The Glenn Beck Program

Episode Title: Trump’s Peace Talks Prove We FINALLY Have a World Leader Again
Guests: Sen. Eric Schmitt & Melanie Phillips
Date: August 19, 2025
Podcast Host: Glenn Beck
Network: Blaze Podcast Network

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the historic White House peace talks led by President Trump, which signaled significant shifts in international diplomacy and American leadership on the world stage. Glenn Beck and co-hosts discuss the global response to Trump’s approach, the U.S. role in forming a potential Ukraine peace agreement, and the broader implications for American politics and power, featuring key guest interviews with Senator Eric Schmitt (author of "Last Line of Defense") and British columnist Melanie Phillips.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Historic White House Peace Talks

• Trump as a World Leader:
  Glenn Beck opens with observations on the momentous meeting at the White House with European leaders and Ukrainian President Zelensky, highlighting the novelty of a U.S. president assembling such a group in this manner to move toward peace talks in Ukraine.

  • “There is quite a bit to talk about. What happened in the White House yesterday was historic.” (06:01)

• European Response:
  Jason Bottrill describes the mood as “a European love boat within the White House,” noting that European leaders heaped praise on Trump, seemingly in genuine recognition of progress, contrary to media narratives of mere flattery.

  • “They were all just heaping praise upon praise on President Trump.” (06:29)
  • The New York Times is critiqued for asserting that European leaders only praised Trump to appease him, “because they have to,” which Glenn and panel refute as a misreading of earnest respect for moving diplomatic efforts forward.

2. Breakthrough in Ukraine Diplomacy

• Stalemate Broken:
  Jason emphasizes that Trump’s efforts “broke the stalemate” in Ukraine diplomacy that had lasted over three years, citing European and Ukrainian leaders’ plaudits and a renewed sense of momentum.

  • “We got nowhere. More movement in the last two weeks. That is all President Trump.” (08:09)
  • Notable Quotes:
    • Zelensky: “President Trump’s efforts have reignited the dialogue.” (08:52, paraphrased)
    • Macron: “President Trump’s effort to stop the killing in Ukraine... has moved the ball down the field.” (08:52, paraphrased)

• Security Guarantees:
  Discussion of a possible “Article 5-like” security guarantee for Ukraine—modeled after but not equivalent to NATO’s defense pact—now reportedly acceptable to both Ukraine and, surprisingly, Russia.

3. A New American Leadership Model

• From Policeman to Leader:
  Glenn points out that under Trump, America is leading not as the world’s policeman but as a principal world leader—guiding coalitions rather than carrying global burdens alone.

  • “In the world that Donald Trump is designing right now, what we are is the leader of the world.” (18:06)
  • The meeting is likened to a principal calling all the teachers for a conference—an image Glenn and Melanie Phillips later discuss.

• Direct Action & Independence:
  Glenn recounts Trump’s “just going to call Vlad” moment as a symbol of real leadership: acting alone, keeping his own counsel, not waiting for permission or other advisers.

  • “When he was sitting in that room... he just gets up and says, hang on just a sec, I just got to call Vladimir Putin. None of the people in that room could have made that call.” (20:50)

4. American Leadership’s Two Key Transformations (25:16–35:12)

Glenn’s Takeaways:

1. America is In Charge Again:

   • The U.S. is driving global events via coalition leadership but avoiding being the world’s resource provider or sole enforcer. Trump is building, not joining, coalitions.
   • “We’re not leading through military force or projection of power, but because Trump is actually leading the world.” (25:16)
   • Glenn draws a distinction with past globalist or “new world order” approaches, noting that now, coalitions form around U.S. leadership, not vice versa.

2. President Keeps His Own Counsel:

   • For the first time in decades (since Reagan), a president is actively making decisions himself, not simply enacting advice from entrenched bureaucrats or globalists.
   • Glenn shares a personal anecdote from a White House meeting with George W. Bush to contrast the difference between a “president guided by advisers” and Trump’s direct leadership: “He is keeping his own counsel and telling his people: This is what I’m going to do. Find the constitutional way to do it.” (35:49)
   • He credits Trump’s independence from the D.C. establishment for America’s resurgent leadership.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• European Praise
  Jason Bottrill: “The only reason that Putin has come to the table... are the other foreign policy moves that Trump has maneuvered just to get to this point.” (07:38)
• On Trump’s Negotiation Skills
  Glenn Beck: “He is becoming that deal maker everywhere. Everywhere.” (09:37)
• Direct Diplomacy
  Glenn Beck: “The joint statement: We welcome President Trump’s efforts which have paved the way for Ukraine’s security guarantees.” (09:37)
• Restoring U.S. Global Respect
  Glenn Beck: “What Americans have always wanted was stop being the policeman... In the world that Donald Trump is designing right now, we are the leader.” (18:06)
• Personal Reflection
  Glenn Beck (on Trump’s independent counsel): “These advisors, professors... people who have been in the State Department their whole life and know better than everybody—Trump has said to them, shut up.” (35:49)
• On Trump’s Motivations for Peace
  • Donald Trump (quoted on Fox & Friends): “If I can save 7,000 people a week from being killed, I think that's a—I want to try and get to heaven, if possible... If I can get to heaven, this will be one of the reasons.” (113:39)
• On Trump’s Leadership Image
  • Glenn Beck: “I’ve never seen that happen before. It’s like America is leading again, not with threats, but as a facilitator.” (94:38)
• Melanie Phillips on European Leaders:
  “All these leaders who really can’t stand President Trump all lined up like schoolchildren with a headmaster. I thought it was because he is the most consequential politician of our lifetime.” (91:25)

Guest Interviews and Highlights

Sen. Eric Schmitt (49:56–82:53)

• Topic: New book Last Line of Defense; role of court challenges in fighting left-leaning government overreach.
• Key Points:
  • The courts are the final safeguard against executive overreach, and AGs (Attorneys General) played a crucial line during COVID and other crises.
  • Detailed discussion on fighting election law changes and censorship during COVID.
  • “During those dark days, President Trump was out of office...it sort of fell to this relatively unknown group of people...that fought back.” (53:47)
  • On lawfare against Trump and conservatives: “They are willing to use all levers at all times for their purposes.” (65:44)
  • Opines that “the fever broke” in 2024 with Trump’s return and calls for continued courage and court battles.
  • Talks about the deliberate undermining of democracy via court-packing/adding states and other radical measures openly advocated on the left.

Melanie Phillips (90:55–108:21)

• Topic 1: European leaders at White House, Trump's diplomatic posture
  • “None of us [have] ever seen anything like that before. But I think it’s testimony to President Trump’s power...foreign leaders who don’t like him even feel they have to dance to his tune.” (95:45)
• Topic 2: “Liberal Mindset” Analysis
  • Melanie explains the progressive tendency toward self-righteousness and moral absolutism, divorcing intention from evidence: “They believe that believing all these things makes them good people. Anyone who challenges any of that is written off as not just wrong but evil. And because they're evil, they won't listen to a word you say.” (104:48)

Important Segment Timestamps

• 04:17 — Initial reactions to White House meeting; significance of the day’s events
• 08:09 — Ukraine stalemate broken: “More movement in the last two weeks...”
• 13:54 — Discussion of an Article 5-like security agreement
• 25:16–35:12 — Glenn’s core takeaways: U.S. world leadership and presidential independence
• 49:56–82:53 — Sen. Eric Schmitt interview (election law, courts, left’s use of judiciary)
• 90:55–108:21 — Melanie Phillips interview (Trump’s gathering of world leaders, liberal mindset)
• 113:37 — Trump’s remarks on peace, legacy, and saving lives (“I want to try and get to heaven, if possible...”)
• 116:22–123:18 — Reflections on Trump’s self-deprecation and motivations

Tone & Language

• Lively, conversational, occasionally humorous (e.g., “new Big Bird” jokes, playful takes on legacy).
• Persuasive and direct, often critical of the mainstream media and progressive politics.
• Strong admiration for Trump’s negotiation and leadership skills.
• Critical, occasionally exasperated, in analyzing opponents’ (liberal/press) motives and worldviews.

Conclusion

The episode unpacks the historic nature of Trump’s White House peace talks, arguing this marks a decisive return to U.S. global leadership centered not on military power, but on direct, independent, and transactional diplomacy. The panel and guests interpret Trump’s approach—both in substance and style—as a dramatic break from the entangling, establishment-driven foreign policy of the past, credit unprecedented European engagement to his leadership, and frame the resurgence of American global influence as both a policy and cultural turning point. Senator Schmitt and Melanie Phillips provide depth on the legal/cultural fronts, while the hosts close with reflections on Trump’s character, motivations, and the challenge of peacemaking in the 21st century.

For further insights, the full transcript and episode are available via BlazeTV and www.BlazeTV.com/Glenn.