The Glenn Beck Program
Episode: Best of the Program | Guests: AG Ken Paxton & Kirk Cameron
Release Date: August 5, 2025
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.
1. Introduction to Key Topics (00:00 - 02:00)
Glenn Beck kicks off the episode by addressing pressing issues in American politics and culture. He highlights two main stories:
- Hyphenated Americans: Focusing on Congresswoman Delia Ramirez's controversial statement expressing pride in her Guatemalan heritage over her American identity.
- AI in Journalism: Discussing Jim Acosta's recent interview with an AI-generated version of Joaquin Oliver, a child killed in the Parkland massacre, which Beck criticizes as exploitative and unethical.
Beck introduces his guests, Kirk Cameron and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, setting the stage for an in-depth discussion on these topics.
2. The Issue of Hyphenated Americans and Congressional Loyalty (02:00 - 15:24)
Glenn Beck delves into the controversy surrounding Congresswoman Delia Ramirez:
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Ramirez's Statement: Beck quotes Ramirez saying, "I am a proud Guatemalan before I'm an American" during a summit in Mexico City. He argues this demonstrates a divided loyalty that undermines American sovereignty.
"This is a sitting member of Congress sworn to uphold the Constitution, says she's a Guatemalan before she's an American." [02:00]
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Allegations Against Ramirez: Beck points out that Ramirez's husband is reportedly in the country illegally, citing a Rolling Stone report. He uses this to question her commitment to immigration laws she advocates for.
"She should be denaturalized, deported maybe. Maybe that's what some members of Congress are calling for." [12:45]
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Historical Context: Beck references George Washington's farewell address and Theodore Roosevelt’s stance against hyphenated Americans, emphasizing the importance of unified national identity.
"There's no room in this country for hyphenated Americanism. Only Americans." [09:30]
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Call to Action: He urges for immediate consequences for Ramirez, including removal from committees and investigation into her husband's status, stressing that national allegiance should take precedence over multicultural pride.
"Citizenship loyalty review. You want a citizenship loyalty review? Yeah, yeah, we've had one in the past..." [14:50]
Beck emphasizes that this issue transcends politics, framing it as a moral and spiritual crisis for the nation.
3. Critique of AI in Media and Public Discourse (15:24 - 27:16)
Glenn Beck shifts focus to the ethical implications of artificial intelligence in media:
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Jim Acosta’s AI Interview: Beck describes Acosta's interview with an AI recreation of Joaquin Oliver as a "grotesque pantomime" and a "digital ventriloquist act," arguing it commodifies grief and turns it into political propaganda.
"It's a literal digital puppet of whatever the parents are thinking. It's not him. It just seemed to cross a really dangerous line." [34:20]
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Dangers of AI Manipulation: He warns about the future misuse of AI to resurrect deceased individuals for propaganda, terrorism, and erasing the sanctity of the soul.
"We're entering an age where the dead can be programmed to speak the words of the living... this is soul erasing." [26:15]
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Moral and Ethical Concerns: Beck calls for strong ethical boundaries and legal codification to prevent the misuse of AI in recreating human likenesses, emphasizing the loss of humanity and compassion.
"If we lose it in our culture, in our politics, in our mourning, in our journalism, then you got nothing left." [25:40]
This segment underscores Beck's apprehension about technological advancements outpacing moral and ethical standards.
4. Interview with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (27:16 - 36:20)
AG Ken Paxton joins the program to discuss political strategies in Texas amidst Democratic maneuvers:
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Gerrymandering and Arrest Warrants: Paxton explains the Republicans' response to Democrats leaving Texas for states like Illinois, New York, and Massachusetts to escape gerrymandering. He mentions issuing warrants for the arrest of absent Democrats, although he acknowledges the practical challenges in enforcing these warrants.
"They have issued warrants for the arrest of the Democrats. Are they coming home anytime soon?" [28:06]
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Political Hypocrisy: He criticizes Democrats for exploiting gerrymandered states to manipulate political outcomes, highlighting Illinois as a prime example where 82% of Congress members are Democrats despite a 48% Republican vote.
"It's really hypocritical in my mind what they're doing." [28:28]
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Legal and Procedural Tactics: Paxton discusses the potential legal avenues to remove absent Democrats from Congress, including special elections and appointments, while noting the slow nature of these processes.
"It's definitely not a fast process, although we're trying to figure out a way to fast track it." [30:20]
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Future Implications: Beck and Paxton debate the long-term effects of current political tactics, with Beck likening the situation to a "nuclear strike" against the republic.
"This is a nuclear weapon that they launched..." [31:05]
Paxton emphasizes the Republicans' commitment to maintaining control and countering Democratic strategies, reinforcing the ongoing political battle in Texas.
5. Discussion on Educational Policies and Woke Culture (36:20 - 47:55)
Following Paxton’s interview, the conversation shifts to educational policies and the impact of "woke" culture:
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Standardized Testing: Beck criticizes the Texas STAR testing system, arguing it stifles education by forcing teachers to focus on test preparation rather than genuine learning.
"You don't care about the middle. You're only playing to the extremes because you've cut everyone else out." [39:49]
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Impact on Schools: He laments how standardized testing creates a depressing educational environment, inhibiting critical thinking and moral reasoning among students.
"That's teaching you what to think and how to answer questions on a test that you've memorized." [40:00]
6. Interview with Kirk Cameron on Fighting "Woke" Culture and AI Concerns (47:55 - 52:21)
Kirk Cameron joins the show to share his experiences combating "woke" culture and his concerns about AI:
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Battle Against Library Censorship: Cameron recounts being banned from over 50 public libraries for attempting to read his children's book promoting faith and traditional values. He describes the subsequent reversal of these bans and the support from parents and grandparents advocating for moral education.
"When I showed up, there were thousands of parents and grandparents who were there to support a movement of getting back to the values in education." [42:42]
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Upcoming Events: He announces a partnership with the Trump administration to lead storytelling events at the Library of Congress, emphasizing the importance of maintaining faith and freedom in education.
"We're building a new [cultural] table. And now the Trump administration is pulling up a chair and we are about to change the cultural narrative." [44:04]
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AI and Human Relationships: Cameron expresses deep concerns about AI's role in human relationships, highlighting the ethical and moral dilemmas of AI-created companions and the erosion of genuine human connections.
"Nothing can touch. But I'll tell you, relief factor has given me a long, long life away from pain in my back..." [47:07]
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Moral Foundations: He stresses the necessity of moral reasoning and ethical standards to navigate the blurring lines between the real and the synthetic, advocating for a generation that can discern and uphold human values.
"We have to teach our Kids, discernment here, critical thinking... a generation that knows the difference between the real and artificial." [48:14]
Cameron aligns with Beck's concerns about AI, emphasizing the need for strong ethical guidelines to preserve human dignity and moral integrity.
7. Closing Remarks and Future Outlook (52:21)
The episode concludes with light-hearted banter between Beck and his co-host Stu Burguiere, touching on recent cultural moments perceived as symbolic of the "woke" movement's excesses. They reflect on how far the fight against such cultural shifts has come and the ongoing efforts to uphold traditional values in education and media.
Notable Quotes:
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Glenn Beck on Congressional Loyalty:
"You cannot have your loyalty to another country over your loyalty to the United States of America." [12:30] -
Glenn Beck on AI Ethics:
"This is soul erasing. This is post human." [26:20] -
Ken Paxton on Gerrymandering:
"The Democrats are going to do it. You can, you can sit back and say, well, philosophically, I'm against this and the Democrats are just going to control the House and the Senate forever because we're against this." [34:30] -
Kirk Cameron on Moral Education:
"We're building a new [cultural] table. And now the Trump administration is pulling up a chair and we are about to change the cultural narrative." [44:04]
Conclusion
This episode of The Glenn Beck Program presents a fervent critique of perceived threats to American identity and sovereignty, including political allegiance issues within Congress and the ethical implications of AI in media. Through incisive discussions with Ken Paxton and Kirk Cameron, Beck underscores the necessity of maintaining unified national values and moral integrity in the face of technological and cultural challenges. The conversations advocate for active participation in upholding constitutional principles and resisting forces that may dilute or misrepresent American ideals.
