Real America’s Voice Live with Steve Gruber
Episode Date: November 21, 2025
Main Theme:
Unfiltered analysis of contemporary American politics, including heated debate over calls for military insubordination, deep divides on socialism, the intersection of religious freedom and global policy, and a rare meeting between President Trump and NYC Mayor-elect Zoran Mamdani.
Episode Overview
Steve Gruber opens by promising “the stories that matter,” centering the show on breaking news and a series of controversial political flashpoints:
- Bipartisan Congressional condemnation of socialism
- Dispute over Democrats’ video urging U.S. troops to disobey “illegal orders” under President Trump
- Delays in confirming Trump’s religious freedom ambassador
- Economic analysis focusing on inflation, gold, and the job market
- A high-stakes White House meeting between President Trump and NYC’s incoming “Democratic Socialist” mayor
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. House Resolution Condemning Socialism (00:29–04:48)
Segment highlights:
- Rep. Alyssa Slotkin and other Democrats are under fire for a video advising military personnel not to follow “illegal orders,” sparking GOP outrage.
- The House passes a resolution condemning socialism with 285–98; notably, 86 Democrats cross the aisle.
Notable Moments:
- Steve Gruber expresses surprise at the bipartisan vote:
“86 Democrats said thumbs down to socialism. I mean, I’m kind of surprised by that number.” (02:24) - Col. Rob Manus (Ret.) gives the military/constitutional context:
“Any person that understands history and understands socialism knows that it’s just the on ramp to totalitarianism.” (03:13)
He also criticizes the GOP leadership for not cementing Trump’s executive orders in law.
2. Military Obedience, Sedition, and the Slotkin Video (04:48–13:09, 14:43–23:01)
Context:
- Progressive lawmakers post a video urging soldiers to refuse “illegal orders” from the Trump administration, without giving specifics.
Expert Analysis and Reaction:
- Gruber and Manus argue the video constitutes “sedition,” and possibly criminal mutiny, especially dangerous given current divides in America: “That is just a call for mass insubordination and it falls right into the definition of the military laws definition of sedition.” (04:53, Manus)
- Manus on repercussions:
"Military personnel should be recalled...so that they can be court-martialed... [civilians] have to be prosecuted... because this really is in the definition of sedition." (06:27–06:48) - Steve Doolin (Attorney & Vet) explains legal risks for troops:
“It’s just patently unfair to try to put it upon frontline service members to decide in every instance what might be constitutional.” (16:46) “This sounds like subversion to me... tap dancing on the edge of encouraging mutiny.” (18:12) - Insurrection vs. Rebellion vs. Mutiny:
Doolin draws distinctions, clarifies that encouraging mass refusal is “right on the line.” (19:14–22:05)
Memorable Exchange:
- Gruber: “We’re in a dangerous place, aren’t we Colonel?” (09:06)
- Manus: "It’s a continuation...divide the American people and divide the United States military...one of the last steps before...a color revolution..." (10:01)
3. Trump & Mayor-Elect Zoran Mamdani's White House Meeting (11:57, 33:29–53:25)
Context:
- President Trump hosts Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist, in a closed-press White House meeting. The press Q&A that follows is unprecedented.
Key Issues Discussed:
- Affordability and Cost of Living:
Mamdani and Trump surprisingly agree on affordability challenges in NYC. - Peace in the Middle East:
Discussion about ongoing Israel-Lebanon-Gaza issues and U.S. foreign policy. - ICE, Crime, and Safe Cities:
Trump and Mamdani discuss differences yet agree on making NYC safer. - Socialism and Ideology:
Trump chides but welcomes Mamdani. Mamdani affirms his ideology while focusing on “work at hand” for affordability.
Notable Quotes & Moments:
- Trump:
“He’s got views a little out there, but who knows?... I think he’s going to surprise some conservative people, actually, and some very liberal people.” (34:18) "We want to get them out and the mayor wants to have peace. Maybe more than anything else, he wants to have a safe New York." (38:41) - Mamdani:
"Both President Trump and I, we are very clear about our positions and our views… but the meeting... could transform the lives of the 8.5 million people who are currently struggling under a cost of living crisis." (35:30) “I am someone who is a democratic socialist. I’ve been very open about that… but the place of agreement is the work that needs to be done to make New York City affordable.” (43:54) - Trump:
"I've been called much worse than a despot. So it’s not that insulting." (36:07) “If he wants to see houses go up. He wants to see a lot of houses created… and you know, people would be shocked but I want to see the same thing.” (48:21) - Trump closes the Q&A by saying he would feel comfortable living in NYC under Mamdani and draws parallels to his previous cooperation with some Bernie Sanders voters. (52:03–52:44)
4. Economy, Gold, and Inflation (23:01–27:56)
Segment highlights:
- Philip Patrick (Precious Metals Expert) discusses gold's historic rise.
- Key stat: Gold up 60% year-over-year, silver up 85%.
- Institutions like JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs predict further increases.
Quotes:
- Patrick:
“Gold doesn’t typically do that... it’s a reflection of changing fundamentals. We’re seeing a shift around the globe... and gold’s picking up on the back of that.” (24:13–24:37) - On crypto vs. gold:
“Crypto is the canary in the coal mine. The riskiest sectors start to see liquidations and then it follows from there. Gold’s getting a pickup and I think it will continue.” (25:35–26:19) - Rollovers of retirement accounts into precious metals described as tax-protected and “lateral” by Patrick. (26:41–27:08)
5. Religious Freedom & Mark Walker’s Ambassadorship Nomination (27:59–32:11)
Context:
- Mark Walker, nominated for Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, discusses global persecution and Senate confirmation delays.
Key points:
- Outlines two types of international religious persecution: violent (by groups like Boko Haram) and through blasphemy laws.
- Expresses frustration with Senate stalling:
“We’re ready to get started to be able to get out there and advocate for people around the world...” (29:48)
Timestamps for Major Segments
- 00:29 — Show opening, headlines
- 03:03 — Discussion of House anti-socialism resolution (Gruber & Manus)
- 04:48 — Motives behind the vote, focus on reelection
- 05:35 — Legal and ethical critique of the Slotkin video (Gruber & Manus)
- 07:30 — Legal mechanisms: court-martial, UCMJ—Sedition and treason
- 09:06 — Risks of division in the military; talk of civil unrest/“color revolution”
- 11:57 — Preview: Trump-Mamdani White House meeting
- 14:43 — Slotkin video audio, lawyer Steve Doolin breaks down legal risks/mutiny/insurrection
- 23:01 — Jobs and the economy: gold, inflation, safety of assets
- 27:59 — Religious freedom worldwide: Mark Walker interview
- 33:29 — Trump and Mamdani joint press availability: focus on cost of living, crime, peace, and pragmatic policy alignment
- 52:03 — Trump: Would he feel safe living in NYC under Mamdani?
- 53:18 — Ending light moment on train vs. flight
Memorable Quotes
- Col. Rob Manus:
“Almost 100 Democrats approve of socialism... And any person that understands history and understands socialism knows that it’s just the on ramp to totalitarianism.” (03:13) - Steve Doolin:
"It’s just patently unfair to try to put it upon frontline service members to decide in every instance what might be constitutional." (16:46) - President Trump:
"He's got views a little out there, but who knows?... I think he's going to surprise some conservative people, actually, and some very liberal people." (34:18) "If we have known murderers and known drug dealers and some very bad people, you know, we want to get them out and the mayor wants to have peace." (38:41) - Mayor-Elect Zoran Mamdani:
"I am someone who is a democratic socialist... but the place of agreement is the work... to make New York City affordable." (43:54)
Conclusion
This episode offered a combative and ideologically charged dissection of America’s political divides. Conversation ranged from Congressional drama over socialism and calls for military resistance, through international religious freedom, to the rarely seen—an openly adversarial Democratic Socialist mayor-elect finding common ground (however tenuous) with Donald Trump. Gruber cultivates a populist tone, providing “unfiltered” support for his guests and critical skepticism for progressive adversaries.
For listeners seeking a pulse-tapping ride through the current American political storm, this episode delivers—blunt, partisan, and deeply engaged.
