Podcast Summary: The Charlie Kirk Show
Episode: Antifa: Lessons From Seattle
Date: January 28, 2026
Host: Charlie Kirk
Guests: Jason Rantz (SeattleRed.com), Alex Marlow (Breitbart)
Episode Overview
This episode explores the current state and organization of Antifa and far-left protest movements in Seattle and nationwide, particularly in the wake of recent violent confrontations involving ICE. Host Charlie Kirk and his guests analyze how these movements have shifted since the height of BLM, draw lessons from Seattle's tumultuous recent past, and debate the official response and broader media narratives. They also touch on cultural and religious divides shaping America's political climate.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Antifa & Far-Left Organizing in Seattle
[01:27–04:48]
- Charlie Kirk introduces Jason Rantz as a long-time Seattle observer. The discussion opens with the state of far-left activism in Seattle, comparing current protest dynamics to the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement in 2020.
- Jason Rantz describes the movement:
- The protest movement is "very organized, but not nearly as large as it once was."
- The phenomenon persists as a "progressive protest industrial complex."
- Far-left lawmakers and activists encourage confrontation with law enforcement and ICE, creating cycles of outrage fueled by press coverage and social media clout.
- Despite favorable coverage and continued activism, the movement's growth has slowed, possibly because "the average person" desires "sensible immigration reform" and "some semblance of immigration law being enforced."
- Rantz underscores the radical nature of total opposition to immigration enforcement.
Notable Quotes:
- “It's the same folks over and over and over again who are showing up... It’s this progressive protest industrial complex.” — Jason Rantz [02:09]
2. The Seattle Case Study: Lessons & Setbacks
[04:48–07:14]
- Kirk asks if Seattle has learned from its crises.
- Rantz gives a cyclical view:
- Seattle's electorate swings between extremes, sometimes dialing back radical policies but then reverting to them after seeing some improvement.
- Most recent mayoral shifts demonstrate a lack of sustained lesson-learning: "We never seem to learn our lesson for more than four years at a time."
- Recent protests in Seattle and their coordination with actions in other cities (e.g., Minneapolis) illustrate the persistence of the activist core.
Notable Quotes:
- “Seattle base of radicals...push us very, very, very far to the left. Then the voters say, okay, let's dial it back a notch. Then you see some results. But then they go and say...let's go back in the crazy direction.” — Jason Rantz [05:30]
3. Violence, Messaging, & Cultural Narratives
[11:44–14:51]
- Host and guests analyze violent rhetoric and normalization within left-wing activism:
- Clips are played of Antifa members advocating for violence:
“Not talking about peaceful protest anymore...” [12:14] - Rantz argues that activists see themselves as "heroes," fighting fascism—a self-delusion enabled by left-aligned politicians and media.
- The panel stresses the importance of "calling out" violent rhetoric and not allowing it to be normalized.
- Concrete actions (e.g., de-platforming of a particular Antifa activist) are celebrated as small victories.
- Clips are played of Antifa members advocating for violence:
Notable Quotes:
- “You've got these sad people, lonely, dangerous people who have convinced themselves that they're actual heroes, that they're freedom fighters…” — Jason Rantz [12:55]
- “It's intended to create this kind of violence and at least at a bare minimum, this kind of violent rhetoric.” — Jason Rantz [13:45]
4. Official Response, Political Tactics, and Messaging
[08:04–10:04] & [21:15–23:48]
- Criticism of official responses to recent shootings:
- The panel discusses the case of Alex Preddy, a protester killed in a confrontation with law enforcement, and subsequent administrative and public failings in messaging.
- Trump administration's handling of law enforcement leadership transitions is debated, with Tom Homan commended for his discipline and suitability.
- The group emphasizes the need for strong, careful messaging—avoiding overreach or ceding moral ground, but not appearing weak.
Notable Quotes:
- “The initial messaging went a little bit too far. They did it without the evidence. On their side.” — Jason Rantz [09:01]
- “Messaging, discipline, experience. And it’s a fine thing to navigate because...you can't retreat, you can't concede, you can't say they won.” — Guest [23:20]
5. Media, Martyrdom & Public Perception
[27:13–29:25]
- Analysis of left-leaning media’s “air support” for activists:
- Examples from Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Colbert, Jon Stewart are discussed, showcasing a pattern where activists seek confrontation for martyrdom and the cycle is amplified by sympathetic media figures.
- Alex Marlow notes:
- “If [Preddy] was trying to commit suicide by ICE, he would have not behaved any differently.”
- These incidents shape perceptions for casual news followers who may not get the full context.
Notable Quotes:
- “The martyring part is really essential... Now ISIS to be extra careful and they have an important job to do...” — Alex Marlow [28:18]
6. Broader Culture War & Christianity
[32:58–39:32]
- Attacks on evangelical Christians:
- Clip played of Jennifer Welch harshly denouncing Christians as "a cancer," which the panel compares to genocidal propaganda.
- Guests defend American Christianity’s role in creating civic virtue and charitable behavior, arguing that opposition is rooted in politics, not substance.
- Charlie Kirk (clip) and guests assert the constitutional order depends on a “moral and religious people,” and America’s decline is linked to waning Christianity.
Notable Quotes:
- “You try having an America without Christianity, and it will fail.” — Host [36:51]
- “One of the reasons we're living through a constitutional crisis is that we no longer have a Christian nation, but we have a Christian form of government, and they're incompatible.” — Charlie Kirk (clip) [38:07]
Memorable Moments & Quotes
- On the left’s cycle of outrage:
“They use that death to create more outrage. That then just creates that vicious circle...” — Jason Rantz [02:09] - On violent protest rhetoric:
“Get your guns and stop these people.” — Antifa member (clip) [12:43] - On cultural resilience:
“I just don't want to cede that kind of power to these people to take away something that other people enjoy.” — Jason Rantz on boycotting cultural events [17:25] - On Christianity’s role:
“The Constitution was only written for a moral and religious people... We no longer have a Christian nation, but we have a Christian form of government, and they're incompatible.” — Charlie Kirk (clip) [38:07]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- Opening theme, activism intro: [00:03–01:09]
- Seattle organizing analysis (Jason Rantz): [01:27–04:48]
- Lessons from Seattle, cycles of politics: [04:48–07:14]
- Discussion of official responses & messaging: [08:04–10:04]
- Antifa rhetoric, violent normalization: [11:44–14:51]
- Super Bowl, cultural touchpoints: [15:05–18:10]
- Media “air support,” martyrdom: [27:13–29:25]
- Attacks on Christianity, cultural decline: [32:58–39:32]
Tone & Takeaways
The tone is assertively conservative, skeptical of the media and left-wing activism, and deeply invested in framing current political and cultural conflicts as existential struggles over national identity, law enforcement, and tradition. The episode is laced with urgency about law enforcement, opposition to radical activism, and a call for reaffirming Christian values as foundational to America’s continued success.
Overall:
This episode offers a window into right-leaning perspectives on leftist protest movements, the role of media, and the importance of reclaiming cultural and religious ground—a blend of local insight (Seattle), national trends, and broad ideological stakes.