Glenn: Beware! Times are changing

May 15, 2014

The Glenn Beck Program

Glenn has been talking about some major changes that have been underway in both his personal and professional life. Those changes, in many cases, have carried over to his radio and television programs and his outlook in general. On radio this morning, Glenn reacted to some of the messages he has been receiving from viewers and listeners about the new direction of his programming and message, and he explained why “times are changing.”

Below is a rough transcript of the monologue:

You know, I want to change the subject just real quick. Tonight is an important show on the TV show because we're getting a lot of complaints on some things that we have done, and I'm going to explain why we've done them. We've moved really fast, and for the very first time in my career, we are sloppy. We're very sloppy. And it is not the fault of my staff by any stretch of the imagination. I called them on Friday and said, we're beginning this on Monday. They had expected to do this about nine months to 12 months out. And I said, it begins Monday. I have the best staff in the world. And they are doing everything they can to make it happen.

But I will tell you that, um, we're killing ourselves. We're killing ourselves working, and we're killing ourselves and tearing our hair out, um, trying to get all of it done and trying to figure out the path. We, we have to recognize that the world is changing rapidly. And I have a very different point of view on the direction that we have to go. It is, it is not about abandoning the fight. It is the same argument. Please, I beg you, read the words of Martin Luther King. I've got like four of his books I'm reading at the same time… Read these books, and you will understand because you will see the time period is the same. History is repeating itself.

And it is going to, do you remember Stu when we were on CNN, and there was a speech given by Condoleeza Rice and she just the word ‘birth pangs.’ And I stopped the video and I said, ‘Listen to what she's saying. She's saying these are birth pangs. You're seeing the beginning of birth pangs.’ And it bothered me. And I stood on that for about two weeks and said, ‘Listen to what she's saying. Birth pangs become stronger and closer together. Beyond that, it implies we're giving birth to something. What is it we are going to be cradling in our arms? What is it that we're giving birth to? No one will answer that question.’

Well, I think we all know what we're giving birth to now. We're giving birth to something that does not look at all like the America that you've ever understood. It does not look at all like a place where you are free to express yourself, and we're running out of time. There are those supposedly on our side who are actually calling now, for an American Spring. This is what I warned you of when I held up that little blue book on Fox five years ago and said, ‘Look, this is going to happen. These people want revolution.’ And it is coming from our side. Do not participate in the American spring. Don't. Please.

Look up the root of that. Look up the Spring of Nations. Find out who started the Spring of Nations. Not the Arab Spring, not the American Spring but the Spring of Nations. I'll give you a hint. It happened around 1860. What else was going on? And what spurred that on? That is darkness, it is chaos, and it is evil. Stay away from it. It's poison.

But things are going to start birth pangs again, start to move rapidly again. They are going to start coming at you so fast. This is the beginning now of a time that I have said they are going to come at you so fast, you're going to be overwhelmed. You have to make your decision of who you are before you get there… It is the road map. And if we don't get back onto that road map, we're toast.

And so we're making changes because we are doing a lot of things behind the scenes that I wish I could tell you about, but I can't tell you about. There are two huge things that are happening in my life that I cannot talk to you about right now. But if you're smart, if you listen to this program, you have a pretty good guess. There's two things that some day we'll talk, but I'm telling you, I'm begging you, please, please, I've never been here before. You and I and our relationship has never been here before.

I remember right before the crash of 2008, I put my head against the wall of the studios at Radio City. Do you remember that day, Stu? And somebody called me and said, what the hell you doing? Why are you even talking about the economic crash? It was like September 2008. It was right before the crash. And somebody called up and yelled at me, and I hung up the phone and I called my wife and I said, ‘I can't do it another day.’ And I put my head up against the studio wall, and I just banged my head against the wall and I said, ‘I give up. I surrender. I can't do it anymore, Lord. I can't do it anymore because I remember begging you, please, it's just around the corner. Please.’ And I have heard from so many people, so many people, that called me after that, and said, ‘Glenn, I can't thank you enough. I heard you that day. And I pulled my money out of the stock market. And three weeks later, it collapsed. Thank you.’

There are things that I know, and then there are things that I believe, you may not, and that's fine. Mock me. I don't care. There are things that I believe I have been sent to do and to warn and to encourage and I am at that point in our relationship again. Please, I beg you, if you are a pastor, I beg you, the universal and everlasting truths are the only salvation. They are the only things that will work. If you are told, you must comply, violence is not the answer, hatred, envy, pushing people, calling people names, and I am the worst example. I can't tell you how many nights I have been at home and said to the Lord, ‘How many people have you gone through before you got to me? I'm the last guy that should be delivering this.’ I know.

Please, please, be aware. Times are changing. Courage is contagious, but so is violence and hate and rage. One comes from darkness, one comes from the light. Only the light will stand. Only the light wins. Anything that makes you enraged, anything that says, ‘Go get em,’ is wrong. We are not looking for a win. We are looking for reconciliation. We are looking for change. We are looking for a call back to the things that have been true since the beginning of time. We are looking for just ten things. Just ten things.

I won't have another God. I don't care if that's money. I don't care what that is. If you are in a business right now, and you are compromising your values because of money, stop. Stop right now. Stop. I will not use the Lord God's name in vane. Look it up. Look it up. Who does he say that to? Moses. Who shall I say sent me? I am that I am. When somebody tells you you're nothing, when somebody tells you your worthless, you'll never make it, you need to use the power of God and use it in the proper way. I am worthy. I am capable. When you say those words, you have the power of all creation behind you. I am capable. I am strong. I am courageous. I am much more than I have been led to believe. Say those words. Don't commit adultery. Don't lie. Don't cheat. Don't covet. Don't steal.

Can't we just agree on those things? Please, I'm begging you. Come with me on a very different journey. A little bit more tonight at 5 o'clock. But I want to emphasize: A little bit more at 5 o'clock.

'Rage against the dying of the light': Charlie Kirk lived that mandate

PHILL MAGAKOE / Contributor | Getty Images

Kirk’s tragic death challenges us to rise above fear and anger, to rebuild bridges where others build walls, and to fight for the America he believed in.

I’ve only felt this weight once before. It was 2001, just as my radio show was about to begin. The World Trade Center fell, and I was called to speak immediately. I spent the day and night by my bedside, praying for words that could meet the moment.

Yesterday, I found myself in the same position. September 11, 2025. The assassination of Charlie Kirk. A friend. A warrior for truth.

Out of this tragedy, the tyrant dies, but the martyr’s influence begins.

Moments like this make words feel inadequate. Yet sometimes, words from another time speak directly to our own. In 1947, Dylan Thomas, watching his father slip toward death, penned lines that now resonate far beyond his own grief:

Do not go gentle into that good night. / Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Thomas was pleading for his father to resist the impending darkness of death. But those words have become a mandate for all of us: Do not surrender. Do not bow to shadows. Even when the battle feels unwinnable.

Charlie Kirk lived that mandate. He knew the cost of speaking unpopular truths. He knew the fury of those who sought to silence him. And yet he pressed on. In his life, he embodied a defiance rooted not in anger, but in principle.

Picking up his torch

Washington, Jefferson, Adams — our history was started by men who raged against an empire, knowing the gallows might await. Lincoln raged against slavery. Martin Luther King Jr. raged against segregation. Every generation faces a call to resist surrender.

It is our turn. Charlie’s violent death feels like a knockout punch. Yet if his life meant anything, it means this: Silence in the face of darkness is not an option.

He did not go gently. He spoke. He challenged. He stood. And now, the mantle falls to us. To me. To you. To every American.

We cannot drift into the shadows. We cannot sit quietly while freedom fades. This is our moment to rage — not with hatred, not with vengeance, but with courage. Rage against lies, against apathy, against the despair that tells us to do nothing. Because there is always something you can do.

Even small acts — defiance, faith, kindness — are light in the darkness. Reaching out to those who mourn. Speaking truth in a world drowning in deceit. These are the flames that hold back the night. Charlie carried that torch. He laid it down yesterday. It is ours to pick up.

The light may dim, but it always does before dawn. Commit today: I will not sleep as freedom fades. I will not retreat as darkness encroaches. I will not be silent as evil forces claim dominion. I have no king but Christ. And I know whom I serve, as did Charlie.

Two turning points, decades apart

On Wednesday, the world changed again. Two tragedies, separated by decades, bound by the same question: Who are we? Is this worth saving? What kind of people will we choose to be?

Imagine a world where more of us choose to be peacemakers. Not passive, not silent, but builders of bridges where others erect walls. Respect and listening transform even the bitterest of foes. Charlie Kirk embodied this principle.

He did not strike the weak; he challenged the powerful. He reached across divides of politics, culture, and faith. He changed hearts. He sparked healing. And healing is what our nation needs.

At the center of all this is one truth: Every person is a child of God, deserving of dignity. Change will not happen in Washington or on social media. It begins at home, where loneliness and isolation threaten our souls. Family is the antidote. Imperfect, yes — but still the strongest source of stability and meaning.

Mark Wilson / Staff | Getty Images

Forgiveness, fidelity, faithfulness, and honor are not dusty words. They are the foundation of civilization. Strong families produce strong citizens. And today, Charlie’s family mourns. They must become our family too. We must stand as guardians of his legacy, shining examples of the courage he lived by.

A time for courage

I knew Charlie. I know how he would want us to respond: Multiply his courage. Out of this tragedy, the tyrant dies, but the martyr’s influence begins. Out of darkness, great and glorious things will sprout — but we must be worthy of them.

Charlie Kirk lived defiantly. He stood in truth. He changed the world. And now, his torch is in our hands. Rage, not in violence, but in unwavering pursuit of truth and goodness. Rage against the dying of the light.

This article originally appeared on TheBlaze.com.

Glenn Beck resurrects the 9-12 Project to support Charlie Kirk's family

Glenn Beck is once again calling on his loyal listeners and viewers to come together and channel the same unity and purpose that defined the historic 9-12 Project. That movement, born in the wake of national challenges, brought millions together to revive core values of faith, hope, and charity.

Glenn created the original 9-12 Project in early 2009 to bring Americans back to where they were in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. In those moments, we weren't Democrats and Republicans, conservative or liberal, Red States or Blue States, we were united as one, as America. The original 9-12 Project aimed to root America back in the founding principles of this country that united us during those darkest of days.

This new initiative draws directly from that legacy, focusing on supporting the family of Charlie Kirk in these dark days following his tragic murder.

The revival of the 9-12 Project aims to secure the long-term well-being of Charlie Kirk's wife and children. All donations will go straight to meeting their immediate and future needs. If the family deems the funds surplus to their requirements, Charlie's wife has the option to redirect them toward the vital work of Turning Point USA.

This campaign is more than just financial support—it's a profound gesture of appreciation for Kirk's tireless dedication to the cause of liberty. It embodies the unbreakable bond of our community, proving that when we stand united, we can make a real difference.
Glenn Beck invites you to join this effort. Show your solidarity by donating today and honoring Charlie Kirk and his family in this meaningful way.

You can learn more about the 9-12 Project and donate HERE

The dangerous lie: Rights as government privileges, not God-given

Bloomberg / Contributor | Getty Images

When politicians claim that rights flow from the state, they pave the way for tyranny.

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) recently delivered a lecture that should alarm every American. During a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, he argued that believing rights come from a Creator rather than government is the same belief held by Iran’s theocratic regime.

Kaine claimed that the principles underpinning Iran’s dictatorship — the same regime that persecutes Sunnis, Jews, Christians, and other minorities — are also the principles enshrined in our Declaration of Independence.

In America, rights belong to the individual. In Iran, rights serve the state.

That claim exposes either a profound misunderstanding or a reckless indifference to America’s founding. Rights do not come from government. They never did. They come from the Creator, as the Declaration of Independence proclaims without qualification. Jefferson didn’t hedge. Rights are unalienable — built into every human being.

This foundation stands worlds apart from Iran. Its leaders invoke God but grant rights only through clerical interpretation. Freedom of speech, property, religion, and even life itself depend on obedience to the ruling clerics. Step outside their dictates, and those so-called rights vanish.

This is not a trivial difference. It is the essence of liberty versus tyranny. In America, rights belong to the individual. The government’s role is to secure them, not define them. In Iran, rights serve the state. They empower rulers, not the people.

From Muhammad to Marx

The same confusion applies to Marxist regimes. The Soviet Union’s constitutions promised citizens rights — work, health care, education, freedom of speech — but always with fine print. If you spoke out against the party, those rights evaporated. If you practiced religion openly, you were charged with treason. Property and voting were allowed as long as they were filtered and controlled by the state — and could be revoked at any moment. Rights were conditional, granted through obedience.

Kaine seems to be advocating a similar approach — whether consciously or not. By claiming that natural rights are somehow comparable to sharia law, he ignores the critical distinction between inherent rights and conditional privileges. He dismisses the very principle that made America a beacon of freedom.

Jefferson and the founders understood this clearly. “We are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights,” they wrote. No government, no cleric, no king can revoke them. They exist by virtue of humanity itself. The government exists to protect them, not ration them.

This is not a theological quibble. It is the entire basis of our government. Confuse the source of rights, and tyranny hides behind piety or ideology. The people are disempowered. Clerics, bureaucrats, or politicians become arbiters of what rights citizens may enjoy.

John Greim / Contributor | Getty Images

Gifts from God, not the state

Kaine’s statement reflects either a profound ignorance of this principle or an ideological bias that favors state power over individual liberty. Either way, Americans must recognize the danger. Understanding the origin of rights is not academic — it is the difference between freedom and submission, between the American experiment and theocratic or totalitarian rule.

Rights are not gifts from the state. They are gifts from God, secured by reason, protected by law, and defended by the people. Every American must understand this. Because when rights come from government instead of the Creator, freedom disappears.

This article originally appeared on TheBlaze.com.

POLL: Is America’s next generation trading freedom for equity?

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A recent poll conducted by Justin Haskins, a long-time friend of the show, has uncovered alarming trends among young Americans aged 18-39, revealing a generation grappling with deep frustrations over economic hardships, housing affordability, and a perceived rigged system that favors the wealthy, corporations, and older generations. While nearly half of these likely voters approve of President Trump, seeing him as an anti-establishment figure, over 70% support nationalizing major industries, such as healthcare, energy, and big tech, to promote "equity." Shockingly, 53% want a democratic socialist to win the 2028 presidential election, including a third of Trump voters and conservatives in this age group. Many cite skyrocketing housing costs, unfair taxation on the middle class, and a sense of being "stuck" or in crisis as driving forces, with 62% believing the economy is tilted against them and 55% backing laws to confiscate "excess wealth" like second homes or luxury items to help first-time buyers.

This blend of Trump support and socialist leanings suggests a volatile mix: admiration for disruptors who challenge the status quo, coupled with a desire for radical redistribution to address personal struggles. Yet, it raises profound questions about the roots of this discontent—Is it a failure of education on history's lessons about socialism's failures? Media indoctrination? Or genuine systemic barriers? And what does it portend for the nation’s trajectory—greater division, a shift toward authoritarian policies, or an opportunity for renewal through timeless values like hard work and individual responsibility?

Glenn wants to know what YOU think: Where do Gen Z's socialist sympathies come from? What does it mean for the future of America? Make your voice heard in the poll below:

Do you believe the Gen Z support for socialism comes from perceived economic frustrations like unaffordable housing and a rigged system favoring the wealthy and corporations?

Do you believe the Gen Z support for socialism, including many Trump supporters, is due to a lack of education about the historical failures of socialist systems?

Do you think that these poll results indicate a growing generational divide that could lead to more political instability and authoritarian tendencies in America's future?

Do you think that this poll implies that America's long-term stability relies on older generations teaching Gen Z and younger to prioritize self-reliance, free-market ideals, and personal accountability?

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