The Benny Show – Episode Summary

Episode: Kash Patel Testifying LIVE Now on Charlie Kirk Assassination, Trump to Declare Antifa 'TERRORISTS'
Date: September 16, 2025
Host: Benny Johnson
Guests: Senator Markwayne Mullin, Jack Posobiec, (Clips: Kash Patel, JD Vance, Stephen Miller, President Trump, Greg Gutfeld)

Overview

This emotionally charged episode centered on the assassination of Charlie Kirk and the subsequent political, judicial, and spiritual aftermath. Host Benny Johnson, joined by Senator Markwayne Mullin, Jack Posobiec, and clips from key political figures, explored the deeper implications of Kirk’s death for American conservatism, religious faith, political violence, and national security. The episode featured live and summary coverage of Kash Patel’s Senate testimony on alleged left-wing domestic terrorism, including the suspected roles of Antifa and affiliated groups, and President Trump’s vow to designate Antifa as a terrorist organization.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Charlie Kirk's Legacy and Martyrdom (00:01–09:46)

• Host Reflections: Benny Johnson opens with a deeply personal and faith-driven reflection on Charlie Kirk’s life and death, drawing a parallel between Kirk and the biblical figure Stephen, the first Christian martyr.
  • “Charlie Kirk is not dead. Charlie Kirk is alive today with his savior and his creator in paradise.” (07:00)
• Cultural Impact: Charlie’s assassination is framed as a catalyst for a major cultural and spiritual awakening in America, marked by an unprecedented surge in social media followers and engagement with his message.
  • Online presence: Kirk’s following doubled post-assassination.
  • Mass public vigils, increased interest in Christianity.
• Martyrdom in Faith & Politics: Benny emphasizes the historic pattern where persecution and martyrdom lead to explosive growth and renewal in faith communities.

2. Uncovering Political Targeting: Kash Patel & Chuck Grassley (09:46–15:39)

• Whistleblower Testimony: Kash Patel’s Senate testimony unveils the alleged weaponization of the FBI, targeting Republican organizations, including Turning Point USA, as part of Operation Arctic Frost.
  • “In total, 92 Republican targets… were placed under investigative scope of Arctic Frost. On that political list was one of Charlie Kirk's groups, Turning Point USA.” – Cash Patel (14:54–15:14)
• Revelation’s Implications: The politicization of law enforcement is painted as a direct threat to American democracy and conservative organizations’ ability to participate in politics free from state harassment.

3. Left-Wing Political Violence & Calls for Accountability (15:39–34:07)

• History of Left-Wing Attacks: Benny contextualizes Kirk’s murder within the broader history of left-wing political violence, from the 2017 congressional baseball shooting to doxing and harassment of conservatives.
  • “This was without doubt worse than anything every crime added up on January 6th together... and nothing happened.” (15:39–20:00)
• Rejecting 'Both Sides' Narratives: The show denounces attempts to equate left and right-wing violence, accusing mainstream media and establishment Republicans of excusing or minimizing leftist violence.
  • “We’re not going to unify with evil. We’re not going to play the both sides game.” – Benny Johnson (28:24)

4. JD Vance, Stephen Miller, and Trump Vow No Compromise with Domestic Terror (28:24–37:02)

• JD Vance Host Appearance: Clips from Vice President JD Vance, guest hosting the Charlie Kirk Show, highlight his call for no unity with those encouraging or justifying violence.
  • “There is no unity with people who celebrate Charlie Kirk's assassination... There is no unity with the people who fund these articles, who pay the salaries of these terrorist sympathizers.” – JD Vance (29:26)
• Strategy to Combat Domestic Terrorism:
  • Stephen Miller calls for the dismantling of violent domestic networks through organized legal and federal action.
  • President Trump, in a direct interview clip, pledges to designate Antifa as a terrorist organization and bring RICO charges against its funders and agitators.
  • “If you give me, I would do that 100%... Antifa is terrible.” – Trump (34:07)
  • “These are not protests, these are crimes.” – Trump (34:22)

5. Case Study: Armed Queers of Salt Lake City (37:02–45:36)

• New Radical Groups Under Investigation: Benny investigates the “Armed Queers of Salt Lake City,” a Marxist paramilitary group suspected of ties to Kirk’s assassination.
  • Deleted social media, evidence of training in Cuba, open connections to global Marxist movements.
  • “Their logo… happens to include very clearly the same caliber of bullet inscribed with antifa and pro queer messaging. Much like the bullets that murdered Charlie.” (37:14)
• Federal Investigation Ongoing: Benny stresses deference to law enforcement and the urgency for tips and leads from the public.

6. Senator Markwayne Mullin: Personal Remembrances & Legislative Response (50:57–74:38)

• Emotional Tribute: Mullin offers a personal account of Charlie Kirk as a model Christian, husband, father, and political leader.
  • “His legacy is a Christian man that was a devoted husband… he had his principles in place – God, family and country.” – Mullin (51:41)
• Movement Growth: Turning Point USA chapters surge after Kirk’s death—evidence of his enduring impact.
• Policy Response: Mullin calls for focused investigations and disruption of domestic terror funding, without crossing into censorship or infringing free speech.
  • “There's a difference between having a social media platform… versus paying people for destruction.” (70:12)

7. Jack Posobiec: Vigil Reports, Dismantling Domestic Extremism (78:41–94:45)

• Massive Memorial: More than 14,000 attend a vigil at ASU, demonstrating Kirk’s powerful legacy and pent-up public anger.
  • “I could hear it in their voices… People are furious. They're saying, Charlie was taken out... There has to be justice for Charlie Kirk.” – Posobiec (82:57)
• Expert Analysis: Posobiec (intelligence background) argues for federal action to break the cycle of ideological violence and monitor the rise in trans and Antifa-related extremism.
  • “We need a nationwide effort to address this before it gets to the point where someone… is on a roof pointing a gun.” (90:57)
  • Stresses need for justice and governmental authority (Romans 13).

8. Senate Testimony: Pattern of Anti-Christian, Political Violence (96:21–105:13)

• Sen. Josh Hawley Questions FBI: Are Charlie’s killing and similar attacks part of a larger pattern of anti-Christian violence?
  • FBI confirms full-spectrum investigation, including digital/social media accomplices.
  • Discord chats among suspects under review; more than 20 users being traced (99:09).
• Sen. Eric Schmidt: Highlights responsibility of dark money, NGOs, and foreign billionaires in sponsoring terror groups, calls for asset freezes and further oversight.

9. Rejecting Both-Sides-ism: Greg Gutfeld Takedown (108:05–111:53)

• Memorable TV Moment:
  • Gutfeld destroys the “both sides” argument on Fox News’ The Five.
  • “There is no cognitive dissonance on our side. On your side, your beliefs do not match reality… He [Charlie] was under the hypnotic spell of a direct to consumer nihilism, the trans cult.” – Greg Gutfeld (108:51–110:55)
  • Rejection of relativism, affirmation of the need for honest reckoning with left-wing extremist violence.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• Martyrdom and Legacy
  • “Charlie Kirk is not dead. Charlie Kirk is alive today with his savior and his creator in paradise.” – Benny Johnson (07:00)
  • “His legacy is a Christian man that was a devoted husband... God, family, and country.” – Sen. Mullin (51:41)
• On Rejecting Both Sides
  • “We're not going to unify with evil. We're not going to play the both sides game.” – Benny Johnson (28:24)
  • “The both sides argument not only doesn't fly, we don't care. We don't care about your both sides argument. That shit is dead.” – Greg Gutfeld (108:51)
• Scope of Federal Investigation
  • “In total, 92 Republican targets… were placed under investigative scope of Arctic Frost. On that political list was one of Charlie Kirk's groups, Turning Point USA.” – Cash Patel (14:54–15:14)
• On Federal Justice
  • “…with the God as my witness, we are going to use every resource we have... to identify, disrupt, dismantle and destroy these networks and make America safe again for the American people. It will happen and we will do it in Charlie's name.” – Stephen Miller (35:18)
• Policy on Domestic Terrorism
  • “If you give me, I would do that 100%... Antifa is terrible.” – President Trump (34:07)
  • “These are not protests, these are crimes.” – President Trump (34:22)
• Community Reaction
  • “14,000. Look at this photo. Look at that. It's just chilling… That image right there shows you precisely how powerful God's hand is right now on this nation.” – Benny Johnson (85:57)
• Spiritual Framing
  • “For those who are grappling with whether God exists, all you must merely do is look at evil and how hard it fights in order to steal, kill and destroy on this earth.” – Benny Johnson (112:42)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Timestamps (MM:SS) | |:------------------------------------------------|:----------------------| | Opening prayer and martyrdom reflection | 00:01–09:46 | | Kash Patel, Targeting by FBI | 09:46–15:39 | | Left-wing political violence context | 15:39–28:24 | | JD Vance/Stephen Miller/Trump on Antifa | 28:24–37:02 | | Armed Queers of Salt Lake City investigation | 37:02–45:36 | | Senator Markwayne Mullin on Kirk’s legacy | 50:57–74:38 | | Jack Posobiec: ASU Vigil, next steps | 78:41–94:45 | | Hawley/Schmidt testimony: FBI on anti-Christian | 96:21–105:13 | | Greg Gutfeld’s both-sides argument takedown | 108:05–111:53 |

Tone and Style

• Emotional & Impassioned: Raw accounts of grief, spiritual conviction, and purpose.
• Blunt & Unapologetic: Sharp denunciation of left-wing violence and “both sides-ism.”
• Action-Oriented: Repeated calls for investigation, prosecution, and total disassembly of militant leftist organizations.
• Community & Faith: Heavy invocation of Christian themes, martyrdom, and divine purpose.

Conclusion

This episode harnessed the full weight of Charlie Kirk’s martyrdom, using it as a springboard to rally the conservative movement against what the speakers frame as unchecked left-wing extremism. Through testimony, commentary, and personal stories, the guests and host called for a historic crackdown on domestic terrorism, highlighted ongoing federal investigations, and centered the imperative of faith and courage in the face of evil. The episode ended with a sense of clarity and determination, establishing the fight ahead as not simply political, but fundamentally spiritual: a battle between good and evil, not left and right.

Key Quote to Remember:
“There is no unity with people who celebrate Charlie Kirk's assassination... There is no unity with the people who fund these articles, who pay the salaries of these terrorist sympathizers, who argue that Charlie Kirk... deserved a shot to the neck because he spoke words with which they disagree.”
– JD Vance (29:26)