It was Coco Chanel who said, “In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different.” She was talking about fashion and personal branding, of course.
However, during the dark years of World War II, the maxim took on a dark meaning when the visionary fashion icon’s drive to remain indispensable led to cultivated strategic ties with German elites in order to secure her personal safety, social status, and business interests in Nazi-occupied France.
Glenn Beck, who just returned from vacation in Europe, tells Stu Burguiere that many have no idea that “Coco Chanel was a despicable human being.”
During WWII, “most of the designers just close down and they're like, ‘We're not making anything for anybody right now.’ But not Coco Chanel. She decides she's going to move into the hotel where all the Nazis are,” says Glenn.
Once she was living in the Ritz, she started “making dresses for the Nazi wives” and “[sleeping] around a little bit with a few Nazis.” One Nazi she had a strategic romantic relationship with was Hans Günther von Dincklage, a German intelligence officer who gave her protection and influence.
At one point, she outed the French Jewish family who had partnered with her to fund the iconic perfume Chanel No. 5, but thankfully, they had already “transferred ownership to somebody else” by that point.
“Is it fair to call her a Nazi spy?” asks Stu.
“Yeah, she was known as a Nazi spy,” says Glenn.
But if her Nazi allegiance was well-known in France, how is her brand still thriving today?
It turns out that the answer lies right here in America.
When the war ended and she saw that Nazi collaborators were being executed, Chanel moved to Switzerland. From there, she put together a French couture show, which Vogue Paris rejected due to her Nazi ties.
However, Vogue America — “the same people that started the Met Gala in 1948” — decided to “whitewash her,” says Glenn.
“They brought her out on a new collection” that pitched “the little black dress,” which to this day is said to be something every woman should own. Her brand soared again.
“When did Vogue magazine come out and go, ‘You know what? That whole Nazi thing with Chanel was probably pretty bad’? Oh, I don't know — never!” says Glenn.
To hear more about Coco Chanel’s Nazi ties, as well as the story of another French designer who was a war hero, watch the episode above.
To enjoy more of Stu's lethal wit, wisdom, and mockery, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.
Glenn Beck was recently invited to Mar-a-Lago to give a history speech in front of Donald Trump at a PragerU event. When he was planning what he would say, Glenn decided his speech would benefit from the addition of two odd props: William Wallace's sword from "Braveheart" and a World War II-era rat with a bomb in its butt.
He didn’t, however, consider the implications of bringing these weapons to one of the most secure places in the country. The ordeal ended in a hilarious story that put down Glenn in the history books as a Secret Service legend.
“I don't write my speeches, I just kind of go through the vault, and I'm like, I want to tell that story and that story and that story. So I grabbed a bunch of stuff and didn't really put a lot of thought into it until we started approaching Mar-a-Lago,” says Glenn, recounting the story.
From multiple security clearances to fleets of Secret Service trucks to “old school buses” surrounding Trump’s airplane, Glenn describes getting into the estate as “a nightmare.”
“The security around him now is absolutely incredible,” he tells co-host Stu Burguiere.
At one security checkpoint, Secret Service agents asked Glenn if he had any weapons in his vehicle. He said no (the reality that his speech props were in fact weapons having slipped his mind).
When he got to another security checkpoint, agents opened the hood and all the doors of the car, brought the dogs out, and started in on their questions. That’s when Glenn realized he had misspoken. When he explained to the agent, who luckily recognized Glenn, that his speech props were technically weapons, he was waved through to the next security checkpoint, where the entire process began again.
When an agent asked again if Glenn had any weapons, this time his answer was “well, kind of” before explaining that he was carrying a broadsword from "Braveheart" and a WWII-era bomb.
The agents, thankfully, thought the situation was hilarious.
“They were taking pictures of everything; they were laughing; they were like, ‘This is now lore,’” laughs Glenn.
Regardless of the humorous nature of the situation, they still had a job to do.
“They were like, ‘OK, the rat — let’s X-ray the rat.”’ After finding that the rat was full of wires, “The head guy comes over, and he said, ‘We really don't know what to do here,”’ Glenn recounts.
Finally, Glenn was told that the agents would keep both the sword and the rat bomb until 30 minutes prior to his scheduled speech, at which time they would have a decision.
When it came time for Glenn’s speech, an agent told Glenn that they would need to “remain with the sword and the rat” but that the event was nonetheless “legendary.”
To hear Glenn’s much funnier retelling of the event, watch the clip above.
To enjoy more of Glenn’s masterful storytelling, thought-provoking analysis, and uncanny ability to make sense of the chaos, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.
In the aftermath of President-elect Donald Trump's landslide victory, former Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell compared the MAGA movement to American isolationists in the 1930s, insinuating that Trump would have been indifferent to the fascist uprising in Europe at the time.
Trump, whose foreign policy is far more hands-off than McConnell's hawkish approach, is fundamentally at odds with the former leader's geopolitical worldview. Consequently, McConnell spoke about the current state of foreign affairs and said it was "reminiscent" of the times leading up to World War II, criticizing American isolationists from both today and nearly a century ago.
It all comes down to McConnell and money. McConnell has greenlit over $170 billion to Ukraine, while Trump has repeatedly called for an end to the war altogether.
“We’re in a very, very dangerous world right now, reminiscent of before World War II,” McConnell said. “Even the slogan is the same. ‘America First.’ That was what they said in the ’30s.”
McConnell has famously been a thorn in Trump's side and has been a staunch critic of the president-elect, both on and off the record. He reiterated his opposition to Trump and said he intends to push back on him and the incoming administration.
“No matter who got elected president, I think it was going to require significant pushback, yeah, and I intend to be one of the pushers," McConnell said.
It all comes down to McConnell and money. McConnell has greenlit over $170 billion to Ukraine, while Trump has repeatedly called for an end to the war altogether.
“To most American voters, I think the simple answer is, ‘Let’s stay out of it,'" McConnell said. "That was the argument made in the ’30s, and that just won’t work. Thanks to Reagan, we know what does work — not just saying peace through strength, but demonstrating it.”
While McConnell may have stepped down from his leadership role, his grip on foreign funding is not loosening any time soon. McConnell notably stepped into the new role of chairing the Senate appropriations subcommittee on defense, which will allow him to continue influencing the cash flow to our "democratic allies."
“That’s where the real money is,” McConnell said.
While he didn't say how much more money he is willing to approve for foreign conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war, he said, "The goal here is for the Russians not to win."
"We've got two democratic allies fighting for their lives," McConnell said. "I don't think we ought to micromanage what they think is necessary to win."
McConnell has generously signed off on hundreds of billions of dollars of foreign funding. At the same time, Trump poses a threat to McConnell's preferred foreign policy. As a result, McConnell resorted to drawing perverse comparisons between Trump and American isolationists who were lukewarm about fascistic uprisings in Europe during the 1930s.
That being said, McConnell likely draws this comparison because Trump is a legitimate threat to the political infrastructure he has built since he was first elected Republican Senate leader in 2007.
McConnell can't dispute Trump's support, even admitting that the president-elect has become the most influential Republican in the party. One thing is for sure: The old-guard Senate Republicans, especially McConnell, won't go down without a fight.
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Following the massive popularity of "Band of Brothers," "The Pacific," and "Saving Private Ryan," Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg have reunited to release "Masters of the Air." The upcoming drama documents the efforts by the 8th Air Force that made unimaginable sacrifices to help defeat Nazi Germany in World War II.
In what has been a work in progress for a decade, the long-awaited "Masters of the Air" finally has a premiere date. Originally confirmed by HBO in January 2013, "Masters of the Air" will premiere on Apple TV+ on Jan. 26, 2024.
The upcoming World War II drama series is being produced by Hanks, Spielberg, and Gary Goetzman.
"Masters of the Air" stars Austin Butler – who was nominated for an Academy Award for his portrayal of Elvis Presley in the 2022 movie "Elvis." The series also features Academy Award-nominated Barry Keoghan, Callum Turner, Anthony Boyle, Nate Mann, Rafferty Law, Josiah Cross, Branden Cook, and Ncuti Gatwa.
The nine-episode streaming series is based on Donald L. Miller's book of the same name.
"'Masters of the Air' is a salute to the brave men of the 8th Air Force, who, through their courage and brotherhood, helped defeat Nazi Germany in World War II," executive producer Goetzman said in a press release. "Tom and Steven have always wanted to visualize cinematically what our author Don Miller has called, this 'singular event in the history of warfare.' We’re thrilled that Apple TV+ has given us the opportunity to combine the efforts of so many talented people, on-screen and behind the camera, to tell this important story."
The official synopsis of the series:
"Masters of the Air" follows the men of the 100th Bomb Group (the “Bloody Hundredth”) as they conduct perilous bombing raids over Nazi Germany and grapple with the frigid conditions, lack of oxygen and sheer terror of combat conducted at 25,000 feet in the air. Portraying the psychological and emotional price paid by these young men as they helped destroy the horror of Hitler’s Third Reich, is at the heart of “Masters of the Air.” Some were shot down and captured; some were wounded or killed. And some were lucky enough to make it home. Regardless of individual fate, a toll was exacted on them all.
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The 8th Air Force ventured deep into Nazi territory in an attempt to handicap Germany's war machine. However, the daylight bombing campaign proved to be extremely dangerous.
During a mission to bomb German ball bearing factories on Oct. 14, 1943, the 8th Air Force suffered so many casualties that the day was known as "Black Thursday." U.S. B-17 and B-24 heavy bombers flew over Nazi Germany without any fighter protection because the smaller planes didn't have the extensive range like the massive four-engine bombers. The gamble proved to be tragic.
Fighter planes of the Luftwaffe induced devastating losses on the 8th Air Force – also known as the "Bloody Hundredth."
According to the National WWII Museum, "By the time the Americans returned home, they had lost 60 B-17s, another 17 were no longer airworthy, and an additional 121 received minor damage. That was only the material loss. The number of aircrew killed, wounded, or missing in action was more than 600, totaling almost 20 percent of the men sortied."
Despite the soul-crushing losses, the 8th Air Force adopted new tactics and America soon produced fighter planes with extended range to escort the Flying Fortresses.
The "Mighty Eighth" would continue to batter Germany's industrial centers to help cripple the Nazi's military production – unleashing 697,000 tons of bombs over 440,000 bomber sorties.
The destruction of Germany's infrastructure came at a steep price – 47,000 of the 115,000 U.S. Army Air Force casualties were from the Mighty Eighth.
The Mighty Eighth's brave men earned 17 Medals of Honor, 220 Distinguished Service Crosses, and 442,000 Air Medals.
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How The 8th Air Force Ruled The Skies Over Europe | Battle Honours | War Stories www.youtube.com
Christopher Nolan's "Oppenheimer" is a box office hit.
The film depicts J. Robert Oppenheimer’s internal struggles with creating the atomic bomb. While he knew its creation could bring about the end of World War II, he also knew it could bring about the destruction of the world.
However, what the film doesn’t do is what Glenn Beck just did: bring to life what really happened during the atomic bomb attacks.
Glenn reads an original letter — which he just acquired for his museum — penned by the copilot of the Enola Gay to his parents.
“We are loaded. The bomb is now alive. It’s a disturbing and funny feeling, knowing it’s right in back of you,” he writes.
“There in front of our eyes was it,” the letter continues, “without a doubt, the greatest explosion man has ever witnessed.”
“I am certain the entire crew felt this experience was more than any human had ever thought possible. It just seems impossible to comprehend. Just how many did we kill?” the copilot added.
The letter isn’t all Glenn has in his possession.
“Because Oppenheimer saw what could be done,” Glenn explains, “and all of the scientists involved knew the destructive power, they made Truman a deal. You can only drop this if you warn the people.”
Glenn has also acquired leaflets that the U.S. distributed to the Japanese people who were in danger from the atomic bomb.
“They say you’re not our enemies, we’re picking these ten cities, and in the next ten days we will drop a bomb of more destructive power than is imaginable,” Glenn says.
According to Glenn, 70 million of these leaflets were dropped.
“Nobody had ever done that ever, in the history of the world.”
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The United States has protected and bailed out Europe for far too long.
Eighty years ago, the D-Day invasion was essential in securing freedom and ensuring Christian civilization was to be saved.
Led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Zelensky, the assembly offered a standing ovation to a Ukrainian Nazi who fought in World War II.
Nolan's excellent handling of all this isn't just in the visuals as the director, but also in the script as both writer and adapter.
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