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

Are Epstein's "Blackmail Videos" Being Used for Leverage RIGHT NOW?

What was Jeffrey Epstein's operation all about. If he was at the center of a massive blackmail operation to compromise those in positions of power, who is in possession of that information now? Glenn Beck and ATF Whistleblower John Dodson analyze the details of this situation and give their thoughts on what is the most likely reality surrounding Epstein.

Watch Glenn Beck's FULL Interview with ATF Whistleblower John Dodson HERE

WARNING: How America Elects a Socialist President in 2028 | Glenn TV | Ep 444

The rise of Zohran Mamdani, the 33-year-old socialist who just won the Democratic primary for mayor, is not just a political earthquake shaking New York City — it’s a warning for the rest of America. Backed by Bernie Sanders, AOC, and the Democratic Socialists of America, Mamdani promises free everything, to tax the rich, and to dismantle capitalism. There’s nothing new about this tired strategy, but the media is propping him up as a new political genius. And with Democrat leaders lining up behind him, it’s clear: This radicalism isn’t fringe anymore. It’s the Democratic Party’s future. Mamdani’s rise is part of a larger movement that’s rewriting America’s values. Glenn Beck explains how New York is the prototype for the Left’s socialist makeover of America. Victor Davis Hanson, senior fellow at the Hoover Institution at Standford, gives a terrifying prediction on Mamdani’s mayoral race chances and warns the revolution is coming for mainstream Democrats. He also dives into MAGA’s frustration with the Trump administration's handling of the Epstein files.

Salena Zito reveals WHY Trump said “Fight! Fight! Fight!”

“I have a new purpose,” then-candidate Donald Trump told reporter Salena Zito after surviving the assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania. Salena joins Glenn Beck to reveal what Trump told her about God, his purpose in life, and why he really said, “Fight! Fight! Fight!”, as she details in her new book, “Butler: The Untold Story of the Near Assassination of Donald Trump and the Fight for America's Heartland”.

Transcript

Below is a rush transcript that may contain errors

GLENN: Salena, congratulations on your book. It is so good.

Just started reading it. Or listening to it, last night.

And I wish you would have -- I wish you would have read it. But, you know, the lady you have reading it is really good.

I just enjoy the way you tell stories.

The writing of this is the best explanation on who Trump supporters are. That I think I've ever read, from anybody.

It's really good.

And the description of your experience there at the edge of the stage with Donald Trump is pretty remarkable as well. Welcome to the program.

SALENA: Thank you, Glenn. Thank you so much for having me.

You know, I was thinking about this, as I was ready to come on. You and I have been along for this ride forever. For what?

Since 2006? 2005?

Like 20 years, right?

GLENN: Yeah. Yeah.

SALENA: And I've been chronicling the American people for probably ten more years, before that. And it's really remarkable to me, as watching how this coalition has grown. Right?

And watching how people have the -- have become more aspirational.

And that's -- and that is what the conservative populist coalition is, right?

It is the aspirations of many, but the celebration of the individual.

And chronicling them, yeah. Has been -- has been, a great honor.

GLENN: You know, I was thinking about this yesterday, when -- when Elon Musk said he was starting another party.

And somebody asked me, well, isn't he doing what the Tea Party tried to do?

No. The Tea Party was not going to start a new party.

It was to -- you know, it was to coerce and convince the Republican Party to do the right thing. And it worked in many ways. It didn't accomplish what we hoped.

But it did accomplish a lot of things.

Donald Trump is a result of the Tea Party.

I truly believe that. And a lot of the people that were -- right?

Were with Donald Trump, are the people that were with the Tea Party.

SALENA: That's absolutely right.

So that was the inception.

So American politics has always had movements, that have been just outside of a party. Or within a party.

That galvanize and broaden the coalition. Right? They don't take away. Or walk away, and become another party.

If anything, if there is a third party out there, it's almost a Republican Party.

Because it has changed in so many viable and meaningful ways. And the Tea Party didn't go away. It strengthened and broadened the Republican Party. Because these weren't just Republicans that became part of this party.

It was independents. It was Democrats.

And just unhappy with the establishment Republicans. And unhappy with Democrats.

And that -- that movement is what we -- what I see today.

What I see every day. What I saw that day, in butler, when I showed I happen at that rally.

As I do, so many rallies, you know, throughout my career. And that one was riveting and changed everything.

GLENN: You made a great case in the opening chapter. You talk about how things were going for Donald Trump.

And how this moment really did change everything for Donald Trump.

Changed the trajectory, changed the mood.

I mean, Elon Musk was not on the Trump train, until this.

SALENA: Yeah.

GLENN: Moment. What do I -- what changed? How -- how did that work?

And -- and I contend, that we would have much more profound change, had the media actually done their job and reported this the way it really was. Pragmatism

SALENA: You know, and people will find this in the book. I'm laying on the ground with an agent on top of me.

I'm 4 feet away from the president.

And there's -- there's notices coming up on my phone. Saying, he was hit by broken glass.

And to this take, that remains part of this sibling culture, in American politics.

Because reporters were -- were so anxious to -- to right what they believed happened.

As opposed to what happened.

And it's been a continual frustration of mine, as a reporter, who is on the ground, all the time.

And I'll tell you, what changed in that moment.

And I say a nuance, and I believe nuance is dead in American journalism.

But it was a nuance and it was a powerful conversation, that I had with President Trump, the next day. He called me the next morning.

But it's a powerful conversation I had with him, just two weeks ago.

When he made this decision to say, fight, fight, fight.

People have put in their heads, why they think he said it. But he told me why he said that. And he said, Salena, in that moment, I was not Donald Trump the man. I was a former president. I was quite possibly going to be president again.

And I had an obligation to the country, and to the office that I have served in, to project strength. To project resolve.

To project that we will not be defeated.

And it's sort of like a symbolic eagle, that is always -- you know, that symbol that we look at, when we think about our country.

He said, that's why I said that. I didn't want the people behind me panicking. I didn't want the people watching, panicking.

I had to show strength. And it's that nuance -- that I think people really picked up on.

And galvanized people.

GLENN: So he told me, when he was laying down on the stage.

And you can hear him. Let me get up. Let me get up.

I've got to get up.

He told me, as I was laying on the stage. I asked him, what were you thinking? What was going through your head? Now, Salena, I don't know about you.

But with me. It would be like, how do I get off the stage? My first was survival.

He said, what was going on through his mind was, you're not pathetic. This is pathetic.

You're not afraid. Get up.

Get up.

And so is that what informed his fight, fight, fight, of that by the time that he's standing up, he's thinking, I'm a symbol? Or do you think he was thinking, I'm a symbol, this looks pathetic. It makes you look weak.

Stand up. How do you think that actually happened?

SALENA: He thinks, and we just talked about this weeks ago. He -- you know, and this is something that he's really thought about.

Right? You know, he's gone over and over and over. And also, purpose and God. Right? These are things that have lingered with him.

You know, he -- he thought, yes.

He did think, it was pathetic that he was on the ground. But he wasn't thinking about, I'm Donald Trump. It's pathetic.

He's thinking, my country is symbolically on the ground. I need to get up, and I need to show that my country is strong.

That our country is resolute.

And I need people to see that.

We can't go on looking like pathetic.

Right?

And I think that then goes to that image of Biden.

GLENN: You have been with so many presidents.

How many presidents do you think that you've personally been with, would have thought that and reacted that way?

SALENA: Probably only Reagan. Reagan would have. Reagan probably would have thought that.

And if you remember how he was out like standing outside.

You know, waving out the window. Right?

After he was shot.

GLENN: At the hospital, right.

SALENA: Had he not been knocked out, unconscious, you know, he probably would have done the same thing.

Because he was someone who deeply believed in American exceptionalism.

And American exceptionalism does not go lay on the ground.

GLENN: And the symbol.

Right. The symbol of the presidency.

SALENA: Yeah. Absolutely. And I think that affects him today.

GLENN: So let me go back to God.

Because you talked to him the next day. And your book Butler.

He calls you up.

I love the fact that your parents would be ashamed of you. On what you said to him.

The language you used. That you just have to read the book.

It's just a great part.

But he calls you the next morning. And wants to know if you're okay.

And you -- you then start talking to him, about God.

And I was -- I was thinking about this, as I was listening to it. You know, Lincoln said, I wasn't -- I wasn't a Christian.

Even though, he was.

I wasn't a Christian, when I was elected. I wasn't a Christian when my son died.

I became a Christian at Gettysburg.

Is -- is -- I mean, I believe Donald Trump always believes in God, et cetera, et cetera.

Do you think there was a real profound change at Butler with him?

SALENA: Absolutely. You know, he called me seven times that day. Seven times, the take after seven.

GLENN: Crazy.

SALENA: Talked about. And I think he was looking for someone that he knew, that was there. And to try to sort it out.

Right? And I let him do most of the talking. I didn't pressure him.

At all. I believed that he was having -- you know, he was struggling. And he needed to just talk. And I believed my purpose was to listen.

Right? I know other reporters would have handled it differently. And that's okay. That's not the kind of reporter that I am.

And I myself was having my own like, why didn't I die?

Right?

Because it went right over my head.

And -- and so I -- he had the conversation about God.

He's funny. I thought it was the biggest mosquito in the world that hit me.

But he had talked profoundly about purpose. You know, and God.

And how God was in that moment.

It --

GLENN: I love the way you -- in the book, I love the way you said that as he's kind of working it out in his own he head.

He was like, you know, I -- I -- I always knew that there was some sort of, you know -- that God was present.

He said, but now that this has happened.

I look back at all of the trials.

All of the tribulations. Literally, the trials.

All of the things that have happened. And he's like, I realized God was there the whole time.

SALENA: Yes. He does. And it's fascinating to have been that witness to history, to have those conversations with him. Because I'm telling you. And y'all know, I can talk. I didn't say much of anything.

I just -- I just listened. I felt that was my purpose, in that moment.

To give him that space, to work it out.

I'm someone that is, you know, believes in God.

I'm Catholic. I followed my faith.

And -- and so, I thought, well, this is why God put me here. Right?

And to -- to have that -- to hear him talk about purpose, to hear him say, Salena. Why did I put a chart down?

I'm like, sir. I don't know. I thought you were Ross Perot for a second.

He never has a chart. And he laughed. And then he said, why did I put that chart down?

By that term, I never turned my head away from people at the rally. That's true.

That relationship is very transactional. It's very -- they feed off of each other.

It's a very emotive moment when you attend a rally. Because he has a way of talking at a rally. That you believe that you are seeing.

And he said, and I never turn my head away.

I never turn my head away.

Why did I turn my head away?

I don't remember consciously thinking about turning my head away. And then he says to me, that was God, wasn't it?

Yes, sir. It was. It was God.

And he said, that's -- that's why I have a new purpose.

And so, Glenn. I think it's important, when you look at the breadth of what has happened, since he was sworn in.

You see that purpose, every day.

He doesn't let up.

He continues going.

And it brings back to the beginning of the book.

Where you find out, that there was another president that was shot at in Butler.

And that was George Washington. And how different the country would have been, had he died in that moment.

And now think about how different the country would be, had President Trump died in that moment. There would be --

GLENN: We're talking to -- we're talking to Salena Zito. About her new book called Butler. The assassination attempt on President Trump. And it is riveting.

And, you know, it is so good. I wish the press would read it. Because it really explains who we are, who Trump supporters are. Who are, you know, red staters. It is so good at that. She's the best at that.