Podcast Summary: The Glenn Beck Program | Guest: Carol Roth | March 4, 2025

Introduction In this episode of The Glenn Beck Program, host Glenn Beck is joined by guest Carol Roth to discuss pressing issues surrounding the American economy, government spending, and political dynamics. The conversation delves into the challenges faced by the current administration, critiques of Congressional spending, and listeners' perspectives on what they wish to hear from President Donald Trump in his upcoming speech to Congress.

1. Government Spending and Pentagon Budgeting

Carol Roth initiates the discussion by addressing what she identifies as a critical issue: the reluctance of senior members of Congress, particularly older legislators, to step down or adapt to contemporary challenges. She specifically targets Senator Mitch McConnell's stance on Pentagon spending.

• Carol Roth (00:16): Introduces the issue by highlighting McConnell's consistent push for increased Pentagon funding.

Glenn Beck supports Carol's viewpoint by penning a passionate op-ed directed at Senator McConnell, criticizing the Senator’s advocacy for continued military expenditure despite the United States already maintaining a substantial defense budget.

• Glenn Beck (02:00): "The United States... already spends more on its military than the next nine countries combined. We spend $877 billion last year alone, dwarfing China, Russia and the entire EU's collective defense budgets."

Beck argues that continued high levels of military spending are both fiscally irresponsible and strategically outdated. He likens current military investments to obsolete technologies, such as aircraft carriers, which he believes will be rendered ineffective by advancements in weaponry like hypersonic missiles and AI-driven drones.

• Glenn Beck (06:30): "The future isn't in steel and jet fuel. It's in artificial intelligence and unfortunately, artificial superintelligence."

Beck also emphasizes the unsustainable nature of the national debt, which has reached $34 trillion (128% of GDP), and criticizes the Pentagon for its lack of financial accountability, noting its failure to pass an audit six times since 2018.

2. Economic Challenges and Fiscal Policy

Carol Roth and Glenn Beck delve into the state of the American economy, focusing on government deficits and the impact of past and current administrations' spending habits. Roth highlights the drastic reduction in border encounters as a notable achievement under President Trump's administration, contrasting it with ongoing economic struggles exacerbated by increased government spending.

• Carol Roth (14:34): "When you have a good economy, you would actually expect that to be much lower because you're getting more receipts."

Beck critiques the Biden administration's response to economic downturns, accusing them of masking economic weaknesses through excessive spending. He points out the precarious position of the U.S. economy, where high-interest rates and increasing debt payments threaten fiscal stability.

• Glenn Beck (21:00): "Annual deficits are now $1.7 trillion. That's what they were in '23. Interest payments alone are projected to go over $1 trillion this year or early next."

Roth supplements Beck’s analysis by explaining the consequences of halted spending, likening it to personal financial decisions where high-interest rates deter investment. She warns that ceasing government expenditure without careful management could lead to severe inflation and economic instability.

• Carol Roth (19:36): "What happens if we don't stop the spending of just the stuff that is already on the books from Biden? Wouldn't that cause our inflation to go through the roof?"

Beck echoes Roth's concerns, advocating for surgical budget cuts to reduce the deficit without exacerbating economic decline. He underscores the necessity for Congress to take responsibility in trimming government spending to avert a debt spiral.

• Glenn Beck (24:00): "It needs to be done very surgically. And that is the ultimate challenge. That is the mess that the Biden administration left for Trump."

3. Listener Engagement and Feedback

The episode features several listener calls, providing diverse perspectives and suggestions on what they wish President Trump would address in his speech to Congress. Key themes from these calls include:

• Call from Brandon, North Carolina (25:55): Requests Trump to address a recent bill opposed by Democrats and emphasizes the need for Republican cohesion.

  • Caller: "I have a 9-year-old daughter... The last thing I want is for, you know, the puberty age boys to start integrating."

• Call from Ron, Missouri (27:14): Desires Trump to adopt a leadership style reminiscent of Winston Churchill, focusing on humility and collective sacrifice.

  • Caller: "I would love to see Trump go old school Glenn Beck from the Fox days and just do some straightforward PowerPoints."

• Call from Philip, Minnesota (29:38): Suggests Trump use clear and direct communication, listing Democratic and Biden administration failings while outlining his strategies to counteract them.

  • Caller: "I'd love to see Trump go old school Glenn Beck... list out here is everything the Democrat Party and the Biden regime did to get us to this situation."

• Call from Jake, Iowa (32:08): Wants Trump to address fraud and misuse of funds within government programs and to propose lifting the Social Security cap.

  • Caller: "I'd really like to hear Donald Trump say... we're going to use some of that savings... to rebuild our highways, our bridges, our electric grid system."

Carol Roth responds to these calls by reinforcing the need for honest and practical dialogue from President Trump regarding the economy and government accountability. She emphasizes the importance of realistic expectations and the collective effort required to navigate economic challenges.

• Carol Roth (29:31): "People need a realistic view that this isn't going to happen without pain."

4. Strategic Recommendations for President Trump

Both Beck and Roth offer strategic recommendations for President Trump’s forthcoming address:

• Fiscal Responsibility: Advocate for significant budget cuts, specifically targeting Pentagon spending to reduce the national debt and curb inflation.

• Economic Reform: Propose tax reforms, such as a flat tax or eliminating the payroll tax, to stimulate economic growth and provide tax relief to citizens.

• Technological Advancement: Shift focus towards AI and modern warfare technologies, ensuring the U.S. remains at the forefront of military innovation.

• Leadership Style: Adopt a more humble and action-oriented leadership approach, akin to historical figures like Winston Churchill, to unite the nation and foster collective responsibility.

Conclusion

This episode of The Glenn Beck Program presents a robust discussion on the intersection of government spending, economic policy, and political leadership. With Carol Roth as a guest, the conversation critically examines the current administration's fiscal strategies, the pressing need for Congressional reform, and outlines what listeners desire from President Trump’s leadership. Through engaging dialogue and listener interaction, Beck and Roth articulate a vision for a fiscally responsible and technologically advanced America, urging immediate and strategic action to secure the nation's future.

Notable Quotes:

• Glenn Beck (02:00): "The United States... already spends more on its military than the next nine countries combined."

• Glenn Beck (06:30): "The future isn't in steel and jet fuel. It's in artificial intelligence and unfortunately, artificial superintelligence."

• Glenn Beck (21:00): "Annual deficits are now $1.7 trillion. That's what they were in '23. Interest payments alone are projected to go over $1 trillion this year or early next."

• Carol Roth (19:36): "What happens if we don't stop the spending of just the stuff that is already on the books from Biden? Wouldn't that cause our inflation to go through the roof?"

• Carol Roth (29:31): "People need a realistic view that this isn't going to happen without pain."

Final Thoughts

The Glenn Beck Program continues to provide listeners with in-depth analyses and spirited discussions on the state of American politics and economics. This episode, featuring Carol Roth, underscores the urgent need for fiscal reform and strategic reevaluation of governmental priorities to navigate the complex challenges facing the nation.