Mark Levin Delivers Powerful Monologue on GOP Candidates, Where We Stand

January 20, 2016

Editor

Radio commentator Mark Levin articulated something in a monologue Glenn has been trying to say for a long time.

"You'll notice he's being much smarter than I am," Glenn said on radio Wednesday.

In his monologue, Levin pointed out he defended Donald Trump when the "morons in the establishment" were attacking him. However, as a conservative, he said he'd never defend everything the candidate has done, given Trump's self-described "transitions."

"We're not making the transition," Glenn said. "Trump is the one making these transitions, or so he says. I thought that was really telling and very powerful coming from Mark Levin."

Listen to the segment or read the transcript below.

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

GLENN: I want to play a little of this monologue from Mark Levin, who I have to tell you, listeners used to always say, "You and Mark have got to get together. You have so much in common." Blah, blah. And there was this bullcrap between us that somebody had, quite honestly, lied about me and was feeding him stuff that apparently that I was saying behind his back or whatever. And none of it happened. And the same person was trying to feed that garbage to me. And until we started talking, we realized, "Oh, my gosh, we have been played. We have been played." To keep us apart. And it was not just him. It was all of the talk radio people. Just try to keep us apart. Because if we would ever gather together, it would be -- it would be, you know -- political changes would be in the air.

So Mark and I over the past year or so have become very good friends. So we write to each other a few times a week. And I write to him. And he'll send me articles, et cetera, et cetera. And he's just wickedly smart. And he's right. I really, truly believe Mark Levin's idea of the Convention of States may be the last-ditch effort. It may be the only way to save the republic in the end. Because if one of three people get elected, I think we're headed for a dictatorship or dictatorship-lite. We're headed for something that does not resemble the republic because they will finish the transformation that Barack Obama started. And the Convention of the States will be the only way to reel it back in.

So, you know, I've been trying to pay attention to what he's saying because he's really super smart. I listen to a monologue this morning when I got up from a couple of days ago, that he gave. And I want you just to hear what he is now saying about the candidates and where we are.

MARK: I want to make it clear, when Trump was under attack by the morons in the establishment, I defended him. I didn't defend everything he said, and I'm never going to. I'm never going to defend everything that man's done, every contribution he's made, everything he's said, or I wouldn't be a conservative, now would I? It's he who has evolved or transitioned, he says. So that's worth looking at. What's different --

GLENN: Stop. Have you noticed that? He is being far more diplomatic than I have been. And we all know where Mark stands. Mark has been very, very clear on the past on Donald Trump. Not a conservative.

But you'll notice he's being much smarter than I am. He's trying to make the point to the Trump supporters, "He has said these things. He's the one. We're not making the transition. Cruz is not the one making the transition. Trump is the one making these transitions, or so he says." I thought that was really telling and very powerful coming from Mark Levin.

MARK: -- right now is that the attack on Cruz, in many ways is an attack on us. That's the problem.

He's nasty, nasty, nasty, Donald says. Why? Because Mitch McConnell thinks he's nasty? Because Bob Dole thinks he's nasty? Because the dug-in, ruling elite Republicans think he's nasty? Now we're all supposed to genuflect and say, "Yeah, he's nasty. That's right. We don't like Cruz. He doesn't get along with anybody."

Ladies and gentlemen, you're attacking yourself. I don't care who you like, it doesn't even make any sense. So all of a sudden --

GLENN: Stop. Listen to that. This is what I've been trying to say, but not nearly as eloquent as Mark has: It doesn't make any sense. The guy we prayed for -- I truly believe that the guy we prayed for is Ted Cruz. When we all got together and said, "We need a strong constitutionalist. We need someone who is going to return us to our values, but actually understand them. We need a guy who is going to go in to Washington and actually do everything he told us he would and not sell his soul out to the devil. Just remember where he came from. Be the Mr. Smith Goes to Washington that is willing to die on his desk on the floor." He's here. And now we're being told he's too mean, he's too nasty, nobody likes him, he can't win, he can't win even in his own party. That's a sign of, he's on the right track. And for us to attack him now, as Mark said, is an attack on ourselves.

MARK: What we thought was courage, what we thought was Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, you and I are supposed to believe this guy is bought out by the banks, this guy is nasty, this guy doesn't get along with anybody, screw him. Is that what we're supposed to do? I'm all in favor --

GLENN: Stop. Stop. I want you to ask yourself this: Has Mark Levin finally been bought off? Has Mark Levin finally betrayed the republic? Is Mark Levin a traitor? Has Mark Levin given up his principles? Has George Will given up his principles? Is George Will not really a conservative? Has Michelle Malkin given up her principles? Has Michelle Malkin, is she just doing this for money or for fame?

You know, when you look at special guests, you have to ask yourself, does that special guest have the same principles that we all said we were going for five years ago? Small government. No dictatorship. An end to the -- the -- the nonstop executive order after executive order. The not destroying your enemies.

How many times did we say, "I'm willing to sit down with Barack Obama. He won't listen to us. He's not listening to us?" And instead, he uses the IRS to destroy us. When you have a special guest, you have to ask yourself, "Is that special guest consistent, or are they now standing with somebody who would just as quickly use the IRS for an enemies' list on the other side?"

Is there a reason -- can you tell me, what reason does Michelle Malkin, how is Michelle Malkin going to get rich by standing up and saying, "This isn't right?" How is Mark Levin coming out and saying, "This doesn't even make sense. You're betraying yourself. We are attacking ourselves," how is he going to get rich? How am I going to suddenly become famous or rich by saying these things? It doesn't make any sense.

It's -- it's -- you've taken emotional gasoline. He's allowed -- Donald Trump has taken emotional gasoline and thrown it on everybody. It's the same tactic that Saul Alinsky talks about and that Barack Obama uses. It's just -- it's time to step back and be cool and say, "All right. Wait a minute. What is consistent?"

Now, a lot of people will immediately go to, "I want to win. We've got to win." And I understand that. I'm the guy who told you 20 minutes ago, the country is over. It is over. Catastrophic collapse is coming, and you're going to have to rebuild from the ground up.

So I know that. But who do we -- who do we become when we cross that Rubicon?

Featured Image: Conservative radio host Mark Levin acknowledges the crowd after speaking at a 'Cut Spending Now' rally at the conservative Americans for Prosperity (AFP) 'Defending the American Dream Summit' in Washington on November 5, 2011. (Photo by NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images)

'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

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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 Gen Z’s anger over housing driving them toward socialism?

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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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