The Glenn Beck Program: Best of the Program | 1/22/25

Release Date: January 22, 2025
Host: Glenn Beck
Network: Blaze Podcast Network
Description: Storytelling, insight, and compelling perspectives on American culture and politics. Glenn Beck's quick wit, candid opinions, and engaging personality make this one of the most popular radio programs in America.

1. Media Bias and the New York Times' Coverage of Pete Hegseth

Glenn Beck opened the episode by addressing what he perceives as blatant media bias, particularly targeting the New York Times' coverage of Pete Hegseth. He criticized the newspaper for what he sees as propagandistic reporting, stating, "the New York Times... are little more than just left wing propaganda" (00:00). Beck delved into a recent story involving Danielle Hegseth, Pete's former sister-in-law, alleging that Pete engaged in behavior that caused fear for his second wife's safety.

Stu Burguiere interjected, reinforcing Beck's point: "This is, I think, the clearest way that the media executes their plan of bias" (07:00). Beck further argued that the New York Times disregarded official court documents where both Pete and his ex-wife Samantha Hegseth denied any domestic abuse, undermining the credibility of the allegations presented by Danielle. He emphasized the importance of calling out the media's selective reporting, urging listeners to "tell the Democrats. Stuff it. Stuff it. Pipe down."

2. Trump's Second Inauguration and Border Policies

Beck transitioned to discussing President Donald Trump's second oath of office, highlighting its significance in proving Trump's enduring influence and resilience. He remarked, "Trump's second oath of office also shows he can't be written off or treated as a fluke" (00:00). The conversation shifted to Trump's aggressive stance on border security, particularly his intentions to send in special forces to dismantle drug cartels in Mexico. Beck expressed strong support for these measures, questioning, "How happy are they going to be when we send in special forces to take out the cartels?"

Stu Burguiere supported Beck's viewpoint, noting that policies like deporting illegal immigrants are "quite popular, actually" (10:26). Beck cited polling data indicating significant public support for deportation measures, including 66% of Americans agreeing with deporting immigrants who entered the country illegally. He criticized sanctuary cities, arguing that their refusal to cooperate with ICE only exacerbates the problem, leading to increased deportations and undermining local communities.

3. Political Analysis: Politico's Article on Trump

A substantial portion of the episode featured a deep dive into a Politico article by John Harris, the founding editor and global editor-in-chief. The article portrayed Trump as a "force of history," emphasizing his ability to connect with large swaths of the American population and shift the terms of national debates. Beck challenged Harris's interpretation, particularly the assertion that Trump's policies and rhetoric were things he genuinely believes. He countered with skepticism, asking, "I can't tell you how many times I heard CNN in the last couple of days say he doesn't believe any of this stuff. He absolutely believes all of this stuff."

Stu Burguiere added context by comparing Trump's communication strategies to those of past presidents like Franklin D. Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan, highlighting Trump's mastery of social media as a modern counterpart to historical leaders' use of radio and television (19:32).

4. Al Sharpton's Critique of DEI Policies

Beck and Burguiere also touched on social justice movements, specifically addressing Al Sharpton's opposition to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies. Beck mocked Sharpton's approach, referring to his rhetoric as a "tick tock dance" and downplaying his influence by stating, "I really don't fear Al Sharpton... Americans have heard it all. They've done it all. They're not afraid of it anymore" (29:09).

The discussion highlighted the tension between progressive activists and conservative viewpoints, with Beck advocating for a merit-based approach over color-based initiatives. He criticized DEI policies as divisive, arguing that they undermine true diversity and equity by enforcing policies that lead to further societal splits.

5. Corporate Policies: Global Minimum Tax and Corporate Transparency Act

The program also covered recent developments in corporate taxation and transparency. Beck lauded Trump's decision to reject the Biden administration's global minimum tax, asserting, "We're never going to have a tax rate lower than 15%, the global minimum tax, because that would be unfair" (32:44). He framed this move as a protective measure for American businesses against unfair international competition.

Furthermore, Beck discussed Rand Paul's introduction of legislation to repeal the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). He condemned the CTA, which required small business owners to disclose personal information to the Treasury Department, highlighting the bureaucratic burdens it imposed on industries like farming, restaurants, and landscaping. Beck emphasized the importance of repealing such regulations to protect small businesses from excessive government oversight and potential legal repercussions.

6. Border Policies and Deportations

Returning to border security, Beck elaborated on the societal impacts of Trump's immigration policies. He referenced a Chicago Tribune report detailing the fear and uncertainty among undocumented immigrants in Chicago due to potential mass deportations. Beck argued that stringent enforcement would lead to a significant decrease in illegal immigration as individuals face the harsh realities of deportation, including the separation of families and loss of livelihood.

He shared a specific case of Martin Ramos, an undocumented immigrant from Guadalajara, Mexico, who prepared to hide his family to avoid ICE raids. Beck used this narrative to illustrate the widespread anxiety and the practical effects of aggressive immigration policies. He asserted that such measures would deter illegal immigration by making it too stressful and harmful for families to stay in the United States without proper documentation.

Conclusion

Throughout the episode, Glenn Beck maintained a critical stance against perceived media bias, progressive policies, and Democratic obstructionism. He championed Trump's resilience and policy initiatives as essential for America's future, emphasizing themes of national security, economic freedom, and cultural unity. The discussions were punctuated by Stu Burguiere's supportive commentary, reinforcing Beck's viewpoints and providing additional insights into the topics at hand.

Notable Quotes:

• Glenn Beck (00:00): "The New York Times... are little more than just left wing propaganda."
• Stu Burguiere (07:00): "This is, I think, the clearest way that the media executes their plan of bias."
• Glenn Beck (10:26): "What is the most popular policy in America? Voting. The checks on voting."
• Glenn Beck (19:32): "Donald Trump has transcended his vulnerability to criminal penalties for January 6."
• Stu Burguiere (29:09): "It's a mindset change, right?"
• Glenn Beck (32:44): "We're never going to have a tax rate lower than 15%, the global minimum tax, because that would be unfair."

This episode of "The Glenn Beck Program" offers a comprehensive look into conservative perspectives on media bias, presidential policies, immigration, and corporate regulation, providing listeners with detailed analyses and fervent opinions on the state of American politics and culture.