Podcast Summary: The Charlie Kirk Show – "Another Signal Chat...And Another Pope?"

Host: Charlie Kirk
Guest: Michael Knowles
Release Date: April 21, 2025

1. Defense of Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense

Timestamp: [00:00] – [08:27]

Charlie Kirk opens the episode addressing recent aggressive media attacks on Pete Hegseth, the U.S. Secretary of Defense. He posits that these assaults are not because Hegseth is failing in his role but rather because he is succeeding.

Notable Quote:
Michael Knowles: "Charlie Kirk's running the White House, folks."
Timestamp: [00:50]

Pete Hegseth commends Charlie for his efforts in building Turning Point USA, describing it as "one of the most powerful youth organizations ever created."
Timestamp: [00:53]

2. Media Attacks and the Real Motives

Charlie delves into the New York Times' recent attacks on Hegseth, particularly criticizing him for allegedly sending war plans via Signal chat—a claim Hegseth denies as "total and complete bs." Charlie argues that the media's real motive is to undermine a successful and reformative Secretary of Defense who is reversing the negative trends set by the previous administration under Joe Biden.

Notable Quote:
Charlie Kirk: "They are attacking Pete Hegseth because he's succeeding."
Timestamp: [04:00]

3. Military Improvements Under Hegseth

Charlie presents a compelling case for Hegseth’s effectiveness by highlighting significant improvements in military metrics:

• Recruitment: The Army reported a 10% increase in new enlistments in fiscal year 2024, while the Marine Corps achieved 100% of its recruiting goals.
  Timestamp: [04:30]

• Morale: A Rand Corporation survey indicates a 15-point jump in troop satisfaction compared to 2021, especially among combat units.
  Timestamp: [05:00]

• Efficiency: The Department of Defense’s Inspector General noted a 12% increase in procurement efficiency and project delivery timelines.
  Timestamp: [06:00]

• Lethality and Preparedness: Combat readiness scores from CENTCOM and INDOPACOM showed a 20% increase in unit preparedness over fiscal year 2022.
  Timestamp: [06:30]

Notable Quote:
Charlie Kirk: "By all objective measurements, Pete Hegseth has been a roaring success, probably the most effective Secretary of Defense since the new millennium."
Timestamp: [07:00]

4. Neocon Influence and Internal Pentagon Dynamics

Charlie suggests that the media attacks are symptomatic of a deeper struggle within the Pentagon, where neoconservative elements opposed to Hegseth’s strategies are losing influence. He implies that Hegseth’s removal of progressive policies, such as eliminating LGBTQ initiatives and enforcing strict physical fitness and combat readiness standards, has made him unpopular among entrenched bureaucratic factions.

Notable Quote:
Charlie Kirk: "The neocons want to strike Iran more than anything else. Pete Hegseth stands atop the Pentagon to say not today neocon."
Timestamp: [07:30]

5. Personal Attacks and Counterarguments

The episode features a segment where Steve Bannon criticizes military policies under previous administrations, highlighting the absurdity of certain LGBTQ initiatives within the military. Charlie uses this to reinforce his argument against the perceived "wokeism" infiltrating the Pentagon.

Notable Quote:
Steve Bannon: "The coolest thing I did on board was to be able to participate in a LGBTQ spoken word night... That's probably the culmination of the whole deployment."
Timestamp: [08:11]

6. Death of Pope Francis and Implications

Transitioning to a significant global event, Charlie announces the death of Pope Francis, marking a pivotal moment for the Catholic Church. He reflects on Pope Francis’s 12-year pontificate, noting his role in addressing social justice issues and his impact on Catholics in America.

Notable Quote:
Charlie Kirk: "When you have a military that was bogged down by bureaucracy, wokeism and low morale, and all of a sudden you see that turned around, you have to wonder, but what is down?"
Timestamp: [07:30]

7. Selection Process for the New Pope Explained by Michael Knowles

Inviting Michael Knowles, a devout Catholic and host of "The Michael Knowles Show," Charlie delves into the intricacies of selecting a new pope. Michael elucidates the traditional process, including the role of the College of Cardinals, the voting procedures in the Sistine Chapel, and the symbolic white and black smoke signals that indicate the selection of a new pope.

Notable Quote:
Michael Knowles: "You might think you know what the next pontificate's going to look like. Really, at this point, we have no idea."
Timestamp: [21:24]

8. The Role of Tradition and Liturgy in Catholicism’s Resurgence Among Youth

Michael emphasizes the importance of maintaining traditional liturgy, such as the traditional Latin Mass, to attract and retain young Catholics. He notes a significant resurgence in Catholicism, particularly among younger demographics, driven by the Church’s adherence to established rituals and resistance to modern liberal ideologies.

Notable Quote:
Michael Knowles: "There is so much beauty in this Mass that endured substantially unchanged for about 1400 years."
Timestamp: [26:11]

Charlie shares his observations of young evangelicals gravitating towards Catholicism, citing a preference for the Church’s structured and reverent worship environments over what he perceives as the shallowness of some evangelical services.

Notable Quote:
Charlie Kirk: "I couldn’t find a seat at 10pm at night on a Saturday night. It was like a selfie line, just trying to get in there."
Timestamp: [28:01]

9. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Charlie concludes the episode by reinforcing the significance of both Pete Hegseth’s role in revitalizing the U.S. military and the Catholic Church’s evolving dynamics following Pope Francis’s passing. He encourages listeners to engage with both national defense and religious traditions as pillars of American strength and cultural identity.

Notable Quote:
Charlie Kirk: "People are seeking tradition. And what I hear from young people in particular is they say everything is changing. I don’t need a worship song with an electric guitar and smoke. I want to feel holy."
Timestamp: [33:00]

Key Takeaways:

• Pete Hegseth’s Success: Under Hegseth’s leadership, the U.S. military has seen improvements in recruitment, morale, efficiency, and combat readiness, challenging media narratives that aim to undermine his effectiveness.

• Media and Neocon Opposition: Charlie argues that the media attacks are driven by neoconservative factions threatened by Hegseth’s reforms, particularly his stance against unnecessary military interventions.

• Pope Francis’s Death: The passing of Pope Francis marks a significant transition for the Catholic Church, with discussions focusing on the selection of a new pope who upholds traditional values and maintains the Church’s global influence.

• Resurgence of Catholicism: There is a noticeable trend of younger individuals, including evangelicals disillusioned with modern liberalism, converting to Catholicism, attracted by the Church’s adherence to tradition and structured liturgy.

• Importance of Tradition: Both in military leadership and religious practice, maintaining tradition and resisting superficial modern changes are portrayed as key to enduring success and stability.

This episode of "The Charlie Kirk Show" offers a robust defense of Pete Hegseth’s leadership in the Defense Department, critiques media narratives, explores significant developments within the Catholic Church, and highlights trends in religious conversions among youth. Through detailed discussions and insightful commentary, Charlie Kirk provides listeners with clarity on pivotal cultural and political issues shaping America today.