May 5th, 2026

Rough transcription of Hour 1

Segment 1
Hello, America. Mark Levin here, our number 877-381-3811.  877-381-3811. Mr. Producer told me earlier today, this is our 24th anniversary. When I started on conservative talk radio on Sundays on ABC in New York. It was owned by ABC Radio Networks. The program director was Phil Boyce. It was a great, great group, and I did that for some while. They asked me to take on the 6 p.m. slot and the 6 to 8 slot in the 6 to 9 slot. Then syndication followed. But 24 years. Great honor. Great honor on a great station. Maybe a little bit more of that later. We’ll see. I wanted again to do a little bit of history. We got plenty to talk about here and I want to get into it with Iran and some other things. But before I do. If you’ve heard of the Second Continental Congress. Right. It met in Philadelphia. That’s where the Declaration of Independence. Was drawn up and voted on. That’s one of the things we’re going to be celebrating, of course, if not the main thing. This year on July four, 250 years ago. It’s incredible when you really think about it. But there was a first Continental Congress, and I thought you might want to know about that, since it’s never discussed. And there’s a lot of great sites if you want to go to them and look at them. Mount Vernon has a great website. History has thought. Com history.com. There’s a lot of them. But the first Continental Congress is, as the Mount Vernon points out, convened in Carpenter’s Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Between September five and October 26, 1774. Now, remember, I’ve said many times really the Revolutionary War began before. Before. July four, 1776. In many respects, delegates from 12 of Britain’s 13 colonies, Georgia, did not show up, met to discuss America’s future under growing British aggression. The list of delegates included many prominent colonial leaders Sam Adams of Massachusetts, two future presidents, George Washington and and John Adams. Delegates discuss boycotting British goods to establish the rights of Americans and plan for a second Continental Congress. Now, the first Continental Congress was prompted by the coercive acts. The coercive acts. Known in America as the Intolerable Acts, which Parliament passed in early 1774, to reassert its dominance over the American colonies following the Boston Tea Party. Now the Intolerable Acts of 1774, among other changes, closed off Boston Port rescinded the Massachusetts charter, bringing the colony under more direct British control across North America. Colonists rose in solidarity with the people of Massachusetts and desired changes to tax policies they found oppressive. And Virginia. George Washington had participated in the authorship of the Fairfax results. A set of resolutions aimed at discuss discussing colonist rights, particularly to not have to pay unfair taxes. Now, remember, the British significantly raised taxes because they had been fighting a war with France, also Spain to a lesser extent over the territories in America. And it costs them a great, great deal. Britain and France. In writing about the resolves, Washington recalled the treatment of those in Boston, remarking that if the people of Boston by either immediately under the lash, by being immediately under the lash and considering the logistics of non importation for the people of Virginia. In other words, they couldn’t import anything. Washington’s support of using the non importation as leverage against the British can be traced back as far as 1769 and letters between him and George Mason. When the colonies first started publicly supporting non importation of British goods. Brian Fairfax, a long time friend of Washington’s, wrote to him urging him to not support the Continental Association, instead petitioned Parliament. Washington dismissed this suggestion, writing We have already petitioned His Majesty and I, and as humble and beautiful a manner as subjects can do. But nothing came of it. By late spring, 1774, nine of the colonies called for a continental Congress. Meeting in assemblies to discuss political issues was a colonial tradition. As each colony had held committees of correspondences in response to British taxes and to meet about local issues. Virginia’s Committee of Correspondence has largely credited with originating the invitation for all the colonies to meet. Now, footnote there. The convention of states that we talk about, the second wave amending the Constitution. The reason that is set up, the way it’s set up, for those of you who are involved in that movement, millions and millions of youth, including those who listen to this program. That convention of states is along these lines, a meeting of delegates sent from the states. To discuss ways in which to amend the Constitution. Which still requires. Ratification now by 38 states, three fourths of the state legislatures. So it’s not something that can be rammed through, but by any means it’s go on. So the colonies elected delegates to the first Continental Congress in 1774 in various ways. Some were elected through their respective colonial legislatures or a committee of correspondents as from Washington. He was elected with the other Virginia delegates at the first Virginia convention, which was called in support of Massachusetts following the passage of the Intolerable Acts. Georgia was the only colony that didn’t send any delegates to the first Continental Congress facing a war with neighboring Native American nations. The colonies didn’t want to jeopardize British support and assistance. So when Congress convened the first Continental Congress on September five, 1774, Peyton Randolph of Virginia. Was named president of the first Continental Congress. One of the Congress’s first decisions was to endorse the Suffolk resolves. Passed in Suffolk County, Massachusetts. They ordered citizens to not obey the Intolerable Acts, to refuse imported British goods to raise a militia. Congress’s early endorsement of Suffolk Resources was a clear indication of the mood and spirit in Philadelphia. Furthermore, the delegates promptly began drafting a discussing the Continental Association. This would become their most important policy outcome because the association called for an end to British imports starting in December 1774 and an end to exporting goods to Britain. In September 1775. This policy would be enforced by local and colony y committees of inspection. These committees would check ships that arrived in ports, forced colonists to sign documents pledging loyalty to the Continental Association and suppress mob violence. So you can see a lot of it already taken before July 4th, 1776. Now the committees of inspection even enforced frugality going so far as to end lavish funeral services and parties. Many colonial leaders hoped these efforts would bond the colonies together economically, so they were taking on the British. Their main trade partner, both purchasing and selling. And it is going to have a significant impact on on the colonies and on their economy. Here we are taking on the Iranian regime and the price of a gallon of gasoline goes up a buck or so. And you’d think it’s the end of the world, quite frankly. Now, Virginia secured the Continental Association its delay in ending exports in Britain and before the Continental Congress, Virginia passed its own association that delayed ending exports to avoid hurting farmers. Well, the sudden change in policy need to understand. These colonies had overlapping interests, but they were very different in terms of what they produced. They were very agrarian. Of course, they had some cities we would call, I guess, but they were very agrarian. The cotton producing southern states. I felt like initially that what was going on in New England was their problem. Because they sold. A significant amount of doubt. Most of the cotton to the British. Now, many delegates felt that using the Continental Association as leverage would be impracticable without explicit demands and a plan of redress. But Congress struggled to come up with a list of rights, grievances and demands. Furthermore, to only repeal laws they were unfavorable to the delegates without a list of rights would be a temporary fix to the larger issue of continued British abuse. To address these issues, Congress formed a grand committee. All debate was stalled for weeks while a statement of American rights was debated at length. I doubt most of you even were taught this or know this. This first Continental Congress producing this state almost two years, a little less than two years before July four, 1776. Now producing this statement required answering constitutional questions that have been asked for over a century. The hardest constitutional question surrounded Britain’s right to regulate trade. Joseph Galloway, a conservative delegate from Pennsylvania, insisted on releasing a statement clarifying Britain’s right to regulate trade in the American colonies. But other delegates were opposed to giving Britain explicit rights to colonial trade. And during the debate, Galloway introduced a plan of union between the American colonies and Britain. The Plan of Union called for the creation of a colonial parliament that will work hand in hand with the British Parliament. The British Parliament would appoint a President general and the colonial assemblies would appoint delegates for a three year term. They got very specific. But Galloway’s plan was defeated in a 6 to 5 vote. Congress put aside the debate over Britain’s right to regulate trade and focused on the Continental Association. I know I’m getting very much into the weeds here, but if I don’t do it, nobody will. And I also think everywhere I go, you folks told me this history stuff was very, very interesting. So it’s the 250th year Congress later returned to the discussion, or in this case, the 252nd year Congress later returned to the discussion of Congress’s right to regulate trade and settle on the original suggested text by the Grand committee and included in this Section four in the body’s Declaration of Rights and Grievances. So they. The Declaration of Rights and Grievances. And two years later they have a Declaration of Independence. Section four states, the foundation of English, liberty and of all free government is the right in the people to participate in their legislative Council. They wanted representation. Now, this allowed for Congress to move forward in their discussion and assert their right to participation in their government. But did not explicitly place limits on. It’s regulation of colonial trade. So the first Continental Congress most fateful decision was to call for a second Continental Congress to meet the following spring. Congress intended to give Britain time to respond to the Continental Association and discuss any developments at a Second Continental Congress. Washington went shopping for muskets and military apparel before leaving Philadelphia for Mount Vernon. Also, he placed an order for a book on military discipline. The war had not been declared and many delegates were still hoping for redress. There is no doubt that the American colonies and British were on the brink of conflict. Many delegates learned of the battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775. Enroute to Philadelphia. For the Second Continental Congress. And now, you know, but the first Continental Congress, you don’t need to know every little detail. But, you know, it was a prelude to the second Continental Congress. But that first Continental Congress, they were already concerned that they would be going to war. They already put a boycott on British goods and both ways they wouldn’t buy them or sell them. It’s going to have an economic impact on the colonists. They knew they were in for a big problem. And it was a big time war. I’ll be right back.

Segment 2
By the way, and we’ll get into this a little bit more deeply later. The last people we need to listen to about what we should do in our country, but what we should do in Iran are liberal or left wing. People who come from Britain. I didn’t say conservatives. Talk show hosts. Britain has destroyed itself. Or liberal or left wing people from France as they’ve destroyed themselves. Or liberal or left wing people anywhere from Europe because they’ve destroyed their whole continent. I don’t think we should be listening to them. They can’t even get their own act together. They’ve destroyed their own countries. Just like the liberal or left wing people in America, the Marxist Islamists as well as the Woke Reich neo fascist, are going to destroy this country if we don’t stand up to them. But we will no matter what. When we come back. Almost 13 years ago to the day, the Boston Marathon terrorist attack. And I want to tell you about that related to this program, because it was considered a very, very famous time in radio what took place then. We’ll be right back.

Segment 3
April 19, 2013. The horrendous terrorist attack on the Boston Marathon took place. And the two individuals. The capture of designer Sandra Sarnoff and his brother, I believe, was killed. Right, Mr. Producer? In any event, my memory fails a little bit. What happened was for the entire 3 hours of the program. Mr. Call screener at that time. Guns on my guns and guns. And my executive producer has always been there. Which cement. Well, Guns was listening in. On the police scanner. He turned it to some channel, He was able to hear it. And he was passing the information on to me how they were tracking them down. The number of resources they were using, what neighborhoods they were in, what streets they were on. But they were hiding in a boat. In Watertown, Massachusetts. Now, I was very, very careful not to give up any information. That might be used by the terrorists. To allude the police officers that said since they were on foot, they couldn’t hear us anyway. They’re on foot. And I remember getting a call. From a senior vice president. A cumulus. So that’s some of the greatest radio they ever listened to. I mean, we knew we were making radio history then, didn’t we, Mr. Producer? It was really remarkable. Now we have a couple of minutes of a winning run and we can’t play the whole thing, but I’ll play you two or 3 minutes of it. It was at the very end. You won’t feel the the necessarily the full intensity of what was taking place that day because it was really quite remarkable. Incredible. It was talked about for weeks and weeks beyond. But guns happen to have a. A scanner and he could hear the what the police were saying to each other. Cut one. Go. All right. On the scanner. The media is trying to go through the back streets of Franklin Street instead of Parker. Now, you see this. The media is trying to get to the scene. That’s how I take it. Mr. Call screener you to the media. The slime balls are trying to evade orders and go through the back streets of Franklin Street instead of Parker. And obviously, I don’t know where these streets are, but you people who live in those areas and in Watertown, you know, where they are can always count on the media. Media is useless. By that I mean the pretend news media. All right. On the scanner. Clear that damn media off the roof. What the hell is wrong with you? Media? Get the hell off the roof. You believe this, Mr. Producer? You damn phony reporters. Get off the roof. That’s what the cops are saying on the scanner. Get the damn media off the roof. They’re trying to keep the area clear. They’re trying to secure the area to try to apprehend the terrorists and the media is getting in the way. All right. On the scanner. All officers hold fast, hold fast. Canine units deployed. All officers hold fast. Hold fast. Canine units deployed. That’s pretty smart. So that’s what they’re doing there. I told you, you’re going to know it is faster than anybody else because I want to know it faster than anybody else. Not not because I want to be the first. Because I want to know. All right. They have a hostage rescue team. Wait a minute. What’s this? Do not move in on the boat. HRT only. No. Tactical HRT. That’s the hostage rescue team. Interesting. Again, they’re trying to take him alive hostage rescue team. They’re trying to take him out. I’m emphasizing this as much as I can, because if the winds up, they don’t take him alive. I know that nutcases out there are going to be claiming a cover up. All right. Stock suspect in custody. Suspect in custody. I’ll be the first one to report it. Suspect in custody. Say again? Somebody screaming. Medics. Medics. Keep tight. Perimeter suspect in custody. How about that? You’ve heard it here first. Not that that means anything. Suspect in custody. Crowd is cheering in the background. You can hear that. All right. They want to keep their perimeter. They’re bringing in the medics. He’s in custody and the crowd is cheering. And now you can see the police officers who were not at the immediate scene moving. You can see activity all right on the scanner. Still a hot scene. Still a hot scene. Keep a tight perimeter. All right. Well, you just heard last about 3 minutes, but there was quite a day that was absolutely wild. We also have used this program in the past. To advance our mission. Especially on election eve. An election eve November 2016, when everybody had counted Trump out. And claimed that Hillary would win. This audience has a. Massive reach. There are millions and millions of you, and we reach every corner of the country. Some people say they’re on 500 stations, 700 stations. We’re on about 450, and we’re on stations that actually are listened to not. Not jokes where people just run up the numbers. I don’t waste my time with that. Ron, many of the biggest stations in the nation. Well, all of you folks are able to listen to the program. And so this is November eight, 2016, November eight, 2016. And again, remember 6 to 9 p.m.. When many. Voting locations, depending on the county, depending on the on the state. Have final hours of voting and are about to close down. And people are in their trucks, they’re in their cars, they’re at the dinner table or at work. And I do everything I can. They get as many folks out there who are thinking about voting but haven’t voted yet to get them to the polling places. I actually believe. Then when the day comes and I. I decide to step down from this, which isn’t right away. Relax. But if when that day comes, I worry about it because I think it’ll hurt us. Which is why I fight hard on all these platforms. Cut to again November eight, 2016. Go. Let’s get right to this on election night. You need to know something, I am told. Pennsylvania, Michigan, North Carolina. Florida. Very, very close. So if you’re in line, if you’re in your car, you said, well, I don’t need to vote. It doesn’t matter. Actually, I’m told it does matter. Not from the Trump campaign, by the way, I’m looking at independent numbers. Pennsylvania, Michigan, we’re all over these states. North Carolina, excuse me, Florida, very close. Now, these are earlier states, so you can, in fact, make a difference. I would encourage Luddites. Stop whatever you’re doing and get to your polling place. Many of you are in line, many of you in your cars, and it’s very, very tight in a number of these states. And then, of course. November 5th, 2020, for this past election. Cut three ago. I’m tired of these candy asses going on who’ve been hanging around forever, telling us everything’s going to be just fine. You should be very concerned about this election. You just heard it from Lawrence O’Donnell. You just heard it from Jen Psaki. They’re long time Democrats, staffers and operatives. This isn’t a debate or a dispute over a little policy here in there. It’s about our founding document. It’s about our system of government that constitutes what protects us. So those of you who haven’t voted yet, we’re still thinking about it. You better get your asses to your precincts. And I’m not kidding. You owe it to the country. You owe it to your family. And those of you who are in line. Thank you. Stay in line. Do not leave. You can eat dinner later. Do not let them dispirit you. Wear you down. Stay in line and vote. Because I noticed on Back live that on election eve, the media do the very best they can. To discourage you from voting. And it’s over that the numbers have come in and so forth and so on. Mr. Producer. And I remember when George Bush 43 was running against John Kerry. And the numbers came in that John Kerry was leading George Bush in Pennsylvania by 16 points. You remember that, Rich? I said, Wait a minute, I’m from Pennsylvania. Nobody leads anybody by 16 points. That is that is a lie. That is disinformation. And so I am proud of what we do here every day, and I’m proud of what we do here on election eve. I’m proud of what we do here leading up to elections like this coming midterm election. I’m proud that we use this platform to provide you with real news and information and history and economics and philosophy and all those things that make talk radio, AM and FM. Satellite. So unique. So. Compelling, I believe. It really does. And this is a national show. And yet it’s a national show that discusses issues and matters. Sometimes local to your area or your state or nationally, but are always important no matter who you are, no matter where you’re listening. No matter how you’re listening. Very, very important. We’ve changed this. The genre for the good. Over the years. Soon to be quarter century, believe it or not. We’ve changed it in ways I think have been. Very, very important. And I think it’s helped to contribute to the longevity of this platform, this kind of radio and radio period. I’ll be right back.

Segment 4
You know, the military economic operations against the Iranian regime have been spectacularly successful. Producers deciding how he will end it. But he wisely rejects the lunacy of the left and the isolationist who demand lose at any cost. That is, get out and get out fast. In other words, leave the regime where it can reconstitute its nuclear and ballistic programs. Where China and Russia can regain a foothold. Where the Arab Gulf states are left without protection and tens of thousands of Iranian people are subjected to more mass slaughter. And we’re to believe that this will have a political benefit for the president. Isn’t that insane, Mr. Producer? And I’m writing this now because this is the position of the Woke Reich podcasters. I was also thinking, ladies and gentlemen. And you are. Discerning people. You’re smart people. The vast majority of these people. Our elitists. Who’ve been in broadcasting or journalism. And have failed. Almost every one of them has been fired. So they’re left to do podcasting. In and of itself. There’s nothing wrong with it. But that’s not where they wanted to take their careers. It’s just where they wind up. Many of them, if not most, are multimillionaires. Generated by how many eyes? There could be eyes in the mountains of Pakistan or whatever. They can generate. On their podcast. But on this issue of Iran. There are people rooting for us to lose. There are people who are rooting for the president. To fail. Our military to fail. So they can say, Look at us. We were right. But they were never right. Whether we win the election or lose the election. They were never right. Ever. Most of them have been excommunicated, as I’ll say, from MAGA and the conservative movement. And now they’re joining up with the Democrats and the left. I predicted all this. I told you all this was taking place. They don’t have 24 years. A principled, thoughtful, substantive, historic, philosophical, economic discussions with millions of you. They don’t have it. They never believed in the Reagan revolution. They never believed in the Tea Party revolution. They never believed in convention of states and they never believed in Trump. Despite saying they do. And the deceit is incredible. Mark was never Trump. Remember that, Mr. Producer? I’ve explained it repeatedly, but it doesn’t seem to matter. For one day. I backed Ted Cruz in the primaries. So did many of you. And when Ted Cruz, who fought a great campaign, lost and Donald Trump won. You and I in this audience immediately supported Donald Trump. As I’ve told the president. It has become a dear friend of mine. I didn’t know. You didn’t know anything about you. But we fought fair. That’s what you do in a Republican primary. There’ll be another Republican primary. We don’t believe in coronations. The Democrats do. There’ll be another hard fought Republican primary. President chose as its vice president somebody who said horrible things about him. But obviously, JD doesn’t believe that today. And most of the podcasters have said horrendous things about the president. So that’s not the issue. The issue is some of us are driven by principles and values and beliefs, and these other people are driven by money. I’m being honest with you and being very honest with you. Oh, man, Oh, man show. It’s a lot more left. We’ll be right back.