Summary of "The Glenn Beck Program" Featuring Robby Starbuck | May 23, 2025
Podcast Information:
- Title: The Glenn Beck Program
- Host: Blaze Podcast Network
- Description: Storytelling, insight, and compelling perspective on American culture and politics. Glenn Beck's quick wit, candid opinions, and engaging personality have made this one of the most popular radio programs in America.
- Episode: Best of the Program | Guest: Robby Starbuck | 5/23/25
- Release Date: May 23, 2025
Introduction
In this special "Best of the Program" episode aired on May 23, 2025, Glenn Beck delves into a range of pressing issues facing American society, with a particular focus on the emerging challenges posed by artificial intelligence (AI). The episode features a compelling interview with Robby Starbuck, who shares his personal battle against Meta's AI-driven defamation. Throughout the program, Beck interweaves discussions on economic concerns, political developments, and cultural debates, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of the current American landscape.
AI Defamation and Robby Starbuck's Lawsuit Against Meta
One of the standout segments of the episode is the interview with Robby Starbuck, who discusses his lawsuit against Meta for defamation orchestrated by their AI systems. This discussion begins around the 19:44 mark and remains a central theme throughout the episode.
Key Points:
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Robby Starbuck's Experience: Robby explains that Meta's AI falsely accused him of participating in the January 6th events, leading to fabricated criminal charges and damaging his reputation.
Robby Starbuck (20:42): "I wasn't even in D.C. that day. So, like, this was totally wholesale, invented out of nowhere."
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Persistent Fabrications: He highlights that these defamatory statements are not isolated incidents but part of a pattern where Meta's AI labels him as a dangerous individual, even suggesting that authorities should remove his children from his custody.
Robby Starbuck (22:17): "It says that my kids would probably be better off in the care of somebody who is more accepting of transgenderism and DEI."
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Impact on Society: Both Beck and Starbuck express concerns about the broader implications of AI-driven defamation, warning of a future where AI can manipulate reputations, influence elections, and even impact legal outcomes.
Glenn Beck (28:39): "If this is allowed to go on, this is the beginning of it, and it will in five years. Forget about your freedom, your reputation. Everything will be gone if you oppose what the AI program says is the right way to go."
Notable Quotes:
- Glenn Beck (19:46): "I immediately wrote to Robbie, said Whatever you need. I will stand with you on this because I don't care."
- Robby Starbuck (27:22): "This could rig elections. And that's something that I think everybody should find untenable and unacceptable."
Economic Concerns: Inflation and Gas Prices
Beck addresses current economic issues, particularly focusing on inflation and gas prices, around the 00:30 to 05:07 marks.
Key Points:
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Gas Prices: Beck mentions that gas prices are at their lowest since 2003, though he notes that the purchasing power of the dollar has significantly decreased since then.
Glenn Beck (04:29): "Gas price lowest this weekend on Memorial Day weekend. Since it's been since 2003. Now you might say, but Glenn, it's $3 a gallon. Yes, but I remember it was less than $3 a gallon in 2003."
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Inflation Discussion: The conversation with Stu Burguiere explores potential solutions to inflation, emphasizing reduced government spending and cautioning against excessive borrowing.
Glenn Beck (04:36): "You stop spending so much money and you don't print money."
Notable Quotes:
- Stu Burguiere (04:29): "How do you stop something like that? Is there a path to maybe try to reduce inflation over a long period of time?"
- Glenn Beck (04:58): "No, that would not work. Not. I just wanted to make sure that you weren't one of the Marxist radicals that were like, collapse the system."
Legal and Political Updates
Throughout the episode, Beck provides updates on various legal and political matters, touching upon high-profile cases and governmental actions.
Key Points:
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Robby Starbuck's Case: Continued discussion on Starbuck's lawsuit against Meta, emphasizing the lack of accountability from large tech corporations.
Glenn Beck (27:33): "Meta came out. Okay, so we notified them in August 2020 about what was happening. They didn't do anything about it until nine months later when I came out with a video."
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Supreme Court Decisions: Beck highlights recent Supreme Court rulings favorable to former President Trump, including decisions on the firing of officials from independent federal agencies and abortion-related employment protections.
Glenn Beck (05:06): "A Trump judge has also killed Biden's requirement that employers accommodate workers' efforts to abort their own unborn children."
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Corporate Developments: Mention of John Deere's investment in U.S. operations as a positive step for American manufacturing and job creation.
Glenn Beck (11:15): "John Deere is deciding maybe we should be a little more American... they're going to invest $20 billion in U.S. operations over the next 10 years."
Notable Quotes:
- Glenn Beck (06:16): "But you did it. That's right there. Example of why Glenn Beck is in the radio hall of fame."
- Stu Burguiere (11:17): "Sounds so fun."
Separation of Church and State Debate
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to discussing Pete Hegseth's Pentagon prayer service and the ensuing controversy, spanning from 32:20 onward.
Key Points:
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Pentagon Prayer Service: Beck criticizes the New York Times and left-wing media for condemning Pete Hegseth's voluntary Christian prayer service at the Pentagon, arguing that historical precedents support the legitimacy of such events.
Glenn Beck (32:20): "Pete Hegseth's Pentagon prayer service... no one was required to attend. His pastor spoke at the service and paid his own way there."
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Historical Context: Beck references historical instances where U.S. government buildings hosted religious services, including presidents like Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln.
Glenn Beck (38:42): "The US Capitol served as a church building every Sunday for almost 70 years... George Washington issued proclamations for days of prayers all the time."
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Critique of Media Hypocrisy: He points out the inconsistency in media reactions, contrasting the outrage over the Christian prayer service with the acceptance of events like Pride Month and drag shows at federal institutions.
Glenn Beck (41:54): "Why do rainbow flags fly at federal buildings every June for Pride Month all month long?... Military bases around the world have hosted drag shows. Drag shows. You don't have a problem with that, but you have a problem with a church service."
Notable Quotes:
- Glenn Beck (32:32): "It's not a first Amendment violation. It is not."
- Glenn Beck (38:54): "The First Amendment says Congress shall not establish a religion or prohibit its free exercise. That's it."
Conclusion
Glenn Beck's episode on May 23, 2025, offers a deep dive into issues surrounding AI defamation, economic challenges, legal battles, and the ongoing debate over the separation of church and state. The interview with Robby Starbuck serves as a powerful testament to the potential dangers of unregulated AI, highlighting the urgent need for ethical boundaries in technology. Concurrently, Beck's commentary on economic and political matters provides listeners with a nuanced understanding of the current socio-political climate. The discussion on religious freedoms underscores the complexities of maintaining constitutional principles in a rapidly evolving societal landscape.
Listeners are encouraged to engage with these topics critically, advocate for responsible AI governance, and remain vigilant about preserving foundational American values.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps:
- Glenn Beck (19:46): "I immediately wrote to Robbie, said Whatever you need. I will stand with you on this because I don't care."
- Robby Starbuck (20:45): "It was totally wholesale, invented out of nowhere."
- Glenn Beck (22:41): "If this is allowed to go on, this is the beginning of it, and it will in five years. Forget about your freedom, your reputation."
- Glenn Beck (32:32): "It's not a first Amendment violation. It is not."
- Glenn Beck (38:54): "The First Amendment says Congress shall not establish a religion or prohibit its free exercise. That's it."
Final Thoughts
This episode of "The Glenn Beck Program" encapsulates urgent and multifaceted discussions pertinent to contemporary American society. From the perils of AI-driven defamation to the vital discourse on religious freedoms, Beck provides a platform for critical dialogue aimed at informing and empowering his audience.
