The Glenn Beck Program – Best of the Program

Guests: Sen. Tommy Tuberville & Liz Wheeler | March 19, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of The Glenn Beck Program dives into pressing issues at the intersection of American culture, national security, and politics. Glenn Beck shares a theory on U.S. involvement in ongoing Middle East conflicts, particularly the recent war with Iran, challenges narratives around Donald Trump and Israeli influence, and warns about radical Islam’s threat to Western civilization with guest Senator Tommy Tuberville. Later, commentator Liz Wheeler joins to discuss controversial claims made by Joe Kent (former National Counterterrorism Center director), skepticism regarding his evidence, and broader questions of American restraint and military engagement.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Senator Tommy Tuberville: Radical Islam & American Security

[03:53–16:53]

• The Enemy Within:
  Tuberville expresses deep concern about what he describes as a growing "cancer" within the U.S., identifying radical Islam as a primary threat. He draws connections to post-9/11 changes and cites recent policies and political actors who, in his view, are enabling this threat.

  • "I've been speaking on the Senate floor for the past four or five months about the cancer that's inside our country. And this mandami is just make it worse and worse." — Tuberville [04:05]

• Defining Radical Islam:
  Tuberville distinguishes between Muslims who "assimilate" and follow American values and those adhering to "Sharia law" and the "death culture" of radical Islam.

  • "Radical Islam is not a race or a religion. It's a death cult. 100% true." — Beck [04:58]
  • “They do not study Sharia law or worship the Quran... They don't go by the death culture that is taught by Sharia law and the Quran.” — Tuberville [05:26]

• Assimilation vs. Cultural Change:
  The Senator argues that “freedom of religion” does not extend to those who, in his view, seek to undermine the core of American society through violent ideology.

• European Parallels & American Urgency:
  Both Beck and Tuberville worry the U.S. is following Europe’s path toward cultural upheaval and warn that delayed action will make recovery increasingly difficult.

  • "The longer we wait here, the more time we say, ‘it's not really a problem,’... the harder it's going to be to save the nation.” — Beck [07:20]

• Policy Solutions — Expulsion & Legislation:
  The discussion covers deporting terrorists and the need for robust action, with Tuberville describing obstacles, including unvetted entry under previous administrations.

  • "Obama and Biden brought them in here by the hundreds of thousands, unvetted. They're stealing us blind. They're going to live off the taxpayers." — Tuberville [08:29]

• Religious Rhetoric & Existential Threats:
  Tuberville references the Quran to highlight what he sees as an existential problem:

  • "Chapter 8, verses 12 of the Quran says... strike them upon the neck... Fight non Muslims until the faith of Allah is fully established. Folks are coming, okay?" — Tuberville [09:15]

• The Save America Act & Election Integrity:
  Beck shifts to election security and frustrations over the lack of bipartisan support for the SAVE Act, critical of both Republican and Democratic resistance.

  • "83% of Americans support it, 71% of Democrats, and we've got Republicans... I can't think of any good reason why this is not happening..." — Beck [10:33]

  Tuberville shares his recent conversation with Trump, emphasizing the importance of photo ID and proof of citizenship for voting, and criticizes the Senate’s traditionalist approach.

  • “I don't work for the Senate, I work with people of Alabama and people of this country. If it takes us busting the damn filibuster, let's go..." — Tuberville [12:27]

• Systemic Congressional Issues:
  When asked about leaving the Senate to run for governor, Tuberville laments seniority-based power and advocates for merit-based leadership.

2. Glenn Beck's Theory: Israel, the U.S., and Iran

[16:55–32:20]

• Complex Motivations, Not Simple Manipulation:
  Beck challenges the narrative that Trump was “duped” by Israel into war, suggesting instead that geopolitical realities forced the U.S. to act for its own interests.

  • "I think Donald Trump is fighting his view, his war to try to change the world... Is he playing a different game?" — Beck [00:23, intro]
  • “Nations don't drift into wars of this scale because somebody whispered a lie alone... it’s because pressure has been building... until the moment arrives when someone decides the cost of waiting is greater than the cost of acting.” — Beck [18:04]

• The Israeli Perspective:
  Beck explains how Israel sees Iran’s nuclear ambitions as an existential threat, which compels decisive, sometimes unilateral, military action, regardless of international consensus.

  • “Israel sees Iran as a deadline. ...They are a real threat to us. This is not theater. This has happened before.” — Beck [19:42]

• Historical Precedent:
  References past instances of Israeli pre-emptive strikes (Iraq ‘81, Syria ‘07), the Suez Crisis, the Yom Kippur War, and the Cuban Missile Crisis to show a pattern of states acting sharply when existential threats are perceived.

• A Stark Analogy:
  Beck uses an analogy comparing Israel-Iran to a hypothetical scenario where Mexico is bombing the U.S. and building nukes, arguing it’s about survival, not politics.

• U.S. Strategic Calculus:
  Beck posits that when a superpower (the U.S.) intervenes, it's choosing the lesser of two evils: influence a war it can't avoid, or risk being sidelined while chaos unfolds.

  • “Just a theory. United States didn't enter this conflict because it was misled. It's because we face the choice of two wars. One it could influence…and one it could not.” — Beck [25:45]

• Debunking Conspiracy:
  Beck rebuts claims that America is simply a pawn for Israel, emphasizing divergent goals even among allies.

  • “If we were duped into the war and we're fighting Israel's war, why then would President Trump say, ‘stop it, stop hitting the oil fields’? They have different goals than we do.” — Beck [28:20]

3. Liz Wheeler: Dissecting the Joe Kent Controversy & National Security

[32:22–44:59]

• On Glenn Beck’s Iran Theory:
  Liz Wheeler praises Beck's complex hypothesis regarding Trump's Middle East actions, seeing them as part of a calculated strategy to counter China and protect U.S. interests.

  • “Fascinating theory, by the way, very plausible, very complex... This is the brilliance of Donald Trump, parsed by the brilliance of Glenn Beck.” — Wheeler [32:38]

• Skepticism Toward Joe Kent's Claims:
  Wheeler and Beck examine allegations made by Joe Kent (former National Counterterrorism Center director) that Trump was duped by Israel into attacking Iran and that Iran poses no real threat.

  • "If you're coming out and saying Israel duped the president, you damn well better have proof. You can't just say... you have implied knowledge and implied experience, so come out. Otherwise I think you're just being absolutely reckless." — Beck [34:28]

  Wheeler is strongly critical of Kent for offering no concrete evidence and suggests his media appearances may be a tactical move amid an FBI investigation into his alleged leaks.

  • “This seems very opportunistic... it's a well known fact. This man, if he is under investigation and he wants to avoid a potential prosecution, what would be the best way to do that? The best way to do that would be go on a podcast tour with hosts who are not going to challenge him for the evidence...” — Wheeler [37:35]

• Charlie Kirk’s Assassination & Legacy:
  They critique the use of deceased commentator Charlie Kirk’s words and views to push current narratives, emphasizing the impropriety of such exploitation.

  • "Can we stop saying, you know, his final words were, it was Israel that did it. Can't take it." — Beck [40:48]
  • "They're trying to use that to push... their fringe ideas that they cannot sell on their own merits. It's despicable." — Wheeler [41:10]

• "Forever War" Fallacy & Military Engagement:
  Wheeler challenges the reflexive critique of any military action as "forever war," especially given Trump’s pattern of restrained, objective-driven interventions.

  • “A president whose entire history of action has been limited military interaction... What exactly makes this a forever war when it's less than three weeks?” — Wheeler [43:05]

• Threat from Radical Islam:
  The segment concludes with renewed warnings about radical Islam’s intent to undermine western civilization—an alarm both Beck and Wheeler endorse.

  • “…We have a US Military for a reason. And one of those reasons is... this looming, growing, deeply embedded threat... the ideology of Islam, which seeks to establish a global caliphate.” — Wheeler [44:08]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Tuberville:

  • "If you believe, if you're a Baptist or you're a Catholic or your Church of Christ or Methodist, they want you dead. And so to me, is that freedom of religion? Hell, no, it's not." [06:37]
  • “Obama and Biden brought them in here by the hundreds of thousands, unvetted. They're stealing us blind.” [08:29]

• Beck:

  • "Nations don't drift into wars of this scale because somebody whispered a lie alone... it's because pressure has been building." [18:04]
  • "If we were duped into the war and we're fighting Israel's war, why then would President Trump say, ‘stop it, stop hitting the oil fields’?" [28:20]

• Wheeler:

  • "This seems very opportunistic.…The best way to do that would be go on a podcast tour with hosts who are not going to challenge him for the evidence.” [37:35]
  • “A president whose entire history of action has been limited military interaction…What exactly makes this a forever war when it's less than three weeks?” [43:05]

Important Timestamps

• [03:53] Beck introduces and begins interview with Sen. Tuberville
• [04:05–09:15] Tuberville details concerns about radical Islam and U.S. vulnerability
• [10:33–14:19] Discussion on the SAVE Act and U.S. election integrity
• [14:19–16:53] Tuberville addresses leaving the Senate and Congressional reform
• [16:55–32:20] Glenn Beck’s in-depth theory about Trump, Israel, and U.S. strategic choices
• [32:22] Liz Wheeler joins the program
• [32:38–35:40] Wheeler analyzes Beck’s theory, assesses Trump’s approach to Iran and China
• [35:40–39:16] In-depth discussion of Joe Kent’s claims and credibility
• [39:38] Commentary on Charlie Kirk’s legacy and its misuse in current debates
• [43:05–44:59] Analysis of the “forever war” critique and concluding thoughts on radical Islam

Final Thoughts

This episode weaves together urgent themes of national identity, security, and the responsibilities of American leadership at home and abroad. Senator Tuberville offers an uncompromising view on radical Islam’s danger to American society and institutions, while Glenn Beck and Liz Wheeler emphasize the need for skepticism and proof in political discourse—especially during crises and realignment. The spotlight on “forever war” rhetoric versus targeted military intervention raises bigger questions about what it means for the U.S. to defend Western civilization and who gets to control the narrative.