The Glenn Beck Program

Episode: "Fact-Check: Tim Walz Is (Politically) Retarded" | Guests: Gov. Greg Abbott & Sister Christina | December 5, 2025
Host: Glenn Beck (with co-host Stu)
Podcast Network: Blaze Podcast Network
Duration: ~130 minutes

Overview

This episode of The Glenn Beck Program brings a mix of sharp political commentary, cultural critique, and a segment highlighting faith-based activism. Glenn Beck tackles the week's biggest political stories with his characteristic blend of exasperation, sardonic humor, and earnest cultural analysis. Key topics include the January 6th pipe bomber investigation, Texas redistricting and Islamic influence, New York City’s political trajectory, the moral crisis in Western civilization, and the simplicity and faith of modern nuns. Glenn is joined by Governor Greg Abbott for insight on Texas political and legal developments and Sister Katrina Christina to share the story of her order’s ministry to abortion clinic workers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. January 6th Pipe Bomber Update

• [04:39–14:44]
  Glenn expresses deep skepticism over the FBI’s recent arrest of Brian Cole Jr. for the January 6th pipe bombings:

  • For five years, authorities have failed to make progress, repeatedly citing "erased" cell phone data and lost records.
  • Now, the DOJ and FBI present new evidence—cell phone pings and purchases linking Cole to bomb materials—despite previously reported “corrupted” data.
  • Glenn questions the sudden reversal:

    “All of the cell phone data has been corrupted ... when did they uncorrupt the corrupted information? How did they do that?” — Glenn Beck [09:35]

  • Skepticism is heightened by conflicting reports surrounding earlier suspects, such as a Capitol Police officer ruled out due to "playing with puppies" at the time.
  • Blaze News retracted a report naming another suspect but stands by its sources, leaving Glenn and viewers frustrated and unsure what to believe.

  Memorable quote:

  “I just want an ending to this story. I want the true ending. ... I don't know what to believe on any story anymore. I am so glad that I am out of the news business.” — Glenn Beck [13:36]

2. Texas Politics & Redistricting: Interview with Governor Greg Abbott

• [48:45–60:34]
  Governor Greg Abbott joins Glenn to discuss:

  • The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to let Texas use its newly redrawn (and GOP-favored) congressional map, likely granting Republicans five additional House seats.
  • The importance for state sovereignty and adherence to constitutional precedent, with Abbott calling the lower court’s anti-Texas ruling “the worst beat down … I’ve ever seen imposed by the U.S. Supreme Court.” [48:57]
  • Litigation is ongoing, but the Supreme Court’s language signals Texas is “likely to win.”
  • Broader issues with activist lower courts undermining federal constitutional authority.
  • Abbott’s actions against the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), pressing for its removal as a 501(c)(3), citing connections to designated terrorist groups:

    “If CAIR doesn't want to be labeled as a terrorist organization ... it needs to stop supporting those who are identified by the federal government as supporters of terrorism.” — Gov. Abbott [54:46]

  • Update on the Meadow (formerly EPIC City) Islamic enclave project in Texas—a compound believed to be intended as a “Muslim-only community”; Abbott assures that investigations by multiple state agencies continue even after rebranding.
  • Discussion of the radical cleric behind the project, his past statements advocating Sharia punishments, and continued state scrutiny.

3. Western Civilization’s Crisis of Meaning

• [25:06–38:01]
  In a reflective, philosophical monologue, Glenn Beck draws a parallel between the West’s spiritual emptiness and Houellebecq’s novel Submission:

  • Summarizes the story of an academic whose moral and spiritual emptiness renders him passive in the face of an Islamic takeover in France.
  • Contrasts Western malaise—characterized by “broken families and fragile identities”—with the violent, but purposeful dedication of Islamists.
  • Warns that meaninglessness, not external hatred, is the real threat to the West, making societies vulnerable to ideological conquest.
  • Urges listeners to rediscover meaning through faith, family, virtue, and history, recounting his own recovery from alcoholism to illustrate hitting “bottom” and finding purpose:

    “Without meaning, we're not vulnerable. We've already been conquered. But with meaning—true God-given meaning—nothing will stop us.” — Glenn Beck [35:16]

4. New York City’s Changing Politics

• [16:22–23:21]
  Glenn and Stu lampoon progressive appointments in NYC government, warning that activists and individuals with criminal records are being installed in key posts, reversing improvements made by previous mayors, and predicting worsening safety and homelessness.

  • Notable commentary on irony and cyclical decline:

    “When things go well … [NYC] make sure to light everything on fire.” — Stu [19:35]

  • Sarcasm about policy proposals such as converting skyscrapers into homeless shelters.

5. Cultural and Political Satire: Tim Walz, Language Policing, and Somali Community

• [69:01–83:13]
  Glenn and Stu discuss Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s outrage at being called “retarded” by the President, skewering the performative outrage and double standards regarding political name-calling.

  • Glenn openly muses on the playground use of the “R word,” reflecting on changing cultural norms and their own upbringing:

    “On the playground … you remember what your mother said? ‘Sticks and stones can break your bones, but words will never hurt you.’” — Glenn Beck [70:45]

  • Contrasts the outrage over ableist slurs with the regular use of terms like "Nazi" and "fascist" in politics.
  • Segment pivots to debate about the Somali community’s role in Minnesota, citing a state senator’s claim that Minnesota "could not survive nor thrive" without Somali contributions, then breaking down tax and fraud-related statistics in skeptical fashion:

    “Which one’s larger? One billion or 67 million? ... Anyone who says that that math works out is retarded.” — Glenn Beck [75:49]

6. Faith-Based Activism: Interview with Sister Katrina Christina

• [93:09–104:33]
  Glenn interviews Sister Katrina Christina, a Capuchin Sister of Nazareth, about her convent’s involvement in sending handwritten Christmas cards, through Abby Johnson’s "And Then There Were None" ministry, to abortion clinic workers in hopes of inspiring them to leave the industry.

  • Sister Christina describes their life of prayer, simplicity, and joy, providing a stark counterpoint to the secular, digital world.
  • The sisters’ ministry has contributed to hundreds of clinic workers leaving the abortion business.
  • Sister explains that prayer is both their primary ministry and “the real battleground.”
  • Glenn highlights the peace and happiness among the sisters as a model for listeners:

    “There's something to that lifestyle ... we probably should do more of anyway.” — Glenn Beck [94:31]

  • Sister’s humility and humor shine through:

    “People always say, ‘Oh, aren’t you blessed [not to have technology]?’ And I was like, ‘Well, you could do it, too.’” — Sister Katrina Christina [94:31]

7. Glenn’s Reflections and Confessions

• [120:34–126:14]
  Beck shares his regret at having harshly misjudged Donald Trump in the past, providing a personal anecdote about Trump’s genuine kindness and relating it to media mischaracterizations:

  “He’s not anything that you think he is … they are always mocking and always talking about [him]." — Glenn Beck [125:09]

8. Other Notable Moments

• Banter with Stu about holiday shopping procrastination and the inadequacies of online checkout [62:04–67:19].
• Sarcastic exchange about leftist interpretations of the "cowboy aesthetic" in pop culture and Trump’s supposed association with "rural life" [116:35–119:28].

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Mistrust of Federal Law Enforcement:

  “Do you trust the FBI? I used to. I don't distrust the FBI, but I don't trust the FBI.” — Glenn Beck [14:44]

• Response to Media Confusion:

  “I wouldn't want to be in God's news department right now. ... I just want the truth.” — Glenn Beck [14:10]

• On the Meaning Crisis:

  “We've become a civilization … of spiritual malnutrition. ... If we don't have meaning, we're not vulnerable. We've already been conquered.” — Glenn Beck [28:22 & 35:16]

• Abbott on Court Decision:

  “This was maybe the worst beat down of a lower court decision that I've ever seen imposed by the United States Supreme Court.” — Gov. Abbott [48:57]

• On Addressing Cultural Decay:

  “Meaning is the only thing that defeats this.” — Glenn Beck [32:23]

• Abbott on Muslim Enclave Investigation:

  “Just because they changed the name to The Meadow doesn't mean they're going to be able to set up an Islamic-only community.” — Gov. Abbott [57:26]

• Satirical Comment on NYC Policy Cycles:

  “This is typical New York City. ... They make sure to light everything on fire.” — Stu [19:35]

• Sister Christina on Prayer:

  “I think we're the happiest people on this earth … not just because we don't have technology, but because we have the Lord.” — Sister Katrina Christina [94:31]

Important Timestamps

• (04:39–14:44): Deep dive into the January 6th pipe bomber story and media mistrust.
• (25:06–38:01): Glenn’s meditation on Western civilizational decline and meaning.
• (48:45–60:34): Interview with Gov. Greg Abbott on redistricting, CAIR, and the Meadow investigation.
• (69:01–83:13): Satire and analysis of Minnesota politics, language policing, and community fraud allegations.
• (93:09–104:33): Interview with Sister Katrina Christina on her convent’s pro-life outreach.
• (120:34–126:14): Glenn’s personal story of misjudging Trump and lesson on media narratives.

Tone & Language

The tone toggles between sardonic, exasperated, and sincerely reflective—typical of Glenn Beck’s persona. Political satire and cultural critique are joined by moments of earnest self-disclosure and religious inspiration. Beck deploys playground sarcasm, biting analogies, and religious metaphors, sticking closely to his and his guests’ natural spoken rhythm and manner.

Conclusion

This episode is a vivid portrait of The Glenn Beck Program: equal parts political polemic, cultural critique, and personal testimony—rounded off with moments of faith and charity. Listeners are left with a challenge to rediscover meaning in a time of chaos, a reinforced skepticism about government and media, and a rare glimpse of genuine good at work through simple, prayerful lives. Whether lampooning Tim Walz or reflecting on the courage of nuns, Beck’s mix of wit, alarm, and hope permeates the broadcast.