The Glenn Beck Program

Episode: Why EVERYONE Should Stop Using the Term 'Hate Speech' | Guest: Andrew McCarthy | 9/16/25

Date: September 16, 2025
Host: Glenn Beck
Co-host: Stu Burguiere
Guest: Andrew McCarthy (National Review contributing editor, former Chief Assistant U.S. Attorney)

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the dangers of weaponizing the term "hate speech," the implications for free speech, and recent political violence, particularly the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Glenn Beck and Stu Burguiere dissect media and political reactions, address differences in political violence across the spectrum, examine upcoming policies, and interview legal expert Andrew McCarthy regarding recent high-profile criminal cases and the use of anti-terror statutes. The hosts urge listeners to resist reactionary calls for expanded government power, drawing lessons from history on propaganda and freedom.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Reaction to Designating Antifa as a Domestic Terror Organization

• Beck and Burguiere criticize the mainstream media's outrage over President Trump's support for labeling Antifa as domestic terrorists and for using RICO charges against groups financing political violence.
  • Beck sarcastically notes: “So, it’s what the Democrats used against Donald Trump…but how dare him think about using RICO charges?” (06:36)
  • Burguiere highlights the double standard: “Can you believe that a president would use the law and target his political opponents? … Every single person in this audience who just had to deal with multiple Democratic administrations who kept doing that over and over…” (07:13)

2. Political Violence and Polls on Public Attitudes

• The hosts reference recent polls showing an alarming percentage of young liberals condoning political violence.
  • J.D. Vance’s remarks played on air:

    “26% of young liberals believe political violence is sometimes justified. And only 7% of young conservatives say the same...” (11:53)

  • Beck: “It’s 74% wouldn’t do it because 26% say they’re for the violence… Stu, maybe you can break this down for the people. That's just 1 percentage point over a quarter of the population for the left.” (21:35, 22:04)
  • Both hosts agree that even 7% is "way too high," but emphasize the “much larger problem” on the left.

3. The Dangers of the “Hate Speech” Concept

• The central thesis: there’s no such thing as hate speech under U.S. law; only speech that leads directly to imminent violence can be punished.
  • Beck: “No, hate speech does not exist…The only kind of speech that anybody can do anything about, especially the government, is speech that…leads to violence.” (49:25)
  • Both criticize right and left attempts to create or enforce hate speech laws, warning of the slippery slope toward censorship and criminalizing dissent.
  • Stu: “It should make you feel uncomfortable that we’re allowing too much. That is exactly the correct standard.” (59:07)

Notable Tension with Pam Bondi’s Statement (Trump Administration Official)

• Pam Bondi’s on-air pronouncement that law enforcement would “absolutely, absolutely target you, go after you if you are targeting anyone with hate speech” sparks backlash from the hosts and audience alike.
  • Beck: “This is wrong. Hate speech doesn't exist...There’s no punishment for hate speech, period.” (49:25, 55:20)
  • Stu critiquing Bondi: “This isn’t graduate school conservatism… These are things you should learn really early on.” (65:26)

4. Historical Perspective: Propaganda, Smith–Mundt Act, and the Dangers of Overreach

• Beck recounts American efforts to legally firewall government propaganda from domestic audiences, beginning with the Smith-Mundt Act of 1948—a response to abuses during WWI and WWII.
  • Beck: “Congress rightfully was terrified of unleashing a government propaganda machine on its own citizens.” (91:34)
• He warns against post-Charlie Kirk calls from some on the right for new laws punishing 'false narratives,' comparing them to the post-9/11 Patriot Act and urging support only for clean reinstatement of Smith-Mundt protections, as proposed by Senator Mike Lee.

5. The Charlie Kirk Assassination and Societal Division

• The hosts mourn Kirk, reflect on the need to better prepare young people for "the great battle" ahead, and warn against dehumanization, whether in speech or policy.
  • Beck personal story: "Mom, someday I’m going to have to fight a great battle and you are not getting me ready for it." (26:17)
  • A call for unity, decency, and a generational mission to resist both violence and vengeful overreach.

6. Cross-Political Decency: Jamie Lee Curtis Segment

• Jamie Lee Curtis’s remarks on Kirk’s death are praised as modeling humane disagreement:

  “I disagreed with him on almost every point…I still believe he’s a father and a husband and a man of faith. And I hope whatever connection to God means that he felt it.” (69:17)

  • Beck applauds Curtis’s decency despite deep disagreement.

7. Legal Expert Andrew McCarthy: Definitions and Boundaries of Terrorism (110:26–125:17)

• On the Mangione Case (Healthcare CEO Murder):
  • McCarthy explains: NY law limits first-degree murder to specific cases like the killing of police/prison officials; most other killings, even premeditated, are murder two.
  • On dropping terrorism charges: The act targeted a specific executive/industry, not aimed at changing government policy or "coerc[ing] a civilian population," thus not meeting terrorism definitions under law.

    “We can’t turn every murder into terrorism…To prove terrorism, you have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt an intent to intimidate or coerce a civilian population.” (113:47, 114:15)

• On incitement and RICO charges: The challenge is proving incitement beyond protected speech; existing incitement statutes are often sufficient, and RICO is complicated but possible for proven conspiracies.
• On subversion: Mere membership in extremist groups is not a crime; active conspiracy or use of force is required for criminal liability.
• On Charlie Kirk case investigation: Authorities are right to investigate for conspiracy if others had foreknowledge, but mere awareness after the fact is not criminal.
  • On justice and penalties: "If we can agree that justice is this guy never sees the light of day again, I think justice will happen here." (118:33)

Memorable Quotes & Timestamps

• Glenn Beck on Hate Speech:

  “No, hate speech does not exist. The only kind of speech that...anybody can do anything about...is speech that directly...leads to violence.” (49:25)

• Stu Burguiere on Free Speech Standards:

  “It should make you feel uncomfortable that we’re allowing too much. That is exactly the correct standard.” (59:07)

• J.D. Vance on Political Violence:

  “26% of young liberals believe political violence is sometimes justified. And only 7% of young conservatives say the same. … People on the left are much likelier to defend and celebrate political violence. This is not a both sides problem.” (11:53)

• Jamie Lee Curtis on Kirk’s Assassination:

  “I disagreed with him on almost every point I ever heard him say...but he's a father and a husband and a man of faith...I hope [at his death] he felt connected to his faith, even though...his ideas were abhorrent to me.” (69:17)

• Andy McCarthy on Terrorism Statutes:

  “We can’t turn every murder into terrorism. ...You have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt an intent to intimidate or coerce a civilian population.” (113:47, 114:15)

• Glenn Beck on Younger Generations:

  “Stop calling these guys lazy and lost, because they're not. … They may be lost, but just as lost as you and I are. ...They weren't sent here to be like us. They were sent here to be the battalion that God needs them to be for this time.” (34:40–36:03)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Antifa as a Domestic Terror Group, RICO Discussion: 05:33–08:28
• Political Violence Polls, J.D. Vance Remarks: 11:46–16:03
• Hate Speech/American Law Definition: 48:52–55:20
• Beck on Smith–Mundt Act and Historical Propaganda: 91:34–107:30
• Jamie Lee Curtis Tribute: 68:52–73:33
• Andrew McCarthy Legal Interview: 110:26–125:17

Conclusion

Glenn Beck and his team deliver a passionate, sometimes satirical, but deeply cautionary discussion about the weaponization of terms like "hate speech" and the grave risks of letting government or political partisans define and police speech. They underscore the danger of reactionary lawmaking after tragedy, point to historical lessons about propaganda, and call for principled, lawful responses rather than vengeful overreach. Guest Andy McCarthy grounds the conversation in legal realities, clarifying legal statutes and the challenge of distinguishing "terrorism" from regular violent crime.

Universal calls are made for true free speech absolutism, the necessity of critical thinking, and cross-partisan decency—even amidst fierce disagreement. The episode ultimately warns listeners: restoring law and order or guarding against “misinformation” must not come at the expense of freedom itself.

For more information or to donate to the Kirk family and TPUSA, visit givesendgo.com/912Project.