The Glenn Beck Program
Best of the Program | Guests: Brandon Darby & Lue Elizondo
Date: February 23, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, Glenn Beck tackles three gripping stories at the crossroads of American culture, politics, and national security:

• The seismic takedown of Mexican cartel leader El Mencho and its implications for US-Mexico relations (with Brandon Darby, Breitbart Texas).
• The cultural and symbolic resonance of Team USA’s gold medal win in Olympic hockey.
• An in-depth look into the ongoing US government search for UFOs/UAPs and national security ramifications (with Lue Elizondo, former Pentagon UAP program lead).

Each segment reflects Beck’s trademark blend of candid, emotional storytelling and pointed political commentary, with contributions from expert guests.

I. Cartel Takedown in Mexico: Interview with Brandon Darby (03:13–18:02)

Main Discussion Points

• Historic Arrest/Killing of El Mencho:
  • Announcement that the infamous cartel boss is gone.
  • Secrecy was key—operation was hidden from elements of the Mexican government known to be compromised by cartel connections.
• US Pressure and Mexico’s Response:
  • Beck raises the question: “What do you think the president [of the US] said to [the Mexican President]?” (04:36)
  • Darby credits sustained pressure, publicly and privately, from the Trump administration: “Trump began to hit narco boats, showing he was willing to do things that had not been done prior…Trump took out Maduro.” (09:07)
  • Mexico's government only acted when it realized unilateral US action could damage its sovereignty and global standing.
• Secrecy and Sudden Action:
  • The operation was so secret, “phones or any mechanism they had to communicate with the outside world was taken from them.” (04:54)
  • Darby doubts the official narrative about El Mencho’s death being accidental: “I question that narrative... He was probably killed.” (06:31)
• Ramifications in America:
  • “They have operatives all over the United States.” (11:05, Beck)
  • Darby predicts more violence in Mexico as cartel power fractures, but “I do not think we'll see a lot of acts of narco terrorism within the US because of this.” (12:46)
  • Long-term goal: “Reduce them to having power over their block, their street. That's the goal.” (12:46)
• Future of Mexico & US Policy:
  • The transformation of Mexico depends on the future US approach to immigration and cartel policy: “If we continue with the Trump policies…we have a very good shot at Mexico becoming a better place.” (14:42, Darby)
  • Cartels have thrived not just on drugs but on human smuggling and asylum loopholes.
  • Darby uses a WW2 analogy: “This isn't the end of the war... Yesterday was definitely D-Day...” (16:50)

Notable Quotes

• Brandon Darby:
  “If someone this powerful, the top of the top can be taken out, it tells everyone in Mexico who's involved in cartels that they can also be gotten and that they better keep it in check.” (07:33)
• Glenn Beck:
  “What is the fallout for us here in America? Because they have operatives all over the United States.” (10:57)
• Brandon Darby:
  “I would not allow my children to go to even the safe areas like Cancun... Those are economic engines for cartels, and as they fight each other, they're going to try to hurt each other's economic engines.” (17:29)

Memorable Moment

• Beck asks Darby for advice to spring breakers:
  “I would not do that right now. I would wait a bit on going to Mexico.” (17:29)

II. Team USA’s Gold in Olympic Hockey: A Cultural Moment (19:00–30:47)

Main Discussion Points

• National Rejuvenation:
  • Beck revels in the Team USA win—first gold since the “Miracle on Ice” (20:13).
  • His message: “This should be something for all Americans to enjoy. I’m tired of people being ashamed of our country.” (21:31)
• Five Reasons the Win Resonated:
  • New Generation: Jack Hughes represents a homegrown, dominant US hockey force: “Hughes is different. He is speed. He's skill, he's flash, he's confidence.” (22:42)
  • American Style: The team's grit and creativity feel uniquely American.
  • Rarity/Significance: US hockey gold still feels earned and fresh, not routine: “When the US wins gold in hockey, it's earned the hard way.” (24:51)
  • Timing in a Divided Era: This victory brings a rare moment of unity.
  • Family & Values: Jack Hughes’ family embodies the American ideal: “Discipline, structure, parental investment, people who work hard. This family obviously works hard, trains hard, and is a unit." (29:22)
• Emotional High Points:
  • Playing the sound of the team singing the anthem (“They're not singers. They're hockey players. But they were proud to be an American.” (21:58))
  • Jack Hughes Post-Game:
    • “I'm lucky I'm from the best country in the world, and we got great dentists there, too. So I'm lucky I'm American, and they're gonna fix me right up.” (26:10, Hughes)
    • “Just so proud. I’m so proud to be American. I’m so proud of this group... USA Hockey brotherhood is so strong. We’re so proud that we could do it for them. We’re so proud we could do it for everyone back home.” (26:21)
• Remembrance on the Ice:
  • The team honors Johnny Gaudreau, killed by a drunk driver last year, by bringing his kids out for the gold medal ceremony (27:58). “How beautiful was that moment. Sports and... togetherness of a team. That’s why they won the gold and that’s what mattered to us.” (27:58)

Notable Quotes

• Glenn Beck:
  “This is the story of Jack. He's the face of it. But it's not the story of Jack. It is the truth team. It's the team. There was a time when America felt like a team. And I don't know about you, but I'm longing to feel like a team again.” (28:26)
• Jack Hughes:
  “Just so proud. I'm so proud to be American. I'm so proud of this group... USA Hockey brotherhood is so strong.” (26:21–27:19)

III. Are UFOs Real? National Security & Disclosure: Interview with Lue Elizondo (30:47–43:47)

Main Discussion Points

• UAP (UFO) Programs and Strategic Risk:
  • The “clock is ticking”—US must not fall behind adversaries (China, Russia) exploring UFO phenomena.
  • “There are foreign adversaries out there that are very much involved in the research of UAP, like we are...and what you don't want to do is allow ourselves to get to a point of what we call strategic surprise.” (31:07, Elizondo)
• Decades of Mystery, Not a Foreign Power:
  • Elizondo dismisses the idea that these are advanced adversary tech: “If that was the case, this would be considered the worst intelligence failure in the history of our nation...for 80 years, some country in secret has been developing this technology… it simply doesn't make sense.” (33:43–35:00)
• The “2027” Question:
  • Beck: “Why is 2027 the year that everybody keeps throwing around?” (35:00)
  • Elizondo: “I've heard 2027 and also heard 2036...it seemed more anecdotal. Certainly something we need to pay attention to.” (35:19)
• Preparedness for Disclosure:
  • Reports that the President has a prepared speech in case of major UFO disclosure: “I think it’s probably something prepared for this time...A lot of presidents were kept in the dark on this topic for a very long time.” (36:16)
  • “This is a very risky topic...it's never really been good for one's career...because of the amount of stigma and taboo...purposefully, by the way, on this topic.” (36:20–36:53)
• The Military–Industry Angle:
  • Beck raises lawsuits/advantage from secret tech. Elizondo: “You can imagine in 10, 20 years, company A becomes a multibillion dollar aerospace company, where company B goes bankrupt...you could...rack up not just billions, but trillions... That is a very real issue.” (38:54)
• Spiritual Interpretations Inside Government:
  • Elizondo recounts meetings in the Pentagon where some senior officials believed UAPs were “demonic.”
    • "There were people in the Pentagon that believe that UFOs...are demons, they're demonic. And, again, some of these people are very, very senior in the intelligence community." (41:09)
  • He also references historical Vatican documents recounting “flaming shields in the sky,” and a papal statement endorsing the possibility of abundant life in the universe. (42:10–43:47)

Notable Quotes

• Lue Elizondo:
  • “The last place any government wants to be is on their back foot…after, for example, the drone incursions we had back in 2024 up in New Jersey.” (33:00)
  • “It simply doesn’t make sense that all of this…is Russian or Chinese. It doesn’t pass the smell test.” (35:00)
  • [On spiritual beliefs inside the Pentagon:] “I can't prove that they're wrong either…There is a lot of fear that this topic brings.” (41:05–41:47)
  • [On historical accounts:] “This is a discussion between a Roman soldier and a Roman general…these flaming Roman shields in the sky…this is a document that's in the possession of the Vatican itself.” (42:53)

Memorable Moment

• Beck to Elizondo: “You walked into a meeting and the scientists were talking about something spiritual…”
  Elizondo: “What was told to me point blank was, ‘Lou, have you read your Bible lately?... Because what we’re dealing with are demons and we shouldn’t be looking into them.’” (41:51)

Highlighted Timestamps

Here are key timestamps for critical segments:

• 03:13 – Mexico’s El Mencho operation explained (start of Darby)
• 07:33 – Darby: “If someone this powerful...can be taken out, it tells everyone in Mexico...”
• 14:42 – Impact of US policy and immigration on cartels
• 17:29 – “I would not allow my children to go to Mexico right now.” (Darby’s warning to spring breakers)
• 21:31 – Beck on national pride versus shame
• 26:10 – Jack Hughes: “I’m lucky I’m from the best country in the world...”
• 28:26 – Beck: “There was a time when America felt like a team.”
• 31:07 – Elizondo: Why the clock is ticking on UAP secrecy
• 35:00 – “2027” and why it keeps coming up in disclosure discussions
• 41:09 – The Pentagon’s spiritual/demonic angle on UAPs

Conclusion

This episode of The Glenn Beck Program delivers revealing, fast-paced analysis—mixing fresh news on cartel violence, US sporting triumph, and outer-space dangers.
Brandon Darby frames the cartel takedown as a D-Day moment for Mexico’s fight with organized crime, underlining how deeply US policy and politics shape southern border security.
Lue Elizondo takes listeners inside the labyrinth of UFO secrecy, warning of both earthly threats and existential mysteries—while Beck and both guests tie the week’s headline moments back to core questions of American identity, unity, and courage.

“This isn’t just a podcast. This is a movement. And you’re part of it.” (Beck, [03:08])