Real America’s Voice – BOLLING ON REAL AMERICA'S VOICE (Episode: 12-31-25)

Date: December 31, 2025
Host: Eric Bolling
Notable Guests: Mike Appling (CEO, Lift High Crane & Rigging), Royce White (former NBA player & Senate candidate), Kevin & Sam Sorbo (Actors & Filmmakers)

Episode Overview

In this year-end episode, Eric Bolling delves into critical issues facing America—from the effects of Trump-era tariffs on American industry, to political fundraising and insider trading in Washington, to the cultural and spiritual battles playing out in education and media. The show features practical discussions with business leaders, grassroots political candidates, and culture warriors, all wrapped in Bolling’s signature no-nonsense, direct tone.

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. Trump’s Tariffs & Unintended Consequences for US Industry

[03:12–12:49]

Discussion Highlights

• Eric Bolling opens with praise for the Trump administration’s tariffs, citing reduced trade deficits and increased revenue, but introduces the complexity of their effects.
• Guest: Mike Appling, CEO of Lift High Crane and Rigging, explains the crane shortage impacting construction due to tariffs.

Key Insights

• Crane Shortage & Manufacturing Reality:

  • The US does not manufacture tower cranes domestically; less than 3% of all-terrain cranes are US-made.
  • Tariffs make importing cranes from traditional allies (Japan, Germany) much more expensive.
  • Construction “is slowing down” due to difficulty sourcing essential equipment, risking further delays and cost increases.
  • Some companies are reluctantly considering purchasing Chinese cranes—despite security and quality concerns—due to the price spike.

• Complex Support for Tariffs:

  • Appling, while pro-tariffs in principle, urges for product-by-product or industry-specific relief:
    • “We are all supportive of reshoring manufacturing in the United States... but it’s not as efficient to do broad-based tariffs.” (05:50)
  • Calls for a phased or delayed implementation giving US manufacturers time to ramp up.

• National Security & Policy Concerns:

  • Both Bolling and Appling voice concerns over potential risks of using Chinese-made cranes outfitted with technology/sensors.

Notable Quotes

• “There are zero tower cranes... manufactured in the United States. Less than 3% of all terrain cranes... are manufactured in the United States.”
  — Mike Appling (04:06)

• “I do believe they would spy on you... think about a crane with sensors, cameras, recorders, computers. And we want Chinese cranes going into our LNG plants and nuclear plants?”
  — Mike Appling (07:48)

• “Maybe you pick it by industry, or maybe you pick it by product. Should it be tariffs right now or should there be six months, a year, two years... depending on how difficult it is to get up to speed manufacturing those products here. It’s not a bad compromise.”
  — Eric Bolling (11:16)

Call to Action

• Appling urges the audience to reach out to their congressional representatives to seek tailored, reasonable solutions.

2. Political Insider Trading, Campaign Money & The Problem in Washington

[17:21–27:16]

Discussion Highlights

• Guest: Royce White, former NBA player, Senate candidate
• Explores the conflict of interest posed by members of Congress trading stocks, especially with access to non-public information.

Key Insights

• Insider Trading & Corruption:

  • Royce White decries the norm of members of Congress growing wealthy in office, citing Nancy Pelosi as an example.
  • Suggests withholding Congressional salaries until they balance the federal budget.

• Money in Politics:

  • Running for Senate requires immense fundraising—a process that White calls a “scam” designed to weed out populist candidates unless they attach themselves to major donors or special interests.
  • Asserts that “the United States Senate is the bastion of the deep state and special interest lobby money.”

• Growth of Campaign Costs:

  • Costs to run for Senate and national campaigns have exploded (“$250 million in six weeks for a Georgia runoff”), making grassroots, unbought candidates rare.

• Populist Movement:

  • Despite the odds, White claims that the populist movement is “on the rise,” but warns that unless 10–15 genuine candidates win Senate seats, Trump’s America First agenda cannot advance.

Notable Quotes

• “Never in the history of human civilization have the elites of an empire gotten so rich during the decline of the empire.”
  — Royce White (20:16)

• “All of my contributions so far have come from individual donors. That’s a very difficult thing to do and stay in the money hunt, per the mainstream media’s assessment.”
  — Royce White (25:30)

• “The only reason $200 million is spent to get a senator elected is because they’re going to get something in return. They’re going to get control back.”
  — Eric Bolling (25:26)

3. Faith, Culture, “The Flood: End of Mankind” Film with Kevin & Sam Sorbo

[30:45–40:32]

Discussion Highlights

• Kevin & Sam Sorbo join Eric to discuss their new faith-based film, their advocacy for Christian values in a culture they see as increasingly hostile to faith.

Key Insights

• Standing Against Secular Trends:

  • The Sorbos’ work and new projects aim to reinvigorate Christian apologetics, reaching out especially as younger generations abandon biblical faith.

• New Movie: “The Flood – End of Mankind”:

  • The script, inspired by the biblical story of Noah, is set in a world visually modern except for electricity. It’s seen as an allegory for present-day moral decline.
  • The project tackles contemporary issues like parental rights in education and “perversions” aimed at children.
  • Sam Sorbo: “It does seem like evil is just running rampant. And the good people seem to be hiding.” (35:18)

• Christian Faith in Public Life:

  • Kevin talks about meeting John Lennox, a premier Christian apologist, and the importance of reasoned debate against secular atheism.

• Entrepreneurship and Community:

  • The Sorbos promote their champagne business and upcoming guided tours to Greece focused on Christian heritage.

Notable Quotes

• “John Lennox, the way that he crafts the arguments is… makes it undeniable and that’s why he wins his debates.”
  — Sam Sorbo (33:49)

• “God did it once. He wiped mankind off the face of the earth because evil became so prolific. And I feel like… we’re living in a world now where it does seem like evil is just running rampant.”
  — Sam Sorbo (35:18)

4. Retrospective & Commentary on National Security, Blue/Red State Governance, and the Coming Year

[43:43–48:14]

Discussion Highlights

• Bolling reflects on major security issues faced in 2025, including terror attacks.
• Offers sharp criticism of Joe Biden’s response, blue-state governance (e.g., California's mismanagement during wildfires), and rising progressive influence in cities like New York.
• Warns against “swampy globalist politicians” like Gavin Newsom, suggesting they are angling for higher office.
• Urges continued vigilance for “the fight is far from over.”

5. The Edge Podcast Promo

[48:14–52:14]

• Bolling promotes his other project, the “Edge” podcast, emphasizing real talk on “performance, money, discipline and life,” for audiences tired of “soft commentary.”

6. Audience Q&A – Infrastructure, Trucking Regulation, and Accountability

[58:04–64:00]

Road Quality

• Adam from California: Criticizes California’s road quality, blames mismanagement and misuse of funds.
  • Bolling contrasts California’s deficits with Florida’s surplus, notes excessive taxation in blue states.

CDL Regulation

• Dan from Florida: Supports federal regulation over state-specific rules for commercial driver licenses (CDLs), warning against chaos in freight movement.
  • Bolling agrees: “Certain things should be federally regulated… CDL truck driving licenses is one.”

Accountability for Political Corruption

• Elizabeth from Las Vegas: Expresses frustration over lack of consequences for Democratic corruption.
  • Bolling responds pessimistically: “Will they pay it back? No… There’s so much bad. They’re all doing bad things.”

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Tariffs & Manufacturing:
  "If you can't buy it here and there's no chance to buy it here, then why are we adding... millions of dollars in some cases per crane?"
  — Mike Appling (04:06)

• On Congressional Corruption:
  "If the Congress or the Senate can't balance a budget, then they shouldn't get their salary."
  — Royce White (18:14)

• On the Influence of Money in Senate Races:
  "The United States Senate is the bastion of the deep state and special interest lobby money."
  — Royce White (25:30)

• On Faith & Culture:
  "We're living in a world now where it does seem like evil is just running rampant. And the good people seem to be hiding."
  — Sam Sorbo (35:18)

Episode Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |---------|-----------| | Industry & Tariffs (Mike Appling) | 03:12–12:49 | | Political Corruption & Money in Politics (Royce White) | 17:21–27:16 | | Faith, Culture, and Film (Kevin & Sam Sorbo) | 30:45–40:32 | | Year in Review & National Issues | 43:43–48:14 | | The Edge Podcast Promo | 48:14–52:14 | | Audience Q&A | 58:04–64:00 |

Final Thoughts

Eric Bolling closes the year with a clear-eyed view of the challenges facing America—economic, political, cultural, and moral. He calls for vigilance, features voices calling for specific policy reforms, and looks to faith and community for strength. Across segments, themes of fighting government overreach, empowering local industry, and preserving traditional values stand out. The episode is punctuated by practical guest insights, passionate listener engagement, and a rallying call to action for the new year.