Podcast Summary: The Glenn Beck Program | Guest: Andrew Klavan | April 24, 2025

Host: Glenn Beck
Guest: Andrew Klavan
Release Date: April 24, 2025
Platform: BlazePodcast Network

Introduction and Overview

In this special "Best of the Program" episode, Glenn Beck engages with his regular guest, Andrew Klavan, to delve into the recently conducted interview with former President Donald Trump. The episode features listener interactions, insights from Tanya Beck (Glenn's wife), and an in-depth discussion on Andrew Klavan's latest work, "Kingdom of Cain."

Reaction to the Trump Interview

Glenn Beck opens the episode by addressing listener feedback on his interview with President Trump. He promises to share highlights and some of Trump's most shocking statements from the conversation.

Notable Quote:

Glenn Beck [00:00]: "Today on the podcast, we hear from you on what you thought about the interview with President Trump. And if you missed it, we play some of the highlights, some of the shocking things that he said."

Interaction with Andrew Klavan

Andrew Klavan, a frequent collaborator and guest on the program, joins the discussion, playfully attempting to "talk down" to Glenn. Their banter sets a lighthearted tone for the episode.

Notable Quote:

Glenn Beck [01:15]: "Andrew, a good friend of the program, tries to talk down to me just a little bit because, well, he's smarter than I am."

Listener Feedback on the Trump Interview

Several listeners call in to share their perspectives on Glenn's interview with Trump. Among them are Chris from Texas and Laura from Florida, who both commend Glenn's handling of the interview.

Notable Quotes:

Chris [06:18]: "I appreciate those marriage tips from... Hey, I wanted to say a great job on the interview last night, you know. You know, getting President Trump unfiltered and kind of unbiased."

Laura [07:22]: "I was so struck by your command of the situation, and I'm telling you, Trump trusts you, and I think that's why it went so well."

Glenn reflects on the positive feedback while expressing curiosity about how future interviews with Trump might unfold.

Notable Quote:

Glenn Beck [08:13]: "I wish I could show that part of him to you."

Discussion on Presidential Interviews

Andrew Klavan and Glenn Beck discuss the nuances of interviewing a sitting or former president, highlighting the challenges of balancing tough questions with maintaining a conversational tone.

Notable Quotes:

Andrew Klavan [10:11]: "It did feel more relaxed. It felt more conversational. It didn't feel like he was trying to get some agenda through."

Glenn Beck [10:30]: "He didn't stop a couple of times. It shocked me. I was like, I'm not prepared for you to stop."

Analysis of the Interview's Effectiveness

Listener Bill from unknown location offers a critique of Glenn's interview technique, suggesting areas where he could have probed deeper, particularly on topics like the national debt and Justice Department dealings.

Notable Quotes:

Bill [13:07]: "Donald Trump kept going back to, oh, 2016. We had the greatest economy ever. I walked away with it thinking I didn't learn anything that I previously didn't know."

Glenn Beck [14:40]: "You're right, I didn't push him on that. I wish I would have. I didn't push him on that."

Glenn responds by explaining the constraints of the interview, including negotiations with Congress that limited the depth of his questions.

Introduction to Andrew Klavan's "Kingdom of Cain"

The conversation shifts to Andrew Klavan's new book, "Kingdom of Cain," which explores the intersection of art, evil, and morality through historical murders and their portrayal in media.

Notable Quotes:

Andrew Klavan [20:14]: "The Kingdom of Cain looks at three murders in history... It is the task, not just of the artist, but of every life rightly lived."

Glenn Beck [28:16]: "I love your work. I love your work."

Klavan discusses how art reflects societal values and struggles, using examples like Hitchcock's "Rope" and Shakespeare's "Macbeth" to illustrate his points.

Notable Quote:

Klavan [23:41]: "It takes a room by yourself and ask, how can I make the perfect world within two minutes, so help me, you will be committing mass murder in your mind."

Tanya Beck's Perspective on the White House Visit

A significant portion of the episode features Tanya Beck sharing her experience visiting the White House with President Trump. Initially characterized by her husband as someone "not impressed by anything," Tanya provides a heartfelt account of the visit.

Notable Quotes:

Tanya Beck [35:06]: "Being in the Oval Office was amazing. I've never been in the office before, and so that was just walking in there was so humbling."

Glenn Beck [35:31]: "What was your whole, Sarah, what was it you wanted?"

Tanya Beck [35:54]: "He's very intimidating at first when you meet him, but he just makes you feel comfortable."

Tanya praises President Trump’s knowledge and demeanor, contradicting Glenn's usual portrayal of her skepticism.

Anecdote: The Salisbury Steak Incident

Glenn shares a humorous and candid story about dining with President Trump, focusing on Trump's insistence that Glenn enjoys Salisbury steak—a dish Glenn admits he doesn't favor.

Notable Quote:

Glenn Beck [40:00]: "He'll recommend it, and then you'll order it, and then he'll come back and say, what'd you think? And they'll say it was great. So nobody has the balls to tell him because he's the President of the United States."

The story highlights the personable yet challenging dynamic Glenn has when interacting with Trump.

Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts

As the episode wraps up, Glenn Beck reflects on the multifaceted nature of his interviews and the insights gained from both guests and listeners. The episode underscores the importance of open dialogue and the complexities of engaging with political figures.

Notable Quote:

Glenn Beck [46:30]: "Yeah, it is, it is."

Conclusion

This episode of The Glenn Beck Program offers a blend of serious political discussion, personal anecdotes, and intellectual exploration through Andrew Klavan's literary insights. The inclusion of listener feedback and Tanya Beck's perspective provides a well-rounded view of the topics at hand, making it a compelling listen for those interested in American politics, culture, and the dynamics of media interviews.

For more episodes, visit BlazeTV.com/Glenn.