Bold and Blunt

Look around and see: the world is filled with mystery — and that includes the invisible world. The Bible speaks clearly of the existence of angels and demons. But what about aliens and UFOs? Where do those fit in the biblical picture? Author, media figure, writer and documentary maker Billy Hallowell discusses his new "Investigating the Supernatural: Angels & Demons" film — and it's filled with questions and answers and more mysteries.

Look around and see — today's government is a far cry from what Founding Fathers envisioned when they forged this great nation. Mike Bedenbaugh, Navy veteran and author, looked at George Washington's Farewell Address and found 40 points of wisdom America's first president offered on how to keep this republic intact — and then Bedenbaugh put the points together in a book entitled, "Reviving Our Republic."

If you're a Christian and you think it's a good Christian duty to call for open borders — you're wrong. That's not a biblical principle. That's not a teaching of Jesus. That's not something that honest preachers and ministers and faith leaders call on their congregations to support. Alex McFarland of Alex McFarland Ministries has harsh words for his fellow clergy on the matter of immigration and says too many Christians are being wrongly taught that Jesus would want open borders.

President Donald Trump has taken decisive action against Iran and the regime that's been a murderous thorn for America for decades, as well as for U.S. allies around the world. And now, predictably, Democrats and globalists and leftists are calling him out for illegally waging war, unconstitutionally waging war, immorally waging war. But Iran has committed many "crimes against America," says Aviva Klompas, a former speechwriter for the Israeli delegation to the United Nations. And Trump's actions, in unison with Israel's, are of benefit to the world.

If you thought Diversity, Equity and Inclusion was no longer an issue in America since President Donald Trump took office — think again. Many of these institutions that fought to keep DEI, even as they were directed by the White House to dismantle the programs, just changed the narrative, changed the definition, changed the language a little bit and voila, it's DEI only by a different name. Owen Anderson, an Arizona State professor, has taken his university to court for forcing him to take DEI training, despite a state law that says he doesn't have to take it.

Everybody knows the media leans mostly left, and that when there's a conservative or Republican in political office, the news outlet assumes attack dog mode — but when there's a Democrat or liberal in political office, the journalists basically adopt the party's talking points as their coverage. But trust in media has fallen to such lows, media outlets are nervous. They're starting to hire more conservatives. As Ryan Wolfe, with The Fund for American Studies, said: Even The Washington Post and The Boston Globe have hired conservatives for their opinion pages. It's a brand new day in media.

Are Democrats truly lunatic fringe, or are they just misunderstood? It's a good question, given the numbers of far leftist loons who've taken over streets in Minneapolis to stop by whatever violent means necessary ICE agents from doing their jobs and removing criminals from the country. As top PR agent and best-selling author AJ Rice says: What's needed is a little bit of humor. It's really the best way to shut down the political opposition without losing sanity in the process.

If you think God is done with America, think again. Troy Anderson, author of the new "Designated Disruptor," says God is using youth in ways that are extraordinary. And this is great news for a nation founded on a quest for religious liberty and grounded in a concept called "God-given" — meaning, God-given individual liberties and rights. A return to God is just what this nation needs.

Conservatives and MAGA types may be applauding President Donald Trump's work to secure the border, fight off Venezuela threats, defend America from globalists and leftists and Marxists from within — but along with Democrats, who are infected with Trump Derangement Syndrome, are libertarians who criticize this administration for failing to uphold what they say are key constitutional issues. Steven Nekhaila, chairman of the Libertarian National Committee, gives Trump a grade of "D" — on a good day.

If you've not heard any of the January 6 victims tell their stories of government abuse and federal disregard for civil rights, then listen in: Tom Caldwell is a January 6-er who was arrested, thrown in jail, tortured and nearly bankrupted -- and all for the crime of, well, nothing. And his tale of unbelievable and heartbreaking tragedy is just one of hundreds his fellow J-6ers faced, and continue to face.

President Joe Biden cared about climate change — and pushed radical environmental policies throughout every agency in his administration. President Donald Trump cares about religious liberty, and as such, is taking care to make his White House policies represent that priority. And it's not just good for America. Nations around the world are benefitting with a White House that tries to press religious freedom into its foreign policy. Matt Faraci with the National Association of Christian Lawmakers talks about the crucial link between religious freedom and a free society.

Fighting to retain American Exceptionalism is rooted in the fight for God because it's impossible to have God-given liberties and rights if God is removed from society. What results is government-granted; what God-given rights turn into is government-granted rights. Cynthia Scott says God is the rightful founder of our nation and if Americans don't realize that, then the future of liberty is at stake.

Make way for the Muslim influences in America, and that's not necessarily best for freedom and liberty. According to Pastor William Devlin, the surge of religious persecution around the world combined with the rise of Islamic influences in this country are actually translating into national security threats. How so? Much of Islamic beliefs aren't compatible with the Constitution.

Look at what's going on in the world of men today — and it's clear: the leftist-fueled anti-man agenda is having an effect. For instance: The suicide rate of men is four times higher than that of women. Why? They're being forced to live a lie — to live as if the manly traits and characteristics they were gifted at birth are somehow toxic. Dr. Gilda Carle has the solution to bring back real men in America, and she's written about it in her new book. "Real Men Don't Go Woke."

There's a new climate change con in town, and it's called the COP30's "Declaration on Information Integrity on Climate Change." On surface, that sounds scientific -- but it's actually a free speech nightmare. Bill Walton, podcast host and businessman, says to watch out -- if a Democrat wins the White House, the global clamp on free speech under the guise of saving the environment could really gain traction in America. Yikes.

It's post-election and Zohran Mamdani has won the mayoral contest in New York City and now America stands on pins and needles because it's a Marxist who's at the door. Meanwhile, Democrats picked up several other key wins in other states, and that means even more Marxism is coming, albeit masked as progressive policies. But it's not all gloom and doom for the nation. As noted historian and author Craig Shirley says, America is facing a cultural divide — but conservatives still have the winning message and individualism is tough to destroy.

Sharia law is the Muslim form of faith and governance that basically strips individuals of their God-given rights and puts in place a system of forced worship, forced obedience and forced compliance. It's slavery dressed as religious worship. And it's actually making inroads in America. Keith Gross talks about how to fight Sharia in the states -- before it's too late.

President Donald Trump has just returned from a trip through Asia that has brought America several economic wins. But perhaps more importantly, his meeting with China's Xi has shown that the days of weak White House leadership seen under Democrat Joe Biden have come to an end. China expert Miles Yu talks about the perils of China and what Trump is doing both wrong and right.

Say a prayer and thank God that Donald Trump is president -- and not Kamala Harris -- if only to recognize the fact that our public schools in America are now being returned to a state of sanity. Gone are the DEI, woke, LGBTQ agendas and in place are reading, writing, 'rithmetic -- and soon enough, civics. Erika Donalds talks about the new America250 campaign to return solid pro-America, truthful history and civics to the public schools -- and in so doing, raise a generation of leaders who truly understand and respect American Exceptionalism.

If you look at the landscape of media in America, it's the Christian-based outlets that are receiving the most trust of the consumers of news. And this is an optimistic sign because it means the American people are looking for truth, and they see truth from Bible-based sources that offer worldviews based on godly principles. As Tracy Sabol, host at Newsmax, says: This country is in the midst of a revival -- and that's a great thing for the nation.

President Donald Trump may have entered office and booted out the tyrants called Team Joe Biden. But when it comes to the individual right to make one's own medical choices, there are still many obstacles to overcome in this country. Remember COVID? America should never, ever forget the lessons from that tyrannical time. Dr. Joseph Ladapo, surgeon general of Florida, certainly remembers the dictatorial COVID years, and reminds that individualism, not collectivism, should be the way of America.

Israel has been fighting a war against Hamas for over two years. But even longer than that has been the Jewish nations' war against untruthful media messaging. Too many news outlets put forth an anti-Israel, pro-Palestinian, even pro-Hamas narrative, drawing moral equivalencies where moral equivalencies do not rightly exist. Chris Ruddy, CEO of Newsmax and recipient of this year's Israel's Top 50 Christian Allies listing, talks about Israel, the peace deal and the role of the media in telling the truth.

Wages haven't kept pace with inflation since the late 1970s. But did you know that since 1939, the cost of bread has risen by more than 3,000 percent -- meaning the $1.84 a loaf used to cost would be more than $60 in today's dollars? Paul Stone says it's gotten so bad that many of today's youth despair of being able to -- ever -- buy a home.

California's governor race is heating up and conservatives are seeing some signs of optimism that the leftist stronghold on the state is finally coming to an end. Thank Gov. Gavin Newsom for that. He's the one who's ushered in a Golden State time where all is anything but golden -- where the state is more known for its bottom rankings across all boards than for its sunshine. Maybe voters there are finally seeing the error of their Democrat-voting ways. And this is good for America if they are because the state is one of the largest economies in the United States, and even around the world. Republican gubernatorial contender Steve Hilton talks about his campaign.

A good dose of civics in America's high schools could do much in terms of teaching the coming generation to love this country, to respect this country's Founding Fathers and to cherish the idea of God-given rights and liberties that this nation -- unlike any other in the world -- both offers and provides its citizens. But barring that, just injecting some good news into our daily fights against Marxists could help turn a few minds to the right side of thinking, as well. Jackie Cushman talks about her campaign to bring a John Adams memorial to Washington, D.C., just in time for the 250th celebration of America.

Media reports for months have blasted the starvation situation that has resulted in Gaza from the long-running Israel-Hamas war -- that Hamas started, by the way. But how much is true and how much is false? Truth is a casualty of any war zone. Yet the media seem to have gone above and beyond to put forth the data from Hamas, from the Palestinian people, from the United Nations as truth, and any countering information as propaganda. It's utterly false to claim the Israeli people are trying to starve to death the people of Gaza. It's actually the opposite: the IDF has worked hard to open channels of aid to the civilians in Gaza. And few know better about the real situation on the ground in Gaza than Chapin Fay, spokesperson for Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.

It's almost biblical -- that part in the Bible where God promises that He will take evil and turn it good for those who believe in Him -- but it's almost biblical how the days after Charlie Kirk's assassination have seen a dramatic jump in attendance at churches. It's the youth in particular who are filling the pews, said J.P. De Gance, founder of Communio. Whether or not the increased church attendance will last for long or not is the million dollar question.

Democrats seem on a fast-track to failure -- and yet, they still insist on staying the course. Why is that? Against a backdrop of political violence, resulting in the assassination of Charlie Kirk, as well as an ongoing leftist adoration for the very terror forces that continue to wage war against civil society, as seen in Israel, the leftists who've infiltrated the Democrat Party seem determined to keep up their fight. At what point do they return to some semblance of sanity? Talk show host and conservative firebrand Mary Walter offers insights.

Fifty-three percent of likely voting young adults below the age of 40 want a socialist in the White House in 2028. And another 76 percent say they would like to see the government take over and control major industries, like energy, technology and health care. What the heck is going on with our younger voters? The school system is partly to blame. But there are other factors, and Jim Lakely, vice president of Heartland Institute, joins Bold and Blunt to discuss.

It's bad enough Halloween has become a major holiday in America, and has grown far beyond the one-day affair it was originally designed. But selling Halloween stuff in August? That's going a bit too far. And really, if you consider how Christmas has been watered down, and Thanksgiving pushed to the side, because too many in America now see those holidays as offensive, the fact that Halloween has been stretched to last months is a frightening commentary on society as a whole. It says we care more about demonic celebrations than remembering God. Guest GraceAnna Castleberry has created a devotional to counter the Elf on a Shelf game so popular at Christmas, called Manger in Danger, and it's her intent to help put back the Christ in Christmas.

Too many women perceive the Bible as a bit heavy on the side of patriarchy -- and it's actually a stumbling block to faith for some. But this idea of God loving women, but loving men just a little bit more -- or of God seeing men and women as equals, but that men are just a little bit more favored in His eyes -- is s lie of the devil. And in America, especially, where equality is enshrined in the political world, in the courts, in the corporate world and in the culture, the idea of God's blessings being unequally applied based on gender is a tool for feminists to call for atheism. Daniah Greenberg, with "Biblical Feminism," tells the truths about God's regard for men and women.

A new poll shows the number of American adults turning to Christian media for their trusted source of news is on the upswing. And that's all good news for a nation founded on a quest for religious freedom, and made exceptional by the idea of God-given rights and liberties. Getting news with a Bible-based perspective only sharpens the ability of Americans to see the God-given versus the government-granted and apply the proper perspective immediately. Troy Miller, CEO of NRB, speaks about the surge of Christian media.

It's back to school time, but it's a very different climate that will confront students returning to campus this fall, when compared with last fall. Out with the Biden-era Marxism; in with the Trump-pressed pro-America atmospheres. For many, especially for Jews, this is a welcome shift, one that reels in the far leftist lunacy and that brings back the common sense theme of higher learning: that is -- to get an actual education, not a political indoctrination. Emily Sturge with Campus Reform talks about the end of DEI in schools.

What's it take to overcome challenges in life? We all want what the Bible promises -- that supernatural peace that surpasses all understanding. But sometimes life becomes so dark, achieving such peace and moving on with success seems impossible. Alison Maloni, author of "Rising Above," has spoken with some of the most resilient women in recent times and says a common theme exists among those who do overcome -- and it's this key trait: faith.

If someone told you that you could become wealthy -- would you believe it? Too many people have put themselves in small, tight boxes called disbelief and doubt, in some cases because of the way they were raised; in other cases because the challenges of life have beat them down; and in still other cases because of situations they have brought on themselves. But as Erik Weir says, attitude will get you almost everything -- attitude, and some sound financial management and growth skills he teaches in his book, "Who's Eating My Pie?"

For decades, church leaders have been told they can talk about policy and politics from their pews, but if they dare mention candidates' names -- if they dare endorse any particular candidates -- they better watch out: the IRS could strip them of their tax exemption. So over the years, churches, out of an abundance of caution, have largely stayed away from politics. Well, all that seems about to change. The Johnson Amendment, as the rule is called, is about to be repealed, and church leaders will soon experience a restoration of rights that never should have been stripped in the first place. Dave Kubal, with Intercessors for America, speaks about his legal fight to overturn the Johnson Amendment.

In 1980, there was only one country in the world that based its government on sharia law. Today, there are 35. And one need only look to the problems confronting Europe to see how chaotic society becomes when sharia principles are forced into a nation's political system. It's not hyperbolic to warn what could happen here in America if sharia isn't nipped in the bud before it roots and spreads. Brad Brandon, CEO of Across Nigeria, discusses why sharia is growing so quickly

Satan is alive, active and on a campaign to deliver fake news wherever, whenever and to whomever he can -- and it's incumbent on Christians to call out sin and not allow it to fester and grow. First is recognizing sin, though. And in today's atmosphere, where sin is not only tolerated, but actually cheered, delivering truth to those who need it is a radical act. Pastor, author and radio host Jeff Schreve discusses his new "The Devil's Newsroom," and ways to counter Satan's lies.

It's bad enough Democrats spent time, tax dollars and too much time and tax dollars investigating Donald Trump for faked, drummed-up and fabricated charges and accusations during his first presidency. But again? Once more, Democrats are trying to completely dismantle all-things-MAGA and prevent President Trump from enacting the very agenda for which he was elected to enact. But nowadays, Democrats have a new weapon. They call it the courts. Alex Swoyer, an attorney who covers legal matters for The Washington Times, has a new book, "Lawless Lawfare," and she discusses the attacks on Team Trump, as well as the recent resurrection of Obergefell v. Hodges and whether same-sex unions will once again become matters for states and voters to decide.

For years, Americans heard nothing but "Russia collusion, Russia collusion, Russia collusion," and in between, a little bit about pee tapes and prostitutes. Those who suspected the accusations against President Donald Trump were politically motivated were immediately treated by Democrats, by intelligence agencies, by the Barack Obama administration and by most in the mainstream media as little more than conspiracy theorists. But time marches on and the administration changes and the more documents are dumped by National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard, the more it's evident: Barack Obama oversaw what can only be described as a "coup" against Team Trump. National security expert and best-selling author John Mills tells how all roads of this Gabbard-fueled investigation lead to Obama -- and what that means for the former president, as well as for America.

One of America's growing problems is the openness of antisemites to bring their evil message to the public square. It's bad enough there are antisemites in the nation. But the fact they have been so open with their antisemitism on college campuses in recent months points to a bigger concern: where is this headed? If the antisemitism isn't nipped in the bud and countered with truth, then it won't be long before America turns against its greatest friend in the Middle East -- Israel. Pete Peterson, dean of public policy at Pepperdine University, talks about a new college-level course that teaches the next generation of leaders how to advance foreign affairs that doesn't harm Israel and harm America, and that is based on biblically sound truths.

The new trend in Second Amendment issues is that women are buying up guns in record numbers, even more so than men in some cases. And so, too, are minorities seeing a surge. What's going on? Even Democrats are buying guns — and this is odd, given a) Democrats traditionally hate private gun ownership and b) Democrats are the ones creating the conditions that require individuals to purchase guns in the first place. Who feels safe in communities controlled by leftists, right? Josh Savani, with the NRA, has the latest facts and data about Second Amendment freedoms in America — one of the core keys that keep intact the concept of God-given rights and liberties.

Too many socialists are coming out of the closet to run for positions of political leadership within the Democrat Party. And it's high time to push them all back into the closet. Socialists don't belong in American politics. Everything they stand for is counter to the Constitution. And the reason we're seeing so many these days is that Americans have turned from their faith and forgotten God. Judge Phil Ginn speaks of the intersection of faith and freedom.

Too many people see Jesus as a good man, a nice man, a charitable and kind man -- but nothing more. Even many Christians fail to have a proper relationship with Jesus, seeing Him as someone to worship during Sunday services, only to forget about Monday through Saturday. A personal relationship with Jesus is a must, however. It's impossible to live a life of fullness -- it's impossible to live out life in a manner that's planned by God -- without a one-on-one walk with Jesus. Be a Jesus freak, says Nina May, co-producer of the based-on-true movie "Jesus Freaks." You won't regret the life that comes.