AMERICA'S VOICE LIVE WITH STEVE GRUBER - NOVEMBER 18TH, 2025

Summary

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Podcast Summary: "AMERICA'S VOICE LIVE WITH STEVE GRUBER"

Podcast: Real America’s Voice
Host: Steve Gruber
Date: November 18, 2025

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Main Theme & Purpose

This episode of "America’s Voice Live" delivers unfiltered conservative perspectives on the most pressing political, cultural, and economic issues in the U.S., focusing on recent moves regarding the Epstein files, America’s energy and foreign policy, the affordability crisis, and the ongoing battle against drug cartels. Steve Gruber features expert guests and correspondents to dissect current headlines through the lens of American values, populism, and constitutional conservatism.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Epstein Files Release & Political Fallout

(00:00–03:39; 21:02–26:55)

• House Vote: The House of Representatives votes overwhelmingly (427–1) to release the remaining Department of Justice files on Jeffrey Epstein. Only Rep. Clay Higgins votes "no," citing concerns over insufficient protection for victims and their families.
• Republican Position: Republicans push for transparency and criticize Democrats for selectively leaking files to target Trump, allegedly ignoring higher-profile Democrats’ associations with Epstein.
• Trump’s Stance: Trump publicly supports the full release:
  "We need to get over it and get something done so the public can move on." (00:00–00:30)
• Democrat Strategy Backfires: Commentary suggests Democrats’ efforts to link Trump to Epstein have “blown up in their face,” with new scrutiny on figures like Hakeem Jeffries and Stacey Plaskett.
• Benny Ray Harmony (Congressional Correspondent):
  • "Democrats are only here for the releasing of these files if it implicates Trump. And it’s very clear these files are not going to implicate Trump. If anything, they're going to implicate the state, the same people worshiped by the Democrat Party like Schumer and Jeffries." (24:07–24:50)
  • Allegations surface about Delegate Stacey Plaskett receiving direct texts from Epstein during 2019 House hearings.

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2. Gruber’s Ten Conservative Beliefs

(03:39–14:54)

Steve Gruber outlines ten pillars of his brand of conservatism, each presented with unfiltered language and populist conviction.

1. Energy Independence:
   "America should never depend on another country for energy... We are strongest when we build, produce, and protect things right here." (03:01–03:39)
   • Highlight: Guest Jim Pfaff emphasizes that lower energy prices benefit 99% of Americans (03:39–04:12).
2. America First Policy: "We cannot pour from an empty cup. Our country should prioritize our own people before trying to save the world." (04:12–04:43)
   • Poverty in Appalachia cited as motivation for domestic focus.
3. Opposition to Endless War:
   "We are not the world's sugar daddy or their ammo dump."
4. Veterans First, Foreign Aid Second:
   "No foreign aid should be given until every veteran at home is taken care of."
5. Legal Immigration Only:
   "If your first act in this country is breaking the law, you aren't an upstanding citizen."
6. Religious Freedom and Tolerance:
   • Asserts Christian worldview but says, "You can marry whoever you want. I don't care."
   • "I may not agree with your lifestyle, but your life is not mine to judge."
7. Biological Reality of Sex:
   • Asserts: "Men are men and women are women. Surgery or hormones don't change that." (07:51–08:34)
   • Plays audio from a California town hall where a lesbian woman confronts State Senator Scott Wiener about women's safety in locker rooms:

   "I'm a lesbian. I'm telling you right now, men are harassing women in the locker room." – Tish Hyman (08:16–08:22)

8. Education, Not Indoctrination:
   • "Kids should learn math, history, reading, and science, not political propaganda."
   • Cites declining test scores post-pandemic and the need for education that instills patriotism:

   "One of the critical roles of our schools was... to create American citizens who will continue this great dream that is America." – Former Oklahoma Education Director (10:59–11:52)

9. Mental Health Crisis:
   • "You want to stop school shootings? Address the mental health crisis, don't take away my guns."
10. Gun Rights with Responsibility:
    • "Gun control only infringes on constitutional rights. A responsibly armed society is a safe one."

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3. US Policy on Venezuela, Drug Cartels, and Foreign Relations

(14:54–21:00; 39:53–40:36)

• Potential Trump-Maduro Talks:
  Trump signals willingness to negotiate with Venezuela's Maduro amid US military operations targeting suspected drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean.
• Expert Analysis (Charles Marino, former DHS advisor):
  • "These are known drug boats. They are following known foreign drug routes coming out of Venezuela."
  • "The overwhelming majority of fentanyl deaths are accidental because it's fentanyl being mixed in with other drugs. There is no safe type of drug nowadays." (16:33–17:10)
  • On Maduro: "That's not the only cartel he’s in bed with. He’s also in bed, and it’s widely known, with the Sinaloa cartel."
  • Advocates for targeting cartels as terrorist organizations and suggests unilateral US action if Mexico cannot or will not cooperate.
• Viewer Question:
  Do you think President Trump should hold talks with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro amid rising tensions?
  "Trump says he’ll talk to anyone to try to get something out of it for the United States, and I applaud that." – Steve Gruber (40:36–40:53)

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4. Economic & Affordability Crisis

(27:00–34:05)

• Inflation & Living Costs:
  Gruber highlights high grocery, rent, and utility prices, and references Milton Friedman: "Deficit spending is a hidden tax. And inflation is exactly how we’re paying it."
• Policy Solutions & the Federal Reserve:
  • Jim Pfaff calls for abolishing the Federal Reserve:
    "The appointment of this Federal Reserve chairman is key but the basic problem is that the government spends like drunken sailors and the Fed basically had to bail them out." (29:27–31:07)
  • Discussion of gold standard, historic spending under the Great Society, and the persistent poverty rate.

    "If we had not done the Great Society programs, we’d probably be about $3 trillion in debt right now." – Jim Pfaff (33:00–33:35)

  • Gruber: "We spent all of this money. We've gotten little as far as results go. Our cities have become worse and more dangerous in many ways." (33:35–34:03)

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5. Community & American Goodwill

(40:36–end)

• **Highlight: The True Breed Motorcycle Club in Minneapolis distributes free Thanksgiving turkeys to hundreds of families each year, exemplifying the community spirit Gruber celebrates as "what makes America wonderful."
• Viewer responses to the question of the day are showcased, emphasizing a mix of pragmatism, skepticism, and staunch anti-Maduro sentiment.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "That's what makes people's lives better. That's what makes our industry more competitive. That's what makes our military able to train more and be more lethal." – Jim Pfaff (03:49–03:59)
• "If your first act in this country is breaking the law, you aren't an upstanding citizen" – Steve Gruber (05:49–05:57)
• [On declining education performance] "Almost 70% of 4th and 8th graders scored at below basic in reading, the highest rate of struggling readers ever recorded." – Steve Gruber (09:45–10:39)
• "A responsibly armed society is a safe one and usually a fairly polite one." – Steve Gruber (11:56–12:03)
• "I want a government that protects our rights, secures our borders, defends our freedoms, and then gets the hell out of the way." – Steve Gruber (12:40–12:46)
• "The overwhelming majority of fentanyl deaths are accidental... these dealers have no idea what these drugs are being mixed with." – Charles Marino (16:33–17:10)
• "It almost feels like a movie... how in God’s green earth could this have happened?" – Benny Ray Harmony, on Plaskett/Epstein texts (26:13–26:30)
• "We spent $30 trillion. By the way, where would our debt be if we hadn't spent 30 trillion on pipe dreams?" – Steve Gruber (32:39–33:00)
• "Giving back to the community, always an honorable trait. But giving something that will make a tangible impact and help someone's life is even better." – Steve Gruber (40:53–41:16)

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Timeline of Important Segments

• 00:00–03:39: Intro & headlines; Epstein files background & Republican messaging
• 03:39–14:54: Gruber’s “Ten Conservative Beliefs" (detailed list and rationale, with guest interjections)
• 14:54–21:00: Venezuela/Maduro discussions; military action against drug cartels; Charles Marino guest analysis
• 21:02–26:55: Benny Ray Harmony: Congressional breakdown of Epstein files vote; Democrat implications; Stacey Plaskett revelations
• 27:00–34:05: Economic crisis, inflation, Federal Reserve, and "Great Society" spending failures; Jim Pfaff’s economic critique
• 40:36–41:16: True Breed Motorcycle Club’s community initiative
• 41:16–end: Viewer responses to Trump/Maduro dialogue question; show close

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Tone & Language

The episode is unapologetically populist, combative toward “the left” and establishment political actors, with a consistent voice of urgency, indignation, and patriotism. The tone is direct, with rhetorical flourishes that reinforce the show’s “Real News, Honest Views” branding.

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For Listeners Who Missed It

You’ll learn about the latest moves to unseal the highly anticipated Epstein files, the shifting landscape of U.S. energy and foreign policy, and see current economic woes through a deeply conservative lens. The show offers a primer on the populist-conservative worldview in America today, punctuated by impassioned commentary, hear-it-from-the-source quotes, and lively guest appearances that bolster the RAV narrative of skepticism toward mainstream narratives and a call for grassroots patriotism.

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Transcript

[Steve Gruber]

This is an iHeart podcast. This is America's Voice live. And welcome to America's Voice Live. I'm Steve Gurit. The pulse of the people. We need somebody that's going to hear the people's voice, the truth the mainstream won't touch. This guy is by definition a globalist. And the stories that matter. Rav's own Ben Berklam. Right up over this hill. We gotta love Cartel. I see him, I see him. I see him live. Breaking news right now here on Real America's Voice Filtered. These people are domestic terrorists and unapologetic. We're here to take a stand for God and country. Does feel good. America's Voice Live starts now. Welcome to America's Voice Live. I'm Steve your radius. Tuesday, the 18th of November in the year of our Lord 2025. Let's get to today's top stories. As always, thank you for joining me here and the rest of the RAV team on America's Voice live. Recently, President Trump signaled that the United States could open talks with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro as tensions rise in the region. The message is clear, stop the flow of narcotics into the country. More on that coming up. Today also, the House of Representatives voted to release the rest of the Epstein files. Not too long ago, it was pretty lopsided. President Trump has stated that he will sign the bill as soon as it gets to his desk. Of course, it'll need to get through the Senate first. More on that coming up. Then later. Affordability has been a major concern for most Americans, especially now with the holiday season right around the corner. From rent to utilities, groceries and more, concerns continue to mount. All the details and updates coming your way today. But first, we start with the Epstein files and the Democrats. Just like I told you yesterday, this whole Democrat narrative trying to slime President Trump with the disgraced pedophile and child trafficker Jeffrey Epstein is once again falling apart, and this time in spectacular fashion. In fact, yesterday House Republicans released a memo detailing all the ways that Democrats have schemed to make this another get Trump scammed. We already know the Democrats selectively leaked three emails out of about 23,000 documents handed over by the Epstein estate, making redactions that confused the American public, like the name of Virginia Jeffrey and her accusations against Prince Andrew. But we don't have to call him Prince anymore. Of course, Republicans are also accusing Democrats in the memo of leaking pages of Epstein's infamous birthday book that included Trump, but not publishing messages written by Bill Clinton and other very high profile individuals at the same time, refusing to help bring in the Clintons for questioning by the Oversight Committee, both of whom have been issued subpoenas. By the way, the House voted to release the rest of the DOJ's files on Epstein earlier. The vote was 427 to 1, the nay coming from Congressman Clay Higgins of Louisiana. And on Sunday, Trump encouraged the release, arguing that we need to get over it and get something done so the public can move on. A lot more on this coming up in this hour. But today I want to make crystal clear what beliefs as a conservative really are. I don't need the left to put words in my mouth and I don't need rhinos to speak for me. So we're going to go through it. Here's what I believe maybe you do as well. Number one, I believe America should never, never depend on another country for energy protection or basic supply and demand needs. We are strongest when we build, produce and protect things right here in the usa. I call this America First. Of course, I like what I'm seeing on this front as a result of the Trump administration. And Energy Secretary Chris Wright says it's because Donald Trump doesn't serve special interests. Here he is 100% of Americans are.

[Jim Pfaff]

Better off when energy prices are lower.

[Steve Gruber]

1% of Americans produce oil and gas, so they're better off if oil and gas prices are higher.

[Jim Pfaff]

But the other 99% are better off when they're lower. That's what makes people's lives better.

[Steve Gruber]

That's what makes our industry more competitive. That's what makes our military able to.

[Jim Pfaff]

Train more and be more lethal.

[Steve Gruber]

So President Trump has a very simple difference in his agenda.

[Jim Pfaff]

He's not like, well, his constituency is this industry and that industry and these NGOs and this group.

[Steve Gruber]

He's worried about appeasing all them. He doesn't even think that way. He is one constituency, one the American people. That's it. That's it. Number two, I believe America must put itself first always. We cannot pour from an empty cup. Our country should prioritize our own people before trying to save the world. It's that simple. Our vice president, J.D. vance, comes from the Appalachian region of our nation, where rates of unemployment, poverty and disease, of despair, like suicide and overdose are far higher than the rest of the country. And household income and education achievement are far lower than the rest of the country. You see, he understands why the average American is pissed off.

[Jim Pfaff]

Listen, you want to talk about people being pissed off?

[Steve Gruber]

Well, yeah, People are pissed off when they don't have good jobs and people.

[Jim Pfaff]

Are pissed off when things disappear and move overseas.

[Miles Grimard]

And people are pissed off when they.

[Steve Gruber]

Feel like, you know, other countries are being prioritized over the United States of America. And all of that is part of.

[Miles Grimard]

The populist resentment of the past, you.

[Jim Pfaff]

Know, 20 or 30 years in American politics.

[Steve Gruber]

There are a lot of people who.

[Miles Grimard]

Grew up in families like mine who.

[Steve Gruber]

Haven'T had an easy life and who.

[Miles Grimard]

Haven'T had all this economic opportunity and.

[Steve Gruber]

Who haven't had, you know, a person.

[Miles Grimard]

That they've fallen in love with and they've been able to sort of build a stable, nice family like me and.

[Steve Gruber]

Usha have been able to build. And that gives me a sense of purpose because I want those people to.

[Miles Grimard]

Have the same opportunities that I've had.

[Jim Pfaff]

But it also gives me a great.

[Steve Gruber]

Sense of anger because we never should have gotten to the point that we are today.

[Miles Grimard]

And the reason that we have is.

[Jim Pfaff]

Because of failed leadership. And it's failed leadership over generations.

[Steve Gruber]

So true. Failed leadership from a number of different people and from both parties, I might add. Number three, I believe America should stay out of endless foreign wars. We are not the world's sugar daddy or their ammo dump. We should stop acting like it. Number four. In that same breath, I believe no foreign aid should be given until every veteran here at home is taken care of. First. First. Number five. Speaking for foreigners, I believe immigrants do make America stronger. I do. When they come here legally. If your first act in this country is breaking the law, you aren't an upstanding citizen. I'm sorry, you're not. Number six. The left wants you to believe that I hate people who don't believe like I do, that I'm homophobic and a bigot and a whole lot more. But let me say this. You can marry whoever you want. I don't care. I may not agree with your lifestyle, but your life is not mine to judge. I leave that to a much higher power. That being said, I am a Christian and suggest everyone read and follow God's word. The Bible is the best selling book in the history of the world for a reason. In fact, several reasons. Of course, my belief in God informs my worldview. If you're a Christian, it should do the same for you. Which leads me to this. Number seven. I believe men are men and women are women. Surgery or hormones don't change that. Men should use the men's room, women should use the women's room. Again, simple stuff. This shouldn't be a radical opinion, but it has become one somehow. Just watch how this town hall audience reacts in California when Tish Hyman, a lesbian, a black woman who produces music, tells her story about being assaulted in a women's locker room by a man pretending to be a woman. The experience has lit a fire under her. And here she's just asking California Senator Scott Wiener to protect women under his leadership. Listen to what she says. Are you going to protect women?

[Miles Grimard]

Not trans women.

[Steve Gruber]

Women, women.

[Miles Grimard]

Trans women are different things. Women, women. Listen. We need to protect women's safety. I was assaulted.

[Steve Gruber]

I was assaulted. No, they are not. They are men. I was assaulted by men. He had. He broke his wife's jaw. So Brad, she needed reconstructive surgery. I'm a lesbian. I'm not transphobic. And I'm black. So if there's another black woman in here who wants to tell me how they feel, please join in.

[Miles Grimard]

But all of you are not.

[Steve Gruber]

And I don't know who you are, what you are, but I'm a lesbian. And I'm telling you right now, men are harassing women in the locker room.

[Miles Grimard]

Let's let him.

[Benny Ray Harmony]

Let's let him answer the question.

[Steve Gruber]

I'm just telling you, since I want a woo, woo, woo.

[Miles Grimard]

No, just.

[Steve Gruber]

Now I'm done. And by the way, I respect what you have done. I just want to let you know.

[Miles Grimard]

That.

[Steve Gruber]

I appreciate your point of view. I'm so sorry that you were. Multiple times. I appreciate you talking about it. I. I think we need to protect the safety of all women. And. And that obviously that's incredibly important. And I also know that trans women are also brutalized in this country. So women and cisgender women are brutalized in this country. And we have to protect the safety of all of them. She torched him. I'm not transphobic. I'm a lesbian. I'm not a black woman. What a worthless non answer from the senator. He has long advocated for the inclusion of men and women's spaces, and he's not budging, even if he pretends to act nice and civil towards Tish here. Number eight. I believe schools are for education, not indoctrination. Kids should learn math, history, reading and science, not political propaganda. They should not be taught they were born in the wrong body or pushed into gender delusion. That should stop immediately. Part of the solution will be taking the responsibility of education away from the government, giving it back to the states and more importantly, to the parents. The latest national assessment. Listen to this. Of educational progress. The report card. It paints a grim picture of American education, showing that student performance in reading, math and science has plummeted to historic lows with no meaningful recovery since the COVID 19 pandemic. In 2024, nearly 70% of fourth and eighth graders scored at below basic in reading, the highest rate of struggling readers ever recorded, While scores in reading and math also dropped significantly from pre pandemic levels. It gets worse, if you can believe it. Among high school seniors, seniors, nearly 80% are not proficient in math and 2/3 not proficient in reading, with average scores in both subjects hitting the lowest marks Ever. Ever. Eighth grade science scores have also declined sharply since 2019, despite the federal government spending more than $3 trillion on K through 12 education since the Department of education was created by Jimmy Carter back in 1979. Achievement gaps are widening and performance continues to fall. It's not just about getting our reading and math scores up. We need education that instills pride and patriotism into our students. Again, here's how the former director of Oklahoma's Department of Education puts it quite straight.

[Jim Pfaff]

Listen, we want good teachers in the classroom, right? We want teachers that are passionate about math, history and science. Folks were passionate about wanting people that love American history, that love America, that understand that one of the critical roles of our schools was, yes, get you good at academics, yes, make sure that you can get a job with your God given talents, but also to create American citizens who will continue this great dream that is America. Benjamin Franklin said, it's a republic if you can keep it. And folks, we have to fight to keep it. We have to continue to allow the next generation to know, as Aaron pointed out, the gift that you've been born into is a tremendous blessing from God. But this country will not continue to be that blessing if we let it.

[Steve Gruber]

Fall from our grasp. Now, if we can fight for schools like that. And I think it will help with my next point, which is this. Number nine, I believe America is in a mental health crisis. Mental health care is real, it matters, and it desperately needs to be addressed. This will take the work of a community, religion, health, a thriving economy, and a government that actually cares about its citizens, not just political posturing. You want to stop school shootings? Address the mental health crisis, don't take away my guns. I'm not a danger to you. And number 10, I do believe guns aren't the problem. People really are. Gun control only infringes on constitutional rights. But I also believe in common sense, background checks are necessary to keep firearms out of the hands of the mentally ill and other dangerous people. We've already tried the experiment of gun control here at home. D.C. and Chicago both tried to ban all guns in the last century, and each time their murder rates went up, they went through the roof. We've tried this before. It doesn't work. A responsibly armed society is a safe one and usually a fairly polite one. I'm a conservative because I believe in faith, family freedom and personal responsibility. The last one really important. For example, having a gun is not just my right. It is a huge, it's an awesome responsibility. I take that seriously. I don't want a government that controls every aspect of our lives. I want a government that protects our rights, secures our borders, defends our freedoms, and then gets the hell out of the way. We're strongest when Americans take care of America first, when families are supported, when our veterans are honored, and when our children are taught truth, not propaganda. I love this country and I believe it's worth fighting for. So let me just say this, God bless America. Coming up after the break, President Trump signals possible talks with Venezuela's Maduro even as US Forces step up operations against drug traffickers in the Caribbean. I'll discuss that straight ahead on america's Voice live. President Trump yesterday and on the weekend signaled the United States could be ready for talks with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro as tensions rise in the region. The move comes amid a growing US Military presence in the Caribbean and a campaign targeting suspected drug trafficking vessels on Venezuela's coast in the eastern Pacific. On Friday, President Trump said he has sort of made up his mind on Venezuela, hinting that a major decision could come soon. Some analysts say this could be a cautious step towards stabilizing a volatile situation while keeping pressure on Maduro's regime. Join me now to discuss is the CEO of Sentinel, former DHS advisor and author of Terrorists on the Border and in Our country, Charles Marino. Charles, thank you for being here.

[Charles Marino]

Hi, Steve.

[Steve Gruber]

I think 21 boats was the last count I had of boats being blown out of the water. And let me be clear, I spent a lot of time on charter fishing boats in my life. I kind of enjoy it. And when the Democrats say these are fishing boats, doesn't look like any fishing boat I've ever seen. I don't remember any Captain bringing out 55 gallon drums, 25 or 30 of them in a boat with 1600 horsepower in the back end going at high rates of speed across the open ocean. I've never seen that on a fishing boat. Charles, am I mistaken?

[Charles Marino]

Well, they're certainly not giving our intelligence community a lot of Credit. These are known drug boats. They are following known foreign drug routes coming out of Venezuela. And of course, there's confirmation of what they're carrying before this type of military action is taken. I think it's great that we see the use of the military. This all started with the foundation of naming the cartels and these violent gangs as foreign terrorist organizations. And now it allows the United States to bring a lot more resources to the plate, including the use of the military. While these strikes are great, they still remain a small portion of what I would describe as the overall supply chain of illicit drugs heading to the country.

[Steve Gruber]

Good point you make there. Look, I hear people on the left and in the media saying, well, they're not transporting fentanyl, it's just cocaine. Oh, just cocaine. I mean, how many overdoses does cocaine and crack result in when it comes to people that die in this country? I mean, as if that's okay. It's. It's an insane talking point, isn't it?

[Charles Marino]

Well, they don't understand the data because they don't care to solve the problem on the left. And the data suggests that the overwhelming majority of fentanyl deaths are accidental because it's fentanyl being mixed in with other drugs. There is no safe type of drug nowadays. You know, people used to look at marijuana as being safe, cocaine is being safe. These dealers have no idea what these drugs are being mixed with. And in many cases, they are being mixed with fentanyl. Thus the hundreds of thousands of deaths that are majority wise, accidental.

[Steve Gruber]

Yeah, exactly. True. By the way, I had a good friend of mine lose a son Last year, 19 years old, a fennel, good kid, going to college, went out on the weekend and experimented, and that was the end of it. Sadly. I think that last boat, by the way, was called Studio 54. Maybe I misread the name on the side of the boat. Here's something else. So, Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently said the U.S. would designate an alleged drug organization known as Cartel de los Souls as a foreign terrorist organization. U.S. officials have accused Cartel de la Soul of working with a Venezuelan gang, Trend Aragua, to send narcotics to America. And the Trump administration has alleged that Maduro leads Cartel de la Souls, which he denies. Is he involved? How involved is Maduro in these drug cartels, do you believe?

[Charles Marino]

Well, he's as involved as President Scheinbaum is in Mexico. Look, the governments of these countries that were having such a hard time with buying their cooperation in terms of solving the problem are at the beck and call of the Cartels. That's not the only cartel that Maduro is in bed with. He's also in bed, and it's widely known with the Sinaloa cartel. And so this is a problem. And so I think it's great that President Trump wants to have a conversation. But this is going to be a list of demands from President Trump to Maduro saying, here's what you need to do to prevent any type of military action. Because, Steve, at some point in time, we're going to have to start targeting these groups as we do other terrorist organizations. And that includes going after the production and the distribution the weapons, the equipment, and targeting the leadership as well. And those targets are going to be inland.

[Steve Gruber]

Yeah. So let me ask you about this. You mentioned President Sheinbaum in Mexico. She has a big problem with Gen Z, I see, in Mexico City. So she's got problems on her, but also these cartels. Look, Mexico is a corrupt nation. We all know that. It's been corrupt as long as I've been around. And much of that corruption stems directly or indirectly from these drug cartels. What do we need to do to deal with the Mexican cartels as well? I'll give you the last word here.

[Charles Marino]

Well, there's been a lot of Mexican presidential administrations that have tried different philosophies, including President Calderon, who tried to use the military and found out that at least half of his military was abandoning ship and going to work for the cartels, which explains why they're all paramilitary organizations today. You cannot have the Mexican cartels as the fourth largest employer in all of Mexico. And that's where they stand right now. You. You give them some legitimacy when they break, break the top five in terms of employing other Mexicans. So that's another problem. The other thing is the corruption, as you alluded to. It's. It permeates all layers of government throughout Mexico. And what Mexico needs to do is work more closely with the United States. We have helped countries overcome this type of corruption. We can help them fight the cartels. But the problem is they're too proud in their ways. And they don't realize that their ways are leading not only to significant problems throughout the region and in Mexico, but also within the United States. And at some point in time, the United States is just going to have to go after the cartels unilaterally.

[Steve Gruber]

I agree with that. And I think that when shown the number of people that die, 100,000 people in America die of fentanyl and then other drugs and overdoses. Charles, It's A problem that's being addressed by this administration straight up. It is first time in my lifetime. Thank you for being here.

[Charles Marino]

Thanks, Steve.

[Steve Gruber]

All right, after the break, I'll bring on our congressional correspondent Benny Ray Harmony to give us details on updates on the passing of, of the release of the Epstein files, whatever that means, because we don't know what's available. A lot to come straight ahead on America's Voice Live. Well, as expected, the House met today to vote on releasing more of the Epstein files. The decision was nearly unanimous, 427 to 1. Congressman Clay Higgins giving the only nay. We don't know why. Here to discuss this, our own real America's Voice, White House and congressional correspondent Benny Ray harmony from the U.S. capitol in D.C. benny, nice to see you. So the vote, 427 to 1. Not even close. Democrats continue to say that Donald Trump is afraid of the release of these files, but he has already said, I'll sign it as soon as it gets to my desk. Doesn't seem too afraid. Tell me about the vote today and where we go from here.

[Benny Ray Harmony]

Yeah, so, Steve, like you said, it was a 4:27 to 1. Now this one House rep that voted against it was Clay Higgins of Louisiana. Now, he has said from the get go that he was against this and he sided with Mike Johnson that there is not enough wording and proper things in the bill to protect these victims, their family members and innocent people's lives that could really, you know, be affected by this. And so he was that one that voted against it. But this was a very expected vote, Steve. We, we had heard from Marjorie Taylor Greene, we heard from Mike Johnson, and they expected the unanimous vote to happen. But as we look ahead a little bit now, everyone is talking about Senate. Okay, what does that look like when it goes to the Senate? So because this bill passed with over a two thirds majority, if the Senate also passes with over a 2/3 majority, there is absolutely no veto power for this bill, which means it has to go through. But President Trump has said that he will sign this bill regardless. But this, this Senate vote could take anywhere from the week after Thanksgiving until possibly, you know, beginning of 2026 because they will most likely try to make amendments like Speaker Johnson said, he wants to add some things into that bill. So it's, it's a toss up going forward, but we should hopefully have some more knowledge these next few days once Leader Thune puts it on the schedule.

[Steve Gruber]

So do we have any idea of how many documents left? We know that 23,000 came out Democrats cherry picked three emails that blew up in their face here in the last 72 hours. I saw James Comer on the floor of the House today pointing out that Hakeem Jeffries and his campaign took massive amounts of money from Jeffrey Epstein during the 2013 election cycle. I think Democrats are going to be sorry that they pushed this so hard. It seems to me maybe they've walked into a trap. Your thoughts?

[Benny Ray Harmony]

Yeah, I agree. I just saw that too, Steve. I mean, how absurd Jeffrey Epstein was saying that this Hakeem Jeffries could be the new star, the rising star of the Democrat Party. But it makes sense. This is what Democrats do, Steve. Way they're, they're running, they're hitting the ground hard, and then the second something happens, they go silent. They like to fight, they like to talk, but where's the action following it? You know, they say they're for the releasing of these files, but Steve, they're only here for the releasing of these files if it implicates Trump. And it's very clear that these files are not going to implicate Trump. If anything, they're going to implicate the state. Same people that are being worshiped by the Democrat Party like Schumer and Jeffries. And so I honestly have no idea what goes through the Democrats minds. I wish I did. I wish I could understand it, how, how we can put victims last and, and you know, constantly, this fight against Trump. At the end of the day, the Democrats weren't doing this for, for the victims. They were doing this to harm Trump. And the Republicans put the victims first and are going to ensure that their voices are heard. And like I said earlier with Terrence, you know, their victims voices are all around the Capitol today and are echoing from chamber to chamber. It's incredible.

[Steve Gruber]

Something else, people are asking about Benny and I think it's a big question. Stacey Plaskett represents the United States Virgin Islands in Congress. She does not have a vote, but she's there to represent the vi and she was shown to be getting text messages directly from Jeffrey Epstein during a hearing in the house back in 2019. He was telling her what questions to ask, how to follow up and then talk to her afterwards. It's a remarkable scenario. How could she possibly remain in Congress if that was a Republican, they would have been out of the House the next day. Stacy Plaskett has gone silent on this. But we've all seen it now. We've seen the exchange between him and her while she's at the microphone. It is a remarkable thing. To see happen. I wonder if Speaker Johnson is going to make a move on that. Your thoughts?

[Benny Ray Harmony]

It almost feels like a movie. Steve, how in in God's green earth could this have happened? You had someone sitting up there that is supposed to be asking these witnesses questions and you have them texting a billionaire or whatever you want to call Jeffrey Epstein. The fact that he, he had any say into the questions being asked to a witness that was called in front of the Senate or the House, whatever, whichever one it may be, is absolutely absurd. And I truly do think Mike Johnson will address this. I don't think this woman will, will have this job for much longer. To be quite honest with you, it's unacceptable. If this was a Republican like you said, oh, they would be outed in a matter of seconds.

[Steve Gruber]

Yeah, Santos was tossed out on his ear probably a lot quicker than she will be, which is a strange turn of events. Benny, thank you for the update from the Capitol. We appreciate it. Coming up after the break, I'll discuss the affordability crisis in America and what can be done to combat the situation we're in, mainly because of the previous administration in the White House. Details straight ahead on america's Voice Live. Well, Trump Media just signed a massive $6.4 billion deal with Yorkville Acquisition Corporation and Crypto.com, the crypto platform trusted by millions of users worldwide. They're teaming up to acquire up to $6.4 billion in CRO to establish America's first publicly traded CRO treasury. Trump media group CRO strategy once complete, this new company will be the largest publicly traded CRO holder out there ready to join the crypto revolution. Head to crypto.com today. Be part of this historic move. That's crypto.com and don't wait. For more information on the proposed business combination, check out Yorkville Acquisition Corp's public filings. I know this is a recurring theme, but it's an important one. Americans are feeling the crunch right now. Groceries are still high. Rents keep rising. Utility bills, man, they're on the rise, too. Milton Friedman called deficit spending a hidden tax. And inflation is exactly how we're paying it. Wages struggling to keep up, making it harder for families to cover the basics. We all know this. According to Kevin Hazatt, director of the National Economic Council, capital spending is up, but most Americans won't see the benefits until at least April. Takes time for it to catch up. You see, Republicans must focus on affordability, create opportunity, win back youth, trust, and show that capitalism and free markets deliver real opportunity. The government never can. Here with me, Conservative Caucus President Jim Pfaff. Jim, nice to have you here. Look, we've talked about this for quite some time, but we have to focus on this. When Gen Z is fleeing from Republicans saying, well, you know, things are still too expensive, look, it takes time to recover from 9.1% inflation that we had in the middle of the Biden years. It takes time to catch up. $3,000, what we lost in actual spending power on average, so said Kevin Hassett. We've come back twelve hundred dollars. But that's still a big gap, Jim. How do we get there?

[Jim Pfaff]

Well, the number one thing we could do, by the way, just to cut quickly to the chase, is to get rid of the Federal Reserve. I mean, the appointment of this Federal Reserve chairman is going to be a key component in this, not just because of where the interest rates need to be, but also because of issues like the monetary supply. I mean, when we pay taxes, we. We're really paying back the Federal Reserve in a way because Federal Reserve prints money so that government can spend like drunken sailors. That's the basic problem with the Biden administration is they spent like drunken sailors and the Federal Reserve basically had to bail them out. So that's the first thing we can do. I've been calling for Donald Trump and an administration to come get back together with Elon Musk and make Doge a big issue again. Let's do more cuts. But the second thing that can happen, we got a reconciliation bill coming up here shortly. These are one of those bills where Republicans in the Senate don't need the votes of Democrats to be able to pass legislation. This is how the big, beautiful bill happened. Let's expand the big, beautiful bill, do even more cuts to federal spending and inject some things in there that can help in the short term. But the reality is, when you get in the economic message that we're in right now, which is like when you look at the inflation chart, it's horrible. In the Biden administration, Donald Trump's leveled that off. It does take a little time to fix these things. So we're going to have to deal with that and we're going to be hanging on by our nails until November. But Donald Trump needs to talk about this, pitch his plan, and make sure everyone's really clear what he's trying to do.

[Steve Gruber]

Yeah, what have we got rid of the Fed altogether? I mean, I don't know if that's possible. Created in 1913, right. Along with the federal income tax, you know, those things Went hand in hand, right over the cliff for Americans. What do you think of that? Is it even possible? Can we, can we change the trajectory of the economy by making these sorts of big decisions?

[Jim Pfaff]

Well, I study economics and finance a lot, but I'm not an expert in this area. But Peter St. Non, who's a. An economist who's. You can find his X profile pretty simply. He's made a very strong case about, yes, you can go back to the gold standard. I would argue you definitely can. But really the basic problem we have, I think we should get rid of the Fed. But the thing that really got us in the worst part of this problem was when Richard Nixon stopped trading in dollars for Gold in 1972 to try to deal with his fiscal situation and the government spending that was happening then. You know, we just had LBJ's Great Society programs come into play and they were already booming. The federal budget, amongst other things that we were doing. We were in the midst of the Vietnam War and we're spending a lot of money then, too. When we went off that gold standard, it allowed the Federal Reserve to print money in any manner that it wanted to. And that inflates the dollar. And Paul Volcker reduced that, the amount of dollars we had. That's how the Reagan revolution was able to be successful. In part, yeah.

[Steve Gruber]

You know, you look at the Great Society, you mentioned that 1965, LBJ, we've spent somewhere around $30 trillion in the great Society, and yet our poverty rates are about the same. Homelessness is higher than it was then. So we spent $30 trillion. By the way, where would our debt be if we hadn't spent $30 trillion on pipe dreams? Jim, last question.

[Jim Pfaff]

I got a. I got a perfect. You know, those numbers work perfectly for how I would say this. So it. The Office of Management and budget in 1999, in 2000, were projecting we would pay off a then nearly $5 trillion debt deficit or debt by 2013. Here we are, $30 trillion later. And so my answer to you is if we had not done the Great Society programs, we would probably be about $3 trillion in debt right now. That's where it's gone. It literally is this expansion of government welfare in a big way.

[Steve Gruber]

Exactly what it is. We spent all of this money. We've gotten little as far as results go. Our cities have become worse and more dangerous in many ways. 25 to $30 trillion we've spent. That's a fact. And again, the poverty rate has not really moved significantly. Again, facts, they hate them. On the other side. But all of this spending on social programs has not resulted in the result we were promised. Jim, thank you for being here.

[Jim Pfaff]

Thanks, Steve.

[Steve Gruber]

All right, don't go anywhere. America's Voice Live will continue in a moment. Well, we all have two ages. Our actual age, I'm 21, if you're wondering. And our actual biological age, I'm still 21. That little factoid is relevant because most people are eight to 16 years older than their actual age, leading to a heightened prevalence of health complications. And that then leads to living a shorter life overall and one that isn't healthy. A university study in Auburn showed that people can lower their biological age by adding just one thing. And here to talk with me about that is the CEO of Brick House Nutrition, Miles Grimard. Miles, good to have you here.

[Miles Grimard]

It's great to be back, Steve. Thank you so much for having me.

[Steve Gruber]

All right, what's the one thing?

[Miles Grimard]

Well, the one thing is, well, according to Auburn University is field of greens. So, I mean, there's our. We're always trying to find a way to have our fruit and vegetable products stand apart from the others out there, because there are so many of them out there. And our doctors put so much work into each fruit and vegetable being put in there for a specific reason to affect each vital organ. And your biological age is determined by the health of your biological or your vital organs and your cells. And so that's also what determines biological ages so happens to your health. So we said, let's put the field of greens to the test. Let's see if it's what we says it does, what we say it does. And it turned out with flying colors that field of greens does slow the body's aging. The health of these vital organs and cells was helped so much that people that take it are getting more active years out of their life. And the Auburn study backed that up. The participants changed nothing, kept the same diet, everything. The only thing they did was add field of greens. And so right now, you know, during the holidays, that's everyone's on the go. It's hard to. Hard to stay healthy. They're, they're eating on the go, but, you know, there's a few things you can do. And, you know, Brick House Nutrition, the entire slate of products is 30% off right now. So, yeah, there's gadgets you can buy. But rather than getting off track and coming back around New Year's to try to lose all the weight and get healthy again, Brick House Nutrition hopefully can help you keep on track. And stay healthy.

[Steve Gruber]

Eat your vegetables like mom said. Right? Just a little different. Eat your vegetables. Look, I saw on the website you guys just launched a new whey protein. Explain to the audience what that is. Give us a little sneak peek, would you?

[Miles Grimard]

Yeah, the whey protein. Again, as I mentioned before, we're a nutrition company that really puts our doctors first. And if we can't come up with a product that's better or different than, than our competitors, then we don't launch it. So in the past, we'd always say, listen, there's, you know, Naked Protein has a great protein, but we finally came up with one that's different. And it's a fermented protein. You know, it's the same as, like, the same science behind, like, insulin or beer, honestly. But it's biologically similar to a whey protein. But you don't have. With ours, you don't have to worry about, you know, what was put into the cow. You don't have to worry about lactose because it doesn't technically come from a cow, but it's biologically similar, again, just like beer. And so you get all the benefits away, but you don't have to worry about the lactose toes, the toughness on your tummy, which is great as well. And, you know, again, during the sale, actually, our number one seller is our weight loss product. The. The injections out there have been so, so popular. Our scientists went to work on trying to create something that's, you know, similar without having to get a doctor script or take an injection. Works in three different ways on the burning fat. It helps manage blood glucose, it helps turn fat into energy, and it helps manage those CR and apps I control, which is pretty helpful when you're seeing that nice pecan pie on the table during the holiday season.

[Steve Gruber]

Yeah, and I like pecan pie. You got to look the other way, avert your eyes, you know, once a year. Once a year. But these GLP1s have come out and taken the world by storm. But, you know, I wonder about those because then for a lot of people, people that I've talked to, once you're on it, you're on it for life, right?

[Miles Grimard]

Yeah, it seems that way. There's a lot of people that get off of it and have a lot of struggles. Personally, I know about three people that got really sick on them. I know. But at the same time, you have to balance, you know, being obese is not healthy, so you have to really balance the risk benefit, which is why our doctors try to create something that was, you know, similar and hopefully healthier than some of those GLP1s. But yeah, if you're obese, you need to do whatever you can to lose weight. So Trilene, it's less invasive and way healthier for your body and yourself. But you know, if, if you really need to go crazy with it, you can try a GLP one. I'm not going to say don't, but obesity is something that everyone should try to avoid and, you know, try lean. Look at the reviews on our website. You'll see that it's almost all five stars. People are losing insane amount of weight. Our doctors are some of the best, best in the country and they develop something amazing. And right now, again, not a better time to try it. Brickhouseale.com everything's 30% off.

[Steve Gruber]

There you go. So talk about that discount and how folks can get started on Field of Greens right now.

[Miles Grimard]

Yeah, again, just. Brickhousesale.com the entire slate of our products is 30% off. You don't need a promo code. It's our holiday sale, so our biggest sale of the year. We never do this type of discount. So. Brickhouseale.com 30% off everything.

[Steve Gruber]

There you go. Go to fieldofgreens.com you don't need a promo code. Like the man just said, you'll get 30% off, which is considerably better than what was offered before. Thank you for being here. Really appreciate it.

[Miles Grimard]

Thanks so much, Steve, for being here.

[Steve Gruber]

They have it. Thank you, Alex. Greatly appreciate you being here. Now after the break, we will have a story that reminds us of just how wonderful America is. Plus, your answers to the America's Voice question of the day. Here it is. Do you think President Trump should hold talks with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro amid rising tensions? Why or why not? I look forward to your answers, America. We'll do that straight ahead on america's Voice. Live. At Real America's Voice, we know that you want to be a part of something bigger. That's why we've teamed up with amac, the association of Mature American Citizens, to build a real community of folks who care about fate and our country's future.

[Miles Grimard]

There is no force on earth that can stop us from saving our country.

[Steve Gruber]

Want to be a part of this movement? It's easy. Just scan the QR code on your screen right now. That's right. Grab your phone and scan the QR code to join the AMAC and Real America's Voice family today. By scanning the QR code, you'll unlock exclusive content. Connect with like minded Americans and be first in line for events that celebrate our shared values. So don't wait. Scan the QR Code. Join us today and become part of a community that stands for faith, family and freedom, real rights. They come from God with AMAC and real America's voice. Go ahead, scan the QR Code now. All right. What makes America wonderful? We do it every day with the hope of putting a smile on your face. I think we're pretty successful at it, don't you? Today's story comes to us from the Twin Cities in Minnesota, of course, where an effort to provide families with a Thanksgiving turkey is being orchestrated by what some would say is an unlikely bunch. The True Breed Motorcycle Club in Minneapolis has been giving their community free turkeys for over a decade and a half. And with that amount of time, it's not surprising that the event is seeing a big turnout every year, leading to a bigger demand for turkeys. It seems to grow and grow and grow. Last year, during their annual turkey drive, the motorcycle club noted that they had given away 300 turkeys in the community. They're expecting to double that number this year, 600 birds. Giving back to the community, always an honorable trait. But giving something that will make a tangible impact and help someone's life is even better. And the effort displayed by the True Breed mc, the motorcycle Club reminds us what makes America wonderful. Yeah, not the usual bunch, but look, they deliver on two wheels. All right, here's your question of the day. Do you think President Trump should hold talks with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro amid rising tensions? It's a great question because it's pretty ugly out there right now. Mark Connor writes, it can't hurt to open a dialogue, but keep blowing them drug boats out of the water. Thank you, Mark, for your kind concern. Lisa Latia writes, why not? He's getting peaceful results with other countries. Well, this isn't so peaceful. Lisa Kristal Ober Paulson writes, yes, nothing will be solved without communication. It may not be anyway, but you have to at least try. I think most people agree with his approach here. Chuck Mackenzie writes, communication is key in any situation. I think communication is true. And you know, the thing is Donald Trump says he will talk to anyone, and he will. He's proven that he was in North Korea. Remember that. He'll talk to anyone to try to get something out of it for the United States. And I applaud that. Paul Smith writes, short and straight to the point. Quit illegal drug trafficking or kaboom. Vaporize. That's right. David Arthur has this Trump has already communicated and continues to every one of those blown up boats. Is Trump communicating? The Venezuelan president doesn't seem to understand. I think it's getting tougher to find people to drive those boats. What's your guess? Sam Folio is a third. He's not the legitimate leader of Venezuela. Why validate that by opening talks with him now? That's a good point. Most people believe he stole the election outright, that it was fraudulent, he didn't win. Sam, it's a fair question. A point you've made. Mike Fosi no, that guy can stop those boats if he wanted to. The president needs to get back to Maga stuff. John Hogan writes talking never hurts. But he stole the election and shouldn't even have a voice. Why not? Again, good point. And Bashar Todd says yes, that idiot is scared because he knows he'll lose. Now look, if you want to put your name up on the big screen here in America's Voice Live, follow me on social media. You know all the regular places and you'll find the question of the day. And if you answer, you might be something that I call your name right here on the program. I look forward to the interaction. Remember to watch me in the morning, first thing 6am right here in real America's Voice. Right. Do that every day. And if you want to send me an email, you can do [e-mail] have a great afternoon. This is an iHeart podcast.