Glenn Beck says, ‘Obama made me a better man’
Glenn Beck is a changed man, and for that he credits the Obamas.
The political commentator who rose to prominence as a conservative firebrand scrawling conspiratorial arguments across a chalkboard on Fox News now says President Obama made him a “better man” and that he was moved by first lady Michelle Obama’s remarks while campaigning for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.
In a short but revealing profile titled “Glenn Beck Tries Out Decency,” published on the New Yorker’s website Monday, Beck made several revelations about his recent worldview that came as a shock to supporters and critics. He said he regrets accusing President Obama of racism. In July 2009, Beck provoked intense backlash for saying the commander in chief had a “deep-seated hatred for white people.”
“I did a lot of freaking out about Barack Obama,” Beck told the magazine. “Obama made me a better man.”
“There are things unique to the African-American experience that I cannot relate to,” he told the New Yorker. “I had to listen to them.”
Beck also admitted to being mesmerized by a recent Michelle Obama speech in New Hampshire on behalf of Clinton, in which she criticized Republican candidate Donald Trump’s past behavior around women.
“It doesn’t matter what party you belong to — Democrat, Republican, Independent — no woman deserves to be treated this way,” the first lady said.
For Beck, it was “the most effective political speech I have heard since Ronald Reagan.”
“Those words hit me where I live,” he said. “If you’re a decent human being, those words were dead on.”
Read: Live coverage: Election Day 2016
According to the New Yorker profile, Beck considers himself a supporter of Black Lives Matter, the prominent activist network protesting what it considers systemic police brutality against African-Americans. However, after the piece appeared, Nick Baumann of liberal website Mother Jones, reported that a member of Beck’s publicity team said he does not support the Black Lives Matter movement.
Regardless, the Beck of 2016 is a far cry from yesteryear.
_____
Related slideshows:
Election Night in America! >>>
Americans go to the polls to elect the 45th president >>>
Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump hold final rallies on Election Day eve >>>
Donald Trump’s America, Part 2 >>>
Donald Trump inspires his own brand of fashion on the campaign trail >>>
Face-off: Documenting the expressive battle between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump >>>
