Podcast Summary: The Glenn Beck Program – "Promises Kept! Trump's Showdown with Colombia Proves It"

Release Date: January 27, 2025
Guests: Andrew Bailey (Missouri Attorney General), William Hertling (Author and AI Expert)
Duration: Approximately 123 minutes

1. Introduction and Overview

The episode of The Glenn Beck Program titled "Promises Kept! Trump's Showdown with Colombia Proves It" delves into President Donald Trump's recent policy actions, the ongoing immigration debate, and the escalating concerns surrounding artificial intelligence (AI). Hosted by Glenn Beck and featuring guests Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey and author William Hertling, the discussion offers a blend of political analysis and technological cautionary tales.

2. Trump's Immigration and Foreign Policies

Key Highlights:

• Aggressive Deportation Measures: President Trump has intensified efforts to deport illegal immigrants, surpassing previous administrations in both scope and speed.

  "Donald Trump has done more in his first 100 hours than any president has done in his first 100 days." [04:30] – Glenn Beck

• Policy Overhauls: Significant policy shifts include withdrawing the U.S. from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Paris Climate Agreement. Additionally, the administration has designated various cartels and terror groups as terrorist organizations, aiming to dismantle their operations.

  "He also pulled America out of the China-fawning communist-enabling World Health Organization, yanked America from the Paris climate agreement." [09:14] – Stu Burguiere

• Foreign Aid Reconfiguration: Implementing an "America First" approach, President Trump has restructured foreign aid, ensuring that taxpayer dollars are utilized primarily for national interests.

  "He just released a memo that instructs the U.S. agency for International Development... America first in foreign aid reviews." [14:00] – Stu Burguiere

3. The Showdown with Colombia

Incident Overview:

President Trump's recent confrontation with Colombia serves as a litmus test for his administration's commitment to immigration reform and national security.

• Deportation Stand-Off: The U.S. initiated the deportation of Colombian nationals involved in criminal activities. However, Colombia resisted, initially denying the return of these individuals.

  "President Trump, who is on the golf course, hears that and says, 'Oh, okay, well, turn the planes around and bring them back.'" [05:00] – Stu Burguiere

• Economic Sanctions Threat: In response to Colombia's refusal, Trump imposed a 25% tax on Colombian exports to the U.S., signaling a willingness to leverage economic pressure.

  "And so the Colombian president said, okay, okay, okay... but then after a couple of hours... we're closing our embassy. We're stopping everything in Colombia." [12:00] – Stu Burguiere

• Swift Resolution: Within minutes, diplomatic channels stabilized the situation, resulting in Colombia acquiescing to the deportation demands without further escalation.

  "Within a few minutes, old Columbia changed their mind. 'We are good.'" [13:02] – William Hertling

Implications:

This showdown underscores Trump's assertive foreign policy tactics and his administration's readiness to take decisive action to uphold immigration laws. It also demonstrates a departure from previous administrations' more conciliatory approaches.

4. Foreign Aid and America First

Policy Shifts:

Trump's administration has taken significant steps to ensure that foreign aid aligns with American interests, reducing support to entities that do not reciprocate or adhere to U.S. standards.

• USAID Reprioritization: The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is now mandated to prioritize "America First" in its foreign aid distribution, moving away from past practices perceived as wasteful or ideologically driven.

  "Prioritizing America's Health first. Foreign aid has to align with the belief that the taxpayer dollars should primarily benefit us." [21:00] – Stu Burguiere

• Elimination of FEMA: The administration has directed plans to dismantle the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), transferring disaster response responsibilities back to state and local governments unless explicitly requested.

  "He is putting a premium on the safety of your house. It's the base of your family." [24:33] – Stu Burguiere

Guest Insights:

Andrew Bailey emphasizes the necessity of these reforms, arguing that prior foreign aid practices diluted U.S. resources without yielding tangible benefits to American citizens.

5. Discussion on Artificial Intelligence with William Hertling

AI Risks and Concerns:

William Hertling, author of AI Apocalypse and Avogadro Corp., provides a deep dive into the escalating dangers posed by artificial intelligence, drawing parallels between his fictional narratives and current technological advancements.

• Superintelligent AI Threats: Hertling warns of the imminent arrival of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), projecting its manifestation by 2025 or 2026. He highlights potential scenarios where AI could autonomously infiltrate and control critical infrastructure.

  "We are likely to hit AGI in 2025 or 2026." [39:13] – William Hertling

• Deep Seek AI and National Security: The introduction of Deep Seek AI by China has raised alarms about national security vulnerabilities. Hertling discusses the AI's capabilities in surpassing Western counterparts, posing threats to U.S. infrastructure and cybersecurity.

  "It's a very, very dangerous. Just the propaganda and the mind control that it is now going to be pushing." [27:42] – Stu Burguiere

• Governance and Defense Mechanisms: Emphasizing the need for robust AI governance, Hertling advocates for layered defense systems and international cooperation to mitigate AI-related threats.

  "We need systems that work together. We need defense in depth. We need controls that are taking place at the level of individual servers." [73:52] – Glenn Beck

Author's Perspective:

Hertling draws from his novels to illustrate real-world AI challenges, underscoring the urgency of addressing AI ethics, control, and the potential for misuse before AGI becomes an uncontrollable entity.

6. Marco Rubio's Legal Action Against China

Lawsuit Overview:

Marco Rubio, the Secretary of State, introduces a groundbreaking lawsuit against the People's Republic of China, seeking restitution for damages incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Suing for Damages: The lawsuit demands $25 billion in restitution for the economic and social impacts caused by China's alleged mishandling of the pandemic, including the initial outbreak and subsequent PPE hoarding.

  "We filed a lawsuit against China... asking for 25 billion dollars in restitution and remediation." [112:14] – Marco Rubio

• Asset Seizure Strategy: Rubio outlines a strategy to execute court judgments by seizing Chinese-owned assets within the United States, targeting properties, farmland, and other valuable holdings.

  "Once we obtain that judgment, is identifying assets and working through the legal process to seize those assets to make good on that judgment." [118:54] – Marco Rubio

• Anticipated Outcomes: Rubio remains optimistic about the lawsuit's success, citing China's non-participation in the judicial process as an implicit acknowledgment of wrongdoing.

  "I anticipate we're going to get a judgment, and we will begin executing that judgment at the appropriate time." [115:26] – Marco Rubio

Implications:

This legal approach marks a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy and international accountability, potentially setting a precedent for holding foreign nations financially responsible for global crises.

7. Conclusion and Overall Impact

The episode underscores a transformative period in American politics and technology. President Trump's assertive policies aim to reclaim national sovereignty, enforce immigration laws, and reposition the U.S. on the global stage. Concurrently, the conversation with William Hertling brings to light the pressing need to address AI advancements and their potential threats to national security and societal structures.

Final Takeaways:

• Empowerment of the "Forgotten Man": A central theme revolves around restoring power to everyday Americans, combating elitism, and ensuring that government actions directly benefit its citizens.

  "It's the backbone of our nation... The forgotten man, the guy who works hard, pays his taxes, and the government says, I want to take more money from that guy..." [110:00] – Glenn Beck

• Urgency in AI Governance: The discussions highlight an urgent call to action for establishing robust AI governance frameworks to prevent misuse and safeguard national interests.

• Strategic Foreign Policy Moves: The proactive stance against countries like Colombia and China exemplifies a broader strategy to renegotiate international relationships in favor of American interests.

Notable Quotes

• "Donald Trump has done more in his first 100 hours than any president has done in his first 100 days."
  – Glenn Beck [04:30]

• "We are likely to hit AGI in 2025 or 2026."
  – William Hertling [39:13]

• "If you were concerned about self-defense, would you buy a gun at the moment someone was breaking into your house? Or would you go out and buy that gun and learn how to use it..."
  – William Hertling [51:23]

• "We have a president who doesn't apologize for loving his country and wanting to see it succeed."
  – Glenn Beck [89:00]

Conclusion

This episode of The Glenn Beck Program presents a compelling narrative on the administration's bold moves in both domestic and international arenas, juxtaposed with looming technological threats. Through insightful discussions and critical analysis, the program encapsulates the challenges and triumphs shaping America's future in early 2025.