Podcast Summary: The Glenn Beck Program

Best of the Program | Guest: Sen. John Kennedy | 11/13/25
Date: November 13, 2025
Host: Glenn Beck
Guest: Senator John Kennedy

Overview

This episode of The Glenn Beck Program explores current American political controversies, the unsettling impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on culture, and the nuances of humanity in a high-tech era. Glenn discusses the latest news headlines, debunks sensational media claims about Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, and hosts a candid, witty conversation with Senator John Kennedy, who offers sharp insights and memorable one-liners about Washington politics.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

AI and the Meaning of Humanity

[03:21 - 15:53]

• Viral Billboard Chart: AI-Led Music

  • Glenn spotlights the current #1 song on the Billboard country music chart, created and sung entirely by an AI program.
  • Reflects on how AI-generated art and music challenge our notions of authenticity, talent, and “soul.”

• Philosophical Reflection: What Makes Us Human?

  • Glenn emphasizes the need to seriously consider what it means to be human as AI becomes more advanced:
    • “If a machine can sing soulfully and not have a soul, what does that mean?” (Glenn Beck, [08:44])
    • AI can mimic emotions, suffering, and creativity, but lacks true consciousness, compassion, or moral courage.
    • Only humans can “choose to love, to sacrifice, to tell the truth… There’s something inside of us that is so restless until we do create.”

• Concerns About AI’s Cultural Impact:

  • “Handmade, human made will come back into style at some point… but we are going to go through a period where it's going to get really scary.” (Glenn Beck, [08:44])
  • The age of AI could diminish humanity unless we intentionally seek to understand and protect what truly sets us apart.

• Notable Quote:
  "We are making artificial minds, but we are not making artificial life… What makes us us, we’re human. And that itself is a miracle that a machine cannot recreate."
  — Glenn Beck ([14:56])

Political Headlines: Drama in Washington

[16:54 - 25:03]

• Government Shutdown & Senate Negotiations:

  • Glenn and Sen. Kennedy discuss the latest short-term government reopening, the political motivations behind shutdown brinkmanship, and leadership challenges.
  • Kennedy humorously describes negotiations:
    • “I'd rather have a back alley colonoscopy than vote for something like that.” ([17:38])
    • Sen. Schumer’s “demands… so unserious. You had to have an Excel spreadsheet to track them.” ([18:08])

• Democratic Party Factions:

  • Kennedy labels left-wing Democrats “the Bolshevik wing, the moon wing,” and suggests Sen. Schumer is politically intimidated by the likes of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez:
    • “His testicles are on back order from China… They don't love him. They're never going to love him.” (Sen. John Kennedy, [19:12])

• Filibuster Future & Senate Dysfunction:

  • Kennedy supports the filibuster, contending it blocks bad legislation.
  • He acknowledges the Senate's inactivity and need to address real issues: “We need to get up off our ice cold lazy butts and go pass another reconciliation bill that addresses the things that moms and dads are worried about…” ([21:53])

• Tariffs and the Supreme Court:

  • Kennedy expresses mixed feelings on tariffs, especially with China, supporting a level playing field approach.

Media Narratives & Epstein-Related Allegations

[25:10 - 34:28]

• Debunking Epstein Email Claims About Trump:

  • Glenn and Stu scrutinize media reports suggesting incriminating new evidence about Donald Trump from Epstein’s emails:
    • The only “evidence” is old, already-public information about Trump being mentioned in the context of Mar-a-Lago and Epstein.
    • The so-called “victim” had previously publicly testified to no inappropriate conduct from Trump.
    • News outlets are criticized for misleading redactions, reframing old news as new scandal.

• Notable Moment: Media Critique

  • “You're presenting this as a new scandal, and you redacted that name. This is completely dishonest. The news media shouldn't even run with it.” — Glenn Beck ([31:12])

• Release of Epstein Files:

  • Discusses the push in Congress to unseal all Epstein-related documents. Glenn voices skepticism that genuine truth will emerge, citing prior control of information:
    • “If there was anything about Donald Trump, you don't think that would have come up between 2020 and 2024? There's nothing in there about Donald Trump.” ([34:00])

• Underrated Email: Vince Foster and Hillary Clinton

  • Glenn points out media’s lack of interest in another Epstein email hinting at rumors about Hillary Clinton and Vince Foster, suggesting selective outrage.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Filibuster:
  “The role of a senator is really twofold. Of course, it's to advance good ideas, but it's also to kill bad ideas. And we killed a lot of bad ideas with the filibuster.”
  — Sen. John Kennedy ([21:16])

• Classic Kennedy Zingers:
  "I'd rather have a back alley colonoscopy than vote for something like that." ([17:38])
  “I think his testicles are on back order from China.” (on Schumer, [19:12])

• On AI’s Threat and Promise:
  "We are making artificial minds, but we are not making artificial life...What makes us us, we're human. And that itself is a miracle that a machine cannot recreate."
  — Glenn Beck ([14:56])

• Media Misinformation:
  “You're presenting this as a new scandal, and you redacted that name. This is completely dishonest.”
  — Glenn Beck ([31:12])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:21] — AI-generated #1 Billboard country music song discussed
• [07:20] — Philosophical debate: What makes us human?
• [16:54] — Senator Kennedy joins; shutdown, Schumer, AOC
• [21:05] — Filibuster debate
• [22:49] — Supreme Court and tariffs
• [25:10] — Epstein/Trump emails: media framing & facts
• [34:01] — Full Epstein file release and skepticism

Tone and Style

Glenn Beck combines urgency and humor, using striking metaphors, philosophical musings, and sharp wit. Senator Kennedy matches Glenn’s approach with folksy, biting political zingers. The tone is candid, irreverent, but also reflective—especially in the discussion about AI and the essence of humanity.

Conclusion

This episode offers a vivid snapshot of contemporary political and cultural anxieties: government dysfunction, media manipulation, and AI-driven existential questions. Glenn Beck and Sen. John Kennedy blend spicy political commentary with thoughtful questions about the future of humanity in a world increasingly shaped by machines. Longtime listeners will enjoy the signature blend of skepticism, satire, and searching for deeper meaning.