Podcast Summary: "Live From Studio 6B" – December 17, 2025

Podcast: Real America’s Voice (iHeartPodcasts)
Date: December 18, 2025
Episode Focus: Pre-coverage analysis and discussion ahead of President Donald Trump’s national address.

Overview

This episode serves as pre-event analysis and roundtable discussion in the hour leading up to President Trump's scheduled address to the nation. The hosts and guests—Damon, Brian Glenn, John Solomon, Mark Serrano, David Zier, Paul Nolan, and Rick Delgado—provide context on why the address is happening, what themes to expect, and the larger political and economic stakes as the country heads into the 2026 midterms. The conversation is lively, candid, and unapologetically centered on conservative perspectives and the accomplishments and challenges of the Trump administration’s second term.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Purpose and Timing of the President's Address

• Context & Motivation:
  The panel agrees that tonight’s address is partly a response to economic anxieties and also a strategic move heading into the 2026 midterms. Brian Glenn ties the timing to momentum from a recent economic rally in the Poconos and the desire to assure Americans about the administration’s economic plan.

  • “He’s feeling a little bit of empathy for many Americans that are still suffering. This message tonight is going to reassure Americans that he has the economic plan going forward in 2026.” — Brian Glenn (04:29)

• Speculation vs. Reality:
  While there had been rumors about possible new international military actions (Venezuela), the consensus is that the speech will focus chiefly on domestic economic issues, the administration's record, and future plans.

2. Anticipated Themes and Tone of the Speech

• Empathy & Realism VS Trump Rally Mode:
  The hosts and guests express hope that President Trump will adopt a more empathetic, kitchen-table tone, directly acknowledging ongoing struggles rather than relying purely on big numbers or rally-style boastfulness.

  • “I don’t want to hear rally Trump... I want him to really talk to the American people... about how he’s going to make their life better.” — Brian Glenn (06:43)

• Three-Part Structure:
  John Solomon outlines the expected structure:

  1. Reminding Americans of the inherited problems from the Biden era.
  2. Detailing Trump administration accomplishments over the past year (peace deals, children’s savings accounts, border security, crime crackdown).
  3. Outlining the 2026 agenda (affordable housing, health care reform, economic recovery) and acknowledging that many Americans have not yet felt improvement at the dinner table.
  • “It starts with Joe Biden created a mess... here’s how I fixed it so far... [then] an agenda for 26.” — John Solomon (09:27)

3. Economic Issues & The Kitchen Table

• Tax Relief and Microeconomic Policies:
  The no-tax-on-tips, no-tax-on-Social-Security, and overtime provisions are highlighted as forthcoming tangible benefits, with a focus on explaining that positive effects will become more visible in 2025 and beyond.

  • “He’s going to talk microeconomics, the things that affect Americans... the relief they’re going to feel the around tax return time in April...” — Mark Serrano (13:39)

• Relatability and ‘Main Street’ Focus:
  The importance of making the policies relatable, especially to small business owners, working-class voters, and younger Americans, is stressed repeatedly.

  • “He’s got to remind people that the jobs... have gone to American citizens, whereas before this year they weren’t. They were going to illegal aliens.” — Mark Serrano (14:29)

4. Housing Affordability Crisis

• Interest Rates, Millennials & Market Manipulation:
  The inability of young Americans to buy homes and the role of corporate investors (like BlackRock) are discussed at length.

  • “I have two kids in their 30s, can’t buy a home yet, stuck in NYC... that’s what’s attracting the Gen Z’ers to the DSA... because they don’t understand capitalism and the free market and all the regulation...” — David Zier (21:37)
  • Paul Nolan raises concerns about hedge funds manipulating local pricing by outbidding individual buyers.

• Policy Innovation:
  John Solomon hints that the President will address housing innovation, possibly referencing the move of his chief adviser to Boxable (a modular home company), and that Trump could propose “a World War II-like housing boom.”

  • “I think that that is a clue that President Trump is going to innovate and disrupt the real estate industry...” — John Solomon (25:00)

5. Crime, Security & ‘Deep State’ Reform

• Downplaying FBI/’Weaponization’ Rhetoric:
  The group predicts Trump will not focus on grievances against the FBI or deep state reform, instead sticking to voter bread-and-butter issues. John Solomon notes most Americans currently see the FBI as catching criminals rather than as a political problem (24:47).

• Security & Threats:
  Domestic threats and international instability (including recent thwarted attacks) are likely to be mentioned, with Trump expected to frame U.S. safety in contrast to rising global dangers.

  • “It does create a higher threat level... we’re not talking about al Qaeda as much as... ISIS-inspired homegrown terrorists and liberal anarchists.” — John Solomon (34:42)

6. Midterms & Political Framing: Us Versus Them

• Strategic Positioning:
  The panel expects the speech to sharpen “us vs. them” messaging—Democrats versus Republicans/MAGA—and to energize the base ahead of the 2026 midterms.

  • “I think you’re onto a tagline that he’ll probably use... ‘You can’t afford to put Democrats back in control.’” — John Solomon (36:56)

• Coalition Building:
  Mark Serrano says Trump must actively rebuild a cross-partisan coalition and physically hit the road in 2026.

  • “He’s going to have to really rally the coalition... He’s going to have to hit the road running in January...” — Mark Serrano (38:58)

• Young Voter Challenge & Socialism:
  The panel discusses polling showing young voters drifting left and the need to make the conservative economic case to Gen Z, invoking Venezuela as a warning story.

  • “What Maduro did to Venezuela is what Mandani and the AOCs of this country want to do to you. And I’m not going to let them do that.” — John Solomon (41:54)

7. Notable Developments & "Promises Kept"

• Military & Veterans:
  David Zier reports on Pentagon efforts to review files and reinstate benefits for service personnel discharged over COVID vaccine refusals—a Trump campaign promise (32:15).

• Personnel & Administrative Wins:
  Although predicted not to be foregrounded, the hosts note recent legislative victories—a Republican Obamacare alternative passing the House, and minibus funding breakthroughs in the Senate (09:27, 26:51).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“I don’t want to hear rally Trump... I want him to really talk to the American people that are... truly feeling the effects of the Joe Biden economy... Show a little bit of emotion and empathy...”
— Brian Glenn (06:43)

“Tonight... it’s in three blocks. Block one is, hey, let’s remember what Joe Biden left us. Block two is, let’s go through what we did for you this year... Block three... Sometimes the statistics look better than what it feels like at the dinner table...”
— John Solomon (09:27)

“We are making progress and we’re going to achieve our goals that the people sent Donald Trump to Washington to achieve... This to me is a kickoff for 2026.”
— Mark Serrano (12:08)

“People can’t buy homes...that’s what’s attracting Gen Z’ers to the DSA...because they don’t understand capitalism and the free market...”
— David Zier (21:37)

“You can’t afford to put Democrats back in control. If you don’t believe me, ask the small business owners in New York... Go down to Texas or Florida or South Carolina or even Wisconsin. Those small business owners are far more optimistic...”
— John Solomon (36:56)

“He’s going to attack the local regulatory regime, the Democrat mindset... over the next few weeks he’s going to show how Democrats were the friends of rich insurance executives... friends of big developers who like expensive regulations...”
— John Solomon (37:54)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:09] — Show opens, roundtable welcome, preview of presidential address
• [04:29] — Brian Glenn: On timing and messaging of Trump’s address
• [09:27] — John Solomon details expected speech structure
• [12:08] — Mark Serrano: On speech tone and purpose, midterms focus
• [14:29] — Mark Serrano: Relatable economic messaging
• [21:06] — David Zier: Housing affordability, Gen Z, and corporate ownership
• [25:00] — John Solomon: Trump’s possible housing market disruption plan
• [32:15] — David Zier: Pentagon, military vaccine mandate issues
• [34:42] — John Solomon: Security threats, anarchists, and terrorism
• [36:56] — John Solomon: “Us vs Them” messaging
• [38:58] — Mark Serrano: Coalition and 2026 ground game

Tone and Style

The atmosphere is energetic, opinionated, and unapologetic, blending political strategy talk with relatable economic and cultural anxieties. The discussion is direct, with agreement that real-world problems—jobs, homes, inflation—must be addressed honestly, rather than through self-congratulatory rhetoric.

Takeaways for Non-Listeners

• This episode previews and analyzes President Trump’s national address with a heavy emphasis on connecting policy to everyday struggles—jobs, inflation, housing, and security.
• The hosts debate the balance between touting accomplishments and showing empathy for ongoing hardship.
• There’s a clear midterm electoral lens: Messaging must be designed to rally the coalition, appeal to the working and middle class, and blunt Democratic narratives, especially among Gen Z/young voters.
• While acknowledging rumors of foreign policy focus, the panel expects the speech to stick to domestic “kitchen table” issues.
• The hope is for “rally Trump with empathy”—a blend of confidence and connection—rather than pure braggadocio.
• The conversation provides insight into conservative messaging strategies and what insiders expect from Trump’s communication as he steers toward the midterms.

For those who missed the live discussion, this episode sets the table for President Trump’s national address, outlining the political stakes, policy areas, and public sentiments shaping the current conservative agenda on Real America’s Voice.