Podcast Summary: Post Reports — “Jimmy Kimmel, free speech and the crackdown after Charlie Kirk’s death”

Date: September 19, 2025
Host: Colby Yakovec (filling in), with guests Karen Tumulty (Chief Political Correspondent, The Washington Post) and Dan Marika (Co-anchor, Early Brief Politics Newsletter)

Overview

This episode dives into the aftermath of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk’s killing on a Utah college campus, examining its political ripple effects: the push to punish critics of Kirk, high-profile free speech controversies involving figures like Jimmy Kimmel, and the partisan debate over “civility” versus censorship in American discourse. The hosts and guests analyze government, media, and grassroots responses from both sides, and look ahead to a politically charged memorial service set to highlight Turning Point USA’s influence on the GOP.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Latest Developments in the Charlie Kirk Case

• Tyler Robinson, age 22, is the alleged shooter. Facing seven charges, including aggravated murder; Utah prosecutors seek the death penalty (02:31).
• Robinson allegedly confessed on Discord and left a note:

  “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and I’m going to take it.” (03:10, Dan Marika)

• The upcoming memorial in Arizona will be a major political event, featuring President Trump, VP J.D. Vance, former Trump cabinet members, and symbolizing Turning Point USA’s political heft (04:09).

2. Crackdown on Kirk’s Critics and 'Cancel Culture'

• The right has actively targeted individuals—public and private—for criticizing or even commenting on Kirk’s past controversies after his death, sometimes demanding firings (04:47).
• High-profile example: Jimmy Kimmel’s ABC show was pulled off-air after he mocked the right’s reaction to the shooting and commented on attempts to politicize it (05:18).
  • FCC Chairman Brendan Carr publicly threatened action, pushing the boundaries of government interference in speech (05:53).
• Karen Tumulty’s analysis:

  “If ABC had suspended him, this is not a First Amendment issue. The First Amendment does not allow the government to crack down on your freedom of speech. But your employer has every right to…set standards.” (05:53)

The FCC’s Role Explained

• FCC only regulates local affiliates (not networks), but Chairman Carr “has been very clear that he is going to…stretch the powers of the FCC and use them in ways that they may not have been used before” (07:52, Dan Marika).

Range of Targets

• Firing/discipline happened to ordinary people (NFL comms staff, assistant deans, Nextdoor employees), as well as media figures (e.g., Matthew Dowd at MSNBC). (08:29, Dan Marika)

• VP J.D. Vance called for activists to "call out" and contact employers of those celebrating or criticizing Kirk (09:39):

  “When you see someone celebrating Charlie’s murder, call them out – in hell, call their employer. We don’t believe in political violence, but we do believe in civility.” (10:06, J.D. Vance audio)

3. Republicans Championing Censorship?

• Noted irony: The right, traditionally against government/business intervention, is now leading the charge to punish speech (09:39, Karen Tumulty).

• AG Pam Bondi suggested law enforcement pursue hate speech, stirring bipartisan pushback:

  “There’s free speech and then there’s hate speech…Do you see more law enforcement going after these groups who are using hate speech?...So we show them that some action is better than no action.” (10:33, Pam Bondi audio)

• Karen Tumulty clarifies:

  “Hate speech is not illegal. There are European countries where it is, but…there is, I don’t think, any precedent that the government steps in to do that, at least not in our country.” (11:08)

• Dan Marika quotes Kirk’s own tweet:

  “Hate speech does not exist legally in America…all of it is protected by the First Amendment. Keep America free.” (12:15)

• Backlash: Even conservatives rebuked Bondi, using Kirk’s own words to argue against government prosecution for speech (13:23). Bondi later walks back, saying only hate speech that “crosses the line into violence” should trigger law enforcement.

4. Congressional Response: Censure of Ilhan Omar

• House Republicans attempted to censure Rep. Ilhan Omar for her comments about Kirk on a left-leaning podcast—though she also expressed empathy for his widow and children (17:55).
  • Omar critiqued Kirk’s record on gun rights, slavery, and George Floyd:

    “Charlie was someone who was willing to debate and downplay the death of George Floyd…downplay slavery…by saying Juneteenth should never exist.” (18:28, Ilhan Omar)

• The censure resolution failed, with some Republicans dissenting on First Amendment grounds:

  “We may not like or agree with what someone says, but that does not mean we should deny their First Amendment right.” (19:17, Rep. Cory Mills, R-FL)

5. Democratic Leaders’ and Unity Messaging

• Top Democrats like Barack Obama and Gov. Josh Shapiro condemned Kirk’s killing but critiqued Trump for stoking blame and partisanship:

  “Some from the dark corners of the internet, all the way to the Oval Office, want to cherry-pick which instances of political violence they want to condemn.” (20:54, Barack Obama audio)

• Utah Gov. Spencer Cox praised for immediately calling for civil discourse and mutual respect, highlighting what’s needed for national healing (21:27, Karen Tumulty).
• But there is skepticism whether unity messages can break through a turbulent, short news cycle and partisan climate (22:12, Dan Marika).

6. Memorial Service as Political Event

• The upcoming Arizona service is poised to be deeply political—Turning Point USA’s influence on the GOP on full display, with the nation's conservative leadership in attendance (23:08).
• Panelists debate whether the event will offer unifying messages or further political division. Spencer Cox, a Republican considered a unifying voice, is notably not speaking, underscoring the event’s partisan tilt (23:49).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dan Marika, on the shooter’s confession:

  “He had acknowledged that he was the shooter. And…his roommate, after the attack, found a note under his keyboard: ‘I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and I’m going to take it.’” (03:10)

• Karen Tumulty on the First Amendment:

  “If ABC had suspended him, this is not a First Amendment issue…the government…crack[ing] down on your freedom of speech, [but] your employer has every right…” (05:53)

• J.D. Vance, guest-hosting Kirk’s show:

  “When you see someone celebrating Charlie’s murder, call them out in hell, call their employer. We don’t believe in political violence, but we do believe in civility.” (10:06)

• Pam Bondi on using law enforcement:

  “There’s free speech and then there’s hate speech…Do you see more law enforcement going after these groups who are using hate speech…?” (10:33)

• Dan Marika, quoting Kirk:

  “Hate speech does not exist legally in America…all of it is protected by the First Amendment. Keep America free.” (12:15)

• Rep. Cory Mills, on First Amendment rights:

  “We may not like or agree with what someone says, but that does not mean we should deny their First Amendment right.” (19:17)

• Barack Obama, on politicizing violence:

  “Some from the dark corners of the internet, all the way to the Oval Office, want to cherry-pick which instances of political violence they want to condemn.” (20:54)

Important Timestamps

• 02:31 – Update on Charlie Kirk case and shooter’s motive
• 04:09 – Memorial service: the embodiment of Turning Point and GOP power
• 05:18 – Jimmy Kimmel’s monologue; fallout and ABC suspension
• 07:52 – FCC’s expanded role and local affiliate regulation explained
• 08:29 – Who’s being targeted/fired for Kirk criticism
• 09:39 – J.D. Vance urges public to contact employers of Kirk’s critics
• 10:33 – Pam Bondi’s “hate speech” law enforcement remarks
• 11:08 – Legal reality of hate speech in the U.S.
• 13:23 – Bondi’s walk-back and conservative backlash
• 17:55 – Ilhan Omar’s comments; House censure attempt
• 19:17 – Rep. Mills' defense of free speech
• 20:54 – Obama and Shapiro: critique of White House politicization
• 21:27 – Utah Gov. Cox’s call for civil discourse
• 22:12 – Skepticism about unity messaging’s impact
• 23:08 – Memorial service as stage for partisan politics

Conclusion

The episode offers a nuanced, close-to-the-ground view of the political reactions following Charlie Kirk’s death, highlighting the right’s crackdown on speech contextualized by years of debate over free speech and “cancel culture.” The discussion underscores the ironies and contradictions on both sides, especially regarding government intervention, and ponders whether unity is still possible in this polarized era. The upcoming memorial event is cast as a pivotal moment—will it be a call for unity or further division?