The Glenn Beck Program — Best of the Program (2/10/26)

Main Theme:
This episode dives into American political and cultural absurdities, focusing on the integrity and competence of political figures like Keith Ellison and Gavin Newsom, current issues in Iran and foreign policy, state versus federal power conflicts (especially on immigration), economic optimism polls, state tax policies (with a savage take on California's “jock tax”), and the consequences of progressive governance.

Economic Optimism & the "Gallup Poll" (00:39–07:20)

• Discussion of the Latest Gallup Poll:
  • 50% believe the stock market will increase in the next six months.
  • 49% are optimistic about economic growth during the same period.
  • Glenn’s Take: He is “optimistic for the first time in ever” about America’s future, crediting what he views as a president with a real plan who has shifted his focus to “Main Street.”
  • Quote:
    “I believe for the very first time, we have a president that has a plan and is executing on that plan. And it is a big plan.”
    — Glenn Beck (03:59)

The Trump–Epstein Files Narrative (07:20–14:35)

• Response to Allegations:

  • Glenn and Jason respond to social media chatter about Donald Trump’s association with Jeffrey Epstein, highlighting reporting that shows Trump distanced himself and cooperated with authorities.
  • Key Points: See the recent police testimony and calls from Ghislaine Maxwell for clemency, which Trump refuses.
  • Quote:
    “He is the most investigated man of all of human history. There has never been a bigger, more thorough examination of a man's life...and you got nothing.”
    — Glenn Beck (11:06)

• Maxwell’s Requests:

  • Trump has refused to meet or offer clemency to Ghislaine Maxwell.
  • Quote:
    “Isn't it interesting that he's not granting any clemency to her? She's asking for personal meetings, and he won't accept it.”
    — Glenn Beck (12:10)

U.S. Policy Toward Iran & The Ethics of Engagement (14:35–23:46)

• Preview—Interview with Iran’s Exiled Crown Prince to Air Tomorrow
• Dilemma of Engaging with a Brutal Regime:
  • Citing human rights abuses (e.g., “35,000” killed).
  • How does America negotiate with such leadership?
  • Framework of Trump’s Approach:
    1. Diplomatic deterrence with visible consequences.
    2. Keep talks transactional (“not moral”)—focus on hard bargaining.
    3. Don’t “own” regime change/uprising (historical pitfalls of U.S.-directed overthrows).
  • Ethical Trap:
    • “If you say nothing, are we... then... complicit in silence? Because I don’t want to do any of it.”
  • Notable Quote:
    “The regime...has a huge weapon, and it's not army. It kills in the dark. And then we all sit here and argue about the numbers...The point is they've killed thousands of people. That's really a big deal.”
    — Glenn Beck (20:16)
  • Historical Parallels: Hitler’s observation of Western inaction during the Armenian Genocide.
  • Summary: Apply pressure targeted at perpetrators, keep the information flowing, and maintain deterrence without war.

Constitutional Law Smackdown: Keith Ellison & State vs. Federal Powers (23:46–41:58)

• Keith Ellison Critique:

  • Glenn reads (mockingly) from Ellison’s op-ed accusing Trump of targeting Minnesota out of malice.
  • Glenn’s Dissection:
    • Ellison misuses the concept of “dual sovereignty”—federal government has exclusive power over immigration.
    • Glenn explains, via chalkboard, the constitutional and legal precedent, notably Arizona's failed attempt to enforce state-based border controls (Arizona v. United States).
    • Quote:
      “When Arizona tried to secure its border, Democrats said, only the federal government can do it. When the federal government enforces immigration law in Minnesota, Democrats say states have a right to resist. Both things cannot be true.”
      — Glenn Beck (38:37)
    • Ellison called a “moron” repeatedly in this breakdown.
    • Important Point: States can disagree and not cooperate, but cannot block federal law enforcement on federal issues.

• Notable Segment:

  • “Keith, you’re a moron. Or you’re just a liar. You decide.”
    — Glenn Beck (41:32)

California’s “Jock Tax” & Economic Exodus (41:58–52:17)

• Super Bowl and Punitive Tax Laws:

  • If you win the Super Bowl in California, taxes may exceed your winnings due to the state’s complex “duty day” calculations.
  • Quote:
    “How can you lose money winning the Super Bowl? Well, California’s found a way to do it.”
    — Glenn Beck (44:41)

• Broader Economic Analysis:

  • Discussion of capital flight from high-tax states and cities, with parallels to 1970s New York and France’s failed wealth tax.
  • Historical Parallel: Rome’s collapse attributed to overtaxing the productive class.
  • Quote:
    “You cannot tax people into staying. You can only tax them into leaving.”
    — Glenn Beck (48:19)

• Precedent Worries:

  • If the federal government ever adopted a similar approach, “there’s no Florida to run to, no Texas to escape to—that’s when it’s over, over for good.”

California’s Energy Crisis & Fiscal Lunacy (52:17–end)

• Valero Refinery Closure:

  • The state’s regulatory stranglehold drives out critical energy infrastructure, likely increasing gas prices further.
  • Quote:
    “They’re walking away from like a billion dollar asset because they can’t take California anymore.”
    — Glenn Beck (53:51)

• Mileage Taxes & Revenue Hunger:

  • California’s shift from gas taxes to “pay by the mile,” exemplifying endless government appetite for revenue.
  • Quote:
    “If they can tax rain, they will. I hate to even say that because...they will tax rain because they have to have the money.”
    — Glenn Beck (54:32)

• Municipal Fiscal Crises & Bailouts:

  • Glenn rails against the possibility of federal bailouts for failed progressive cities.
  • Notable Rant:
    “If the federal government decides to bail these states and these cities out by using my federal tax dollar, I am going to hemorrhage out of my eyes...I won’t pay my taxes. You are going to bail out Los Angeles? No, we’re not. They did this. We've warned them forever.”
    — Glenn Beck (55:28)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Keith Ellison’s Legal Reasoning:
  “You want it your way and you can’t handle it...The Constitution...it doesn’t always fall on my side...But when you expect it to fall on your side every time, that’s a problem. Not with the Constitution. That’s a problem with you.” (39:43)

• On High-Tax States:
  “Have you ever worked for a guy who is poor? I haven’t worked for a single poor man my entire life...The only people that are hiring are people who have money.” (48:53)

Important Timestamps

• 00:39–03:59: Gallup poll results and economic optimism
• 07:20–14:35: Trump/Epstein narrative and Maxwell’s clemency request
• 14:35–23:46: Iran, negotiation ethics, and historical analogies
• 23:46–41:58: Glenn's chalkboard: Keith Ellison and constitutional law
• 41:58–52:17: California’s “jock tax” and exodus of wealth
• 52:17–end: Energy crisis, California tax escalation, fiscal bailouts rant

Tone & Language

• Glenn’s signature candor, sarcasm, and wit pervade the episode, especially in dismantling opponents’ arguments.
• Employs mockery (“moron” theme) and a didactic style, particularly when referencing the Constitution and economic history.

For listeners:
This episode serves as a lively, controversial, and unapologetically Glenn Beck-styled take on the latest economic, legal, and political stories—filled with arguments, constitutional lessons, and deeply skeptical analysis of progressive policy outcomes.