Real America’s Voice: CHECK THE NEWS – November 8th, 2025

Host: Steve Edmond
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts / Real America’s Voice
Date: November 9, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of "Check the News" dives deep into the ongoing U.S. government shutdown, foreign policy developments, the U.S.-Israel relationship, recent court decisions around immigration, media bias, and shifting political dynamics. The host, Steve Edmond, combines serious policy commentary, pop culture asides, and pointed, often irreverent humor to analyze current events through a right-populist, America First lens. The tone oscillates between satirical, combative, and occasionally reflective.

Main Topics and Key Discussion Points

1. Government Shutdown: Political Stalemate and Satire

Timestamp: 03:45–07:33 & throughout

• The episode opens with a running satirical riff on the lengthening government shutdown, riffing on "The 12 Days of Christmas" to lampoon the situation and blame Democrats:

  “On the first day of shutdown the Dems gave to me… some browns on Hakeem Jeffries…”
  — Host (03:54)

• The host critiques Democrats for ‘playing political games’ and neglecting the impact on federal workers:

  “Millions of American federal workers are under enormous financial stress as a result, wondering how they will pay their bills and take care of their families.”
  — Commentator (06:11)

• Political implications: Several Democrats breaking ranks could mean a rapid end to the shutdown.

2. Foreign Policy: Trump’s Asia Trip, Venezuela, and Military Strikes

Timestamp: 07:34, 36:41, 40:35

• Recap of Trump’s “successful” Asia tour: “brought nearly $2 trillion in Asian investments… finalized peace between Cambodia and Thailand.” (07:34)
• Potential U.S. military action against Venezuela is framed as a response to Chinese and Cuban influence, plus fentanyl trafficking concerns.

  "China is there. Cuba. What Cuba was to Russia in the '60s, Venezuela is to China." — Steve Edmond (36:45)

3. Pop Culture and Sports Commentary

Timestamp: 08:43–10:30, 43:20, 43:56

• Short segment on NFL footballs being embedded with chips and possible manipulations:

  “There’s chips in those footballs ... the reason you give the ball back is because the NFL wants to keep their data.” (09:27)

• Musings on the late Wayman Tisdale's musical career and faith (11:17).
• Brief celebration of 18-year-old Ben Kendall’s hockey success with the Pittsburgh Penguins (43:20).

4. Media & Political Figures: Hypocrisy, Bias, and “Calling Out”

Timestamp: 20:36, 23:12, 44:17

• Host skewers Whoopi Goldberg and The View for hypocrisy in calling to end investigations into Biden as “ironic”—calling attention to their earlier support for probing Trump (20:36).
• Critical take on Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), dissecting his CNN interview to highlight supposed double standards and Democratic strategy (22:23–24:32).
• Senator Cory Booker and other Democrats are challenged live on CNN about why they won’t vote to end the shutdown:

  “You say Republicans are being cruel...but you just have to vote yes and four other Democratic senators have to vote yes and the government will be reopened.”
  — Host/News Anchor (44:17)

5. U.S.-Israel Relationship & Foreign Aid Debate

Timestamp: 25:07–30:04

• Discussion sparked by Tucker Carlson’s call to “detach from Israel,” with counter-arguments about the “bargain” America receives for $3.8 billion in annual aid.
• Host delivers a rapid-fire list of U.S. strategic, technological, and economic benefits stemming from the alliance:
  • “Israel is the largest American aircraft carrier in the world that cannot be sunk and doesn’t even carry one American soldier.” — Steve Edmond (27:12)
  • “Israeli intel to the US is more productive than all NATO countries combined.” (28:00)
  • “3.8 billion in aid, 70 to 100% spent on US weapons, 20,000+ direct defense jobs, 255,000 total US jobs supported...” (29:20)
• Rebuke for “Jew-haters” and critics of Israeli aid: “Little thought for all the Jew-haters out there that have never thought things through.” (30:00)

6. Supreme Court and Immigration: Trump’s Legal Wins

Timestamp: 40:35–43:20

• High Court clears Trump to accelerate deportations, especially of Venezuelan gang members, citing the Alien Enemies Act.

  “This is a massive legal victory, Jesse, a victory for law and order and for our constitutional republic and the sovereignty of the United States of America.”
  — Host/News Anchor (41:05)

• Ongoing fights between the Trump administration and “activist judges” are themed as constitutional showdowns.

7. Media Censorship, Investigations, and Deep State Concerns

Timestamp: 46:21–47:08

• Host notes that major networks (ABC, CBS, NBC) ignored the “Operation Arctic Frost” revelation, claiming the investigation unfairly targeted Republicans, Turning Point USA, and churches.

8. Climate Change: Shifting Attitudes and Bill Gates Critique

Timestamp: 51:03–53:14

• Discussion of perceived global retreat from climate policy (“climate change is over”) and criticism of Bill Gates’ approach:

  “The Trump victory last year was a wrecking ball to every globalist policy continue.”
  — Steve Edmond (51:34)

• Climate scientist Michael Mann argues back, warning of catastrophic consequences of inaction:

  “If we continue to warm the planet beyond that level of warming, we will exceed our adaptive capacity…”
  — Michael Mann (52:29)

9. Crime/Justice: Global Anecdotes

Timestamp: 55:08–57:52

• Host narrates viral crime clips with colorful, mocking play-by-play:
  • Purse-snatching gone wrong at a restaurant (55:21)
  • Thwarted street robbery in Brazil (56:16), with commentary on Brazilian citizens’ martial prowess.

10. Religion & Audience Engagement

Timestamp: 57:49–62:58

• Steve Edmond leads a prayer for spiritual and material well-being, inviting listeners to accept Jesus:

  “If you have never received Jesus Christ as your Lord and savior, please do that right now. Say this out loud…” (57:52)

• Appeals to community support through donations and partnerships with evangelical organizations.
• Ongoing travel dates and event plugs (54:09, 59:00).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Government Shutdown Hypocrisy:

  “Congress needs to pay our bills on time. Congress needs to pass a budget on time. Congress needs to put an end to governing from crisis to crisis.”
  — Barack Obama (46:03)

• On Israel Aid:

  “If $3.8 billion buys an unsinkable carrier, NATO-beating intel, 255,000 U.S. jobs, and $50 billion in trade, then is detaching from Israel really America first?”
  — Steve Edmond (29:55)

• On U.S.-Venezuela Tensions:

  “What Cuba was to Russia in the '60s, Venezuela is to China… It’s their headquarters over here by us.”
  — Steve Edmond (36:45)

• On Media Double Standards:

  “Why is this jackass sticking up for the guys in the boat? … Wouldn’t you consider it terrorism to introduce fentanyl into a country?”
  — Steve Edmond (30:08)

• On Prayer & Call to Action:

  "Heavenly Father, I admit that I've sinned. I repent..."
  — Steve Edmond, closing prayer (57:52)

Important Timestamps

• Satirical "12 Days" Shutdown Song: 03:54–07:13
• Trump’s Asia Tour Recap: 07:34–08:43
• NFL Football Data Chips/Electromagnets: 09:27–10:28
• Israel Aid Deep Dive: 25:07–30:04
• Supreme Court Immigration Decision: 40:35–43:20
• Climate Change & Bill Gates Segment: 51:03–53:14
• Brazil Street Robbery Commentary: 56:16–57:49
• Spiritual Closing & Call for Donations: 57:49–62:58

Overall Tone & Style

Steve Edmond’s presentation is energetic and opinionated, trading in both sharp-edged political jokes and earnest appeals to faith and patriotism. News analysis is blended with sarcasm and direct, sometimes provocative, audience engagement. The cadence and content target an audience skeptical of mainstream media, supportive of former President Trump, and invested in culture war issues. The episode moves rapidly between news, pop culture, moral commentary, and interactive moments.

For First-Time Listeners

This episode encapsulates the Real America’s Voice approach: heavy on “unfiltered” political takes, anti-establishment rhetoric, pro-Trump themes, and appeals to American Christian identity. Expect rapid shifts in topic, plenty of pointed (and sometimes controversial) humor, and a strong push for faith-based community action. The overall focus is on dissecting breaking news with a skeptical eye toward mainstream narratives, and always from a distinctly right-populist perspective.