The Glenn Beck Program: Best of the Program | January 12, 2026

Episode Theme Overview

In this episode, Glenn Beck dives into the tumultuous state of global and American affairs in early 2026. He focuses on the ongoing unrest and revolution in Iran, featuring a heartfelt and information-rich interview with Goldie Ghamari, a human rights activist. The episode later transitions to the escalating standoff between Donald Trump, the Department of Justice (DOJ), and Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell—drawing lessons from the classic exposé "The Creature from Jekyll Island." Throughout, Beck urges listeners to recognize the critical importance of individual freedom, the dangers of unaccountable institutions, and the urgent need for vocal support of those fighting for liberty, both abroad and at home.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Iran Uprising and International Implications

Goldie Ghamari’s Perspective (04:14–16:35)

• Background: Goldie explains she was born in post-1979 Iran but left as a child, now advocating globally for human rights in Iran.
• Escalating Revolution: Millions of Iranians are marching, calling this "the final battle" with explicit hopes of returning to pre-1979 secular rule under the exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi.
• Regime Crackdown Intensifies: The Iranian regime responds with a brutal crackdown. Internet blackouts signal violent suppression; casualty reports indicate more deaths than 9/11.
• Starlink’s Crucial Role: Elon Musk covertly supplied Starlink terminals, facilitating communication amid regime censorship until military jammers, bought from the Chinese Communist Party, disrupted the network.
• “Now Is Not the Time for Tears”: Despite limited reporting, activists within Iran stress this is a decisive moment—revolutionary activity is at its peak, even if the outside world can’t see it.

Notable Quote:

"Now is not the time for tears. This is the final battle... Iranians, they can smell and taste freedom after 47 years of Islamic oppression."
— Goldie Ghamari (08:38)

Trump’s Involvement and International Hope

• Trump’s Promise: Iranians are buoyed by Trump's firm rhetoric against the regime. Goldie relays that his vow to act if protesters are harmed has given hope to millions.
• Iranians do not want foreign troops: Both Goldie and Glenn agree: Iranians want self-determination, not U.S. military intervention. The people in Iran are “the boots on the ground.”

Notable Quote:

“Iranians, they're not giving up. They're still out in the streets… they're hopeful, and the crown prince… said, ‘we are not alone and international help is on the way.’”
— Goldie Ghamari (10:31)

Solidarity, Flags, and Symbolism

• Support from Abroad: Goldie shares her gratitude for Americans using the pre-1979 Iranian flag on social media as a sign of solidarity, emphasizing the newfound recognition that Iranians are allies, not enemies.
• Future Alliance: Both Glenn and Goldie look forward to a day when America and a free Iran stand as partners once more.

Notable Quote:

“A free Iran is going to mean a safer America.”
— Goldie Ghamari (12:55)

Call to Action:

• Glenn urges listeners and the global community to show support online, specifically by displaying the “real flag” of Iran (13:31).

2. The Battle over the Federal Reserve: Trump, Powell, and The "Creature from Jekyll Island"

Overview (17:10–38:50)

• Trump vs Federal Reserve: Glenn details Trump’s unprecedented legal and political offensive against the Federal Reserve for its lavish spending (notably a billion-dollar “palace”), unaccountability, and monopoly over financial power.
• Historical Deep Dive: Drawing on the book "The Creature from Jekyll Island" by G. Edward Griffin, Glenn explains how the Federal Reserve was secretly designed to centralize financial control, shielded from direct government or public oversight.

Key Points:

• The Fed is a “private corporation” masquerading as a federal entity.
• Congressional and public oversight is exceedingly limited; even President Trump can’t pick anyone for chairmanship outside the Fed’s own approved shortlist.
• Inflation is described as a deliberate “feature”—not a bug—of the Fed’s design, robbing ordinary Americans of value and agency.

Notable Quote:

"The banks have a monopoly. The banks are the ones colluding to decide what are they going to charge you for interest. And by the way, inflation, that's not a bug, that's a feature. Inflation is planned."
— Glenn Beck (24:49)

Individual Freedom vs. Institutional Power

• Founders' Vision: Glenn recaps the original American founding philosophy, where government is a mere “referee” protecting individual rights, not a controller of money and opportunity.
• Rise of the Administrative State: The episode traces the growth of unelected power—specifically noting how the establishment of the Federal Reserve broke the direct connection between the people and financial sovereignty.

Notable Quote:

"They are privately stealing from us and telling us it's for your own good and your own safety."
— Glenn Beck (29:20)

The Progressive Movement & Control

• Glenn equates progressive reformers to “slow communists,” manipulating American institutions through incremental change. In his view, control of health and money equals control of the population.

Notable Quote:

"Progressivism is progress a little bit at a time… because they know you don't want what they're selling."
— Glenn Beck (37:46)

3. The Call for Civic Engagement and Solidarity

• Global Stakes: The fate of Iran’s revolution is positioned as pivotal to the fight against Islamic extremism globally. Beck draws lines between American policy, the West’s political rhetoric on groups like Hamas, and broader macro-level struggles for freedom.
• Domestic Takeaway: Listeners are encouraged to reclaim oversight of their money and government, support liberty movements, and remain vigilant against unelected, unaccountable power—be it at home or abroad.

Memorable Quotes with Timestamps

• "Now is not the time for tears. This is the final battle... Iranians, they can smell and taste freedom after 47 years of Islamic oppression."
  — Goldie Ghamari (08:38)

• "Iranians, they're not giving up. They're still out in the streets… they're hopeful, and the crown prince… said, ‘we are not alone and international help is on the way.’”
  — Goldie Ghamari (10:31)

• "A free Iran is going to mean a safer America."
  — Goldie Ghamari (12:55)

• "The banks have a monopoly. The banks are the ones colluding to decide what are they going to charge you for interest. And by the way, inflation, that's not a bug, that's a feature. Inflation is planned."
  — Glenn Beck (24:49)

• "They are privately stealing from us and telling us it's for your own good and your own safety."
  — Glenn Beck (29:20)

• "Progressivism is progress a little bit at a time… because they know you don't want what they're selling."
  — Glenn Beck (37:46)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 02:43 – Government official discusses Iranian protest casualties and US military options.
• 04:14 – Interview with Goldie Ghamari begins: her background and real-time update on the revolution.
• 07:16 – Glenn asks how Trump should respond; Goldie discusses Iranian needs and atmosphere.
• 10:31 – Goldie on Trump's popularity in Iran and outside support.
• 13:31 – Glenn urges global support for Iran, social media campaign with the real Iranian flag.
• 17:10 – Shift to US finance: Trump’s attack on Federal Reserve, history of the institution.
• 24:49 – Deep dive on how inflation and the Fed erode Americans’ savings.
• 29:20 – The design and secretive nature of the Federal Reserve explained.
• 37:46 – Beck’s analysis of progressivism as “slow communism” and its lasting institutional impact.
• 42:31 – Summary: The loss of Constitutionally-designed government and warning about power centralization.

Conclusion & Takeaways

For Listeners:

• Stay Informed and Involved: The episode blends passionate advocacy with in-depth historical context, pushing listeners to take a stand for both Iranian freedom and American constitutional values.
• Solidarity Matters: Acts as simple as displaying a flag or sharing authentic stories on social media can embolden and support those fighting for liberty overseas.
• Unaccountable Power Is Dangerous: Whether it’s the Federal Reserve or an oppressive regime, vigilance and demand for accountability are essential for lasting freedom.

Follow Goldie Ghamari:

• X (Twitter): @GGHAMARI