American Sunrise Early Edition – September 11th, 2025

Podcast: Real America’s Voice
Host: Jake Novak (with David Zier, Matt Tardeo, Leah Liebovitz, David Brody, and others)
Date: September 11, 2025
Location: Live from Ground Zero, New York City

Overview

This somber and special edition of American Sunrise Early Edition aired live from Ground Zero on the 24th anniversary of 9/11, in the immediate aftermath of the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. The episode intertwines America’s remembrance of 9/11 with real-time reflection, outrage, and mourning for Kirk. The hosts and guests grapple with dual tragedy, reflecting on America’s resolve, unity in crisis, generational memory, and the threat of political and ideological violence.

Main Themes

• Commemoration of September 11, 2001: Honoring the victims, heroes, and America’s response
• The Assassination of Charlie Kirk: Breaking news, reflection on his legacy, and broader political implications
• National Unity and Division: Parallels between 9/11 and current political violence
• Generational Memory: Challenges of teaching and retaining 9/11’s lessons
• Vigilance Against Terror and Intolerance: Ongoing threats, cultural change, and the imperative of remembrance

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. A Nation in Mourning: Parallels Between 9/11 and the Charlie Kirk Assassination

• Initial Breaking News: The episode opens with the tragic news that Charlie Kirk was assassinated the previous day on a college campus in Utah.

• Dual Tragedy: Host Jake Novak describes the atmosphere at Ground Zero, where the memory of 9/11 intermingles with mourning Kirk:

  • “As I stand here, there are members of the NYPD and FDNY who are gathering, some with framed pictures of their loved ones...but of course, also on this day, we must pause and give you the latest on what is a political tragedy unfolding in our country right now.” (04:06)

• Charlie Kirk’s Legacy:

  • “Charlie Kirk is a casualty of the political war going on in this country. He was gunned down in cold blood.” (06:55)
  • Guests recall Kirk’s commitment to dialogue, his aversion to violence, and his advocacy for free speech and American values.

Memorable Quotes:

• On Free Speech:

  • "He believed strongly that we could solve a lot of our differences with just a good old-fashioned conversation." (G, 05:47)
  • "He didn’t hate people. He didn’t even hate liberals. He just hated intolerance." (G, 06:36)

• On Division:

  • "It is a painful irony that he may have died at the hands of some intolerant person." (G, 06:42)

2. Reflections on Security and Cultural Climate

• Increase in Political Violence:

  • Former law enforcement officer Matt Tardeo discusses the state of security and the rising tensions in American society:
    • "It’s not often that I am kind of at a loss of words… America is waking up. That this madness that Charlie often spoke about...people are literally eating their own...you are not allowed to take this and run with it. Just be respectful for once." (I, 09:17–11:04)

• Calls for Unity Amidst Threat:

  • Guests draw direct parallels between the unity after 9/11 and the potential for today’s tragedy to inspire similar togetherness.

Memorable Quotes:

• "New York unified after 9/11, and it is similar to Charlie Kirk because I think the country will unify, even the left, outside of the radicals..." (G, 11:59)

3. Continuing 9/11 Remembrance and Its Modern Relevance

• Personal and National Reflections:

  • Hosts and guests share memories of loved ones lost, the personal toll on first responders, and the broader societal impact.
  • Reference to ongoing health crises among 9/11 responders: "Now you have 70,000 people that are sick and, you know, 24,000 plus with cancer. Illnesses keep showing up." (G, 11:59)

• Generational Disconnect:

  • Discussion about how 9/11 is taught (or not taught) in schools, and the challenge of maintaining relevance for those born after 2001.
    • "Kids are not learning the proper history of 9/11...there’s a lot of revisionism out there..." (G, 22:25)

• Economic Resilience:

  • Reflections on how markets and industries rebounded after 9/11:
    • "The attack on our markets ended up being a total failure...by the end of the year, the markets were up again." (A, 27:16)
    • "There was a lot of Patriot buying going on...It was a real unifying time." (G, 31:08)

Memorable Quotes:

• "If there’s anything that I feel guilty about...Have we told our children enough? Have we taught them enough about what happened here?" (A, 23:33)

4. Calling Out Extremism and Rejecting Conspiracy

• Charlie Kirk’s Principled Stance:

  • Leah Leibovitz, editor at large at Tablet magazine, highlights Charlie Kirk's commitment to real debate and rejection of conspiracy theories:
    • "He was a person who believed very, very truly...in the ability of free speech and debate to actually change minds. This is what was attacked yesterday in Utah." (J, 37:37)
    • "Charlie Kirk didn’t fall for...the incredible conspiracy theories...He didn’t succumb to that." (A, 40:56)

• Critique of Extremism Left and Right:

  • "We live in a perilous moment...not only the woke left...but also the rise of the woke right—people...who peddle in conspiracy theories, people who are praying for America’s downfall..." (J, 41:48)

5. Persistent Threats and Need for Vigilance

• Historical Context of Terrorism:

  • David Zier provides detailed history of terror in New York, connecting 9/11 with earlier and subsequent episodes and highlighting ongoing risks:
    • "Outside of the FDNY and emergency services, they wouldn’t know the 40-year history of terror...building al Qaeda for 35 years in New York City..." (G, 16:09)

• Reflections on Missed Lessons and Security:

  • "We have to understand this. We don’t have to frighten people...but it’s as simple as locking your door...You need to be vigilant." (A, 55:54)

• Flight 93 and D.C. Attacks:

  • Discussion on possible targets prevented by passengers, underlining the citizen response to terrorism:
    • "If that plane doesn’t go down in Shanksville...Think about this, guys. If that plane doesn’t go down...can you imagine the undertaking that would have been at the time?" (F, 56:41)

Notable Segments & Timestamps

| Time | Segment / Quote | |------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 04:06 | Jake Novak at Ground Zero, reflecting on 9/11 and Kirk’s assassination | | 05:47–06:46| Eulogizing Charlie Kirk: “He believed strongly...with just a good old fashioned conversation.” (G) | | 09:17–11:04| Security and loss of civility in political discourse – Matt Tardeo’s reflection | | 11:59 | "New York unified after 9/11, and it is similar to Charlie Kirk..." (G) | | 22:25 | The generational challenge of remembering and teaching 9/11 (G) | | 27:16 | Discussion of economic resilience in the wake of 9/11 | | 37:37 | Leah Leibovitz on Kirk’s impact and free speech | | 40:56 | Charlie Kirk’s rejection of conspiracy and radicalization (A) | | 51:10–56:41| Memories and analysis of 9/11’s events outside NYC, including the Pentagon and Flight 93 |

Memorable Quotes with Attribution & Timestamps

• "Charlie Kirk is a casualty of the political war going on in this country. He was gunned down in cold blood."
  — Host Jake Novak (06:55)

• "He didn’t hate people. He didn’t even hate liberals. He just hated intolerance."
  — Guest David Zier (06:36)

• "It is a painful irony that he may have died at the hands of some intolerant person."
  — Guest David Zier (06:42)

• "If there’s anything that I feel guilty about...Have we told our children enough? Have we taught them enough about what happened here?"
  — Jake Novak (23:33)

• "He was a person who believed very, very truly...in the ability of free speech and debate to actually change minds. This is what was attacked yesterday in Utah."
  — Leah Leibovitz (37:37)

• "Charlie Kirk didn’t fall for...the incredible conspiracy theories...He didn’t succumb to that."
  — Jake Novak (40:56)

• "We absolutely must reject these dangerous and pernicious ideas because the spirit of the prophet of the prophets of Israel, the spirit of the Bible, is the spirit that moves this great and godly nation."
  — Leah Leibovitz (42:36)

• "We have to understand this. We don’t have to frighten people...but it’s as simple as locking your door...You need to be vigilant."
  — Jake Novak (55:54)

Tone & Style Notes

The tone remains reverent, emotional, and resolute throughout. There is a clear call for unity, vigilance, and respect for legacy—both for the victims of 9/11 and for Charlie Kirk. Political discourse is openly discussed, with hosts emphasizing the necessity of civil debate, free speech, and the rejection of radicalism—regardless of its source. Where appropriate, guests and hosts express personal stories and strong opinions in line with the podcast’s “Real News, Honest Views” philosophy.

Conclusion

This episode of American Sunrise Early Edition serves as both an anniversary remembrance of September 11 and a live, deeply personal reflection on the loss of Charlie Kirk. The hosts and guests honor both tragedies by reinforcing American resilience, the power of principled debate, and the ongoing responsibility to remember, teach, and unify in the face of violence and division. The call is for listeners to stay informed, continue to dialogue respectfully, honor legacy, and remain vigilant in protecting the values that underpin American society.