Podcast Summary: Louder with Crowder

Episode: “Iryna Zarutska Was Failed – And We Won't Forget Who Did It”
Host: Steven Crowder
Date: September 10, 2025

Episode Overview

In this emotionally charged episode, Steven Crowder and his team delve into the murder of Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian woman killed on a Charlotte, NC train. Crowder frames the crime as emblematic of systemic societal failures, particularly those arising from progressive policies on crime, bail reform, and what he characterizes as selective outrage and media narrative around race and criminal justice in America. Throughout, Crowder draws direct comparisons between Zarutska’s case and high-profile incidents like George Floyd, arguing that both media and progressive activists prioritize outrage and identity politics over truth and real solutions. The episode is saturated with Crowder’s trademark bluntness, satire, and controversial commentary.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Response to Abigail Schreier & Public Commentary

• Crowder addresses criticisms from Abigail Schreier, who condemns the politicization of Zarutska’s murder and “white America stirring race rage.”
• He asserts, “Abigail Schreier…your presentation is dumb. And I think that your point of view is why we are where we are.” (03:29)

2. The Zarutska Case as a Symbol

• Crowder establishes Zarutska’s case as a parallel to George Floyd – with key contrasts. Zarutska was “failed by the system,” and not idolized by the media or political elites.
• “She chose to get on a train. He chose to commit armed robbery.” (08:20)
• He repeatedly insists that policy—not individual outrage—paved the way for Brown Jr. to be out in public despite 14 prior offenses.

3. “Axis of Evil” – Who Failed Iryna Zarutska?

Crowder constructs what he calls an “Axis of Evil,” the network of enabling factors and individuals:

a. DeCarlos Brown Jr. (the perpetrator)

• A repeat violent offender with “14 priors, including armed robbery, assault... one [was] against his own sister.” (52:01)
• Crowder rejects the defense of mental illness: “He was mentally well enough to target a woman who couldn’t fight back and attack her from behind.” (54:13)

b. District Attorney Spencer Merriweather

• Helped spearhead the IOU/bail reform policy in Mecklenburg County: “Release the defendant on his or her written promise to appear.” (58:07)

c. Judge Teresa Stokes

• Released Brown on “written promise,” despite 14 priors. Criticized for never having passed the bar, and for running a recovery nonprofit possibly at odds with public safety. (01:00:25)

d. NGOs (Nonprofits & Foundations)

• The MacArthur Foundation gave $100 million to reduce prison populations, including $2M to Mecklenburg County, which Crowder claims incentivized dangerous bail policies. (01:05:09)

e. The Bystanders

• Criticism of train passengers for taking “95 seconds before anyone comes and gives a dying young woman any kind of aid.” (01:09:30)
• “Train car full of people didn’t [help]. This is why we believe in concealed carry.” (01:14:22)

4. Racial Narratives, Crime, and Policy

• Crowder cites statistics: “Blacks in this country are 12 times more likely to kill a white person than vice versa… There is no statistical difference between white and black Americans as it relates to being shot by the police.” (49:35)
• He mocks progressive and media narratives on “systemic racism,” arguing that criminal justice reform policies are built on lies rather than data.
• “You, if you are a tax paying, law abiding American, fund the war against you that is largely designed to cater to non-law abiding, non-tax paying, non-white Americans.” (51:20)

5. The Role of the Media and Celebrity Culture

• Crowder claims the media’s sympathy too often focuses on the perpetrator’s mental health, not the safety of citizens.

• Quotes media responses downplaying the systemic aspect of Zarutska’s murder:

  • “This horrible crime has now been seized on by Republicans to depict democratic run-cities like Charlotte as being plagued by widespread violence and mayhem…” (01:22:50)

• Contrasts media treatment of Zarutska (“race of perpetrator not stated”) with other cases where “race is front and center.” (01:33:15)

6. Comparing George Floyd to DeCarlos Brown Jr.

• Crowder draws direct, controversial parallels between George Floyd and Brown Jr.:
  • “George Floyd may not have stabbed an innocent woman on the subway yet, but he was on his way… There is no doubt in my mind that George Floyd after arrest nine, that he wasn’t going to straighten up and fly right before arrest ten. Just like DeCarlos Brown Jr. didn’t at time thirteen.” (01:41:11)

7. Critique of Urban Policy & Crime Prevention Methods

• Recalls NYC’s “broken windows” and “three strikes” policies, arguing they were unfairly maligned as racist despite being effective:

  • “Arrests rose, crime went down, murder went down by 66%... The three strike policy...27% drop in crime.” (01:25:40)

• Insists rise in violent crime is a direct result of progressive reforms since the 2010s.

8. The Issue of Bodily Autonomy and Progressive Values

• Crowder takes aim at “bodily autonomy,” noting its selective political application in the context of abortion vs. vaccine mandates (33:00–36:23).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On policy failures and outrage:
  “It’s pretty tough to be first and...stake your claim, to actually put your reputation on the line and offer solutions… We are not all the same...We don’t even have the same view and definition of values.” (12:40 / 45:15)

• On the double standard:
  “Why does one [news article] necessitate race and the other doesn’t? So you can blame me for doing exactly what it is that you do. The only difference is if I do it, I’m pointing out a statistical trend, the truth, which would allow us to address it; you do it based on a lie.” (01:34:23)

• On “Axis of Evil”:
  “We’re fine with being the dividers. I am. I don’t want to hold hands with the axis of evil. People who enable evil—look, it will always exist, but the people who enable it, no common ground.” (50:30)

• On male bystanders and masculinity:
  “We need a little more toxic masculinity. Because what the left has referred to as toxic masculinity is men who will step in.” (01:14:22)

• On what he calls race-based hypocrisy:
  “Can anyone point me...to a single white guy who had a parade of celebrities and politicians venerating him [after multiple violent felonies]? Ever?” (01:46:15)

• On being a platform for “law-abiding taxpayers”:
  “We want to be the platform, the megaphone for you, the American working, law-abiding taxpayer. Because I’ll tell you something we’re not supposed to say: You matter...You matter more than the criminals.” (01:52:12)

Timestamps of Important Segments

• 03:29 — Crowder cites and criticizes Abigail Schreier’s public comment
• 08:20 — Discussing the differences between Zarutska and George Floyd
• 49:35–51:20 — Breakdown of key crime statistics and their implications
• 52:01–54:13 — Discussion of DeCarlos Brown Jr.'s criminal record and motivation
• 58:07–01:00:25 — Critique of bail reform, DA Merriweather, and Judge Stokes’ role
• 01:05:09–01:05:40 — Influence and funding from NGOs like MacArthur Foundation
• 01:09:30 — Extended review of bystander response during Zarutska’s murder
• 01:14:22 — Reflection on masculinity and failure to intervene
• 01:33:15 — Comparing media narratives on race in crime reporting
• 01:41:11–01:46:15 — Parallels between George Floyd, DeCarlos Brown Jr., and other high-profile cases
• 01:52:12 — Final appeals, call to action, and mission statement for the show

Final Notes

Throughout the episode, Crowder’s team returns to the theme of focusing on “truth, not outrage.” The episode is designed to critique systemic policy failures and draw attention to what Crowder asserts are the ignored or distorted realities of crime, race, and justice in the U.S. The tone is combative, unapologetic, and frequently provocative, mixing factual claims with heavy editorializing and cultural criticisms.

Listeners who want thoughtful, data-backed exploration of systemic violence, as well as provocative social commentary (from a conservative perspective), will find this episode to be both intensely critical of progressive governance and deeply skeptical of mainstream narratives around race and justice.