American Sunrise Early Edition - September 8, 2025
Podcast: Real America’s Voice / iHeartPodcasts
Host: Jake Novak
Notable Guests: Jared Stetman (Daily Signal), Emily Finn (RAV), David Mansdorfer (Former Trump admin health official), David Brody (RAV)
Overview
On the September 8, 2025 episode of American Sunrise Early Edition, host Jake Novak leads a fast-paced discussion on major news stories often absent from mainstream narratives. The episode centers around crime reporting bias, immigration enforcement, labor and corporate responsibility, public health controversies, and the cultural climate in America—all through the lens of faith, freedom, and what Novak calls "honest news." With in-depth conversations featuring Jared Stetman, Emily Finn, David Mansdorfer, and David Brody, the episode explores the consequences of media bias, political accountability, and shifting American values.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Media Suppression of Crime Stories & The Ukrainian Refugee Murder
Timestamps:
- [03:13], [05:04], [59:07], [60:49]
Summary:
- The episode opens with a disturbing story: the murder of 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Irina Zarutska on a Charlotte, NC commuter train—a crime virtually ignored by mainstream outlets.
- Novak and Stetman contend that media suppression is motivated by an unwillingness to report crime unless it fits a specific narrative.
- They argue this selective coverage fuels public misperception, reduces accountability for local leaders, and distorts national debates around criminal justice and urban policy.
Quotes:
- “We can't get the truth about crime in this country if the mainstream media is going to continue to suppress stories like this when the perpetrators aren't who they want the perpetrators to be.” — Jake Novak [06:35]
- “A big reason why they don't like the story is because it fits very much the warnings about the problem with crime in America... most violent crime is committed by a small number of individuals with long rap sheets, like this individual did.” — Jared Stetman [06:57]
- “We know all the stories that the left's talking about, but we also know our stories. They don't know our stories. This shouldn't be our story. This is everyone's story.” — Jake Novak [08:19]
2. Political Response and Accountability in Crime
Timestamps:
- [06:57], [09:17]
Summary:
- The hosts highlight the inadequate official response in Charlotte, criticizing Mayor Vi Miles for failing to show empathy for the victim's family and for downplaying the possibility of effective law enforcement.
- The discussion critiques "criminal justice reform" as an industry that has become a "large jailbreak," placing public safety at risk by prioritizing release over accountability.
Quotes:
- “The statement the mayor put out... I was enraged. This is a deep injustice. These are injustices our leaders and politicians should be looking to stop.” — Jared Stetman [09:17]
- “You can arrest yourself out of an issue if you also convict the person and put them in jail for lengthy jail times for violent crime.” — Jake Novak [08:43]
3. Labor, Immigration & Corporate Accountability: The Hyundai ICE Raid
Timestamps:
- [11:50], [12:59]
Summary:
- A recent ICE raid at a Hyundai battery plant in Georgia netted over 400 illegal workers. Novak and Stetman express frustration at corporations circumventing both labor and immigration laws.
- They argue that foreign corporations like Hyundai should be held accountable for employing illegal labor and failing to provide decent conditions.
- They note the importance of hiring and training American workers as central to "America First" economic policy.
Quotes:
- “It does seem very intentional... They've gotten away with this, and I wonder how many other companies have gotten away with this as well.” — Jared Stetman [11:50]
- “You can't claim that you're doing something for the American economy if you're literally just going to bring in... God knows what those people were getting paid.” — Jake Novak [12:59]
4. The Rise of National Conservatism
Timestamps:
- [13:51]
Summary:
- Stetman reports on the National Conservatism Conference, emphasizing a new willingness among conservatives to engage with and reclaim American institutions, particularly higher education, from left-wing influence.
- The Trump administration's efforts to defund and challenge ideologically captured institutions are presented as a turning point for conservative strategy.
Quotes:
- “The biggest message... is to not simply surrender these institutions. The left made its long march through history; the right needs to think institutionally.” — Jared Stetman [13:51]
5. Viral Culture Moment: “Karen” at the Baseball Game
Timestamps:
- [21:08], [22:54], [24:05]
Summary:
- The show recaps a viral incident at a Phillies game where a woman berated a father and son for catching a home run ball. Both hosts and contributor Emily Finn discuss the cultural significance of ‘Karens’ and internet shaming.
- The incident is used to critique societal trends toward entitlement and public shaming.
Quotes:
- “She has just been crowned queen of the Karens after this incident at the baseball game. How ridiculous. The haircut, the glasses, the pointing... This is that breed.” — Emily Finn [22:54]
- “There's just something wrong when somebody like this can do this publicly and have no shame.” — Jake Novak [24:05]
6. Economic Outlook and Market Update
Timestamps:
- [30:36]
Summary:
- Novak provides a snapshot of the current economic climate, referencing disappointing jobs growth, delayed Fed action on interest rates, falling mortgage rates, and Amazon’s crackdown on family Prime sharing.
- He predicts that sub-6% mortgage rates will reinvigorate the housing market and recommends audience members keep an eye on financial opportunities.
7. Crime, National Security, and Car Thefts Fund Terror
Timestamps:
- [30:36]
Summary:
- The podcast covers a major car theft ring operated by Arab American immigrants in Michigan, allegedly funding terrorist organizations. Novak recalls “Operation Cassandra,” criticizing prior administrations for deprioritizing such investigations.
8. Public Health & the COVID Vaccine Debate
Timestamps:
- [43:06], [45:44], [47:42], [53:14]
Summary:
- Novak and David Mansdorfer discuss President Trump’s public uncertainty about the COVID vaccine’s efficacy, finding it “unique” among political leaders to express genuine curiosity over blanket certainty.
- The conversation highlights “groupthink” in public health and the current “revolt” against Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. at the CDC.
- They debate the Surgeon General of Florida’s decision to abolish all vaccine mandates and the importance of restoring public trust in health authorities.
Quotes:
- “President Trump is really doing what's best for the American people, asking an open-ended question which allows you to follow the data and follow the science... it's an incredible move.” — David Mansdorfer [45:44]
- “Public health has become a group think religion... So it doesn't surprise me we were misled a number of times during COVID.” — David Mansdorfer [47:42]
- “When it comes to the childhood immunization schedule, there are vaccines that work. And I do side with President Trump that there are things that are public health and evidence-based.” — David Mansdorfer [53:14]
9. Senate Hearings and Misquoting RFK Jr.
Timestamps:
- [49:15], [51:31]
Summary:
- Mansdorfer analyzes a Senate confrontation in which a Minnesota senator claim Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. blamed a school shooting on antidepressants. He clarifies that Kennedy merely called for serious study of their role.
- The segment critiques political grandstanding and deliberate misrepresentation in government hearings.
Quotes:
- “What Secretary Kennedy said... is try to drive to the heart of why we are seeing many of these issues. So when you see exchanges like this on Capitol Hill, it's not about the issues. It's about the politics.” — David Mansdorfer [51:31]
10. Media Bias, Template Reporting & Narrative Control
Timestamps:
- [59:07], [60:49], [62:08]
Summary:
- Jake Novak and David Brody dissect the deeper issue: the power of newsrooms to set agendas by mere story selection, not just how a story is told.
- The refusal to cover certain crimes is portrayed as an abdication of journalistic duty and a danger to democratic discourse.
- The segment ends with a call for honest reporting—regardless of political utility.
Quotes:
- “What the media bias is really all about... is story selection. And the stories that they actually decide they want to cover and are going to give ink and lift and oxygen to. And this is a great example, really. Exhibit A, if you will.” — David Brody [60:49]
- “They can do this [make a story national] if they wanted to, and this would be an easy one. We’re talking about Ukraine, Ukraine, Ukraine all the time. This would have been one.” — Jake Novak [62:08]
- “Bias versus rating. Bias versus rating. You'll go bias every time.” — David Brody [62:52]
Notable, Memorable Moments and Quotes
- "No sacred cows, especially if they've already been tainted by leftist activism. ...it needs to be fumigated or at least put back on a level playing field." — Jake Novak [15:03]
- Viral 'Karen' story at the Phillies game spotlighted as a symptom of contemporary entitlement and "preachy, whiny Americans." [21:08–25:58]
- Economic tip: “If we can just get that 30-year average below 6%, even if it's 5.99, it'll be such a psychological green light for home buyers and home sellers. It will really help the economy.” — Jake Novak [30:36]
- Critique of US-Japan auto tariffs and the significance of Tesla surpassing Nissan in Japan [30:36]
- Outrage and disbelief at a Canadian car thief suing the people who stopped his theft [30:36]
- On vaccine policy: “I see complete value in what the Surgeon General in Florida is doing... but I also agree with the president that there's a lot of evidence that many of these vaccines actually do work. ...Do they all work? Do they all work together?” — David Mansdorfer [53:14]
Timestamps for Important Segments
| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | |------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:13 | Overview of stories: Ukrainian refugee murder, Hyundai ICE Raid, Chicago ICE threat, Russia-Ukraine strike, “unpopular woman” incident | | 05:04 | Murder of Ukrainian refugee, media suppression discussion | | 06:57 | Analysis: Crime statistics and repeat offenders | | 08:00 | Media narrative and information bubbles | | 09:17 | Charlotte mayor’s response criticized | | 11:50 | ICE Raid at Hyundai battery plant discussion | | 13:51 | National Conservatism and shifting right-wing strategy | | 21:08 | Weekend sports wrap, Phillies ‘Karen’ viral incident | | 30:36 | Financial market and economic trends update | | 43:06 | Top news headlines recap, intro to public health segment | | 45:44 | COVID vaccine skepticism, Trump’s open-ended inquiry | | 47:42 | The groupthink in public health; revolt against RFK Jr. at CDC | | 49:15 | Senate hearing, RFK Jr. and antidepressants controversy | | 53:14 | Florida vaccine mandate debate, informed consent | | 59:07 | Murder of Ukrainian woman; media coverage comparison | | 60:49 | David Brody: Newsroom bias explained | | 62:08 | Novak: Historical examples of selective national news coverage |
Tone and Language
The podcast maintains a spirited, combative, and occasionally sardonic tone. Hosts critique the mainstream media and political opponents, using clear, straightforward language punctuated by moments of humor and outrage, aligned with the channel’s “honest news” ethos.
Conclusion
This episode of American Sunrise Early Edition covers underreported stories and critiques of institutional power, focusing particularly on criminal justice, labor and immigration enforcement, the role of institutions in American life, the erosion of public health trust, and the mechanics of media bias. The conversation is shaped by a belief in the importance of exposing suppressed stories and restoring balance to American discourse—urging listeners to question received narratives and seek out a fuller picture of national events.
