Armstrong & Getty On Demand – "Find a Better Angel"

Date: September 11, 2025
Hosts: Jack Armstrong & Joe Getty
Guests/Panelists: Scott Jennings (CNN contributor), clips from Charlie Kirk, Andy Ngo (via article references), MSNBC coverage

Overview

This episode centers on the aftermath of the assassination of Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative activist, who was shot during an event in Utah. Armstrong, Getty, and Jennings reflect on the killing's personal, political, and cultural impacts, condemning political violence and discussing the reactions across the media and society. The episode scrutinizes how the media covered the event, explores the roots and consequences of political hatred, and ponders the disturbing role of online radicalization and youth desensitization. Notable soundbites and reporting from the shooting, including MSNBC’s controversial coverage and public/pundit responses, are analyzed in depth.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Shock and Disbelief Over Charlie Kirk's Assassination

• Armstrong and Jennings open with expressions of disbelief, referencing the recent spate of political violence against conservative figures.

• Both reflect somberly on the personal tragedy for Kirk's family and caution against dehumanizing even ideological opponents.

  • Quote:
    "Now they shot Charlie. And I'm not sure it's safe to be an outspoken conservative walking around in America right now."
    – Jack Armstrong (00:41)

• Political violence, regardless of the victim's character, is seen as a threat to democratic society.

  • Quote:
    "If we allow political violence... it's going to destroy our country."
    – Jack Armstrong (01:51)

2. Reaction & Responsibility in Media Coverage

• The hosts critique sections of media for victim-blaming, referencing MSNBC's coverage and the immediate firing of commentator Matthew Dowd for suggesting Kirk incited his own fate.

  • Memorable Exchange:
    "When he said the whole a supporter shooting his gun off, I thought that's just stupid. I didn't know he'd get end up getting fired like bye bye."
    – Jack Armstrong (13:55)
  • Quote:
    "Please note the repeated use of the term hate speech."
    – Scott Jennings (15:46)

• They commend other outlets (notably ABC News) for treating the event with due gravity and warn against normalizing retribution for political speech.

3. The Radicalization of Public Discourse

• Jennings draws parallels between the rhetoric from certain ideological extremes and historical patterns of Marxist revolutions, suggesting that dehumanizing opponents sets the stage for violence.

  • Quote:
    "One thing about Marxists is ... if you are successful in calling out their lies, they will kill you."
    – Scott Jennings (03:36)

• The episode reviews hateful online reactions, with some activists and Twitter users applauding the killing, which the hosts find profoundly troubling.

  • Quote:
    "To hear the whole package cheered by activists and young people... makes me fear for their souls."
    – Scott Jennings (01:54)

4. Examining Charlie Kirk’s Actual Rhetoric

• The hosts play a Charlie Kirk exchange with a transgender college student, illustrating his measured, empathetic approach – directly rebutting claims of "hate speech."

  • Clip:
    "I want you to be very cautious putting drugs into your system... my prayer for you... I actually want to see you be comfortable in how you were born."
    – Charlie Kirk (05:30)
  • Comment:
    "That's the hate speech you hear the left talking about."
    – Scott Jennings (06:15)

• They lament the closing of debate in campus and media environments, arguing that disagreement is equated with hate, leading to dangerous justifications for political violence.

5. Anatomy of the Attack & Investigation Updates

• They recap the investigation's developments:

  • The shooter was captured on video, the weapon found, and evidence suggests a young, college-aged male suspect.
  • Details emerge that ammunition was engraved with "transgender" and "antifa/anti-fascist" slogans (per The Wall Street Journal).
    • Quote:
      "Investigators found ammunition engraved with expressions of transgender and anti fascist ideology..."
      – Scott Jennings (21:30)

• Discussion on whether the timing of Kirk’s remarks about transgender mass shootings and the attack is coincidental or direct causation.

6. The Dangers of Internet Misinformation and Radicalization

• The Internet rapidly misidentifies suspects and disseminates rumors.
• Past incidents of misinformation (e.g., Sacramento Bee falsely reporting that Kirk called for lynchings) are highlighted for their potential to drive unstable individuals to violence.
  • Quote:
    "If you hear that and believe it... You could justify your physical, your political violence in your mind especially if you're not completely mentally healthy."
    – Jack Armstrong (37:57)

7. Political and Societal Response to Violence

• Bipartisan condemnation of the assassination is noted, but the hosts question whether it's sufficient to lower the national temperature.

• They stress that violence, even committed against ideological adversaries, is abhorrent and that empathy must extend to all.

  • Quote:
    "You have no soul. You're a bad person. Perhaps you were led to being a bad person by the people who are supposed to educate you."
    – Scott Jennings (17:23)

• Governor Spencer Cox of Utah is commended for unequivocally labeling the murder as a political assassination and calling for unity.

  • Clip:
    "I want to be very clear that this is a political assassination."
    – Gov. Spencer Cox (35:06)

8. Youth Desensitization and The Spread of Graphic Content

• Both Armstrong and the show’s producer recount their teen sons having already seen graphic footage of the murder circulating among classmates, noting how youth are desensitized due to constant exposure to violence online.

  • Quote:
    "Our kids had seen this multiple times at school... everybody was passing it around and watching it. And how disturbed did your son seem to be by it? ...my son was. Seemed a pretty blase about it."
    – Jack Armstrong (26:43)

• The panel reflects on the gradual versus immediate exposure to graphic material between previous generations and today’s youth, relating studies on military desensitization to the possible social consequences for civilian kids.

  • Quote:
    "Desensitization has an effect."
    – Scott Jennings (31:31)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Political Condemnation:
  "Every single man, woman and child in society must be vehemently against [political violence]."
  – Scott Jennings (10:36)
• On Media Accountability:
  "To NBC's credit, they fired Him, I mean, like within hours... That will get the attention of other pundits..."
  – Jack Armstrong (16:50)
• On Empathy for Adversaries:
  "If somebody were to shoot [Gov. JB Pritzker] in the throat, I would be horrified by that. Just horrified. Horrified."
  – Scott Jennings (17:57)
• On Teaching Kids About Tragedy:
  "The days of a tragic news event happening and then you deciding how you want to talk to your kids about it are over... They're gonna get all of the worst aspects of it..."
  – Jack Armstrong (27:53)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Discussion of the assassination, immediate reactions: 00:28 – 02:56
• Charlie Kirk’s campus exchange on transgender issues (audio): 04:58 – 06:15
• Media criticism, MSNBC, and Matthew Dowd’s firing: 12:33 – 17:23
• Investigation updates and ideological clues: 21:27 – 22:51
• Youth desensitization discussion: 26:43 – 32:03
• Governor Cox’s statement on political assassination: 34:54 – 35:27
• Reflections on Andy Ngo and dangerous disinformation: 36:41 – 38:12

Tone & Concluding Reflections

The episode maintains a serious, sometimes somber tone, with moments of exasperation and righteous anger at extremism and political violence—balanced with clear concern for the wellbeing of society and young people. The hosts repeatedly call for compassion, reason, and the rejection of violence as a political tool.

The episode closes with the hosts expressing uncertainty about solutions but unwavering clarity on the moral imperative to condemn political assassinations and restore decency in public life.

For listeners wanting the essence of the episode: Armstrong & Getty unpack the tragic murder of Charlie Kirk, sharply rebuke political violence and media irresponsibility, and advocate for a "better angel" in American public life—while grappling with the troubling social forces that led to this dark moment.