Summary of "How Does Rachel Maddow Still Have a Job?" | The Glenn Beck Program with Guest Zachary Levi | 02/14/25

The Glenn Beck Program, hosted by Glenn Beck and produced by the Blaze Podcast Network, delves into pressing issues in American culture and politics. In the February 14, 2025 episode titled "How Does Rachel Maddow Still Have a Job?" guest Zachary Levi joins the conversation to discuss current events, media criticism, and the future of artificial intelligence (AI).

1. Current Political Landscape

Tariffs and International Trade

• Glenn Beck (00:00-07:28): Beck initiates the discussion by addressing President Trump's recent imposition of reciprocal tariffs. He emphasizes the fairness of matching tariffs imposed by other countries, stating, "Whatever they charge us, we're going to charge them" (07:16). This stance reflects a protectionist approach aimed at balancing international trade relations.

IRS Audits and Government Accountability

• Stu Burguiere (09:06-12:11): Stu introduces concerns about increased IRS audits, particularly targeting public figures like Glenn Beck. He shares a personal anecdote about receiving an audit letter during the Trump administration, questioning its timing and motives.
• Glenn Beck (10:30-12:11): Beck humorously acknowledges the scrutiny, remarking, "I want to see every receipt. I want to help them" (09:27), highlighting his skepticism towards government oversight.

Senate Confirmations and Government Appointments

• Glenn Beck (13:05-19:52): Beck reviews recent Senate confirmations, praising the success rates of various nominees. He underscores the importance of these appointments in enforcing government accountability and combating corruption. Notably, he highlights the confirmation of Tulsi Gabbard and RFK, expressing optimism about their roles in addressing systemic issues.

2. Media Criticism and Government Contracts

Rachel Maddow and Government Contracts

• Glenn Beck (14:00-19:52): Beck criticizes media figures like Rachel Maddow for their portrayal of government actions. He disputes claims about government contracts, specifically mentioning Maddow's assertion that Elon Musk received nearly half a billion dollars in armored Tesla vehicle contracts. Beck counters by questioning the practicality and oversight of such deals, asserting that these narratives are misleading.

3. Listener Interactions and Feedback

Support for the Trump Administration

• Greg from Ohio (25:06-26:33): Greg expresses strong support for President Trump, praising the administration's overhaul of federal agencies and its focus on justice and accountability. He states, "Every part of our government right now is going through an overhaul" (25:17).

Concerns Over National ID Cards

• Jeff from Arizona (28:43-33:48): Jeff discusses the potential implementation of national citizenship ID cards, viewing them as tools to combat voter fraud. He envisions these IDs serving as voter identification, thereby safeguarding elections from progressive influence. Beck voices reservations about national IDs, emphasizing the importance of maintaining control over personal identification systems.

Medical Freedom Movement

• Sherry from North Carolina (69:16-73:09): Sherry, an advocate for medical freedom, shares her support for RFK's efforts to repeal the PREP Act. She describes the act as granting excessive control to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), hindering medical professionals' autonomy. Beck agrees, recognizing RFK's role in addressing these concerns.

Support for School Choice

• Callers (55:22-56:20): Listeners like Jim from Georgia and others commend efforts to promote school choice and reduce government interference in education. They highlight the potential for significant impact within a four-year administration.

4. Interview with Zachary Levi

Introduction to Zachary Levi and His New Film

• Glenn Beck (88:20-90:54): Beck introduces Zachary Levi, praising his new film "The Unbreakable Boy," a true story depicting a family's journey through their child's autism and osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease). He shares emotional reflections on the film's portrayal of resilience and familial love.

Impact of AI on the Entertainment Industry

• Zachary Levi (92:34-122:34): Levi articulates his concerns about AI's rapid advancement, particularly its potential to disrupt creative industries. He warns that AI could enable anyone to produce high-quality content cheaply, potentially devaluing human creativity and displacing jobs. Levi emphasizes the need for safeguarding human-made content and advocates for legislation to protect artistic integrity against AI encroachment.

Moving Hollywood to Texas

• Zachary Levi (113:00-123:46): Discussing his move to Texas, Levi explains his vision for Wildwood Studios—a comprehensive community that integrates film production with living spaces, education, and wellness services. He advocates for states like Texas and Oklahoma to enhance filming incentives, arguing that a more balanced and liberty-focused approach can attract the entertainment industry without succumbing to liberal ideologies.

Balancing Technological Progress with Human Oversight

• Glenn Beck (117:38-123:46): Beck aligns with Levi's views on AI, stressing the importance of human oversight to prevent AI from surpassing its intended role. He highlights the necessity of maintaining governmental checks to ensure AI serves humanity's best interests without overstepping boundaries.

5. Closing Remarks and Final Discussions

Final Thoughts on Government Regulation and Future Policies

• Glenn Beck (124:00-123:50): Beck reiterates the importance of reducing governmental power and enhancing transparency. He critiques the vast number of federal regulations, advocating for Congress to reclaim oversight to prevent executive overreach.

Promotion of Upcoming Content

• Zachary Levi (123:50-123:46): Levi expresses gratitude towards Beck for promoting his film and shares his optimism about the future of human-centric content in entertainment. He underscores the critical role of community and shared human experiences in sustaining meaningful art.

Notable Quotes

• Glenn Beck on Reciprocal Tariffs: "Whatever they charge us, we're going to charge them" (07:16).

• Stu Burguiere on IRS Audits: "Who do you have to be to audit the IRS and bring every single receipt you have?" (09:27).

• Greg from Ohio on Government Overhaul: "Every part of our government right now is going through an overhaul" (25:17).

• Jeff from Arizona on National ID: "This will kill the voting corruption from the progressive left" (30:31).

• Zachary Levi on AI Disruption: "AI in a vacuum, amazing, cool, wonderful... but once it starts replacing humans, we have to be very careful" (117:38).

• Zachary Levi on Safeguarding Content: "Wildwood Studios is building a campus to safeguard certified organic human-made content" (122:35).

Conclusion

This episode of The Glenn Beck Program presents a robust discussion on governmental policies, media influence, and the transformative impact of AI on society and industries. Guest Zachary Levi offers insightful perspectives on maintaining human integrity in the face of technological advancements and advocates for proactive measures to preserve creative and communal values. The conversation underscores a commitment to accountability, transparency, and the protection of traditional American values amidst evolving challenges.