Real America’s Voice: American Sunrise – October 2, 2025

Hosts: Dr. Gina Louden, David Brody, Terrence Bates
Notable Guests: Rep. Randy Weber, Andy Mangione (AMAC Action), Brian Glenn, Stephen Moore, Jonathan Shuttlesworth, Bo Davidson, Ben Berkwam, Chuck Flint

Overview

This episode of American Sunrise delves into the ongoing government shutdown (Day 2), its roots, political implications, and expected impacts on federal agencies and the public. The show features interviews with lawmakers, policy advocates, and correspondents reporting from Washington, Memphis, and the ground in Portland. It weaves in cultural commentary, faith, and health updates, while highlighting discussions about President Trump’s policy maneuvers and shifts within mainstream media.

The episode remains true to RAV’s ethos: challenging mainstream narratives through the lens of American values, faith, and freedom.

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. Opening & Show Tone

• [00:06–03:53]
  • The government shutdown and its potential impacts top the headlines.
  • Lighthearted banter between hosts sets a collegial tone.
  • Early focus on President Trump’s executive order to defend Qatar after an Israeli strike, sparking a debate about foreign policy and the MAGA agenda.
    • Quote (David Brody, 03:10):
      “I am sorry, but we’re going to shed potentially American blood in defense of Qatar. That ain’t make America great again. That’s not MAGA. This I do not like.”
  • Discussion of young conservatives’ skepticism about ties between Trump and Netanyahu.

2. Government Shutdown & Political Analysis

• Shutdown Context [06:18–13:38]

  • Senate failed to pass a “clean” continuing resolution due to disputes over health care for illegal aliens.
  • Vice President J.D. Vance and hosts label it the “Schumer Shutdown,” insisting Democrats are misrepresenting health care policy for political purposes.
    • Quote (Dr. Gina Louden, 07:13):
      “They want to give health care benefits to illegal aliens… they gave us legislative text that would have undone us cutting off health care benefits for illegal aliens.”

• Interview: Rep. Randy Weber, R-TX [08:40–13:18]

  • Echoes hosts’ takes, recounts history of shutdowns; blames Democrats for shifting on Medicaid for illegal immigrants.
    • Quote (Rep. Weber, 08:40):
      “Now comes the Schumer shutdown... they voted on this… six months ago. Now they’re tacking in $1.7 trillion… for illegal health care.”
  • Predicts another enduring stalemate due to midterm calculation and political posturing.
  • General consensus: public less affected and less interested than in prior shutdowns.

• Impending Federal Layoffs [10:04–12:24]

  • Russ Vought (OMB) has plans for possible mass layoffs.
  • Shutdown duration and impact uncertain—political brinkmanship likely.

3. Crime & Federal Response in Memphis

• Crime Crackdown Report [15:39–17:51]

  • Brian Glenn reports from Memphis, where, with AG Pam Bondi and Sec. Pete Hegseth, National Guard troops are being welcomed to fight violent crime.
    • Quote (Pam Bondi, 15:39):
      “President Trump knows when the government shuts down, crime doesn’t shut down. And so we’re not going to let that impact what we’re doing… Memphis has the highest violent murder rate in the entire country.”

• Upcoming Interventions [17:51–18:33]

  • Other cities discussed for similar federal responses: Chicago and Portland (noted Antifa activity).

4. Weather & Health Updates

• Hurricane Imelda [18:33–19:32]
  • Tropical forecast with local impacts.
• Gene Therapy Breakthrough [29:23–32:18]
  • Promising Huntington’s Disease trial—a medical highlight, signifying biotech progress.
    • Quote (Dr. Gina Louden, 29:23):
      “This gene therapy, I’m telling you what guys, this stuff is so exciting… preliminary... but marks one of the very first demonstrated disease modifying effects for Huntington’s—not just symptom management.”

5. Policy & Advocacy Spotlight: AMAC Action, IRS, Election Integrity

• Interview with Andy Mangione (AMAC Action SVP) [22:25–27:57]

  • AMAC’s position: Backs Republican efforts to keep government open sans Democrat spending increases and free health care for undocumented immigrants.

  • Concerned with Democrat-proposed cuts to rural senior health care.

  • Election Integrity: Urging proof of citizenship for federal voter registration—nearly 10,000 member comments submitted to the EAC.

    • Quote (Mangione, 24:04):
      “Registration for federal election relies on the honor system. Applicants merely check a box attesting that they are citizens. And that needs to change.”

  • Legislative victory: House passes the Stop Illegal Entry Act—with tougher immigration enforcement and penalties.

6. Mainstream Media Critique & Ratings Decline

• Legacy Media Losing Ground [61:56–66:17]
  • CNN and MSNBC losing audience sharply, Fox News leads.
  • Hosts champion alternative news sources and diversity of perspectives.
    • Quote (Terrence Bates, 62:49):
      “What we once considered mainstream Media isn’t mainstream anymore… people are going to different sources, not just one source, to get their news and information.”
  • Call for civil discourse and open-mindedness in media and public debate.

7. Current Events, Judicial & Financial News

• Anti-Semitic Attack in Manchester, UK [47:19–50:48]

  • Breaking news: attack on synagogue during Yom Kippur.
  • Discussion links rising anti-Semitism to UK’s demographic and cultural shifts.
    • Quote (Dr. Gina Louden, 49:08): “They are under Sharia law. They’ve used this as their epicenter, the Islamists, to attempt to take over the UK… This isn’t racial. This isn’t religious. This is… about freedom and life.”

• Supreme Court: Lisa Cook’s Fed Tenure [54:55–71:24]

  • Analysis on Trump administration’s failed attempt to oust a federal reserve governor, implications for executive power, and future precedent.

• Shutdown Economic Impact [54:55–61:00]

  • Stephen Moore downplays economic impact of a shutdown; supports reducing non-essential government services.
  • Predicts Democrats will ultimately back down; lauds Russ Vought for aggressive cost-cutting.

8. Antifa, Domestic Security, & Urban Unrest

• Designation as Domestic Terrorists [75:41–80:34]
  • Poll: Majority of voters approve of designating Antifa as a terror group.
    • Quote (Dr. Gina Louden, 75:41):
      “Why would you oppose this?... Antifa is not just a movement, it’s a domestic threat.”
  • Direct reporting from Portland by Ben Berkwam, who details ongoing riots, law enforcement challenges, legal wrangling over National Guard deployment.
    • Quote (Ben Berkwam, 80:34):
      “Antifa is a terrorist organization… their objective is to overthrow this country… They are the weaponized violence arm of the Democratic Socialists of America.”

9. Culture, Faith & Generational Change

• Youth Turning to Faith [42:29–46:28]

  • Massive baptisms and a distinct rise in Gen Z church involvement—a response to cultural turmoil.
    • Quote (Jonathan Shuttlesworth, 44:24):
      “As much as the devil’s active in the last days, God said, I will pour out my spirit on all flesh. And the first group he hit is your sons and daughters will prophesy… There’s going to be an outpouring of God’s spirit that affects all people.”

• Media Bias in Sports [86:55–92:45]

  • ESPN’s bias exposed—blocking Trump interviews, enforced double standard compared to coverage of Obama/Biden.
    • Quote (David Brody, 90:59):
      “What about conservatives who are not put on panel… that’s really the bigger concern and hopefully things will start to even out a little bit. But I don’t know. Not convinced.”

10. Tribute & Must-See TV

• Jane Goodall’s Passing [93:23–96:33]
  • Celebrating the legacy of Dr. Jane Goodall, primatologist and conservationist, with touching video of her connection to chimpanzees.
    • Quote (Dr. Gina Louden, 94:09):
      “She was respected not just by coworkers, but by the chimps she worked so tirelessly to protect. Somehow they seemed to know empathically that she was there for them.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with timestamps)

• On President Trump’s Qatar Policy

  • David Brody [03:10]: “We’re going to shed potentially American blood in defense of Qatar. That ain’t make America great again.”
  • Dr. Gina Louden [03:53]: “There is, especially among the younger base… a growing sentiment that President Trump is in cahoots with Netanyahu… this dispels that pretty quickly.”

• Bible Verse & Faith Context

  • Dr. Gina Louden [06:18]:
    “For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved… you know, it needs to be spirit filled.”

• Blame for the Shutdown

  • Rep. Randy Weber [08:40]: “Now comes the Schumer shutdown... Now they’re tacking in $1.7 trillion… for illegal health care.”
  • Andy Mangione [22:25]: “Among other things, Democrats want to give free health care to illegal aliens paid for by hard working American taxpayer dollar.”

• Crime Fighting & National Guard

  • Pam Bondi [15:39]: “President Trump knows when the government shuts down, crime doesn’t shut down. And so we’re not going to let that impact what we’re doing… Memphis has the highest violent murder rate in the entire country.”

• Antifa & Domestic Terror

  • Dr. Gina Louden [75:41]: “Antifa is not just a movement, it’s a domestic threat.”
  • Ben Berkwam [80:34]: “Antifa is a terrorist organization… their objective is to overthrow this country.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:10] – Debate over Trump’s Qatar policy and MAGA agenda
• [06:18] – Bible verse and spiritual reflection
• [08:40] – Rep. Randy Weber interviewed on the shutdown, health care for illegal immigrants
• [15:39] – Brian Glenn & Pam Bondi: Crackdown on Memphis crime
• [22:25] – Andy Mangione (AMAC): Shutdown's effect on seniors, election integrity initiative
• [29:23] – Gene therapy medical breakthrough news
• [42:29] – Report on Gen Z’s return to church & massive baptisms
• [54:55] – Stephen Moore on economic impact of shutdown and federal layoffs
• [61:56] – Discussion: Legacy media audience collapse
• [75:41] – Poll: Majority support designating Antifa as domestic terrorists
• [80:34] – Ben Berkwam live from Portland: Antifa’s threat and law enforcement response
• [86:55] – ESPN’s blocked Trump interview, sports media bias theme
• [93:23] – Tribute and farewell to Jane Goodall

Episode Tone & Takeaways

• Assertive, unapologetically conservative, faith-tinged style
• Frequent direct address to the “Real America” audience; encouragement for engagement and activism
• Heavy critique of Democratic leadership and mainstream/legacy media, support for Trump-era and MAGA-aligned policies
• Reflection on cultural trends—crime, faith resurgence, and media integrity
• Blend of sharp political analysis with community-building optimism

For listeners & non-listeners alike, this episode is a snapshot of “Real America’s Voice” editorial tone: pro-America, pro-faith, critical of establishment politics and media, with a recurring call to personal responsibility and civil engagement.