The Glenn Beck Program: Glenn Beck Reacts to Passing of Pope Francis | Guest: Daniel Cocatajlo | April 21, 2025

Host: Glenn Beck
Guest: Daniel Cocatajlo (Executive Director, AI Futures Project)
Release Date: April 21, 2025
Network: Blaze Podcast Network

1. Introduction

The episode begins with Glenn Beck greeting his audience from Washington, D.C., expressing his anticipation of meeting with the President and various administration officials later in the week. Beck sets the tone for the program by addressing pressing political and cultural issues, positioning his show as a platform for unfiltered truth and critical analysis.

2. The Passing of Pope Francis and Vatican Intrigue

Beck delves into the recent passing of Pope Francis, providing a critical analysis of Vatican politics and the implications for the Catholic Church.

• Glenn Beck [06:13]:
  "Also, we want to talk, really? I have a few things to say about all of this. Back and forth on Donald Trump being again as dangerous as Hitler because he's sending people out, liquidating people. He's what he is going to do."

Beck discusses his previous encounter at the Vatican in 2013, recounting an experience at the Vatican archives where he observed internal conflicts that he believes led to Pope Benedict's resignation—a historic event as Benedict was the first pope in 600 years to resign. Beck interprets this as a "soft coup" orchestrated by progressive factions within the Church aligned with globalist agendas.

• Beck's Analysis [06:18]:
  "There was a quiet coup inside of the walls of the Vatican. The first public victim of the deep state was not a president of the United States. It was... it was Pope Benedict."

He contrasts Pope Benedict's traditionalist and immovable stance with Pope Francis's more progressive, climate-focused approach, suggesting that this shift signals a broader moral and doctrinal realignment within the Church towards moral relativism.

3. Comparing Donald Trump to Hitler and Immigration Policies

Beck passionately compares former President Donald Trump's immigration policies to those of Adolf Hitler, arguing that aggressive deportation tactics target not only illegal immigrants but could extend to African American citizens.

• Beck [44:51]:
  "And there's a concentration on this? We'll talk about it next. There are threats you can see and there are ones that kind of hit you out of nowhere. And home title theft is one of those."

He details the deportation numbers under various administrations, highlighting that while Trump’s deportations are criticized as escalating, historical data from previous presidents like Bill Clinton and George Bush show even higher numbers, which Beck uses to question the consistency of media and public outrage.

• Beck [71:06]:
  "You just can't have an argument with me or somebody who knows the facts. You just can't. Because these are the numbers. Numbers don't lie."

Beck emphasizes the importance of understanding and confronting these policies, asserting that misrepresentations by mainstream media undermine public trust and hinder meaningful discourse.

4. Critique of Mainstream Media and Historical Narratives

Beck criticizes mainstream media outlets, particularly The New York Times, for bias and selective storytelling. He draws parallels between the coverage of Daryl Cooper, a controversial podcaster, and Nicole Hannah-Jones' 1619 Project, arguing that the media inconsistently applies standards based on ideological alignment.

• Beck [24:01]:
  "How, how, how are you? How are you? Totally okay. I don't even remember."

He accuses The New York Times of promoting narratives that align with progressive agendas while dismissing conservative voices, leading to a fractured and biased public understanding of history and current events.

• Beck [61:00]:
  "The problem is not these two, honestly. It's the New York Times. Because in their Sunday styles write up on Cooper... they clutch their pearls because he has an audience, and only the New York Times can have that audience."

Beck advocates for independent media and critical thinking, urging listeners to seek multiple sources and engage directly with historical documents to form balanced views.

5. Rising Gold Prices and Economic Concerns

The conversation shifts to economic indicators, particularly the surge in gold prices, which Beck interprets as a sign of growing economic instability and declining confidence in the US dollar.

• Burguiere [69:16]:
  "Gold was spiking again. The highest place it's ever been gold... 3500. That is. This is not good."

Beck and his guest discuss the implications of rising gold prices, suggesting that it reflects underlying economic anxieties and a lack of trust in traditional financial systems. They advise listeners to consider gold as a hedge against potential economic downturns.

6. Discussion on Artificial Intelligence with Daniel Cocatajlo

A significant portion of the episode features an in-depth discussion with Daniel Cocatajlo about the future of artificial intelligence (AI) and the existential risks associated with superintelligent AI systems.

• Beck [93:06]:
  "You think of a giant tank underground, all of that compute is down there, and we're just up above, you know, with a spigot..."

• Cocatajlo [94:21]:
  "In the next few years, the companies are working on turning them into autonomous agents... superintelligence is fully autonomous AI systems that are better than humans at absolutely everything."

Cocatajlo expresses concerns about the rapid advancement of AI, emphasizing the potential for these systems to surpass human intelligence and autonomy. He discusses the ongoing struggles in AI governance and alignment, highlighting the difficulty in ensuring that AI systems adhere to human values and ethics.

• Cocatajlo [100:58]:
  "These companies are trying to build super intelligence. It's going to be better than humans, better than the best humans at everything, while also being faster and cheaper."

The guest underscores the urgency of addressing AI safety and alignment, advocating for greater transparency and regulatory oversight to prevent misuse and unintended consequences of powerful AI technologies.

• Cocatajlo [107:05]:
  "There's a huge... that's the most important question in the world of what are those goals and principles and who gets to decide."

Beck and Cocatajlo explore potential scenarios where AI control mechanisms fail, leading to catastrophic outcomes. They discuss the importance of interdisciplinary research and proactive measures to ensure that AI development aligns with societal values and safety standards.

7. COVID-19 Narratives and Media Influence

Beck revisits the COVID-19 pandemic, critiquing the mainstream narrative and suggesting that early skepticism about the lab leak theory was suppressed by influential institutions.

• Beck [75:04]:
  "We have this op ed. We've talked about it... But Donald Trump is Hitler. Why Should I?"

He argues that the media's refusal to entertain alternative theories about COVID-19 origin contributes to public misinformation and distrust in established institutions.

• Beck [78:11]:
  "It is my viewpoint and what I witnessed there, and it's really fascinating. It's going to be fascinating to watch."

Beck calls for greater transparency and accountability in public health communications, cautioning against the dangers of a homogenized narrative that stifles critical inquiry and diverse perspectives.

8. Immigration Policies and Historical Comparisons

Furthering his critique of current immigration policies, Beck draws historical parallels to emphasize the perceived threats posed by aggressive deportation tactics.

• Beck [121:03]:
  "They [companies] don't just share your values, they fight for them... Patriot Mobile, you're gonna save a lot of money."

He compares recent deportation efforts under the Biden administration to past administrations, highlighting inconsistencies and questioning the motivations behind policy enforcement. Beck warns of the potential for these actions to escalate into broader societal issues, particularly affecting marginalized communities.

• Beck [122:18]:
  "OpenAI was created, and that's part of why OpenAI was created... we're not ready and we're not even taking the steps to get ready."

Beck connects immigration policies to broader themes of governmental overreach and loss of individual freedoms, urging listeners to remain vigilant and advocate for policies that protect American values and citizens.

9. Closing Remarks

In his closing segments, Beck reiterates the importance of independent thinking and resisting media biases. He encourages listeners to engage with the content critically, seek out diverse sources of information, and remain informed about the evolving political and technological landscapes.

• Beck [82:33]:
  "You just start vicious. When the... you know, when you hear Donald Trump and his name, Chris Matthews... What did Hitler do?"

He calls for a collective awakening to the issues discussed, positioning his program as a vital source of alternative perspectives and truth-seeking in a polarized media environment.

Notable Quotes

• Glenn Beck [06:13]:
  "There was a quiet coup inside of the walls of the Vatican. The first public victim of the deep state was not a president of the United States. It was... it was Pope Benedict."

• Daniel Cocatajlo [94:21]:
  "Superintelligence is fully autonomous AI systems that are better than humans at absolutely everything."

• Glenn Beck [71:06]:
  "You just can't have an argument with me or somebody who knows the facts. You just can't. Because these are the numbers. Numbers don't lie."

• Cocatajlo [107:05]:
  "There's a huge... that's the most important question in the world of what are those goals and principles and who gets to decide."

Conclusion

This episode of The Glenn Beck Program offers a critical examination of current political, cultural, and technological issues, blending historical analysis with contemporary concerns. Through passionate discourse and expert insights, Beck and his guest Daniel Cocatajlo explore the ramifications of Vatican politics, immigration policies, media bias, and the burgeoning threats and opportunities presented by artificial intelligence. The program underscores the necessity for independent thought, informed skepticism, and proactive engagement in shaping the future.