Podcast Summary: The Glenn Beck Program – Best of the Program | Guests: AG Ken Paxton & Salena Zito | April 9, 2025

Introduction

In the April 9, 2025 episode of The Glenn Beck Program, host Glenn Beck engages in a compelling discussion with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and renowned reporter Salena Zito. The conversation delves into pressing issues surrounding American politics, national security, economic policies, and the cultural landscape. Beck's incisive questions and the guests' candid responses offer listeners a deep dive into topics that shape contemporary American society.

Reuse of Bagram Air Force Base

00:00 – 03:00

Glenn Beck initiates the episode by addressing the controversial reuse of Bagram Air Force Base. He raises critical questions about the nature of the deal with Afghanistan and its broader implications, particularly concerning China's increasing influence as the trade war intensifies.

Notable Quote:

• Glenn Beck [00:00]: "Have we made a deal with Afghanistan to be allowed to reuse Bagram Air Force Base? If so, what does that mean? What are we doing? And is it the Chinese?"

Ken Paxton on Senate Candidacy and Stance Against John Cornyn

03:01 – 15:05

Ken Paxton discusses his Senate candidacy, positioning himself against incumbent Senator John Cornyn. He emphasizes his commitment to representing the people of Texas over Washington establishment interests. Paxton criticizes Cornyn's alignment with political elites and his efforts to impose gun restrictions, contrasting this with his own advocacy for Texas' autonomy and constitutional principles.

Key Points:

• Focus on Texas vs. Washington: Paxton asserts that Cornyn prioritizes D.C. interests over Texan constituents.
• Gun Legislation: He highlights his opposition to Cornyn's support for gun restrictions and his willingness to sue over legislative overreach.
• Electoral Challenges: Addressing potential conflicts of interest, Paxton mentions his attorney's representation of developers under investigation, indicating transparency concerns.

Notable Quotes:

• Ken Paxton [07:00]: "We are a free country. First Amendment, like clearly First Amendment. And you can believe whatever you want to believe in this country and still be free."
• Glenn Beck [10:08]: "For anybody who hasn't been paying attention for the last 400 years. Why? Why? What would be different between you and Cornyn?"
• Ken Paxton [10:08]: "He and I, his focus is in D.C., his focus is not on the people of Texas. My focus is on the people of Texas."

Trade War with China and National Security Concerns

15:05 – 33:18

The conversation shifts to the escalating trade war with China, exploring its strategic and economic ramifications. Paxton and Beck discuss the broader implications for American industry and national security, particularly in relation to the strategic significance of Bagram Air Force Base and China's Belt and Road Initiative.

Key Points:

• Strategic Importance of Bagram: Discussion on how China’s interest in Afghanistan ties into their global infrastructure projects.
• Economic Impact: Analysis of tariffs and their role in reshaping America's manufacturing and supply chains.
• National Security: Concerns over China's ability to leverage strategic locations like Bagram to advance their geopolitical objectives.

Notable Quotes:

• Glenn Beck [33:05]: "By the way, I think it's official, we are in a trade war. China just retaliated again a second time. What was it number this time? 54%."
• Ken Paxton [38:05]: "We need to make our supply chain be able to supply us. And if that makes me take a haircut, I'll take a haircut, because it's going to be better for my kids and my grandchildren."

Salena Zito’s Insights on “Butler” and U.S. Steel

16:46 – 28:33

Journalist Salena Zito shares her experiences covering the declining U.S. steel industry for her upcoming book, "Butler." She provides an insider's view of the challenges faced by American steelworkers, the impact of unfavorable trade deals, and the cultural significance of the steel industry in American communities.

Key Points:

• Inside U.S. Steel Mills: Zito describes her firsthand experience visiting a steel mill, highlighting the hard work and patriotism of steelworkers.
• Trade Agreements and Tariffs: She discusses the resistance to deals perceived as detrimental to American industry and the importance of tariffs in protecting domestic manufacturing.
• Future of American Industry: Emphasis on transitioning to advanced technologies and AI to revitalize the steel sector and create sustainable jobs.

Notable Quotes:

• Salena Zito [17:47]: "What does it do? It makes your appliances, it makes your cars, it makes your roads, it makes your building everything."
• Salena Zito [24:58]: "We need to make more stuff here. We need to make more stuff here. And we haven't been able to because corporations see how cheaply it can be made in China, how cheaply it can be made in Mexico or wherever."

Economic Policies and the Future of American Manufacturing

28:33 – 41:53

The discussion returns to economic strategies, focusing on the necessity of restructuring America's manufacturing landscape to reduce dependency on foreign nations. Zito and Paxton advocate for policies that support domestic production, technological advancement, and sustainable economic growth to secure the nation's future.

Key Points:

• AI and Modernization: Zito highlights the integration of AI in manufacturing as a pathway to creating high-tech jobs and revitalizing industries.
• Trade War as a Strategic Move: Beck and guests argue that the trade war is a long-term strategy to reclaim economic sovereignty, despite short-term pains.
• Public Perception: Emphasis on educating the American public about the broader goals behind economic policies beyond immediate economic metrics.

Notable Quotes:

• Jason Buttrell [35:04]: "We have to stop them from doing that in this overall trade war. Looking down the road a decade, two."
• Glenn Beck [41:22]: "This is going to cause a lot of temporary pain. And I'm not sure that the American people even understand truly what's going on. They think it's just about the economy."

National Security and Intelligence Operations

33:18 – 40:43

The episode delves into national security concerns related to the strategic positioning of U.S. military assets and intelligence operations. Beck and guest Jason Buttrell discuss the implications of reopening Bagram Air Force Base amidst rising tensions with China and the potential collaboration with the Taliban against common threats like ISIS-K.

Key Points:

• Strategic Reassessment of Bagram: Analysis of the base's role in counterterrorism and its potential use against Chinese expansion.
• Role of Intelligence and Military Assets: Speculation on possible covert operations and intelligence collaborations in Afghanistan.
• China’s Global Strategy: Examination of China's infrastructural ambitions and their impact on U.S. strategic interests.

Notable Quotes:

• Jason Buttrell [34:35]: "The Taliban doesn't like them [ISIS-K]. I believe they've worked with them in the past, but now it's a completely different state of the game."
• Glenn Beck [37:48]: "What is the Chinese relationship with Afghanistan? Because they've got to. I mean, Chinese need Afghanistan, too."

Conclusion and Future Outlook

41:53 – End

As the episode wraps up, Glenn Beck emphasizes the urgency of understanding and addressing the trade war's long-term implications. He hints at upcoming discussions with economic experts like Stephen Moore and Art Laffer to further dissect the ramifications of current policies. The episode closes with a reflection on the necessity of strategic patience and resilience in navigating America's path forward.

Notable Quotes:

• Glenn Beck [40:43]: "This is unsustainable. We are in bad shape and it's not sustainable."
• Glenn Beck [41:53]: "It's a hundred-year plan, longer than that now, being turned overnight. And it's, it's not going to it's going to cause some shocks along the way."

Final Thoughts

This episode of The Glenn Beck Program offers a multifaceted exploration of pivotal issues facing the United States, from national security and economic policies to the resilience of American industries. Through incisive dialogue with Ken Paxton and Salena Zito, Beck provides listeners with a nuanced understanding of the challenges and strategies essential for sustaining America's greatness.

For those interested in a deeper dive, the full podcast episode is available on BlazeTV and major podcast platforms.