Podcast Summary: The Glenn Beck Program
Episode: New Footage DEBUNKS the Media's Alex Pretti Narrative?!
Date: January 29, 2026
Host: Glenn Beck (with co-host Stu Burguiere)
Producer: Blaze Podcast Network
Overview
This episode of The Glenn Beck Program dives deep into the new developments regarding the Alex Preddy (frequently misspelled “Pretti” in media reports) case, media bias, warning signs in American society and economy, and controversies in political coverage. Glenn Beck uses a "warning lights" analogy to outline his concerns about the state of the nation, argues for the importance of truth and integrity, and addresses issues ranging from the gold market to institutional trust. The episode also touches on Ilhan Omar’s recent public incident, the mainstream media's role in shaping narratives, and the consequences for public perception and justice.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Red, Yellow, Green Lights: Glenn Beck’s Societal Warning Panel
[05:46-25:17]
Glenn Beck structures his opening argument by likening pressing national issues to an early warning system with flashing red, yellow, and green lights.
Red Lights: Major Risk & Societal Collapse
- Loss of Nuance:
- Americans have lost the ability to hold two ideas as true simultaneously (e.g., someone can be both a bad actor and unjustly killed).
- The inevitable outcome: “When everything collapses into all good or all evil, there is no moral clarity anymore. That’s moral laziness.” [07:01-07:36]
- Faction Over Truth:
- National discourse has devolved into defending sides rather than seeking truth.
- “Facts no longer persuade. All they do now is signal allegiance.” [08:42]
- Organized Disorder:
- Protests are valid, but professionally coordinated unrest masked as protest (especially with recent Minnesota events) threatens stability.
- “When unrest becomes coordinated, professionally funded, strategically disruptive, and shielded by moral confusion, it’s no longer a spontaneous civic expression.” [10:16]
Yellow Lights: Serious Warnings, Not Yet Fatal
- Currency Confidence:
- Gold prices—now $5,600/oz—are a stress gauge reflecting diminishing trust in financial institutions.
- Debt Saturation:
- National debt is becoming fundamentally unsustainable.
- Institutional Distrust:
- Skepticism is healthy, but distrust threatens the elasticity of American society.
Green Lights: Signs of Hope
- Debates about right and wrong still exist—societies in total collapse stop arguing about justice and only fight for power.
- The Constitution is still cited in debates, even when under stress.
- Both left and right voices (including Beck’s own) are legally able to speak out and critique openly.
Key Quote:
“Red lights do not mean doom. They mean choice. Civilizations don’t collapse because warnings exist. They collapse because warnings are mocked, politicized, or ignored.” [22:03]
The Gold Markets & Economic Alarm Bells
[25:17-41:13]
Beck presents a detailed narrative on skyrocketing gold prices and the underlying risks.
- Historic price jumps ($4,900 to $5,600/oz in a week is unprecedented, tripling in three years).
- Explains “yen carry trade” and Japan’s decades-long artificial financial calm.
- Points to abnormal demand for physical metal deliveries (silver requests in Jan. topping 40M oz).
- Warns that bond markets (“bond vigilantes”) are beginning to discipline overspending nations, with the U.S. likely to be the next affected.
- America’s long-term strength is at risk unless fiscal discipline is restored.
Key Quote:
“Japan is not the problem; Japan is the preview... We are now opening night, America. The audience is the bond market.” [29:05-31:19]
Integrity and The Media: The Alex Preddy Case Dissected
[48:12-66:31]
The Media’s “Saintly” Narrative
Beck denounces the major narrative portraying Alex Preddy as a peaceful, innocent legal observer murdered by ICE, highlighting the lack of context in media coverage.
Audio Clip:
CNN panel:
“Alex Preddy is the guy you’d want to date your daughter... a decent human being serving humanity.” [52:13]
The BBC Footage and Context
Beck introduces new BBC-verified footage (11 days prior to Preddy's death) showing Preddy actively confronting federal officers, spitting, and kicking out a taillight on a law enforcement vehicle, with a gun visibly tucked at his back.
- Beck argues this evidence disproves the “innocent bystander” narrative.
- Emphasizes that two things can be true: Preddy may have been killed unjustly, but he was not a mere observer.
- Media is accused of a “lie of omission.”
Key Quotes:
“Two things can be true. He can be a bad guy and he shouldn’t have been killed. Can we be adults?” [47:09]
“When the press leaves out facts that matter, they’re not informing you. They are shaping you.” [54:34]
Discussion of AI and Deepfakes
Stu brings up skepticism online (“this is AI-generated!”), reflecting mistrust in video evidence and the challenge of truth in an AI era.
[63:31-66:31]
Stu:
“I thought it was real at first too. Then I went to Reddit... they just ran all the public execution videos through AI to make this for sure.”
Glenn:
“...To believe that, I have to believe that now the BBC is making this up and is on the side of ICE...” [64:46-65:12]
- Beck warns of a future where “the truth will be irrelevant,” custom-made for each ideological “team.”
ICE-Related Deaths: Parsing Social Media Outrage
[74:41-83:08]
Stu reviews a viral social media list claiming ICE has "killed nine people" in 2026 and analyzes each case.
- Many deaths are ruled suicides or medical issues; one involves an active shooter firing an assault rifle (ICE agent responded off-duty).
- Only one case (Geraldo Lunas Campos) is currently under homicide investigation, and the person had prior sexual contact with a minor.
- Beck and Stu reiterate: Investigation is warranted, but blanket claims of murder are unsupported.
- Quote:
“I don’t think the nine people were murdered. Anyway, let’s go to a burnout.” [82:58]
Media Bias & Ilhan Omar Incident
[88:29-104:04]
- Discussing mainstream coverage of the apple cider vinegar syringe incident involving Rep. Ilhan Omar.
- Points out the contrast between the urgent, dramatic coverage of Omar’s incident and the tepid, minimal coverage when conservatives are attacked (e.g. Lee Zeldin, Donald Trump).
- Criticizes the New York Times for framing Omar as a heroic “survivor” despite the relatively minor threat, while skipping context for Republican-leaning victims.
Key Quotes:
“Her bravery in being able to incredibly get through a moment like that… I think we have to stand here in awe and just appreciate.” — Stu [93:31]
“How does a civilization with a supposedly free media exist when people are trying to decipher facts from sources like that? I have no idea.” — Beck [100:59]
- Glenn highlights media double standards and the wider implications for public trust.
The Need for Integrity & Open-Mindedness
[111:17-125:54]
Beck advocates for integrity in public discourse, even when it means criticizing or disagreeing with allies.
- Stresses not being “on a team”; value is in being loyal to truth, not political factions.
- References personal experience as a recovering alcoholic and the importance of keeping one’s word.
- Encourages listeners to appreciate disagreement, practice intellectual honesty, and not assume “betrayal” for differing opinions.
Key Quotes:
“I’m not for a man, I’m for truth. I’m not for a team, I’m for truth. And truth is really inconvenient because it refuses to stay on one team.” [113:51]
“If the facts change, I have to change with it… That’s not weakness. Do that in your own life. That’s integrity.” [115:53]
“I am inviting you every day if you’re willing to be the same kind of person. I warn you, it is harder. It is lonelier, but it is so worth it in the end.” [119:18]
Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments
Glenn Beck:
- “Red lights do not mean doom. They mean choice.” [22:03]
- “Japan is not the problem; Japan is the preview. We are now opening night, America. The audience is the bond market.” [31:19]
- “When the press leaves out facts that matter, they’re not informing you. They are shaping you.” [54:34]
- “Two things can be true. The shooting appears unjustified in my opinion... but the media lied by omission.” [61:20]
- “I’m not for a man, I’m for truth. Truth is really inconvenient—because it refuses to stay on one team.” [113:51]
Stu:
- “Do you really think that if it had happened, he’d have been non-incarcerated a week later, because ICE is so forgiving?” (on suspicions that BBC Preddy footage is AI-generated) [64:21]
- “Yes, a child molester died in questionable circumstances, but that—okay—you want to include that list… I just feel like you should note that, by the way, this guy was a child molester and that’s why he was in prison.” [76:45]
- “Her bravery in being able to incredibly get through a moment like that… I think we have to stand here in awe and just appreciate.” (sarcastically, on Omar’s apple cider vinegar incident) [93:31]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 05:46–25:17: Red/Yellow/Green Warning Lights Overview
- 25:17–41:13: Gold Markets, Japan, Global Financial Warning
- 48:12–66:31: New Alex Preddy Footage, Media Narrative Debate
- 74:41–83:08: ICE “Murders” Social Media Claims Broken Down
- 88:29–104:04: Ilhan Omar Attack, Double Standards in Media Coverage
- 111:17–125:54: Integrity, Open-Mindedness, and Rejecting Tribalism
Tone & Style
Maintained throughout is a tone of urgency mixed with Glenn Beck’s characteristic rhetorical questioning, historical analogies, and candid, sometimes sarcastic humor. The conversation is interspersed with friendly—and at times mocking—banter with Stu, offering comedic relief while delivering pointed criticisms of the media and political culture.
Final Thoughts
For listeners who haven’t caught the episode, the key takeaway is Glenn Beck’s repeated call for integrity, nuance, and the courage to face uncomfortable truths, both in private life and public discourse. He uses current events—the Alex Preddy footage, gold market volatility, death-by-ICE allegations, and Ilhan Omar’s incident—to illustrate the decline of trust in institutions and media, warning that without a collective return to honesty, reason, and maturity, societal decline is inevitable.
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For commentary by Stu: Visit Stu Does America on YouTube