From Rock Bottom To Running For Governor: The Gay War Veteran Who Turned Against Trump | Meeting With Americans with Ken Yasger

Ken Yasger is a gay war veteran, recovering alcoholic, and Republican candidate running for Governor of Georgia. On Meeting With Americans, he opens up about the darkest night of his life, his struggle with addiction and mental health, and why he ultimately turned against Donald Trump. We talk about: ▪️The moment Ken nearly ended his life — and what stopped him ▪️Why he criticizes both Democrats and Republicans ▪️What he believes is broken in modern political leadership ▪️His personal battle with alcohol addiction and mental health ▪️What it means to be a gay conservative Christian in America ▪️Why he still believes the American Dream is alive   00:00 Intro 02:18 What The American Dream Means To A Combat Veteran 02:55 Four Deployments, Front Lines And A Life Between War And Restaurants 05:03 The Parents Who Kept Him From Losing Everything 05:58 Watching 9/11 As A Child — The Moment He Chose The Army 07:17 The Tattoo That Represents A Life He Nearly Ended 08:02 Alcohol Addiction, DUIs And Hitting Absolute Rock Bottom 08:38 The Night He Tried To Take His Own Life 11:29 Why He Now Feels Responsible To Help Strangers 13:06 Running For Governor Without Money Or Party Support 14:12 Why He Says Donald Trump Changed — And Why He Turned Against Him 18:06 Patriotism, Identity And What Being American Means To Him 20:45 Why He Thinks Most Americans Are Exhausted By Politics 22:58 Afghanistan, The Taliban And A Story He Can't Forget 25:08 Gun Laws vs Mental Health — What He Thinks The Real Crisis Is 28:38 Getting Sober, Relapsing And Starting Again 32:33 Growing Up In A Military Family With Little Money 34:16 Eliminating Income Tax And Legalizing Marijuana — His Economic Plan 41:18 Immigration Raids And Why He Calls Them "Un-American" 47:10 Challenging His Own Party — And Not Being Afraid To Lose 52:34 Being Openly Gay In A Special Forces Unit 01:01:12 The Faith He Believes Saved His Life