Mark Levin Podcast Ep. 9/16/25 – Dangerous Rhetoric and the Rise of Political Violence
Host: Ben Ferguson (filling in for Mark Levin)
Aired: September 17, 2025
Episode Overview
This episode, guest-hosted by Ben Ferguson, delivers a fiery analysis of the aftermath of Charlie Kirk's assassination and the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. Ferguson alleges that dangerous rhetoric from top Democratic Party leaders and mainstream media have fueled a climate in which political violence is increasingly normalized—especially among young people. Throughout, he features audio montages of Democratic politicians and media figures using language he argues is designed to “dehumanize” conservatives and justify attacks against them. The episode also covers new data on generational attitudes toward political violence, reactions to the tragedy in the NFL and the media, and calls for accountability among Democratic leaders and media narratives.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. The Charlie Kirk Case and the Push for the Death Penalty
- [01:00] Ferguson begins by recapping the latest court developments: Tyler Robinson could face the death penalty for the murder of Charlie Kirk.
- Quote: “It is very obvious that there is a major push for the death penalty. I also want to be clear. I am in favor of the death penalty... if you want to stop political violence... I believe unfortunately this political violence is the new trend.”
— Ben Ferguson [02:10]
- Quote: “It is very obvious that there is a major push for the death penalty. I also want to be clear. I am in favor of the death penalty... if you want to stop political violence... I believe unfortunately this political violence is the new trend.”
- Draws parallels between the normalization of political violence and the phenomenon of mass shootings: notoriety, copycats, and media coverage.
2. Allegations of Left-Wing Political Incitement
- Ferguson asserts that Democratic Party rhetoric has "radicalized" young people, making violence against conservatives seem justifiable.
- Quote: “If we can't debate you, we'll just kill you. If we can't beat you on election day, we'll just silence you with a bullet.”
— Ben Ferguson [04:20]
- Quote: “If we can't debate you, we'll just kill you. If we can't beat you on election day, we'll just silence you with a bullet.”
- He rattles off the names of multiple Democratic representatives he claims have used labeling such as “fascist” and “threat to America.”
- Presents two audio montages of Democratic leaders and prominent media figures using extreme language to describe Trump and Republicans, including comparisons to Hitler, Nazis, and fascism.
3. Montage: Democratic Rhetoric and Media Echoes
[07:10–12:37 & 84:30–88:00]
- Montages feature voices including President Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, Hillary Clinton, and other Democratic leaders.
- Memorable Montage Quotes:
- “Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans represent an extremism that threatens the very foundations of our republic.”
- “He said himself, the former president… is going to be a dictator on day one. We cannot ignore that.”
- “Comparing the tactics of Donald Trump to Mussolini and Hitler is a very legitimate thing.”
- “I have thought an awful lot about blowing up the White House.”
- “They're still going to have to go out and put a bullet in Donald Trump. And that's a fact.”
- Ferguson’s Commentary:
“They’re lighting the match, they’re pouring the gasoline... and they’re wanting someone else to explode it.” [13:10]
4. The Media’s Role: “Normalization” of Political Hate
- Ferguson asserts that the mainstream media has intentionally amplified and “normalized” dangerous political speech, making violence appear acceptable.
- Quote: “You have to understand how orchestrated this narrative was. You had the highest leaders in the Democratic Party... and then they went to the media and said, we need you to be our messenger.” [14:25]
- Cites ABC reporter Matt Gutman’s coverage as “propaganda” (see quotes/timestamps below):
- Quote: “We have seen an alleged murder with such specific text messages… but also it was very touching in a way that I think many of us didn't expect. A very intimate portrait…” — Matt Gutman [52:20]
- Ferguson responds: “What in the actual hell… this isn’t reporting… This is propaganda. This is political cover to justify the shooter's actions.” [53:10]
5. Generational Data on Attitudes Toward Political Violence
- Cites recent polling:
- Baby Boomers: 93% say political violence “never acceptable.”
- Gen X: 86%
- Millennials: 71%
- Gen Z: only 58%—meaning 42% find political violence at least sometimes acceptable.
- Quote: “That means that 42% of Gen Zers believe… political violence is acceptable, appropriate, warranted…” — Ben Ferguson [67:15]
- Ferguson attributes this trend to Democrat/media-fueled “dehumanization” of political opponents and breakdown of traditional values.
6. “Desensitization” and the Path to Violence
- Traces a timeline of technological and cultural events that, per Ferguson, have normalized violence:
- BLM riots → Antifa → church shootings → Tesla dealership bombings → attacks on ICE → assassination attempts.
- Quote: “If you disagree with them, you just go out there and you kill them. We've normalized attacks on police officers, pro-life centers, churches…” [71:00]
- Cites Elon Musk and Matt Walsh on dehumanization:
- Musk: “They don’t kill you because you’re a Nazi. They call you a Nazi so they can kill you.”
[71:40]
- Musk: “They don’t kill you because you’re a Nazi. They call you a Nazi so they can kill you.”
7. Cultural Responses & NFL Tribute Controversy
[76:10]
- Notes that several NFL teams held moments of silence honoring Charlie Kirk, but four (Bengals, Lions, Colts, Ravens) did not. Ferguson accuses these teams of political partisanship.
8. Polling and the Deterioration of Civil Society
- Ties back to shifting generational polling to claim the Democrat/media approach has planted “a seed” that now yields real-world violence against conservatives.
- Replays the montage to stress his point; urges listeners to “take notes” and spread these clips.
9. Scrutiny of the Media’s Narrative in the Kirk Case
- Deep dive into the ABC News angle, calling it “twisted”—criticizes coverage that focuses on the alleged killer’s trans relationship, depicting it as a “love story.”
- Matt Gutman’s Quote: “There is this duality of a very… human experience from this entire family… the suspect reaching out to his roommate… kept calling him my love. My reason for doing this is to protect you.” [107:00]
- Ferguson: “When I read these text messages, I didn't see a love story. I saw… a deranged individual.” [108:45]
- Expresses suspicion about the authenticity of the text message exchange and doubts the roommate’s narrative.
10. Reaction to Law Enforcement and Investigation
- Plays testimony from FBI Director and Kash Patel regarding Discord chat logs and possible accomplices in the assassination.
- Takeaway: Law enforcement is investigating a larger network—“it’s a lot more than 20” people being looked into. [118:10]
11. Call-In Segments and Reflections on Faith, Family, and Accountability
[134:00+]
- Listeners express anxiety over political violence, the spiritual state of America, and the responsibilities of faith.
- Quote: “We don’t burn down our cities. We have prayer vigils after one of our own is taken from us.” — Ben Ferguson [138:24]
- Calls for a “true revival” of faith and civil society; warns young conservative activists to be vigilant for their safety.
12. Hypocrisy and “Whataboutism” in Political Discourse
- Addresses denial and shifting narratives among Democratic officials—singling out Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who denied labeling Republicans Nazis, and then plays his contradictory statements/tweets.
- “That is completely false. I have never called Republicans Nazis.” — Gov. Pritzker [156:10]
- Ferguson then plays multiple clips/tweets where Pritzker equates Trump and Republicans with Nazis and Hitler.
- Argues the left is not “rising above” violence but actively labelling and dehumanizing the right, which creates a climate for attacks.
13. Reactions Across Media: MSNBC, CNN, Accountability
- Notes MSNBC and CNN analysts downplaying right-wing victimhood while excusing or “justifying” violence from the left, per Ferguson.
- Quote: “To suggest people on the Internet are cheering for the murder of Charlie Kirk is the total opposite… Their lying simply knows no bounds.” [166:35]
- Praises conservative efforts to identify and hold accountable teachers and institutions celebrating Kirk’s death.
14. Closing Calls: Community Responsibility and Investigations
- Final segments focus on calls for independent investigations and studies into sources of radicalization. Warns listeners that accountability and transparency are vital, pleads for continued “exposure” of rhetoric and hate.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “They call you Hitler, they call you a Nazi, because they're hoping that some crazy like this individual will follow through on their mission. They're lighting the match, they're pouring the gasoline, and they're wanting someone else to explode it.”
— Ben Ferguson [13:10] - “They want all of us dead that have a microphone that are powerful. They want all of us that speak truth to be dead. How do I know it? Because the last four minutes that I just played for you.”
— Ben Ferguson [16:00] - “If you don't think… this was a clearly orchestrated decision by the… Democratic Party to inspire shooters, assassins to do their dirty work, you’re not paying attention.”
— Ben Ferguson [17:20] - “That means 42% of Gen Zers believe… political violence is acceptable, appropriate, warranted…”
— Ben Ferguson [67:15] - “They don't kill you because you're a Nazi. They call you a Nazi so that they can… What? So they can kill you.”
— Quoting Elon Musk [71:40] - “We're not killing people, we're having prayer vigils… This is a war with a left that wants us all dead. Those that do what I do, they want us dead. And they will celebrate.”
— Ben Ferguson [176:25]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- [01:00] – Utah court update: Death penalty in Kirk case
- [07:10–12:37] – First montage: Democratic and media rhetoric
- [13:10] – Ferguson on “lighting the match”
- [16:00] – On targets of political violence
- [52:20 & 107:00] – ABC’s Matt Gutman’s “love story” coverage; Ferguson's critique
- [67:15] – Generational polling on violence
- [71:40] – Quoting Elon Musk on “Nazi” labeling and violence
- [84:30–88:00] – Second montage replay, extended Democratic/media quotes
- [118:10] – FBI/Kash Patel: Discord chats and investigation scope
- [134:00+] – Call-in: Faith, family, political violence, community response
- [156:10] – Gov. Pritzker claims refuted with his own statements
- [176:25] – Closing comments: cultural war, accountability, prayer
Tone and Language
- Passionate, assertive, unapologetically combative
- Frequent direct address to listeners (“you guys are warriors”)
- Continual call-outs of perceived hypocrisy and dishonesty by opponents
- Mix of personal anecdote, rhetorical questions, call-and-response
For Further Listening
- Both the audio montages and more extended clips referenced are available on Ferguson’s social media (@benfergusonshow), the Mark Levin Podcast, and the Ben Ferguson Podcast.