Listen: Glenn speaks backstage with Senator Ted Cruz during the Stop Iran rally

After delivering his speech at the rally to stop the Iran deal in Washington D.C. last week, Senator Ted Cruz spent a few minutes backstage speaking candidly with Glenn about the dangerous deal.

"I thought he was very clear and well-spoken and very determined," Glenn said. "He knows the answer to this, and it's an unconventional answer."

Glenn described what Senator Cruz had to say as a real solution, "fighting fire with flamethrowers" - which is apparently another way to say "really, really good."

Listen to the behind-the-scenes conversation or read the transcript below.

Below is a rush transcript of this segment, it might contain errors.

GLENN: I got up this morning, and I heard there was -- there were only going to be 2,000 people, and I thought -- and that's what they -- and that was, like, maybe there is obviously many more than that and many more -- thousands watching across. This is quite a collection of voices.

TED: It is an amazing assemblage of pro-Israel groups, massive security groups, Tea Party groups, of just Americans who want to protect us. I mean, this should be an issue and it is an issue that cuts across party lines. It cuts across ethic lines. It cuts across racial lines.

GLENN: Anything that can get me and Donald Trump to speak at the same place.

TED: But, you know, we all share in common that we breathe and drink water, and we don't want our children murdered by homicidal jihadists who have pledged to do so.

GLENN: So the press and the White House has said that this is a pro-war rally. What -- what is the alternative besides war? I think war is the worst option that we have.

TED: No doubt, but the Obama/Clinton foreign policy begins from the premise that the way you avoid war is through appeasement. And so their approach has been weakness and appeasement to every enemy of America, whether it's Putin and Russia, whether Castro and Cuba, or whether it's Khomeini and Iran.

I think they're exactly wrong. I think it increases the chances of war. I think we are repeating Munich in 1938, but, you know, anyone who wants to protect our nation -- the worst thing to do if you want to avoid war is giving a hundred billion dollars to a theocratic homicidal lunatic who pledges to kill us.

I'm reminded, Glenn, of an editorial cartoon that I think actually captures this whole issue beautifully. It shows the Ayatollah Khamenei saying, "Death to every American." And then it has John Kerry saying, "Can we meet you halfway?" There is no middle ground with a theocratic zealot whose only object is to murder people.

GLENN: I just talked to some Kurds just a few minutes ago, and they said, "Where are we? Where are we? Why won't this administration -- why won't Congress help us?"

TED: It is utterly indefensible. When it comes to defeating ISIS, we need a commander-in-chief who declares the object "We will destroy ISIS altogether." We need to use overwhelming air power. You know, back in the first Persian Gulf War we had about 1100 air strikes a day. Right now today we have between 15 and 30 air strikes a day. It's basically a photop of foreign policy. A bomb here, a missile here. It's why it's ineffective.

But third, what you just noted, the Kurds are our boots on the ground. They're fighting ISIS. They're actually fighting the Iranians at the same time.

GLENN: Right.

TED: They are -- they're Peshmerga. Their fighting soldiers are long-time American allies. We should be arming the Kurds, but the Obama Administration, for political reasons, doesn't want to do so. It makes no sense whatsoever, and we need a commander-in-chief that actually defends our national security interest instead of trying to earn favor in the leftest faculty lounges at universities across the --

GLENN: Do you know -- do you know -- does this treatise force us to defend Iran if -- if Israel goes to --

TED: So there is a provision of this agreement that says the signatories will defend the Iranian nuclear facilities against efforts of sabotage. And the only person that would sabotage those are Israel. So the signatories are signing a commitment that they will effectively stand with Iran over Israel. It is striking. And 42 Democrats, apparently, are fine with that.

Now, Glenn, one thing that I mentioned out there that I think is very important for people to know. There is a way to stop this deal, and two people have the ability to do so, Speaker Boehner leader McConnell, if they simply stood up and announced, "We're going to follow federal law through the Corker-Cardin Review Act." The review clock doesn't start until the full deal is submitted to Congress.

Obama hasn't submit the full deal. He left out the two side agreements. Under Corker-Cordin, until the review clock expires, it is illegal for Obama to list sanctions.

GLENN: So when -- but when has anything illegal stopped either the people in the House, the Senate, or the White House?

TED: You are exactly right. So let's -- let's play the game theory forward. Here is what I think should happen. First, McConnell and Boehner should announce, under Corker-Cardin, the clock hasn't started because he hasn't submitted the deal, so it is illegal for him to list sanctions.

Number two, I think Republican leadership and the Senate should bring this deal up in the treatise and vote it down in the treatise. It will demonstrate overwhelming opposition. It will not get anywhere near the two-thirds it needs to be ratified.

But number three, you're right. If we look at the last six and a half years, we can anticipate that President Obama will ignore federal law and say, "I'm lifting sanctions anyway."

That's why what I said on that stage, I believe, was a very important message. It was directed at the CEOs and the boards of directors and the general counsels of every bank and every financial institution that is holding the billions of dollars.

And it is that -- even if Obama ignores federal law, that does not immunize you from civil and criminal liability. And if you violate Corker-Cardin in the Iran sanctions legislation, you will be sued by private actors for billions of dollars, and you will be liable, because President Obama can't give you a get-out-of-jail-free card for ignoring federal law.

But number two, when there is a subsequent president, to any bank that willfully violates federal law and sends billions of dollars to a terrorist, Ayatollah, that bank faces criminal prosecution as well. And you know how you stop this is all the banks say, "You know what, we're not going out on this limb with Obama because we don't lose our livelihood" --

GLENN: Do they have the courage to do that after they've accepted all of the bailouts?

TED: Well, I can tell you I have advised major CEOs in litigation, and when they look at the law, their general counsel and their outside counsel will tell them, whatever Obama says, this will all remain on the books, and we can be sued under it and pay billions of dollars.

GLENN: How do the American people get that word out? How do they help? Just spread that word?

TED: Just spread the word. I -- you know, we're trying to do it right now. I'd say there are few things more potent than TheBlaze for getting the word out.

GLENN: Yeah. Well, we'll get it out. Thank you.

TED: Thank you, Glenn. God bless you.

GLENN: God bless you.

Episode 6 of Glenn’s new history podcast series The Beck Story releases this Saturday.

This latest installment explores the history of Left-wing bias in mainstream media. Like every episode of this series, episode 6 is jam-packed with historical detail, but you can’t squeeze in every story, so some inevitably get cut from the final version. Part of this episode involves the late Ben Bradlee, who was the legendary editor of the Washington Post. Bradlee is legendary mostly because of the Watergate investigation that was conducted on his watch by two young reporters named Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein. Bradlee, Woodward, and Bernstein became celebrities after the release of the book and movie based on their investigation called All the President’s Men.

But there is another true story about the Washington Post that you probably won’t see any time soon at a theater near you.

In 1980, Washington Post editor Ben Bradlee wanted to expand the Post’s readership in the black community. The paper made an effort to hire more minority journalists, like Janet Cooke, a black female reporter from Ohio. Cooke was an aggressive reporter and a good writer. She was a fast-rising star on a staff already full of stars. The Post had a very competitive environment and Cooke desperately wanted to win a Pulitzer Prize.

Readers were hooked. And outraged.

When Cooke was asked to work on a story about the D.C. area’s growing heroin problem, she saw her chance to win that Pulitzer. As she interviewed people in black neighborhoods that were hardest hit by the heroin epidemic, she was appalled to learn that even some children were heroin addicts. When she learned about an eight-year-old heroin addict named Jimmy, she knew she had her hook. His heartbreaking story would surely be her ticket to a Pulitzer.

Cooke wrote her feature story, titling it, “Jimmy’s World.” It blew away her editors at the Post, including Bob Woodward, who by then was Assistant Managing Editor. “Jimmy’s World” would be a front-page story:

'Jimmy is 8 years old and a third-generation heroin addict,' Cooke’s story began, 'a precocious little boy with sandy hair, velvety brown eyes and needle marks freckling the baby-smooth skin of his thin brown arms. He nestles in a large, beige reclining chair in the living room of his comfortably furnished home in Southeast Washington. There is an almost cherubic expression on his small, round face as he talks about life – clothes, money, the Baltimore Orioles and heroin. He has been an addict since the age of 5.'

Readers were hooked. And outraged. The mayor’s office instructed the police to immediately search for Jimmy and get him medical treatment. But no one was able to locate Jimmy. Cooke wasn’t surprised. She told her editors at the Post that she had only been able to interview Jimmy and his mother by promising them anonymity. She also revealed that the mother’s boyfriend had threatened Cooke’s life if the police discovered Jimmy’s whereabouts.

A few months later, Cooke’s hard work paid off and her dream came true – her story was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for feature writing. Cooke had to submit some autobiographical information to the Prize committee, but there was a slight snag. The committee contacted the Post when they couldn’t verify that Cooke had graduated magna cum laude from Vassar College. Turns out she only attended Vassar her freshman year. She actually graduated from the University of Toledo with a B.A. degree, not with a master’s degree as she told the Pulitzer committee.

Cooke’s editors summoned her for an explanation. Unfortunately for Cooke and the Washington Post, her resume flubs were the least of her lies. After hours of grilling, Cooke finally confessed that “Jimmy’s World” was entirely made up. Jimmy did not exist.

The Pulitzer committee withdrew its prize and Cooke resigned in shame. The Washington Post, the paper that uncovered Watergate – the biggest political scandal in American history – failed to even vet Cooke’s resume. Then it published a front-page, Pulitzer Prize-winning feature story that was 100 percent made up.

Remarkably, neither Ben Bradlee nor Bob Woodward resigned over the incident. It was a different time, but also, the halo of All the President’s Men probably saved them.

Don’t miss the first five episodes of The Beck Story, which are available now. And look for Episode 6 this Saturday, wherever you get your podcasts.


5 Democrats who have endorsed Kamala (and two who haven't)

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With Biden removed from the 2024 election and only a month to find a replacement before the DNC, Democrats continue to fall in line and back Vice President Kamala Harris to headline the party's ticket. Her proximity and familiarity with the Biden campaign along with an endorsement from Biden sets Harris up to step into Biden's shoes and preserve the momentum from his campaign.

Glenn doesn't think Kamala Harris is likely to survive as the assumed Democratic nominee, and once the DNC starts, anything could happen. Plenty of powerful and important Democrats have rallied around Harris over the last few days, but there have been some crucial exemptions. Here are five democrats that have thrown their name behind Harris, and two SHOCKING names that didn't...

Sen. Dick Durbin: ENDORSED

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High-ranking Senate Democrat Dick Durbin officially put in his support for Harris in a statement that came out the day after Biden stepped down: “I’m proud to endorse my former Senate colleague and good friend, Vice President Kamala Harris . . . our nation needs to continue moving forward with unity and not MAGA chaos. Vice President Harris was a critical partner in building the Biden record over the past four years . . . Count me in with Kamala Harris for President.”

Michigan Gov. Whitmer: ENDORSED

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The Monday after Biden stepped down from the presidential VP hopeful, Gretchen Whitmer released the following statement on X: “Today, I am fired up to endorse Kamala Harris for president of the United States [...] In Vice President Harris, Michigan voters have a presidential candidate they can count on to focus on lowering their costs, restoring their freedoms, bringing jobs and supply chains back home from overseas, and building an economy that works for working people.”

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: ENDORSED

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Mere hours after Joe Biden made his announcement, AOC hopped on X and made the following post showing her support: "Kamala Harris will be the next President of the United States. I pledge my full support to ensure her victory in November. Now more than ever, it is crucial that our party and country swiftly unite to defeat Donald Trump and the threat to American democracy. Let’s get to work."

Rep. Nancy Pelosi: ENDORSED

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Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who is arguably one of the most influential democrats, backed Harris's campaign with the following statement given the day after Biden's decision: “I have full confidence she will lead us to victory in November . . . My enthusiastic support for Kamala Harris for President is official, personal, and political.”

Sen. Elizabeth Warren: ENDORSED

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Massasschesets Senator Elizabeth Warren was quick to endorse Kamala, releasing the following statement shortly after Harris placed her presidential bid: "I endorse Kamala Harris for President. She is a proven fighter who has been a national leader in safeguarding consumers and protecting access to abortion. As a former prosecutor, she can press a forceful case against allowing Donald Trump to regain the White House. We have many talented people in our party, but Vice President Harris is the person who was chosen by the voters to succeed Joe Biden if needed. She can unite our party, take on Donald Trump, and win in November."

Former President Barack Obama: DID NOT ENDORSE

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Former President Barack Obama wasted no time releasing the following statement which glaringly omits any support for Harris or any other candidate. Instead, he suggests someone will be chosen at the DNC in August: "We will be navigating uncharted waters in the days ahead. But I have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges. I believe that Joe Biden's vision of a generous, prosperous, and united America that provides opportunity for everyone will be on full display at the Democratic Convention in August. And I expect that every single one of us are prepared to carry that message of hope and progress forward into November and beyond."

Prominent Democratic Donor John Morgan: DID NOT ENDORSE

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Prominent and wealthy Florida lawyer and democrat donor John Morgan was clearly very pessimistic about Kamala's odds aginst Trump when he gave the following statement: “You have to be enthusiastic or hoping for a political appointment to be asking friends for money. I am neither. It’s others turn now . . . The donors holding the 90 million can release those funds in the morning. It’s all yours. You can keep my million. And good luck . . . [Harris] would not be my first choice, but it’s a done deal.”

How did Trump's would-be assassin get past Secret Service?

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Editor's Note: This article was originally published on TheBlaze.com.

Former President Donald Trump on Saturday was targeted in an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. It occurred just after 6:10 p.m. while Trump was delivering his speech.

Here are the details of the “official” story. The shooter was Thomas Matthew Crooks. He was 20 years old from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. He used an AR-15 rifle and managed to reach the rooftop of a nearby building unnoticed. The Secret Service's counter-response team responded swiftly, according to "the facts," killing Crooks and preventing further harm.

Did it though? That’s what the official story says, so far, but calling this a mere lapse in security by Secret Service doesn't add up. There are some glaring questions that need to be answered.

If Trump had been killed on Saturday, we would be in a civil war today. We would have seen for the first time the president's brains splattered on live television, and because of the details of this, I have a hard time thinking it wouldn't have been viewed as JFK 2.0.

How does someone sneak a rifle onto the rally grounds? How does someone even know that that building is there? How is it that Thomas Matthew Crooks was acting so weird and pacing in front of the metal detectors, and no one seemed to notice? People tried to follow him, but, oops, he got away.

How could the kid possibly even think that the highest ground at the venue wouldn't be watched? If I were Crooks, my first guess would be, "That’s the one place I shouldn't crawl up to with a rifle because there's most definitely going to be Secret Service there." Why wasn't anyone there? Why wasn't anyone watching it? Nobody except the shooter decided that the highest ground with the best view of the rally would be the greatest vulnerability to Trump’s safety.

Moreover, a handy ladder just happened to be there. Are we supposed to believe that nobody in the Secret Service, none of the drones, none of the things we pay millions of dollars for caught him? How did he get a ladder there? If the ladder was there, was it always there? Why was the ladder there? Secret Service welds manhole covers closed when a president drives down a road. How was there a ladder sitting around, ready to climb up to the highest ground at the venue, and the Secret Service failed to take it away?

There is plenty of video of eyewitnesses yelling that there was a guy with a rifle climbing up on a ladder to the roof for at least 120 seconds before the first shot was fired. Why were the police looking for him while Secret Service wasn't? Why did the sniper have him in his sights for over a minute before he took a shot? Why did a cop climb up the ladder to look around? When Thomas Matthew Cooks pointed a gun at him, he then ducked and came down off the ladder. Did he call anyone to warn that this young man had a rifle within range of the president?

How is it the Secret Service has a female bodyguard who doesn't even reach Trump's nipples? How was she going to guard the president's body with hers? How is it another female Secret Service agent pulled her gun out a good four minutes too late, then looked around, apparently not knowing what to do? She then couldn't even get the pistol back into the holster because she's a Melissa McCarthy body double. I don't think it's a good idea to have Melissa McCarthy guarding the president.

Here’s the critical question now: Who trusts the FBI with the shooter’s computer? Will his hard drive get filed with the Nashville manifesto? How is it that the Secret Service almost didn't have snipers at all but decided to supply them only one day before the rally because all the local resources were going to be put on Jill Biden? I want Jill Biden safe, of course. I want Jill Biden to have what the first lady should have for security, but you can’t hire a few extra guys to make sure our candidates are safe?

How is it that we have a Secret Service director, Kimberly Cheatle, whose experience is literally guarding two liters of Squirt and spicy Doritos? Did you know that's her background? She's in charge of the United States Secret Service, and her last job was as the head of security for Pepsi.

This is a game, and that's what makes this sick. This is a joke. There are people in our country who thought it was OK to post themselves screaming about the shooter’s incompetence: “How do you miss that shot?” Do you realize how close we came to another JFK? If the president hadn't turned his head at the exact moment he did, it would have gone into the center of his head, and we would be a different country today.

Now, Joe Biden is also saying that we shouldn't make assumptions about the motive of the shooter. Well, I think we can assume one thing: He wanted to kill the Republican presidential candidate. Can we agree on that at least? Can we assume that much?

How can the media even think of blaming Trump for the rhetoric when the Democrats and the media constantly call him literally worse than Hitler who must be stopped at all costs?

These questions need to be answered if we want to know the truth behind what could have been one of the most consequential days in U.S. history. Yet, the FBI has its hands clasped on all the sources that could point to the truth. There must be an independent investigation to get to the bottom of these glaring “mistakes.”

POLL: Do you think Trump is going to win the election?

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It feels like all of the tension that has been building over the last four years has finally burst to the surface over the past month. Many predicted 2024 was going to be one of the most important and tumultuous elections in our lifetimes, but the last two weeks will go down in the history books. And it's not over yet.

The Democratic National Convention is in August, and while Kamala seems to be the likely candidate to replace Biden, anything could happen in Chicago. And if Biden is too old to campaign, isn't he too old to be president? Glenn doesn't think he'll make it as President through January, but who knows?

There is a lot of uncertainty that surrounds the current political landscape. Trump came out of the attempted assassination, and the RNC is looking stronger than ever, but who knows what tricks the Democrats have up their sleeves? Let us know your predictions in the poll below:

Is Trump going to win the election?

Did the assassination attempt increase Trump's chances at winning in November?

Did Trump's pick of J.D. Vance help his odds?

Did the Trump-Biden debate in June help Trump's chances?

Did Biden's resignation from the election hand Trump a victory in November? 

Do the Democrats have any chance of winning this election?