How's That Economic Equality Working Out, Obama?

Biker, gun enthusiast, former bull rider and radio talk show host Mike Broomhead filled in for Glenn on The Glenn Beck Program today, Wednesday, December 28.

Read below or listen to the full segment from Hour 2 for answers to these questions:

• What has consumer confidence soaring at a 15-year high?

• Does Mike have a celebrity crush?

• How does the US appear to the world after the UN vote?

• How's that economic equality working out, Obama?

• Does the EPA realize fires destroy wildlife habitat?

Listen to this segment from The Glenn Beck Program:

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

MIKE: This is the Glenn Beck Program. My name is Mike Broomhead. Phoenix, Arizona, in for Glenn today and tomorrow. Happy New Year. Merry Christmas. Thanks for making the Glenn Beck Program a part of your day. So much going on around the world. This hour, focusing a little bit more on economy, a CNN story lamenting the fact that the rich are getting richer, which they always do, and saying the poor are actually getting poorer.

It's going to be a fascinating conversation because -- and this isn't to be critical of the outgoing president, but we do know that Barack Obama's policies -- this is about Americanism. It has nothing to do with Republican/Democrat. This is just about what's best for us as a nation. And the American voters vote largely with their wallets. There are people that are card-carrying Democrats that will vote Republican. They are not party loyalists, and vice-versa. Based on what they believe is going to be best for them in the next four years, when they look at the policies of a president.

Because we're looking at right now consumer confidence at a 15-year high. Now, Donald Trump taking all the credit in the world for that, which maybe to some degree he should because I think it's also about more -- it is more about the fact that the economic policies of this administration are on their way out.

Why confidence is going up. There are many people that were supportive, remain supportive of Barack Obama. But also see that what he wanted to do, whether they believe it was the right thing or not, he has it.

What the Obama administration wanted to accomplish largely economically, has been an abysmal failure, whether it's Obamacare or -- especially Obamacare. With what it's going to cost the American people.

When you take that much discretionary income out of the American economy, you are going to do huge damage to the American economy. Obviously, the two senators in Arizona, John McCain and Jeff Flake.

Senator Flake's office put out a table earlier this year of what Obamacare costs are ballooning into in 2017, just for our state.

And it was in some cases 120, 130 percent increases in premium costs. There is a big county called Pinal County in Arizona, where there was only going to be one health care provider. There were none, until one said they would provide. And there are people on average paying a lot more money for health insurance -- we're not talking deductibles or copays. Just premium costs. More money for their family than they pay on average for their mortgage. Not going to survive that way. Just not going to survive that way.

So the American people vote with their wallet. They don't vote by race or gender or sexual orientation. There are social issues that carry people, especially in a primary process. I am adamantly and proudly pro-life. I'll defend that position on any level with anyone. And when I look at candidates. I want candidates that are pro-life. That to me can be a deal breaker in voting for somebody.

But largely Americans vote with their wallets. So this hour, a little bit more of a focus on that and this disparity. The inequality as they call it in this story between the rich and the poor, the haves and the have-nots in America, and why that might be.

And then also a conversation -- I mentioned my admiration for Mike Rowe and somebody I hope someday to be able to have a conversation with. I'm not -- I don't get starstruck. It's not about meeting a star and getting a picture with them. I'd love to have a conversation with Mike Rowe about his career path and why he has decided and he has made a great career out of speaking for the working man, you know, with the shows like The Deadliest Catch, which is one of my favorite shows on television where you are admiring the hard work and the dangerous things that people do to make a living and how they can make a really good living, but work in ways that many people couldn't even fathom, couldn't even tolerate, and yet there are people that do this every single day of their lives for a living and kind of honoring them and the way they do that and exposing the great work. And it shows and the American people love it. Because it's one of the most popular shows on television and has been for a long time. And the spin-off shows that have come from that. And so I would love to be able to talk with him about that.

But he was asked about the job market in America and what our problems are. He gave a great answer. I think in this hour, it would be a great time to discuss where we should be and where we can be going in this country, with -- there's a class of people. There is a working class of people that could be doing great things and making a great living, given an opportunity.

So that will discuss. Some of the headlines if you're kind of jumping back in the car, getting back in the real world from vacation time. The Israelis say they've got ironclad proof that the US was behind the UN resolution that made the new West Bank settlements illegal in the eyes of the UN. The US abstained from that vote, which is ridiculous on its face. But the Israelis believe they have proof that America was behind the resolution.

If that's true, can you imagine what that does to US/Israeli relations? We talk so much in this country about propaganda. Everything he do -- we can't -- we can't talk about limiting or more scrutiny on refugees because that's being used as a recruiting tool by our enemy. We can't do these things -- we're not going to say, fundamentalist Islamic terrorism, because by using that phrase, it emboldens our enemies. And they use it as propaganda to recruit against us. And everything is about appearance.

Well, how does it appear to the world when Israel's greatest ally, the United States, goes against them behind their back and abstains from this vote? You tell me what the appearances are around the world. You tell me about the Palestinians and what they want to do with Israel. You tell me about the Iranians who have in the Iranian Constitution, that they will destroy the Zionist state. Their Constitution dictates that they destroy Israel. What do you think it does to those nations in emboldening them when the fiercest ally of the Israelis, the Americans, are going behind their back?

So you want to talk about propaganda. You want to talk about recruiting tools. You want to talk about appearances. How does that appear to our allies? How does it appear to the Israelis first, but then to the rest of the world?

John Kerry -- in the last hour we talked about this -- giving his final speech in the Middle East, with a backdrop of what's happening in Israel. I don't know what he could possibly say. What has he accomplished in the Middle East? The only thing he has done is the nuclear deal with the Iranians, that has the rest of our allies in the region terrified and angry. What could he possibly have to say in this speech?

Actress Carrie Fisher dies. Singer George Michael dies. Big stories all over the internet and Twitter. I'm not -- I'm going to get a lot of people angry. I'm not a big Star Wars fan. So I wasn't struck by the death of Carrie Fisher like a lot of people were. You know, I'm a Star Wars generation. But I'm not a big fan of the movie. So it's not that big of a deal to me in the celebrity of things. George Michael passing. You know, again, why do people get so enamored with celebrities? That's just part of life, and that's how it is. When people of -- you know, notable people pass away, these things happen. So it doesn't mean I'm not sad for her family or his family, it's just, it's not as big a deal to me as it has been to a lot of others.

There was a China aircraft carrier that made its way into the Pacific. They were doing some maneuvers. Again, flexing their muscle in that region of the world. President Obama is working on ways, whether it's through economic sanctions or political sanctions, against the Russians for tampering our elections.

Just some of the headlines of what's been going on in the world. This hour, we talk about economic inequality in America, which was supposed to be fixed under this president and his tax plan and his redistribution of wealth ideas and taxing the rich to help the poor, which never has worked before. It certainly isn't working right now. And why, if that was the solution to the problem, is the consumer confidence higher now than it's been in 15 years?

I've got two answers to that question, which we'll get to here in just a few moments. Again, if you want to reach out to me via social media, on Twitter, I'm @BroomheadShow. On Instagram, MikeBroomhead, all one word. And Facebook: The Mike Broomhead Fan Page on Facebook. Would love to interact with you on all those social media platforms. I'll be back here in a few moments to talk about the economy of the United States. My name is Mike Broomhead. And this is the Glenn Beck Program.

[break]

MIKE: So they say consumer confidence is at a 15-year high. But the inequality between the haves and the have-nots in America is getting wider. The gap between the two. The rich and the poor. The middle class is shrinking. I believe all of that's true. There's two answers to both of these issues: One on the consumer confidence side of things, I believe the policy changes that are coming -- with any president coming in -- I'm not taking anything away from what Donald Trump is doing about job creation and the comments he's made about jobs coming here and saving jobs and, you know, 15 billion-dollar investment from foreign companies and other companies that are staying here now. I'm not taking away anything.

So for the Trump supporters that are listening, this is not about taking anything away from Donald Trump. But the policies of this current administration have been so restrictive to business. Taxation, yes. But how about regulation?

There's a word for any business owner of any size: It's called compliance. Ask a business owner -- you want to see someone perplexed that owns a business. You ask them which would help your company be more profitable? Lower taxes or less regulation? I guarantee you it's not as easy as you would think. The average person would say, "Lower my taxes. Let me keep more of my profits." Obviously that makes a lot of sense for businesses.

But what they spend on compliance. What they spend on just trying to make sure they can -- in the construction business, MSDS, which is material safety data sheets. You've got to keep a log of the things that you have on a job site that would be dangerous in case there were a fire so the fire department has them. You could have a small job site. You know what it's like for compliance?

The risk management companies in this country that make a ton of money because of these ridiculous, even the risk management companies will tell you, government regulation has gotten to be so oppressive to businesses.

You know, the largest ponderosa pine forest in the country is located in the state of Arizona. People picture us as being a desert. When you realize the forest fires that have decimated our area, from the Rodeo-Chediski Fire, back to the Yarnell Hill Fire, where those firefighters, the Yarnell firefighters were killed, the hotshots.

And you're talking about forests where they can't go in and fight the fires. They can't get equipment in to fight those fires, because EPA regulations say you can't thin the forest. You're going to damage the habitat for the wildlife.

Well, what happens when you have a fire that destroys the habitat for the wildlife? Oh, and destroys the wildlife too.

Compliance. So the inequality keeps getting uglier according to this CNN story. The rich and money-making machines. Today, the mega wealthy, the top one percent, earn an average of $1.3 million a year. More than three times as much in the '80s. They only made 428,000 on average in the 1980s. But they are saying now that the bottom 50 percent of American population, an average of $16,000 in pretax income in 1980 hasn't changed much.

If you want an increase -- and I'm in favor of people making more money in this country. I think that it's the lifeblood. I think wealthy business owners love it when they have wealthy people living around them. If you own a restaurant, you want people with the discretionary income to eat at your restaurant. Come into your store. If you sell furniture, you want to sell high-end furniture. You want people to be able to afford new furniture in their homes. New cars.

It's ridiculous to think that the average American business owner doesn't want to pay their employees. But a business owner has the responsibility -- they are tied to the bottom line. Oh, incidentally, the employees get paid first.

Business owners don't get a check until the employees get a check. You've heard the old clichés: You know, I've signed both sides of the check, front and back. I've been the same thing. I've been a small business owner. It's not easy, and it keeps you up at nights. You want what's best for your employees, but you are a slave to the bottom line.

At the end of the day, at the end of the week, at the end of the month, at the end of the year, you have got to make sure that bottom line is covered, that your employees are paid, you're paying your vendors, you're paying your taxes, you're meeting the compliance issues that the federal and the state and local governments have.

So why is consumer confidence at a 15-year high if the disparity between rich and poor has never been bigger? The answer is this administration and its policies are on the way out.

We could talk about Obamacare and how it's terrifying everybody, even the people that believed in it. Now, the Republicans are talked about something called universal access, which I think will be a great thing. But solving a problem by deregulation, first of all, by inviting more people to the party is a much better way of doing things. Shared risk. It's just like automobile insurance.

And I always -- the detractors always say, it's not a perfect analogy. Nothing is a perfect analogy.

But in this regard, it works. If you own a car that's 15 or 20 years old and it's not worth a whole lot of money, you have basic coverage, which in some places is called PIP and liability. Personal injury protection and liability insurance. So if you damage somebody else's vehicle, it's covered by your insurance. If you injure other people in an accident, their medical bills are covered by your insurance.

Your car is not covered. You don't have theft. You don't have fire. You don't have vandalism. You don't have glass coverage. Because the car is old and not worth anything. So you pay a minimal amount to make sure you're covered, if you damage somebody else's property or you hurt somebody in an accident.

If not, you've gotten to be my age and you've accumulated some stuff and you drive a newer vehicle. You not only have full coverage, but you jack your limits. You jack your liability on those things. You know, I have 100,000, 300,000 coverage on my vehicle, if I hurt somebody. God forbid. Or damage somebody else's vehicle.

Full glass coverage. I have all towing. I have everything else. I pay a lot of money for insurance because I want to be covered. But the full gamut is there. And there's a ton of insurance companies out there, and they share the risk with bad drivers that have tickets or accidents or claims. Shared risk by the insurance companies. Lower premiums because they're fighting for people's businesses. You can do the same thing for health insurance. But aside from the solution of Obamacare is the problem with Obamacare, what it's going to do with the discretionary income of Americans. Consumer confidence is up because that's one of the things that's going to change.

With Donald Trump telling business owners we're going to lower the corporate tax rate, let you keep more of your money, put a moratorium on regulation, and make it easier for American businesses to produce in America. Sound simple, not as easy as it sounds, but moving in that direction right now, with the prospect of that happening is making consumer confidence rise.

If the Congress is able to work with the president and they come up with a good billion that is what they would call budget neutral or fiscally neutral, where it's not going to cost more in taxes, where it's actually going to bring more tax dollars in. If they're able to pull that off, you will see consumer confidence rise. You'll see wages rise.

We won't need a falsely inflated 15-dollar an hour minimum wage. By the way, in the Pacific Northwest, where the $15 an hour minimum wage has been implemented in those cities. Have you seen what they're going to do there? They're going to automate fast food restaurants. You'll now go to a kiosk to place your order. Somebody will cook it and bring it to you. All those front-end jobs where they take your order, gone.

There's your $15 an hour minimum wage fallout. They're going to eliminate the jobs. So we don't need to falsely inflate wages. There will be jobs available.

So I don't know why we don't see that. It's not about rich versus poor. It really should never be. We've turned it into that.

In the next segment, Mike Rowe was talking about American job markets and why it's suffering in some industries and what he believes is the cause of the problem. And I think his answer was a brilliant one. And it's something I have agreed with, but I haven't been able to articulate it as well as Mike Rowe has in this story. And, by the way, I got this from TheBlaze.com. If you want to go over to TheBlaze.com, you can see this story and Mike Rowe's answer to the economy.

We'll talk about this in a few moments. Because there is a segment of our society that I believe -- I've come from it, that is the backbone of the American economy. And it's underserved. And a way we can serve this community where they can really be a part of a thriving economy. And this is the way to bolster the middle class. I believe the answer is there. We'll talk about that here in the next segment of the show. I'm Mike Broomhead. This is the Glenn Beck Program.

[break]

MIKE: My name is Mike Broomhead. I'm in for Glenn today and tomorrow. Thanks for joining me. I'm in Phoenix, Arizona. On Twitter, I'm @BroomheadShow. I love the interaction with people so far. Only one negative -- one hater. But I even -- I even like the disagreement. So @BroomheadShow on Twitter. The Mike Broomhead Show Fan Page on Facebook.

Or if you're an Instagram user and you want to see some of my blurry pictures that I'm famous for, MikeBroomhead, all one word on Instagram is where you can find me there as well.

I mentioned earlier -- we were talking economy mostly this hour and what's happening in America with consumer confidence being higher. And what we always are talking about is the disparity, the haves and the have-nots. And it's turned into politics in America. And it never should be that way.

You know, I talked about the Communist Manifesto on the show way too much, about the bourgeoisie and the proletariat and the emiseration of the proletariat, where if people don't know how bad they have it, let's go ahead and tell them how bad they have it. And it's almost the platform for the Democrat Party as of late. And it shouldn't be that way, nor was it intended to be that way. And we can lament how the two parties have gone in different directions and left a lot of people behind collectively.

But when you look at America, most people that I know don't want anything handed to them. They want to earn everything they own. And when you look at a government that largely is saying we're going to give free college and we're going to give you this and we're going to give you that, well, nothing is free, someone is paying for it.

And if you think you're going to get free college when you're 18 to 22 and not pay for everybody else's college from when you're 22 to 62, you're crazy. That's what's going to happen.

But Mike Rowe was being asked about the American job market. And it's a story I got from TheBlaze.com.

And his show, Dirty Jobs, where he goes around the country at some of the hardest working jobs that there are and difficult and just backbreaking disgusting -- and sometimes -- work. And he said along the way he would see "help wanted" signs. He wanted to know what was going on. He was talking with Tucker Carlson.

And one of the reasons he gives is he said maybe one of the barriers are the people guiding them in schools at the secondary level. Liberal arts and poetry majors. He said, "Not that there's anything wrong with that, but they don't see the dignity in welding maybe. Is that part of the problem? Because in North Dakota, there's a young man who is a welder who is now making $140,000 a year as a welder."

He said, "We're also spoiled in that wonderful way that any advance in society becomes when they flip the switch and they don't pause for a second and say, "Holy crap, I can't believe the lights came on again." We are not properly gobsmacked by the reality of the civilization we live in. Consequently, the people who are on the front lines of those jobs are by and large transparent. In fact, he said, when you pay attention to big chunks of people who are typically ignored, interesting things happen.

So I've mentioned, I think he's one of the most interesting people because he's tapped into something that I have believed for a long time. And he's done it in a way that I could never do. He's articulated the working man, not as a hero, but as an example.

And it's just how things are. In our society, the underserved population is the category I fit into. Maybe that's why I feel so much -- so passionately about this.

Had it not been for the trades, I would have fallen through the cracks. I was very intelligent, but not a good student. I lacked discipline. I still do. But I lack discipline.

I was fortunate. I took a job as an apprentice electrician for the sole purpose that it paid a little bit more money than the other job I was working. I just saw it as another job.

Within two months, I saw it as my career path at 18 years old. And it served me to the point where I was management, then I was -- I had my own company with a partner. Then I had my own company.

And I saw a light at the end of the tunnel. I saw a way to use my hands and my brain and make a living for myself and my family. Trade schools should be a huge focus for the American government. The NEA and secondary education and college, I wish -- my biggest regret, by the way -- I know this is going to be contradictory. My biggest regret in life now is that I don't have a college degree. What I wouldn't do for an American history degree.

And I know I can go back to school. But that's my regret, that I didn't have the discipline to do the coursework. I'll put my knowledge of American history up with a history major in many regards because I'm self-educated. But I didn't have the discipline to do the coursework to get the certificate and the diploma. And I wish I had.

But Mike Rowe is tapping into something in our society that's largely underserved. And that is, we see, you know, the Carrie Fisher's of the world. Nothing wrong with idolizing somebody that was in such an iconic movie series like Star Wars.

But at the same time, the working class of America really is the middle class. There are jobs out there. And there are people that are really driving this economy because of what they're doing.

Small business owners -- not the large business owners that we hear so much about. But the small business owners that are employing ten and 20 people, or even less than that.

And when you look at that, he's right. They're largely transparent. When you think about, you know, when the lights believe on -- which really struck home with me because I was an electrical contractor. When, you know, there are people -- the building that I'm in right now in Phoenix, Arizona, is being remodeled. They're remodeling our offices.

And so I'm ducking my head around on the construction side of what's going on because I miss it. I miss the feeling that happens at the end of the day when you look at -- for the electricians out there, when you look at a panel that you're wiring or you're running conduit somewhere and you see it, and you think you can see what your hands have created, at the end of the day. I miss that, as much as I love what I do right now.

But there's an underserved part of our population that will drive this economy in the years to come. When Donald Trump went into those states that he flipped, when he was in Florida and he was -- you know, especially when he was in Pennsylvania and he was in Michigan and he was in Wisconsin, when he was telling people, "We're going to keep these factories open. We're going to get the ones that are closed reopened. We're going to give you your jobs back." People weren't looking for a handout. People weren't looking for a minimum wage increase. They were looking for a job. They want their career back.

I know what it's like to have a 5-gallon bucket of tools in the back of a pickup truck and go and do a day's work for somebody and be proud of what you've done.

It's funny. Now that I'm doing what I do, I speak at a lot of events. Or I'm invited to attend a lot of events in ballrooms at beautiful resorts here in Arizona, all over the place. You know what's funny, is when I walk into these places now as a guest, I walk past the electrical work I did on the lights outside or the fountain that I worked on. It makes me laugh to myself. I'm the same person I was then, except now I'm in a suit and a tie walking into the ballroom, instead of a bucket of tools in the back entrance, fixing something so you never see me.

So the CNN story we talked about at the beginning of the hour and the disparity between the have and the have-nots in this country. It's not about limiting what the haves get. We should really be happy that the wealthy in this country have become wealthier, that the successful people have learned how to become even more successful than they ever dreamed of. What are we doing to serve -- and what I mean by serve is not hand anybody that's not making a decent living money or a job.

What are we doing to create an opportunity?

You take somebody that's in the fast food industry, that's working away or in retail, that's working away -- they're working very hard.

But give them an opportunity at a career, whether it's a trade like I was in. Whether you're an electrician, plumber, HVAC, or a welder, and show them the honor and dignity in a job like that. But not just honor and dignity, but a nice living.

You can provide for your family and be proud of the work you do. I think that's Americanism. The wealthy getting wealthier. Good for them. I'm happy -- everybody wants to work for someone that's wealthy. I know I do. I want my check to cash on Friday. I don't ever want to worry that my paycheck is going to bounce. So I don't care how wealthy my boss is.

But when I work hard, Christmas bonus, pay raises, paid vacation, benefit package, and be able to do a job that my family respects, that I can look at myself in the mirror. I think what Americanism is. And Mike Rowe -- nobody paints that picture better than Mike Rowe has. He's done it with dirty jobs. He's done it -- you know, the deadliest catch shows. And the spin-offs from that have just been -- I love that show.

That's the underserved part of our society. The young men and women in high school right now that may not be going to college. And if they do, they're going to get a business degree and barely squeak by and then wonder why they're saddled with student loans. And what did that degree do for them? They could go to a trade school. They could learn a skill that in a couple of years, they are making a nice living, and they're not saddled with such a student loan debt. And they're out contributing to society. And they've got careers that they can lean on, as opposed to just a job.

Not everybody has to be a superstar or a millionaire. There's a lot of people that are happy making a really nice comfortable living, knowing they -- proud they can feed their families on their own without assistance from the government.

So more on this I think before we finish up the hour. Social media users, if you want to reach out, I'd love to hear -- if you're part of that working class I'm talking about, I'd love to hear your story. On Twitter, I'm @BroomheadShow. The Mike Broomhead Show, Facebook page. If you want to reach out to me there. I'd love to hear your story. It really is a great story.

And we'll talk more about the American economy and what is going to bolster that middle class. And I think it is that working class part of America.

And in the next hour, California changing its gun laws, just like the president of the United States tried to do that here in the US. So the gun sales over the last eight years have skyrocketed.

Well, what do you think is happening in California? We'll talk specifically about that from another Blaze.com story in the next hour. So we'll do all that here in a few minutes. Close out this one, and then jump into hour number three in a few minutes. I'm Mike Broomhead. And this is the Glenn Beck Program.

[break]

MIKE: All right. Mike Broomhead in for Glenn Beck today and tomorrow. Before we get into the next hour where we're going to talk about the California -- which have caused gun sales to skyrocket. It's a Blaze.com story. If you want to go and read up on it at TheBlaze.com, before we get to it in the next hour.

Wrapping this hour up with the conversation about the economy and training and giving people an opportunity at success, and success changes for people.

I'm very fortunate. I'm blessed. You know, I was raised by a single mom. I've mentioned this before. And we were raised with very little. So I've been on that side of it. And I was happy, although I wished I had had more.

Now I'm in a career. I've got more than I ever dreamed I would have. I'm no less or more happy because of the things I've accumulated. It's just different.

Success for me was always the ability to take care of myself. And I think for most Americans, that's what we want. We don't want to be cared for. We don't want -- and I'm not -- when people are in need, it should be available to them. We should be a benevolent society. And we are.

But people don't want to be cared for, for their entire lives. They want to be able to care for themselves. They want to feel like they can do that. Giving people an opportunity is what we do as Americans.

Keeping jobs here -- you want to know why people are largely becoming more optimistic about a Trump presidency, it's because he is saying he is going to keep jobs here. And there is proof now that those things are beginning to happen.

Will we stop with the class warfare? Will we stop with the rich versus poor? The haves versus the have-nots? We've got to stop.

There are greedy poor people, and there are greedy rich people. There are kind and giving poor people, and there are kind and giving wealthy people. It's human nature on both sides. And your economic status has nothing to do with what kind of person you are. And political parties have divided haves and have-nots for political purposes way too long.

If your job is insured or is more likely to remain because the government reduces regulation and taxes on your boss, what do you care if your boss gets richer?

And the nice thing about these things is as the job market becomes more competitive, if you don't believe your boss is paying you what your job is worth, there is going to be more opportunity out there for you, when other businesses are opening or expanding. There will be -- that's how things work.

Falsely inflating the minimum wage will do nothing for the economy. The poor working class person that's working at minimum wage level, if it goes up to $15 an hour, their lifestyle does not change because the basics of keeping them sustained will also increase in cost, where their lifestyle won't change. And a wealthy person will eat the increase in the costs that go with an increased minimum wage. What's left of the middle class? Who pays the price?

You know, if restaurant food goes up by, you know, 10 percent, I'm in a place right now financially, I can eat the 10 percent. I'm still going to the restaurant. I may complain about it, but I'm still going. Middle class family, maybe not.

We should be thinking about what's best, instead of what's going to hammer the people we don't like. We got to stop with the class warfare. I just think it's damaging to us as people. And it's damaging to our economy as well.

So I am hopefully optimistic going into next year. And the inauguration. We'll see if economically any of these things continue to go in that direction.

Coming up in the next hour, California's gun sales are skyrocketing right now because the changes in their gun laws that are getting ready to go into effect.

Sound familiar? Sounds like the last eight years nationally to me. That coming up in the next hour. My name is Mike Broomhead. I'm in for Glenn Beck on the Glenn Beck Program.

[break]

Featured Image: US president Barack Obama, daughters Malia (L) and Sasha (2nd R) and First Lady Michelle Obama return to The White House in Washington DC, January 3, 2016 after vacationing in Hawaii. (Photo Credit: CHRIS KLEPONIS/AFP/Getty Images)

POLL: Is GLOBAL WARMING responsible for the fires in L.A.?

Apu Gomes / Stringer | Getty Images

As wildfires sweep across California and threaten to swallow up entire neighborhoods in Los Angeles, one question is on everyone's mind: What went wrong?

So far over 45 square miles of the city have been scorched, while the intense smoke is choking out the rest of L.A. Thousands of structures, including many family homes, have been destroyed, and many more are at risk as firefighters battle the flames. Many on the left, including Senator Bernie Sanders, have been quick to point to climate change as the cause of the devastating fires, citing the chronic lack of rain in L.A.

Others, including Glenn, have pointed out another potential cause: the severe mismanagement of the forests and water supply of Los Angeles and California in general. Unlike many other states and most other forested countries, California does not clear out the dead trees and dry vegetation that builds up on the forest floor and acts as kindling, fueling the fire as it whips through the trees.

On top of this, California has neglected its water supply for decades despite its crucial role in combating fires. The state of California has not built a new major water reservoir to store and capture water since the 1970s, leading to repeat water shortages in Southern California. To top it off, Gavin Newsom personally derailed a 2020 Trump order to divert water from areas of the state with excess water to parched Southern California. Why? To save an already functionally extinct fish. Now firefighters in L.A. are running out of water as the city is engulfed in flames. At least the fish are okay...

But what do you think? Are the wildfires a product of years of mismanagement? Or a symptom of a changing climate? Let us know in the poll below:

Is climate change responsible for the fires in L.A.?

Are the L.A. fires a product of years of mismanagement? 

Do you think controlled burns are an effective way to prevent wildfires?

AI Singularity? ChatGPT rates Glenn's 2025 predictions

KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV / Contributor | Getty Images

On this week's Glenn TV special, Glenn divulged his top predictions for 2025. While some of his predictions spelled hope for current geopolitical issues like the war in Ukraine, others took a more harrowing turn, from AI reaching singularity to a major banking crisis and a "Summer of Rage 2.0."

But what does ChatGPT think? Glenn's head researcher asked ChatGPT about the likelihood of each of Glenn's predictions, and the results spell trouble for 2025.

Which of Glenn's predictions did ChatGPT say will come true? Find out below:

1. The internet will be destroyed and reborn through AI.

Summary: AI will restructure the internet, centralize control with tech giants, and raise concerns over censorship.

ChatGPT Probability: 90%

Further Explanation:

Glenn began with a harrowing fact: the internet, as we know it, is slowly dying. We don’t truly have access to "the internet" in its entirety, but rather, we have a small sliver curated by those who control the indexes and brokers of the web. The slow decline of the internet is evident in the increasing irrelevance of many existing pages and documents, with countless dead links and broken websites. This issue demonstrates the growing problem of content disappearing, changing, or becoming irrelevant without updates to reflect these changes.

To address this growing problem, experts suggest that a massive "reboot" of the internet is necessary. Rather than continuing to patch up these issues each year, they argue that a thorough cleaning of the digital space is required, which is where AI comes into play. Google has already proposed using AI to scour the web and determine which content is still relevant, storing only active links. Glenn worries that we will embrace AI out of convenience to fix the problems facing the internet but ignore the widening door to the potential dangers that such convenience brings.

2. AI and ChatGPT innovations will be integrated into everyday life.

Summary: AI will dominate search engines, become personal assistants, and spark regulatory battles over ethics.

ChatGPT Probability: 70%

Further Explanation:

Glenn predicted that AI systems like ChatGPT will increasingly serve as gatekeepers, determining what information is accessible and valid. While this centralization will enhance user convenience, it raises serious ethical concerns about bias, manipulation, and censorship. These innovations mark the beginning of an expansion in the concept of "being human," with AI digital assistants becoming integrated into everyday life in ways that could significantly change how we interact with technology. However, these advancements will prompt regulatory battles, as governments push for stricter AI oversight, especially in light of concerns over privacy and "misinformation."

3. AI will attain singularity.

Summary: AI progress will remain uneven, with no imminent singularity expected despite rapid advancements.

ChatGPT Probability: 20%

Further Explanation:

The prediction that AI will reach "the singularity" in 2025 means that it will surpass human intelligence, leading to rapid, exponential growth. Glenn pointed to AI’s rapid progress, such as ChatGPT’s growth from 0% to 5% in four years, and an expected jump to 87% by the end of the year. However, the debate about benchmarks for achieving Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) remains muddled, as there is no clear definition of what constitutes "the singularity." Glenn believes one key indicator will be the unemployment rate in key industries, which could become a major indicator of AGI's impact by 2026.

While AI is advancing quickly in specific areas, like natural language processing, vision, and robotics, ChatGPT cautions that achieving AGI, and thereby the singularity, is still far off and that continuous, unbroken exponential growth in AI innovation is also unlikely. Therefore, ChatGPT concludes, that while significant advancements in AI are expected, the idea of an unimpeded, straight-line trajectory toward the singularity within the next year is unrealistic.

4. There will be a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.

Summary: A temporary ceasefire will freeze borders but will leave future conflict inevitable.

ChatGPT Probability: 80%

Further Explanation:

Both Ukraine and Russia are exhausted, depleting their manpower and munitions. With Donald Trump’s return to the political scene, Glenn predicts that his involvement could lead to negotiations and a temporary ceasefire. While the borders may remain as they are for the time being, the unresolved tensions would likely leave the door open for renewed conflict in the future. This temporary resolution would provide both sides with the breathing room they need, but it could set the stage for continued instability down the line.

5. There will be a second 'Summer of Rage.'

Summary: Anti-Trump protests will escalate into violent riots, targeting infrastructure and triggering martial law in areas.

ChatGPT Probability: 75%

Further Explanation:

Anticipating a summer of intense protests, Glenn predicts that groups like Antifa, BLM, and Occupy Wall Street, likely collaborating with formal unions and socialist organizations, will escalate their opposition to Trump’s policies. As protests grow, Trump will be vilified, and the right will be labeled fascist, with predictable media images depicting the separation of families and the chaos unfolding in major cities.

This prediction envisions a scenario similar to the Summer of Rage in the 1960s, with violent riots and widespread destruction in over 100 major cities. College campuses will be sites of massive protests, police stations may be directly targeted, and critical agencies like ICE, Border Patrol, and Homeland Security headquarters could be assaulted. As tensions escalate, National Guard troops may be deployed, and parts of Washington, D.C., could experience a "martial law" atmosphere. While the prediction sees the protests turning violent and disruptive, the real question is how suburban "soccer moms" will react when these riots hit closer to home.

6. The largest anti-Western 'caliphate' will emerge.

Summary: Middle Eastern factions may consolidate to control energy routes, destabilizing global markets.

ChatGPT Probability: 60%

Further Explanation:

Following Biden's controversial tenure and failures in handling the Middle East, a new anti-Western Caliphate will emerge, as various terrorist groups like Al-Qaeda, ISIS, the Houthis, and the Taliban unite under several leaders rather than one. These groups will receive support from Russia, North Korea, and China, creating a formidable alliance. Their objective will be to control approximately 30% of the world’s energy supply by seizing key oil routes through the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, and the Red Sea. This would give them dominion over critical global trade routes, including the Suez Canal. As alliances among these groups form, the longstanding Sunni-Shia conflict will be momentarily set aside in favor of unity against common enemies, with the U.S. and its allies as primary targets.

Europe will be too fractured to intervene, leaving the U.S. and Israel to confront this rising threat alone. The involvement of Russia and China will further complicate the situation, as both nations seek to undermine U.S. influence in Ukraine and Taiwan while securing access to energy markets in the Middle East. This prediction suggests that Biden’s foreign policy decisions will leave a lasting legacy of instability in the region. The necessity for the U.S. to increase domestic energy production, through policies like increased drilling, will become a national security issue in the face of this emerging threat.

7. China will invade a neighboring country.

Summary: China could target weaker nations under the guise of peacekeeping to assert dominance.

ChatGPT Probability: 55%

Further Explanation:

After years of military posturing, China’s aggressive rhetoric and actions have begun to lose their credibility, with the world perceiving its military buildup as a paper tiger. As the U.S. faces increasing isolation, and global conflicts in Europe and the Middle East divert attention, China will seize the opportunity to strike. However, it will target a country that is unlikely to mount a significant defense or provoke a strong reaction. This eliminates major regional powers like Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines from the list of potential targets.

Countries such as Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Laos, and Vietnam may become focal points for Chinese aggression. Vietnam and Bangladesh are particularly compelling targets, as they are emerging alternatives for U.S. and Western companies shifting manufacturing away from China. A Chinese invasion of these nations could impact U.S. interests by compelling tactical responses, such as deploying ships for air superiority and missile defense.

8. The U.S. stock market will collapse and ensue a banking crisis.

Summary: Rising rates and layoffs may trigger a stock market downturn and small business disruptions.

ChatGPT Probability: 50%

Further Explanation:

In a bid to boost the economy for the 2024 election cycle and secure a Democratic victory, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, along with key figures from major banks, kept interest rates and policies favorable to financial institutions. This led to a temporary surge in stock prices just before the election. However, the anticipated economic boost failed to materialize due to broader political dynamics. Now, Powell is advocating for tighter policies, raising interest rates to cool an economy that he claims has become overheated, setting the stage for a stock market crash and a federal government funding crisis.

Glenn predicted that this manufactured crisis will have far-reaching consequences, starting with major disruptions on Wall Street and spilling into Main Street, resulting in layoffs, bankruptcies, and widespread economic instability. The Fed's role in shaping these events will dominate political discussions, and the economic fallout will force President Trump to take ownership of the crisis. Small businesses are advised to fortify their supply chains and secure favorable long-term contracts to mitigate the risks of rising prices and potential disruptions as the financial situation worsens in 2025.

9. North Korea will provoke South Korea.

Summary: Small-scale attacks by North Korea will distract from larger conflicts involving China and Russia.

ChatGPT Probability: 40%

Further Explanation:

In a potential move orchestrated by China to divert global attention from its own ambitions, North Korea may provoke South Korea with a calculated attack. This could involve a limited strike, such as firing ballistic missiles at a South Korean naval vessel, claiming it had intruded into North Korean waters, or attacking a military base along the border under the pretext of border violations or espionage. The primary goal of North Korea’s actions would be to test the waters and assess the West's reactions, particularly the U.S.'s willingness to intervene.

10. Those connected to Sean 'Diddy' Combs and Jeffery Epstein will be revealed. 

Summary: Investigations into scandals face resistance from powerful players, making progress unlikely.

ChatGPT Probability: 15%

Further Explanation:

Glenn predicts that the lists of individuals connected to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein and hip-hop mogul Diddy will be released. The release of these lists would likely trigger a significant public outcry, as it could implicate high-profile figures in serious scandals. However, the investigation and disclosure of such lists would require substantial evidence and resources and may face significant resistance from powerful industry players.

While media pressure and public opinion could push for transparency, the political and legal complexities surrounding such a release might hinder progress in the investigations. Given the challenges involved, ChatGPT says this prediction holds a relatively low probability, but it remains a topic of speculation and intrigue in the ongoing fallout from the Epstein case.

11. Trump will appoint 2 Supreme Court justices.

Summary: Retirements could allow Trump to reshape the court further right, but it's unlikely within the year.

ChatGPT Probability: 25%

Further Explanation:

Gless predicts that the aging U.S. Supreme Court may see retirements or unexpected vacancies, potentially allowing President Donald Trump to appoint two more justices. If such vacancies occur, it would shift the balance of the court further to the right. However, ChatGPT says this prediction is less likely due to the unpredictable nature of retirements and the political challenges associated with confirming Supreme Court appointments, particularly if the Senate is divided or controlled by a party opposing Trump.

12. The U.S. will establish a special relationship with Greenland.

Summary: Strengthened ties with Greenland are possible but forcing a special relationship is improbable.

ChatGPT Probability: 35%

Further Explanation:

Donald Trump has previously shown interest in Greenland, particularly in 2019 when he proposed the idea of purchasing the island, sparking significant controversy. Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, holds strategic geopolitical and resource-based importance, making it a key area of interest for the U.S., especially in light of its proximity to Russia. However, ChatGPT says attempting to force a "special relationship" with Greenland would be difficult, as both Greenland's government and Denmark would likely resist such overtures, considering the complexities of sovereignty and international relations. Despite the strategic importance, this prediction holds a moderate probability due to political and diplomatic constraints.

13. The U.S. will take control of the Panama Canal. 

Summary: Re-negotiating Panama Canal control is highly unlikely due to political and diplomatic realities.

ChatGPT Probability: 10%

Further Explanation:

The Panama Canal, which was transferred to Panama’s control in 1999 following the Panama Canal Treaty, has remained under Panama's sovereignty ever since. Glenn, however, says he believes Trump's efforts to renegotiate control over the canal will succeed. However, ChatGPT says that given the historical context and the sensitivity of national sovereignty, the likelihood of Trump successfully regaining control of the canal is quite low.

To learn more, can watch the entire GlennTV special here:

The BIZZARE connection between the Vegas Cybertruck bomber and mystery drones

CHANDAN KHANNA / Contributor, Paula Bronstein / Contributor | Getty Images

Unfortunately, in recent times Americans have become far too accustomed to tragic mass shootings and attacks.

But the Cybertruck bombing that occurred outside of the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas earlier this month is different. Not only did the method and outcome of the attack differ from the begrudging norm, but the manifesto left behind tells a captivating and horrifying-if-true story that potentially sheds light on the most frustrating mystery of 2024. On his radio show, Glenn highlighted some of the strange and harrowing claims made by the bomber, and he was not convinced that they were just the ramblings of a madman.

What happened during the bombing? What did the bomber hope to achieve? And what does his manifesto potentially reveal about our government and the secrets they keep from us?

The bombing

Las Vegas Review-Journal / Contributor | Getty Images

On January 1st, 2025, a rented Tesla Cybertruck full of gas tanks, fireworks, and other explosives pulled up to the front door of the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas. Just before 8:40 a.m., the truck exploded before bursting into flame, injuring seven nearby people, all of whom are in stable condition. Aside from the minor injuries and minimal damage to the hotel, the explosion was absorbed and redirected by the truck, with the only death being that of the bomber, who allegedly shot himself before triggering the explosion.

The bomber has been identified as a former Army Special Forces Master Sergeant with a promising military career. He had given no sign of his intentions to his family and friends before the attack, and according to the Pentagon, he showed no red flags. While there may not have been any obvious signs, Glenn speculated that the bomber may have been suffering from PTSD and/or a traumatic brain injury, which is backed by the Army's admission that the bomber had received counseling through its Preservation of the Force and Family program.

The manifesto

Ethan Miller / Staff | Getty Images

Two different documents that were allegedly authored by the bomber have been discovered. The first was found on the bomber's phone and is composed of a list of grievances against the United States, a call to Americans to rally behind Donald Trump and Elon Musk, and an outline for a militia takeover of D.C.

The bomber also asserted that his attack was not an act of terrorism, but a "wake-up call" designed to attract attention, which he explained was the purpose behind the fireworks present in the explosion. He also claimed the attack was designed to "cleanse [his] mind" of the "brothers" he lost and the lives he took during his time in the Army, which further corroborates the theory that he was suffering from PTSD.

The second document was emailed to retired Army intelligence officer Sam Shoemate, who revealed its contents on The Shawn Ryan Show podcast. The bomber claimed the government was hunting him due to his knowledge of top-secret information relating to classified technologies. The bomber also alleged knowledge of war crimes committed in Afghanistan by the United States that resulted in the death of thousands of civilians.

The bomber's email gave several names and other information that he suggested could be used to verify his claims, but as of now, it is unclear how much, if any, of his story has been verified.

The connection

YELIM LEE / Contributor | Getty Images

Where do the mystery drones that have been plaguing the skies above New Jersey enter the story?

The bomber claimed the drones are operated by the Chinese and are a part of the same program that launched the spy balloon in 2023. He claimed these drones use a "gravitic" propulsion system, and are the most serious threat to national security due to their ability to transport an "unlimited payload" with unparalleled speed and stealth. He went on to claim that the drones originated from a Chinese submarine parked off the East Coast.

While these claims appear far-fetched, Glenn pointed out that if he is right about this, we are in grave danger. China or other foreign powers could have weapons of mass destruction parked over every major city, every military installation, or even the White House, and we would be powerless to stop them. We know our government lies to us regularly. Would anybody be surprised if they were hiding world-altering tech from us? Trump's reelection has given us another opportunity to demand answers and learn the truth.

Glenn: The Left's January 6th narrative doesn't hold four years later

Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times | Getty Images

Four years ago yesterday, the events of January 6th, 2021 unfolded—an event that the Left repeatedly said was the darkest day in our country's history. Yet, as time passes, the narrative surrounding that day has started to unravel, revealing uncomfortable truths that demand both explanation and accountability.

For millions of Americans, January 6th marked a dividing line, a day that deepened the fractures within our society. Emotions ran high, and trust in the institutions that were sworn to protect us was shattered, a portion of which will only be restored by dramatic action. This trust continues to erode as new details emerge, revealing gaping holes in the Left's narrative about January 6th.

The lies that surrounded the events of that day were not mere "misinformation"—they were bombshells that forced us to confront a much darker reality about our government’s actions. And these revelations must become the message we take from January 6th: the true nature of our current government, its accountability, and the lengths to which it will go to protect its version of events—even when it is a lie.

Let’s begin with the pipe bombs. On January 6th, Americans were told that two pipe bombs had been found near the RNC and DNC headquarters and that they could have caused catastrophic harm. The pipe bomb was placed at the DNC headquarters the night before January 6th. Interestingly, the security sweep of the building the next morning did not find it. Then Kamala Harris was transported in the height of January 6th. Conveniently, all the records detailing the event were “accidentally” deleted by the Secret Service.

Surveillance footage was ignored, cameras were turned just hours before the bombs were planted, and we were told that critical cell phone data was somehow “corrupted.” But it wasn't. The only thing that was corrupted was our own government and FBI. According to the cell phone companies, the FBI simply never asked for the information. Leads were never pursued. Four years later, the identity of the bomber remains a mystery.

Why would federal agencies neglect this critical investigation into an event that allegedly was going to destroy the republic or kill the future vice president? Was the lack of action intentional, perhaps a convenient distraction to justify escalating security measures and cast a broader shadow over what they hoped would unfold that day? These are not wild conspiracy theories; these are questions every citizen must ask. Because now we know that our government lied to us.

We must also address the FBI’s role on that fateful day. We’ve learned that 26 FBI informants were present on the ground during the events at the Capitol. Let that sink in. What were they doing there? Were they infiltrating the crowd? Were they acting as provocateurs? The presence of these informants raises serious questions about how much of the chaos that day was organic and how much of it was orchestrated. If the FBI had informants on the ground, why wasn’t the situation under control before it escalated?

Four years ago, I called for the protesters to stop. I said that this isn't who we are, and these people should go to jail. I still stand by the belief that if you hurt anyone, broke any windows, or damaged property, you should be held accountable and serve a just punishment. But today, I’m deeply concerned that many of those who were not violent or engaged in damage are still languishing in jail, some facing sentences of up to 20 years. What’s more disturbing is the growing evidence that the chaos that unfolded was not an accident—it was part of a broader agenda.

Amid the chaos, the finger was pointed squarely at one man: Donald Trump. But new information paints a vastly different picture. Just days before January 6th, President Trump authorized the deployment of the National Guard, citing concerns over potential unrest. Yet, his request was ignored—rejected outright by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Capitol Police. Why? Who in the chain of command made the decision to disregard the president’s directive? Had the National Guard been allowed to deploy, it’s possible much of the mayhem that followed could have been prevented. But instead, that opportunity was squandered, and the media narrative was shaped to fit a political agenda—one that painted Trump as the instigator, when in fact, he sought to prevent the violence that ultimately occurred.

And then, there’s the tragic death of Ashley Babbitt. A decorated Air Force veteran, Babbitt was shot and killed by a Capitol Police officer while attempting to climb through a broken window. Her death was quickly ruled justified, and the officer involved was shielded from scrutiny. But now, we learn that the officer violated multiple procedural rules and could face criminal charges. Why was her death dismissed so quickly by both the media and the government? In an era where police actions are scrutinized heavily, why was this officer not held accountable?

As we look back, it's clear that January 6th was chiefly about the perversion of justice by the very institutions that were supposed to protect us. Big-tech corporations and global entities like telecoms and airlines offered up location data on innocent Americans who were simply in Washington, D.C., on January 6th. No warrants. No due process. They handed over personal data without question, and the FBI used it without hesitation.

What the FBI did with that data, how Americans there on that day didn't stand a chance in D.C. courts, how our politicians and federal law enforcement knew what was going on yet did nothing to prevent it, the calling off of the National Guard—what does this tell you about our country? Our government, our justice system, and our institutions were complicit in undermining the very principles they were created to uphold.

They are trying to create a system that thrives on division and chaos, a system that uses fear as a tool to control the American people. If the federal agencies can lie, manipulate, and withhold the truth about January 6th, what else are they capable of? What are they willing to do to maintain their grip on power?

Four years later, on the anniversary of January 6th, we must demand the truth—not the sanitized, politically convenient version. We deserve the full, unvarnished truth. We must hold accountable those in power who orchestrated, covered up, or ignored the events of that day. We must never allow the lies and the unanswered questions of January 6th to fade into the political ether. We must ensure that the truth is told and that those who lied to us are held accountable.