Podcast Summary: The Glenn Beck Program – "Will 2025 Bring DEI to an End?" | December 31, 2024

Host: Garrett Lewis (filling in for Glenn Beck)
Network: Blaze Podcast Network

Introduction

In the final episode of 2024, Garrett Lewis takes the reins of The Glenn Beck Program to delve into the contentious topic of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and its future as the nation approaches 2025. The discussion spans corporate policies, educational curriculums, media coverage, and societal changes, all through a critical lens.

DEI in Corporations: The Costco Case

Garrett begins by addressing recent corporate decisions surrounding DEI, focusing on Costco's controversial stance.

Glenn Beck (00:20): "But Costco's board of directors is urging shareholders to vote against a proposal that would eliminate DEI."

Costco’s board emphasizes that their DEI initiatives are integral to their success, citing statements aimed at fostering an inclusive environment for employees. However, Garrett criticizes this approach, arguing that DEI departments don't contribute to revenue and instead act as a financial burden.

Glenn Beck (03:08): "They wanna keep their racist, sexist, discriminatory hiring practices, I guess, and they're going for it. This is the dumbest thing I've ever seen in my life."

He further contrasts Costco's decision with other corporations like Alphabet (Google), Meta, Microsoft, and John Deere, which have scaled back their DEI efforts amid economic challenges.

DEI in Universities: Medieval Trans Studies

The conversation shifts to academia, highlighting a graduate course at Boston University that Garrett finds particularly egregious.

Glenn Beck (11:00): "Boston University is trying to tell us that transgender is a whole myth... Medieval trans studies."

The course reportedly covers "trans saints and gender fluid angels," prompting Garrett to question the historical accuracy and relevance of such curricula. He extends his critique to other institutions attempting to rebrand or rename DEI-related programs instead of eliminating them outright.

Dungeons & Dragons: Inclusivity Overhaul

Garrett discusses recent changes in the popular game Dungeons & Dragons, where the terminology has shifted from "races" to "species" to promote inclusivity.

Glenn Beck (103:38): "They are now species. Some character traits are now no longer have a biological identity."

He expresses frustration over measures that he perceives as unnecessary and overreaching, questioning the need for safety protocols within a fantasy game setting.

Minimum Wage Increases and Tipping Culture

A significant portion of the episode critiques recent minimum wage hikes and their impact on the tipping culture in the restaurant industry.

Glenn Beck (77:29): "They're trying to make it like Europe where servers will get paid a crazy amount of money. 20 bucks an hour, 25 bucks an hour, whatever it might be."

Garrett narrates an incident in Seattle where a minimum wage increase led to patrons reducing their tips drastically, underscoring his belief that such policies inadvertently harm service workers by eliminating their potential to earn more through tips.

Media Criticism: Joe Biden’s Mental Health

Garrett lambasts mainstream media outlets like CBS and CNN for their handling of President Joe Biden's cognitive decline.

Glenn Beck (35:43): "A lot, Garrett Lewis, I'm just, I don't know. I'll get one whopping day off tomorrow, so."

He criticizes journalists for allegedly ignoring Biden's mental acuity issues during the 2020 campaign and only acknowledging them post-election, suggesting a bias in media reporting.

Border Security: Venezuelan Gang Attempts

Addressing national security, Garrett highlights a report from the New York Post about Venezuelan gang members attempting to breach the U.S. border.

Glenn Beck (40:32): "A violent Venezuelan gang that the media tried to tell us didn't really exist... Trying to break into America."

He emphasizes the supposed threat these groups pose and criticizes the Biden administration for allegedly failing to secure the border effectively.

CHIPS Act and DEI Impact on Technology

The discussion returns to DEI’s influence, this time within the context of the CHIPS Act aimed at bolstering domestic semiconductor manufacturing.

Glenn Beck (56:45): "The CHIPS Act... requires chip makers to submit detailed plans to educate, employ and train lots of women and people of color and justice-involved individuals."

Garrett argues that these DEI requirements have significantly delayed the implementation of crucial technology projects, citing the inadequate installation of electric vehicle charging stations as a case in point.

Bird Flu Alert in Arizona

In a lighter segment, Garrett mentions a local alert regarding the bird flu in Maricopa County, criticizing the overly cautious measures taken by authorities.

Glenn Beck (97:38): "They say there have been no detections of the viral strain of dairy cattle in Arizona. It's only been two people... most common way to get it is by touching bird crap."

He views the public health warnings as exaggerated and unnecessary, reflecting his broader skepticism of governmental interventions.

Conclusion: Looking Ahead to 2025

Garrett wraps up the episode by expressing hope for a reduction in DEI initiatives and a return to what he views as more practical and merit-based systems.

Glenn Beck (116:20): "Let’s get back there. And the other big story that was going on in the world at the time before the China virus, people fighting at Popeyes Chicken... We're in a great place."

He calls for listeners to advocate against what he perceives as overreach in DEI policies across various sectors, aiming for a more "normal" and less divided societal landscape in the coming year.

Notable Quotes

• Glenn Beck (03:08): "This is one of the dumbest things I've ever heard."
• Glenn Beck (11:00): "We are to believe that in the Middle Ages, there were trans people."
• Glenn Beck (35:43): "Joe Biden has failed big time."
• Glenn Beck (56:45): "This is why we don't have electric car charging stations."
• Glenn Beck (77:29): "This is insane to me."

Final Thoughts

Throughout the episode, Garrett Lewis presents a critical view of DEI initiatives, corporate policies, and governmental actions, advocating for a rollback of what he considers overbearing and ineffective measures. His perspective is aimed at listeners who share his skepticism towards DEI and seek a return to traditional systems based on merit and inclusivity through other means.

Note: This summary is based on the provided transcript and aims to capture the key discussions, insights, and conclusions of the episode while adhering to content policies.