’s leadership, of course something like this was going to happen.” (16:28)
  “It was overlooked. That is not an excuse.” (16:55)

7. Discussion: Illegals in Public Service Roles

(16:28–18:39)

• Novak and Finn call for an audit of police departments to ensure no “illegal aliens” are police officers, teachers, or doctors.
• Quote:

  “The thing that stops me…from not paying my taxes … is I know I’m a citizen, I could get my rights revoked. But if you already don’t have any, what do you got to lose?” — Jake Novak (17:40)

8. Car Market Trends & Tech Glitches

(21:14–27:28)

• US average new car/truck price tops $50,000; Novak argues tariffs are not to blame, citing only a 0.7% price rise after tariffs were imposed.
• Reports on tech-related recalls and glitches:
  • Jeep Wrangler 4xe recall after software update causes cars to stop mid-drive (no serious accidents yet).
  • Waymo robo-taxis in San Francisco tricked into blocking a road by pranksters.
• Plus, skepticism over government spending, like the UK's $20m grant to Toyota for a solar-roof EV.

9. Spotlight: Artillery Tea and Patriot Business

(29:25–34:27)

• Mike Britton discusses launching Artillery Tea to support veterans and first responders, promote healthy alternatives to coffee, and create a patriotic brand.
• Announcement of partnership with Working Dogs for Vets, the new Precision Brewing Kit for the holidays, and why whole-leaf tea is superior to “tea dust.”
• Quote:

  “We started this brand to partner with veterans and first responders…this year we’re sponsoring a whole dog for Working Dogs for Vets.” — Mike Britton (29:54)

10. North Carolina Judicial Scandal: Ukrainian Refugee Murder Case

(34:28–39:20)

• Adam Smith (Green Beret, NC Congressional candidate) discusses the shocking revelation that a magistrate — who freed a repeat offender soon accused of murdering a Ukrainian refugee — may not have passed the bar or be a resident.
• Critiques activist judges and calls for state and federal accountability.
• Quote:

  “You have an individual…who has had a history of advocacy for addiction, which is an honorable thing. However…to continue to release repeat criminals back onto the streets…that’s a major issue.” — Adam Smith (35:55)

11. North Carolina Redistricting & Trump’s Successes

(39:20–43:12)

• Upcoming redistricting in NC discussed; Smith says it’s balancing historic Democrat gerrymanders, not skewing representation.
• Further praise for Trump’s Middle East negotiations and the government shutdown.
• Quote:

  “Just give the man his flowers.” — Adam Smith (43:11)

12. NYC Mayoral Debate: Security and Anti-Semitism Concerns

(43:42–48:33)

• Novak sharply criticizes the debate, focusing on Mayoral candidate Zoramdani’s comments about Israel, accusing him of supporting “dangerous” rhetoric.
• Warns of rising anti-Semitism, especially given NYC's large Jewish population.
• Quote:

  “When you say that Israel is committing a genocide, you are basically…it is more than a dog whistle. It is a clarion call for attacks on Jews.” — Jake Novak (47:14)

Notable Quotes

• “No World War III and the war over. We won, they lost.” – Jake Novak (03:17)
• “Rand Paul may be a good eye surgeon…but he is a terrible lawyer, a terrible constitutionalist, and a terrible historian.” – Dr. James Nezzo (06:15)
• “The woman is an intellectual midget.” – Dr. James Nezzo, referring to Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson (12:02)
• “If there aren’t at least 10 illegal aliens on other police forces in this country, I’ll be shocked.” – Jake Novak (17:51)
• “This is a failure of leadership that they’re not taking seriously in the state of Illinois. And now it’s leaking into the police departments.” – Emily Finn (16:55)
• “Just give the man his flowers.” – Adam Smith praising Trump’s Middle East diplomacy (43:11)
• “It is more than a dog whistle. It is a clarion call for attacks on Jews.” – Jake Novak, on anti-Israel rhetoric in NYC politics (47:14)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:37 – Episode introduction and major headlines
• 03:31 – Analysis of Trump’s Middle East achievements (Dr. Nezzo)
• 05:06 – Critique of domestic critics (left and libertarian)
• 08:14 – Government shutdown blame and Schumer/AOC politics
• 10:44 – Supreme Court segment: Criticism of Justice Jackson
• 13:53 – Illinois illegal alien cop breaking news (Ben Berkwam)
• 16:00 – Conversation with Emily Finn on law enforcement standards
• 21:14 – Car market, tech news, and “Moving America” segment
• 29:25 – Interview: Mike Britton of Artillery Tea
• 34:28 – Interview: Adam Smith on NC judicial scandal and crime
• 39:20 – North Carolina, redistricting, and further national politics
• 43:42 – NYC mayoral debate analysis and concerns

Tone and Style

• Language: Blunt, combative, partisan, occasionally sarcastic. Heavy conservative framing.
• Pace: Quick, energetic, heavy rotation of topics.
• Structure: Anchored by opening/closing headline roundups, with interviews and reporting segments intermixed.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode provides a rapid-fire, right-leaning perspective on top national and cultural news: celebrating Trump’s perceived recent victories, pillorying left/libertarian political opponents, exposing alleged government malfeasance, and platforming patriotic small-business entrepreneurship. The arguments are sharp and at times hyperbolic; panelists and interviewees share unified frustration with Democrats, leftist policies, and what they consider the erosion of American values and security.

The episode’s recurring theme: “This week, conservatives and Trump won; the left lost.” Key stories used to support the narrative include the Middle East peace announcement, the enduring government shutdown, scandals involving illegal immigrants in public-sector roles, and New York’s political climate amid anti-Semitism concerns.

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