The Glenn Beck Program

Episode: Why Trump Keeps Blowing Up Venezuelan Drug Boats | Guest: Peter Atwater
Date: October 21, 2025
Host: Glenn Beck
Guest: Peter Atwater, Adjunct Lecturer, College of William and Mary

Episode Overview

Theme:
This episode dives into recent U.S. military actions against Venezuelan "drug boats," questioning the mainstream narrative of a new drug war. Glenn Beck argues these moves are part of a broader Trump administration strategy to reassert American sovereignty in the Western Hemisphere, push back on Chinese and Russian influence, and secure critical resources for the future. The discussion also explores the political and economic ramifications of a gold boom, looming government shutdown, the AI industry "bubble," and concludes with a deep-dive into the meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance as a guide for national renewal.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Venezuelan "Drug Boats": More Than a Drug War

[04:00 – 14:50]

• Beck questions why Navy forces are conducting aggressive operations against Venezuelan "drug boats" and homemade submarines, suggesting it’s not just about narcotics.

• He positions these actions as a modern Monroe Doctrine, aimed at keeping Russia and China out of South America and protecting critical oil and mineral assets.

  "What you have to understand about Donald Trump is he is reshaping everything. Just as the WEF said, 'We're going to go for the Great Reset,' he's doing that single-handedly. He is taking on everything and reshaping the world to have a stronger America..." — Glenn Beck (09:30)

• Venezuela, Guyana, and Colombia are identified as strategic points for energy, minerals, and control over Western Hemisphere trade and manufacturing independence.

• The real target of military pressure, Beck claims, is Chinese and Russian encroachment via strategic partnerships, debt traps, and contracts with state-owned oil companies.

Key Quote:

"This looks like the old drug war, but is really, I believe, designed to crowd out the Chinese influence... This is economic warfare disguised as moral policing." — Glenn Beck (14:38)

2. A "Second Monroe Doctrine"?

[14:51 – 21:32]

• Beck frames current American actions in Latin America as Trump’s resurrection of the Monroe Doctrine, pushing back not only on old world (Europe) influence but now against China.

• Stu Begir connects this resurgence to China’s ambitions in 2027 (set goal to invade Taiwan) and highlights how control in South America is increasingly seen as vital for U.S. security.

  "You will no longer colonize places like South America. I mean, Venezuela has been described as a, quote, foothold, a strategic partnership." — Stu Begir (22:09)

3. Gold, Economic Strategy, and U.S. Sovereignty

[25:15 – 43:09]

• With gold soaring towards $5,000 an ounce, Beck discusses how central banks (especially in the West) are stockpiling, but posits a "grand Trump strategy" may be behind it.

• He theorizes about marking U.S. gold reserves to current market value (from $35/oz to $4,500/oz), instantly improving the nation's balance sheet and perhaps restoring confidence in the dollar.

  "Suddenly, your profile looks different overnight. Okay, that is what I believe is coming in America. I believe they're going to revalue gold ..." — Glenn Beck (26:30)

• Potential policy proposals include selling off unproductive federal land, harnessing resource wealth (like Venezuelan oil), and unleashing foreign investment.

• Beck describes this as a possible 'controlled implosion' of the old system to rebuild on a foundation of real assets, in contrast to the left's 'Great Reset' vision.

• The danger: If public confidence breaks, revaluation could catalyze financial collapse instead.

  "...if Bessant and the president can pull this off, we may be watching ... the building of a new foundation, of a new financial order ..." — Glenn Beck (36:10)

4. A Lesson in Civics: The Pledge of Allegiance

[45:54 – 62:10]

• Beck leads a segment on the Pledge of Allegiance, explaining how its line-by-line meaning could offer a blueprint for American renewal — emphasizing unity, humility, liberty, and justice for all.

• He stresses understanding the historic and philosophical foundations of each word for a functional society.

  "I pledge allegiance to the flag. This is not a vow to the flag. It is a vow to a living idea that free people, bound together under God, humble under God, can govern themselves with liberty and justice for all." — Glenn Beck (58:21)

5. Education, School Choice, and Unions

[62:47 – 66:39]

• Discussion on the state of the education system, teachers' unions, and how school choice is shaking up traditional public schooling.

• Emphasis on the importance of parental control and the resistance of unions to private alternatives.

  "But dismantling the schools and dismantling the overwhelming influence of the teachers unions is going to take a while, and it's being dismantled one little bit at a time." — Glenn Beck (64:41)

6. AI Industry Bubble: Interview with Peter Atwater

[68:31 – 82:23]

• Atwater, known for coining "K-shaped recovery," discusses how the rapid speculative frenzy in AI resembles the housing bubble, fuelled by financial interdependence among tech giants.

• He predicts a likely dramatic valuation crash, with impacts for everyday investors (since AI makes up a huge chunk of the S&P 500).

• The risks include overhype, network effects among a handful of juggernauts (OpenAI, Nvidia, Oracle), and eventual backlash both financially and culturally.

• Atwater updates his “K-shape” theory, describing a sharply bifurcated America: those living with economic invulnerability and those struggling with basic needs — a trend he finds deeply troubling and under-addressed.

  "Today, those at the top feel invulnerable... On the other hand, those at the bottom aren’t sure how they’re going to make it through the day... There is a bipartisan hopelessness" — Peter Atwater (80:15/81:37)

7. The New White House Ballroom

[110:14 – 122:31]

• Beck recounts private conversations with Donald Trump about plans to build a massive new ballroom as part of the White House’s East Wing.

• This expansion, not paid for by taxpayers (per Trump's claim), is aimed at projecting American power in international diplomacy — rooted, according to Trump, in how foreign leaders "from palaces" perceive strength.

• Stu is surprised at how simplified the process is, and both discuss the public’s likely reaction when the White House’s physical appearance dramatically changes.

  "He’s doing it to project power and wealth … it is important for us to project power." — Glenn Beck paraphrasing Trump (119:25)

8. Government Shutdown and Healthcare Subsidies

[91:31 – 104:45]

• Conversation about the ongoing government shutdown, its real impacts (or lack thereof), and the odd media silence on sob stories, theorizing Democrats are saving outrage for an imminent healthcare subsidy spike (as COVID-era enhancements expire).
• Beck and Begir debate whether Republicans will cave on restoring subsidies or if a new plan will appear.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On “war on drugs”: “America’s way to learn geography is war.” — Glenn Beck (05:30)
• On gold revaluation: "We may be watching the birth of the building of a new financial order … a new foundation … that’s actually real.” — Glenn Beck (36:10)
• On AI speculation: "The dog eating its tail phenomenon is extraordinary here… in this one, we have the largest technology companies in the world spinning money around among themselves." — Peter Atwater (74:42)
• On K-shape recovery: "Those at the top feel invulnerable… those at the bottom aren’t sure how to make it through the day… It doesn’t feel stable to me, too." — Peter Atwater (81:37)
• On American unity: "Indivisible means we don’t allow hatred, division ... we hold on to the bonds … that make us one people. We don’t secede from one another." — Glenn Beck (54:29)
• On White House changes: “It is important for us to project power ... the White House is different, America is different, but they understand power in a different way.” — Glenn Beck recounting Trump (119:25)

Timestamps — Key Segments

• Drug War or Grand Strategy? – 04:00–14:50
• The “Second Monroe Doctrine” – 14:51–21:32
• South America, China, and Venezuela – 07:30–14:50
• Gold, Fiscal Policy, and Economic Warfare – 25:15–43:09
• The Pledge of Allegiance as Blueprint – 45:54–62:10
• Education & School Choice – 62:47–66:39
• AI Bubble with Peter Atwater – 68:31–82:23
• Shutdown, Healthcare Subsidies, and Political Strategy – 91:31–104:45
• White House Ballroom Expansion – 110:14–122:31

Tone & Style

The episode is infused with Glenn Beck’s trademark blend of humor, directness, and broad, sometimes apocalyptic speculation — questioning mainstream narratives and delivering sweeping historical and geopolitical analogies, with playful yet pointed banter between Beck and co-host Stu Begir. Peter Atwater contributes a calm, analytical voice on economics and technology.

For Listeners:

If you missed the show:

• This episode connects headlines to a sweeping view of U.S. geopolitical and economic strategy.
• It challenges the surface explanations about military actions in Venezuela and the AI investment surge.
• The discussion is rich in analogies and policy speculation but rooted in concern for American autonomy and stability in the face of rapid change.

Recommended Segments:

• For geopolitics and economic strategy, start at 04:00.
• For AI insights, listen at 68:31.
• For a deep-dive on American civic values, jump to 45:54.
• For current events and political strategy, 91:31 and onward.

Summary prepared for listeners seeking a detailed, topic-focused overview of The Glenn Beck Program (10/21/25).