The Glenn Beck Program – Episode Summary

Title: Glenn Goes DEFCON 1 on Canada PM, Trans Killers & Dog-Haters | Guests: Sen. Mike Lee & Judy Shelton
Date: February 17, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode finds Glenn Beck in a fiery, unapologetic mood as he vents frustrations over a range of issues impacting American society and Western civilization. From progressive policies and their consequences, to the mental health crisis underpinning trans shooters, economic mismanagement, and America's uneasy relationship with Canada, Beck delivers a three-hour rant peppered with grim humor, personal reflection, and sharply worded monologues. Special guests Sen. Mike Lee and economist Judy Shelton join to discuss election integrity and the gold standard.

Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. Beck's Opening Rant: “Everyone Is Dead to Me”

Timestamp: 02:45–14:00

• Glenn Beck opens with unfiltered anger, targeting politicians in major U.S. states and progressive ideologies.
• Expands his “dead to me” list to include Marxists, progressives, communists, some states, and, notably, Canadians, following what he views as self-destructive Western and Canadian policies.
• Sets a venting tone:

  "Today is not the day to listen if you're wanting the rational, reasonable, Glenn, because I can only do that for so long, and then I've got to unload." (03:10)

2. Trans Shooter in Rhode Island and Mental Health

Timestamp: 14:00–23:30

• Details a shooting in Rhode Island by a transgender individual; criticizes mainstream narratives ignoring mental illness.
• Lists recent mass shootings involving transgender or non-binary individuals.
• Critique of medical and mental health communities for, as Beck argues, enabling mental illness rather than confronting it:

  “The definition of insanity is not insane? That they should not even be asked a single question about it. You’re born in the wrong body, shut up. Shut up, shut up.” (16:38)

• Claims progressive ideas have “infected” medicine, resulting in both policy failings and physical dangers.

3. Canada's Slide Toward Authoritarianism and Beck’s Dire Warning

Timestamp: 33:25–45:00; 102:00–120:00

• Expresses outrage at Canada’s recent political moves, including threats to align with China.
• Delivers a “speech he wishes President Trump would give to Canadians,” warning of economic decoupling if Canada partners with China:

  “If you choose to partner with an authoritarian power... you can no longer participate fully in the shared defense system like NORAD.” (38:38)

• Paints Canada as nearly indistinguishable from communist China due to political decisions—“Mao, is that you?” (35:05)
• Emotional moment: Beck tears up over Western civilization’s decline and loss of shared values.

  "I am angry today because I love my country, because I love Western civilization, because I, I love Canada." (43:32)

4. Dog-Haters, Islamification, and Western Values

Timestamp: 26:40–30:50; 105:00–107:00

• Responds to debates about dogs in public spaces, comments about Muslims, and attacks on Western/Judeo-Christian traditions:

  “You’re coming over to our country and you’re telling us we can’t have dogs. Screw you. I’m sick of it.” (29:32)

• Claims incremental cultural concessions (regarding pets, language, etc.) are a symptom of societal decay and progressive weakness.

5. Economic Rants: California Gas, Taxes, and Unrealized Gains

Timestamp: 47:00–54:00; 118:00–130:00

• Criticizes California’s gas import maneuvers, Maryland’s EV surcharges, Washington’s DoorDash pricing, and Dutch taxes on unrealized gains.

  “What happens, California, when your world starts to come apart?” (47:40)

• Argues all current economic troubles stem from failed progressive policies and crony capitalism, not genuine free-market principles.

6. Guest: Judy Shelton — Returning the U.S. to the Gold Standard

Intro: 46:53; Main Discussion: 48:55–67:18

Who Is Judy Shelton?

• Senior Fellow, Independent Institute; Author of Good as Gold
• Noted for predicting the Soviet collapse; has a history of challenging economic orthodoxy.

Highlights & Insights

• On the Soviet collapse:

  “They always showed they had a balanced budget, but in fact, they were running a huge budget deficit and they were financing it by printing rubles.” (50:10)

• Warns that U.S. economic path is unsustainable:

  “No one ever says this is day one of the long run.” (51:57)

• Proposes a phased re-linking of the dollar to gold, starting with a specialized Treasury bond redeemable in gold in 50 years:

  “It would be the first time for there to be an official link between the dollar and gold since President Nixon ended the Bretton Woods system.” (56:20)

• Stresses audit and transparency of U.S. gold reserves.
• Critiques the Federal Reserve’s post-2008 expansion of power:

  “The Fed’s job is to properly calibrate the demand for money and credit to the needs of the economy and no one at the Fed saw that coming.” (65:03)

7. Guest: Senator Mike Lee — The SAVE America Act & Election Integrity

Main Discussion: 69:50–83:58

• Discusses voter ID measures, bipartisan public support (~80% overall, 71% among Democrats).
• Explains procedural battles over filibuster reform—proposing a return to the “talking filibuster” to make obstruction more visible:

  “The best argument I can make is I don’t think this is a close call... We need to have this fight.” (74:26)

• Concern over illegal voting due to NVRA (National Voter Registration Act) interpretations:

  “What if this flood of illegal immigration... is too big of a prize for them to give up?” (75:45)

• Stresses need for legislation rather than sole reliance on executive orders:

  “It’s a lot harder for a subsequent administration to undo a law than it is an executive order.” (79:55)

8. Explaining the System: How Fed Inflation Steals Your Savings

Deep Dive: 87:32–120:00

• Beck uses a metaphor of shrinking rulers to explain how the Fed’s 2% inflation target erodes purchasing power:

  “Money is not just something you spend. Money is stored time.” (112:40)

• Argues that permanent inflation forces Americans onto a risky investment treadmill; claims this system rewards the elite at the expense of ordinary savers.
• Presents a chalkboard with losses over time from inflation:
  • Save for 30 years: lose 45%
  • Save for 50 years: lose 63%

  “If you work, you save, you delay gratification, you live responsibly—a system designed around permanent inflation tells you, thanks for the discipline and we’re now going to punish you slowly enough that you won’t riot.” (116:00)

9. Closing Themes — Progressive Policies as the Root of All Troubles

Main Theme: Throughout, esp. 122:00–end

• Lists major social, legal, and economic failings—trans shootings, DoorDash prices, dog-haters, housing crisis, tax policies—and ties each to progressive ideology.

  “Absolutely everything that is happening in today’s world is a direct result of progressive policies. You want to stop the madness? End progressive policies. That’s it.” (125:00)

• Warns of social unrest if these trends continue:

  “At some point, people have had enough of math and they’re like, ‘Yeah, you’ve been ripping me off for 40 years. Enough is enough.’” (120:00)

Notable Quotes

• Beck on Cultural Decline:

  “I’m just waiting for the day common sense returns. I’ll be here waiting. Hope it shows up before we’re all dead.” (22:42)

• Beck on the American-Canadian Relationship:

  “Actions have consequences. As my father used to say, you are standing on the cliff’s edge. Now, here’s what I know: You’re not going to jump, because you’re not crazy. Canadians are not crazy. But I think your leaders… just maybe.” (41:52)

• Judy Shelton on the Path Forward:

  “Until we establish a beachhead that we’re willing to look this problem square in the face and demand honest government, which means an end to deficit spending, which I consider immoral.” (52:50)

• Sen. Mike Lee on the Filibuster:

  “We have allowed senators to have the benefits of filibustering without actually going to the Senate chamber, standing up, getting recognized and speaking. It’s become what I refer to as the zombie filibuster.” (71:39)

Key Timestamps for Reference

• 02:45 – Glenn’s “dead to me” list and opening rage
• 14:00 – Rhode Island trans shooter/Mental illness rant
• 33:25 – The Canada monologue: Communism and alliances
• 43:32 – Beck tears up over Western civilization
• 46:53 – Judy Shelton introduction
• 48:55–67:18 – Judy Shelton’s interview
• 69:50–83:58 – Sen. Mike Lee interview on election integrity
• 87:32–120:00 – Beck explains Fed inflation and “stored time”
• 122:00–end – Blames progressive policies for all societal issues and previews upcoming specials

Episode Takeaways

• Consistent Tone: Glenn Beck is in “DEFCON 1” mode—vocal, emotional, and unsparing in criticism.
• Central Argument: Progressive policies are the root of America's economic, social, and cultural problems.
• Economic Lessons: The Federal Reserve’s inflation policy is likened to stealing people’s life savings by gradually eroding currency value.
• Political Call-to-Action: Urges listeners to end progressive policies and support election integrity measures like the SAVE Act.
• Cultural Warnings: Warns of social unrest if fundamental changes aren’t made.
• Guest Expertise: Judy Shelton offers a nuanced, incremental plan for a gold standard; Mike Lee argues for visible, accountable filibusters to pass crucial election laws.

This summary offers a comprehensive look at Beck’s arguments, guest expert contributions, and memorable moments, serving both as a detailed recap and a reference guide for the episode’s themes and content.