Podcast Summary: Ep 252 | Why Conservatives Flipped to Supporting Trump’s Tariffs | The Glenn Beck Podcast
Release Date: April 5, 2025
Introduction
In Episode 252 of The Glenn Beck Program, host Glenn Beck engages in a deep-dive discussion with Kevin Roberts, President of the Heritage Foundation and political strategist behind Project 2025. The conversation centers on the surprising shift among conservatives towards supporting President Trump’s tariff policies—a move that has significant implications for American industry, international trade, and political dynamics.
1. The Conservative Shift to Supporting Tariffs
Glenn Beck opens the discussion by explaining Heritage Foundation's pivot on tariffs:
Glenn Beck [02:47]: “We can support tariffs, particularly if they're reciprocal tariffs and they are targeted on the worst violators... something with such a broad brush might be more damaging than the President intends.”
Roberts elaborates on this strategic shift, emphasizing the need for targeting specific economic adversaries rather than applying blanket tariffs:
Kevin Roberts [04:11]: “The most important thing is sustaining the political will for this administration... Heritage wants to support the sort of middle of the road position.”
2. Impact on Small Businesses
The conversation highlights real-world consequences of the tariffs on small businesses. Roberts shares personal anecdotes of friends facing closures due to tariff-induced costs, despite their support for Trump:
Kevin Roberts [04:51]: “I'm going to be out of business... they're going to go out of business and there's going to be a chain reaction that's very unintended here.”
Beck responds by advocating for a balanced approach that includes a timeline for small businesses to adjust:
Glenn Beck [05:37]: “Focus on reciprocal tariffs that focus on China and other bad actors, while implementing a ramp for small businesses to adjust.”
3. Presidential Administration’s Strategy and Political Will
Roberts praises President Trump’s leadership and ability to maintain momentum despite challenges in Congress:
Kevin Roberts [08:57]: “Donald Trump is the best negotiator I've ever seen... he loves America as much as me.”
Beck concurs, attributing the administration's ability to navigate economic challenges to its strong and competent cabinet:
Glenn Beck [09:31]: “He's got a cabinet that I think is the best assembled in modern history.”
4. International Reactions and Geopolitical Implications
The episode delves into international responses to the tariff policies, particularly from the European Union, Canada, and Mexico. Roberts criticizes Trudeau and other leaders for their protectionist stances:
Kevin Roberts [32:51]: “They are going to try to stop it... sabotage.”
Beck expresses confidence in American resilience and the administration's strategy to handle international pushback:
Glenn Beck [33:07]: “Regular people in the United States and in these European countries have had enough. It's imperative that President Trump really gets a detailed plan on reciprocal tariffs.”
5. Economic Policies Beyond Tariffs
Roberts emphasizes that tariffs alone won't revitalize the economy; they must be complemented by deregulation, tax cuts, and budget reductions:
Kevin Roberts [11:42]: “Tariffs alone will not do the job... you have to have actual tax cuts for people who are going to build businesses and hire people and massive deregulatory actions.”
Beck agrees, highlighting the necessity of a comprehensive economic overhaul:
Glenn Beck [12:53]: “Even tariff benefits won't materialize without deregulation and tax cuts.”
6. Future Outlook and Political Implications
The discussion shifts to the potential long-term effects of tariff policies on American leadership and economic supremacy. Beck draws parallels to historical economic leadership:
Glenn Beck [26:30]: “We actually take our place back prior to the Progressive Era... coming up with electricity, lighting up cities.”
Roberts warns of internal threats and stresses the importance of maintaining unity within the Republican Party to achieve policy goals:
Kevin Roberts [35:39]: “We're fighting against terrorism within the political landscape... it’s vital that the administration cannot forget the importance of keeping people on the team.”
7. Concluding Remarks
As the episode wraps up, Beck and Roberts reaffirm their belief in the administration’s policies and their potential to restore American industrial strength and global standing. They underscore the importance of reciprocal tariffs as a tool for economic fairness and national revitalization.
Glenn Beck [49:26]: “It's imperative that President Trump and his administration really get a detailed plan on reciprocal tariffs... this makes them more vulnerable to sabotage.”
Kevin Roberts [50:27]: “We are like brothers. Rate and subscribe to the podcast and pass this on to a friend so it can be discovered by other people.”
Key Takeaways
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Strategic Tariffs: Heritage Foundation supports targeted, reciprocal tariffs aimed at major economic violators like China, diverging from previous conservative free-trade stances.
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Small Business Impact: Tariffs present immediate financial challenges for small businesses, necessitating supportive measures and phased implementation.
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Comprehensive Economic Reform: Successful economic revitalization requires a combination of tariffs, deregulation, tax cuts, and budget reductions.
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International Resistance: Major trading partners may retaliate against U.S. tariff policies, but there is confidence in American resilience and unity.
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Political Unity: Maintaining cohesion within the Republican Party is crucial for passing necessary economic reforms and countering internal sabotage.
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Long-Term Vision: Emphasis on rebuilding American industrial capacity and leadership in emerging technologies, such as nuclear power and AI, to secure future economic dominance.
This episode provides insightful analysis into the evolving conservative approach to trade policy, the complexities of implementing tariffs, and the broader implications for American politics and the economy.