Summary of Podcast Episode: "How 'The View' Helped Elect Donald Trump"

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Glenn Beck Program
• Host/Author: Blaze Podcast Network
• Description: Storytelling, insight, and compelling perspective on American culture and politics, hosted by Glenn Beck.
• Episode: How 'The View' Helped Elect Donald Trump
• Guests: Peter St Onge & Tina Descovich
• Date: 11/12/24

Introduction

In this episode, Glenn Beck delves into the influential role that media platforms like "The View" played in the election of Donald Trump. Joined by Stu Burgiére, and later by guests Tina Descovich of Moms for Liberty and Peter St Onge from the Heritage Foundation, the discussion centers on Trump's cabinet appointments, economic policies, voter mobilization strategies, and media manipulation.

Trump's Cabinet Appointments and Department of Education

Glenn and Stu debate President Trump's ambitious plans to overhaul the U.S. educational system, including the proposed shutdown of the Department of Education.

• Trump's Plan:
  Donald Trump outlined his intention to close the Department of Education, aiming to transfer control back to the states. He emphasized reducing bureaucracy and eliminating what he perceives as leftist influence within educational institutions.

  Notable Quote:

  "[07:14] Donald Trump: [...] And one other thing I'll be doing very early in the administration is closing up the Department of Education in Washington, D.C. [...]"

• Stu's Skepticism:
  Stu expressed doubts about the practicality of dismantling the department, referencing past administrations like Reagan's unsuccessful attempts.

  Notable Quote:

  "[04:11] Stu Burgiére: Well, I mean, I don't. I'm skeptical whether it will actually occur. [...]"

• Glenn’s Optimism:
  Despite uncertainties, Glenn remains optimistic about Trump's determination to implement these changes within the first 100 days.

  Notable Quote:

  "[11:14] Glenn Beck: [...] I've got 100 days to do it. [...]"

Tariffs vs. Income Tax: Economic Debate

A substantial portion of the episode focuses on Trump's economic strategies, particularly his stance on tariffs and income tax reform.

• Trump's Tariff Strategy:
  Trump advocates for imposing significant tariffs, especially targeting China, with the expectation that the foreign country will absorb most of the cost. This approach aims to protect American industries and reduce dependency on imports.

  Notable Quote:

  "[50:54] Oprah Winfrey: [...]"

• Income Tax Abolition Proposal:
  Trump proposes replacing the income tax with tariffs, potentially increasing the average American's take-home pay from $58,000 to $88,000 by eliminating income taxes and relying on tariffs for government revenue.

  Notable Quote:

  "[53:28] Glenn Beck: [...] how does it work when you don't have taxes? Go ahead."

• Economic Expert Insights (Peter St Onge):
  Peter St Onge explains the financial implications, including a projected $1 trillion budget shortfall. He suggests that aggressive economic growth could partially offset this deficit.

  Notable Quote:

  "[54:42] Stu Burguiere: [...]"

• Concerns and Feasibility:
  There is skepticism about the practicality of eliminating the income tax and the long-term sustainability of tariff-funded governance, especially if domestic manufacturing rebounds and reduces reliance on tariffs.

Moms for Liberty and Election Impact

Tina Descovich, co-founder of Moms for Liberty, discusses her organization's pivotal role in mobilizing new voters and influencing election outcomes.

• Voter Mobilization Strategy:
  Moms for Liberty targeted 200,000 first-time or infrequent voters in key states (Arizona, Georgia, North Carolina, Wisconsin), focusing on issues like Title IX and local school policies to galvanize conservative mothers.

  Notable Quote:

  "[111:14] Tina Descovich: [...] we targeted 200,000 moms in each state that aren't really voting. [...]"

• Election Successes:
  The strategy resulted in record voter turnout, particularly in Georgia and North Carolina, significantly contributing to Trump's electoral victory.

  Notable Quote:

  "[112:26] Glenn Beck: [...]"

The View’s Role in Trump’s Election

Glenn and Stu analyze how episodes of "The View" influenced public perception and voter behavior, particularly regarding Kamala Harris and Trump's campaign.

• Media Manipulation:
  They criticize "The View" for avoiding challenging questions to Kamala Harris, which ultimately weakened her candidacy by not holding her accountable on crucial issues.

  Notable Quote:

  "[89:57] Glenn Beck: [...] the View are idiots. [...]"

• Impact on Harris:
  The hosts argue that the inability of "The View" to critically question Harris played a significant role in diminishing her support among voters.

Deficit and Fiscal Policy Discussion

Glenn and Stu engage in a debate on managing the national deficit, advocating for substantial government spending cuts and economic reforms.

• Budget Cuts:
  Suggestions include eliminating or reducing expenditures on defense, welfare, and other federal programs to balance the budget.

  Notable Quote:

  "[65:19] Glenn Beck: [...]"

• Peter St Onge’s Analysis:
  He presents potential savings and revenue strategies, emphasizing the elimination of income tax and the implementation of tariffs as means to address the deficit.

  Notable Quote:

  "[54:42] Stu Burgiere: [...]"

• Challenges:
  The feasibility of such drastic measures is questioned, especially considering the political resistance from entrenched interests and the logistics of implementing large-scale tax and tariff reforms.

Defamation of The View and Presidential Appointments

The discussion shifts to Trump's cabinet picks, specifically Marco Rubio as Secretary of State, and the perceived inconsistency between Rubio's profile and Trump's desired aggressive foreign policy stance.

• Rubio as Secretary of State:
  There's debate over whether Rubio aligns with Trump's hawkish policies or represents a more moderate choice, raising concerns about the State Department's direction under his leadership.

  Notable Quote:

  "[16:01] Stu Burgiére: [...]"

Miscellaneous Topics

Additional segments touch on societal issues, media influence, and financial independence. These sections are interspersed with advertisements but contribute to the overall political narrative of the episode.

Conclusion

The episode concludes with reflections on the election process, the strategic mobilization of conservative movements, and the significant influence of media platforms like "The View" in shaping political outcomes. Tina Descovich and Peter St Onge provide insights into future strategies for maintaining and expanding conservative influence in American politics.

Notable Quotes

1. Donald Trump on Department of Education:

   "[07:14] Donald Trump: [...] And one other thing I'll be doing very early in the administration is closing up the Department of Education in Washington, D.C. [...]"

2. Stu on Reagan's Failed Policies:

   "[04:28] Glenn Beck: [...]"

3. Peter St Onge on Tariffs and Income Tax:

   "[54:42] Stu Burgiere: [...]"

4. Tina Descovich on Voter Mobilization:

   "[111:14] Tina Descovich: [...]"

Overall Insights

The discussion reveals a strong belief in Trump's aggressive policies to reshape federal institutions and economic structures. The panel is optimistic about mobilizing voters and leveraging media influence to sustain conservative gains. However, there is underlying skepticism about the feasibility and sustainability of such radical reforms without significant governmental and societal shifts.

This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the episode, structured for easy comprehension and enriched with notable quotes to provide authenticity and depth for those who haven't listened to the podcast.