RADIOApril 09, 2025

Shocking Claims Unveiled: Is EPIC City Bringing Sharia Law to Texas?

A planned development called EPIC City has caught the attention of the Texas government. Some officials have alleged that the city, being developed in connection with the East Plano Islamic Center in an area east of Dallas, Texas, will enforce Sharia Law over state and federal laws (something the development denies). Glenn speaks with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who’s one of many Texas officials investigating EPIC City. Paxton argues that similar communities in Europe have turned into “no-go zones” for local officials. Paxton also addresses what actions he might take against EPIC City and whether there’s a conflict of interest between him and EPIC City’s attorney. Additionally, Paxton discusses his Senate run against Texas Senator John Cornyn and why the Republican establishment has promised to oppose him.

Transcript

Below is a rush transcript that may contain errors

GLENN: Ken Paxton. Welcome to the program, sir. How are you?

KEN: Doing great. How are you?

GLENN: I'm great. I'm very excited to talk to you about your Senate candidacy.

KEN: Me too.

GLENN: Yeah. But first, let me talk to you about what is happening here in the -- the Dallas/Fort Worth area. With Epic. Epic is an Islamic center, and a community. And let me just play -- play some of the video as we're talking about this.
(music)

KEN: And now, we embark on a new chapter and vision of harmony. Homes and hearts unite.

GLENN: All right. So, as a -- you know, as a member of the church of Jesus Christ, Latter-day Saints.

You know, they crossed the mountains. And started their own community in Salt Lake. But they don't have a Mormon separate law. You know what I mean?

It's all based on the Constitution. And the Bill of Rights. And it's -- it's not going against everything that the country was done.

So I have no problem. You want to start any religious community, not a problem.

Is this that kind of community? Do we know enough about it, yet.

KEN: So we're in the middle. We just started the investigation. I do agree with you. We are a free country. First Amendment. Like clearly First Amendment.

And you can -- you can -- you can believe whatever you want to believe in this country and still be free. On the other hand, you're right. We have laws in the country. The law matters.

Constitution matters. If you're not following the law of our country. Then we will have some controversy and some contention.

So in the end, whatever religion you want, and believe whatever you want, but still have to follow our laws. Our state laws and our federal laws and our Constitution.

GLENN: So the developments attorney, says that any investigation is just racial profiling.

I'm so sick of that stuff.

Because I don't think that it is racial profiling.

I think we have reason to be concerned. Look what's happening over in Europe.

And we can't let that happen here in America. Especially in Texas.

KEN: Well, yeah. Countries are being taken over. And the Sharia law is being taken over. Whatever country they're in.

And that certainly -- we can't let that happen here.

I mean, the rule of law, and our Constitution.

What our Founders put together, is so beautiful and wonderful.

Giving us freedom for so long.

We're not going to sacrifice that, for Sharia law.

It's just not going to happen in Texas.

So we will be very focused on that.

And make sure they're following our laws.

And at the same time, as you said, we want to be cognizant, that people have a right to have their own religion.

And we respect that.

GLENN: So where do you -- how do you possibly?

Everybody involved will say, of course, you won't have Sharia law. Of course, this won't be a no-go zone.

That has been what is said for decades in Europe.

And that's exactly what they have become. If you can't find a smoking gun with how to bring Sharia law into Texas.

You know, you're not going to find that pamphlet.

What could you possibly find, that would be solid enough to say, no!

GLENN: Well, what you say is different sometimes than what people actually do.

We will be looking at what people actually are doing out there. What are the developers. How are they implementing this know.

Are they discriminating based on whether you are a part of a certain religion.

Because that would create issues with family laws.

So we will be looking at, what is the actual practice?

Not, what are you saying? Not, what is your promotional material, lawed?

Although, the promotional material may tell us something.

It's actually what is happening on the ground out there. That's our focus.

What is the truth?

GLENN: So the multiple state agencies are involved in this.

And are we talking about fines, injunctions? Something bigger violation are his found?

KEN: Yeah. So I can't issue fines, but I can certainly sue a writ. And there's, you know, a reason, an injunction to stop it.

If it's doing imminent harm, you have to show imminent harm. You can win on the merits.

Otherwise, you know, we would sue over some type of consumer lay violation. If the governor had other violations through some of the other agencies that he's directing, we could represent those agencies and lawsuits. There's all kinds of different ways to address that, depending on what we find in our investigation.

GLENN: So when you were under investigation, here in Texas, your attorney, that represented you in the impeachment hearing, which was all cleared.

Is now representing the developers. Does that cause a conflict of interest with you, at all?

KEN: Look, I certainly didn't know about that until recently.

And I would say, it's obviously a little concerning. That I wasn't made aware of that.

And there definitely could be an argument. That there's a conflict. Because I'm still being kept the by him.

And he's representing clients that we are investigating.

Yeah. It complicates things.

GLENN: All right. Let me switch to Cornyn. This makes Stu very, very happy.

Makes me happy too.

I think when I found out, we were together.

We hugged it out.

KEN: Yes, we did.

GLENN: Anybody was saying, it was Cornyn.

KEN: I think I told I in person.

GLENN: Yeah. You did. You did.

But so, we have Cornyn in.

Have you heard anything?

Have you talked to the president about this?

Is he going to stand against Cornyn? Stand with you? Do you have any idea yet?

KEN: So I don't know. Obviously, what I've noticed about President Trump is typically he waits until later. Closer to the election. He likes to see how things are going, whether people are doing what they said they were going to do, and whether they're performing. So part of the reason I decided to get this over with, I think there was a big effort by John Thune, and some of the swamp to get John an endorsement before I got in. Or somebody else got in. And I wanted to make sure I was in the game before all these things got done in Washington. In my opinion, one of the frustrations I have is it feels like sometimes Washington wants to decide, oh, well, Ken, you can't run.

Because we haven't picked you.

I'm like, I don't care if you pick me. Right?

It feels like, they think that they get to decide, well, we picked John. So, sorry, you can't run. Well, I'm just not into that decision making, and never will be.

So they don't understand. It should be the voters of Texas, not John Thune and a bunch of Republican senators, that think they should know the world.

GLENN: So for anybody who hasn't been paying attention for the last 400 years, what -- why -- what would be different between you and Cornyn?

KEN: Oh, my gosh.

I've had this discussion many times.

Everything. I mean, he -- he and I -- his -- his focus is in DC.

His folks is not on the people -- my folks is on the people of Texas.

And that translates to him wanting to be happy and satisfied in DC.

So he can fight to have gutter restrictions on -- on Texans and all Americans. And he works with Joe Biden.

And Joe Biden says, hey, great job.

President Trump on the other hand said, no, you're a RINO. Don't -- this is bad legislation.

And so, not only did John pass legislation that hurt the rest of the country, but he also enabled the ATF to have angles to try to expand their control over gun ownership.

And I had to go sue them twice.

It's things like that.

Amnesty, it suggests that he's for.

It's the fight he fought, building a wall.

He fought Trump on that.

He's been unsupportive and critical of Trump when he ran both times, calling him an albatross. So fundamentally, John and I are very different. And we believe very different.

Our focus is on very different people. And he's part of the establishment. He was put there by the Bushes. And he doesn't look out for the interests of individual Texans. He's thinking people in Washington are his -- are his people.

STU: Ken, part of the establishment in this particular case, is I would say, an understatement.

And one of the benefits of being part of that establishment, is you have a lot of trends. Who have a lot of power.

A lot of money. They are going to come after you, really, really --

GLENN: Oh.

STU: I mean, I can't even imagine.

KEN: It's insulting. They told me, I should not run. I was not picked. And that I should not run. I was told, they would spend $120 million to make sure that they would keep John Cornyn. And I said, hey. Can you tell me why John Cornyn is running, I just want to know that.

And there was a quiet silence. He's like, well, we told him not to run. He's already been in there four terms. We told him not to run.

But he's our friend. So we will support him.

We will spend the money -- so you're telling me. You don't know why John Cornyn is running.

And you can't explain why he should be there. And you don't think he's already been there too long, but yet, you're still going to support him?

And the answer is yeah. And we will spend a lot of money to make sure it's not you.

STU: $120 million, that could go to defeating people on the left.

KEN: Yes. And, look, I don't know what the real numbers. That could -- 110 million a primary. I don't think that's the real number.

GLENN: I -- yeah. I mean, I wouldn't -- you have the pockets to go against that?

KEN: Right now, I'm doing quite well.

I mean, I -- you know, part of this has to be separate with super PACs, but I am anticipating that I will be very competitive on the fundraising side.

I already know I will be competitive.

Now, will I have 120 million?

I don't need 120 million.

But, you know, 20 to 40 million.

That's doable for me.

GLENN: Well, money can't -- money can't buy this.

You know, it's -- it's going to be whether -- just getting your name out. And making sure people understand what John Cornyn has done.

Who are your friends in the Senate, that would be your PAC?

KEN: So I doubt -- you know, the senators, most of them. They all kind of stick together.

Behind the scenes, they'll -- they will say they hope I win. The only one that I think that, you know, would openly support me is Tommy Chipperfield (phonetic), who said, I will support you!

And I think he -- obviously, he didn't run for governor. He's a rare breed out there.

And that's fine. I don't need Washington to support me.

GLENN: Ted Cruz. Ted Cruz won't do it? I mean --

KEN: I think Ted -- because he -- I don't think he will say anything. I don't think he'll endorse either way.

GLENN: Yeah, he will work with whoever wins, I guess. Is that the game we're playing?

KEN: That's the game we're playing.

And, look, I'm just happy. That's a win for me.

If Ted stays out of there.

I mean, I know he endorses Cornyn last time. If he doesn't endorse him this time, it's helpful.

GLENN: Yeah. Well --

KEN: And, by the way, I'm a benefit.

Because I will be supportive, instead of disruptive to what he wants to do.

Because I am a fan. He is the kind of senator that Ted Cruz deserves. He should have. He has a fantastic job.

And I support him, ever since he ran the first time. And John Cornyn, in contrast is opposite.

I mean, as you guys, I think I heard you guys say.

He was fine in Vermont. If he was a Republican. I would be happy to have him.

But not in Texas.

GLENN: I want to ask you one more thing.

If you can hang on for one second.

I want to ask you about the district judges. And where you stand with the district judges. And what should be done.

More with Ken Paxton who is running for Texas attorney general. I'm sorry. He is the Texas attorney general. He's running for the US Senate against John Cornyn.

THE GLENN BECK PODCAST

Why Your Actions Matter More Than Words in the Eyes of God

Glenn Beck and Eric Metaxas expose the spiritual crisis gripping America’s churches — a moment they compare to Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s warning before World War II. As the culture descends into moral confusion, too many Christians retreat into silence, claiming faith while refusing to act. Together, they argue that true belief demands courage — that “faith without works is dead” — and warn that neutrality in the face of evil is itself a form of complicity.

Watch the FULL Interview HERE

Is Socialism replacing the American dream?

The American Dream used to mean freedom and the chance to build your own life through hard work, faith, and independence. But today, it’s been replaced by comfort, consumption, and debt. Glenn Beck breaks down how America traded liberty for lifestyle, why socialism is gaining ground, and what it will take to reclaim the real American Dream before it disappears for good.

Transcript

Below is a rush transcript that may contain errors

GLENN: I don't know if you saw the visualizing the American dream, Stu.

You know, what the American dream actually is, is that you can forge your own way.

You can -- you know, you can have a scrap of land, and grow your own food if up.

You can, you know, go to school. Not go to school.

You can find a job. If you're qualified for it, you have an equal chance of getting it, you know, based on merit.

But the percentage of Americans who say the American dream is retirement is 86 percent. Health care, 86 percent. Owning a home, 85. Raising two kids, 78. Owning a car, 72. Vacations, 71. Pets, 66. A wedding, 55 percent. That's the American dream, I can get married.

The American dream, if that's what you think, they've now estimated, the cost per household over the cost -- over the lifetime, retirement is $1.6 million. Owning a home now, 30-year mortgage, 20 percent you want to, is $957,594. Owning a car, buying and finance to begin with new cars every ten years is now $900,000 over your lifetime. Raising two kids to 18, plus four years of public college, $876,092. Two kids. Health care, over your lifetime, spending from ages 22 to 85, $414,000. Vacations, annual vacation from '22 to '85, $180,000. One dog and one cat for 11 to 13 years is $40,000!

That's more expensive than a wedding. The engagement ring, the ceremony, and the reception is now estimated to be $38,200.

There's a reason socialism is doing well. You look at that, and you're like, wow. I mean, if that's the American dream. And for a lot of people, that is the American dream!

That's not what the American dream is supposed to be, but, you know, once -- you know, once Woodrow Wilson and FDR got a hold of us and they started advertising, it became stuff instead of freedom. It became stuff. And, you know, when there's a new report out. Let me see if I have that.

There's a new report out now that shows, first time home buyers made up just 21 percent of the home purchases. That's the lowest on record.

The typical age of repeat buyers hit an all-time high of '62. The median downtowns, reaching 23 percent.

The highest since 2023.

And also, where is it?

The last one is -- the median age for first time home buyers, in 1981, it was 29 years old.

I'm sorry. Yeah. Twenty-nine years old. In 2021, it was 33 years old.

What is it this year?

Median age, first time homeowner, forty.

You're 40 before you can buy any kind of home. That puts these things that people want, dream about, out of reach, until you're 40?

You know, 29 is one thing. But if you're not seeing -- you're not seeing your life really kind of settling down until you're 40, I -- I can understand why you're like, you know what, this system doesn't work.

Because you've never seen it work. It's betrayed you.

Or so you've been sold. It's betrayed you.

And everything is being pushed out of your reach. And when you're young, the one thing you're not is patient.

And at 40, I can see why people are not, you know, yeah. Well, socialism is neat because capitalism isn't working. How would you respond to that?

STU: I mean, it's more lengthy than we have time for. But I would say that the response to, you know, you thinking that you want a home is not to embrace an ideology that murders 100 million people.

That's not -- that's not a good answer to the problem that you think you have.

GLENN: But they're not learning that anywhere.

They're not -- that is our responsibility! To teach those things. Because they're not learning it anywhere.

Glenn Beck Warns of 3 Economic Outcomes That Could Change EVERYTHING | Ep 467

Socialism is spreading fast among America’s youth, and the shocking election of Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani for mayor in New York City marks a major cultural and economic shift. Glenn exposes how runaway debt, record home prices, AI job disruption, and the collapsing stake in capitalism have led many Millennials and members of Gen Z to embrace socialism and communism. He reveals the three possible economic futures for 2026: two that are disastrous and one that could change everything if the Trump administration’s global financial overhaul succeeds. Plus, Justin Haskins, president of the Heartland Institute, joins to reveal some terrifying truths about why young Americans are embracing socialism from a poll he conducted with Rasmussen Reports.

Glenn Beck warns: We're already in World War III

"The world doesn't understand yet. We're already in World War III," Glenn Beck warns. "That foe is not China. That foe is militant Islam." Glenn explains the battle we're currently facing and what's to come if we don't wake up soon...

Transcript

Below is a rush transcript that may contain errors

GLENN: From New Jersey, it's Brian. Hello, Brian.

CALLER: Hello!

GLENN: Hey.

CALLER: Yeah. Thanks for taking the calls today.

GLENN: Sure.

CALLER: Yeah. I'm worried that we are headed towards another French Revolution-style because we have entire generations. Or actually people just not being heard by their representatives.

GLENN: Hmm.

CALLER: And it's not just here. It's around the world.

GLENN: Uh-huh.

I -- actually, I had scheduled for this time, I'll just do it some other time. Talking about what's happening in -- in England.

I think England is headed for a Civil War. And -- and it's very close.

I mean, you can't put 4,000 people. 4,000 people, in jail, or try them for hate crimes. And speech crimes.

You can't -- you can't do it. In England!

You can't do that in one year. And expect people to just put up with it!

You can't -- you know, we're -- we're -- America doesn't understand yet.

The world doesn't understand.

We're in World War III. We're already in World War III.

I don't know when it becomes a hot war. Or even a war that we on our side recognize. But we are in World War III. And that -- that foe is not China.

That foe is militant Islam, period. And, you know, when we have a situation to where people are -- when the government is just like, no. It's not a problem.

It's not a problem. You know. You've got illegals all over.

It's not a problem.

It's not a problem.

It is a problem. Don't tell me what -- what the problems are not!

Because we're the ones living it!

You're the experts, who keep telling us, no. It's going to work out fine.

And it doesn't work out fine. And it just gets worse and worse.

Oh. We can spend this money. No. It looks like we can't spend this money. Oh, we can afford this. No. It looks like we can't afford this.

You know, if we do this with Ukraine, it will work out fine. No, it didn't, did it? These endless wars, all of this stuff, don't tell me what the problem is. Listen to the people and start talking to the people. Honestly, this is the reason why I'm doing this today. I -- I need to hear from you.

I need to know what's on your mind, so I stay focused and -- and clear on what America is saying.

Because I don't think -- look, you know, me taking phone calls is -- is not a true representation of anything, but it does give me a sense of -- of where you are, as an audience. Maybe not as America, but as an audience. And there are lots of things that concern me. But I want to hear it from you.
But I think you're right! We're headed for real, real trouble. All you need is real economic trouble.

You start getting real, true economic trouble. 1930s kind of depression stuff. And we're in Civil War.

Dan, Oregon. Welcome!

CALLER: Hello, Glenn. How are you?

GLENN: I'm great!

CALLER: Yeah. Good. It's been a long time.

I guess it's been over ten years, since I've had a chance to talk with you. I was one of your first insiders. I was listening to you, since you were in Florida.

GLENN: Wow. Wow.

CALLER: So it's been a long -- yeah. It has been. And I can't say I've enjoyed all of it.
(laughter)

GLENN: Neither have I!

STU: I can't say that either, I'll be honest with you.

CALLER: You know, you were talking on yesterday's show, reminiscing with Stu about how you guys started. And I remember those old shows. And, you know, at the end of the -- the fusion of entertainment and enlightenment.

STU: Hmm.

GLENN: Right.

CALLER: And there was a lot more entertainment. I remember I laughed a lot.

GLENN: Oh, yeah. I know. I know. Those days are long dead.
(laughter)

STU: There's nothing to laugh about now.

CALLER: Yeah. I -- I'm 78. I still work 40 hours a week. I love my job.

GLENN: Good for you.

CALLER: Been married for 55 years. I have seven kids.

GLENN: Good for you.

CALLER: I've got a daughter -- I've got a daughter who is in her 40s. And she has severe TDS. She -- we don't -- I mean, we're not cutting each other off. She hasn't done that at all. We're still very close as a family. But she was down visiting the other day, and got into a conversation with my wife. And I wasn't in the room. But Kathy said it was just like listening to one of those young people out on the street that was being interviewed by the news media. And she was -- and she was in tears about it. My wife and my daughter both.

And, I mean, I love her, and I continue to support her. She's a single woman, not by choice. She just never found the right guy.

GLENN: Yeah.

CALLER: And I really think that's part of the problem. Because she started reading -- back when Trump was first running, she started reading all of this stuff about him being misogynistic and all of this stuff.

GLENN: Yeah. Yeah.

CALLER: And it's just gotten worse. I -- I'm at a loss. I really am. Because I -- like, I see the country doing better. I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. But I still feel like that at least right now, we're doing better as a whole. But what do we do about -- what do we do about our kids about -- she went to Portland State University for the last two --

GLENN: Oh, jeez, for the love of --

CALLER: Well, yeah. For the last two years, she went to -- she went to a little college in Idaho called Ricks for the first two years, and Utah State.

GLENN: Oh, yeah.

CALLER: And then she served a mission for our church in Brazil and came home, but then she went to Portland State University. And it just seems to have gone downhill from there.

GLENN: Yeah. Yeah. So, Dan, I think you are suffering from the same thing that almost all parents are suffering from. If you're not suffering from this, then, I mean, God bless you. You know, get on your knees and thank God. Because you are a lucky, lucky family. Everybody has in their family. I have it in my family.

And you have to ask yourself, what is your goal?

My -- what is your goal with your daughter? Your real goal?

CALLER: My real goal is for us to be united eternally. That's my goal. That's my goal as a father and has been to teach her --

GLENN: And how -- and how is that going to happen with politics?

CALLER: We just stay together as a family regardless of what politics does.

GLENN: That's exactly right. Exactly right.

I think we're in a place now where as parents, you can ask your kids, but it has to be honest. It cannot be trying to win. It has to be honest. How did you get there?

I mean, I remember. You know, we've talked about this before. And you didn't believe that before. What has changed?

Can you help me with that?

I would like to see what you're reading, or what that was.

And just ask questions. But they have to be honest. They can't be, you know, because I'm setting you up. Because I want to change your mind.

But keep a dialogue open with them. And just love them!

Just love them!

Because if you do anything else, you're going to drive them away. And then they're really lost. So just love them.

CALLER: Oh, I know that. Glenn, when she was young -- when she was young, I considered her one of the elect. And the Scripture says, that in the last days, even the elect are going to be deceived. And that's what I'm seeing. But everything you've said, I -- I am doing. I'm doing it that way. Because I know --

GLENN: Okay. Good. Then you didn't need to -- I appreciate it. I'm so glad you called me. But you didn't need to -- my advice, you already have it down. You're a very wise man.