The Benny Show

Episode: American Martyr: Remembering Charlie Kirk | FBI Reveals New Footage of Assassin, Trump's Eulogy LIVE, with Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, Tyler Bowyer and Andrew Kolvet

Date: September 11, 2025
Host: Benny Johnson
Guests: Steven Crowder, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, Tyler Bowyer, Andrew Kolvet

Main Theme and Purpose

This emotional and urgent episode is wholly dedicated to the life, legacy, and assassination of conservative leader Charlie Kirk. The host and guests process their grief, share personal anecdotes, and attempt to make sense of the shocking killing—a political assassination at Utah Valley University—while reporting on live, breaking developments from the FBI and federal authorities. The episode blends heartfelt remembrance with calls for action, analysis of political violence, and updates on the ongoing manhunt for Kirk’s assassin. The tragic event is framed as a defining moment for American conservatives, Christian communities, and the future direction of political discourse in the US.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Assassination and Immediate Aftermath

• Reactions to the Killing

  • Steven Crowder opens on the “hardest 24 hours” and characterizes Kirk’s murder as a result of evil trying to “steal a father from his loving family... a man who would have been president.”
  • Repeated use of terms “martyr,” “Christian martyr,” and “American martyr,” framing Kirk’s death as not only political but spiritual (00:30–08:00).

• Personal Testimonies

  • Crowder shares Kirk’s private acts of generosity: “Charlie sacrificed his home to me when my family's home was damaged in a horrific fire... We stayed for months as we sought to find a hospitable home.” (02:00)
  • The hosts and guests highlight Kirk’s foundational faith, personal forgiveness, and tireless activism.

2. Kirk’s Legacy and Influence

• Movement Leadership and Generational Change

  • Kirk described as unparalleled among young activists: “A rock star on college campuses in a manner no movie star could hope to be” (approx. 08:30).
  • Tyler Bowyer, co-founder of Turning Point USA, and Andrew Kolvet detail the origins and explosive growth of TPUSA, crediting Kirk’s “prophetic” vision and relentless work ethic (89:57–116:19).
  • “Charlie Kirk’s influence was growing parabolically and exponentially. Everyone could see that. We all knew that Charlie Kirk was on his way to becoming President of the United States. And so did evil. So did his enemies.” (13:00).

• Mentorship and Personal Impact

  • Guests share how Kirk inspired them to start families, build grassroots organizations, and enter politics: “My whole career is I owe to Charlie” (Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, 55:51).
  • Stories of Kirk supporting colleagues through adversity, defending them from “establishment” attacks.

3. Political and Cultural Context

• Political Demonization

  • Intense critique of the media and left-wing activists: hosts blame “wicked demon bastards on the left and in corporate media... you told them Charlie Kirk was Hitler. And what do you expect to happen?” (16:30).
  • Direct accusations that dehumanizing language and constant vilification contributed to radicalizing the assassin and inciting violence (18:00–22:00).

• Condemnation and Charges of Terrorism

  • “The modern Democrat Party is a terrorist organization. They incite this.” (23:00)
  • Calls for classifying Antifa as a domestic terrorist group and for new legislation to equate political violence with civil rights violations (69:41–71:13).
  • Repeated references to prior political violence, invoking the shootings of Steve Scalise, Trump (Butler, PA), and others.

4. Breaking Developments: FBI and Investigation

• FBI Press Conference and Evidence Revealed

  • FBI tracks shooter’s movements: shooter arrived 11:52am, climbs roof, takes single shot, escapes into a neighborhood. Weapon recovered is a high-powered bolt-action rifle (40:45–44:15).
  • Evidence includes palm prints, forearm imprints, DNA, footwear impressions, and high-quality video footage (41:00–43:00).
  • The assassin is described as highly trained; authorities have not yet made an arrest but are confident in their leads (43:00–44:15).
  • Law enforcement regards the operation as “indicative of a professional hit” (75:53–78:59).

• Possible Motive and Ideology

  • ATF report (via leak) states bullets were engraved with “transgender and anti fascist ideology” (52:00–55:00).
  • Wall Street Journal subsequently confirms ammunition was marked with political messaging (68:41).
  • Significant discussion that parallels recent violence in Minneapolis by a transgender shooter, suggesting a wider pattern of ideologically-motivated violence.

5. Eulogies and Reflections

• Tributes from National Leaders

  • President Joe Biden and President Donald Trump both deliver statements (25:00, 32:05).
  • Biden: “Charlie was a giant of his generation, a champion of liberty and an inspiration to millions…” Announces posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom (25:22).
  • Trump: “Those on the radical left have compared wonderful Americans like Charlie to Nazis... This kind of rhetoric is directly responsible for the terrorism and political violence we’re seeing in our country today, and it must stop right now.” (32:05–34:14).
  • National outpouring: Yankees stadium tribute, White House flags at half-mast.

• Memorable Quotes

  • “He died as he lived, sharing light and salt in the darkest corners of American society…” – Steven Crowder (00:41)
  • “Charlie Kirk is a marcher. Charlie Kirk is an American martyr. Charlie Kirk is a Christian martyr. Charlie Kirk gave his life for this country and for his faith.” – Benny Johnson (27:06)
  • “When we stop talking, bad things happen. We want more speech, more freedom, less violence.” – Andrew Kolvet (112:50)
  • “Hate to lose… everyone loves to win. But you really have to have the experience and the intestinal fortitude to make it through losing and trial and error and failing early and failing often. And that's what separates us.” – Tyler Bowyer (116:19)

• Personal Grief and Calls to Action

  • Guests and hosts struggle with their emotions but repeatedly turn to calls for resilience, activism, and faith.
  • “Now the real work begins.” – recurring phrase; the movement must honor Kirk by doubling its efforts and expanding grassroots activism.

6. Reactions from Congress and the Broader Movement

• Rep. Anna Paulina Luna’s Testimony

  • Details on her personal journey with Kirk’s support, her run for office, campaign trail stories (55:51–59:14).
  • Recounts emotional turmoil during a prayer attempt for Kirk on the House floor, which was booed by some Democrats (59:14–61:07).
  • Vows to introduce legislation reclassifying political violence as a civil rights violation and intensifying penalties for ideological attacks (64:22–71:13).

• Community Response and Future Directions

  • Emphasis on building Turning Point USA chapters, advocating for activism rather than passivity (71:25–73:38).
  • Reiteration that “you can’t be quiet,” and condemnation of both the violence and any attempts to dismiss its political roots.

Notable Quotes & Time Stamps

• “Charlie Kirk is an American martyr. He is a Christian martyr… we must venerate him in our own poor and inadequate ways by carrying forward his mission.” — Steven Crowder (00:30)
• “Charlie Kirk’s influence was growing parabolically and exponentially. Everyone could see that… And so did evil.” — Benny Johnson (13:00)
• “The modern Democrat Party is a terrorist organization. They incite this.” — Benny Johnson (23:00)
• “Charlie Kirk’s voice and the courage he put into the hearts of countless people, especially young people, will live on.” — President Biden (25:22)
• “For years, those on the radical left have compared wonderful Americans like Charlie to Nazis... This kind of rhetoric is directly responsible for the terrorism… and it must stop right now.” — President Trump (32:05)
• “I was one of the only people that went through this leftist social media account… and at the time I was screaming into the wilderness. We can't sing Kumbaya with these people.” — Steven Crowder (66:04)
• “He wants to save the country for his kids and for everybody’s kids in this show right now… He would want us to double down and to not see this country get ripped apart. But to be brought together.” — Andrew Kolvet (112:17)
• “Doesn't matter. Work harder… That’s really the mentality of what we call grassroots humility at Turning Point, which is putting the movement before yourself.” — Tyler Bowyer (116:19)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:30–18:00: Crowder’s tribute and the personal dimension of Kirk’s faith and leadership
• 25:00–34:00: Biden’s and Trump’s eulogies, national mood, and political framing
• 40:45–44:15: FBI press conference—shooter’s actions and evidence
• 52:00–55:00: ATF leak; bullet ideology engravings reported
• 55:51–73:38: Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna shares Kirk’s political influence, House prayer controversy, and legislative agenda
• 75:53–78:59: Former FBI agent Stuart Kaplan calls Kirk’s killing a “professional hit”
• 89:57–121:40: Tyler Bowyer and Andrew Kolvet share deep behind-the-scenes stories about Kirk, Turning Point origin, and future of the movement
• 129:52–136:00: FBI suspects, public appeal, breaking news—new messages found in shooter’s weapon
• 141:04–end: Closing prayers, final calls to action and remembrance

Actionable Takeaways and Calls to Action

• Join and Activate: Urgent encouragement for listeners to join Turning Point USA, open chapters, or become involved in activism on the local level as a way to honor Kirk’s legacy.
• Support Ongoing Investigation: Listeners are asked to look at the FBI’s person of interest photo and contact federal authorities with any tips (130:20).
• Legislative Advocacy: Rep. Luna urges support for her forthcoming bills to strengthen legal consequences for ideologically-motivated violence.
• Resilience and Hope: The show closes with prayers for Kirk’s family, reminders of faith, and a collective pledge to continue and expand the movement for which Kirk died.

Episode Tone and Language

The episode maintains a raw, grief-stricken, and urgent tone—punctuated by moments of brotherhood, defiance, and spiritual resolve. Language is impassioned, often combative (particularly toward the political left and media), and frequently invokes biblical and historical references to martyrdom, good versus evil, and American and Christian identity. Remembrances are deeply personal, often emotional, and aim to inspire action.

For Listeners Who Haven’t Heard the Episode

This episode is a full-throated commemoration of Charlie Kirk, blending breaking news with candid, unscripted eulogy from those closest to him. It moves from private recollection and faith-based tribute to explicit condemnation of political violence and rallying the conservative base for action. The assassination’s details are revealed as the FBI investigation unfolds, making the episode part obituary, part rallying cry, and part live news special.

Listeners will come away with:

• Intimate stories about Kirk’s personal and professional life
• Understanding of the political narrative around his death
• Clarity about the investigation’s key findings and evidence
• A sense of the grief, outrage, and motivation driving Kirk’s friends and allies
• Explicit calls to activism and a clear picture of next steps for the movement