The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert

Episode: Sen. Ruben Gallego
Date: November 3, 2025
Guest: Senator Ruben Gallego (Junior Senator from Arizona)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Stephen Colbert sits down with Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego for a candid, spirited conversation amidst a federal government shutdown and a tense national political climate. They explore the government stalemate, the impact of congressional gridlock on Americans, particularly regarding healthcare premiums, and the growing divide fomented by former President Trump. Senator Gallego shares insights from his recent electoral victory, reflects on his personal journey, and discusses the sources of his hope and optimism for America’s future.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Government Shutdown: Who’s in Charge?

[04:03 - 05:03]

• Colbert opens with a pressing question about the federal shutdown, jokingly asking if Americans must “go to a barter system” and who is minding the store with the president abroad.

• Gallego quips, “I think we’re all supposed to go to Trump coins at this point... there was no one really minding the store before—he was just robbing the store the whole time,” drawing laughter from the audience.

  “He cares more about Argentine beef... about feeding the rich people in his ballroom instead of caring about feeding the people of this country.” — Gallego [04:40]

• Gallego highlights the lack of leadership: “He’s mentally not here. Even when he is here, he’s not here. But he is physically not here. That makes it very, very difficult to do anything.” [05:03]

2. ACA Tax Credits & Healthcare Crisis

[05:03 - 06:19]

• Colbert frames the issue: without congressional action, Obamacare (ACA) tax credits are lapsing, and families will see insurance rates spike.
• Gallego translates:

  “Starting November 1... people are going to realize that the health insurance that they’ve had for the last couple of years... is now not going to be affordable.” [05:22]

  • Example: In Arizona, a family of 4–5 could see premiums rise by 50%, up to $7,000 more per year—a devastating amount for working and middle-class families.
  • “Everything’s freaking expensive. And now the government—these Republicans—are going to willingly raise people’s premiums.” [05:50]

3. Political Obstruction & The Epstein List

[06:19 - 07:48]

• Senate vs. House: Senate remains in session; House does not.

• Gallego suggests Speaker Johnson is blocking the swearing-in of Adelita Grijalva (new rep from Southern Arizona) to prevent a 218th vote to release the so-called Epstein list.

  “The only reason he's stopping her... is he doesn't want this member of Congress to be sworn in because then he has to deal with members going to vote to expose all these elites that are on the Epstein list. So he's covering pedophiles. It's as basic as that.” — Gallego [07:37]

• Colbert compliments Gallego’s pronunciation of Grijalva’s name, offering a light moment amidst the serious topic. [06:47]

4. Trump, Martial Law, and the Military

[07:48 - 09:46]

• Colbert references former President Trump's remarks in Japan about sending “more than the National Guard” to U.S. cities and asks Gallego, a former Marine and combat veteran, for his perspective.

• Gallego’s forceful response:

  “He looks at the military like it’s a bunch of toys. These are young men, 18, 19... I lost my best friends. And still to this day, it's haunted me... That was in a place where people were trying to kill me every day. Now we're going to put these 18, 19 year olds in a situation purposely heated. He doesn't want them there for protection—he wants them there for the drama, for the chaos. If we create more chaos, he gets more power.” [08:22]

• He warns sternly:

  “Do not let him divide us. He only wins when he divides us.” — Gallego [09:41]

5. Electoral Lessons from Arizona

[10:00 - 11:49]

• Colbert asks about the overlap between Gallego’s successful 2024 race and Trump’s Electoral College win in Arizona—what needs are both addressing?

• Gallego’s candid take:

  “Good hair. It’s gotta be that.”
  “All I cared about was understanding what people were going through. Growing up poor, I remember how desperate things were for me. And I know people... were feeling very desperate. At one point in your life, when things are really bad, you just want someone to give you hope... I wanted to be that person.” [10:26]

• He underscores the importance of authentic connection over political calculation.

6. What Gives Gallego Hope?

[11:49 - 13:13]

• Gallego recounts his humble beginnings—single mother, father involved with the criminal justice system, family not expected to “make it.”

  “My family was most likely to be on Judge Judy than on this show.” [12:17]

• He credits his and his family’s success to the opportunities America once provided, and stresses the need to preserve that infrastructure for others.

• Gallego asserts America’s best days come “when we’re actually calling for everyone to be great, to be better and to be united.” [13:00]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “He only wins when he divides us.” — Senator Ruben Gallego [09:41]
• “All he thinks about is what he can plunder. So he'll plunder from our treasury, he'll plunder from the White House, he'll plunder from our personal... the livelihood of these young men and women...” — Gallego on Trump [09:18]
• “I was that person at one point in my life... When things are really bad, you just want someone to give you hope.” — Gallego [11:04]
• “My family was most likely to be on Judge Judy than on this show.” — Gallego, self-deprecating humor [12:17]

Segment Timestamps

• [04:03] — Introduction: Gallego on government shutdown
• [05:03] — Health insurance premium spike explained
• [06:19] — Inside Congressional obstruction and the Epstein list
• [07:48] — Gallego on Trump’s militarization rhetoric and military service
• [09:46] — Hope and unity, electoral lessons from Arizona
• [11:49] — Gallego’s personal journey and what gives him hope
• [13:13] — Episode wrap-up

Tone and Style

Throughout the episode, the tone balances Colbert’s characteristic wit and satire with Gallego’s earnest, passionate, and sometimes irreverent candor. The conversation is marked by humor (“Good hair. It’s gotta be that.”) and pointed critique, with a strong emphasis on shared humanity, the harshness of current politics, and the enduring power of hope.

This summary was prepared for listeners seeking a detailed recap of Senator Ruben Gallego’s appearance on The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert on November 3, 2025.