Why Glenn invited himself to the Freedomworks 9/12 Grassroots Summit

September 11, 2015

WRITER

Adam Brandon, president of Freedomworks, joined Glenn on radio Friday, to tell listeners how they can begin to network with other like-minded activists to help fix our country. Freedomworks will hold a 9/12 Grassroots Summit in Orlando, Florida on Saturday 9/12, where Glenn will be speaking along with GOP presidential candidates, members of Congress and other political influencers.

During the interview, Glenn pointed out he felt so strongly about this event, he actually invited himself to be a part of it.

"If my memory serves me right, I asked you if I could come. And I want the audience to know that," Glenn said.

While admitting he often says, "I'm done with politics" on air, Glenn said it's critical we actually stay engaged.

"It's really easy for us to say, 'I'm not going to be engaged.' But we are actually winning," Glenn said.

Listen to the full interview or read the transcript below.

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

GLENN: Adam Brandon is with us. He's from FreedomWorks. I wanted to give him a couple of minutes here to talk a little about the 9/12 Summit that we're doing tomorrow, or that he's doing tomorrow and I'm a part of. They graciously asked me to attend. And the people that are coming. So, Adam, what's the key to tomorrow?

ADAM: Well, thanks for having me on, Glenn. I'm excited to see you. You've had one busy week. Events in Washington, events down in Florida. Jeez, where are you going next, my man?

GLENN: I know. On Sunday, I'm doing three other events as well. So it's been good though. I get to see a lot of people.

ADAM: Yeah, it is. And that's the thing. There's a lot of people that want to see you. Because we're dealing with a lot of very important issues. And I do have to applaud you for going to Washington and taking a stand on hyping the awareness of the problem with this around you. I know it's not on the FreedomWorks issue set, but pat on the back to you and to everyone else that did that that day.

GLENN: I will tell you that the people that were there are the Tea Party people. And I don't know if the politicians -- even some of the good ones, you know, I don't judge them. They're just so far out of -- they're so far away from where the people are, that they just don't -- I don't think they even really get it. So, Adam, what is coming? And what are we going to learn tomorrow?

ADAM: Well, that's the perfect segway. Earlier in the year, we knew that tomorrow was going to be 9/12. We knew we had to do something to commemorate that march that we did years and years ago that some estimates as high as 2 million people marched on the National Mall. And that was kind of the coming-out party for both FreedomWorks and the Tea Party movement. And we wanted to do something to kind of show progress. Because it's very easy to look around at all these problems and say, "Hey, we're doing all this work. We've been in the streets. We've been in elections. We've been on the phone. What's the progress?"

So we wanted to have a day where we get everyone together to kind of fire people back up and show, "Look, there is progress." So we're going to come together, kind of celebrate that march and kind of show -- you mentioned the politicians. We are going to have a bunch of them on that stage tomorrow. Members of this House Freedom Caucus. This is the caucus that has given Boehner all the problems. There was a headline last week showing that John Boehner knows he doesn't have the votes to survive a vote of confidence. He could be removed. John Boehner might not make it out of this Congress.

GLENN: Go ahead.

ADAM: It's people like Congressman Mark Meadows, talk about courage. Ron DeSantis. Thomas Massie of Kentucky. This is the hit list for the establishment. But none of these guys -- none of these guys wouldn't have been in office if it wasn't for your listeners and if it wasn't for this movement that we all created.

GLENN: And I will tell you this, that I am meeting -- and I want to talk to you off-air tomorrow a bit about some guys that I've met in the last few weeks that are so far under the radar. They are not guys -- and what really gives me hope, they don't want the publicity. In fact, they told me some things that they were doing. They were like, "Don't talk about this. Please don't talk about this." And I said, "But that's really inspiring." And they're like, "Don't talk about it. I don't want the publicity. I don't want anything. They'll never see it coming." And there are some things on people that the Tea Party has put in, they are not stopping. They're not sleeping. There's some really good people and some dramatic things on the horizon. Would you agree with that?

ADAM: I 100 percent agree with it. And I fall prey every day to talking about presidential politics. When there are about 30 members of Congress -- and we all know Mike Lee. We all know Ted Cruz. We all know Rand Paul. But these 30 members of the House Freedom Caucus. And I hope everyone who is listening who has never heard about the House Freedom Caucus, Googles it, learns about it, and supports those folks because this is that thin red line in the House of Representatives.

GLENN: It is.

ADAM: And we need to grow that thin red line. And folks tell me, "Hey, Adam, let us -- you know, we want to do our work quietly." But I'm sorry, I'm going to the top of the roofs and scream their praises for the work that they're doing because I know it's lonely, it's awful, and it's horrible. And they're doing it. They're going to Washington and they're doing it. It's not enough yet. It's not critical mass yet. But that's why we want to get together tomorrow in Florida to celebrate our movement and to show those guys some love and respect and give them courage to keep going.

GLENN: Yeah, I will tell you this, I -- I'm not going to shout their name from the rooftops, the few that I want to talk to you about them. Because I don't even know if you know what's going on in some of these things. I'm sure you do. But I am so encouraged by what I see behind the scenes. And out of these 30 guys, let's say in Congress. They're the ones -- I don't think the average American understands how close we are to eviscerating the G.O.P.

ADAM: Yes.

GLENN: I don't think they have any idea. They see the G.O.P. -- well, the G.O.P. is winning. The G.O.P. is winning. The G.O.P. is winning. And they don't look afraid. But I'm telling you, they're about to be done. They're about to literally be finished as a party if they don't get their own leadership out of the way and change their ways. And I don't think the average American feels that yet.

ADAM: No. And I think it's -- there's always -- I always love that saying "the Stone Age didn't end because they ran out of stones." And I think the G.O.P.'s age, the old establishment's age, they have all the trappings of the power that they used to have. But all those television ads they used to run and the committee chairs they used to control and the lobbyist state dinners, none of that has the effect that it once did because you've got these congressmen who are going to Washington -- Tim Hill's camp, who will be speaking from Kansas, votes against bloated agriculture subsidies. In Kansas. And he's got two establishment challengers already. And we either step up as a movement to protect him, to support him, to keep him elected, or the old guys will take -- you know, get one of their own back in there. So it will be a fight from coast-to-coast. Not just the presidential race. Not just Senate races. And there will be a bunch of doozy Senate races. But we have to make sure we protect these 30 members of the House Freedom Caucus and grow their ranks.

GLENN: Well, I will tell you, I don't think you guys asked me to be a part of this. If my memory serves me right, I asked you if I could come. And I want the audience to know that. If you're listening and you're anywhere in the Orlando area, I asked to come to this because while I say on the air I'm done with politics, I'm done with politics, I want you to know, this is critical that we actually stay engaged. It's really easy for us to say, "I'm not going to be engaged." But we are actually winning. You know, that seven stages of a movement, we're at that seventh stage where you think you've lost and you're about to fall apart.

ADAM: Right. Right.

GLENN: The next stage is, "Surprise, you've won." But we have to do the things that we need to do for this next election. We can't just get frustrated with big government progressives in the G.O.P. leading in the polls. We need to understand, we're still a long way away. And there's a lot of hearts and minds to be changed. And there's a lot of mistakes to be made by all of these candidates yet.

ADAM: We're going to be talking about -- Steve Moore, who joined Freedom Works recently, is going to be talking about a very pro-economic growth agenda. And one thing that is scary to me, throughout our history, basically since the Pilgrims, we've grown at about three and a half percent per year, on average. And now we're growing at about one and a half percent, 2 percent. And that's not good enough. This is why America's middle class has not seen a raise in 25 years. We need to grow as a country.

And the only reason we're not growing is the regulations, is the bureaucrats, is Washington, is Obamacare. You could go down the list. And that hurts people. The people that have been hurt the most in this in the last few years are single mothers, they're black Americans, young Americans. The very people who got Barack Obama elected have been the ones who have been hurt the most in this nongrowth era. And so let's take that positive pro-growth vision and message to all corners and all parts of our society.

GLENN: You know nobody looks at it this way, but I've been in so many churches over the last six months, and I'm speaking at three churches -- or, two services and another church. So two different churches just this Sunday in Tampa. And what amazes me is nobody looks at it this way, but the churches aren't really hurting for money. The churches are able to build these great buildings. They're able to change neighborhoods. I mean, it was just in Houston, and I was talking to all of the politicians and all of the firefighters and all of the people in Houston, and that one church, where they had that service in Houston last week, that one church has fundamentally changed the way services are required and passed out through the local government because the church just took it. And why are the churches growing in money and ability? Because they're the least regulated. You can't regulate.

ADAM: Right.

GLENN: So when a church says, "I want to fix something in our community," they just do it. The reason why we're having these problems is because everything else in our society is overregulated and overtaxed. And so you don't have the ability to do anything.

ADAM: No.

GLENN: If we would just start to get our own country, our own private industry and our own private households closer into line to where the churches are, where they're not asking for permission, they're just doing it, we could fix the problems.

ADAM: Just do it. Here about this economy right now. We have some of the lowest levels of entrepreneur start-ups in our history. When you look at the trends. When you look at the labor force -- it is, since the 1970s, the lowest level of labor force participation. This affects people's lives. We're talking about opportunities and dreams that are not happening because the bureaucracy is growing. And these guys in the House Freedom Caucus get it and they're fighting it every day.

And I think that's one of the reasons we did that march back in -- five, six years ago on 9/12, was because people just wanted to unleash American prosperity. They just wanted to, let's go back to our core principles that made us great. And I see the hope. And as you travel, you see the hope. But we have to do it together, in the sense, you got to get together with your church, your neighbors. And that's why it's important to do these events like we do every once in a while, just so you can also feel that fellowship, walk in there with a few thousand people who think and act the way that you do and believe in this country and get fired up and go be an evangelical in your own community about how great America is.

GLENN: Thank you very much, we'll see you tomorrow.

ADAM: All right. Can't wait.

GLENN: If you'd like to attend. Go to 912summit.com. 912summit.com. The Orlando area at the arena here -- I think it's in Orlando. Where is it? Yeah, in Orlando. So come on out and join us. And you can find out all the information at 912summit.com. That's tomorrow. Then I'm also going to be speaking at Crossing Church. That is Sunday. And I'm going to be speaking at the 8:30 service and the 10:30 service at Crossing Church in Tampa. You can find out the information on that. And then at 4:00 p.m. -- I think it's at 4:00 p.m. in the afternoon. And I don't even have the location, but it will be up at GlennBeck.com. And I'm speaking at an LDS steak center at 4 o'clock in the afternoon. And you're welcome to attend either one of those. But that's this Sunday. If you're anywhere near the Florida area, I would love to see you. And find out all the details on all those activities this -- for this weekend at GlennBeck.com.

The Woodrow Wilson strategy to get out of Mother’s Day

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I’ve got a potentially helpful revelation that’s gonna blow the lid off your plans for this Sunday. It’s Mother’s Day.

Yeah, that sacred day where you’re guilt-tripped into buying flowers, braving crowded brunch buffets, and pretending you didn’t forget to mail the card. But what if I told you… you don’t have to do it? That’s right, there’s a loophole, a get-out-of-Mother’s-Day-free card, and it’s stamped with the name of none other than… Woodrow Wilson (I hate that guy).

Back in 1914, ol’ Woody Wilson signed a proclamation that officially made Mother’s Day a national holiday. Second Sunday in May, every year. He said it was a day to “publicly express our love and reverence for the mothers of our country.” Sounds sweet, right? Until you peel back the curtain.

See, Wilson wasn’t some sentimental guy sitting around knitting doilies for his mom. No, no, no. This was a calculated move.

The idea for Mother’s Day had been floating around for decades, pushed by influential voices like Julia Ward Howe. By 1911, states were jumping on the bandwagon, but it took Wilson to make it federal. Why? Because he was a master of optics. This guy loved big, symbolic gestures to distract from the real stuff he was up to, like, oh, I don’t know, reshaping the entire federal government!

So here’s the deal: if you’re looking for an excuse to skip Mother’s Day, just lean into this. Say, “Sorry, Mom, I’m not celebrating a holiday cooked up by Woodrow Wilson!” I mean, think about it – this is the guy who gave us the Federal Reserve, the income tax, and don’t even get me started on his assault on basic liberties during World War I. You wanna trust THAT guy with your Sunday plans? I don’t think so! You tell your mom, “Look, I love you, but I’m not observing a Progressive holiday. I’m keeping my brunch money in protest.”

Now, I know what you might be thinking.

“Glenn, my mom’s gonna kill me if I try this.” Fair point. Moms can be scary. But hear me out: you can spin this. Tell her you’re honoring her EVERY DAY instead of some government-mandated holiday. You don’t need Wilson’s permission to love your mom! You can bake her a cake in June, call her in July, or, here’s a wild idea, visit her WITHOUT a Woodrow Wilson federal proclamation guilting you into it.

Shocking Christian massacres unveiled

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Is a Christian Genocide unfolding overseas?

Recent reports suggest an alarming escalation in violence against Christians, raising questions about whether these acts constitute genocide under international law. Recently, Glenn hosted former U.S. Army Special Forces Sniper Tim Kennedy, who discussed a predictive model that forecasts a surge in global Christian persecution for the summer of 2025.

From Africa to Asia and the Middle East, extreme actions—some described as genocidal—have intensified over the past year. Over 380 million Christians worldwide face high levels of persecution, a number that continues to climb. With rising international concern, the United Nations and human rights groups are urging protective measures by the global community. Is a Christian genocide being waged in the far corners of the globe? Where are they taking place, and what is being done?

India: Hindu Extremist Violence Escalates

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In India, attacks on Christians have surged as Hindu extremist groups gain influence within the country. In February 2025, Hindu nationalist leader Aadesh Soni organized a 50,000-person rally in Chhattisgarh, where he called for the rape and murder of all Christians in nearby villages and demanded the execution of Christian leaders to erase Christianity. Other incidents include forced conversions, such as a June 2024 attack in Chhattisgarh, where a Hindu mob gave Christian families a 10-day ultimatum to convert to Hinduism. In December 2024, a Christian man in Uttar Pradesh was attacked, forcibly converted, and paraded while the mob chanted "Death to Jesus."

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) recommends designating India a "Country of Particular Concern" and imposing targeted sanctions on those perpetrating these attacks. The international community is increasingly alarmed by the rising tide of religious violence in India.

Syria: Sectarian Violence Post-Regime Change

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Following the collapse of the Assad regime in December 2024, Syria has seen a wave of sectarian violence targeting religious minorities, including Christians, with over 1,000 killed in early 2025. It remains unclear whether Christians are deliberately targeted or caught in broader conflicts, but many fear persecution by the new regime or extremist groups. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a dominant rebel group and known al-Qaeda splinter group now in power, is known for anti-Christian sentiments, heightening fears of increased persecution.

Christians, especially converts from Islam, face severe risks in the unstable post-regime environment. The international community is calling for humanitarian aid and protection for Syria’s vulnerable minority communities.

Democratic Republic of Congo: A "Silent Genocide"

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In February 2025, the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an ISIS-affiliated group, beheaded 70 Christians—men, women, and children—in a Protestant church in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo, after tying their hands. This horrific massacre, described as a "silent genocide" reminiscent of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, has shocked the global community.

Since 1996, the ADF and other militias have killed over six million people, with Christians frequently targeted. A Christmas 2024 attack killed 46, further decimating churches in the region. With violence escalating, humanitarian organizations are urging immediate international intervention to address the crisis.

POLL: Starbase exposed: Musk’s vision or corporate takeover?

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Is Starbase the future of innovation or a step too far?

Elon Musk’s ambitious Starbase project in South Texas is reshaping Boca Chica into a cutting-edge hub for SpaceX’s Starship program, promising thousands of jobs and a leap toward Mars colonization. Supporters see Musk as a visionary, driving economic growth and innovation in a historically underserved region. However, local critics, including Brownsville residents and activists, argue that SpaceX’s presence raises rents, restricts beach access, and threatens environmental harm, with Starbase’s potential incorporation as a city sparking fears of unchecked corporate control. As pro-Musk advocates clash with anti-Musk skeptics, will Starbase unite the community or deepen the divide?

Let us know what you think in the poll below:

Is Starbase’s development a big win for South Texas?

Should Starbase become its own city?

Is Elon Musk’s vision more of a benefit than a burden for the region?

Shocking truth behind Trump-Zelenskyy mineral deal unveiled

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President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have finalized a landmark agreement that will shape the future of U.S.-Ukraine relations. The agreement focuses on mineral access and war recovery.

After a tense March meeting, Trump and Zelenskyy signed a deal on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, granting the U.S. preferential mineral rights in Ukraine in exchange for continued military support. Glenn analyzed an earlier version of the agreement in March, when Zelenskyy rejected it, highlighting its potential benefits for America, Ukraine, and Europe. Glenn praised the deal’s strategic alignment with U.S. interests, including reducing reliance on China for critical minerals and fostering regional peace.

However, the agreement signed this week differs from the March proposal Glenn praised. Negotiations led to significant revisions, reflecting compromises on both sides. What changes were made? What did each leader seek, and what did they achieve? How will this deal impact the future of U.S.-Ukraine relations and global geopolitics? Below, we break down the key aspects of the agreement.

What did Trump want?

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Trump aimed to curb what many perceive as Ukraine’s overreliance on U.S. aid while securing strategic advantages for America. His primary goals included obtaining reimbursement for the billions in military aid provided to Ukraine, gaining exclusive access to Ukraine’s valuable minerals (such as titanium, uranium, and lithium), and reducing Western dependence on China for critical resources. These minerals are essential for aerospace, energy, and technology sectors, and Trump saw their acquisition as a way to bolster U.S. national security and economic competitiveness. Additionally, he sought to advance peace talks to end the Russia-Ukraine war, positioning the U.S. as a key mediator.

Ultimately, Trump secured preferential—but not exclusive—rights to extract Ukraine’s minerals through the United States-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund, as outlined in the agreement. The U.S. will not receive reimbursement for past aid, but future military contributions will count toward the joint fund, designed to support Ukraine’s post-war recovery. Zelenskyy’s commitment to peace negotiations under U.S. leadership aligns with Trump’s goal of resolving the conflict, giving him leverage in discussions with Russia.

These outcomes partially meet Trump’s objectives. The preferential mineral rights strengthen U.S. access to critical resources, but the lack of exclusivity and reimbursement limits the deal’s financial benefits. The peace commitment, however, positions Trump as a central figure in shaping the war’s resolution, potentially enhancing his diplomatic influence.

What did Zelenskyy want?

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Zelenskyy sought to sustain U.S. military and economic support without the burden of repaying past aid, which has been critical for Ukraine’s defense against Russia. He also prioritized reconstruction funds to rebuild Ukraine’s war-torn economy and infrastructure. Security guarantees from the U.S. to deter future Russian aggression were a key demand, though controversial, as they risked entangling America in long-term commitments. Additionally, Zelenskyy aimed to retain control over Ukraine’s mineral wealth to safeguard national sovereignty and align with the country’s European Union membership aspirations.

The final deal delivered several of Zelenskyy’s priorities. The reconstruction fund, supported by future U.S. aid, provides a financial lifeline for Ukraine’s recovery without requiring repayment of past assistance. Ukraine retained ownership of its subsoil and decision-making authority over mineral extraction, granting only preferential access to the U.S. However, Zelenskyy conceded on security guarantees, a significant compromise, and agreed to pursue peace talks under Trump’s leadership, which may involve territorial or political concessions to Russia.

Zelenskyy’s outcomes reflect a delicate balance. The reconstruction fund and retained mineral control bolster Ukraine’s economic and sovereign interests, but the absence of security guarantees and pressure to negotiate peace could strain domestic support and challenge Ukraine’s long-term stability.

What does this mean for the future?

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While Trump didn’t secure all his demands, the deal advances several of his broader strategic goals. By gaining access to Ukraine’s mineral riches, the U.S. undermines China’s dominance over critical elements like lithium and graphite, essential for technology and energy industries. This shift reduces American and European dependence on Chinese supply chains, strengthening Western industrial and tech sectors. Most significantly, the agreement marks a pivotal step toward peace in Europe. Ending the Russia-Ukraine war, which has claimed thousands of lives, is a top priority for Trump, and Zelenskyy’s commitment to U.S.-led peace talks enhances Trump’s leverage in negotiations with Russia. Notably, the deal avoids binding U.S. commitments to Ukraine’s long-term defense, preserving flexibility for future administrations.

The deal’s broader implications align with the vision Glenn outlined in March, when he praised its potential to benefit America, Ukraine, and Europe by securing resources and creating peace. While the final agreement differs from Glenn's hopes, it still achieves key goals he outlined.

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