The Charlie Kirk Show — December 18, 2025

Podcast: Real America’s Voice
Host: iHeartPodcasts (guest hosts: Andrew, Blake Masters, Mike Lee, Libby Emmons, Mike Davis)
Date: December 18, 2025
Event Context: First day of America Fest (AmFest), Phoenix, AZ; first AmFest since Charlie Kirk’s assassination.

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the beginning of Turning Point USA’s America Fest (AmFest) in Phoenix—an emotionally charged gathering marking the first major conservative event since Charlie Kirk’s assassination. The show's hosts and guests reflect on Charlie’s impact, the state and unity of the conservative movement, and highlight hot-button topics ranging from President Trump's new policies to the latest in campus investigations, congressional controversies, and legal debates surrounding the Biden and Trump administrations. The tone is energetic, solemn, but hopeful—a rallying mix of tribute, analysis, and conservative advocacy.

Key Themes & Discussion Points

1. Tribute to Charlie Kirk and the Spirit of AmFest

• Unity and Legacy:
  The episode repeatedly honors Charlie Kirk’s legacy and addresses the sense of loss and determination among Turning Point USA’s ranks.
  • “Charlie’s going to be there with us in spirit. The whole event is going to be guided by his mission and legacy.” (Andrew, 14:00)
• Importance of Live Events:
  • The hosts emphasize the necessity of gathering in person to promote movement unity and break social-media echo chambers.
  • “When you come together as one movement and one room and one building, I think magic happens.” (Andrew, 14:32)

2. Trump’s Announcements: Economic Measures and Military Bonus

• "Warrior Dividend" for Service Members:
  President Trump, in a widely-watched primetime address, announced a one-time $1,776 bonus for all U.S. service members.
  • “Every member of our military, E1 to O6—we’re calling it the Warrior Dividend. A direct investment in the brave men and women who carry on the legacy of our armed forces every single day before Christmas.” (Trump, 5:11)
• Tax Cuts & Economic Optimism:
  • Trump promised historic tax cuts, touting projected family savings of $11,000–$20,000 and predicting the largest tax refund season ever.
    • “Next year you will also see the results of the largest tax cuts in American history…” (Trump, 5:46)
  • Discussion of inflation metrics; praise for better-than-expected numbers.
    • “I mean, I was surprised. It was a better number than anyone was expecting. … It was well below 3%.” (Mike Lee, 6:26)

3. AmFest: Gathering the Movement

• Size & Energy:
  • Tens of thousands expected; “after parties,” breakout sessions, and a diverse set of speakers (from Tucker Carlson to Byron Donalds).
  • Members-Only Lounge highlighted for exclusive interviews.
• Movement Unity:
  • The conservative movement’s various factions sometimes clash (“We disagree on things all the time…”), but the event is positioned as a moment of unity.
    • “Yet we are one big happy family. And when you focus your attention on a North Star… I think magic happens.” (Andrew, 14:07)
  • Ongoing challenge: can AmFest "unite" a movement that’s been “divided and raucous”?

4. The “Jeannie from Target” Story: Cancel Culture & Conservative Solidarity

• Incident Recap:
  • Jeannie, a Target employee wearing a “Charlie Kirk Show” shirt, is verbally accosted by a customer accusing her of racism.
    • “You support a racist.” — “It’s not racist.” — “Yes, he is.” (27:09)
  • Jeannie’s calm response and refusal to retaliate or demand consequences for her harasser draws admiration.
    • “I don’t think that’s right. Two wrongs don’t make a right… I don’t want her to lose her job.” (Jeannie, 29:13)
• Viral Support:
  • A GiveSendGo campaign surges past $220,000 in donations to support Jeannie.
  • Hosts celebrate her dignity: “She handled it with such grace and poise. … This is the heartbeat and the core of the character of America.” (Andrew, 28:39)

5. Brown University Shooting Investigation: Media & Law Enforcement Criticism

• Libby Emmons’ Analysis:
  • Libby Emmons (Post Millennial/Human Events) criticizes the ongoing investigation into a shooting at Brown University as “perhaps the most bungled…incompetent investigation” she’s seen.
    • “They have not even interviewed all of the students that were in the classroom at the time of the shooting.” (Libby Emmons, 39:48)
  • Police and Brown University face criticism for poor communication and lack of progress.
  • Discussion about potential political targeting and the tension between chasing leads and avoiding online “doxing.”
  • “It seems like Brown doesn’t care about catching a person who murdered two of their students.” (Blake Masters, 45:36)

6. Conservative Movement: Fracture and the Path Toward Unity

• Panel Thoughts on Realignment:
  • Libby Emmons reflects on the challenge of uniting the post-Charlie movement:
    • “We need to act in good faith with one another and just come around and say, you know, we agree on the most important things. Let’s work together to solidify the strength of this country and make this a better place.” (Libby Emmons, 57:51)
  • Discussions of necessary ideological “sifting” and the binary nature of the country’s political choices.

7. Legal & Political Analysis: FBI, DOJ, and the Mar-A-Lago Raid

• Mike Davis (Article 3 Project):
  • Argues the Mar-A-Lago raid was a political hit to recover Crossfire Hurricane records instead of about classified documents per se.
    • “The FBI knew they didn’t have probable cause… It’s so damning. … This is the biggest scandal in American history.” (Mike Davis, 75:53)
  • Criticizes judicial bias (specifically Judge Reinhart) and calls for a grand jury to investigate.
  • Dismisses Jack Smith’s defenses, arguing prosecutions against Trump were political and unfounded even by the standards used by the special counsel.
    • “Jack Smith is a partisan Scud missile who Democrats sent in to take out Republican presidential candidates.” (Davis, 77:40)

8. Congressional Procedures: Filibuster & Senate Reform

• Senator Mike Lee (R-UT):
  • Lays out concerns about chronic abuse of Senate cloture—the morphing of the filibuster into a mere procedural hurdle rather than true debate.
    • “We deceive the public into thinking that the reason we can’t do some of the things that we want to do is because we don’t have 60 votes.” (Mike Lee, 107:24)
  • Pushes for requiring actual debate (the “talking filibuster”), envisioning marathon sessions and renewed legislative rigor.
    • “The problem with today’s filibuster is that it’s not really a filibuster. … At no point have Democrats this year… been forced to go down to the floor and talk without stopping.” (Mike Lee, 103:00)
  • Asserts such reform requires no new rules—just enforcement.
    • “No rules change is required… The rules already contemplate that this is what a filibuster is.” (Mike Lee, 104:18)
  • Panel jokes about elderly senators facing the demands of all-night filibusters.

9. Foreign Policy & Executive Power: Bombing Narco Boats

• Presidential Authority:
  • Debate over the legality of using military force (air strikes on narco boats) under the Commander-in-Chief clause and the War Powers Act.
    • “If President Obama can drone strike Americans, President Trump can certainly bomb narco boats.” (Mike Davis, 88:39)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On movement unity:
  “We have to have an argument, a debate, and then we come back together.” (Andrew, 58:54)
• On America and self-confidence:
  “If you don’t love your country, you probably won’t treat it well either.” (Blake Masters, 20:08)
• Jeannie from Target’s grace:
  “I don’t want her to lose her job. Two wrongs don’t make a right.” (Jeannie, 29:13)
• On Brown shooting investigation:
  “How do they not know… who was there? … They’re sending out emails to try to figure it out. How is that even a thing?” (Andrew, 41:23)
• Mike Lee on the filibuster:
  “The problem with today’s filibuster is that it’s not really a filibuster.” (103:00)
• Mike Davis on DOJ/FBI:
  “This is the biggest scandal in American history.” (75:53)
• Blake Masters, dryly:
  “I’m seeing this could have the beneficial side effect [of] some earlier retirements by some guys who just say, ‘I’m not up for this.’” (103:41)
• Libby Emmons on the path forward:
  “We agree on the most important things. Let’s work together to solidify… the strength of this country.” (57:51)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• AmFest kickoff, unity after Charlie Kirk’s death: 11:09–16:20
• Trump’s “Warrior Dividend” & economic measures: 4:48, 17:58, 18:33
• “Jeannie from Target” incident & fundraiser: 26:39–31:54
• Brown University shooting investigation—Libby Emmons: 39:08–50:01
• Conservative movement fracture & unity panel: 55:41–60:32
• Mike Davis on Mar-a-Lago raid & DOJ/FBI: 72:11–81:00
• Senator Mike Lee on filibuster reform: 99:42–110:22

Conclusion & Tone

This deeply reflective but forward-looking episode serves as both a tribute to Charlie Kirk and a window into the current battles—and hopes—within the American conservative movement. The show combines sharp criticism of opponents, legal and procedural deep dives, and sincere appeals for unity and dignity, all framed by the context of a movement in mourning but determined to move forward.

For continued AmFest coverage, tune in via Real America’s Voice, Rumble, or TPUSA outlets.