The Benny Show: Kash Patel Testifying LIVE Now on Charlie Kirk Assassin

Host: Benny Johnson
Date: September 17, 2025
Notable Guests: FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, Mike Davis (Article III Project), Rep. Eli Crane, FBI Director Kash Patel

Episode Overview

This impactful episode centers on the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, examining its implications for the American right, the prevalence of left-wing political violence, the role of media in distorting narratives, and governmental responses. Featuring live testimony from FBI Director Kash Patel before Congress, interviews with key conservative figures, and a focused discussion on media accountability, the episode is both a memorial to Charlie Kirk and a call to action for unity among conservatives.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Remembering Charlie Kirk & Uniting the Right

[00:01 - 06:40]

• Benny Johnson begins with a solemn tribute to Charlie Kirk, emphasizing his legacy as a “coalition builder” able to unite conservatives across factions.
• Benny urges the right to rally against their “real enemy”—radical left-wing ideologies—rather than fragmenting over internal disputes.
  • Quote: “Charlie Kirk was about focusing on our combined enemy...We must be united and our purpose in this moment.” (Benny Johnson, 05:30)
• Laments left-wing celebrations of Kirk’s death, contrasting it with the unity and good faith among most on the right.

2. Demands for Action Against Political Violence

[06:40 – 15:53]: Eli Crane, Mike Davis

• Rep. Eli Crane criticizes Democrat leaders for inflammatory rhetoric and accuses them of inciting violence against conservatives.

  • Quote: “What do Democrats think is going to happen when you call someone a fascist, label their supporters garbage, put a bullseye on them?” (Eli Crane, 09:06)

• Discussion about legislative responses, such as removing Rep. Ilhan Omar from committees for allegedly celebrating Kirk’s death.

• Mike Davis underscores the need for Republicans to classify Antifa as a terrorist group and use legal means to prosecute “violent terrorists.”

  • Quote: “We need to start putting these violent terrorists in prison instead of trying to debate them.” (Mike Davis, 10:48)

• Significant focus on the legal campaign against what they describe as a “conspiracy against rights” by Democrat operatives since 2016.

3. FBI Director Kash Patel Testifies before Congress

[17:30 – 62:04+]

• Patel’s Accomplishments: Announces record numbers for violent felon arrests, gun seizures, child rescues, and counterterrorism operations attributed to refocusing FBI resources nationwide.
  • Quote: “In just seven months we are on track to produce the lowest murder rate in modern US history by double digits.” (Cash Patel, 22:24)
• Epstein Case: Faces intense bipartisan questioning over the FBI’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, client list, and allegations of cover-up.
  • Patel insists legal and court restrictions bind what can be released, claims his tenure has produced “more material than anyone else before.”
  • Intense sparring with committee members over transparency and the extent of evidence held.
• January 6, Crossfire Hurricane, Political Investigations:
  • Patel addresses reforms to increase transparency, prevent abuses, and respond to ongoing investigations of prior FBI/DOJ misconduct targeting conservatives.
  • Quote: “Transparency means one of my main priorities at the FBI...and we cannot do so without congressional oversight.” (Patel, 24:35)
• Targeting Accusations: Repeated denials that the FBI still targets conservatives, parents, Catholics, pro-life activists, or censors speech.
• Charlie Kirk’s Assassination: Patel details the rapid law enforcement response and investigation, noting cooperation from Discord in the shooter’s communications probe.
  • Quote: “33 hours from assassination to the arrest of the assassin...The work of the FBI speaks for itself.” (Patel, 39:55/41:07)
• Epstein Files/Trump: Heavy questioning on whether Trump appears in Epstein files. Patel states, “We have released...all credible information that we are legally allowed to release” (Patel, 52:49).

4. Honoring Charlie Kirk – Rep. Eli Crane

[67:24 – 77:35]

• Personal eulogy from Crane, recalling Kirk’s faith, his perseverance debating leftists on campuses, and the explosive growth of Turning Point chapters as evidence of Charlie's lasting impact.
  • Quote: “Darkness cannot defeat light...You cannot.” (Eli Crane, 71:49)
• Crane and Benny discuss the spiritual roots of political violence and the obligation to oppose it robustly but peacefully.

5. Media Responsibility & FCC Oversight

[79:24 – 101:25]: Benny Johnson & FCC Chairman Brendan Carr

• Focus shifts to Jimmy Kimmel’s monologue, which Johnson accuses of “victim blaming” and distorting facts about Kirk’s assassination.
  • Provides detailed legal context for broadcast regulation, arguing ABC is violating public interest obligations.
  • Quote: “These are the kind of lies, omissions, victim blaming...that not a mitochum or a scintilla of sympathy can be shed for those who have just lost their father.” (Benny Johnson, 85:27)
• FCC Chairman Carr confirms active investigation into Disney for DEI practices and raises the potential for license revocation over “news distortion.”
  • Quote: “We can do this the easy way or the hard way. These companies can find ways to change conduct, to take action, frankly, on Kimmel or there’s going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.” (Carr, 91:06)
• Discussion on the collapse of legacy media’s credibility and conservative efforts to build independent platforms.

6. Further Congressional Testimony: Discord, Social Media, and Radicalization

[103:14 – 120:08]

• Testimony covers Discord’s cooperation in the Kirk case, ensuring comprehensive criminal investigations, and criticism of social media companies as facilitators of left-wing violence.
• Breaking news: Oversight Committee to subpoena Discord, Stream, Twitch, and Reddit CEOs on left-wing online radicalization.

7. Closing Themes: Unity, Consequences, & Ongoing Threats

[131:45 – End]

• Benny calls again for conservatives to set aside grudges and unite against the “left-wing terroristic organ.” Reiterates support for societal (not legal) consequences for those who celebrate political violence.
• Live coverage of a suspicious bomb incident outside Turning Point USA HQ underscores ongoing threats.
• Strong spiritual framing throughout: “It is not red versus blue...It is good versus evil...We are on the side of light and we are on the side of good.”
• Closing tribute includes a clip from Charlie Kirk’s widow vowing to continue his mission:
  • Quote: “You have no idea what you just have unleashed across this entire country and this world...We’ll never surrender. Ever.” (Kirk’s widow, 146:41)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Charlie Kirk was about focusing on our combined enemy...We must be united and our purpose in this moment.”
  • Benny Johnson (05:30)
• “We need to start putting these violent terrorists in prison instead of trying to debate them.”
  • Mike Davis (10:48)
• “Transparency means one of my main priorities at the FBI...and we cannot do so without congressional oversight.”
  • FBI Director Kash Patel (24:35)
• “In just seven months we are on track to produce the lowest murder rate in modern US history by double digits.”
  • FBI Director Kash Patel (22:24)
• “Darkness cannot defeat light...You cannot.”
  • Rep. Eli Crane (71:49)
• “We can do this the easy way or the hard way...there’s going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.”
  • FCC Chairman Brendan Carr (91:06)
• “If you thought that my husband’s mission was powerful before, you have no idea what you just have unleashed across this entire country and this world. You have no idea...we’ll never surrender. Ever.”
  • Mrs. Kirk (146:41)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:01 – 06:40 Intro, tribute to Charlie Kirk, unity call
• 06:41 – 15:53 Rep. Eli Crane, Mike Davis – violence, legal strategy
• 17:30 – 62:04 FBI Director Kash Patel’s testimony: FBI reforms, statistics, Epstein, January 6, Crossfire, Charlie Kirk case
• 67:24 – 77:35 Eulogy and movement analysis (Rep. Eli Crane)
• 79:24 – 101:25 Jimmy Kimmel, media, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr interview
• 103:14 – 120:08 Epstein, Discord, congressional sparring, radicalization hearings
• 131:45 – End Final unity call, bomb threat at TPUSA HQ, spiritual framing, closing tribute

Tone & Style

The tone is urgent, emotional, and combative, blending mourning, resolve, and a spiritual emphasis. The language remains bold and raw, matching the right-wing, activist style of the show, and highlights the themes of unity, cultural conflict, and the need for “pressure release valves” to avoid further violence.

This episode serves both as a tribute to Charlie Kirk and a rallying cry for the American right to unite, confront left-wing violence, hold media and government accountable, and carry forward Kirk’s mission in the face of existential threat.