Podcast Summary: The Glenn Beck Program – "America Should Be PROUD to Stand Alone Against European Censorship" | Guest: Sen. Tom Cotton | Released: February 17, 2025

Overview

In this episode of The Glenn Beck Program hosted by the Blaze Podcast Network, Glenn Beck engages in a robust discussion about America's stance on free speech compared to European approaches to censorship. The episode features a significant interview with Senator Tom Cotton, who delves into the threats posed by China and elaborates on his new book, "Seven Things You Can't Say About China." Throughout the program, Beck and his co-host Stu Burguiere navigate through topics ranging from international relations to internal governmental policies, emphasizing the importance of maintaining America's independence in defending free speech.

1. Glenn and Stu’s Opening Discussion [00:00 - 20:52]

Glenn Beck and Stu Burguiere kick off the episode with light-hearted banter about disaster preparedness, humorously referencing emergency food kits and Patriot supplies. This segment sets a casual tone before transitioning into more serious discussions about current events and America's international relations.

2. International Relations and European Censorship [20:53 - 74:30]

Beck and Burguiere transition into analyzing recent developments in Washington and abroad. They discuss President Trump's diplomatic engagements with global leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Australian Prime Minister, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

A significant portion of this segment focuses on the strained relations between the United States and Europe, particularly Germany and Canada. They highlight criticisms from European leaders regarding America's free speech policies and touch upon J.D. Vance's speech at the Munich Security Conference, where he criticized European approaches to censorship.

Notable Quotes:

• Glenn Beck at [30:09]: "If that's what separates us, I'm happy to be separated from Europe. I am, I'm thrilled to be."
• Stu Burguiere at [74:31]: "Free speech needs boundaries."

3. Free Speech in Europe: 60 Minutes Segment and Discussion [72:00 - 79:05]

The hosts delve deeper into the issue of free speech in Europe, referencing a 60 Minutes segment that showcases German police raids targeting individuals for online hate speech. Beck and Burguiere express concern over Europe's stringent laws that criminalize various forms of expression, drawing parallels to authoritarian regimes.

Notable Quotes:

• Glenn Beck at [56:54]: "With today's technology, I've warned you. With today's technology and what is right around the corner. You put a Hitler in charge of it and there's not a Jew left in the world."
• Stu Burguiere at [75:38]: "Claiming the AfD had trivialized Nazi atrocities like the concentration camp at Dachau."

4. Interview with Senator Tom Cotton [87:26 - 120:47]

Senator Tom Cotton joins the program to discuss his new book, "Seven Things You Can't Say About China," and the escalating threats posed by China to American democracy and global stability. Cotton outlines the pervasive influence of China in various sectors, including technology, surveillance, and economic practices, portraying it as a significant adversary akin to past threats from the Soviet Union.

Key Topics Discussed:

• China as an Evil Empire: Cotton asserts that China’s historical and current actions position it as a formidable threat to global freedom and American interests.

  Quote:

  • Sen. Tom Cotton at [88:14]: "As Ronald Reagan said about communist Russia, we could say the same thing about communist China. It's an evil empire."

• Free Speech and Censorship: Reflecting on Europe’s approach, Cotton emphasizes the necessity of protecting free speech in America to prevent authoritarianism.

  Quote:

  • Cotton at [93:58]: "We are the Only ones where our constitution is rooted in those rights. That's why they freak out over there."

• Economic Warfare and Decoupling: Discussing the need to reduce economic dependence on China, Cotton advocates for strategic decoupling in critical industries to safeguard national security.

  Quote:

  • Cotton at [92:25]: "And I have a lot of faith that Tulsi Gabbard and John Ratcliffe understand the nature of the threat from China and are going to do what's necessary to focus our intelligence agencies on that threat."

• Military Preparedness: Cotton warns of potential conflicts over regions like Taiwan, stressing the importance of a strong military as a deterrent against Chinese aggression.

  Quote:

  • Cotton at [110:40]: "The United States... need to do so with critical and strategic goods like the rare earth element that power the modern electronic digital economy."

Conclusion of Interview: Cotton reiterates the urgent need for the United States to assert its dominance and protect its interests against China's multifaceted threats. He underscores the importance of leadership in intelligence and defense sectors to navigate these challenges effectively.

5. Post-Interview Reflections and Closing [120:47 - End]

Following the interview, Beck and Burguiere engage in light-hearted banter about show ratings and upcoming content, maintaining the program’s trademark blend of seriousness and humor. They briefly mention additional promotions before wrapping up the episode.

Final Thoughts

This episode of The Glenn Beck Program provides a critical examination of America's position on free speech relative to European censorship practices. Through insightful discussions and a compelling interview with Senator Tom Cotton, Beck underscores the importance of defending American values in the face of external and internal threats. The episode serves as a clarion call for Americans to recognize and stand firm against challenges to their constitutional freedoms.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Glenn Beck: "[...] if you have the government able to take away inalienable rights, you have a real problem on your hand. [00:00]"
• Sen. Tom Cotton: "China could win. That's what your book lays out. [88:14]"
• Stu Burguiere: "Free speech needs boundaries. [74:31]"

Note: All timestamps correspond to the transcript provided and indicate the approximate moment of each quoted statement within the episode.