The Glenn Beck Program

Episode: Will a Government Shutdown CRIPPLE the Deep State?
Guest: Jason Whitlock
Date: September 30, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Glenn Beck and his team dive into the impending government shutdown, the meteoric rise of gold and Bitcoin, the shifting dynamics within the U.S. military, and the deepening divides in American and global culture. Special guest Jason Whitlock joins for a pointed critique of pop culture’s intersection with politics and faith, particularly addressing the announcement of Bad Bunny as the Super Bowl halftime performer. The show is a blend of political insights, economic analysis, cultural commentary, and calls for civility and critical thinking amidst chaos.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Government Shutdown: Deep State or Political Standoff?

Significance: Glenn and co-host Stu Burguiere analyze the upcoming shutdown, questioning whether it could meaningfully reduce federal bureaucracy or is just a political spectacle.
Architect Behind the Shutdown: Russ Vought, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, is described as orchestrating a calculated, long-term staff reduction tactic: nonessential employees receive permanent layoff notices with re-application required only if/when Congress reauthorizes their programs.
- “If the program is not paid for by mandatory spending, if it's not covered by the Big Beautiful Bill act, or if it's not in line with the President's goals, they're to send pink slips out…” (Glenn Beck, 11:05)
Political Strategy: The discussion highlights a unique twist where Democrats, usually quick to blame Republicans for shutdowns, may face political blowback themselves due to their insistence on additional spending—especially controversial funding for Obamacare for illegal immigrants.
Media’s Role: Notably, the hosts observe a lack of typical “shutdown sob stories” in the media, theorizing strategic narrative control.
- “We have not met any sob story people yet...the media is doing everything they can to try to turn this into a situation where the Republicans will be blamed for it.” (Stu Burguiere, 16:48)

2. Economic Warnings: Gold & Bitcoin Surge

Gold Approaches $4,000/Oz: Beck interprets the 45% rise over the last year as a warning sign of dollar devaluation and fiscal recklessness.
- “The market is telling you, ‘I don't think this is a good idea.’ That's what the price of gold is telling you.” (Glenn Beck, 7:12)
Comparative Assets: Bitcoin’s 75% surge is discussed as sharing the same root cause: endless government printing and spending.
- “Maybe it's the constant printing of money...it just—that's the one thing we all seem to agree on.” (Stu Burguiere, 6:58)
U.S. Gold Reserve Limitations: Beck cautions that even liquidating all the U.S. gold would not nearly cover federal deficits—another signal of impending crisis.

3. Military Shift: From ‘Woke’ to War-Ready

Historic Gathering: President Trump and new Secretary of War Pete Hegseth convene all top military brass in D.C.—unprecedented in modern times.
Doctrine Realignment: The military is formally retitled as the Department of War, with an emphasis on merit, lethality, and ending DEI initiatives.
- “We are not the Department of Woke. Our job is to defend our country and to become the most lethal killing machine in the world...”— (Beck recapping Hegseth’s speech, 27:22)
Messaging: The all-hands meeting is interpreted as a clear signal—adapt or be dismissed—aimed to reboot military culture and readiness.
- “You are listening intently and you realize that your boss has now sent a message: We're not fooling around on this. ...We are changing the way we do things and if you don't get on board, you're fired.” (Beck, 25:42)
Foreign Policy: Beck elaborates on Trump’s “20-point plan” for Israel/Arab relations, presenting it as a bold break from failed past approaches, tying domestic military changes with global realignment.

4. Cultural Collision: The Super Bowl Halftime and Bad Bunny

Jason Whitlock Segment (69:38+)
Pop Culture as Political Battlefield: Whitlock contends the selection of Bad Bunny for the Super Bowl halftime symbolizes the progressive left’s control over major cultural stages, particularly using this moment to troll Trump and promote leftist causes (immigration, gender fluidity).
- “This is about the left's control of popular culture ... and they're using it to make a big, bold statement about how they feel about Donald Trump, but more importantly, how they feel about Jesus Christ.” (Whitlock, 69:38)
Super Bowl as Protest: Whitlock calls for counter-programming and even suggests churches or conservative media organize alternative halftime events, refusing to participate in what he views as cultural indoctrination.
- “You couldn't pay me to watch this year's super bowl because I feel like I would be spitting in the face of God.” (Whitlock, 80:38)
Demonic Symbolism in Music: Discussion of occult symbolism in music (“demonic presence” at Bad Bunny concerts, occult themes dating back to the Beatles) as part of ongoing efforts to erode Christian and traditional values.

5. Faith, Division, and the Dangers of Dehumanization

Response to Online Hostility: Beck reflects on anti-Mormon sentiment (referencing “F the Mormons” chants), broader religious intolerance, and viral divisive tweets—tracing many to bots designed to stoke internal U.S. conflict.
Personal Creed: Beck shares a deeply personal testimony of faith and a code of conduct he proposes for times of chaos: seek truth, embrace complexity, diversify inputs, take responsibility, restrain outrage, respect dignity, and never justify bad means for good ends.
- “No lie, no fear, no crisis is going to rob me of truth or freedom. I can only give those things away.” (Beck, 61:53)
Against Demonization: Warns about labeling political or religious adversaries with ultimate evil terms (“Nazi,” “Antichrist”), arguing this opens the door to rationalizing violence—an admonition to both sides.

6. Fascism & Media Ignorance

Media Distortions: Beck and Stu lampoon Joy Reid’s definition of fascism as “no taxes, no regulations—extreme freedom,” exposing confusion/misinformation among mainstream pundits.
- “How is that fascism? You need a dictator to say, ‘I'm not going to do anything.’ ...I celebrate that dictator!” (Beck, 95:05)
On Definitions: They lament that “fascist” and “Nazi” are hurled at anything disliked, erasing real historical context.

7. Interview with Jason Buttrill: Military Speech Follow-up

On the All-Hands Meeting: Buttrill (Blaze military analyst) praises the new posture—returning to clarity, merit, and American dominance. Both he and Beck assert this is the most decisive military reset since Bretton Woods, ending the era of state-driven nation-building and signaling a new doctrine for 21st-century threats.
- “All the politically correct garbage is getting tossed out the window. ...They're switching completely to lethality and being a deadly fighting military force.” (Buttrill, 113:41+)
Impending Civilizational Clash: Referencing Huntington’s "Clash of Civilizations," Buttrill links these changes to preparing for turbulent, culture-driven global conflicts.

8. Shutdown Politics: JD Vance’s Statement

Vance, live from the Senate: Argues Democrats are leveraging essential services for ideological spending (notably on healthcare for illegal immigrants), framing their approach as hostage-taking (124:58).
- “You don't use your policy disagreements as leverage to not pay our troops…you don't put a gun to the American people's head and say, unless you do exactly what Senate and House Democrats want you to do, we're going to shut down your government.” (Vance, 124:58)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the Shutdown’s Real Impact:
"If the program is not paid for by mandatory spending, if it's not covered by the Big Beautiful Bill act, or if it's not in line with the President's goals, they're to send pink slips out and they're permanent pink slips..." — Glenn Beck (11:05)
On Political Theater:
“Where are all the sob stories?...I have not met the restaurant and bar owner in Washington D.C. yet that's gonna have no one coming in and they're gonna have to lay off all of their waitresses...This is happening in hours, Glenn, and we have not met any sob story people yet.” — Stu Burguiere (16:48)
On the Cultural Battle:
"Sports have been stolen from Christians...It's been stolen from us by television. ... It's a tool God intended for us to use to disciple and mentor masculine men in Christianity." — Jason Whitlock (79:41)
Code of Conduct for Troubled Times:
“Let emotion move you, but reason guide you… Respect dignity. I have to honor every person's humanity, even in visceral disagreement. ... Never abandon your integrity for the sake of victory.” — Glenn Beck (64:53)
On the Military Reset:
“This is not the Pentagon you dreamt about serving in when you were young. ... We are a war machine. ... If you don't get on board, you're fired.” — Paraphrased summary of Hegseth’s Pentagon speech (25:42, 112:09+)
On Redefining Fascism:
“Fascism, extreme freedom? ... Hitler, famous for having no regulations on...Germany, right? ... They controlled the entire economy ... they just didn't own the economy.” — Glenn Beck & Stu Burguiere (95:41–97:29)

Timestamps for Important Segments

[03:10] Gold/Bitcoin Surge & Why It Matters
[09:12] Government Shutdown Mechanics
[14:28] Media and Narrative Around Shutdowns
[25:42] U.S. Military All-Hands Meeting – True Intent
[27:22] Trump Speech: “Department of War” Doctrine
[46:08] Beck’s Faith and Code of Conduct
[61:53] How to Respond to Hateful/Divisive Rhetoric Online
[68:54] Jason Whitlock segment: NFL, Bad Bunny, Culture War
[76:32] Jay Z’s Role in Super Bowl Halftime, Occult Symbolism
[79:41] Sports as a Cultural & Faith Tool
[124:58] JD Vance on Shutdown Stalemate

Tone & Style

The conversation oscillates between Beck’s trademark wry humor, biting commentary, serious cultural critique, and moments of earnest faith testimony. The exchanges with Whitlock brim with cultural anxiety and righteous indignation, while the economic and military segments strike a tone of urgent realism and policy wonkery. The overall mood is combative yet reflective, punctuated by calls for personal resilience, critical thought, and civility.

Conclusion

This episode is a multifaceted exploration of American crisis—fiscal, political, military, and cultural. It combines a passionate plea for critical thinking and integrity with deep skepticism towards contemporary media, federal overreach, and progressive cultural dominance. With guests like Jason Whitlock and Jason Buttrill, the show uniquely blends faithful conservatism, political strategy, and cultural commentary—offering both a diagnosis of contemporary ills and a prescription for civic virtue and personal moral clarity.

For further details, full quotes, and extended discussions, refer to the provided timestamps.

The Glenn Beck Program

Episode: Will a Government Shutdown CRIPPLE the Deep State?
Guest: Jason Whitlock
Date: September 30, 2025

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Government Shutdown: Deep State or Political Standoff?

Significance: Glenn and co-host Stu Burguiere analyze the upcoming shutdown, questioning whether it could meaningfully reduce federal bureaucracy or is just a political spectacle.
Architect Behind the Shutdown: Russ Vought, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, is described as orchestrating a calculated, long-term staff reduction tactic: nonessential employees receive permanent layoff notices with re-application required only if/when Congress reauthorizes their programs.
- “If the program is not paid for by mandatory spending, if it's not covered by the Big Beautiful Bill act, or if it's not in line with the President's goals, they're to send pink slips out…” (Glenn Beck, 11:05)
Political Strategy: The discussion highlights a unique twist where Democrats, usually quick to blame Republicans for shutdowns, may face political blowback themselves due to their insistence on additional spending—especially controversial funding for Obamacare for illegal immigrants.
Media’s Role: Notably, the hosts observe a lack of typical “shutdown sob stories” in the media, theorizing strategic narrative control.
- “We have not met any sob story people yet...the media is doing everything they can to try to turn this into a situation where the Republicans will be blamed for it.” (Stu Burguiere, 16:48)

2. Economic Warnings: Gold & Bitcoin Surge

Gold Approaches $4,000/Oz: Beck interprets the 45% rise over the last year as a warning sign of dollar devaluation and fiscal recklessness.
- “The market is telling you, ‘I don't think this is a good idea.’ That's what the price of gold is telling you.” (Glenn Beck, 7:12)
Comparative Assets: Bitcoin’s 75% surge is discussed as sharing the same root cause: endless government printing and spending.
- “Maybe it's the constant printing of money...it just—that's the one thing we all seem to agree on.” (Stu Burguiere, 6:58)
U.S. Gold Reserve Limitations: Beck cautions that even liquidating all the U.S. gold would not nearly cover federal deficits—another signal of impending crisis.

3. Military Shift: From ‘Woke’ to War-Ready

Historic Gathering: President Trump and new Secretary of War Pete Hegseth convene all top military brass in D.C.—unprecedented in modern times.
Doctrine Realignment: The military is formally retitled as the Department of War, with an emphasis on merit, lethality, and ending DEI initiatives.
- “We are not the Department of Woke. Our job is to defend our country and to become the most lethal killing machine in the world...”— (Beck recapping Hegseth’s speech, 27:22)
Messaging: The all-hands meeting is interpreted as a clear signal—adapt or be dismissed—aimed to reboot military culture and readiness.
- “You are listening intently and you realize that your boss has now sent a message: We're not fooling around on this. ...We are changing the way we do things and if you don't get on board, you're fired.” (Beck, 25:42)
Foreign Policy: Beck elaborates on Trump’s “20-point plan” for Israel/Arab relations, presenting it as a bold break from failed past approaches, tying domestic military changes with global realignment.

4. Cultural Collision: The Super Bowl Halftime and Bad Bunny

Jason Whitlock Segment (69:38+)
Pop Culture as Political Battlefield: Whitlock contends the selection of Bad Bunny for the Super Bowl halftime symbolizes the progressive left’s control over major cultural stages, particularly using this moment to troll Trump and promote leftist causes (immigration, gender fluidity).
- “This is about the left's control of popular culture ... and they're using it to make a big, bold statement about how they feel about Donald Trump, but more importantly, how they feel about Jesus Christ.” (Whitlock, 69:38)
Super Bowl as Protest: Whitlock calls for counter-programming and even suggests churches or conservative media organize alternative halftime events, refusing to participate in what he views as cultural indoctrination.
- “You couldn't pay me to watch this year's super bowl because I feel like I would be spitting in the face of God.” (Whitlock, 80:38)
Demonic Symbolism in Music: Discussion of occult symbolism in music (“demonic presence” at Bad Bunny concerts, occult themes dating back to the Beatles) as part of ongoing efforts to erode Christian and traditional values.

5. Faith, Division, and the Dangers of Dehumanization

Response to Online Hostility: Beck reflects on anti-Mormon sentiment (referencing “F the Mormons” chants), broader religious intolerance, and viral divisive tweets—tracing many to bots designed to stoke internal U.S. conflict.
Personal Creed: Beck shares a deeply personal testimony of faith and a code of conduct he proposes for times of chaos: seek truth, embrace complexity, diversify inputs, take responsibility, restrain outrage, respect dignity, and never justify bad means for good ends.
- “No lie, no fear, no crisis is going to rob me of truth or freedom. I can only give those things away.” (Beck, 61:53)
Against Demonization: Warns about labeling political or religious adversaries with ultimate evil terms (“Nazi,” “Antichrist”), arguing this opens the door to rationalizing violence—an admonition to both sides.

6. Fascism & Media Ignorance

Media Distortions: Beck and Stu lampoon Joy Reid’s definition of fascism as “no taxes, no regulations—extreme freedom,” exposing confusion/misinformation among mainstream pundits.
- “How is that fascism? You need a dictator to say, ‘I'm not going to do anything.’ ...I celebrate that dictator!” (Beck, 95:05)
On Definitions: They lament that “fascist” and “Nazi” are hurled at anything disliked, erasing real historical context.

7. Interview with Jason Buttrill: Military Speech Follow-up

On the All-Hands Meeting: Buttrill (Blaze military analyst) praises the new posture—returning to clarity, merit, and American dominance. Both he and Beck assert this is the most decisive military reset since Bretton Woods, ending the era of state-driven nation-building and signaling a new doctrine for 21st-century threats.
- “All the politically correct garbage is getting tossed out the window. ...They're switching completely to lethality and being a deadly fighting military force.” (Buttrill, 113:41+)
Impending Civilizational Clash: Referencing Huntington’s "Clash of Civilizations," Buttrill links these changes to preparing for turbulent, culture-driven global conflicts.

8. Shutdown Politics: JD Vance’s Statement

Vance, live from the Senate: Argues Democrats are leveraging essential services for ideological spending (notably on healthcare for illegal immigrants), framing their approach as hostage-taking (124:58).
- “You don't use your policy disagreements as leverage to not pay our troops…you don't put a gun to the American people's head and say, unless you do exactly what Senate and House Democrats want you to do, we're going to shut down your government.” (Vance, 124:58)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the Shutdown’s Real Impact:
"If the program is not paid for by mandatory spending, if it's not covered by the Big Beautiful Bill act, or if it's not in line with the President's goals, they're to send pink slips out and they're permanent pink slips..." — Glenn Beck (11:05)
On Political Theater:
“Where are all the sob stories?...I have not met the restaurant and bar owner in Washington D.C. yet that's gonna have no one coming in and they're gonna have to lay off all of their waitresses...This is happening in hours, Glenn, and we have not met any sob story people yet.” — Stu Burguiere (16:48)
On the Cultural Battle:
"Sports have been stolen from Christians...It's been stolen from us by television. ... It's a tool God intended for us to use to disciple and mentor masculine men in Christianity." — Jason Whitlock (79:41)
Code of Conduct for Troubled Times:
“Let emotion move you, but reason guide you… Respect dignity. I have to honor every person's humanity, even in visceral disagreement. ... Never abandon your integrity for the sake of victory.” — Glenn Beck (64:53)
On the Military Reset:
“This is not the Pentagon you dreamt about serving in when you were young. ... We are a war machine. ... If you don't get on board, you're fired.” — Paraphrased summary of Hegseth’s Pentagon speech (25:42, 112:09+)
On Redefining Fascism:
“Fascism, extreme freedom? ... Hitler, famous for having no regulations on...Germany, right? ... They controlled the entire economy ... they just didn't own the economy.” — Glenn Beck & Stu Burguiere (95:41–97:29)

Timestamps for Important Segments

[03:10] Gold/Bitcoin Surge & Why It Matters
[09:12] Government Shutdown Mechanics
[14:28] Media and Narrative Around Shutdowns
[25:42] U.S. Military All-Hands Meeting – True Intent
[27:22] Trump Speech: “Department of War” Doctrine
[46:08] Beck’s Faith and Code of Conduct
[61:53] How to Respond to Hateful/Divisive Rhetoric Online
[68:54] Jason Whitlock segment: NFL, Bad Bunny, Culture War
[76:32] Jay Z’s Role in Super Bowl Halftime, Occult Symbolism
[79:41] Sports as a Cultural & Faith Tool
[124:58] JD Vance on Shutdown Stalemate

Tone & Style

Conclusion

For further details, full quotes, and extended discussions, refer to the provided timestamps.

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Will a Government Shutdown CRIPPLE the Deep State? | Guest: Jason Whitlock | 9/30/25

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Summary

The Glenn Beck Program

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Government Shutdown: Deep State or Political Standoff?

2. Economic Warnings: Gold & Bitcoin Surge

3. Military Shift: From ‘Woke’ to War-Ready

4. Cultural Collision: The Super Bowl Halftime and Bad Bunny

5. Faith, Division, and the Dangers of Dehumanization

6. Fascism & Media Ignorance

7. Interview with Jason Buttrill: Military Speech Follow-up

8. Shutdown Politics: JD Vance’s Statement

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps for Important Segments

Tone & Style

Conclusion

Summary

The Glenn Beck Program

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Government Shutdown: Deep State or Political Standoff?

2. Economic Warnings: Gold & Bitcoin Surge

3. Military Shift: From ‘Woke’ to War-Ready

4. Cultural Collision: The Super Bowl Halftime and Bad Bunny

5. Faith, Division, and the Dangers of Dehumanization

6. Fascism & Media Ignorance

7. Interview with Jason Buttrill: Military Speech Follow-up

8. Shutdown Politics: JD Vance’s Statement

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps for Important Segments

Tone & Style

Conclusion