The Charlie Kirk Show: The Case To Pardon Derek Chauvin ft. Ben Shapiro

Release Date: March 10, 2025

Introduction

In this pivotal episode of The Charlie Kirk Show, host Charlie Kirk welcomes renowned conservative commentator Ben Shapiro to discuss a highly controversial and timely issue: the advocacy for pardoning former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. The conversation delves deep into the circumstances surrounding Chauvin's conviction for the death of George Floyd, questioning the fairness of the trial, the narratives perpetuated by the media, and the broader societal implications.

Praising Charlie Kirk and Turning Point USA

Ben Shapiro begins by lauding Charlie Kirk's efforts, stating:

"Charlie Kirk's running the White House, folks. I want to thank Charlie. He's an incredible guy. His spirit, his love of this country. He's done an amazing job building one of the most powerful youth organizations ever created, Turning Point USA." [00:38]

This acknowledgment sets a collaborative tone for the discussion, highlighting the shared commitment to conservative values and grassroots activism.

The Argument for Pardoning Derek Chauvin

Charlie Kirk introduces the core topic by asserting that the case against Derek Chauvin warrants reconsideration:

"The man in the video, Derek Chauvin, is now going to spend the rest of his life in prison. Well, now further examination allows us to re-analyze this cultural flashpoint." [00:38]

Ben Shapiro elaborates on this by challenging the prevailing narrative that Chauvin's actions were purely racially motivated. He emphasizes that there was no explicit allegation during the trial that Chauvin killed George Floyd because of Floyd's race:

"The narrative that America was inherently racist... was never actually made at trial." [03:05]

Shapiro argues that systemic racism was not substantiated in Chauvin's case and points out inconsistencies in the media's portrayal of the incident.

Analyzing the Trial and Evidence

Delving into the specifics of George Floyd's death, Shapiro scrutinizes the medical reports and trial proceedings:

"The original medical examiner autopsy report suggested that he had died not of failure to breathe because of pressure put on him, but effectively of excited delirium. Fentanyl overdose." [03:05]

He highlights that Floyd's use of substances and pre-existing medical conditions complicated the case against Chauvin. Shapiro questions the fairness of the trial, noting potential juror bias influenced by public pressure and political climate:

"One of the jurors was wearing a T-shirt with a picture of King and the words, 'get your knee off our necks. In BLM.'" [13:04]

This raises concerns about the impartiality of the jury and the influence of external factors on the verdict.

Broader Societal Implications

The discussion transitions to the wider impact of the George Floyd incident on American society. Charlie Kirk connects the case to the rise of movements like the 1619 Project and the defunding of police departments, which he argues have led to increased crime rates:

"We saw murder rates, we saw arson, we saw carjackings, we saw widespread gang violence because of one incident." [10:20]

Ben Shapiro supports this by explaining the "Ferguson effect," where increased scrutiny and reduced policing lead to higher crime rates:

"In 2020, 2021, you saw hundreds of additional murders in America's major cities... Without the cops, things get real bad real fast." [28:18]

Shapiro asserts that misguided policies and societal shifts have inadvertently fostered an environment conducive to rising crime and public disorder.

Media Narratives and the Overton Window

Kirk and Shapiro examine how media narratives shape public perception, often pushing controversial topics into mainstream discourse without sufficient scrutiny. Shapiro criticizes the legacy media for rushing to judgment:

"The social media era rewards immediate reaction and response... Why don't we wait for the evidence to come in before we jump to a conclusion?" [25:53]

They argue that this tendency undermines rational discourse and leads to polarized opinions, especially on racially charged cases.

Critique of California's Governance and "Wokeism"

Shifting focus, the conversation critiques California's governance under Governor Gavin Newsom, attributing the state's challenges to "wokeism" and progressive policies. Shapiro recounts personal experiences and statistical evidence to support his claims:

"Crime rates went up under Gavin Newsom. Homelessness went up under Gavin Newsom. The economy went down under Gavin Newsom." [33:32]

He further discusses the impact of policies that discourage law enforcement, exacerbating public safety concerns:

"San Francisco became a place where you could basically just walk into a CVS, fill up a couple of bags, and walk out knowing that even if you were arrested, that you were then going to be released back into public charge pretty much the next day." [35:17]

Shapiro emphasizes that California's policy shifts have led to tangible declines in public order and economic stability.

Issues with the 2020 Census and Political Representation

The duo addresses the purported flaws in the 2020 Census, suggesting that inaccuracies have unfairly altered political representation. Shapiro advocates for a new census to ensure fair allocation of congressional seats and electoral votes:

"If that passes constitutional muster, and we should check that with the current solicitor general and AJ... He absolutely should [call a new census]." [37:06]

They argue that miscounts have disadvantaged certain states, affecting the balance of political power and representation.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

As the episode wraps up, Charlie Kirk commends Ben Shapiro for his insights and advocacy:

"Ben, congratulations on all the success and thank you for speaking out on issues that other people were ignoring." [37:27]

Shapiro reciprocates the appreciation, reinforcing the importance of challenging prevailing narratives and advocating for justice based on evidence and fairness.

Key Takeaways

• Trial Fairness: The conviction of Derek Chauvin is scrutinized for potential juror bias and the influence of media narratives, questioning the fairness of the legal process.

• Medical Evidence: Analysis of George Floyd's autopsy reports reveals complexities such as substance use and pre-existing health conditions, challenging the sole attribution of death to police actions.

• Societal Impact: The George Floyd incident is linked to broader societal shifts, including increased crime rates and public distrust in law enforcement exacerbated by policies perceived as overly progressive.

• Media Influence: The role of legacy media in shaping public perception is critiqued, emphasizing the need for evidence-based judgments over immediate reactions.

• Governance Critique: California's governance under Gavin Newsom is criticized for fostering environments conducive to rising crime and economic decline through progressive policies.

• Political Representation: Inaccuracies in the 2020 Census are highlighted as factors undermining fair political representation, with calls for a new census to rectify these issues.

This episode serves as a comprehensive analysis of the Derek Chauvin case, intertwining it with broader discussions on media influence, governance, and societal trends. For listeners seeking a critical perspective on a contentious issue, Charlie Kirk and Ben Shapiro provide a thought-provoking dialogue aimed at encouraging skepticism and evidence-based discourse.