Human Events Daily with Jack Posobiec

Thursday Thoughtcrime Ep. 97 — The Thoughtcrime WILL Continue
September 26, 2025

Episode Overview

This emotionally charged episode of "Thoughtcrime" is devoted to the memory and legacy of Charlie Kirk, whose recent assassination has shaken the conservative movement and the Turning Point USA family. The hosts—Jack Posobiec, Tyler Bowyer, Andrew Kolvet, Blake, and guest Graham Allen—gather in person for the first time since the tragedy. They reflect on Charlie's life, his impact, and the current political and cultural climate, including reactions to Kirk’s death, free speech controversies (with particular focus on Jimmy Kimmel's suspension), and the designation of Antifa as a terrorist organization. The tone: candid, grieving yet determined, resolute in carrying on Kirk's work.

1. Remembering Charlie Kirk: Grief, Legacy, and the Mandate to Continue

The Team’s Tribute

• The crew opens with reflections on why they’ve chosen to continue the show, emphasizing that Charlie would have wanted it to go on.
• Andrew Kolvet is recognized for balancing his professional responsibilities, event planning, and supporting both the Kirk and his own family through grief.
• Key Quote:

  "I think you guys would all agree that we have all been affected by Charlie. Like, we all absorbed a little bit of Charlie Kirk. Our lives will never be the same because of him." — Andrew (02:00)

• The hosts share stories about Charlie’s energy, humor, and method for debate: using "Thoughtcrime" as a forum to refine ideas considered taboo in mainstream dialogue.
• Key Moments:
  • The importance of "Thoughtcrime" as Charlie's cherished outlet.
  • The internal debates, particularly on Israel and the flag-burning controversy, illustrating Charlie’s intellectual wrestling and willingness to hear differing perspectives (04:50–07:21).
  • Charlie’s anti-war stance, balanced love for Israel and desire for honest critique.

Charlie as Activist and Martyr

• The team recounts Kirk's transformation from campus activist to movement thought leader, recalling his humility, approachability, and apostolic zeal—often likened to the Christian apostles.
• Key Quote:

  "A true martyr is a person that does the work, wears it on their sleeve, and they do not stop. Literally evil itself has to perniciously take them off the face of the earth. That is the definition of Charlie Kirk." — Jack (11:14)

• Charlie’s humility and desire to coach college football serve as running jokes, highlighting his grounded personality (12:28).

The Impact on and from Erica Kirk

• The hosts pay deep respect to Erica Kirk’s strength, leadership, and transparency in the wake of tragedy.
• Key Quote:

  "What a woman. She is so fierce and lovely and strong and human and accessible." — Andrew (23:29)

• Erica knew all aspects of Charlie’s life and is described as rising to the occasion for the movement and his legacy.

2. Worldwide Reach and the Modern Prophetic Role of Charlie Kirk

• The scale of Kirk’s influence—on campuses, online, globally—is discussed, with 15 billion video views cited just in the fall season (17:47).
• Charlie’s approach is reframed as akin to biblical tent revivals, confronting cultural sins with directness, urging repentance and truth (16:00–19:00).
• Key Quote:

  "Campus tours, but they were tent revivals... billions and billions. People don't realize the scale of these videos." — Andrew (17:26)

• The hosts assert that digital reach is augmenting the traditional model of evangelism and activism.

3. The Importance of Continuing the Work: Moving Forward

• The show vows relentlessly to continue the mission, citing both Charlie’s wishes and a mandate from Erica Kirk herself (23:04).
• Nostalgic moments are shared: the team’s bonding during election night live streams and “C-block” show segments (19:45–22:31).
• Key Quotes:

  "This show will go on. Because Charlie would have wanted it to. And Erica has given us a very firm mandate that the show will go on." — Andrew (23:04)
  "Charlie shared with Erica everything. She knew everything that was going on. She knew who the snakes were. She knew who the good guys were." — Andrew (25:13)

4. Public and Media Reactions to Charlie's Death

Global and National Mourning

• Discussion of the broad and global reactions to Kirk’s assassination—including planned appearances by the President and major leaders at the memorial service (13:42).
• International reach is apparent; support and condolences came from around the world (14:52).

Obama’s Reaction

• (45:23–49:44)
• The show plays a clip of Barack Obama, who, in referencing the "Thoughtcrime" podcast, acknowledges the tragedy and expresses disagreement with Kirk’s controversial positions.
• Key Quote:

  "We have to extend grace to people during this period of mourning and shock... I can say that I disagree with the suggestion that my wife, or Justice Jackson, does not have adequate brain processing power." — Barack Obama (45:23; 48:19)

• The hosts react with laughter and ironic pride that Kirk prompted a public statement (and clear irritation) from Obama.

5. The Jimmy Kimmel Suspension and the Free Speech Debate

The Offending Remarks and Fallout

• Timestamps: (54:49–59:09)
• The hosts examine Kimmel’s remarks blaming right-wingers for Kirk’s murder and the subsequent public and affiliate outcry leading to Kimmel’s suspension.
• Key Quote:

  "He basically just blamed half of the country for Charlie's murder and is sort of saying that he deserved it." — Tyler (59:09)

• The Wall Street Journal is cited on the bottom-up pressure from local affiliates and advertisers.

FCC’s Intervention and Free Speech Concerns

• Analysis of FCC Chair Brendan Carr’s comments, weighing whether government intervention in Kimmel’s suspension constitutes an infringement on free speech.
• Key Quote:

  "If you have a broadcast TV license... it comes with an obligation to serve the public interest." — FCC Chairman (61:04)

• Debate emerges among the hosts about whether the government threatening a network is a violation of the First Amendment or justified action (63:16–74:09).

Diverging Views

• Graham Allen emphasizes consequence culture over cancel culture.
• Blake and Tyler express discomfort at the government intervening, referencing both past liberal and current Trump/FCC actions; all agree on the need for grassroots power over top-down censorship (68:09–72:16).
• Key Quote:

  "As much as I support the right finally using power, I wish we had let it be the grassroots... now they have this perception and narrative that they can talk about." — Tyler (72:16)

Ratings, Relevance, and the State of Late Night

• The decline in late night ratings is explored; Kimmel’s struggling numbers and generational irrelevance are noted.
• Key Quotes:

  "You can't boycott what people already don't watch." — Jack (80:13)
  "Late night TV was a hallmark of America." — Jack (87:31)

Cancel Culture vs. Consequence Culture

• Dave Portnoy’s viral statement distinguishing cancel culture from facing real-time consequences is discussed.
• Key Quote:

  "When a person says something that a ton of people find offensive... and is punished for it, it is not cancel culture. That is consequences for your actions." — Dave Portnoy (81:39)

6. Antifa Declared a Terrorist Organization: Rationale and Cultural Context

• Trump’s intention to designate Antifa as a terrorist group is discussed; hosts clarify that Antifa, while an "idea," also functions as organized cells akin to radical Islamist groups (95:31–98:22).
• The pattern of leftwing violence, especially targeting conservative campus speakers, is reviewed (97:05–101:51).
• Key Quote:

  "There is a pattern that has gone on for over a decade... left wing groups... will menace the event, bring threats, surround the event, smash doors, throw things, start fires. This is a pattern." — Blake (98:22)

• The hypocrisy of academic studies downplaying leftist violence is criticized, particularly one by an "antifa professor" who himself is an activist (103:00).
• The hosts cite personal experiences and data to dispute claims that right-wingers are the main perpetrators of political violence.
• Key Quote:

  "I saw a leftist murder Charlie Kirk, and I saw them celebrate it." — Tyler (114:18)

7. Final Reflections: Unity, Resolve, and Carrying On

Team Solidarity and Commitment

• The episode closes with personal messages of appreciation and encouragement among the hosts, highlighting the necessity of fellowship and resolve in the face of loss.
• Key Quotes:

  "It's such an honor to be leaning on you guys this week... The worst of weeks, maybe the worst week of our entire lives. But at the same time, it's been a huge blessing to be able to lean on each other." — Jack (115:53) "I'm just thankful to you guys for always being there for me and my family... It's really nice to be around family and be around you guys." — Graham Allen (117:09)

Mandate for the Future

• The commitment to continue the show and the broader mission is reaffirmed, honoring both Charlie and Erica Kirk’s leadership and vision.
• Sign-off Quote:

  "As always, go out there and commit more thought crime." — Tyler (119:38)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Andrew on Charlie’s impact:
  "We have all been affected by Charlie. Like, we all absorbed a little bit of Charlie Kirk." (02:00)
• Jack on martyrdom:
  "A martyr is a person that does the work... so much so that evil itself has to perniciously take them off the face of the earth." (11:14)
• Obama (about Kirk):
  "We have to extend grace to people during this period of mourning and shock... I disagree with the idea that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a mistake." (45:23; 48:19)
• Blake on censorship:
  "I wish Brendan Carr hadn’t said anything about this because... the government can’t sort of vaguely threaten action." (68:09–69:29)
• Jack on late night TV:
  "Late night TV was a hallmark of American culture... No one wants Jimmy Kimmel in their home." (87:31; 90:10)
• Tyler on Antifa:
  "Yes, Antifa is real... the same way radical Islam is an idea and has groups that do terrorism. Same with Antifa." (95:31)
• Tyler’s refrain:
  "I saw a leftist murder Charlie Kirk, and I saw them celebrate it." (114:18)

Highlights by Timestamp

• 02:00–07:21 – Tributes to Charlie, stories of internal debate; Israel/flag-burning debates and their significance.
• 11:14–13:00 – Martyrdom, humility, jokes about Charlie’s football dreams.
• 19:45–22:31 – Remembering live show moments; show’s emotional resonance with the team and audience.
• 23:04–25:13 – Erica Kirk’s leadership and role documented.
• 45:23–50:09 – Barack Obama’s statement, hosts’ reactions; "Thoughtcrime" enters the national consciousness.
• 54:49–63:40 – Jimmy Kimmel’s remarks, legacy media’s response, and FCC involvement.
• 68:09–74:09 – Hosts debate freedom of speech, cancel/consequence culture, and the difference between grassroots and institutional pushback.
• 95:31–103:00 – Antifa designation debate, historical context, and personal testimonials about left-wing violence.
• 114:18–117:07 – Closing affirmations, the vow to carry on, personal messages to the team and Erica Kirk.

Tone and Style

The conversation is raw, passionate, and unvarnished, alternating between sorrowful remembrance, humor, righteous anger, and practical strategizing. The hosts consistently use candid, conversational language, often breaking into joking asides and teasing, but always circling back to the legacy of Charlie Kirk and the necessity of bold, honest debate—the bedrock of "Thoughtcrime."

For listeners and supporters:
This episode is an essential listening for those wanting an authentic, behind-the-scenes look at the grief, resilience, and unity of a movement after losing its most prominent voice—and a window into the looming cultural and political battles ahead.