The Glenn Beck Program — Dec 23, 2025

Guest Host: Garret Lewis (KNST AM 790)

Episode: U.S. Economy Roars to 4.3% in Third Quarter under President Trump

Overview

In this episode, guest host Garret Lewis, broadcasting from Arizona, steps in for Glenn Beck to offer commentary, analysis, and perspective on major political and cultural stories. The episode tackles several issues: new Jeffrey Epstein document dumps implicating high-profile figures (including flight logs referencing Donald Trump), the U.S. economic boom under President Trump with GDP growth at 4.3% for Q3, ongoing Democratic Party infighting, welfare debates about immigrants, and general reflections on the 2024 election fallout. Lewis presents in a highly opinionated, energetic, and conversational style, actively engaging with listeners.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Epstein Documents & Trump: Context, Media Frenzy, and Pushback

• Epstein Files Drop (00:40): Lewis opens with news that nearly 30,000 new pages of Jeffrey Epstein-related documents have just been released by the DOJ. The media highlights Trump's name in flight logs, prompting a media frenzy.

  • CNN & others report: Trump was a passenger on at least eight Epstein flights between 1993–1996, sometimes with Ghislaine Maxwell present.

• DOJ Statement (03:10): Lewis reads part of the DOJ's disclaimer: “Some of these documents contain untrue and sensationalist claims made against President Trump submitted to the FBI right before the 2020 election. To be clear, the claims are unfounded and false...”

  • Memorable Quote:

    “If they had a shred of credibility, they certainly would have been weaponized against President Trump already.” (03:30)

  • Lewis notes that if there were real evidence against Trump, given Democrat efforts, it would have already been released or weaponized.

• Media Double Standard (04:17): Lewis contrasts coverage of Trump’s alleged flights with the lack of scrutiny for Bill Clinton’s confirmed Epstein associations:

  “…if Trump was in the hot tub with a woman whose face can't be seen…imagine that. But with Clinton, the media doesn’t demand any explanation.” (04:30)

• Past Trump/Epstein Dynamics (09:11):

  • Cites leftist journalist Michael Wolff and attorney Bradley Edwards:
    • Wolff (per Epstein): Trump may have tipped off police, leading Epstein to hate Trump.
    • Attorney Edwards: Trump was the only high-profile person who willingly cooperated with Epstein victims' lawyers; “no indication whatsoever that he was involved in anything untoward…" (11:05)
  • Discredits the implication that being on flights alone is proof of misconduct.

• Narrative Summary:

  • Lewis argues the latest Epstein “revelations” are a recycled hoax, deployed by the media and Democrats as a political distraction, especially now that Trump’s popularity is rising.

U.S. Economic Surge Under Trump

• GDP Growth Beats Expectations (21:07):

  • Announces 4.3% GDP growth in Q3, surpassing the 3.2% forecasts.
    • Exports +8.8%, Imports -4.7%
    • Consumer spending, government spending, and reduced inflation highlighted.

  “Government shut down, jobs still cut — economy grew anyway. Inflation down, growth up. This is a positive, big time positive view of the economy.” (23:13)

  • Trump’s Role: Attributes success to tariffs, market-opening, and pro-business policy.
    • “Trump’s taking a victory lap, as he should.” (29:37)

• Democratic Reactions and Downplaying:

  • Democrats, according to Lewis, are panicked by the economic boom and rely on sensational distractions (like Epstein coverage) to change the narrative.

Democratic Party Woes, Polls, and Infighting

• Democratic Infighting, “Autopsy” Suppressed (51:12):

  • Reports Democrats are refusing to release their internal post-mortem (“autopsy”) on why they lost the 2024 election.
  • 98 Minnesota mayors send letter about spending, fraud, and budget shortfalls (focusing on Somali immigrant fraud cases).
  • Lewis attributes party chaos to progressive overreach and failure with core voters.

  “There is major, major infighting…refusing to share information on why they lost in 2024. It’s hilarious.” (51:40)

• Polling Data (33:10):

  • Trump has a 50% approval rating (Insider Advantage), +9 over disapproval.
    • Men: 59% approve, Women: 42% approve (Lewis jokes about historical suffrage opposition).
  • Democrats in Congress: 18% approval, 73% disapproval (Quinnipiac, as quoted by CNN).

Welfare, Immigrants, and Democratic Policy

• Democratic Push for Welfare for Immigrants (55:02):
  • Over 125 House Democrats lobbying Trump to reverse actions that limit welfare eligibility for legal/illegal immigrants.
  • DOJ closing a Clinton-era loophole allowing immigrants (legal/illegal) to claim benefits.
  • Lewis lambasts Democrats for prioritizing immigrants’ welfare over American taxpayers, amid “$38 trillion in debt.”

“Democrats fight for illegals more than they do American people.” (01:41:28)

Law & Order: Crime, Safety, and Policy Failures

• Urban Crime Stories (01:14:15):

  • Reports on criminal violence in Seattle and Chicago (elderly woman blinded in random assault; young woman set on fire).
  • Blames progressive policies for repeat offender crime and lack of public safety.

  “Democrats run these cities and this is what happened. She got blinded. I think that's probably in the Democrats’ report as to why they lost. They're okay with this violence.” (01:19:40)

• Charlottesville Removes License Plate Readers (01:49:00):

  • Story: Charlottesville removes “Flock” surveillance cameras because of fears Trump administration will use footage to deport illegal immigrants, despite their usefulness in solving crimes.

  “They put these cameras up to try to bring safety…But we got to get rid of this program because Trump might use it... They'd rather put the safety and security and freedom for illegals out there over that of American citizens.” (01:51:25)

Gender, Schools, and Parental Rights

• California School Law Blocked (01:28:45):

  • Federal judge blocks law requiring teachers to lie to parents about children’s “secret sex transition” at school.
  • Lewis rails against the left for undermining parental rights.

  “As a parent…can you imagine your kid's teacher lying to you about what your kid does in class, and not just because the teacher's a scumbag, but because there's a law that requires this?” (01:29:12)

• Oklahoma University Case (01:31:11):

  • Teacher terminated for failing student over not affirming transgender ideology in a writing assignment.

Culture Wars, “Wokeism” & Listener Engagement

• Women, Nagging, and Suffrage—A Satirical Segment (34:15–39:22):

  • Lewis shares an archival letter from the early 20th century, satirically reflecting on women opposing their own right to vote (“would lead to nagging and socialism”).

  “It would be an official endorsement of nagging as a national policy.” (38:32)

  • Uses this to poke fun at gender gaps in Trump’s polling and the culture war.

• Disney Cruise & Gender Issues (2:26:20):

  • Former MLB player posts about discomfort seeing “men dressed as women” at Disney Cruise, with Lewis noting this reflects returning societal sanity.

Memorable Quotes & Notable Moments

• "These are just duds. Like North Korean rockets — they're duds." (16:17, on failed anti-Trump stories)
• Michael Wolff (cited): “[Epstein] believed Trump first informed the police about what was going on at Epstein’s house—from then on they were nothing but bitter enemies.” (10:13)
• Attorney Bradley Edwards (re: Trump): “He is the only person who picked up the phone and said, 'Let’s just talk. I’ll give you as much time as you want.'…no indication whatsoever that he was involved in anything untoward.” (11:05)
• On Democratic infighting: “Why do you think they're hiding [the autopsy]? Because their party is a mess. This is more fantastic news.” (53:53)
• On public safety: “The Democrats work so hard for illegals, for criminals. They don’t work hard for Americans.” (01:19:52)
• On progressive education laws: “As a parent, can you imagine your kid’s teacher lying to you…because there’s a law that requires this?” (01:29:12)
• “Democrats continue to try to lose in such epic proportions. These are the things that make me feel good during the Christmas and Hanukkah season.” (00:54:20)

Notable Segments (Timestamps)

| Timestamp | Segment/Highlight | |--------------|-------------------------------------------------------| | 00:40 | Epstein files, media frenzy, DOJ statement | | 09:11 | Michael Wolff’s/Bradley Edwards’ Trump-Epstein insight | | 21:07 | U.S. GDP 4.3% growth news | | 29:37 | Trade, tariffs, and economic policy | | 33:10 | Polling data: Trump vs. Dems | | 51:12 | DNC “autopsy” report hidden, infighting | | 55:02 | Dems push welfare for immigrants | | 01:14:15 | Crime stories: Seattle/Chicago | | 01:28:45 | CA judge: schools can’t hide gender transitions | | 01:49:00 | Charlottesville license plate surveillance debate | | 02:11:20 | Somali immigrant fraud—MN mayors confront governor | | 02:18:30 | MS-13 assassin arrested in NE, open borders critique | | 02:26:20 | Sports & culture: Disney cruise gender controversy |

Tone and Delivery

Garret Lewis maintains a sarcastic, fast-paced, and confrontational style—mixing genuine policy analysis with humor, satire, and cultural commentary. He directly addresses listeners, invokes personal stories, and pokes fun at progressive politics and the media throughout.

Summary for New Listeners

If you missed the episode, Garret Lewis delivers a critical take on the week’s political narratives, spotlighting the media’s focus on Epstein-tinged Trump “scandals” as a distraction from Trump’s surging economy and worsening Democratic infighting. He breaks down new polling, ridicules woke and progressive policy missteps, and paints a picture of a Democratic Party increasingly out of touch with “everyday Americans.” Crime, immigration, welfare policy, and culture war issues are recurring themes—all delivered with a blend of humor, outrage, and optimism for Trump’s political fortunes in 2026.

[End of Summary]