America's Voice Live with Steve Gruber – November 25, 2025: Episode Summary

Overview

This episode of America’s Voice Live delves into the latest in U.S. politics and current events from a conservative, American values-driven perspective. Host Steve Gruber covers key issues including U.S.-Ukraine peace negotiations, the labeling of the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization, controversies involving U.S. senators and military orders, illegal street vendors in New York City, religious liberty in Ohio, and everyday Americans' thoughts on Thanksgiving and the economy. The show features incisive interviews with policy experts, political commentators, and man-on-the-street segments reflecting "real America’s" voice.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Ukraine–Russia Peace Talks and the Trump Administration’s Diplomacy

• Segment Start: [03:25]

• Guests: Retired Army Col. Derek Harvey

• Key Points:

  • (Steve Gruber) Reports major progress toward a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia, brokered by the U.S. under President Trump. Zelensky to meet Trump in DC to finalize terms.
  • (Col. Harvey) Notes nine months of intensive efforts; America pushing both sides toward “doable” peace but warns obstacles remain, citing talks in UAE and Switzerland.
  • Discussion about political resistance in Congress (“28 point peace plan”) – boundaries between Russia and Ukraine unlikely to return to pre-2022 status.
  • Emphasis that Russia has the strategic will to continue indefinitely, while Ukraine and the U.S. lack resources or will for a prolonged, costly war.
  • Main concern: The reliability of security guarantees for Ukraine, given past history (i.e., earlier Russian promises after Ukraine gave up nuclear arms were broken).

  Notable Quotes:

  • “At some point, the killing has to stop and that’s going to come with concessions from both sides.” – Steve Gruber [06:49]
  • “Russia has the means and the strategic will to continue the war. Ukraine does not.” – Col. Derek Harvey [07:46]
  • “Putin cannot be trusted. He’ll come, he’ll play a game, he’ll go back on his word.” – Steve Gruber [08:55]
  • “Ukraine is losing the war through attrition... as support erodes not just in the U.S. but in Europe.” – Col. Harvey [09:26]

2. Senators’ Calls for Military to Refuse “Illegal Orders”

• Segment Start: [10:19]

• Topic: Senators Alyssa Slotkin & Mark Kelly’s video urging troops to defy illegal orders.

• Hosts’ Take: Accuse them of undermining military morale and discipline, question legality under U.S. Code 2387 (subverting military).

• Guest: Col. Derek Harvey

• Key Points:

  • The call “crosses the line,” sows doubt in the military ranks, prompts a Pentagon/FBI investigation.
  • Special focus on Sen. Mark Kelly; being a military retiree, he may be recalled and court-martialed under UCMJ.
  • Critique of perceived partisanship and hypocrisy—lack of similar concern during earlier alleged overreach by intelligence agencies in 2017.

  Notable Quotes:

  • “It’s a very disturbing request by these political leaders... sows doubt among our military personnel.” – Col. Harvey [12:29]
  • “No one should be above the law... He is not above the law, and he is setting a bad precedent.” – Col. Harvey [15:14]
  • “He knows better. ...He should not be immune from the consequences of his actions.” – Col. Harvey [16:09]

3. Muslim Brotherhood Labeled a Foreign Terrorist Organization

• Segment Start: [20:27]

• Guest: Dr. Rebecca Grant (National Security Analyst)

• Key Points:

  • President Trump signed an executive order (Monday) directing that Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Besant begin labeling Muslim Brotherhood chapters as FTOs.
  • The move aligns the U.S. with countries like Egypt (banned the Brotherhood in 2013). Emphasizes using Treasury’s forensic skills to disrupt terrorist financial support.
  • Recognizes Brotherhood’s disputed scale and influence, with some chapters more dangerous than others (including involvement in rocket attacks on Israel).
  • Broader crackdown includes other organizations—ex: CAIR (labeled FTO by UAE in 2014), ISIS, drug cartels—connecting terrorism and criminal financing.
  • Ongoing concerns about foreign influence inside the U.S. and the need for vigilance against Islamic fundamentalism.

  Notable Quotes:

  • “No one knows better than Egypt’s President El Sisi just how dangerous the Muslim Brotherhood can be.” – Dr. Grant [21:46]
  • “This lets [Treasury] use the full power of their departments ... to see if there’s support coming into the U.S. for Muslim Brotherhood chapters.” – Dr. Grant [21:56]
  • “We have to constantly keep on the potential for Islamic fundamentalism to hurt us here.” – Dr. Grant [25:58]

4. New York City: Sanctuary, Street Vendors, and Mayor Mamdani

• Segment Start: [29:27]

• Guest: Kaylin Delmayda (Turning Point USA)

• Key Points:

  • Zoran Mamdani’s (incoming NYC mayor) sanctuary city policies have coincided with a resurgence of illegal street vendors, often selling counterfeit or stolen goods, and, according to the host, contributing to crime.
  • Protest groups are teaching illegal vendors how to evade ICE; local police not intervening.
  • Discussion on Trump’s public ties to Mamdani—“handing him the rope” as a Democratic leader who will be blamed for any upcoming city failures.
  • Delmayda suggests issues with crime, public safety, and business climate will worsen, framing this as an inevitable consequence of “socialist” policies.

  Notable Quotes:

  • “These are not all people just looking to make a better life... A lot of them are violent criminals.” – Kaylin Delmayda [31:30]
  • “Maybe it’s not handing him the reins. Maybe it’s handing him the rope.” – Steve Gruber [33:27]
  • “I don’t think that [Mamdani] is American at the core of his being... he’s a charlatan.” – Kaylin Delmayda [35:07]

5. Religious Liberty: Ohio Pastor and Homeless Ministry

• Segment Start: [39:43]

• Guest: Dr. Jeff Myers (Summit Ministries)

• Key Points:

  • Story of Pastor Chris Avill, whose church “Dad’s Place” was threatened with closure for allowing the homeless to sleep indoors (zoning issue). Ohio appeals court ruled in his favor.
  • Myers and Gruber discuss history: churches were the primary helpers pre-1965, after which federal government took over, marginalizing faith-based solutions.
  • Critique of government approaches to homelessness—blame regulation, “NIMBY” attitudes, and the legacy of deinstitutionalization for current crises.
  • Argue that churches are more effective, cost-efficient, and responsive than government programs.

  Notable Quotes:

  • “They seriously punished this pastor... All he was trying to do is get some homeless people so they wouldn’t have to sleep outside.” – Dr. Myers [41:00]
  • “It was churches in this country... that helped homeless, single moms... Then the government came in hard, beginning about 1965.” – Steve Gruber [41:44]
  • “These cities’ zoning regulations are causing a significant part of the problem.” – Dr. Myers [44:03]
  • “People in California suffer from what’s called the NIMBY syndrome–not in my backyard.” – Dr. Myers [45:47]

6. Man-on-the-Street: Thanksgiving and Cost of Living

• Segment Start: [49:33]

• Correspondent: David Zier, at Beth Page Embassy Diner, NY

• Key Points:

  • Interviews average Americans about Thanksgiving traditions, cost of living, and economic optimism for 2026.
  • Includes aspiring Congressional candidate Greg Hack: focus on cost of housing, high taxes, and financial sector job exodus from NY due to policy.
  • Discussion with a young waiter: “no tax on tips” policy increases take-home pay and makes customers more willing to tip on cards.
  • Aviators in the community reflect on Long Island’s rich history in aerospace.
  • General consensus: hardship with cost of living, optimism for an economic rebound if interest rates decline.

  Memorable Moments:

  • “The most patriotic diner in the country.” – Brian, waiter [53:26]
  • “These people are the heart and soul, the bread and butter, the real American voices.” – David Zier [54:27]

7. Feel-Good & Interactive Segments

• Thanksgiving Story: [59:05]

  • Family in Loveland, CO brings home-cooked meals to truckers working on Thanksgiving—a reminder of “what makes America wonderful.”

• Audience Interaction:

  • “America’s Voice Question of the Day”: Most overrated Thanksgiving food—answers range from cranberry sauce to sweet potatoes and turkey.

• Light Banter:

  • Gruber and guest Eric Bolling discuss favorite and least favorite Thanksgiving dishes, regionalisms, and football bets.

  Notable Quotes:

  • “God on his eighth day made pecan pie just to show off.” – Steve Gruber [54:13]
  • “Pumpkin pie... I don’t like the consistency.” – Eric Bolling [60:08]

Notable Quotes by Timestamp

• “At some point, the killing has to stop and that’s going to come with concessions from both sides.”
  — Steve Gruber [06:49]

• “Putin cannot be trusted. He can’t. He’s proven it time and again.”
  — Steve Gruber [08:55]

• “No one should be above the law. ...He is not above the law, and he is setting a bad precedent.”
  — Col. Derek Harvey [15:14]

• “No one knows better than Egypt’s President El Sisi just how dangerous the Muslim Brotherhood can be.”
  — Dr. Rebecca Grant [21:46]

• “These are not harmless people... a lot of them are violent criminals.”
  — Kaylin Delmayda [31:30]

• “They seriously punished this pastor... All he was trying to do is get some homeless people so they wouldn’t have to sleep outside.”
  — Dr. Jeff Myers [41:00]

• “The most patriotic diner in the country. I wouldn’t want to be working anywhere else.”
  — Brian, diner waiter [53:26]

• “God on his eighth day made pecan pie just to show off.”
  — Steve Gruber [54:13]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:25] Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks (Col. Derek Harvey)
• [10:19] Congressional Calls for Military to Refuse “Illegal Orders” (Col. Derek Harvey)
• [20:27] Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation (Dr. Rebecca Grant)
• [29:27] Illegal Street Vendors and NYC Policy (Kaylin Delmayda)
• [39:43] Ohio Pastor Religious Liberty Win (Dr. Jeff Myers)
• [49:33] Man-on-the-Street: Thanksgiving & Cost of Living (David Zier)
• [59:05] Thanksgiving Story: Loveland, CO family feeds truckers
• [60:00+] Audience Q&A on overrated Thanksgiving foods & lighthearted closing banter

Conclusion

This episode covers a broad spectrum: geopolitics, national security, religious liberty, city governance and public order, economic hardships, and American traditions, all through the lens of American populism and faith. Interviews are marked by candid, tough questions and a repeated focus on U.S. sovereignty, constitutional order, and government overreach. The blend of policy analysis, local color, and audience engagement reflects the show’s commitment to giving “real Americans” a voice.