America’s Voice Live with Steve Gruber (Guest Host: Bo Davidson)
Date: December 26, 2025
Podcast: Real America’s Voice (iHeartPodcasts)
Episode Overview
This special post-Christmas edition, guest-hosted by Bo Davidson, delivers unfiltered news and analysis with an emphasis on American values, security, and economic foresight. The show covers Trump administration foreign and domestic moves—including recent airstrikes in Nigeria and a sweeping ambassador recall—plus discussions on the economy, flu season health debates, Supreme Court rulings on National Guard deployments, and public opinions on life under Trump compared to Biden.
Key Topics & Discussions
1. U.S. Airstrikes in Nigeria and Religious Freedom (03:20–17:00)
Summary
- Context: On Christmas night, the Trump administration launched airstrikes in northwest Nigeria targeting ISIS militants, aiming to respond to brutal attacks on Christians.
- Motivation: President Trump warns further strikes to follow if violence continues.
- Nigeria’s stance: Officials confirm structured cooperation with the US, including intelligence sharing.
- Aftermath: Following the attacks, Trump escalates pressure via a new visa restriction policy, designating Nigeria a “country of particular concern” for religious freedom.
Guest Analysis: Colonel George Washington Markert (U.S. Marine, Colorado Senate candidate)
- History of Violence: Attacks by groups like Boko Haram and ISIS in Nigeria are longstanding, rooted in the rise of violent extremist organizations in ungoverned spaces.
- Effectiveness of Strikes: Markert affirms strikes send an appropriate message but cautions about the likelihood of retaliation.
- Targets in Question: Discussion about the role of Fulani ethnic militia vs. ISIS; Markert maintains focus remains on ISIS.
- Geopolitical Importance of Nigeria: Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country, a major oil exporter, and a regional leader within ECOWAS.
- Globalized Extremism: Markert warns of the broader threat, referencing historical ambitions to resurrect the Caliphate—a “real transnational reach that threatens our homeland” (15:27).
Notable Quote
“Despite the fact that China is a pacing threat, that Russia presents geopolitical challenges, violent extremist organizations still operate around the globe, and they threaten the interests not only of us, but our allies and partners.”
— Col. Markert (07:18)
2. Trump Administration Recalls 30+ U.S. Ambassadors (20:26–27:31)
Summary
- Ambassador Recall: Over 30 U.S. ambassadors, mostly Biden-era appointees, recalled to make way for “America first” loyalists.
- Implications: Officially standard practice, but the move signals a shift to a team aligned with Trump’s agenda.
Expert Analysis: Mike Hahn (GOP Strategist, Frontline Strategies President)
- Not Unprecedented:
“These ambassadors serve at the pleasure of the president. … No, I don't think it's unprecedented at all.”
— Mike Hahn (21:47) - Importance of Loyalty: Emphasizes need for ambassadors to reflect administration policy, highlighting lessons learned from Trump’s first term.
- Ambassador Selection: “They're someone that is going to really be the face of the United States in this country … we have to have a lot of pride in and a lot of trust in.” (24:22)
- Congressional Issues: Congress to tackle healthcare reform (“wean the country off Obamacare”) and redistricting.
- Economic Outlook: Strong Q3 GDP numbers, anticipation that Trump’s economic initiatives (tariffs, tax changes) will yield visible effects in 2026.
3. Crime Statistics & Gold Surge (30:49–34:16)
Summary
- Major Crime Drop: U.S. on track for the largest one-year decline in murders since 2006 (20% decrease). National Guard deployment in D.C. accompanied a dramatic drop in violent crime.
- Gold Prices: Surge of nearly 40% in 2025, expected to jump an additional 70% in 2026, attributed to global debt concerns and central bank stockpiling.
SCOTUS Ruling on National Guard Deployment
- Court Blocks Trump on National Guard in Illinois: Supreme Court’s 6-3 preliminary decision limits Trump’s authority; requires use of “regular forces” before National Guard in federal law enforcement.
- Notable Analysis: “The unintended consequence here might be that the president is going to have to call the 82nd Airborne or the Marines…” (Bo Davidson quoting John Yoo, 33:44)
4. Flu Season, Vaccines & Health Freedom Debate (39:01–46:35)
Summary
- Flu Variant and CDC Recommendations: Uptick in contagious flu cases, CDC calls for mass vaccinations.
- Critical Perspective: Segment questions necessity and efficacy of flu shots.
Expert Interview: Dr. Jeff Barkey (Primary Care Physician, Author “Unavoidably Unsafe”)
- Skepticism on Vaccines:
“We don't have a flu season. We have a drink too much, eat like crap, stay indoors, go to big parties … and not enough sleep season.”
— Dr. Barkey (40:36) - Efficacy Doubts: Cites lack of seasonal flu shot testing and minimal benefit; promotes holistic self-care (hydration, vitamins, exercise).
- Big Pharma Critique: Draws parallels to COVID-era vaccine pushes, attributes behavior to financial motives.
- Advice on Illness in Families: Advocates saline nasal rinses to reduce household spread, not relying solely on vaccination or pharmacy-pushed drugs.
Notable Quote
“At the best, a flu shot will reduce the likelihood of you getting the flu by about 30%. What will reduce the likelihood of you getting the flu is hydrating yourself, staying up to date on your vitamin D, making sure you're taking extra vitamin C, getting outdoors, getting a little sunshine.”
— Dr. Barkey (43:54)
5. Economic Outlook for 2026: Interest Rates, Gas Prices, Trump Accounts (50:10–56:48)
Summary
- Leadership Shift: Jerome Powell set to be replaced by Kevin Hassett as Federal Reserve Chair; expectation that interest rates will finally decrease.
- Holiday Economy: Buoyed by robust consumer spending, Q3 numbers exceed expectations.
- Gas & Living Costs: Celebrated stabilization of gas prices below $3/gallon; prediction that effects of tariffs and new fiscal policies—like the “big beautiful bill”—will improve affordability through 2026.
- Trump Accounts: Introduction of new government-backed savings plans for children, designed to accumulate over a lifetime and be supplemented by employers.
Guest Analysis: Angie Wong (Miami GOP Committee Woman)
- Young Voter Appeal:
“They need to be able to buy into the American dream without carrying all that job debt. If President Trump could figure out a way to do that, we're going to grab the young voters.”
— Angie Wong (55:29)
6. Patriotism and Viewer Feedback: “What Makes America Wonderful” (60:27–63:46)
Summary
- Spotlight: Bo Davidson highlights Kiss’s Gene Simmons’ gratitude for living in America at the Kennedy Center Honors, reinforcing the value of patriotism.
- Audience Sentiment: Listeners overwhelmingly say Christmas was “better under President Trump than last year under Joe Biden,” citing restored hope, calmness, and focus on traditional values and security.
- Memorable Quotes:
“The first and biggest prize is living in America. People who are born here have a problem with that... I'm going to give you a free round trip ticket … to Iran, North Korea, anywhere in Africa, Southeast Asia ... Let me know how fast you want to come back crying to America.”
— Gene Simmons (as shared by Bo Davidson, 60:27)
Notable Quotes & Timestamps
-
On Persistent Terror Threats:
“Violent extremist organizations still operate around the globe, and they threaten the interests not only of us, but our allies and partners.”
— Col. Markert (07:18) -
On Ambassador Recalls:
“I don't think it's unprecedented at all. I think the president has every right to appoint ambassadors that agree with his agenda.”
— Mike Hahn (21:47) -
On Health and Vaccines:
“We don't have a flu season. We have a drink too much, eat like crap, stay indoors, go to big parties, expose ourselves, don't get any exercise and not enough sleep season.”
— Dr. Barkey (40:36) -
On Economic Affordability:
“Whoever wins the messaging on affordability will win the midterms in 2023. Donald Trump has already named himself the affordability president.”
— Angie Wong (55:29) -
On Patriotism:
“The first and biggest prize is living in America… Let me know how fast you want to come back crying to America.”
— Gene Simmons (as shared by Bo Davidson, 60:27)
Segment Timestamps at a Glance
- Trump’s Nigeria Airstrikes, Religious Persecution Context, Interview w/ Col. Markert: 03:20–17:00
- Ambassador Recall & Foreign Policy, Interview w/ Mike Hahn: 20:26–27:31
- Crime Statistics, SCOTUS National Guard, Gold Surge: 30:49–34:16
- Flu Season and Vaccine Debate, Interview w/ Dr. Barkey: 39:01–46:35
- Economic Outlook, Interest Rates, Trump Accounts, Interview w/ Angie Wong: 50:10–56:48
- Patriotism/Viewer Feedback Segment: 60:27–63:46
Overall Tone
Forthright, at times combative, and deeply patriotic—emphasizing American sovereignty, skepticism of mainstream narratives and institutions (from health agencies to global organizations), pushing an “America First” viewpoint. The hosts and guests deliver their commentary with a hyper-partisan, pro-Trump energy.
Summary Takeaways
- Foreign Policy: Aggressive U.S. actions to confront global extremism—especially where Christians and American interests are targeted—remains central.
- Domestic Policy: Outsize focus on rolling back prior administration policies, with an emphasis on loyalty and ideological alignment.
- Public Health: Hosts and guests promote skepticism toward mainstream public health messaging and pharmaceutical companies.
- Economy: Strong optimism for 2026 as Trump-era policies (tariffs, tax changes, new savings accounts) are set to manifest, with assurances of stability and affordability.
- Patriotism: Reverence for traditional American values and direct opposition to progressive trends or multicultural critique.
This episode serves as a snapshot of Real America’s Voice in late 2025: unwavering in their viewpoint, eager for confrontation with perceived threats (foreign and domestic), and committed to framing the Trump administration as the driver of American hope and security.