America's Voice Live with Steve Gruber – November 19, 2025
Podcast: Real America’s Voice
Host: Steve Gruber
Date: November 19, 2025
Episode Overview
This episode of America’s Voice Live pays tribute to U.S. Army Sergeant Michael Verardo, one of the most severely wounded veterans of the Afghanistan War, as he is laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. The show weaves live coverage and reflections from guests around Verardo’s legacy and broader issues facing veterans. Key topics also include President Trump’s newly adopted 20-point Gaza peace plan, U.S. foreign policy on conflicts from Gaza to Venezuela, the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, advances in American military technology, and the enduring responsibilities and sacrifices of U.S. military personnel. The tone throughout emphasizes patriotism, the value of service, and strong skepticism toward international entanglements.
Highlights & Key Discussion Points
1. Honoring U.S. Army Sergeant Michael Verardo
[02:02, 11:41, 12:23, 14:08, 22:58, 27:09, 35:42, 52:47]
- Gruber dedicates the episode to the late Sgt. Verardo, recognizing his valor, resilience, and advocacy for wounded warriors after catastrophic injury in Afghanistan.
- Guests—including retired Colonel Derek Harvey, Navy veteran Don Bramer, veteran and Senate candidate Tom Norton, and General Charles Gambaro—reflect on Verardo’s service and enduring example.
- Verardo’s legacy is framed as a symbol of American sacrifice and a reminder of the human cost of "forever wars."
- Verardo's wife, Sarah, is praised for her ongoing leadership with the Independence Fund, supporting wounded veterans.
"His legacy of love, strength, and unwavering commitment to his fellow Americans is a true testament of what truly makes America wonderful." – Steve Gruber [52:47]
2. President Trump’s 20-Point Gaza Peace Plan and Global Diplomacy
[03:44, 04:12, 04:37, 05:13, 06:27, 07:17, 09:29, 10:10, 11:41]
- Gruber details the recent U.N. adoption of President Trump’s ambitious plan for Gaza, highlighting its multinational stabilization force and phased Israeli withdrawal.
- Colonel Derek Harvey praises Trump for overcoming global obstacles, seeing the plan as pivotal to ending the two-year Gaza war, while criticizing persistent threats posed by Hamas.
- The conversation addresses the erosion of international and U.S. support for Israel, increasing recognition of a Palestinian state, and Trump’s efforts to engage adversarial leaders for pragmatic peace efforts.
- Trump’s approach, compared to Nixon’s China visit and Obama’s Cuba thaw, is characterized as “engaged realism”—dealing with “bad actors” to serve American and global interests.
"Sometimes, Colonel, you have to deal with bad people to get good results. Is that true or false?"
"That's the world we actually live in...if there's an opportunity, a possible chance to bring peace, to decrease the amount of violence...he's willing to try to better the situation."
– Steve Gruber & Colonel Derek Harvey [06:27–07:17]
3. Foreign Policy and “America First” Security
[10:10, 18:43, 20:04, 20:53, 21:27, 22:08]
- Gruber and Harvey critique the U.N.'s "failure" to stop wars and genocide, praising Trump for prioritizing actionable outcomes and U.S.-led coalitions in places like Sudan and Nigeria.
- “America First” means avoiding ground deployments: “We’re enabling. We’re partnering. We’re bringing others together...but not...putting American troops on the ground and getting involved in nation building or new wars.” – Col. Harvey [10:10]
- Guest Don Bramer lauds current U.S. airstrikes against narco-traffickers linked to Venezuela, arguing this is vital to border and national security.
- U.S. willingness to negotiate with Venezuelan President Maduro (historically likened to dealing with Manuel Noriega) spotlights pragmatic, tough policies.
"This is an $8 billion annual corporate affair. If you look at the cartels just in Venezuela and Colombia..."
– Don Bramer [21:27]
4. Veteran Care, Mental Health, & Reintegration Challenges
[27:33, 27:48, 28:49, 29:14, 35:42, 36:52, 38:14, 38:34]
- Guests emphasize Verardo’s and his family’s advocacy, raising funds for wounded veterans (handicap ramps, minivans), with widespread impact.
- Persistent critical problems: veteran suicides (22 per day), mental health stigmas, and post-service adjustment—especially for combat veterans whose bluntness often clashes with civilian norms.
- Importance of specialized, veteran-to-veteran counseling and ensuring VA resources, particularly after decades of neglected care.
- General Gambaro (candidate, FL-6) calls for hiring more medical personnel, outsourcing VA care when appropriate, and always striving to do more for veterans.
“As many of us are out, if you go to mental health, we encourage it more...and it's nice to have somebody that was in the service that does mental health...”
– Tom Norton [29:14]
5. Russia-Ukraine Conflict Update
[34:37, 35:42, 38:14, 39:07, 39:22]
- Gruber and General Gambaro briefly address Ukraine’s recent use of U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles to strike Russian targets, suggesting potential escalation and a need for strict oversight and American interest-driven policies.
- General Gambaro pivots back to veterans’ needs, reinforcing the ongoing costs of conflict and the necessity for prioritizing care for those who serve.
6. American Military Technology & Future of Warfare
[43:52–50:27]
- Recorded speech from First Lady Melania Trump at Camp Lejeune, NC, highlighted AI’s disruptive impact on modern warfare, emphasizing the critical role of emerging tech in military readiness.
- “Artificial intelligence will take center stage in the theater of war...The shift from soldiers to machines is already underway.” – Melania Trump [43:52]
- She commends military families and students preparing for a dynamic, technology-driven future, tying national resilience to investment in both family and innovation.
7. Civil-Military Relations & Reflections on Patriotism
[52:47–59:02]
- Gruber closes with messages from listeners responding to “Why should we be thankful for America’s military?”—with responses about freedom, safety, and historical legacy.
- Light-hearted but reflective exchanges between Gruber and his friend Bowling touch on military sales to Saudi Arabia, the risks of adversaries using U.S. technology, and memories of hasty withdrawals (Afghanistan), raising questions about the long-term consequences of foreign arms deals.
"Too many times in American history, the weaponry that we've sold to other countries becomes...turned on us and our American men and women. That's what concerns me."
– Steve Gruber [57:50]
Notable Quotes
- "The United Nations is a failure. It had two jobs, stop wars and stop genocide. It's failed at all of those things ever since the 1940s. Donald Trump trying to make a difference here." – Steve Gruber [09:29]
- "He [Sgt. Verardo] is a hero as much for what he has done since he was in the military as for what he did in the war in Afghanistan and his commitment to US service..." – Col. Derek Harvey [12:23]
- "This is the first time in maybe my lifetime I've seen a president trying to stop war wherever possible." – Steve Gruber [11:41]
- "Americans are willing to support a war when it's clearly explained and we understand what the costs are for. But to manage conflicts to unacceptable outcomes for decades is malfeasance." – Col. Derek Harvey [14:39]
- “Peace through strength. And at the end of the day, he [Trump] has ended more wars than any modern president. Period. End of story.” – Tom Norton [30:42]
- "It's not about being overly interventionist. It's about working with partners and allies...not putting American troops on the ground." – Col. Derek Harvey [10:10]
- “We can never do enough to repay our veterans for writing that blank check for our country.” – Gen. Charles Gambaro [40:40]
Timestamps for Key Segments
| Segment | Timestamps | |------------------------------------------------|---------------| | Sgt. Michael Verardo’s Legacy & Tribute | 02:02, 11:41, 12:23, 14:08, 22:58, 27:09, 35:42, 52:47 | | Trump's 20-Point Gaza Peace Plan | 03:44–11:41 | | U.N. & Global Diplomacy, Abraham Accords | 06:27–10:10 | | U.S.-Venezuela, Drug Cartels & Border Security | 18:43–22:40 | | Veteran Care & Mental Health | 27:33–39:22 | | Russia-Ukraine Conflict | 34:37–39:22 | | First Lady Melania Trump at Camp Lejeune | 43:52–50:27 | | Audience Reflections & Closing Patriotism | 52:47–59:02 |
Summary Flow
The episode begins with coverage of Sgt. Verardo’s funeral, segueing into current affairs: Trump’s new approach to the Gaza conflict, America’s evolving alliances and adversarial negotiations, efforts to fight international drug smuggling, and persistent veteran challenges. The show intersperses heartfelt tributes with critical policy analysis, culminating in a speech from the First Lady about the future of war and a segment reflecting on what makes America and its military exceptional.
Tone & Style
The language is direct, patriotic, and unapologetic, mixing admiration for military sacrifice with skepticism toward global institutions and deep respect for service members and their families. The show uses personal stories and guest perspectives to drive home U.S.-centric, results-oriented themes, and closes on a note of reflection and thanks.
For those who missed the episode, this summary captures both the emotional core—a tribute to wounded warriors and Sgt. Michael Verardo—and the hard-hitting analysis of American foreign policy and veterans' issues that defined the November 19, 2025 broadcast.