The Glenn Beck Program: "Best of the Program"
Guest: Justin Haskins
Date: September 8, 2025
Episode Overview
In this episode, Glenn Beck returns from vacation with co-author and policy expert Justin Haskins. The discussion centers on the current state of American culture and politics, including a controversial police department decision in Michigan, shifting public attitudes among young voters, and Glenn’s personal reflections on the authenticity of contemporary American society. The episode is charged with concerns over national unity, the rise of socialism among younger generations, and the larger search for meaning in modern life.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Dearborn, Michigan Police Patch Controversy
Time: 03:27–15:41
- Issue: Dearborn Police introduced a uniform patch with Arabic script to connect with the local Muslim population.
- Glenn's Critique: Beck sees this as a departure from American assimilation and a dangerous precedent—he likens it to the “unmaking of America” and calls it "dangerously close to treason."
- Historical Comparison: Glenn references past immigrant communities (Catholics, Mormons, Jews) who faced persecution but assimilated without demanding government institutions reflect their religious or cultural symbols.
- Main Argument: America’s strength lies in its "melting pot" ethos of uniting under the Constitution, not fragmenting institutions for specific groups.
“We didn’t erase cultures. We elevate what unites us instead of elevating what divides us. And we don’t bend our civic institutions to mirror any kind of tribal or religious identities.”
— Glenn Beck (06:41)
- Call to Action: Glenn urges community leaders not to carve out religious exceptions and warns against government institutions bearing religious marks.
2. Polling Data: Young Voters, Socialism, and the Economy
Time: 15:42–29:41
A. Survey Methodology
- Sample: 1,200 respondents, aged 18–39, registered and likely to vote.
- Purpose: Gauge young voters’ political attitudes and economic outlook.
B. Surprising and Troubling Findings
- Trump Approval: 48% positive among young likely voters.
“48% had a positive approval rating of Donald Trump, which for young people is very high. That’s the good news. That’s the only good news we’re going to talk about.”
— Justin Haskins (17:02) - View of America: Only 28% see the U.S. as 'fundamentally good'; 17% believe it's 'fundamentally evil'.
- Attitude Toward Nationalization:
- Over 75% (including Republicans) agree that key industries (healthcare, energy, big tech) should be nationalized and controlled for 'equity’.
“The vast majority of Republicans, young Republicans... pretty similar... They all pretty much agreed, yes, the government should be nationalizing whole industries.”
— Justin Haskins (18:24)- Only 5% strongly disagree with this idea.
- Support for Democratic Socialism:
- 53% want a Democratic Socialist candidate to win the 2028 election.
- 35% of 2024 Trump voters in this demographic say they want a socialist president in 2028.
- Main Motivations: Top reason is high housing costs, followed by perceptions of unfair economics and taxes.
- Outlook on Personal Finances:
- 74% are “just getting by,” struggling, or “in crisis.”
- Only 24% feel they are doing well.
- Personal Well-being: Only 19% say they are "thriving"; about one-third feel “stuck or uncertain.”
- Home Ownership Confidence:
- 29% already own a home; 25% confident they will.
- About 22% are not confident or convinced they'll never own a home.
- Perceived Economic Fairness: 62% say the economy is unfair to young people.
C. Analysis
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Glenn and Justin agree that this tilt toward socialism is a “symptom” of young people’s frustration, not just a cause.
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Political symbols (“the flag,” “Ellis Island”) have lost personal meaning for younger Americans—leading to harder connections by traditional parties.
“We are speaking to them in red, white, and blue, and that means nothing... The Statue of Liberty means nothing to them."
— Glenn Beck (27:42) -
They worry young people support radical change out of economic desperation, not ideological alignment with socialism.
3. Cultural Reflections from Glenn's Vacation
Time: 29:42–End
A. Observations from Las Vegas
- Vegas as a Metaphor: Represents America’s obsession with money and spectacle, but lacking “real” or authentic connection.
- Cultural Emptiness: Describes the performances as "soulless" and the city's shift from fun to relentless profit-seeking.
“The house doesn’t want to spend any money on any star because they’ll have to pay stars more. So... nothing was authentic.”
— Glenn Beck (approx. 33:40)
B. New York City – Search for Something Real
- Cultural Rot: Finds both the uptown/downtown divide and consumerism largely identical, only packaged differently for different tribes.
- Social Isolation: Notes no one makes eye contact; city feels more divided and shallow than ever.
- Hunger for Purpose: Young people’s supposed 'non-conformity' is just consumerism in new packaging.
“It’s all garbage. It’s all the same garbage. It’s just packaged differently. And everybody thinks they’re so unique and they’re being sold the same garbage.”
— Glenn Beck (approx. 36:15)
C. Silver Linings: Authenticity in Art and Work
- Realness in Theater: Finds authenticity and passion in Broadway shows ("The Outsiders" and "Operation Mincemeat").
- Admiration for Hard Work: Honors those pouring passion into their craft, whether on stage, in a cab, or running a family diner.
“What was real was the relentless work... trying to bring these people from the past to life... They did it in a shockingly great way.”
— Glenn Beck (approx. 40:00)
- Positive Role Models: Praises Ralph Lauren's story as an “American” one, rooted in perseverance and pride.
- Conclusion: Sees America's hope in ordinary people’s pursuit of real value, hard work, and genuine connection.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
On Assimilation and American Unity
“Are we coming over here and we’re just going to live like Irishmen and live by the Irish laws, or are we going to bend to the Constitution of our new country? Catholics embraced it. Jews embraced it. Mormons embraced it. Baptists have embraced it. Millions of immigrants from every corner on the globe have embraced it. And that’s why we are who we are.”
— Glenn Beck (12:34)
On the New Generation's Discontent
“The idea that you would have three quarters of young voters... saying, ‘yeah, you know what, we should be nationalizing whole industries.’... I don’t think that conservatives understand how deeply rooted some of these ideas are with younger people.”
— Justin Haskins (18:24)
On Generational Disconnect
“We are speaking to them in red, white, and blue, and that means nothing. The Statue of Liberty means nothing to them... In America, they don’t relate to at all.”
— Glenn Beck (27:42)
On the Search for Authenticity
“And the truth we finally find, just when we think it’s just about too late, we find it... the things we’re all trying to avoid is the only true thing.”
— Glenn Beck (39:14)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 03:27 — Glenn opens discussion on the Declaration of Independence and Dearborn police patch controversy
- 06:41 — Emphasizing the importance of assimilation under the Constitution
- 15:42 — Justin Haskins joins the show to discuss polling data
- 17:02 — Young voters’ unexpected Trump approval rating
- 18:24 — Shocking support for nationalization among the young, including Republicans
- 21:17 — Over half want a Democratic Socialist candidate in 2028
- 22:49 — Economic despair among young adults: 74% struggling or worse
- 27:42 — Beck on generational disconnect with national symbols
- 29:42 — Glenn’s cultural reflections from vacation: Las Vegas and New York
- 33:40–40:00 — Glenn finds authenticity in Broadway, hard work, and personal stories
Summary Tone and Takeaways
In his trademark direct style, Glenn Beck bemoans signs of cultural and civic fragmentation, especially shifts in youth political attitudes and the loss of shared symbols. The episode blends somber warning with moments of hope, emphasizing that America's real magic is still found in honest work and true personal passion. Despite bleak data and cultural criticism, Beck points listeners toward the need for renewed authenticity and unity under constitutional values.