The Glenn Beck Program

Episode: The Truth About Jimmy Kimmel’s Suspension | Guests: Peter Navarro & Lexi Kuenzle
Date: September 18, 2025
Host: Glenn Beck (Blaze Podcast Network)
Featured Guests: Peter Navarro, Lexi Kuenzle

Episode Overview

This episode of The Glenn Beck Program dives deep into the cultural and political currents swirling around the indefinite suspension of Jimmy Kimmel from ABC, the grief-stricken conservative landscape after the assassination of Charlie Kirk, and broader issues of free speech and government overreach. Glenn, broadcasting from Phoenix during Charlie Kirk’s memorial week, is joined by Peter Navarro (former Trump advisor, recently released from prison) and nurse Lexi Kuenzle (suspended and later reinstated after condemning a colleague’s comments about Kirk’s death). The focus is on media hypocrisy, the dangers of weaponizing government institutions, and upholding constitutional values, especially following turbulent recent events.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Jimmy Kimmel’s Suspension: Media Hypocrisy & Corporate Decisions

(Begins ~05:00, Primary segment: 08:30–25:00, revisited throughout)

• Context: ABC, along with major affiliates Sinclair and Nexstar, suspended Jimmy Kimmel’s show following remarks he made about the shooting of Charlie Kirk. Glenn describes how these cancellations are reverberating and being politicized.
• Media Reactions: Outcry from the left accuses the government—specifically the FCC and Commissioner Brendan Carr—of undue pressure, invoking freedom of speech concerns. Glenn eviscerates the hypocrisy, reminding listeners how similar corporate or government interventions were celebrated when conservative figures (like Tucker Carlson or Glenn himself) were targeted.

  “Now, everybody is upset because Disney… need[s] the green light for ESPN’s deal to buy the NFL Network. And now if the FCC gets involved... So you're worried that just the action of you not doing something that the President is for, the government might judge you differently?” — Glenn Beck (11:06)

• Free Speech Debate: Glenn argues the market—not government—should decide, and Kimmel’s low ratings made him expendable:

  “Jimmy Kimmel has made himself irrelevant in America for a very long time. He's out of step. If it wasn't this, it'd be something else that would eventually just get his show canned…” — Glenn Beck (19:29)

• Double Standards Highlighted: The same left-leaning outlets celebrate conservative hosts' cancelation but decry Kimmel’s, ignoring past government and activist pressures against right-leaning voices.
  • Example: AOC bragged about “deplatforming” Tucker Carlson.
  • Glenn details his own ousting from FOX as a coordinated campaign by White House officials and activist groups — with mainstream media complicit or silent.

Notable Quote:

“This is yet another thing of Astroturf and yet another lie. If the FCC doesn't go further and get involved. The FCC should not be involved in this. Let the market work itself out and let the grassroots market work itself out, not these giant organizations that are funded with our tax dollars.” — Glenn Beck (23:45)

2. Corporate-Government Pressure and FCC Power

(25:30–38:44)

• The Role of Government Agencies: Glenn and “Stu” discuss the dangers of powerful regulatory agencies like the FCC, DOJ, and FBI being weaponized to target political enemies.
  • Recent revelations about FBI’s “Operation Arctic Frost” and investigations into GOP groups are cited as examples of ongoing institutional bias.
  • Irony noted: The left built these bureaucratic powers but objects when they're wielded by opponents.
• Media & Misinformation:
  • Discussion about the FCC’s supposed grounds for intervention: “serving the public interest,” with Glenn arguing Kimmel crossed a line from comedy to knowing, harmful misinformation.

  “Lying, openly lying about something is not serving the public interest… You're knowingly lying about a very important thing.” — Glenn Beck (35:09)

Notable Exchange:

Stu: “If the left wants to join in unity to work with us to defang all of these three letter agencies...I cheer it on… Put a bill on there today, Chuck Schumer.” (27:22)
Glenn: “We will all vote for it… This is why you don’t make those agencies more powerful… You’re not going to like it.” (27:36)

3. Charlie Kirk’s Assassination: Grief, Legacy, and Violence

(Throughout; Main tribute at 68:13, 75:07; Kirk context from beginning and 45:55)

• Remembrance: The Glenn Beck team is in Phoenix for Charlie Kirk’s funeral, describing the outpouring of grief, public memorials, and Kirk’s legendary status as both a broadcaster and youth leader in the conservative movement.

• Personal Reflections: Glenn recounts personal conversations with Kirk (including Kirk’s ambitions and character), noting the impact of his death both on his organization (TPUSA) and the American right.

• Societal Polarization: The assassination is viewed as the ultimate outcome of radical dehumanization of political opponents, with calls for unity and principle.

  “When I put that microphone in front of him... it was so difficult... I wish I would have had the chance to say that to him before he died…” — Glenn Beck (72:46)

• Musical Tribute: Glenn’s daughter, a close Kirk supporter and witness to the tragedy, re-records the “We Are One” theme with David Osmond as a tribute — underscoring the theme of unity over division (75:07–78:56).

4. Antifa Labeled a Terrorist Organization: Rationale and Reaction

(49:20–56:00, interspersed)

• Legal Definitions: Glenn reads the DHS definition of terrorism, arguing Antifa's tactics (violence, arson, intimidation) fit precisely.
• Narrative Control: He insists the previous unwillingness of authorities and media to name leftist violence as terrorism was politically motivated.

  “Violence is violence. Coercion is coercion. Fear is fear. And… cities have lived through nights of terror at the hands of antifa.” — Glenn Beck (54:44)

5. Political Violence and Media Narratives

• Contrasts Demonstrated: Beck shares recent examples of left-wing threats and violence (vandalism of a Trump banner, threats to Republicans) to push back at the left’s focus on supposed MAGA-instigated extremism.
  • Cites an incident: Florida man arrested for posting about “democide” of Republicans (65:00).

  “All conservatives will be systematically erased. I will personally do everything I can to democide Republicans.” — Glenn Beck reading from social media (65:00)

6. Peter Navarro Interview: Weaponization of Justice

(89:37–103:00)

• Background: Peter Navarro (former Trump trade adviser, recently released from prison for contempt of Congress) discusses the events leading to his arrest, his time in prison, and his new book, “I Went to Prison So You Don’t Have To.”
  • Claims campaign against him and other MAGA allies was entirely Democrat-directed, part of a broader pattern of lawfare and weaponized government.
  • Recounts his arrest by an FBI agent who also played a role in the Steele dossier and Russia investigation.
• Call for Accountability: Navarro appeals to listeners to demand accountability for abuses of power by government agencies.

  “If we don't hold these people accountable … then they'll do it again.” — Peter Navarro (94:50)

• Broken Window Theory: Cites Giuliani’s “broken windows” approach as a metaphor for the spiraling lack of civility and consequences in modern American discourse (100:53).
• On Reforming Institutions: Backs efforts to “defang” the FBI, FCC, and other institutions, echoing Glenn’s constitutionalist perspective (97:11).

7. Lexi Kuenzle Interview: Moral Courage in Healthcare

(110:22–121:45)

• Incident Recap: Lexi, a registered nurse, confronted a doctor who said Charlie Kirk “deserved” to be killed, reported him, and was suspended while the doctor ostensibly faced no immediate discipline.
  • Shares previous experience being pressured to vacate for not taking COVID vaccine.
  • Describes the distress and support she received after going public, ultimately being reinstated while the doctor resigned.

  “You're a doctor. You're a physician. I mean, what if a patient comes into the hospital and, you know, they're wearing... a Charlie Kirk shirt or any type of shirt that the doctor does not agree with?... Now we raise the question, is this patient gonna be treated the same?” — Lexi Kuenzle (113:04)

• Commitment to Ethics:

  “You treat everybody the same... You can't let beliefs or thoughts of any type of, you know, discrimination get in the way of treating the patient.” — Lexi Kuenzle (120:45)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Corporate Hypocrisy:

  “Let the market work itself out and let the grassroots market work itself out, not these giant organizations that are funded with our tax dollars.” — Glenn Beck (23:45)

• On Government Power:

  “This is why you don't make those agencies more powerful. … Somebody that you don’t like comes in and wants to play the game the way you’ve been playing. You’re not going to like it.” — Glenn Beck (27:53)

• On Deplatforming:

  “They celebrated when I left. I don't know if they still celebrate, but they celebrated when I left.” — Glenn Beck (21:43)

• Regarding Kimmel's Ratings:

  “Jason [producer] is still trying to figure out how low Jimmy Kimmel really is... That’s how low Jimmy Kimmel is rated. But, you know, he’s got a— We have a responsibility to keep him on the air. No, we don’t.” — Glenn Beck (42:39)

• On Free Speech:

  “I believe in freedom of speech. Jimmy Kimmel, that's not. Freedom is what you are. He lied... He is not serving the public by lying about what happened to Charlie Kirk.” — Glenn Beck (82:38)

Timestamps for Critical Segments

• [05:00] — Introduction of Jimmy Kimmel suspension topic
• [08:30–25:00] — Deep dive: Kimmel, ABC, media hypocrisy, government pressure
• [25:38–38:44] — Stu and Glenn on FCC, weaponization of government
• [49:20–56:00] — Antifa designated as terrorist group, definitions and implications
• [68:13, 75:07] — Charlie Kirk tribute segment with music by David Osmond and Cheyenne Grace
• [89:37–103:00] — Peter Navarro interview: prison, lawfare, calls for accountability
• [110:22–121:45] — Lexi Kuenzle interview: medical ethics, reporting hate, workplace backlash

Closing Thoughts

This episode is a microcosm of the contemporary American Right’s grievances: a belief in systematic targeting by legacy media and bureaucratic agencies, mourning the loss of one of its rising stars (Charlie Kirk), and a call to return to mutual constitutional restraint. Through interviews and commentary, Glenn Beck urges listeners to uphold higher standards of discourse, defend free speech for all, and beware the corrupting power of unchecked institutions.

Actionable and Further Information

• Support Charlie Kirk’s family/TPUSA: givesendgo.com/912project
• Lexi Kuenzle’s campaign: GoFundMe - Nurses for TPUSA

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