Podcast Summary: The Glenn Beck Program

Episode 264 | Is Cloud Seeding Playing God? Trump EPA Chief Reacts | Lee Zeldin
Date: August 23, 2025
Host: Glenn Beck
Guest: EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin

Overview

In this episode, Glenn Beck interviews Lee Zeldin, the newly appointed Administrator of the EPA under President Trump. The conversation dives into issues ranging from cloud seeding and geoengineering concerns to sweeping deregulation at the EPA, criticism of environmental policies, and measures aimed at restoring American energy dominance and auto industry jobs. Lee Zeldin shares candid and in-depth perspectives on the direction of American environmental policy, regulatory reform, and administrative challenges, while also addressing criticisms from within and outside the agency.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The EPA’s Role: Between Environment and Economy

• Zeldin’s Vision:
  Zeldin outlines a philosophy where protecting the environment and growing the economy aren’t mutually exclusive. He critiques previous administrations for regulations that he claims “obliterated the coal industry” and imposed unaffordable mandates on Americans ([03:56]).
• Following the Law:
  He emphasizes a strict, literal application of statutes, referencing the recent Supreme Court decision overturning the Chevron doctrine (Loper Bright case), which limits regulatory agency interpretation ([05:11]).

2. Cloud Seeding, Chemtrails, and Geoengineering

• Public Concerns:
  Glenn brings up fears about cloud seeding, chemtrails, and geoengineering as "playing God," referencing both U.S. and international efforts ([05:11]).
• Zeldin’s Response:
  The EPA is increasing transparency, publishing information about geoengineering on its website. Zeldin expresses concern over “solar radiation modifications, stratospheric aerosol injection, marine cloud brightening,” and warns of real health and environmental risks, especially when such technologies are untested or executed unilaterally ([06:28‐09:15]).
• Quote:

  “You have people who just want to do it on their own… No, that doesn’t sound good. It doesn’t sound right and it shouldn’t happen.”
  — Lee Zeldin (07:52)

3. Climate Change Policy and the 2009 Endangerment Finding

• Historical Context:
  Zeldin critiques the 2009 endangerment finding for relying on “pessimistic predictions” and using “extraordinarily creative reading” of the Clean Air Act to enable far-reaching regulation ([12:55]).
• Major Policy Doctrine:
  He argues that major, trillion-dollar regulatory decisions should be made by Congress, not federal agencies. References recent Supreme Court cases supporting this view ([14:52]).

4. Waste, Abuse, and Internal Reform at EPA

• Financial Oversight:
  Zeldin reveals large sums funneled through “environmental justice” grants, alleging that much is captured by activist groups rather than real remediation efforts.

  “We have now canceled over $29 billion worth of grants—three times the size of EPA’s annual operating budget.”
  — Lee Zeldin (19:11)

• Organizational Downsizing:
  Under Zeldin, EPA staffing is being reduced by 23% and various cost-saving measures are implemented (closing a museum, canceling expensive subscriptions), saving $750 million annually ([21:52]).

5. Resistance, Bureaucracy, and ‘Deep State’ Pushback

• Dissent Within:
  Glenn asks about reports of internal backlash; Zeldin asserts most staff understand political swings but criticizes a recent public letter from some staff urging policy directions against the current administration’s will ([22:57]).
• Quote:

  “You can't, as an employee in an agency… always insist that whatever the policy and ideology is... is etched in stone like it’s a commandment. The pendulum will swing because the American public voted for it.”
  — Lee Zeldin (23:31)

6. Energy Policy: Deregulation & Infrastructure

• Immediate Deregulatory Actions:
  On March 12, over 30 deregulatory actions were announced. Zeldin notes the media's resistance and misrepresentation of these efforts ([27:49]).
• Energy Security:
  He champions enhanced coal, nuclear, drilling, mining, and pipeline infrastructure for energy dominance and AI competitiveness, warning against reliance on intermittent sources like wind and solar ([31:06], [32:21]).
• Quote:

  “We need more baseload power. We need more coal. We need nuclear… We need more coal plants, more nuclear. We should be transporting natural gas.”
  — Lee Zeldin (28:35)

7. The Path Forward for Nuclear Energy

• Permitting & Fast-Tracks:
  Glenn laments the US’s lag in building new nuclear plants. Zeldin promises rapid action, referencing President Trump’s public quip to approve nuclear permits in two weeks.

  “We want to get this stuff approved as quickly as possible… We are here to help.”
  — Lee Zeldin (37:46)

• Collaborative Government Response:
  The new National Energy Dominance Council is coordinating across agencies to streamline processes and remove silos ([37:13]).

8. Restoring Auto Sector Jobs

• Electric Vehicle (EV) Mandate Rollback:
  Zeldin details the reversal of California’s EV mandates and associated waivers, as well as rescinding tailpipe greenhouse gas regulations ([41:58]).

9. Timetable for Change

• How Fast Can Change Happen?
  Glenn asks if four years is enough for lasting reform. Zeldin says for the EPA, most priorities are within a one to one-and-a-half year window, aiming for rapid, front-loaded action ([44:47]).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Geoengineering:

  “We are just thinking that we’re all powerful… When we make mistakes on stuff like this now, the whole world will pay for it.”
  — Glenn Beck ([08:32])

• On Regulatory Overreach:

  “There should be a zero tolerance policy for any waste and abuse.”
  — Lee Zeldin ([18:46])

• On Internal Dissent:

  “There are Americans out there like, ‘none of that matters. Why are you focusing on these little things?’ Well, maybe it doesn’t matter to you, but each of those things I just mentioned matter to millions of Americans.”
  — Lee Zeldin ([24:54])

• On Media Bias and Regulations:

  “The media on the left has just been so dishonest about it… if you have to lie and deceive, well… you probably lost the argument before you even started.”
  — Lee Zeldin ([30:31])

Important Timestamps

• 03:16 – Glenn introduces Zeldin, outlining his controversial reputation and goals.
• 06:28 – Zeldin addresses cloud seeding, chemtrails, and geoengineering risks.
• 12:55 – Zeldin explains the historic significance of the 2009 endangerment finding.
• 19:11 – Discussion of EPA financial oversight, grant cancellation, and agency reform.
• 21:52 – EPA staff downsizing and cost-cutting measures.
• 22:57 – Zeldin responds to internal EPA resistance.
• 27:49 – Energy deregulation announcements and media coverage.
• 31:06 – Glenn challenges green energy myths with his own off-grid experience.
• 37:13 – Fast-tracking new power plant permits and cooperative government framework.
• 41:58 – Auto industry restoration plan and EPA’s role.
• 44:47 – Timetable for achieving goals at EPA.
• 46:13 – Glenn reflects on Zeldin’s career trajectory and impact.

Episode Tone & Takeaway

The episode is rich with Zeldin’s assertive, policy-driven rhetoric and Glenn Beck’s sharp skepticism of bureaucracy and “green” policies. Both advocate for swift reforms, less regulatory power in agency hands, and deeper energy independence, often couched in populist, anti-government-overreach terms.

For those interested in the future of U.S. environmental policy, energy infrastructure, and the current trajectory of federal regulatory agencies, this conversation spotlights both the practical changes and the philosophical battles shaping America’s approach to balancing environmental protection with economic growth.