Balance of Power — Police Hunt Charlie Kirk Killer

Bloomberg Radio | September 11, 2025
Hosts: Joe Mathieu, Kailey Leinz
Special Guests: Frank Luntz, Brian Stile (R–WI), Haley Stevens (D–MI), Jeannie Shanzano, Greta Joins

Episode Overview

In this urgent episode, the Balance of Power team responds to the breaking news of political activist Charlie Kirk’s assassination at Utah Valley University. The discussion spans the manhunt for the alleged killer, security implications for public officials, the toxic climate of political rhetoric, and the broader context of rising violence in U.S. politics.

Hosts Joe Mathieu and Kailey Leinz speak with political strategist Frank Luntz, Rep. Brian Stile (R–WI), Rep. Haley Stevens (D–MI), and panelists Jeannie Shanzano and Greta Joins, exploring the state of American democracy, the dangers of polarization, and the urgent need for national unity and candid dialogue.

Key Discussion Segments & Insights

Breaking News: The Manhunt and Investigation

00:55–05:30

• FBI Manhunt: An FBI alert has been issued with a photo of the suspect in Charlie Kirk’s shooting; shooter remains at large.
• Details of Incident: Single shot was fired from a rooftop 200 yards away as Kirk addressed a crowd of over 3,000.
• Evidence Recovered: Authorities found a high-powered bolt-action rifle, a palm print, and a footwear impression near the scene.
• President’s Response (Donald Trump): Promises a "virtual manhunt," intends to award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and to support Kirk’s family.

"It is that officials say there was a single shot fired from the roof of a building about 200 yards away from where Kirk was addressing the crowd." — Tyler Kendall (White House Correspondent) [04:30]

The Politics of Tragedy: Reflections from Frank Luntz

07:01–14:22

The Climate of Despair and Blame

• Bipartisan Grief: Elected officials from both parties express anger and frustration at those exploiting the tragedy for political gain.
• A Call for Decency: Luntz urges Americans to say "enough" to political violence and the culture of demonization.
• Personal Reaction: Luntz reflects on witnessing the assassination video: "This is not Hollywood. This is not entertainment. This is a human being who was gunned down while participating in his constitutional rights." [10:31]
• Social Media’s Role: Criticism of social media for amplifying hate and normalizing violence.
• Generational Impact: Fears that young people are learning destructive political behaviors.

"We need to come together as a country and say enough. Enough political violence, enough destroying each other." — Frank Luntz [07:01]

"These are not random circumstances...Say to ourselves, enough. And that's the word that I’m going to leave this answer to your question with: enough." — Frank Luntz [07:58]

Avoiding the Blame Game

• Expresses deep concern about public figures overtly blaming media and political opponents for fomenting violence.
• "Let us commit today at this moment that we only speak the truth, even if it hurts us, that we only speak the truth, even if it helps somebody else. Because in the end, we will be a stronger country and we will grow from this horrible moment if we affirm the importance of the truth. And if we don't, then this is only the beginning." — Frank Luntz [13:25]

Congressional Voices: Security, Rhetoric, and Democracy at Risk

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson on Safety and Social Media

16:34–17:20

• Highlights security concerns for public officials and a shift in public tone due to social media:

"There are deranged people in society and if they are encouraged...they will do dangerous things...I think social media has been a toxin in politics." — Mike Johnson [16:34]

Rep. Brian Stile (R–WI): Security & Political Dialogue

17:54–28:32

• Personal Reflection: Expresses sorrow and frustration, mourning Kirk as a leader on conservative campuses.

"It was both a moment where my heart sunk, but also a frustration with this type of political violence." — Brian Stile [17:54]

• Civility Across the Aisle: Stresses that policy disagreements need not equate to personal animosity.
• Rhetoric as Risk: Raises concern that vitriolic language around President Trump and others is "dangerous" and blurs line between robust debate and dangerous incitement.

"Some of the rhetoric against President Trump...has unquestionably crossed the line." [19:22]

• Security Measures: Notes recent enhancements to security but emphasizes, "You can't simply secure your way out of the challenges that we face right now." [22:11]
• Fear of Depleted Civic Engagement: Worries violence deters high-quality candidates from public service.
• Congressional Tensions: Describes emotional volatility in the House following Kirk’s killing.
• Budget and Governance: Calls for productive compromise to avoid government shutdown.

Rep. Haley Stevens (D–MI): Unity, Safety, and Real Bipartisanship

30:00–38:11

• Condemnation of Violence: Calls Kirk’s assassination "tragic" and "unacceptable," urges for de-escalation.

"Rising political violence is not acceptable, has never been acceptable and cannot be accepted." — Haley Stevens [30:55]

• Proud Service Amid Risk: Acknowledges personal safety concerns but refuses to "put our heads in the sand."
• Democracy in Action: Encourages Americans to watch Congressional debate and see discourse firsthand.

"I've taken thousands of votes since I've...become a lawmaker and I know that when I get bills done, they are...bipartisan, they have to be." — Haley Stevens [35:32]

• Hope for Bipartisan Solutions: Optimistic about responsible budget negotiations and cross-party achievements (cites CHIPS Act).
• Rejection of Fear: "We can't let fear take over. We can't be driven by fear, which leads to anger. And we've got to make sure that everyone hears loud and clear that violence is unacceptable and not to be condoned." [33:57]

Panel Discussion: What Now for American Democracy?

39:46–52:05

Jeannie Shanzano (Democrat, Harvard Kennedy School)

• Sympathy for Kirk: Recognizes Kirk’s impact on conservative students, emphasizes condolences.
• Rhetoric Caveat: Warns against conditional condemnations ("political violence is unacceptable, but...").
• Some Role for Rhetoric: Agrees rhetoric plays a role but not the sole factor.

Greta Joins (Republican Strategist)

• Republican Grief and Frustration: Describes palpable anger and sense of vilification among conservatives after Kirk’s murder.
• Condemns Both Sides’ Rhetoric: Critiques figures on the left who allegedly mock or inflame tensions but stresses violence is unacceptable from all sides.

"The more insulated that we become from the seriousness of all of these conversations...that emboldens those who are attacking...any political stripe...That is a challenging moment, for sure." — Greta Joins [47:35]

On Blaming & Division

• Joe Matthew: Raises concern about blaming political violence solely on one party.
• Jeannie Shanzano: Reminds listeners of violent acts against Democrats and warns that structural government dysfunction, as well as rhetoric, drives political violence.

"We have structural problems in the government which drive vast amounts of political violence in this country, and that needs to be addressed." — Jeannie Shanzano [49:48]

• Concludes with reflections on Kirk’s joyful approach to conservative activism and the need for Democrats to find an equivalent spirit of engagement.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Frank Luntz (on social media & honest dialogue):

  "Let us commit today at this moment that we only speak the truth, even if it hurts us...Because in the end, we will be a stronger country and we will grow from this horrible moment if we affirm the importance of the truth." [13:25]

• Speaker Mike Johnson (on social media):

  "I think social media has been a toxin in politics. I think it has added to this vitriol." [16:50]

• Rep. Brian Stile:

  "You can't simply secure your way out of the challenges that we face right now." [22:14]

• Rep. Haley Stevens:

  "We can't let fear take over. We can't be driven by fear, which leads to anger. And we've got to make sure that everyone hears loud and clear that violence is unacceptable and not to be condoned." [33:57]

• Jeannie Shanzano (on violence and joy in politics):

  "Charlie Kirk had fun... engaging with people who disagreed with him as he did those who agreed with him. So there was a joy to him that we should not forget." [51:10]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• FBI Hunt for Suspect, President's Statement: 00:55–05:30
• Frank Luntz Emotional Plea to America: 07:01–14:22
• Speaker Johnson’s Safety Concerns: 16:34–17:20
• Rep. Brian Stile on Security, Polarization, and Policy: 17:54–28:32
• Rep. Haley Stevens on Unity & Bipartisanship: 30:00–38:11
• Panel (Jeannie Shanzano & Greta Joins): Divisions, Blame & Hope: 39:46–52:05

Takeaways

• The assassination of Charlie Kirk is a profound shock to American politics, raising fears of escalating violence against public figures.
• Republicans and Democrats alike express sorrow, frustration, and concern about the future of civil discourse and democracy.
• There is a consensus among guests and hosts that rhetoric matters, but deeper systemic issues also contribute to violence.
• Calls are made for leaders and citizens to unite, lower the temperature, and reaffirm shared values of civility, debate, and democracy.
• Both parties acknowledge the acute danger that fear and violence pose to recruiting future leaders and the health of American governance.

This summary captures the urgent, emotional, and nuanced character of the episode, preserving the words and spirit of the speakers while offering context for those who weren’t able to listen.