Don't cower to the bullies behind Trump's conviction

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Editor's note: This article was originally published on TheBlaze.com.

On Thursday, I asked myself something that Ben Franklin asked himself as the Founding Fathers were writing the Declaration of Independence. As they were debating what should be included in the document, he looked at John Hancock's chair. It had a half sun engraved on it. He asked himself if it was a rising sun or a setting sun. He deemed, in the end, that it was a rising sun. He was right.

We must be willing to get back up time and time again.

I asked myself the same question after a Manhattan jury convicted Donald Trump of 34 felonies. Does this mark a rising sun or a setting sun on our nation? Is this the day historians will write down as the end of America? Is this the day when our slumber and complacency finally caught up to us? Or is it the beginning of a new chapter?

We, both in our national history and in our individual lives, are faced with challenges that test our resolve and push us to the limits. It's in these moments when everything seems unwinnable, when everything seems too steep to climb, when the odds are all against us, that you discover who you really are. Those are the times that forge your character.

We, as a nation, have been fat and lazy. We’ve had everything handed to us, and we don't really know who we are. Most people never change because they’re afraid. When I was at my worst, I was afraid there was nothing good in me, that here was nothing good to discover. I was afraid to look inside myself. But you’ll never find those things unless you look and embrace the hard things. You have to understand that every trial and every setback will make you stronger, wiser, and gentler.

America, today is the day of choosing. Today is the day it is now our turn to step up and save the republic and, consequently, the world. Make no mistake that the world is watching. I hope you feel the weight of that expectation. I hope you realize the sting of failure that will come if we don't step up.

I thought a lot of Teddy Roosevelt last night. To paraphrase his speech “The Man in the Arena,” it’s not the critic who counts, but the one who dares to step into the ring and risk everything. It’s the man who’s willing to fail over and over again if it means that he will stand against his accusers. He continues to get up, though he’s tired, his face marred with blood and mud. Despite all that, he gets up and fights again.

We’ve had everything handed to us, and we don't really know who we are.

It's easy to quit. It is easy to believe that we have no chance. It is easy to be knocked down, and as humiliating as it is to lie face-down in the dirt, that’s exactly what every bully wants you to do. That’s why every bully demands that you stay down and don't get up lest you face a bigger beating.

But the man who inspires others to stand continues to get up — wobbly, barely able to fight — but he refuses to bend the knee and surrender to the bully. Failure is not the end, nor was Thursday’s stain on American justice our end. It is simply a stepping stone to the path of greatness, a stepping stone to make America great again.

That is not just a slogan for a political campaign. That is true. We have lost our way, and we will become an embarrassment for everything we say we stand for if we maintain the present course.

It’s time to get up from the dirt and stand.

Each fall teaches us resilience. Each setback strengthens our determination. Every time we get up after the bully knocks us down, there is someone in the crowd watching who then turns our way and sees the bullies for who they really are. Oh, Lord, here are the words of my mouth: Save our republic. If we don't follow Him, He cannot help us.

What we have in front of us today is a decision. Do we get up, or do we lie face-down in the dirt?

What is possibly worth taking these beatings? Donald Trump is just a symbol. He's a symbol of what bullies do to anyone who refuses to play their game. Bullies come to town all the time, and they teach everybody go along with their rules. They whisper, “Don't you try to help that beaten man stand up.” We must decide if we will do their bidding or stand up to them. Will we stand idly by while the crowds chant “Barabbas!”? Building anything of value, whether it's a country, a career, a relationship, or simply our own character, requires unwavering dedication.

We must be willing to get back up time and time again, to face our fears, to face our doubts, to press on no matter what happens to us. It is through that relentless effort that we become Americans. We discover our true potential as a people the world has always known as Americans — not the kind of Americans we've become, but the kind of Americans we've all striven to be throughout our history.

America, today is the day of choosing.

I've always believed the American was defined by a “can-do” spirit. The people who crossed the Rockies tamed the West. We change, rescue, and heal the world. I didn't realize how much until I studied history — real history, not the crap they teach you in school. I never really understood how stained our name is from those in power, those who only serve through corruption and greed and sometimes even evil.

But I have truly always believed, and I still believe today, that the American stands for honor, integrity, truth, and justice. That is the American way. To those of you who live in the shadow of fear around the world, yesterday may have changed that perception, but it did not change it for me. I will not surrender to those words.

We are not done. Each of us needs to come together. You don’t have to do anything grand, and I'm not going to do anything grand. We need to remember that every step forward, no matter how small, contributes to the journey of those who continue to stand up. Those people who refuse to give in always end up winning.

The value is not just in the destination but in the courage and perseverance that we show along the way. It wasn't that we always won with no cost. Americans have always paid a high price for what we believe. That's what's admirable, and quite honestly, I think that's what Americans have lost and what has put us into this position. By doing the hard things, by refusing to give up, we build a legacy of strength and integrity, and I fear we’ve squandered it because we didn’t understand it. That’s what we’ve lost. That is what the world will lose should we fail — should America fail. It’s time to get up from the dirt and stand.

As President Trump approaches his 100th day in office, Glenn Beck joined him to evaluate his administration’s progress with a gripping new interview. April 30th is President Trump's 100th day in office, and what an eventful few months it has been. To commemorate this milestone, Glenn Beck was invited to the White House for an exclusive interview with the President.

Their conversation covered critical topics, including the border crisis, DOGE updates, the revival of the U.S. energy sector, AI advancements, and more. Trump remains energized, acutely aware of the nation’s challenges, and determined to address them.

Here are the top five takeaways from Glenn Beck’s one-on-one with President Trump:

Border Security and Cartels

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Early in the interview, Glenn asked if Trump views Mexico as a failed narco-state. While Trump avoided the term, he acknowledged that cartels effectively control Mexico. He noted that while not all Mexican officials are corrupt, those who are honest fear severe repercussions for opposing the cartels.

Trump was unsurprised when Glenn cited evidence that cartels are using Pentagon-supplied weapons intended for the Mexican military. He is also aware of the fentanyl influx from China through Mexico and is committed to stopping the torrent of the dangerous narcotic. Trump revealed that he has offered military aid to Mexico to combat the cartels, but these offers have been repeatedly declined. While significant progress has been made in securing the border, Trump emphasized that more must be done.

American Energy Revival

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Trump’s tariffs are driving jobs back to America, with the AI sector showing immense growth potential. He explained that future AI systems require massive, costly complexes with significant electricity demands. China is outpacing the U.S. in building power plants to support AI development, threatening America’s technological leadership.

To counter this, Trump is cutting bureaucratic red tape, allowing AI companies to construct their own power plants, potentially including nuclear facilities, to meet the energy needs of AI server farms. Glenn was thrilled to learn these plants could also serve as utilities, supplying excess power to homes and businesses. Trump is determined to ensure America remains the global leader in AI and energy.

Liberation Day Shakeup

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Glenn drew a parallel between Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs and the historical post-World War II Liberation Day. Trump confirmed the analogy, explaining that his policy aims to dismantle an outdated global economic order established to rebuild Europe and Asia after the wars of the 20th century. While beneficial decades ago, this system now disadvantages the U.S. through job outsourcing, unfair trade deals, and disproportionate NATO contributions.

Trump stressed that America’s economic survival is at stake. Without swift action, the U.S. risks collapse, potentially dragging the West down with it. He views his presidency as a critical opportunity to reverse this decline.

Trouble in Europe

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When Glenn pressed Trump on his tariff strategy and negotiations with Europe, Trump delivered a powerful statement: “I don’t have to negotiate.” Despite America’s challenges, it remains the world’s leading economy with the wealthiest consumer base, making it an indispensable trading partner for Europe. Trump wants to make equitable deals and is willing to negotiate with European leaders out of respect and desire for shared prosperity, he knows that they are dependent on U.S. dollars to keep the lights on.

Trump makes an analogy, comparing America to a big store. If Europe wants to shop at the store, they are going to have to pay an honest price. Or go home empty-handed.

Need for Peace

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Trump emphasized the need to end America’s involvement in endless wars, which have cost countless lives and billions of dollars without a clear purpose. He highlighted the staggering losses in Ukraine, where thousands of soldiers die weekly. Trump is committed to ending the conflict but noted that Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has been a challenging partner, constantly demanding more U.S. support.

The ongoing wars in Europe and the Middle East are unsustainable, and America’s excessive involvement has prolonged these conflicts, leading to further casualties. Trump aims to extricate the U.S. from these entanglements.

PHOTOS: Inside Glenn's private White House tour

Image courtesy of the White House

In honor of Trump's 100th day in office, Glenn was invited to the White House for an exclusive interview with the President.

Naturally, Glenn's visit wasn't solely confined to the interview, and before long, Glenn and Trump were strolling through the majestic halls of the White House, trading interesting historical anecdotes while touring the iconic home. Glenn was blown away by the renovations that Trump and his team have made to the presidential residence and enthralled by the history that practically oozed out of the gleaming walls.

Want to join Glenn on this magical tour? Fortunately, Trump's gracious White House staff was kind enough to provide Glenn with photos of his journey through the historic residence so that he might share the experience with you.

So join Glenn for a stroll through 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue with the photo gallery below:

The Oval Office

Image courtesy of the White House

The Roosevelt Room

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The White House

Image courtesy of the White House

Trump branded a tyrant, but did Obama outdo him on deportations?

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MSNBC and CNN want you to think the president is a new Hitler launching another Holocaust. But the actual deportation numbers are nowhere near what they claim.

Former MSNBC host Chris Matthews, in an interview with CNN’s Jim Acosta, compared Trump’s immigration policies to Adolf Hitler’s Holocaust. He claimed that Hitler didn’t bother with German law — he just hauled people off to death camps in Poland and Hungary. Apparently, that’s what Trump is doing now by deporting MS-13 gang members to El Salvador.

Symone Sanders took it a step further. The MSNBC host suggested that deporting gang-affiliated noncitizens is simply the first step toward deporting black Americans. I’ll wait while you try to do that math.

The debate is about control — weaponizing the courts, twisting language, and using moral panic to silence dissent.

Media mouthpieces like Sanders and Matthews are just the latest examples of the left’s Pavlovian tribalism when it comes to Trump and immigration. Just say the word “Trump,” and people froth at the mouth before they even hear the sentence. While the media cries “Hitler,” the numbers say otherwise. And numbers don’t lie — the narrative does.

Numbers don’t lie

The real “deporter in chief” isn’t Trump. It was President Bill Clinton, who sent back 12.3 million people during his presidency — 11.4 million returns and nearly 900,000 formal removals. President George W. Bush, likewise, presided over 10.3 million deportations — 8.3 million returns and two million removals. Even President Barack Obama, the progressive darling, oversaw 5.5 million deportations, including more than three million formal removals.

So how does Donald Trump stack up? Between 2017 and 2021, Trump deported somewhere between 1.5 million and two million people — dramatically fewer than Obama, Bush, or Clinton. In his current term so far, Trump has deported between 100,000 and 138,000 people. Yes, that’s assertive for a first term — but it's still fewer than Biden was deporting toward the end of his presidency.

The numbers simply don’t support the hysteria.

Who's the “dictator” here? Trump is deporting fewer people, with more legal oversight, and still being compared to history’s most reviled tyrant. Apparently, sending MS-13 gang members — violent criminals — back to their country of origin is now equivalent to genocide.

It’s not about immigration

This debate stopped being about immigration a long time ago. It’s now about control — about weaponizing the courts, twisting language, and using moral panic to silence dissent. It’s about turning Donald Trump into the villain of every story, facts be damned.

If the numbers mattered, we’d be having a very different national conversation. We’d be asking why Bill Clinton deported six times as many people as Trump and never got labeled a fascist. We’d be questioning why Barack Obama’s record-setting removals didn’t spark cries of ethnic cleansing. And we’d be wondering why Trump, whose enforcement was relatively modest by comparison, triggered lawsuits, media hysteria, and endless Nazi analogies.

But facts don’t drive this narrative. The villain does. And in this script, Trump plays the villain — even when he does far less than the so-called heroes who came before him.

This article originally appeared on TheBlaze.com.

Can Trump stop the blackouts that threaten America's future?

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If America wants to remain a global leader in the coming decades, we need more energy fast.

It's no secret that Glenn is an advocate for the safe and ethical use of AI, not because he wants it, but because he knows it’s coming whether we like it or not. Our only option is to shape AI on our terms, not those of our adversaries. America has to win the AI Race if we want to maintain our stability and security, and to do that, we need more energy.

AI demands dozens—if not hundreds—of new server farms, each requiring vast amounts of electricity. The problem is, America lacks the power plants to generate the required electricity, nor do we have a power grid capable of handling the added load. We must overcome these hurdles quickly to outpace China and other foreign competitors.

Outdated Power Grid

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Our power grid is ancient, slowly buckling under the stress of our modern machines. AAI’s energy demands could collapse it without a major upgrade. The last significant overhaul occurred under FDR nearly a century ago, when he connected rural America to electricity. Since then, we’ve patched the system piecemeal, but it’s still the same grid from the 1930s. Over 70 percent of the powerlines are 30 years old or older, and circuit breakers and other vital components are in similar condition. Most people wouldn't trust a dishwasher that was 30 years old, and yet much of our grid relies on technology from the era of VHS tapes.

Upgrading the grid would prevent cascading failures, rolling blackouts, and even EMP attacks. It would also enable new AI server farms while ensuring reliable power for all.

A Need for Energy

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Earlier this month, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt appeared before Congress as part of an AI panel and claimed that by 2030, the U.S. will need to add 96 gigawatts to our national power production to meet AI-driven demand. While some experts question this figure, the message is clear: We must rapidly expand power production. But where will this energy come from?

As much as eco nuts would love to power the world with sunshine and rainbows, we need a much more reliable and significantly more efficient power source if we want to meet our electricity goals. Nuclear power—efficient, powerful, and clean—is the answer. It’s time to shed outdated fears of atomic energy and embrace the superior electricity source. Building and maintaining new nuclear plants, along with upgraded infrastructure, would create thousands of high-paying American jobs. Nuclear energy will fuel AI, boost the economy, and modernize America’s decaying infrastructure.

A Bold Step into the Future

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This is President Trump’s chance to leave a historic mark on America, restoring our role as global leaders and innovators. Just as FDR’s power grid and plants made America the dominant force of the 20th century, Trump could upgrade our infrastructure to secure dominance in the 21st century. Visionary leadership must cut red tape and spark excitement in the industry. This is how Trump can make America great again.