Real America’s Voice – American Sunrise Early Edition
Date: September 15, 2025
Host: Jake Novak
Guests: Gerard Felitti (Lawfare Project), Emily Finn (RAV Contributor), John Reed (VA Lt. Gov. Candidate), David Brody (RAV Commentator)
Episode Overview
This special Monday edition of American Sunrise Early Edition focuses intensely on the national fallout after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Host Jake Novak analyzes how the killing has shifted America’s political climate, especially among conservatives, and explores repercussions in legal, educational, and electoral spheres. The episode features deep-dive discussions on firings tied to public celebrations of Kirk’s death, the atmosphere on college campuses, implications for upcoming elections, and responses from both local and national leaders. There is ongoing emphasis on restoring “American values, freedom, and faith” as guiding principles for moving forward.
Key Topics & Insights
1. The Aftermath of Charlie Kirk's Assassination
[03:07–04:38, 43:02–45:26]
- The episode opens with the nation in mourning and a call to “never give up the fight to getting America back on track.”
- Vigils and peaceful gatherings are happening nationwide. There’s a distinct change in mood described as “a different America.”
- The main concern is justice for Kirk and consequences for those suspected to have aided the assassin.
- Focus on rooting out those in sensitive public roles who “celebrated” Kirk’s death on social media.
- Many already fired (“disturbingly long” list, especially among teachers and government employees).
Notable Quote:
“It just feels different in America, doesn’t it, as we begin this new week in the wake of the Charlie Kirk assassination, but also in the wake of a tremendous outpouring of peaceful, underlying peaceful response to his death.”
– Jake Novak [04:40]
2. Legal and Social Fallout: Firings, Lawsuits, and Accountability
[06:13–09:46]
Jake Novak & Gerard Felitti discuss the legal ramifications for those cheering the assassination and the prospects for lawsuits over firings.
- Firings of Public Employees:
- Celebrating murder not protected speech; justified firings unlikely to be reversed in court.
- Unions expected to mount defenses, but legal precedent is against them.
- Revealing role of citizen journalism in exposing offenders.
Notable Quote:
“Celebrating murder is not protected conduct... when you're celebrating homicide, that's not an employee. No one wants to work next to that person.”
– Gerard Felitti [06:13]
-
Case Against the Accused and Others:
- 22-year-old Tyler Robinson (“no cooperation with investigators”), speculation of co-conspirators.
- Standard to prove conspiracy is high: must show shared intent to kill Kirk.
- Favored approach: charge as “terrorism” or “conspiracy against rights.”
-
Social Media & Civil Lawsuits:
- Difficult to hold platforms like Discord liable unless active involvement is proven.
- More traction for lawsuits against individuals who incited or “radicalized” Robinson than against tech companies.
- Importance of discovery to uncover networks of indoctrination.
Notable Quote:
“It will be much more different if they go after people who incited this kid, who shared the motivation... Then you do have a better chance of seeing at least this go forward with litigation.”
– Gerard Felitti [09:05]
3. Framing the Narrative: Motive, Misinformation, and Radicalization
[09:46–12:38]
- Host criticizes left-wing efforts to “flood the zone with confusion” about Robinson’s motives and background, comparing it to Holocaust denial.
- Concerns about attempts to shift blame and “victim blaming.”
- Core question: How was Robinson radicalized? Concern about teachers and social media’s influence.
Notable Quote:
“What was his exposure on social media? What... factors shaped a normal middle class kid... into someone who commits an act of political violence?”
– Gerard Felitti [11:04]
- Specific critique of Utah’s Governor for “undermining” the legal case with comments about Kirk’s “inflammatory” speech—deemed an unhelpful public statement but not detrimental to the case.
4. The Crisis of Public Safety & Governance
[13:25–15:10, 43:02–54:31]
- President Trump sends National Guard to Memphis with local support; claims previous deployments have yielded results.
- Felitti defends legal authority and necessity of National Guard deployments to combat crime as a failure of progressive local policies.
- Jake Novak frames this as “addressing issues head-on” rather than “sitting back.”
Notable Quote:
“We've seen the consequences of progressive policies. Progressing policing and prosecutions meant that crime has skyrocketed... This is very much necessary.”
– Gerard Felitti [14:18]
5. The Future of Youth Conservatism and Social Movements
[19:59–25:23]
Discussion with Emily Finn:
- Charlie Kirk’s impact on young conservatives and Gen Z.
- Mainstream media acknowledges Kirk’s role in shaping non-liberal youth.
- Attempts by Democrats to create a “counter-Kirk” (e.g., David Hogg)—deemed “cheap imitations” by Novak, though Finn praises Hogg’s independent thinking.
- Social media’s toxic culture: widespread celebration of Kirk’s death; calls for emphasizing peaceful activism and open conversation.
- Hope for the “legacy that Charlie leaves behind” to motivate youth participation regardless of political affiliation.
Notable Quote:
“He was extraordinarily unique... the impact that he was able to make in such a short amount of time... is a shame that he was taken from us so soon.”
– Emily Finn [21:42]
- Turning Point USA seen as giving a voice to the “silenced”; movement expected to expand by decentralizing, not seeking a single figurehead replacement.
6. Economic, Technological, and Policy Updates
[30:26–40:01]
Jake Novak delivers rapid headlines:
- Federal Reserve drama: possibility of fired Governor Lisa Cook attempting to “crash” an interest rate meeting, causing market uncertainty.
- U.S.–South Korea tensions over Hyundai plant ICE raid and deportations.
- Penske Media sues Google over AI search scraping content, facing uphill battle despite earlier anti-monopoly rulings.
- Auto industry news: Dodge Ram scraps its full-size electric truck; rising auto loan delinquencies parallel a financial crisis; electric car safety issues with door electronics; German auto industry consolidation fears.
- Jake laments U.S. inaction on auto/tech regulation, referencing Chinese bans on dangerous e-car door designs.
7. Election 2025: Virginia as a Bellwether Post-Assassination
[43:02–54:31]
Interview with John Reed (GOP candidate for VA Lt. Gov.)
- All communities, regardless of ideology, are now “awake” and wary.
- Reed brands the Left as vengeful and “corrupt”—“not Republicans like Charlie Kirk, who want discussion/debate... but people who want vengeance.”
- Virginia’s longstanding status as “ground zero” in the trans rights controversy, originating from the Loudoun County scandal.
- Reed, as an openly gay conservative, denounces the “trans movement” as unhealthy and Democrats as cynically exploiting civil rights terminology to destabilize society for socialism.
- Democrats are accused of hypocrisy: “masquerading as moderates,” now exposed by public reactions to Kirk’s assassination, especially among donors to Reed's Democratic opponent Ghazala Hashmi.
- Reed clarifies education policy: supporting parental choice, not eliminating public schools, accusing Hashmi of dishonesty and union subservience.
Notable Quotes:
“The trans movement is not a healthy movement. It is not good, it is not normal. And we are making a huge mistake culturally by mainstreaming this.”
– John Reed [47:34]
“Why are we locking children into failing systems? Ghazala Hashmi is not looking out for the kids. She's looking out for the teachers unions.”
– John Reed [52:22]
“It feels like people with political agenda since the time of the pagans till now are really into child sacrifice.”
– Jake Novak [54:02]
8. Democratic Politics in the Post-Kirk America
[58:21–62:02]
Jake Novak & David Brody discuss:
- Kathy Hochul’s poorly-timed endorsement of Zoran Mamdani for NYC mayor, risking her own reelection prospects.
- Democratic candidates now forced to clarify positions on rising extremism; divided party looms.
- Brody predicts conservative unity and a lasting impact among the “biblical truth side.”
- Noted the peaceful character of conservative response: “no violence, just vigils.”
Notable Quotes:
“Will it endure? It'll endure on the conservative side... I don't believe that unity is possible when you have two divergent worldviews and spiritual outlooks.”
– David Brody [61:32]
“Notice the huge outpouring included no violence, just vigils.”
– Jake Novak [61:54]
Memorable Moments & Quotes
- “Celebrating murder is not protected conduct... No one wants to work next to that person.” —Gerard Felitti [06:13]
- “The trans movement is not a healthy movement. It is not good, it is not normal.” —John Reed [47:34]
- “It just feels different in America, doesn’t it?” —Jake Novak [04:40]
- “He gave a voice to those people. And it continued to grow... there is no one to replace Charlie Kirk, but we all replace Charlie Kirk if we rise up together in the movement.” —Emily Finn [24:33]
- “It feels like people with political agenda... are really into child sacrifice.” —Jake Novak [54:02]
- “Will it endure? It'll endure on the conservative side... I don't believe that unity is possible when you have two divergent worldviews.” —David Brody [61:32]
Notable Timestamps
- [03:07] – Immediate national reaction to Charlie Kirk’s assassination
- [04:38] – Introduction of Gerard Felitti on firings for public celebrations
- [06:13] – Legality and likelihood of reversal of firings for teachers/government workers
- [07:52] – Investigation status on accused and possible co-conspirators
- [09:05] – Section 230 and lawsuits against tech platforms/individuals
- [12:02] – Criticism of Utah Governor’s “inflammatory” remarks
- [13:25] – Trump’s National Guard actions and legal precedent
- [19:59] – Discussion of youth activism and legacy of Charlie Kirk
- [43:02] – Beginning of segment on changes in Virginia politics post-assassination
- [47:34] – John Reed addresses trans movement and educational choice
- [58:21] – Hochul’s endorsement controversy and Democratic Party divide
- [61:32] – Brody’s conclusion on the endurance of conservative unity
Summary
In one of the most emotional and consequential episodes to date, host Jake Novak and his guests analyze America’s political and cultural climate after the assassination of Charlie Kirk. The show details efforts to hold accountable those publicly celebrating his death—especially in sensitive jobs—asserting that such firings are justified and will withstand legal scrutiny. The episode denounces misinformation about the killer’s motives, draws explicit lines between radicalization and institutional influences (particularly schools and social media), and frames the incident in a broader clash of American values.
The show spotlights the effects on youth conservatism, the challenge of replacing a movement leader, and the impulse for more decentralized activism. In the second half, focus shifts to Virginia’s pivotal election, ongoing education debates, and a bruising critique of left-wing identity politics and what guests perceive as the Democratic Party’s radical drift.
All discussions are underpinned by a new spirit of resolve and unity in the conservative movement—embodied by peaceful responses and renewed calls for faith and freedom—and a belief that the left is now exposed and politically vulnerable due to its public reaction to Kirk’s death.
This episode offers a visceral, unapologetic window into the mood of post-assassination conservative America, rallying listeners to vigilance, activism, and cultural self-defense.