Real America’s Voice: Bolling! – October 17, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of “Bolling!” on Real America’s Voice, hosted by Eric Bolling, dives into top political and cultural issues from an American populist perspective. Key themes include the ongoing government shutdown, federal spending, parental rights in education, the Israel-Hamas conflict, populist cultural pushes, and candid audience engagement.

Guests include:

• Senator Ron Johnson (Wisconsin): Discussing the government shutdown and federal spending.
• Victor Davis Hanson (Hoover Institution): Middle East analysis and U.S. foreign policy.
• Bo Davidson (RAV correspondent): Coverage from the Moms for Liberty National Summit.
• Ted Nugent (rock legend): Cultural and music commentary.
• Listener call-in segment with feedback and banter.

The episode strikes a tone of skepticism toward federal institutions, celebration of conservative activism, and blends hard news with cultural discussions.

1. Markets and Opening Monologue

Timestamps: 01:13–02:00

• Eric Bolling opens with light banter, then runs through the day's financial news:
  • Recap of market fluctuations driven by bank earnings and auto sector bankruptcies.
  • Oil, gold, and cryptocurrency market updates.
  • Teases a sense of instability and hidden drama in crypto:

    “There’s something going on in the crypto market... it feels like some heavy players are getting carried out, probably losing a lot of money.” (01:58)

2. Government Shutdown & Spending – Interview with Senator Ron Johnson

Timestamps: 02:01–10:30

Shutdown Dynamics and Partisan Strategies

• Schumer’s "Shutdown" & CR Debate:
  Eric asks why Democrats won’t vote for a “clean” continuing resolution (CR) to reopen government.
  • Sen. Johnson:

    “They can always count on the legacy media supporting them... They seem to be winning the messaging war here.” (03:14)

  • Democrats have previously supported clean CRs, but now oppose, showing hypocrisy.

Pandemic Spending Becomes the New Baseline

• Bolling frames himself as libertarian, frustrated that COVID-era “temporary” spending became permanent.

  • “We’re always spending more and certainly spending more than we’re taking in.” (04:33)

• Sen. Johnson offers a deficit history:

  • Bush: $250B avg annual
  • First Obama term: $1.3T (“sparked the Tea Party movement”)
  • Trump pre-COVID: $810B/year
  • COVID: $3.1T deficit
  • Biden: $1.9T average annual

  “There’s no justification for it... 535 member board of directors here in Congress... many didn’t even know how much we spend.” (06:08)

• Mandatory vs. Discretionary Spending:

  • Only 25% of budget appropriated annually; 75% on autopilot.
  • “They’ve chosen to call that mandatory so it’s never looked at. It’s out of control.” (06:54)

Legislative Frustrations & Broken Process

• Shutdown tactics: Johnson blames both parties, especially the “Uniparty,” for orchestrating dysfunction:

  “They put these deadlines right before, let’s say, Christmas... then they drop a 2,000-page omnibus spending bill that nobody’s read...” (08:18)

Notable Quote:

• Sen. Ron Johnson:

  “It appears to be dysfunctional here, and it is. But this is a well-honed process by the Uniparty.” (07:50)

Solutions and Last Words

• Eric Bolling: personally prefers keeping government shut.

• Sen. Johnson: Argues it’s not felt much in Wisconsin, but critical services might be impacted eventually.

  “At least let’s pay the people we’re forcing to work. It’s only fair.” (09:46)

3. Moms for Liberty National Summit – Live Report with Bo Davidson

Timestamps: 15:10–22:31

Parental Rights and Grassroots Action

• Bo Davidson reports from Orlando, covering the rise of Moms for Liberty:

  • Founded by former school board members, focused on reclaiming parental control.
  • Issues: medical liberty, religious liberty, freedom of speech.
  • Notable speakers: Benny Johnson, Byron Donalds, Dr. Joseph Ladapo, James Utmyer.

  “Moms for Liberty can empower parents to do something right now and get involved at the grassroots level.” (17:49)

• Legal avenues & activism:

  • Legal support for parents, lobbying, and example of an alternative teachers’ alliance to break unions’ political monopoly.

• State/Federal Political Influence:

  • Florida’s approach under Gov. DeSantis seen as a national model.
  • Group’s links to school board activism in Loudoun County, VA; focus on fighting “Marxist roots” in education.

  “If we’re standing aside like idle sheep, nothing’s going to change. ...the pandemic woke us all up.” (18:48)

Cultural Alternate Pathways

• Bo Davidson:

  “There’s lots of alternatives now... That’s part of the cultural war that we’re in.” (20:09)

• Election integrity not yet a major discussion at the summit, but expected to emerge.

• School choice, homeschooling, digital content, and religious liberty are emphasized topics.

Notable Guests:

• Byron Donalds (“likely future governor”)
• Benny Johnson
• Dr. James Lindsay

4. Geopolitics: Israel-Hamas, Iran, and U.S. Policy – with Victor Davis Hanson

Timestamps: 24:03–35:23

Analyzing the Ceasefire Reality

• Victor Davis Hanson describes four main players: Israel, Arab moderates, the U.S., and Hamas.
  • Predicts Arab moderates unlikely to act—Israel must take charge, with help or approval from U.S. and region.

  “Somebody’s going to have to keep—destroy the tunnels, keep Hamas leadership out of the picture, and dismantle what’s going on.” (27:37)

Policy Critiques: Qatar & U.S. Military Base

• Discussion about the logic of granting Qatar a military base in Idaho, given Qatar’s history of hosting Hamas.

  “I wish we knew what we got in return... I hope that something is connected with the negotiations.” (31:09–31:45)

• Both host and guest express skepticism and concern about Qatari influence.

U.S. Support to Ukraine

• Questioning Trump’s broadcasting of intelligence support for Zelensky:

  “When you start violating the rules of the Cold War... you’re in a new frontier. It’s dangerous.” (34:05)

• Strategic vs. geo-strategic wisdom is discussed; worries about escalation with Russia.

Notable Quotes

• Victor Davis Hanson:
  • “Not on their own volition. ...Hamas has to be dismantled.” (26:39)
  • “The United States is becoming more and more powerful and so is Israel... We have to continue to be vigilant.” (28:56)
  • “If you really want to hurt Russia strategically, you go after oil infrastructure, but ...it’s dangerous.” (34:05)

5. The Culture War and Populist Music – Interview with Ted Nugent

Timestamps: 36:30–48:10

Counterprogramming the NFL

• Ted Nugent discusses the Turning Point USA-organized “All American Halftime Show” to rival Bad Bunny’s NFL Super Bowl halftime.
  • Although the viral meme is fake, Nugent says:

    “God knows the world would be better if it did [happen].” (36:30)

  • Takes humorous shots at the NFL and mainstream entertainment choices.

Protest, Patriotism & “Real” America

• Critiques Bad Bunny for sitting during the anthem:

  “Bad Bunny is not a good American. He ... stayed seated during the national anthem... that pisses me off.” (38:07)

The Legacy of Rock and Soul

• Nugent reflects on his musical inspiration, Detroit upbringing, and the Black origins of rock and roll.

  “Every rock and roll song you like was inspired by the Motown Funk Brothers, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, James Brown, Wilson Pickett...” (42:03)

• Anecdotes about 7,007 performances and collaborations with musical giants.

• Notable quote:

  “Nobody’s had more fun with their career... I literally can shoot my stage clothes, and then down the road, we can barbecue them.” (40:27)

On Lasting Musical Power

• On performing high notes and stamina:

  “If I start out with the high screaming songs, then I can hit those high notes. But again, I’m 77 this year. This is outrageous... but the music is so inspiring.” (45:54)

• Promotes his hunting/conservation show and lifestyle:

  “That’s why it’s the number one hunting show in the history of conservation television.” (47:28)

6. Audience Interaction – Listener Call-ins

Timestamps: 49:06–51:28

• Eric plays a selection of voicemails, responding to a cranky caller from Louisiana who criticized Bolling’s coverage/perspective.
  • Bolling makes clear: “It’s our president, my man, it’s our president. He’s president of all Americans.” (49:56)
  • Other callers offer support and good-natured humor.
  • Emphasis on audience engagement:

    “I want to hear what’s on your mind. That’s how we put the show together.” (51:28)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Sen. Ron Johnson, on dysfunction in Washington:

  “This is a well-honed process by the Uniparty... mortgage our kids’ future.” (07:50–08:18)

• Bo Davidson on grassroots educational activism:

  “If we’re standing aside like idle sheep, nothing’s going to change.” (18:48)

• Victor Davis Hanson on U.S. and Israeli strength:

  “The United States is becoming more and more powerful and so is Israel and they’re never going to catch up and they think they are.” (28:56)

• Ted Nugent, on music legacy:

  “Every night is the most important concert of our lives, and I’ve done 7,007 of them, and I can’t wait for 7,008.” (41:38)

Episode Timestamps – Quick Reference

• 01:13 – Opening, markets, and crypto commentary
• 02:01 – Senator Ron Johnson interview: shutdown, deficits, Uniparty
• 15:10 – Bo Davidson reports from Moms for Liberty Summit
• 24:03 – Interview: Victor Davis Hanson on Israel-Hamas, Qatar, Ukraine
• 36:30 – Ted Nugent: Culture war, halftime show talk, music roots
• 49:06 – Listener call-in segment

Summary

This wide-ranging episode blends economic news, political frustration, grassroots conservative activism, cultural pushback, and foreign policy skepticism. The signature tone is defiant and humorous, with an “insider” feel—meant for an audience wary of mainstream narratives and invested in “real” American values. The guest lineup and listener participation reinforce the show's mission of being a hub for right-leaning news, analysis, and cultural commentary.