The America First Podcast – Episode 35
Date: September 4, 2025
Hosts: Joe the Box, John "the Blanket", Lisa “Leeza” Azzarelli, Fred Rubino, Kevin Downey Jr.
Special Guest: DVS 7.0 (Shawn Olivo)
Location: America First Warehouse
Episode Overview
This episode of The America First Podcast delivers spirited discussion and analysis on the political and cultural landscape through a pro-America, “America First” lens. With a lively, comedic panel and guest activist DVS 7.0, the team shares opinions on recent headlines, the state of New York City and Washington D.C., the power of faith and prayer, child protection, voting integrity, and the ongoing issues of illegal immigration and public safety. The group champions former President Trump, discusses grassroots activism, and passionately addresses the challenges facing American cities and institutions.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Opening Banter and Show Setup
- Lighthearted jokes about technical equipment and the hosts’ personalities set the tone.
- Joe the Box expresses pride in the "finest equipment money can buy," and hustles the crew to get started. (00:14)
2. Headlines & Current Events Update (Lisa Azzarelli, 01:38)
- Special Guest Teaser: Announcement of DVS 7.0’s "New Blood Town Hall" event at the America First Warehouse.
- Grand Opportunity America Tour: Lisa is set to speak at the event on September 6th.
- Rudy Giuliani Update: The team sends well-wishes after his recent car accident while assisting in a domestic incident (01:38).
- Trump’s Legal Battles: Trump’s response to appeals court rulings on tariffs and demands for FISA transparency and COVID pharmaceutical data.
- RFK Jr. & CDC: Mention of RFK Jr. pushing for data on COVID drugs.
- Condemnation of "Socialist or Communist Rule": Trump’s vow against leftist policies in NYC (03:50).
Notable Quote:
"So those are the top headlines we have for you today. And we can’t wait to break it down with the America First team." — Lisa Azzarelli (04:12)
3. Faith, Prayer, and Presidential Leadership
- Joe highlights Trump’s recent comments emphasizing prayer and faith in public life.
- Freddie Rubino credits national turnaround to Trump’s faith and contrasts it with previous presidents’ insincerity.
- Kevin Downey Jr. voices his critique of "atheism" as an intolerant "religion," and mocks left-wing protesters.
Notable Quotes:
"Our country was founded on prayer. Our communities are sustained by prayer. And our nation will be renewed by hard work, a lot of intelligence and prayer." — Recap of Trump clip, via Joe the Box (05:30)
"We have a president that leans on God Almighty, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and things start to turn around." — Freddie Rubino (06:30)
"The nastiest religion out there is atheism, because they just yell and scream, 'How dare you believe something I don't believe.'" — Kevin Downey Jr. (07:32)
4. Protecting Children & School Safety
- Lisa underscores the importance of child safety following a church shooting in Minnesota affecting fifteen children (11:21).
- Discussion of school cell phone bans and parental communication concerns.
- Emphasis on executive actions to protect students from medical and behavioral interventions without parental consent (12:31).
- Lisa references Babylon School District's new health agreement as something parents should monitor.
Notable Quote:
"Above all else is the protection and innocence of children." — Lisa Azzarelli (13:19)
5. Guest Segment: DVS 7.0 and NYC Activism
- Who is DVS 7.0?
- Activist and performer—“Driven Via Spirit to completion. 7 is the number of completion.” (14:36)
- Street Activism:
- DVS describes direct confrontation tactics, calling out leftist figures (mention of confronting Anthony Weiner).
- Campaign Critiques:
- Claims on hypocrisy of leftist candidate Mamdani, "secretive" wealth, and connections to high-level donors and the Biden administration.
- Strategy:
- Face-to-face activism and “armor of God” approach to inspire fearlessness.
Notable Quotes:
"We're just there... to save this city. If we get... people like Mamdani in office, this city will be destroyed." — DVS 7.0 (16:07)
"Fear nothing except for God, you know, and perhaps yourself if you don't have God under you." — DVS 7.0 (17:39)
6. Mail-In Ballot Skepticism & Outside Influence
- Freddie raises concern about mail-in ballots, links to fraud, and foreign money.
- Soros is accused by Lisa, Freddie, and others of funding leftist candidates and influencing policies like ballot harvesting (19:41).
Notable Quotes:
"Soros... is finally getting recognition for being someone who interferes with our elections in such a manner." — Lisa Azzarelli (19:46)
"Anything they don’t like is racist. Voter ID is somehow racist... It’s all a lie." — Kevin Downey Jr. (20:48)
7. City Conditions: DC & NYC
- Joe and Johnny recount their recent DC visit: observed heavy security, cleaner streets, but continued leftist antagonism toward MAGA supporters (25:54).
- Johnny humorously references encounters with rats and leftist agitators.
- Discussion of the ongoing battle for public safety, with some hosts advocating for expanded gun rights for law-abiding New Yorkers (27:03).
Notable Quote:
"I carry a loaded gun with me all the time. ... Now, only the criminals have guns. Let's put it in the hands of law abiding citizens." — Freddie Rubino (27:07)
8. NYC Mayoral Politics & Republican Endorsements
- Debate over Curtis Sliwa as the Republican choice to counter socialist candidates and failed leadership like Adams and Cuomo.
- DVS emphasizes Sliwa’s public service and toughness as essential qualities for NYC leadership (29:17).
- The team discusses voting ID laws, executive orders, and persistent judicial pushback against Trump’s efforts.
Notable Quotes:
"It’s definitely Sliwa. There is no other choice." — DVS 7.0 (29:17)
"If Trump signs executive order, then why isn't it the law of the land?" — Johnny Blanket (31:44)
9. Crime, Bail Reform, and The Giuliani Example
- Freddie Rawly critiques Cuomo’s cashless bail and its impact on minority neighborhoods.
- Joe and Lisa highlight Rudy Giuliani’s achievements as mayor, his book on “Biden Crime Family,” and hopes for Rudy’s recovery and presence at the warehouse (34:11).
Notable Quote:
"He absolutely destroyed New York with that one piece of legislation. And he didn’t kill my in laws." — Freddie Rubino, dark humor (33:33)
10. The Border Crisis, National Security, and Local Impact
- The team discusses the effects of lax border policies on city life—crime, homelessness, drug influx, and pressure on social services.
- Lisa references Chinese interests in U.S. agriculture near military bases, surges in illicit drugs, and organizations facilitating illegal entry (39:12).
Notable Quote:
"It’s no longer just South Americans. ... There are others from other countries... and that is a major problem." — Lisa Azzarelli (39:12)
11. Union Power, Bureaucracy, and the Need for Reform
- Lisa notes Trump executive orders seeking to curtail federal employee bargaining agreements, asserting union leaders sometimes hinder effective governance (43:57).
- Discussion returns to the importance of grassroots awareness and local activism.
Notable Quotes & Moments Recap
| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|----------------------|-------| | 05:30 | Trump (via Joe) | "Our country was founded on prayer... our nation will be renewed by hard work, a lot of intelligence and prayer." | | 06:30 | Freddie Rubino | "Now we have a president that leans on God Almighty... and things start to turn around." | | 07:32 | Kevin Downey Jr. | "The nastiest religion out there is atheism..." | | 13:19 | Lisa Azzarelli | "Above all else is the protection and innocence of children." | | 17:39 | DVS 7.0 | "Fear nothing except for God, you know, and perhaps yourself if you don't have God under you." | | 19:45 | Lisa Azzarelli | "Soros... is finally getting recognition for being someone who interferes with our elections..." | | 20:48 | Kevin Downey Jr. | "Anything they don’t like is racist... It’s all a lie." | | 27:07 | Freddie Rubino | "I carry a loaded gun with me all the time... Only the criminals have guns. Let's put it in the hands of law abiding citizens." | | 29:17 | DVS 7.0 | "It's definitely Sliwa. There is no other choice." | | 33:33 | Freddie Rubino | (joking darkly) "I'm still mad at him for not killing my in laws." |
Important Segment Timestamps
- 00:14 – 01:38: Show setup, opening banter, Lisa’s news headlines
- 04:14 – 08:17: Faith, prayer, and motivation—Trump’s leadership & responses
- 11:02 – 13:23: Child safety, school violence, cell phone bans, health consent
- 14:28 – 19:45: Interview with DVS 7.0—NYC activism, candidate critique, Soros, mail-in ballots
- 22:27 – 28:04: Conditions in DC & NYC, gun laws, MAGA in hostile territory
- 29:17 – 34:11: Mayoral politics, Curtis Sliwa, cashless bail, Giuliani’s legacy
- 39:12 – 43:57: Border issues, drug influx, union power, and the federal bureaucracy
Closing Thoughts
The episode is a blend of punchy, often comedic conservative commentary with a focus on faith, patriotism, defending traditional values, criticism of leftist policies, and mobilizing for change from local elections upward. The hosts and DVS 7.0 express both urgency and optimism, rallying listeners to get informed, get involved, and stand up for America’s future.