RADIOMay 23, 2024

How Tulsi Gabbard Went from Bernie Sanders Supporter to Possible Trump VP Pick

How did former Democratic congresswoman and presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard go from endorsing Bernie Sanders to allegedly being on Donald Trump’s vice-presidential shortlist? Tulsi, who recently released her newest book, "For Love of Country," joins Glenn to explain what all changed. She addresses the rumors about whether she’s talked to Trump about being VP and whether she’d join his administration as Secretary of Defense. Plus, she lays out the 2 most critical questions that voters should be asking when choosing between Trump and Biden in the election.

Transcript

Below is a rush transcript that may contain errors

GLENN: Tulsi Gabbard, welcome to the program, how are you?

TULSI: Very good, my friend. How are you?

GLENN: I am good. I am good.

Are you in Hawaii? Right now.

TULSI: I'm in Virginia, today.

GLENN: Okay.

TULSI: And tomorrow. And Texas the day after. I'm on the road, living out of a suitcase.

GLENN: Oh, boy.

Okay. First of all, you're on a short list.

And I'm not going to ask you anything other than, have you had a conversation with him, about being vice president?

TULSI: I've spoken to him. I will talk about what we've spoken about. I have met and spoken to him.

GLENN: That's fine. Would you serve in any capacity in a Trump administration?

TULSI: I would serve in a capacity where I felt that I could actually be effective in helping to get our country back on track, both in domestic policy, and foreign policy.

GLENN: So, Tulsi, you know I respect you. I really like you.

We disagree on things. You were a former Bernie Sanders supporter.

You know, but I also know, you love the Constitution.

And America.

And the country.

And just finding somebody who loves America, is very hard to find right now.

Can you help me out on understanding the Bernie Sanders to, you know, I would be willing to serve in a Trump administration.

TULSI: Of course. I'm glad you asked. Because it is on its face, kind of a -- a big mental -- a mental leap. But when you actually look at the reason, when I made that announcement, back in 2016, to resign as vice chair of the DNC, so that I could get involved in that democratic presidential primary, I focused on one thing.

I announced my endorsement of Bernie Sanders over Hillary Clinton, around foreign policy.

Bernie Sanders of today is even the different now, than he was back then. On this -- on some of these foreign policy issues.

But there was a very clear contract between Hillary Clinton, the queen of warmongers. And Bernie Sanders, who has for a long time, largely been more of a noninterventionist.

And I was frustrated because as an officer of the DNC, I couldn't, you know, according to the rules, get involved or speak out publicly.

But as you remember, Glenn, people were saying Hillary Clinton was the most qualified person to ever run for president in the history of our country.

But, of course -- I know. I still laugh when I think about that.

GLENN: Yeah.

TULSI: And it wasn't just her campaign people who were saying this. It was supposedly serious people on, you know, the different cable shows. And the broadcast news shows.

And the Meet the Press type shows.

But they never went behind. Okay. She held this title and that title and that title.

It would never go into what her record actually was. The kinds of decisions that she made.

The things that she influenced and urged President Obama to do as Secretary of State.

And for me, as an American citizen, as a soldier and a veteran of various wars and conflicts, I felt strongly about the fact that Hillary Clinton would be the most dangerous president and commander-in-chief for our country. Our freedom, our security, and our liberty.

And so I took the opportunity to make that endorsement of Bernie Sanders, around that issue, so that I could have a platform to call her out directly to the American people. So that at a minimum, they could make a more informed decision, about who they wanted, to be the democratic presidential nominee for that time.

GLENN: So the -- that explains an awful lot.

The State Department, you know, has been off the rails for a hundred years. They're very warmongering. What's happening in Ukraine is obscene.

And strangely, I think since Ronald Reagan and I think even more so than Ronald Reagan. But it was a different time.

Donald Trump is the least -- he understands peace through strength, but he is the least likely to go to war.

And yet, the left keeps saying, he's a warmonger.

TULSI: It's their tried and true tactic. And you see them doing this, not only with an issue with seriousness as war and peace.

But you also see how they're doing it around democracy. You know, they're claiming, he will be the dictator in chief, or this will be the last election that's held if he wins. And so on and so forth.

And yet, we look at how they're weaponizing the Department of Justice. All they're doing to both target and prosecute, throwing everything and the kitchen sink at Donald Trump.

But also going after everyday Americans, whose names will never be in the headlines. Because they are the, quote, unquote, political opposition.

The undermining of free speech. The undermining of the rule of law.

And yet, they cloak all of this. And try to distract and deflect attention from the American people, and the reality of how they are destroying their democracy, right before their very eyes. And they do so, by saying, Donald Trump is the biggest enemy of democracy.

They are the doing same thing around foreign policy. The thing that I'm urging Americans to do across the country. Both through my book, love of country, but also in every platform or speech, where people will have me. Is to look at the facts. This is the first time in our lifetimes, we've had a presidential election, where we actually have two people who served in the White House, with a very real record, for us to examine.

GLENN: Compare.

TULSI: And take the emotions aside. People have strong feelings, one way or another.

And there's -- and that's what a lot of the Democrats and Biden people focus on. Because they're afraid that we will actually compare and contrast their record on border security, on education, on fairness for women and girls in sports and education, on the economy and inflation.

You know, they'll -- on criminal justice reform.

Something the Democrats claim to be for.

And also, of course, first and foremost. Foreign policy.

Ask how secure is our country today. And where are our taxpayer dollars being dedicated?

In each of these areas and more, there's a very clear contrast, between President Biden and President Trump. And to me, what it all comes down to. Are the two most core critical questions.

As you pointed out, are rooted in the Constitution. Is number one, who -- who actually has served the interests of the American people, and our country.

And our ability to live in a safe, free, peaceful, and prosperous society?

And number two, who has -- who has either defended or assaulted our fundamental rights and freedoms that are enshrined in the Constitution?

Freedom of speech. Freedom of expression. Freedom of religion.

Our civil liberties are guaranteed by the Fourth Amendment. And, again, when you look at these metrics, there is -- there is no question, about the difference between President Biden and President Trump.

GLENN: Let me ask you, why should somebody, and I don't mean this just to you. I mean, this for anybody.

Even Joe Biden, Donald Trump.

Why should we believe, when we have not seen one for a very long time?

And when they do believe this, they're called extremists.

Why should we believe anybody, or you, that you actually -- your oath of office would mean what it says? That you will protect the Constitution and the Bill of Rights?

TULSI: I think with anybody and everyone, it is -- it is -- you know, going back to the old adage, trust but verify. We have to hold people accountable, and that is true of me and of anyone asking for the trust and confidence of the American people. I think part of that is recognizing that as the world changes. As the country changes, there has to be room for people to learn and grow from these changing circumstances.

I think a lot of the problems that we're seeing in a lot of the political divides. And I get it. Trust is earned.

But -- but they're -- in order for there to be progress, we have to allow people to grow and change. Based on the circumstances. You know, we -- we have seen, I think over these last five or six years.

Or especially during the Obama -- I'm sorry. During the Biden administration, we have seen what an increasingly tyrannical government looks like. And we are seeing how our Founding Fathers were so wise in recognizing that our democracy, this form of governance that we have, in this constitutional republic. Through this representative democracy. It's very fragile. And how people in positions of power, are often tempted. And may fall to that temptation. Of abuse of power.

And so we have this system of checks and balances, through three coequal branches of government. We have this system of checks and balances through the Constitution. Our First Amendment and our Second Amendment.

For the power to always favor the voices and the power of the free people and a free society.

I would never have imagined, Glenn, in my lifetime, that we would see such brazen abuse of power.

GLENN: No.

TULSI: And it's not only just a failure to uphold the Constitution. The Democrat elite are actively destroying the Constitution, in broad daylight.

GLENN: Yes.

TULSI: And telling us, no. We don't think the First Amendment is relevant today. Because of misinformation. Disinformation. Hate speech. All of the excuses that they give.

Which are very dangerous. They tell us that, no. The Second Amendment shouldn't apply. And they cite all these different statistics of tragedies that occur in our country.

But ultimately, taking guns away from law-abiding Americans, would not actually prevent those types of tragedies from occurring.

GLENN: Make it more dangerous.

TULSI: It would make it more dangerous. And it's denied the reality that we have faced I think throughout the history of humanity.

If you have a person who seeks to do harm to others, they will find a way to do so.

Unfortunately.

GLENN: Tulsi.

TULSI: Go ahead.

GLENN: No. You finish your thought please. I don't want to interrupt you.

TULSI: They will find a way to do so. It's incumbent upon us, again, to understand and recognize the seriousness of this moment. And the fact that they are doing all these things because they're afraid of the power of the free people. But we're only powerful if we hold on to that power.

GLENN: I want to ask you one more question. I know we're out of time, for your schedule.

Can I -- sixty seconds more, and then I'll ask you just one more question, if you have time.

Okay. Good. Back with Tulsi Gabbard here just a second.

Tulsi, when you're in town, I would love to do another podcast with you. I find you fascinating. And I actually think you could be a huge help to bringing our country back together. But time is so short here.

I wanted to ask you, you know, one of the things that if I were President Trump, I would actually consider you as a vice presidential candidate to unite the country, you know, after much discussion. But the one thing I would feel comfortable appointing you to, is Secretary of Defense.

Our military is a mess. And it's because we have all of these woke generals and all of these political appointments. They've all risen to the top. The problem is, it doesn't appear to me, below the -- the general and all of their, you know, apparatus around them.

If you were Secretary of Defense, could you clean this up?

Is it fixable?

TULSI: Yes. Yes. Unequivocally, yes.

GLENN: How?

TULSI: And your diagnosis is correct.
You know, it's not by accident that the kinds of general officers that are rising through the ranks are those who are advocating for these so-called woke CIAs, whatever -- whatever policies. The reason why they've gotten there is because of their civilian leadership. Picking and choosing people, who -- who will not -- I mean, obviously, we have a civilian-led military. Those in uniform will follow the policies that are set by civilian leaders. But these civilian leaders, Secretary Austin, and the different secretaries of each branch of the military.

They are promoting careerists, who have played it safe. Who have done whatever they needed to do, to go along and get along. To rise through the ranks. And have not been in those positions. And have intentionally so. Not been in those combat hardened positions. Where they have to make really tough choices. That may come with some backlash. But that is the definition of leadership.

And I can tell you, I know personally, a number of officers, in different branches of the military, who have been shoved out. And forced to retire, because they happen to be white males. And these are people who over the last 25 years, have deployed every single year in the most harsh combat environments. And made those tough calls between life and death.

There have been investigations because of it. But these are the people that have the kind of experience that will never be replaced. And they are getting shoved out. And they're not getting promoted. Because of this civilian leadership. At the very top of the Department of Defense.

So, yes. As a Secretary of Defense, I would 100 percent, be able to right the course. Fix what has become so broken, within our Department of Defense. And it starts with putting the right leaders, in the right places. To put our country first.

And to really care more about our troops. Than they care about how many stars they wear on their shoulders. I obviously have very strong feelings about this. Because I still serve.

And I know the mentality impact that this is having on our military. Our morale and their readiness to be able to do their job.

GLENN: Tulsi, next time you're in Dallas, please let me know. I would love to talk more about especially the military and where we're at. Thank you so much. God bless.

TULSI: I look forward to it, Glenn.

GLENN: You bet. Buh-bye.

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.

The world is about to realize the DEADLY enemy we face

"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.