Podcast Summary: The Glenn Beck Program - Best of the Program | Guests: Matt Kibbe & David Harsanyi | February 5, 2025
Introduction
In the February 5, 2025 episode of The Glenn Beck Program on the Blaze Podcast Network, host Glenn Beck engages in a profound discussion with guests Matt Kibbe and David Harsanyi. The episode delves into critical issues surrounding American politics, foreign policy, and controversial scientific research, particularly focusing on USAID's activities and the implications of gain-of-function research in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
1. Trump's Stance on Israel and Middle East Policy
Guest: David Harsanyi
Glenn Beck initiates the conversation by highlighting a significant press conference featuring former President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu. The focus is on Trump's contemplation of Israel's potential annexation of Judea and Samaria (the West Bank).
- Trump’s Perspective on Annexation:
- Glenn Beck [03:00]: "One of the craziest press conferences... with Donald Trump and Bibi Netanyahu."
- David Harsanyi [04:19]: "The very idea that a president would be so pro-Israel and dismiss the idea that Gaza belongs to Palestinian people... is more important than people realize."
Harsanyi emphasizes the drastic shift from the previous administration, noting the lack of seriousness about establishing a Palestinian state for peace.
- Impact on Gaza:
- Glenn Beck [06:10]: "I don't think what he's doing is about developing Gaza as a resort but about pushing a more severe agenda."
- David Harsanyi [07:31]: "They created a monster, in essence. So I think Donald Trump should pressure Jordan and Egypt to take responsibility."
The discussion underscores Trump's strategy of breaking the Overton window to normalize previously outrageous policies, such as the mass relocation of Gazans to neighboring countries like Jordan or Egypt.
2. USAID: Corruption and Hidden Agendas
Guest: Glenn Beck and Matt Kibbe
The conversation transitions to a critical examination of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Beck and Kibbe argue that USAID operates as a CIA front, engaging in covert operations that undermine foreign regimes to further U.S. interests.
- USAID’s Covert Operations:
- Glenn Beck [15:57]: "USAID was running a top-secret espionage program to undermine Cuba and push people to dissent."
- Matt Kibbe [19:48]: "It's a money laundering scheme to do this mad science experiments that they couldn't do legally otherwise."
They discuss the lack of transparency within USAID, highlighting the agency's failure to track funds appropriately, which raises suspicions about the misuse of taxpayer money.
- Lack of Accountability:
- Glenn Beck [16:50]: "They have no way to track if it made a difference at all. That doesn't make any sense."
- Matt Kibbe [23:28]: "It's a money laundering scheme... They couldn't do legally otherwise."
Beck criticizes USAID for its excessive indirect costs, questioning how such a large portion of funds can be allocated without proper oversight.
- Excessive Indirect Costs:
- Glenn Beck [25:00]: "Joni Ernst found that USAID spent anywhere from 50 to 60% on indirect costs like rent and fancy dinners."
- Matt Kibbe [28:24]: "The risk grows exponentially as you expand the program... if you have a couple universities and labs doing this research."
The guests argue that USAID funds are often diverted to support revolutionary activities and NGOs that may not align with the original mission of the agency.
3. The COVID Up Documentary: Exposing Gain-of-Function Research
Guest: Matt Kibbe
Matt Kibbe introduces his documentary series, The COVID Up, which examines the origins and responsibility behind the COVID-19 pandemic. The fourth episode, titled "The Smoking Gun," presents evidence linking gain-of-function research to the creation and spread of COVID-19.
- Origins of Gain-of-Function Research:
- Matt Kibbe [17:15]: "It starts with Dick Cheney, who has an obsession about the limits to the government's ability to develop bioweapons agents."
- Glenn Beck [23:56]: "Why would Fauci do this? There's almost every scientist saying, don't do this."
Kibbe details Dr. Anthony Fauci's pivotal role in expanding gain-of-function research, highlighting his influence over USAID, NIAID, and NIH funds since 2014.
- Fauci’s Expansion of Research:
- Matt Kibbe [22:39]: "Starting in 2015, Fauci and Francis Collins began willfully ignoring laws against gain-of-function research on coronaviruses."
- Glenn Beck [25:47]: "Fauci has a God complex... he controls the science."
The documentary also explores the ethical breaches and lack of oversight in bioweapons research, drawing parallels to historical events like Operation Paperclip.
- Ethical Concerns:
- Matt Kibbe [20:42]: "Dick Cheney was chafing against treaties that prohibited bioweapons research, leading to covert experimentation."
- Glenn Beck [26:01]: "Fauci controls the science and dismisses dissent as disagreeing with science."
Beck and Kibbe argue that the unchecked expansion of gain-of-function research poses significant risks, likening it to handling "nitroglycerin in a paint shaker."
- Risks of Unchecked Research:
- Glenn Beck [28:05]: "This is probably closer to killing us right now because all it takes is one mistake in any of these crazy labs."
- Matt Kibbe [28:24]: "The risk grows exponentially as you expand the program."
4. Media and Political Response to USAID and Gain-of-Function Research
Guest: Matt Kibbe and David Harsanyi
The discussion critiques the media's portrayal and political narratives surrounding USAID and gain-of-function research. Beck and his guests suggest that mainstream media and political figures downplay or misrepresent the extent of corruption and ethical violations.
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Media Downplay:
- David Harsanyi [09:50]: "The media trains us to say occupied territory... these are legitimate things to say."
- Matt Kibbe [26:49]: "Most people don't remember Fauci's misconduct because the program expands and obscures the issues."
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Political Manipulation:
- Glenn Beck [09:03]: "What credibility do they have to complain about executive power?"
- David Harsanyi [11:05]: "No party has presented a coherent plan to counteract the left's projections of fascism and corruption."
The guests argue that political entities, particularly those on the left, are projecting fascistic behaviors while simultaneously engaging in or allowing corrupt practices through agencies like USAID.
- Projection of Fascism:
- Glenn Beck [09:03]: "The left talks about fascism and the death of democracy, yet engages in similar corrupt practices."
- David Harsanyi [10:43]: "What's more fascistic than paying off organs of political journalism to attack the enemy."
They call for greater accountability and transparency, urging listeners to demand the exposure and punishment of corrupt officials.
5. Conclusion and Final Remarks
Glenn Beck wraps up the episode by reiterating the importance of exposing corruption within USAID and the dangers posed by unchecked scientific research. He emphasizes the need for American citizens to remain vigilant and push for governmental accountability.
- Call to Action:
- Glenn Beck [28:48]: "This has to be completely exposed. Every name needs to come out, and there needs to be punishments."
- Matt Kibbe [29:23]: "If Elon Musk is revealing all of this, we need to listen and act now."
Beck stresses that without intervention, the continued expansion of corrupt agencies and risky scientific endeavors could have catastrophic consequences for the nation and the world.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
- Glenn Beck [03:38]: "Donald Trump is breaking the Overton window... what was outrageous before now looks very reasonable."
- David Harsanyi [04:19]: "A president being so pro-Israel and dismissive of Palestinian statehood is unprecedented."
- Matt Kibbe [17:15]: "The origins of Fauci's power are tied to gain-of-function research funded post-9/11."
- Glenn Beck [25:47]: "Fauci controls the science and dismisses dissent as disagreeing with science."
- Matt Kibbe [28:24]: "The risk grows exponentially as you expand the program."
Key Takeaways
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Foreign Policy Shifts: The episode highlights significant shifts in U.S. foreign policy under Trump's administration, particularly concerning Israel and the Palestinian territories.
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USAID’s Controversial Role: USAID is portrayed as a covert operation with deep ties to the CIA, engaging in activities that undermine foreign regimes and misappropriate funds.
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Ethical Concerns in Scientific Research: The discussion exposes the dangers of gain-of-function research, emphasizing the roles of prominent figures like Dr. Anthony Fauci in expanding potentially catastrophic scientific endeavors.
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Media and Political Critique: Beck and his guests criticize the media and political landscape for downplaying corruption and ethical violations, calling for greater transparency and accountability.
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Call to Action: The episode urges listeners to demand accountability from government agencies and to remain vigilant against corrupt practices that threaten national and global security.
Conclusion
This episode of The Glenn Beck Program serves as a compelling exposé on the intersection of politics, foreign policy, and scientific research. Through insightful discussions with Matt Kibbe and David Harsanyi, Glenn Beck provides listeners with a critical perspective on USAID's operations and the ethical implications of gain-of-function research. The episode calls for heightened awareness and action to address these pressing issues, reinforcing the program's commitment to uncovering and challenging corruption within influential institutions.
