Ask Charlie Anything 211: Austrian Economics? Colorado, Hopeful or Hopeless? Gaza Annexation?

Summary

The Charlie Kirk Show: Ask Charlie Anything 211 – Austrian Economics? Colorado, Hopeful or Hopeless? Gaza Annexation?

Release Date: February 10, 2025

In episode 211 of "The Charlie Kirk Show," host Charlie Kirk engages with his audience in an interactive "Ask Me Anything" format. The episode delves into a range of pressing topics, including Austrian economics, the political and social climate in Colorado, and the complexities surrounding the potential annexation of Gaza. Throughout the discussion, Kirk addresses questions from members, providing insights from his conservative perspective and highlighting key issues affecting American society.

1. Rebuilding Los Angeles and USAID Funding

Timestamp: [00:00 - 05:12]

Kirk opens the episode by reflecting on the challenges of rebuilding Los Angeles, particularly in the wake of natural disasters and economic upheavals. A significant portion of the conversation centers on the misuse of taxpayer dollars by USAID. A member, Trey from the University of South Carolina, inquires about the possibility of reclaiming funds that have been allegedly squandered by the agency.

Notable Discussion Points:

• Accountability and Clawbacks: Kirk explains the complexities involved in reclaiming funds, emphasizing whether Congress appropriated the funds directly or granted discretionary spending to USAID. He remains optimistic about cutting wasteful spending through mechanisms like the reconciliation process.

  “If USAID got a bucket of money from Congress and could spend it on whatever they want, then we can totally cut these contracts and spend it wherever we want.” [05:12]

• Presidential Stance: Highlighting President Trump's critical view of USAID, Kirk notes the administration's intent to dismantle the agency due to its inefficiency and misplaced priorities.

  “President Trump just had an amazing dialogue with the Japanese prime minister and basically said, look, USAID is the most disgusting waste I’ve ever seen.” [05:12]

2. The Rise of Conservatism on Campuses

Timestamp: [00:30 - 03:03]

Trey commends Kirk’s efforts in mobilizing youth through Turning Point USA, expressing gratitude for his leadership in fostering conservative energy on college campuses. Kirk shares encouraging news about the growing number of conservatives engaging in campus activities, indicating a positive trend toward balancing liberal dominance in academic settings.

Notable Quote:

“We are going to fight for freedom on campuses across the country. That’s why we are here.” [00:34]

3. Austrian Economics and Libertarian Perspectives

Timestamp: [13:38 - 17:17]

Caleb, a 17-year-old from upstate New York, seeks Kirk’s insights on Austrian economics and his personal shift from libertarian to a more conservative stance. Kirk acknowledges the foundational strengths of Austrian economics, such as its emphasis on incentives and monetary policy, but critiques its real-world applicability.

Key Insights:

• Practical Limitations: Kirk argues that while Austrian economics provides a sound theoretical framework, it often overlooks the socio-economic impacts of policies like outsourcing jobs to China.

  “Austrian economics think that sending American manufacturing jobs to China… I think that’s an incredibly myopic, limited view of American culture.” [13:59]

• Immigration and National Borders: He criticizes the Austrian school’s stance on open borders, suggesting that practical governance requires regulated immigration to maintain societal stability.

  “Austrian economics is embedded with no borders. It’s a core pillar… they believe in pure immigration arbitrage.” [16:19]

• Recommended Literature: Kirk encourages Caleb to explore conservative literature, specifically recommending Russell Kirk's works on conservatism to deepen his understanding.

  “I’m going to recommend a book for you that you’re going to love. Read Russell Kirk on conservatism.” [16:54]

4. Media Critique and Elon Musk’s Resilience

Timestamp: [11:56 - 12:51]

Jay raises concerns about Elon Musk facing backlash from the media and his potential removal from influential positions. Kirk defends Musk’s tenacity and strong relationship with President Trump, emphasizing Musk's substantial financial contributions and unwavering commitment to his ventures.

Notable Quote:

“Elon has great staying power. Him and the president have a phenomenal relationship… he’s not just a volunteer, he’s a donor.” [12:13]

Kirk lauds Musk’s efforts in reforming government agencies and his dedication to impactful projects, portraying him as a pivotal figure in American innovation and policy.

5. Addressing Missing Children and Government Accountability in Colorado

Timestamp: [18:24 - 21:41]

Kevin from Colorado brings forth the distressing issue of missing children, linking it to broader governmental failures and policies. He expresses frustration over mass deportations and the lack of effective measures to safeguard vulnerable populations.

Key Points:

• Government Leaks and Accountability: Kirk mentions recent developments regarding the Denver Aurora incident, where government leaks might have compromised national security, suggesting severe repercussions for those involved.

  “I think it’s time to put these people in federal prison. What they just did was actively aid and abet an enemy in the United States.” [19:26]

• Ongoing Efforts: He assures that task forces are actively working to locate missing children, though he acknowledges the severity of the situation in Colorado.

  “There’s an entire task force… that are all coming together to find these missing kids and to get them back.” [19:26]

• Moral Responsibility: Kirk invokes religious and ethical imperatives to underscore the importance of protecting children, reinforcing his commitment to combating the "woke mind virus" he believes threatens societal values.

  “What did Christ our Lord say? Let one of those who lay a hand on a child… better to have a millstone hung around their neck than to come after the least of these.” [21:41]

6. Potential Annexation of Gaza and U.S. Foreign Policy

Timestamp: [22:15 - 25:55]

Kevin poses a question about President Trump's intentions regarding Gaza annexation, expressing concern over the administration's foreign policy decisions and their alignment with the "America First" agenda. Kirk elaborates on Trump's strategic approach, clarifying misconceptions about troop deployments and outlining the president’s plans to stabilize the region through regional partnerships rather than direct military intervention.

Key Insights:

• Strategic Partnerships: Kirk explains that Trump's plan involves working with regional allies like Saudi Arabia and Jordan to manage Gaza's future, emphasizing economic development and stability without deploying U.S. troops.

  “We’re going to work with regional partners and not use US Money. He wants to be the metaphorical chairman of the board of this newly constituted deal.” [22:52]

• Economic Benefits: Drawing parallels to Trump’s stance on Ukraine, Kirk highlights the pragmatic elements of foreign policy that prioritize American benefits, such as access to rare earths and other strategic resources.

  “Everything that comes through a lens of is it good for America and how does America benefit.” [22:52]

• America First: Kirk reinforces the administration's commitment to prioritizing American interests, arguing that this approach ensures that the nation reaps tangible benefits from its foreign engagements.

  “We are resolutely America first here, and it’s not dirty for Americans to benefit when we’ve absorbed so much of the costs.” [22:52]

7. DEI Practices in Federal Agencies and Private Partnerships

Timestamp: [25:55 - 26:33]

Lisa raises concerns about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) hires within federal agencies and their impact on job qualifications, particularly in critical roles like air traffic control and aviation mechanics. Kirk responds by critiquing DEI policies, arguing that they undermine meritocracy and can compromise the integrity of essential services.

Notable Discussion Points:

• Merit vs. DEI: Kirk emphasizes the need for merit-based hiring, especially in roles where failures can have dire consequences.

  “We want meritocracy. I want the best pilots, the best mechanics, the best air traffic control.” [26:33]

• Policy Reforms: He advocates for President Trump’s executive orders aimed at reversing DEI initiatives in businesses that engage with the federal government, promoting competency over diversity quotas.

  “America succeeded when we were focused on merit, not on race. I don’t care about your race. I care about your competency.” [26:33]

8. Declassification of JFK Documents and National Revelations

Timestamp: [32:03 - 32:48]

Michael inquires about the anticipated declassification of JFK assassination documents, pondering the potential fallout and public reaction. Kirk shares his skepticism regarding the sensationalism of the released files, predicting that they may either confirm long-held conspiracy theories or reveal bureaucratic cover-ups rather than groundbreaking revelations.

Key Predictions:

• Confirmation of Conspiracies: Kirk believes that the documents will likely support theories that the government had knowledge or involvement in JFK’s assassination, reinforcing his stance on governmental mistrust.

  “I personally believe that the government was involved or aware that.” [32:48]

• Bureaucratic Cover-ups: Alternatively, he suggests the files might expose administrative shortcomings and concealed information rather than direct conspiratorial involvement.

  “They might show that the CIA should have known about Oswald but missed it and they covered it up.” [32:48]

• Public Reaction: While acknowledging the potential for public upheaval, Kirk remains cautiously optimistic that the revelations will align with his expectations of governmental culpability.

  “The burden of proof is on the government to prove themselves that they didn’t know and they weren’t involved in the assassination of John Fitzgerald Kennedy.” [32:48]

Conclusion

Charlie Kirk's episode of "Ask Charlie Anything" offers a comprehensive examination of several critical issues from a conservative viewpoint. From scrutinizing government spending and advocating for meritocracy over DEI policies to discussing foreign policy strategies and anticipating the outcomes of historical document releases, Kirk engages his audience with fervent analysis and a commitment to conservative principles. Notably, his interactions emphasize accountability, national interest, and the preservation of traditional values amidst evolving societal challenges.

Key Takeaways:

• Accountability in Government Spending: Advocating for the reclamation of misused funds and dismantling inefficient agencies like USAID.
• Strengthening Conservatism on Campuses: Celebrating the growth of conservative movements in educational institutions.
• Critical Evaluation of Austrian Economics: Balancing theoretical strengths with practical limitations in policy implementation.
• Defense of Influential Figures: Supporting leaders like Elon Musk against media opposition.
• Protecting Vulnerable Populations: Addressing the crisis of missing children through robust governmental action.
• Strategic Foreign Policy: Promoting an America-first approach that leverages regional partnerships for global stability.
• Merit-Based Hiring Practices: Opposing DEI initiatives in favor of competency and excellence in critical roles.
• Skeptical Outlook on Historical Revelations: Anticipating confirmation of governmental oversight or conspiracies in historical events.

For listeners seeking in-depth analysis from a steadfast conservative perspective, this episode of "The Charlie Kirk Show" provides valuable insights and action-oriented discussions on current national and international issues.

Transcript

[Charlie Kirk]

Hey everybody. Happy Monday. Ask Me Anything episode. We talk about what it's going to take to rebuild Los Angeles, usaid, South Carolina gets mentioned and so much more, including Austrian economics. Email me as always, freedomarliekirk.com and subscribe to our podcast. Open up your podcast application and type in Charlie Kirk Show Become a member today. Members.charliekirk.com members.charliekirk. com Buckle up everybody. Here we go. Charlie, what you've done is incredible here. Maybe Charlie Kirk is on the college campus.

[Trey]

I want you to know we are lucky to have Charlie Kirk.

[Charlie Kirk]

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. We will not embrace the ideas that have destroyed countries, destroyed lives. And we are going to fight for freedom on campuses across the country. That's why we are here. Noble Gold Investments is the official gold sponsor of the Charlie Kirk Show, a company that specializes in gold IRAs and physical delivery of precious metals. Learn how you could protect your wealth with Noble gold [e-mail] that is noblegoldinvestments.com it's where I buy all of my gold. Go to noblegoldinvestments.com it's members.charliekirk.com so I'll take any and all questions. As long as you are a member. Members.charliekirk.com and by doing so you also get exclusive benefits. You can be part of the family. So that is members.charliekirk.com and it's kind of an ask me anything very similar to what we do on college campuses. The questions aren't as hard, but it's really fun. Let's go to Trey. Trey, thank you for being a member. Members.charliekirk.com what's on your mind?

[Anthony]

Hey, Charlie.

[Trey]

How are you, my friend?

[Charlie Kirk]

Good, thank you.

[Trey]

Good. So I'm the chapter president for the University of South Carolina.

[Charlie Kirk]

Right.

[Trey]

And two years ago you said to the field rep, Dylan Baldessar that Clemson was gonna beat Carolina, but I don't think that's what happened back in November.

[Charlie Kirk]

Well, you were right. So. Yep, that's right.

[Trey]

So I can in person apology. If it works out, I'd like an in person apology apology as well.

[Charlie Kirk]

So. Yeah. So people, someone in the chat said it's the Peacocks. No, it's the Gamecock. So happy to apologize when I'm wrong. That is, sure. How are things on campus, by the way? Is it tilting more liberal? Talk about, are you seeing a lot more pro conservative energy on campus? Give us, give us kind of a vibe check on campus.

[Trey]

You know, we're definitely seeing a lot of. We're definitely seeing a lot more conservatives. We just had a, we just had our third meeting already this past Wednesday and we're having great. We're having bigger turnouts every single, every single meeting. So it's looking, it's looking great at Carolina, for sure.

[Charlie Kirk]

I love it. All right, so any other things on your mind, Trey? Questions, things I can answer and thank you for being a member, of course. Deeply appreciate that.

[Trey]

Yeah, yeah, absolutely. So I was just curious, are you familiar with Data Republican at all?

[Charlie Kirk]

Oh, not only my familiar. We just did a whole show on her last night on Thought Crime, and I speak to her regularly. And also, she's incredibly bright. She was our, kind of our silent helper on election night and the days that were coming into election day. Three weeks ahead of the election, she was looking at all the early voting data, and I was in this chat with her and she said, trump is gonna win Nevada, Trump's gonna win Pennsylvania, Trump's gonna win Michigan. I'm calling it right now. And that was three weeks ahead of time, just looking at the early voting data, and I was like, that's pretty bold. And she predicted down to the margin that Trump was gonna win by. Very, very remarkable. Impressive stuff. She is super bright. She's deaf, not that that matters. And I just, I think the world of her. She's terrific. So any thought on that, Anthony? Trey, the reason you bring it up. Yeah.

[Trey]

So my dad sent me the link for Data Republican the other day, pretty much going over where, where all the money is going, as far as, you know, like, all. Where all of our taxpayer dollars are going and funneling back into Clinton's. So. And it's just, it's just disgusting, I gotta say. Like, I was honestly sick to my stomach after reading, you know, Benny Johnson's post about, you know, $40 million going to Wuhan, like we were talking about two weeks ago with the Fauci pardon. And it was just, it, it got me sick to my stomach. And just yesterday, Congresswoman Nancy Mace announced that apparently $10 million were going to funding transgender animals, because why not? So I'm just, I'm just curious, where are we going to see, what's the possibility that we're going to see a clawback for taxpayer dollars that have been wasted through USAID I mean, this is ridiculous.

[Charlie Kirk]

Yeah, it's a great question. So the first point, we have to. We have to find an answer. And I have data Republican working on this. Did Congress underwrite it or did Congress appropriate it? And if the answer is yes, then the clawback is harder. But we could do that through the reconciliation process. Chances are that a lot of this was left at the discretion of USAID or the agency, meaning that the USAID got a bucket of money from Congress, let's say $25 billion, and they could spend it on whatever they want. If that's the case, then we can totally cut these contracts. We can cut them off and we can spend it wherever we want. We could spend it either on deportations, we could spend it on aid to 501s that we want to assist colleges, or we don't have to spend it all and just send it back to Congress. And that's kind of the question of the looming Impoundment act issue that is gonna be coming around the corner. So I feel very optimistic that we're going to be able to cut this spending. In fact, President Trump just had an amazing dialogue with the Japanese prime minister and basically said, look, USAID is the most disgusting waste I've ever seen. We're gonna get rid of it. We're gonna cut it, and we're gonna get rid of the entire department. So, Trey, thank you for being a member of Turning Point usa, and thanks for your question. Really appreciate it.

[Trey]

Absolutely. Thank you, Charlie. Have a good day.

[Charlie Kirk]

Thank you, Anthony. Thanks for being a member. What's on your mind?

[Caleb]

Hey, what's going on? Oh, I see you called my name earlier while you're talking to Trey.

[Charlie Kirk]

Yeah, sorry, I was putting it on the. The thing here.

[Caleb]

It's no worries. But I got to tell Trey one thing. I'm sorry that my Bulldogs beat your Gamecocks. It's just, you know, being a Georgia guy, so. So I got a question for you, and I've noticed this in readings I've been seeing. All of a sudden, California is telling people, the LA wildfires, you can rebuild, but you can't rebuild like you used to. You must follow new climate orders. How is that allowed? Especially when California politicians really didn't do anything to help prevent these fires. How can you tell a person that they must rebuild like this when they didn't? They caused more problems.

[Charlie Kirk]

The leaders. Yeah, Look, I want to just explain how underwater this situation has made some people. So one person who's on our team, you all know who it is. But I'm not going to say her name to respect her privacy. Her house burned down in the Palisades, and she had a very, very tough year. And so I'll just approximate some of these numbers. Let's just say the house was worth 5 or 6 million as it was built. But then you have a mortgage for, like, 1.2 million, 1.5 million. And then insurance comes and says, we're only gonna write you a check for a million bucks. So you're underwater with the mortgage before you even get out of the gate. When you talk to a subcontractor, they say it's gonna take three to five years to rebuild the home. And so by the time with inflation, that million dollars is gonna be worth, like, 10%, 8 to 10% less every year. Hopefully, Trump gets it under control. And so you're completely screwed, basically. And again, some people say, oh, you know, woe is me. It's an upper middle class, very wealthy area. These are these people's livelihoods. I know another family in the Palisades that had a $15 million home. They had a $7 million mortgage. And the insurance says they'll write them a check for 4 million bucks. I mean, just underwater. Yeah, it's totally underwater. And so I just hope you guys all understand, God forbid your house ever gets chronically flooded or burnt down. You need to read and reread your insurance policies, because you could get totally screwed. You might think, oh, the house is insured. Well, it's insured for rebuild costs if you're able to rebuild it, which then takes another three to five years, and we're supposed to live in the meantime. And so. And then on top of it, you have the California environmental fanaticism that's gonna slow this down. Gavin Newsom has put lip service saying, oh, we're gonna make it easier, and we're gonna streamline processes. That's a bunch of rubbish. And so you basically have 10,000, 15,000 people that are without a home for the next half of a decade, and their entire piggy bank, their net worth, has completely disappeared. And investors are going to be far less likely to go build and to develop in that area because they might completely lose their development. I could tell you on firsthand authority, the housing market in Scottsdale, in Orange county, in Vegas, has skyrocketed in the last couple of weeks. People are leaving the Palisades, they're leaving Los Angeles, and they're bringing their capital with them in a very serious way. Great question, Anthony. We must not forget the People that have lost their homes in North Carolina, lost their homes in Georgia. And it really, the one in California though is so upside down because of the environmentalism and also how hard it is to build there. It's just right.

[Caleb]

And that was why I asked you, because like the state didn't do anything to help stop this. And then I have another question, but I can email that one to you, which I'll do.

[Charlie Kirk]

Email. I want to get, I want to get some other ones. Anthony, thanks so much. Talk to you soon. Appreciate it. Thank you for being a member. Gentlemen, let's get real for a second. Are you frustrated with today's woke dating scene? The apps, the games, the endless swiping. It's a waste of time. Finding a woman who shares your values, faith, family and patriotism feels nearly impossible. But it doesn't have to be. Selective Search, America's leading matchmaking firm, is changing the game. They connect strong, successful men like you. Men who love God, love America, and want a family with incredible women who share your values. These are intelligent, faith driven women who put family first and still believe in traditional values. Imagine that if you're single, 35 to 40 years old, conservative man in Southern California. Listen up. Selective Search has an exclusive network of women ready for the real thing. Here's the best part. Their candidate program is 100% free and confidential. So my closest friends have used Selective Search and let me tell you, they're meeting incredible women. This is your chance. This is not an app. It's your answer. The perfect conservative woman is out there waiting for you. Visit selectivesearch.com california today. Let the professionals introduce you to women already looking for someone like you in Southern California. Don't wait for the perfect moment. Take action now. Go to selectivesearch.com California and start building the future you deserve. Jay is a member. Jay, thank you for being a member. What is on your mind?

[Jay]

Yeah, I just think Elon is doing such a great job and the left is just after him and I'm just worried that they might get him out. I mean, what are the chances that he would. They'll succeed?

[Charlie Kirk]

Well, I don't think they're going to be successful. The knives are definitely out for Elon within the media and within all the haters. But Elon, I think, has great staying power. Him and the president have a phenomenal relationship and Elon is working at such a breakneck pace and he's hard to fire. He's not just a volunteer, he's a donor. He's given $300 million for this cause. And so I love seeing what Elon is doing. I think it's profound and really awesome.

[Jay]

I know it's amazing what he's done with usaid. I had no idea the amount of fraud that was there. And just to expose that in one week, that's amazing.

[Charlie Kirk]

That's right. And just. He's one of the most impactful figures in American history. Incredibly selfless, and people think, well, it's all about him. Okay, but what does he do with his money? He doesn't buy yachts or spend vacation. He's living literally in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building right now, sleeping on couches where he could literally buy countries. He's so wealthy, he's worth $450 billion. And what does he do with his time? He does it. He finds these team of geniuses to reform the government for the people. I have incredible admiration for Elon Musk. I truly do. All right, thank you for the question. Really appreciate it. Let's go here to Caleb. Caleb, thank you for being a member. What's on your mind? Hey, Charlie, how are you?

[Caleb]

Thanks for having me on. I love the blazer.

[Charlie Kirk]

Thank you. Thank you. Hey. Yeah.

[Caleb]

I'm 17 from upstate New York. I followed your podcast for a while now. It's added a lot of value to my life. I lean heavily libertarian, like, aligned closely with the Austrian school of thought. And from my understanding, you used to be in a similar position. What sparked that change and what brought you to the opinions that you hold now?

[Charlie Kirk]

Yeah, it's a phenomenal question. First and foremost, it's hard to disagree with the philosophy or the abstractions of Austrian economics. It sounds really good. I mean, you read Ludwig von Mises, you read Murray Rothbard, you read Hayek, you read Henry Hazlitt. A lot of the foundational observations that they make are, of course, correct. But then we start to observe in actuality what's happening in our country. So, for example, the Austrian school of Economics thinks that there was nothing wrong. In fact, everything really good about sending American manufacturing jobs to China, they say, well, it's the lowest cost of good. Those people in Ohio and Pennsylvania can go find other work. Americans get piles of plastic that they otherwise would not be able to get at a low cost, and there we go. And I think that's an incredibly myopic, limited view of American culture, of how a country is formulated. What's great about Austrian economics is it's mostly grounded in common sense. It's not convoluted models. They basically have one common baseline proposition that people respond to incentives and their takes on monetary policy are phenomenal. But sometimes they can get a bit too binary about things, a bit too black and white. And of course we love the free market and we think it's beautiful, but I don't think it's beautiful when I drive through rural America and they've been vastly deindustrialized and we've been told that's a good thing. I don't think it's a good thing where we have everyone just flee to urban centers and the small town communities that were focused on faith and family are good. And finally, the last thing on Austrian economics that I would mention is that embedded within Austro economics is no borders. It's a core pillar allow anybody to come into your country under any circumstances at any time. And the prevention or limitation of such people into your country is an act of violence and is an act of the state. And so they believe in pure immigration arbitrage, which is a core pillar of libertarian philosophy. And I'd also say Austrian economics don't always value, see the value that there is merit to having a diverse economy or having America diversified in certain sectors. And so what are your thoughts on that, Caleb? I know that I talked ad nauseam there.

[Caleb]

No, you're good. That's really solid. Yeah, the only thing maybe about would be on immigration and from what I've heard from, I don't know if you follow the Mises Institute. Yep, they got some good podcasts and stuff like that. In one of them they explained explained the libertarian perspective on immigration and how while they would want to have a free flow of labor, so to speak, they do understand the political and cultural limitations to that and thus understand that.

[Charlie Kirk]

You have to have borders because that's promising. That is a huge development because that never used to be the case. If you look at pure libertarianism at the Cato Institute, that has never been their perspective. Caleb, you're very thoughtful. I'm going to recommend a book for you that you're going to love. Read Russell Kirk on conservatism. You'll love it. It might change your life. Awesome.

[Caleb]

Thank you so much.

[Charlie Kirk]

You bet. Hey everybody, Charlie Kirk here. Remember that we vote every day with our dollar. One of the best ways to support America is by buying from local farms and ranches. Good ranchers makes this easy by delivering 100% American meat to your door. When you shop with good ranchers, you're not just getting the best meat for your family, but you're also supporting American farmers and ranchers instead of buying imported meat, support American agriculture and our local economy. I've used Good Ranchers meat for quite some time and they never disappoint. Whatever your choice of protein is, you'll be pleased with Good Ranchers. Use code Kirk for $25 off your order and your choice of free chicken breasts, ground beef, bacon or wild caught salmon for a year. It's time to take a stand. Vote for American Meat with Good Ranchers. Your purchase helps keep American farms thriving and ensures you get the highest quality meat for your family. Visit goodranchers.com and use promo code Kirk today. That is goodranchers.com promo code Kirk. Kevin, thank you for being a member. Kevin, what is on your mind?

[Anthony]

Hey, Charlie, thanks for everything you do, man.

[Charlie Kirk]

Thank you.

[Anthony]

We, my wife and I are Colorado natives. We've seen our state go downhill in the last 50 years with the woke mind virus, if you know what I mean. It's sad to see, but we still live in a beautiful, wonderful state. We're pretty angry about the incident that happened yesterday, but with the mass deportations and all. Two questions related the same thing related to the missing children. What's, what's the best way to keep up to date on locating all the missing children? The location of all the missing children. We haven't heard much about it.

[Charlie Kirk]

I know it's happening.

[Anthony]

I know they're, they're, they're going after them. They're trying to find them. But that's, that's been on our hearts quite a bit lately. And then the second part of the question is the Denver Aurora incident. Any idea who from the government tipped them off and what do you think they're going to be doing about it?

[Charlie Kirk]

Yeah, we just had Tom Holman on the program last hour. Great question, Kevin. And he says they think they know who leaked it and it's being dealt with. I would like to see criminal charges given against these people, definitely. At least their pension will be taken away and they will no longer work at the agency. But I think it's time to put these people in federal prison. What they just did was actively aid and abet an enemy in the United States. There's a big T word for that. That's treason. And so I think that we need to do anything that the law allows to be able to go after these illegal leakers and people that have been doing this. Second, on the first part of your question, there's an entire task force, Kristi Noemi, we have Tom Homan, that are all coming together to find these missing kids and to get them back to better to their parents or to better hands or to find out what's going on. Are they sex slaves? Are they child prostitutes? We don't know. And we definitely need to find out. Thank you so much, man, for being a member. And finally, let me just say you are right. Colorado is one of the most beautiful states in the country. It's top five for sure. I would love to live in Colorado if it wasn't for your maniac politics. I'm gonna say something that might trouble you. I've said this before. I'm actually more optimistic about where California is trending versus than where Colorado is trending. People disagree with that. Would you agree with that, Kevin?

[Anthony]

I don't know. My wife's here. She agrees with it. She pays a lot more close attention than I do. It's just so frustrating to, to see and hear everything that's going on. But I think we need to pray more for our children, for these missing children, for American missing children. My wife and I have been led to really see what we can do in our, in our state, in our country, in our world with regards to this sick, dark world that these children unfortunately get trapped into. And it's just sickening. And we do know it's going on in our state. It's the darkest of the dark, in my opinion. It's just horrific.

[Charlie Kirk]

And what did Christ our Lord say? Let one of those who lay a hand on a children. Better to have a millstone hung around their neck than to come after the least of these. God bless you, man. Thank you very much. Okay, Mason, thank you. Mason is next. Mason, thank you for being a member. What's on your mind?

[Kevin]

Hey, Charlie, thanks so much for letting me a part of the show.

[Charlie Kirk]

Absolutely. What is on your mind?

[Kevin]

So I've been a Trump supporter through and through. I was at one of the first rallies back before the 2016 election, and I just loved seeing everything that he's doing. But one of the things that I was concerned about and that I've seen other Trump supporters concerned about is his intention to take over Gaza. Yep. Two of his biggest talking points were, you know, no new wars in the last election and then America first. And so, like, even though I think Gaza could be a good idea down the road, it just seems, you know, so early in the presidency to be talking about spending American, potentially lives and tax dollars on another nation. So I just want to see, like, what's your perspective on this? And, you know, how do we find common ground between the Two camps of conservatives over this issue.

[Charlie Kirk]

Great question. So we did a whole show on this earlier in the week. I'm gonna answer your question. I just want. If you wanna go really deep on that, I encourage you to look at it. We did a show right out of the gate. Number one, we now know that President Trump has said no U.S. troops. And we don't wanna leap to conclusions too quickly about Trump's plans. He's unpredictable in the best possible way. His unpredictability is why he's a master genius at this stuff. The core thing is this. We're not going to get American soldiers killed to occupy Gaza, period. The President has reiterated that. Caroline Levitt has reiterated that that's not going to happen. He said we're going to work with regional partners and not use US Money. What he's basically talking about is he wants America to be the metaphorical chairman of the board of this newly constituted deal. He's going to kind of call the shots. Saudi Arabia, you do this. Jordan, you do that. By owning Gaza, I think it's becoming more and more clear what the President was saying is a metaphorical own of Gaza, meaning we're going to expand the Abraham Accords. We are going to make sure that regional partners actually accept the people of Gaza. But let me make clear what the stance on this program is, because we want peace in all places. But the number one and number two, clear red lines that we've said that, by the way, are not even red lines because the President has said this and agrees with us. So we're not like in opposition. We're actually in harmony with. The President is not a single person from Gaza comes through the United States of America. And secondly, no U.S. troops. And if there is a third, allow Israel to completely destroy Hamas. Give them the green light to go do that. Understand that the President has said that we need to be open for a total reset of Gaza. We cannot rewind 2019 with Hamas in power. That's just not gonna happen. And understand the President looks at this as a pseudo developer, one of the best developers in American history. We're gonna run point from a development standpoint, adding stability, and you can expect that there'll be some upside for America. Everything that the President views internationally. I hope you guys see a theme here. He just said this with the Ukraine thing. Everything that he is mentioning right now, everything comes through a lens of is it good for America and how does America benefit? For example, Ukraine comes up, he says, I want an end of the killing, but I want access to their rare earths. It's very similar to Trump 2016. Do you remember when Trump used to go off in 2015? 16, why didn't we take the oil in Iraq? And people would make fun of him, but it's actually a very profound point, which is, why do we spend all this blood, all this money, all this life, and we get nothing in return? It's one of his greatest points, actually, and he was mocked relentlessly, and he kind of got away from that in 2019, 2021. But now he's right back to original Trump in that regard, so I wouldn't jump to any conclusions. We are resolutely America first here, and it's not dirty for Americans to benefit when we've absorbed so much of the costs. Thanks for being a member, man. Really appreciate it. Lisa, thank you for being a member. Lisa, how you doing? Hi.

[Kevin]

I'm good.

[Lisa]

How are you?

[Charlie Kirk]

Good. What is on your mind?

[Lisa]

Well, my question is, with all the DEI hires that are already in place, people who are already working, they were hired under the DEI idea, Is there any plan or any way to get those people out of those positions, or are they there to stay? My husband is an airline pilot, and it's just disheartening to know that, like, maybe some of the people that are there doing air traffic control or mechanics were hired and they're not qualified.

[Charlie Kirk]

First of all, Lisa, you just brought up a great point that I have never thought of. Mechanics that are dei. That's very smart. And I got to give you credit for that, you know, because air traffic control, by the way, we know air traffic control is full of DEI hires. That's not a Charlie Kirk speculation. That's not hatred in my heart. That is an Obama policy where he just took over ATC to hire a bunch of people with physical and mental disabilities. Not an exaggeration. Okay? Not an exaggeration. It's in the prior FAA guidelines. The federal government is not the same as private companies. However, there is a lot of overlap. Atc, air traffic control is FAA jurisdiction. Delta is continuing dei. But that is a really profound point that I'm gonna have to think of, because we think of the pilots. But imagine if there's some DEI mechanic. Imagine if there's some person hired because of the color of their skin who doesn't have merit, doesn't know what they're doing, and just signs off on some engine renewal. Turns out there was an issue. And so at least I'm not trying to, you know, increase your anxiety at all with your husband. But a couple things. We're going to see a dramatic push towards merit. And here's where the president's executive order could impact the private airlines. These airlines all do business with the federal government. They all do freight runs. They'll all do commercial airliners. They all do business with the federal government. In fact, these airlines are basically private public partnerships because do you remember during COVID we bailed out the airlines and we never should have done that. We wrote these massive tens of billions of dollars of checks to United, Delta and American. So they're basically proxies of the federal government. So what the president has done is said if you do business with the federal government, you can't have dei. It's very simple. We want meritocracy. I want the best pilots, the best mechanics, the best air traffic control. Air traffic control is going to take some time to fix, unfortunately, but that one's a problem. Mechanics, great point. We got to get on that. Pilots, look, there should be zero room for error, whether it be surgery or a pilot or a pediatrician. We want the best of the best. America succeeded when we were focused on merit, not on race. I don't care about your race. I care about your competency. Lisa, great question. I think we're going to start to see some better changes. But you bring up a very astute point. Hey everybody, Charlie Kirk here. There's a lot of excitement in Washington D.C. as we start the year. But I wanted to talk to you about something just as exciting happening outside the D.C. beltway. A revolution in the states. It's the education freedom movement. It's real. It's growing and growing because some states, as they should, are putting parents in charge of the education of their kids. Everyone knows education has the power to change a kid's life. And anyone who raised a child knows each has different needs, learning styles and God given talents. The fact is parents know their own children best, knows what's best for their development and future. Education freedom legislation puts parents, not zip codes and politicians, in charge of these important family decisions. It's why I strongly support making universal education freedom a reality for every parent in every state. To find out where your state legislature stands and to make sure your voice is heard, go to educationfreedomusa.com now and educationfreedomusa.com Avery, what is on your mind? Thank you for being a member.

[Trey]

Hi Charlie, can you hear me?

[Charlie Kirk]

Yes, Avery, how are you? Thank you for being a member. What's on your mind?

[Trey]

Well, I'm. I'm a very excited about the whole drill, baby, drill.

[Charlie Kirk]

Yes, sir.

[Trey]

I'm 72 years old and I am, I've lived through a lot of the highs and lows of what the reality of us not being energy independent, what it's cost America. So I'm excited about that. I do, however, or am concerned about the fact that from my understanding, we do not have the refining capacity to be be able to truly be independent. And so unless there's an equal push for building and upgrading new refineries, it does not seem we're going to be able to get there. Have you heard of any push and plans for that so that we will be able to be independent?

[Charlie Kirk]

It's a great question. So just so everyone understands it's not enough just to extract the minerals. It also you have to be able to refine it so that could be used. So there's a couple things we need to build new refineries. And so we need to have a massive public private partnership to have more refineries and could incentivize more refinery development through tax credit subsidies and even expanded permanence. We need regulatory reform. So this is the other thought of OMB with Russ Vogt. The problem we don't have more refineries is the amount of regulation it takes to get refineries built because of the EPA and environmental stuff. And so we also just need to make it more economically viable. If we want to be energy independent, we have to not just extract our oil and then send it overseas to be refined. We need to be the energy refining capital in the world. Very good point, Avery. And thank you for being a member. Thank you.

[Trey]

Thank you for everything you do. I consider you probably one of the greatest evangelists in America. And that to me is the most important thing of all.

[Charlie Kirk]

Really appreciate that. Thank you. Michael, you are the last question. What is your thoughts, members.charlie kirk.com.

[Michael]

How'S it going, Charlie?

[Charlie Kirk]

Good, how are you? What's on your mind?

[Michael]

Good. One of the biggest things I wanted to see from Trump is his declassification of the JFK documents and stuff like that. I remember talking to someone at amfest this past winter about it. What do you think that will cause in the future if these documents do get declassified? Like, will there be revolt? What do you think about that?

[Charlie Kirk]

Well, they should. They're going to get declassified. In fact, they have two weeks. So I think they have to come out by Tuesday. I think it was two weeks from the declassification memo. I don't want people to get too excited to Be honest, I think that they're gonna be largely boring. So there's one of two outcomes here. I did a tweet that went very viral on this. The first outcome is that we find out that the government was behind the murder of jfk. I personally believe that. I've said that for quite some time. I think at the very least the government was involved or aware that. And I am, I've read almost all the books and I. Not all the books, but the main books. I know enough about it to be dangerous. That's number one. That the government was a co conspirator in the murder of jfk. I think that is totally the truth. I don't think the files are going to show that. I think the files are probably going to be really boring. I think the files are going to tell us things we already know and that will show that we over classify information in Washington D.C. to justify jobs and titles of people that should never have those jobs and titles and it's going to be a big dud. The chance there could be something in the middle where we learn something and we will probably, at the very least we'll probably learn about a cover up. We probably won't learn that, you know, that there was active involvement. The files also might show that the CIA should have known about Oswald but missed it and they covered it up to avoid showing that there were screw ups leading to that. Do I think we're going to find conclusive evidence like oh yes, we at the Central Intelligence Agency had two armed gunmen on the grassy knoll and we fired repeated shots that struck the Texas, the governor of Texas and then the head went back into the left and then we covered it up. There's almost no likelihood that if those things happen there would be a paper record. If anything it will show a active cover up. So we'll see. And then begs the question why have they been classified for so long? But yeah, nothing I can see can convince me otherwise. The burden of proof is on the government to prove themselves that they didn't know and they weren't involved in the assassination of John Fitzgerald Kennedy. Thanks so much for listening everybody. Email us. As always, freedomarliekirk.com thanks so much for listening and God bless. For more on many of these stories and news you can Trust, go to charliekirk.com.