The Glenn Beck Program – Best of the Program | 10/20/25
Date: October 20, 2025
Host: Glenn Beck (Blaze Podcast Network)
Episode Theme: A critical exploration of the "No Kings" movement, protest financing, the distinction between outrage and principle, definitions of fascism, the manipulation of activism, and the importance of asking hard questions about freedom, movements, and American values.
Episode Overview
This episode centers on Glenn Beck’s analysis and critique of the recent “No Kings” rallies, the financing and motivations behind them, and broader concerns about American cultural and political movements. Through storytelling, historical references, and passionate commentary, Beck examines the ways in which outrage is weaponized, principles are abandoned, and language is manipulated. He also unpacks the true meaning of fascism and warns listeners to scrutinize the origins and purposes of political movements before aligning themselves.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Danger of Outrage Without Principle
[07:40–20:18]
- Glenn Beck urges listeners to ask themselves, “Why am I here?” before joining protests or political movements, cautioning against emotional reactions and crowd mentalities.
- He draws a distinction between acting from principle (grounded in deeply-held beliefs about truth and justice) and being motivated by fear, anger, or guilt.
- “Being against Israel does not mean the same as being for Hamas. You’ve joined something different. That means you have allowed your passions and your feelings to rule over you.” — Glenn Beck [11:25]
- Beck discusses how American independence was grounded in principles, not anger, which made it unique among revolutions.
Memorable Quote
“If I strip away the crowd, the pressure, the chants, the popularity, would I be standing here if no one ever knew that I joined?... If the answer is no to that, then you’re not following conviction, you’re following a crowd.”
— Glenn Beck [14:40]
Discussion Points
- Evaluating motivations: anger, fear, guilt, principle
- The risk of joining causes solely due to opposition or crowd behavior
- Historical comparison: American Founders vs. modern activist movements
2. The Slippery Slope: Ends Justifying Means
[15:00–21:30]
- Beck warns that when people rationalize extreme actions (like violence) for political objectives, they echo the logic of groups like Hamas.
- “If the ends justify the means, you have to ask… what principles or freedoms is it okay to sacrifice for that end? Because once you start sacrificing those things… you become Hamas.” — Glenn Beck [17:45]
Discussion Points
- Every authoritarian movement promises “liberation” but delivers control.
- If a movement’s methods contradict its stated goals (resorting to coercion or censorship), it’s about manipulation, not liberation.
3. The Real Meaning of Freedom
[21:31–28:05]
- Drawing on Booker T. Washington, Beck emphasizes that freedom is not just the absence of chains but “the presence of responsibility.”
- Advocates for policies that trust individuals’ power to choose; criticizes movements that seek to increase dependency on the state.
- Freedom entails defending the rights of those you dislike and doing the difficult work of mastering oneself.
Memorable Quote
“Freedom is not sustained by our laws. Freedom is sustained by our character.”
— Glenn Beck [27:24]
4. How to Seek Truth in a Manipulated Era
[28:06–33:50]
- Beck encourages a rigorous search for truth—reading original sources, engaging with opposing views, and staying open to changing one’s mind.
- “Truth doesn’t come prepackaged as a slogan. Truth is not usually found in a trending hashtag. Truth requires years and years and years of work, and most importantly, humility.” — Glenn Beck [29:10]
- He warns against echo chambers and urges listeners to ask, “Who benefits if I believe this?”
5. Manufactured Activism and Astroturf Movements
[34:00–47:15]
- The "No Kings" movement is dissected: public claims of being anti-billionaire and grassroots are belied, says Beck, by massive funding from billionaire-backed organizations (Soros/Open Society, Bill Gates Foundation, Ford Foundation, Rockefeller Network, Arabella Network, Tides Foundation).
- “In politics, money tells the truth even when people don’t.” — Glenn Beck [35:00]
- Describes the movement as manufactured “Astroturf,” not grassroots, citing labor union-printed signs and Communist Party sponsorship.
- Outlines how tactics of “color revolutions,” previously used by the CIA abroad, are being adopted domestically: orchestration, narrative control, and the strategic use of activist crowds.
Notable Moment
“This is not about dismantling power. This is about rearranging power.”
— Glenn Beck [36:32]
- Beck explains that funding protest movements allows elites to control both the complaints (“capitalism is the problem”) and the solutions (new systems that further centralize power).
- The episode touches on the paradox of anti-billionaire rhetoric funded by billionaires and the cycle of manufactured outrage.
Memorable Quote
“You’re carrying the banners of the people who are tightening the chains around your neck. And you don’t see it.”
— Glenn Beck [45:15]
6. Understanding Fascism: Definitions and Modern Parallels
[47:16–1:07:10]
- Beck addresses the overuse and misapplication of the term "fascism" in political debate—urging a clear definition.
- Fascism defined as “the merger of state and corporate power under a single centralized authority, usually led by a dictator.” — Glenn Beck [52:00]
- Outlines textbook features of fascism (suppression of dissidents, merger of state and corporate power, politicized justice, indoctrination, control of media).
- Draws parallels to today’s merger of government and tech giants, censorship of dissent on social platforms, and COVID-era policies.
- Differentiates fascism from communism—property exists under fascism but only in service to the regime.
- Beck critiques both right and left for creeping authoritarianism, listing recent policy moves as examples.
Notable Quotes
“That is not capitalism, okay? That is not a constitutional government. That is textbook fascism.”
— Glenn Beck [54:58]
“Words mean something. So if you want to defend freedom, let’s first reclaim the meaning of words that describe freedom’s enemies.”
— Glenn Beck [51:40]
7. Coalition of Extremes: Why Opposing Movements Work Together
[1:07:11–1:13:15]
- Comments on Speaker of the House’s speech describing the anti-"No Kings" coalition as a mix of Marxists, socialists, anarchists, Antifa, and pro-Hamas elements.
- Beck references his prior analysis that radicals with conflicting worldviews unite temporarily to “destroy the existing order.”
- Argues that after destabilization, chaos ensues, with erstwhile allies turning on one another.
Key Questions Beck Encourages Listeners to Ask:
- Are constitutional norms being eroded?
- Are voices being silenced, and by whom?
- Are laws enforced fairly, or is there a political bias?
- Are public-private partnerships restricting liberty?
- Do activists know what “no king” actually means?
Memorable Quote
“Nations don’t lose their liberty all at once. They lose it one unasked question at a time.”
— Glenn Beck [33:48]
Additional Memorable Moments and Quotes
- “The difference between liberty and bondage is going to come down to whether ordinary people start asking better questions.” — Glenn Beck [33:33]
- “If your side achieved everything they wanted… would ordinary people become more self-governing and more free, or more managed, more dependent, and more controlled? If the answer is the latter, do not join them.” — Glenn Beck [31:50]
Key Timestamps
- [07:40] – “Why am I here?”: Motivations for activism
- [11:25] – Distinguishing anti-Israel from pro-Hamas sentiment
- [14:40] – Crowd vs. conviction
- [17:45] – Ends justifying means; moral boundaries in activism
- [27:24] – Freedom sustained by character, not just laws
- [29:10] – How to seek truth in a manipulated age
- [35:00] – Following the money: protest financing
- [36:32] – “This is about rearranging power”
- [45:15] – On the manipulation of protestors and activism
- [52:00] – Definition of fascism
- [54:58] – Modern fascism: government/corporate merger
- [1:13:15] – Final questions on tyranny and freedom
Conclusion
This episode of The Glenn Beck Program thoughtfully dissects current activist movements, especially the "No Kings" protests, probing their funding streams, motivations, and inconsistencies. Beck emphasizes the necessity of principle, warns of the dangers in abdicating thought for outrage, and clarifies the real definitions and dangers of fascism and authoritarian tactics. He ultimately challenges listeners to embrace intellectual rigor, ask hard questions, and stand for freedom rooted in responsibility, even when it’s hard or unpopular.
For anyone who wants to understand the deeper dynamics shaping American (and global) politics and culture—beyond slogans—this episode is both a warning and a call to critical thought.