The Glenn Beck Program
The Glenn Beck Program

Elon Musk's Flying Car Has Glenn Speechless | Guests: Ryan Walters & Brad Meltzer | 10/16/26

October 16, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

The DOJ Targets California's Voter Rolls, Banks Face New Scrutiny, and a Flying Car Takes Flight

On this episode of The Glenn Beck Program, the host covers three major stories: the Department of Justice's lawsuit against California over non-citizen voter registration, the Trump administration's removal of "reputational risk" as a basis for banks to close customer accounts, and Elon Musk's unveiling of a flying car. The connecting thread is a warning about bureaucratic overreach and a call for citizens to take action before the next election cycle.

The Banking Scandal and "Reputational Risk"

Beck's central argument concerns what he calls "the worst abuse of the Constitution I have ever seen in my lifetime": the use of "reputational risk" by federal bank regulators to pressure banks into closing accounts based on customers' political views, faith, or lawful businesses. He reports that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and other agencies flagged roughly 700,000 Americans — including people who purchased MAGA hats — and that banks were told they were under investigation for financial crimes without being informed the targeting was political.

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What you'll learn

  • 1 (00:02) **Election Day Ad & Show Open** - Glenn opens with a sponsored message about early voting, then introduces the show's lineup: an exclusive DOJ interview on California's voter rolls, an update on the banking surveillance story from yesterday, and the flying car announcement.
  • 2 (01:52) **Mercury One Anniversary & Banking Update** - Glenn promotes the Mercury One 15th anniversary gala, then delivers a detailed update on the federal government's use of "reputational risk" to pressure banks into closing accounts of conservative groups and individuals.
  • 3 (15:36) **Banking Action Steps & PCAF Warning** - Glenn tells listeners to find out where their money sleeps, ask their bank what alliances it has joined, and consider moving to a local credit union, while emphasizing that the Fair Access to Banking Act needs to be passed to make protections permanent.
  • 4 (25:42) **Exclusive DOJ Interview: Acting Deputy AG Trent McCotter** - Trent McCotter, acting deputy attorney general, joins to discuss the DOJ's lawsuit against California over non-citizens on voter rolls, revealing that California refused to open an encrypted drive with 20,000+ names of suspected non-citizen voters.
  • 5 (31:19) **DOJ Culture Shift & Jack Smith Fallout** - McCotter discusses the lawsuit from nine FBI agents who worked on Jack Smith's classified documents case, and confirms a "renewed sense of urgency" under Attorney General Todd Blanche to move cases forward.
  • 6 (38:11) **Inside Baseball: How Glenn Pressed the DOJ** - Glenn explains his strategy during the McCotter interview, revealing he was probing for confirmation on a tip from John Solomon about major DOJ investigations into the banking surveillance and other high-profile cases.
  • 7 (44:34) **Reputational Risk Recap & Flying Car Introduction** - Glenn recaps the banking scandal, linking it to his book "The Great Reset," then transitions to the main topic: Elon Musk's demonstration of the Tesla flying Roadster, which he calls the fulfillment of a childhood promise of flying cars.

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Show Notes

Glenn monologues on how banks are quietly denying services to customers who hold "controversial" political beliefs, labeling them "reputational risks." Glenn warns that this is the beginning of Marxism, as unelected persons are given massive power over everyday Americans, and also gives advice on how you can fight back against this. Acting Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotter joins to discuss why President Trump's DOJ is suing California over the number of noncitizens allegedly on California voter rolls. Elon Musk unveiled his latest invention, a merger between Tesla and SpaceX: the Roadster, a flying car. Teacher Freedom Alliance CEO Ryan Walters joins to discuss how teachers' unions often protect teachers accused of grooming and abusing their students. Author Brad Meltzer joins to discuss his newest book, "We Are the Wright Brothers," and what society needs to remember about the Wright brothers' determination and willpower. Glenn calls out members of his staff who happen to find certain socialist politicians attractive.

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