Podcast Summary: The Glenn Beck Program — “Glenn’s Tough Message to the ICE Shooter’s Mom”

Guests: Todd Lyons (ICE Acting Director), Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, Megyn Kelly
Date: September 25, 2025

Episode Overview

This emotionally charged episode of The Glenn Beck Program delves into recent violence at a Dallas ICE facility, the divisive culture war in America, and broader questions about Western civilization and its future. Glenn opens with philosophical reflections about the worth of saving Western society, then shifts to recent headlines—from the anti-ICE shooter and radical college flyers to the national argument over Tylenol during pregnancy. The show features revealing interviews with Todd Lyons, the acting head of ICE, Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, and media personality Megyn Kelly. Together, they unpack media spin, ideological radicalization, law enforcement’s challenges, and the responsibilities of parents and citizens in a polarized America.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Is Western Civilization Worth Saving?

[06:17–09:51 Glenn Beck]

• Glenn opens with a profound question: “Is all of this worth saving? This thing we call Western civilization...”
  • He emphasizes Western civilization isn’t about a place or race, but an “idea”:
    “The West was an idea to escape all the old oppressive ideas...man is made in the image of God and liberty does not come from kings.” [09:52]
• Glenn notes the current fractures in society: left vs. right, neighbor against neighbor, truth seemingly lost, and institutions from churches to Congress failing.
• Through a sermon-like tone, Glenn insists that only a return to core values—truth, family, self-responsibility, and humility—can regenerate society.
• Quote: “If it is worth saving, then we have to know why. Why is it worth saving? And if it’s not, then may God forgive us for what we’re about to allow.” [07:24]
• Glenn closes the monologue encouraging action and self-reflection:
  “It’s still true. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” [09:46]

2. Glenn’s Open Letter to the ICE Shooter’s Mother

[21:20–22:14 Glenn Beck]

• Reacting to Facebook posts by the mother of the Dallas shooter (whose attack left two dead, wounding others, then ending his own life), Glenn reads a heartfelt letter.
• He addresses the mother’s past anger about gun laws, but turns the focus to personal responsibility:
  • “Did the gun in your son’s hand kill those people? Or was it your son’s choice to pull the trigger?” [21:49]
  • He empathizes with her grief and loss, but also gently challenges her to reflect on how anger and rhetoric can influence the next generation.
  • “I don't hold any anger toward you...You both have paid now an unimaginable price.” [22:10]
• Glenn calls for society to move toward shared principles, unity, and healing, rather than blame or hate.

3. Todd Lyons Interview: Inside ICE After the Dallas Attack

[25:15–38:48 Key: 25:15–38:48]

State of ICE

• Todd Lyons, Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, discusses the aftermath of the Dallas shooting targeting ICE agents and detainees.
  • “Everyone’s really, you know, shaken up...assaults are up over 1,000%...But it’s not going to deter the men and women of ICE.” [25:51]
  • Details heroic actions of ICE agents rescuing detainees during the attack.

Shooter’s Motivation

• “This was a pure attack on ICE law enforcement and ICE’s mission.” [27:38]
• Dismisses left-wing claims that the attack was not anti-ICE:
  • “It’s obvious this was an anti-ICE attack...For anyone to think this wasn’t targeted on ICE...they’re dead wrong.” [29:08]

Organized Radicalization

• Glenn raises the proliferation of radical leftist groups (e.g., John Brown Club, Socialist Rifle Association, Antifa).
  • Lyons: “We’re going to track the money, track these ringleaders...That isn’t First Amendment. That right there is just domestic terrorism.” [30:34]
  • Notes many arrested protesters are out-of-towners, “professional agitators.”

Media Misinformation & Public Perception

• Rebuts media narratives about ICE mistreating children (referring to the “five-year-old autistic girl” in Massachusetts):
  • “Our officers were great, took care of the girl...It’s that type of narrative that’s spinning up all this violence and hate against my brave men and women.” [32:09]
• Responds to Governor Newsom’s claims of authoritarianism:
  • “Every one of the individuals we arrest do get due process...Comments like that are causing all the issues.” [35:03]

Personal Risks for ICE Agents

• On agents masking:
  • “ICE officers and agents get doxxed and threatened continually...I’m not a fan of masks, they’re not a fan of masks...But I will support them to make sure they get home safe.” [37:09]
• Expresses frustration over double standards: Protesters mask up without criticism, while ICE is vilified for protecting anonymity.

Glenn’s Closing to Lyons

• “We know what you’re risking...we deeply appreciate everything you guys are doing.” [38:32]

4. Megyn Kelly Interview: Surviving Campus Extremism & Post-Tragedy Resolve

[47:48–61:00]

• Megyn shares her experience filling in for Charlie Kirk at UVA shortly after Kirk’s assassination.
  • Crowd had diverse, sometimes confrontational questions, but mostly sought reassurance and direction.
  • “The questions...were so diverse...but for the most part, students loved him, wanted to hear his kind of messaging.” [48:48]
• Discusses the “playbook” of chaos: provoking government response, then labeling it as authoritarianism.
  • Emphasizes that after Kirk’s death, students are seeking to assert their values openly.
• On the new right’s approach:
  • “I really feel more strongly than ever that I don’t care what they call us. We need to make them suffer. Not physically, but with lawfare and even with some censorship…” [51:00]
  • Advocates for equal toughness, not letting the left “set the rules,” and keeping receipts of their attacks.
  • Glenn agrees: “I’m not going to change my principles, but I am not going to play by the rules that they’re not playing by...I’m going to use every rule we have to shut your nonsense down.” [52:23]
• Skewers “cancel culture” double standards, e.g., Jimmy Kimmel’s quick return after cancellation, contrasting with harsher treatment of others.
  • Memorable moment: Megyn’s biting comment—“He has celebrated everyone on the right’s cancellation. He danced on our professional graves...So I’m thrilled he felt some pain last week.” [54:21]
• Discusses the growth of “Charlie’s Army” since his assassination—huge spike in Turning Point chapters, young people vocalizing conservative values:
  • “That’s a sea change...I just think Charlie’s army will be a lasting legacy of Charlie Kirk.” [58:44]

5. Dr. Jay Bhattacharya Interview: Tylenol, Autism, and Media Hysteria

[110:26–124:43]

On Tylenol, Pregnancy, and Autism

• Dr. Bhattacharya clarifies that new NIH guidance urges caution (not a ban) on Tylenol during pregnancy due to some evidence of increased risk of autism/ADHD—not absolute proof.
  • “If you have a high fever, it’s appropriate to use Tylenol with a doctor’s care, but if it’s less serious, avoid it.” [112:11]
  • “There’s enough there to tell people, especially pregnant women, to be careful with it.” [112:02]
• Slams politicization and “Trump Derangement Syndrome” making rational health debates impossible.
• NIH’s advice paralleled Trump’s: “Take it only if you need it.”
  • “That’s actually wise advice...If you’re pregnant women, think carefully about whether you should take it, given this evidence.” [113:55]
• Outlines major autism research initiative NIH has started—a collaborative data science push, new possible treatments (like leucovorin), and the challenge of balancing guidance with uncertainty.

6. Glenn & Stu on Responsibility, Mental Health, and Cultural Decay

• Glenn and cohost Stu repeatedly return to the cost of toxic online culture and performative partisanship.
  • Glenn: “Every thought, every image is food...And we feed it garbage all the time...Look at what [Charlie Kirk] was feeding his brain with.” [101:29]
  • On adults using pacifiers, Build-a-Bear, etc., as stress relief: “Grow up. You’re not a child anymore. You’re not a child.” [82:28, 85:53]
• Warning to those wishing harm (“blood on your hands” posts):
  • Stu: “You might have done this...But bringing on whatever you’re bringing on...is not something you want to call into reality.”
  • Glenn: “Be careful the thoughts you think...whatever it is you’re thinking, it’s going to create.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments — with Timestamps

• Glenn Beck, on Western Civilization:
  “If it is worth saving, then we have to know why. Why is it worth saving? And if it’s not, then may God forgive us for what we’re about to allow.” [07:24]

• On Individual Action:
  “You just need to do the next right thing...it’s usually the thing I don’t want to do, but I know is right. Just do that every day.” [22:18]

• Todd Lyons, on anti-ICE violence:
  “These kind of acts won’t deter us, but it’s definitely scary times.” [25:51]

• On left-leaning agitators:
  “You don’t go there and truck in shields, rocks, CS grenades...That isn’t the First Amendment. That right there is just domestic terrorism.” [30:34]

• Megyn Kelly, on the state of the right:
  “I don’t care what they call us. We need to make them suffer. Not physically, but with lawfare and even with some censorship in order to get things back to normal.” [51:00]

• Glenn Beck, on principles:
  “I’m not going to change my principles, but I am not going to play by the rules that they’re not playing by.” [52:23]

• Megyn Kelly, on “cancel culture” double standards:
  “He (Jimmy Kimmel) has celebrated everyone on the right’s cancellation ... and he has the nerve to want us to feel sorry for him because he had a five day vacation.” [54:21]

• On “Charlie’s Army”:
  “That phrase really grabbed me, and I do think that’s what’s been unleashed—these kids on these college campuses...They are no longer going to hide or apologize for their values.” [58:44]

• Dr. Bhattacharya, on Tylenol guidance:
  “The key thing here is ... if you have a high fever ... use it. But if it’s less serious, avoid taking it...just good medicine.” [112:11]

• On the role of science and policy:
  “I have an obligation when I see something in the scientific literature that people should know about ... that I should be able to tell people with the caveats, exactly as I’ve said.” [112:11]

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• Philosophical Opening & Lecture on “Saving the West”: 06:17–09:51
• Letter to the Shooter’s Mom: 21:20–22:14
• Todd Lyons (ICE Director) Full Interview: 25:15–38:48
• Megyn Kelly (Media/Political Strategy) Interview: 47:48–61:00
• Dr. Jay Bhattacharya (Tylenol/Autism/Science Communication): 110:26–124:43

Tone & Style

• Glenn’s tone is prophetic, candid, sometimes mournful but motivational; language ranges from eloquent philosophical appeals to direct, folksy admonitions.
• Guests adopt similarly plain-spoken, earnest styles—Todd Lyons is direct and law-enforcement driven; Megyn Kelly is sharp, witty, no-nonsense; Dr. Bhattacharya is clinical, reasoned, and quietly passionate.

Final Reflection

This episode dives deep into the rawest wounds and hottest debates in American life: deadly violence, political extremism, division, media distortion, parental guilt, and what it takes to rebuild crumbling trust in institutions and each other. Glenn and his guests challenge listeners to return to first principles—truth, responsibility, meaningful action, and mutual respect—even as they warn that the hour is late and stakes are generational.

For More:

• Full episodes, links, and resources: BlazeTV.com/Glenn