Stinchfield Tonight – January 5, 2026

Podcast: Real America’s Voice
Host: Grant Stinchfield
Date: January 6, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode explores the breaking news of Venezuelan ex-dictator Nicolás Maduro’s arrest and its wide-reaching impacts—geopolitical, economic, and humanitarian. Grant Stinchfield interviews foreign policy experts, a former U.S. military operative, an ex-hostage of the Maduro regime, and finance guru Grant Cardone. The episode also covers current legal battles around free speech, “men in women’s restrooms” controversies in Texas, and lifestyle advice for New Year’s resolutions. The tone is patriotic, combative against left-wing perspectives, and leans toward unapologetic advocacy for Trump-era values.

Key Segments and Insights

1. Maduro’s Arrest: Context and Reactions

[01:20-04:46]

• Headline: Former Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro was arrested, indicted, and pled not guilty in a U.S. court.
• Stinchfield's Take: Frames Maduro as a murderous narco-terrorist who has preyed on both Americans and Venezuelans, drawing a sharp distinction between Maduro and Iraq/Afghanistan dictatorships.

  “This is no decent man... The world is a safer place with Maduro behind bars.” (Grant Stinchfield, 01:46)

• Comparison to Nation Building: Dismisses parallels to U.S. interventions in Iraq or Afghanistan, emphasizing Venezuela’s history with freedom and capitalism.

  “It’s not Iraq or Afghanistan... Venezuela... prospered under freedom.” (Grant Stinchfield, 02:40)

• Sen. Marco Rubio on U.S. Policy: Emphasizes the unique Western Hemisphere context.

  “This is not the Middle East. And our mission here is very different. This is the Western Hemisphere.” (Marco Rubio, 03:37)

Notable Quotes

• “We’re not in the business of nation-building. This is about nation restoration.” (Stinchfield, 02:09)
• “NBC actually asked Venezuelans: ‘Why are people here so excited?’” (Stinchfield, 04:28)

Venezuelan American Reactions:

• Michelle Evans: “We are celebrating freedom and liberty.” (04:32)
• Chelsea Jubilee: “Thanks to President Trump, we were able to gain our freedom back.” (04:34)
• Joe St. Clair: “My kids have never gone to Venezuela. So this is huge.” (04:41)

2. Historical Context: Parallels with Panama & Noriega

[06:28-13:27]

• Guest: Chuck Holton, retired Army Ranger who paratrooped into Panama.
• Holton recounts the U.S. intervention to remove Manuel Noriega, drawing a direct parallel to Maduro’s situation:
  • Both were unelected, criminal dictators.
  • The U.S. courts upheld the right to arrest and try Noriega for crimes against the U.S.—used as precedent for Maduro.

Notable Quote

• “The nation is sovereign. But the guy who is the interloper, who's not an elected president, that’s just leading the country, is not sovereign.” (Chuck Holton, 09:29)

Holton on the Current Venezuela-Colombia Border Crisis:

• Highlights the long-standing refugee crisis due to currency collapse, hyperinflation, and open borders with Colombia.

• Describes personal experience with dangers at the border.

  • “They make art out of it at this point.” (Of worthless bolívar bills, 10:30)
  • “Literally eating their pets... the Maduro regime sent biker gangs to burn U.S. aid on the bridge.” (12:00)

• On current sentiment: Venezuelan refugees are hopeful, but many say they won’t return until the regime fully collapses.

"They said Trump took out Alibaba and left the 40 thieves." (Chuck Holton quoting refugees, 13:23)

3. Inside the Maduro Regime: Aftermath and Hope

[14:58-22:49]

• Guest: Joe St. Clair, U.S. Air Force veteran and recent Maduro regime hostage.
  • Brutally detained on false charges, held in solitary; describes regime prisons as “Maduro’s personal prison.”
  • Notes regime's fear and paranoia, extensive surveillance and reprisals against dissent, even among loyalists.

    “I was hogtied, driven 12 hours to Caracas, and taken to the headquarters... kept in solitary confinement without a bathroom in a room that was about 40 degrees...” (16:33)

  • Soldiers themselves confided in him, seeking escape from Venezuela.
  • With Maduro gone, “90% of the population” reportedly want regime change; systemic criminality remains.
  • Sends thanks to Trump:

    “I owe my life to President Trump. I had two things that kept me alive and strong: my faith in God, and knowing Trump is going into office.” (22:05)

  • St. Clair’s release (and hope among hostages) coincided with Trump’s inauguration.

4. Economic Impact: Markets Soar & Energy Outlook

[25:13-30:04]

• Stock Market Reaction: Markets surged following Maduro’s arrest; energy stocks in focus.

  “Stocks boom. This isn’t chaos... it’s control.” (Stinchfield, 25:02)

• Sen. Marco Rubio: Western energy companies will flood Venezuela, reclaiming assets from Russia/China proxies.

  “There will be dramatic interest from Western companies... if given the space to do it.” (Rubio, 25:27)

• Interview with Grant Cardone (Cardone Capital):

  • Praises Trump for swift, bloodless execution of the operation (“in less than four hours, without hurting anyone”).
  • Predicts a bull market, falling energy costs, economic prosperity.
  • Calls for lower interest rates to spur home ownership; big government buildout of new homes is forthcoming.
  • Warns listeners to look to skilled trades for opportunity in the “AI age.”

  Notable Quotes

  • “Donald Trump executed in one night, in less than four hours, without hurting anyone, without anybody dying, without destruction of property. Bang, problem solved.” (Grant Cardone, 27:27)
  • “You don’t want lower home prices... What you want is a lower payment so you can enter.” (Cardone, 28:54)
  • “AI is not going to get rid of the basic personality, the energy, the ethics, the persistence of the individual. These things that Donald Trump has, by the way.” (Cardone, 31:49)

5. Free Speech, ‘Men in Women’s Restrooms’ Controversy

[36:09-40:59]

• Guest: Michelle Evans, Texas county GOP chair, prosecuted for reposting a photo of a man in a women’s restroom.

  • Accused Felony: Sharing a political post found to violate Texas’ ‘invasive recording’ statutes.
  • Elon Musk’s X (Twitter) offers legal support.
    • No definite financial arrangement yet, but X pledges legal involvement in her appeals.
  • Cites her advocacy for women’s privacy legislation in Texas—helped pass a bill to ban men from women’s spaces in public buildings.

  Notable Quotes

  • “It was a matter of our consent being violated by him going into a women’s only space.” (Evans, 40:03)
  • “If you even share a photo of somebody in this private space, then you can be charged with a state jail felony sex crime.” (Evans, 36:30)

6. New Year’s Resolutions and Health Segment

[42:44-46:53]

• Guests: John & Chelsea Jubilee, Energized Health founders

  • Discussion of their “My 555 Challenge” (lose 5 lbs in 5 days, $5 entry) and their approach to “cellular-level hydration” and well-being.
  • Listeners share testimonials on improved mental clarity, pain relief, and relationships.

  Memorable Moments

  • “This can be the last New Year’s resolution you ever make because it’s the last one you need to make.” (John Jubilee, 43:42)

7. Texas Politics & Redistricting

[48:28-49:24]

• Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) rails against a Supreme Court decision upholding Republican-leaning districts.

  • Stinchfield mocks the “radical” Crockett and expresses joy at expected GOP gains in Texas representation.

  Quote

  • “Kudos to you for stepping down from your House seat to run for the United States Senate... there’s no way you’re winning that race.” (Stinchfield, 48:51)

Memorable Quotes by Timestamp

• Stinchfield: “We’re not in the business of nation-building. This is about nation restoration.” (02:09)
• Rubio: “Our mission here is very different. This is the Western Hemisphere.” (03:37)
• Chuck Holton: “The nation is sovereign. But the guy who is the interloper... is not sovereign.” (09:29)
• Joe St. Clair: "I owe my life to President Trump... you were used by God this weekend." (22:05)
• Grant Cardone: "Donald Trump executed in one night, in less than four hours, without hurting anyone, without anybody dying, without destruction of property. Bang, problem solved." (27:27)
• Michelle Evans: “It was a matter of our consent being violated by him going into a women’s only space.” (40:03)
• John Jubilee: "This can be the last New Year's resolution you ever make because it's the last one you need to make." (43:42)

Episode Flow (Timestamps by Major Topic)

• [01:20–04:46] — Maduro arrest news and reactions
• [06:28–13:27] — Comparisons with Panama/Noriega; Chuck Holton interview
• [14:58–22:49] — Inside Maduro’s prisons; Joe St. Clair’s harrowing account and message to Trump
• [25:13–30:04] — Stock market reaction & economic discussion with Grant Cardone
• [36:09–40:59] — Free speech and “bathroom” controversy; Michelle Evans legal update
• [42:44–46:53] — Health/lifestyle segment: “My 555 Challenge”
• [48:28–49:24] — Texas redistricting segment

Tone and Takeaways

• The episode maintains a triumphant, pro-Trump narrative, emphasizing strong American action and leadership.
• Heavy criticism of Democrats and leftist policies, especially regarding responses to Venezuela, legal issues, and social controversies.
• Offers a blend of hard news, firsthand accounts, economic analysis, and lifestyle content, packaged as direct, “honest” talk for a conservative audience.

This summary captures the full spectrum of substantive discussion—including politics, military history, personal experience, finance, culture-war flashpoints, and even health self-improvement—providing clarity on what was said, who said it, and why each segment mattered.