The Glenn Beck Program

Episode: "New Script: Jimmy Kimmel Is a Bigger Martyr than Charlie Kirk | Guests: Salena Zito & Josh McPherson"
Date: September 19, 2025
Host: Glenn Beck
Guests: Salena Zito (journalist), Josh McPherson (pastor), Peter Duran (FDD), Michael Malice (author/comic), Stu Burguiere (co-host/producer)

Episode Overview

This episode of The Glenn Beck Program focuses on the aftermath of the assassination of conservative leader Charlie Kirk, the societal reactions to his death, and contrasting them with the recent media narrative surrounding Jimmy Kimmel’s firing. Coming live from Phoenix, Beck explores the logistics and emotional weight of Kirk’s upcoming public memorial, dives into the spiritual revival he detects across America, and confronts issues of polarization, media manipulation, and the search for authentic leadership. Notable guests provide on-the-ground and philosophical perspectives, making this a rich examination of American culture in a moment of upheaval.

Table of Contents

• 1. Charlie Kirk Memorial & Cultural Significance
• 2. Media Reactions: Kimmel, Colbert, and the Martyrdom Narrative
• 3. The Awakening: Faith, Community, and a Rising Movement
• 4. Foreign Influence & Information Warfare
• 5. Notable Quotes & Moments
• 6. Guest Highlights
• 7. Closing Thoughts and Call to Action

1. Charlie Kirk Memorial & Cultural Significance

Kirk's Impact and the Scope of Memorial

• Beck broadcasts from Phoenix days before the massive public memorial for Charlie Kirk at State Farm Stadium. The logistics involve extensive security, Secret Service, and dignitaries, with Beck likening it to a presidential inauguration ([05:20-09:51]).
• Speaker list spans major conservative and national figures: President Trump, VP J.D. Vance, National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, RFK Jr., and more ([05:50-09:51]).
• Beck and Stu note the wide coalition Kirk built in conservative media and politics, as well as the absence of a vocal religious leader in the programming, despite faith being central to Kirk’s life ([09:51-13:52]).
• Beck expresses hope and concern for the future of TPUSA as Kirk’s widow, Erica, takes leadership, revealing Kirk’s remarkable foresight and preparation ([14:37-18:43]).

2. Media Reactions: Kimmel, Colbert, and the Martyrdom Narrative

Comparing Reactions to Violence and ‘Martyrdom’

• Beck sharply criticizes the left/media for focusing on the purported ‘martyrdom’ of Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert after Kimmel’s firing, contrasting it with the public assassination of Kirk ([18:43-23:25]).
• Kimmel, says Beck, is being framed as a victim for refusing to apologize for misinformation, in contrast to Kirk’s real sacrifice. The mainstream media uses Kimmel’s ouster as proof of right-wing "cancel culture" ([21:55-23:25]).
• The New York/LA media "bubble" is blamed for not grasping the gravity of violence or disrespect shown towards conservatives ([55:40-57:10], [57:10-59:22]).
• Segment includes a critical audio breakdown of Rainn Wilson (on his podcast with Mark Ruffalo) denouncing left-wing celebration of Kirk’s murder, which Beck praises as showing remaining decency on the left ([25:08-26:58]).
  • Rainn Wilson: "...shooting someone that we disagree with...is so colossally wrong headed...we cannot think or talk that way at all..." ([26:01]).

Kimmel & FCC Discussion

• Beck delves into the FCC’s distinction between community standards in local broadcasting and how national corporations have seized editorial control, making local preemption rare ([33:51-39:12]).
• Analysis includes discussion with FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr’s comments on broadcast responsibility ([34:59-36:58]).

3. The Awakening: Faith, Community, and a Rising Movement

A New Spiritual Revival?

• Beck and guests repeatedly return to evidence of a grassroots awakening, particularly among young people, triggered by Kirk’s message and martyrdom.

Salena Zito’s Field Observations

• Zito shares that suburban moms and other non-traditional conservative groups are profoundly affected by Kirk’s murder, prompting an uptick in faith, activism, and skepticism of mainstream narratives ([47:21-53:17]).
• She describes hundreds gathering in small towns for prayer, noting a shift reminiscent of counterculture but centered on faith and family, not rebellion ([52:22-53:23]).
• "Awakening" is the term Zito uses, insisting that pollsters/media based in urban power centers fail to grasp the depth of the shift ([54:00-55:40]).
• Zito notes that the post-Kirk wave features a boldness in faith missing post-9/11—a combination of patriotism and spiritual revival, not just nationalism ([62:09-64:36]).

Pastor Josh McPherson’s Testimony

• Describes record church attendances across the US, with pastors reporting Easter-level crowds and fervor on a random September Sunday ([95:55-99:35]).
• Cites Charlie Kirk as a rare American Christian martyr and draws a parallel between his death and the growth of a new movement—a spiritual, countercultural revival ([90:32-93:41]).
• "Charlie’s life and death has awakened...a spiritual hunger that I have never seen at levels in our nation across the board..." ([97:55-99:35]).
• McPherson distinguishes between revival (a supernatural, temporary surge in spiritual interest) and lasting awakening, suggesting this wave will leave a generational impact ([105:08-107:03]).

4. Foreign Influence & Information Warfare

Russia, China, and Exploiting Division

• Peter Duran (FDD) joins to outline how foreign adversaries, particularly Russia under Alexander Dugin and China, swiftly exploited Kirk’s assassination to sow discord:
  • Russian propaganda framed Kirk's murder as "the beginning of a civil war" ([67:33-69:37]).
  • Dugin described the Democratic Party as "America’s Ukraine," seeking to pit Americans against each other ([70:28-71:34]).
  • Both Russia and China aim not to pick sides but to flood the information sphere with confusion, amplifying division to keep the US internally fixated ([72:12-73:57]).
• Beck notes that social media bots ratchet up anger on both sides, as seen in previous events (BLM, 2020 elections), highlighting the need for vigilance ([71:34-73:09]).
• Duran: "Their main goal is to pollute the information space...as long as we have knives at each other's throats here in the United States—that's what they want..." ([72:12-73:09]).

5. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Glenn Beck on Social Division:
  • "You now know who the people are that celebrate death. ... This is the great sifting, this is the great sorting that is going on." ([18:43-23:25])
• Selena Zito on Awakening:
  • "[Suburban women are] invigorated and activated...there is an awakening going on." ([51:42-52:20])
• Pastor Josh McPherson:
  • On Kirk: "Charlie Kirk...was killed doing the thing he's been doing for 12 years...pointing them to the glory of Jesus, the good news of the gospel, anchored in the truth of God's word. That's why they had to kill him." ([91:23-93:12])
  • On revival: "Universally...Easter level record attendance on a random Sunday in September...Easter level response to the good news." ([97:55-99:35])
• Michael Malice on Humor and Kimmel:
  • "You soulless conservatives cheering on what happened to Jimmy Kimmel haven't stopped to think about Jimmy's wife and children—because they now have to spend more time with Jimmy Kimmel." ([111:23])
  • "When did it become normal for late night TV shows to become MSNBC?" ([111:59])
• Glenn Beck on Lincoln’s Call for Unity:
  • "With malice toward none, with charity for all, with the firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right..."— drawing a parallel between post–Civil War and today ([74:00-76:32]).

6. Guest Highlights

Salena Zito ([47:21–64:36])

• Reports on ground-level political/cultural shifts missed by coastal media/pollsters.
• Notes an unlikely, faith-centered mobilization post-Kirk.
• Warns against bubbles and calls for attention to America’s “hidden majority.”

Pastor Josh McPherson ([89:37–107:03])

• Advances the idea of Kirk as a rare American Christian martyr.
• Details a massive, organic wave of church attendance and conversion.
• Calls for pastors to seize this moment, urging clarity and courage amid national grief.

Peter Duran (FDD) ([67:33–73:57])

• Unpacks Russia/China’s info-warfare after Kirk’s assassination.
• Warns Americans to resist manipulation and focus on unity.

Michael Malice ([110:45–123:47])

• Invokes humor to process events, but ultimately echoes gravity of the moment.
• Questions the politicization of comedy, seeing hope in shifting public tolerance for vitriolic entertainment.

7. Closing Thoughts and Call to Action

• Beck closes by urging listeners to stay “in prayer, humble, connected to God,” expecting and demanding miracles in the days ahead ([125:25–126:01]).
• He frames the next chapter as dependent on spiritual vision, communal solidarity, and relentless truth-telling in the face of deep polarization and external subversion.
• The episode finishes on a somber, yet hopeful note—asserting that Kirk’s martyrdom, unlike the media narratives of lesser “martyrs,” is seeding a realignment of faith, community, and purpose in America.

TIMESTAMPS: SEGMENT GUIDE

• Charlie Kirk Memorial: [05:20–13:52]; [14:37–18:43]
• Media Reaction/Kimmel Discussion: [18:43–27:26]; [33:51–39:12]; [110:45–123:47]
• Awakening, Faith, Revival: [47:21–64:36]; [89:37–107:03]
• Foreign Influence/Warfare: [67:33–73:57]
• Historical Perspective & Closing: [74:00–76:32]; [125:25–126:01]

For more: Listen to the full episode at BlazeTV.com/Glenn