The Charlie Kirk Show: Ask Charlie Anything 225 – Save New Mexico? Dump Your Lib GF? Influencer Envy?

Release Date: June 2, 2025

In this engaging episode of The Charlie Kirk Show, host Charlie Kirk delves into a variety of pressing political and social issues, addressing listener questions ranging from state politics and higher education to personal relationships and international conflicts. Drawing from his extensive experience as a grassroots activist and founder of Turning Point USA, Kirk offers insightful perspectives grounded in his conservative worldview. Below is a comprehensive summary of the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from Episode 225.

1. Supreme Court's SCOTUS Decision on Sanctuary Cities and Foreign Students' Visas

Timestamp: [01:39] – [05:14]

The episode opens with a listener, Anthony, posing two significant questions:

1. Sanctuary Cities and SCOTUS Win for Trump: Anthony inquires about how sanctuary cities like New York, Chicago, and Rochester plan to contest the Supreme Court's decision favoring Trump on this issue.

2. Foreign Students and Visa Policies: He also questions the role of federal visas, highlighting concerns about universities like the University of Rochester losing Chinese students and the ensuing financial repercussions.

Charlie Kirk's Response:

• Federal Authority on Immigration: Kirk emphasizes that immigration is federally regulated, stating, “It is the call of the federal government... It's not the college's call” ([02:08]).

• Critique of Foreign Influence in Education: He raises concerns about colleges becoming “Foreign racketeering operations” influenced by the Chinese Communist Party, where students pay full price for degrees only to return to China without contributing to American society ([02:38]).

• Nonprofit Status of Colleges: Discussing the nonprofit status of educational institutions, Kirk references Hillsdale College as a model that struggles financially despite its adherence to conservative values, highlighting the complexities of maintaining such institutions without substantial donor support ([03:43]).

• Economic Implications: Kirk underscores the financial strain on colleges losing international students, suggesting that tax exemptions should be reevaluated for institutions acting more like businesses than nonprofits providing educational services ([03:38]).

2. Listener Val's Concerns About New Mexico Politics

Timestamp: [05:14] – [09:37]

Val, a listener from New Mexico, expresses deep discouragement following recent elections and concerns about the state's future, particularly as a mother of three living on a small farm.

Charlie Kirk's Response:

• Assessment of New Mexico's Political Landscape: Kirk candidly assesses New Mexico, noting its unique cultural aspects but highlighting political challenges:

  • Demographic Influence: He points out that “half of your state is Hispanic” and tends to vote Democrat, coupled with issues like voter registration fraud in Native American reservations ([06:58]).

  • Santa Fe's Liberal Dominance: Kirk identifies Santa Fe as a stronghold of liberal, artsy types who influence the state's politics heavily, stating, “You really do not have a strong conservative base” ([07:10]).

• Optimism for Arizona: Shifting focus, Kirk expresses strong optimism for Arizona's political trajectory, likening its potential recovery and conservative resurgence to that of Florida. He discusses strategic advantages in the 2026 elections, emphasizing the absence of a U.S. Senate seat race as a critical factor reducing Democratic funding and influence ([08:15]).

• Encouragement to Val: He encourages Val to consider relocating to Arizona for a more promising political environment, reinforcing the notion of building a robust conservative presence in states critical to shaping national politics ([08:30]).

3. Advice to Young Politicians on Staying Engaged

Timestamp: [11:47] – [15:18]

Hudson, a young listener from Arizona, seeks advice on how young people can maintain political engagement.

Charlie Kirk's Guidance:

• Emphasis on Education: Kirk underscores the importance of learning, recommending Hillsdale College’s online courses and reading foundational conservative literature to understand and defend Western civilization ([11:54]).

• Grassroots Involvement Over Influencer Culture: He expresses skepticism towards the modern influencer trend, advocating instead for grassroots activism. Sharing his personal experience, Kirk recounts his early days of making phone calls and knocking on doors for political campaigns, highlighting the value of “thankless work” in building a solid political foundation ([12:10]).

• Practical Steps for Engagement: Encouraging Hudson to get involved with Turning Point Action, Kirk advises active participation in campaigns, such as volunteering for Andy Biggs’ gubernatorial campaign by “knocking on the most doors” and becoming a dedicated grassroots volunteer ([13:33]).

• Critique of Seeking Fame in Politics: Kirk cautions against seeking fame through social media shortcuts, emphasizing that true political influence stems from committed, behind-the-scenes work rather than popularity or online presence ([14:00]).

4. Discussion of Charlie's Debate at the University of Cambridge

Timestamp: [16:27] – [20:46]

Maddie, a long-time listener, compliments Kirk on his debate performance at the University of Cambridge and inquires about any reflections or changes he might make in hindsight.

Charlie Kirk's Reflections:

• Experience at Cambridge: Kirk describes the debate environment as highly antagonistic, with minimal audience support and challenging, sometimes uninformed questions. He notes the lack of genuine engagement from the audience, stating, “you could see that. Like, no, like, oh, yeah, courtesy. It was just cold stone stairs” ([17:27]).

• Handling Adversity: He prides himself on maintaining composure despite being vastly outnumbered, highlighting his strategic approach to the debate’s hostile atmosphere ([19:00]).

• Regrets and Missed Opportunities: Kirk expresses a desire to have used the platform to share his Christian faith more explicitly, believing it could have impacted the audience more profoundly ([18:30]).

• Performance Assessment: Overall, he feels confident about his handling of the debate, receiving positive feedback despite the challenging circumstances. Maddie affirms Kirk’s success, reinforcing his belief that Cambridge looked unprepared and overwhelmed ([20:44]).

5. Listener Juan's Question on Dating Across Political Lines

Timestamp: [21:05] – [23:52]

Juan, another Arizona-based listener, seeks advice on ending a relationship with a liberal girlfriend due to political differences and asks Kirk to elaborate on the potential pitfalls of such relationships.

Charlie Kirk's Response:

• Importance of Shared Values: Kirk strongly advises against building relationships with individuals holding opposing political views, emphasizing that differing values can lead to significant conflicts, especially concerning child-rearing, education, and daily life choices ([21:13]).

• Impact on Family and Personal Life: He outlines scenarios where political differences become deeply personal and disruptive, such as disagreements over vaccinations, religious upbringing, media consumption, and ideological discussions ([21:31]).

• Emotional Stability and Long-Term Compatibility: Highlighting that a house divided “cannot stand,” Kirk insists that shared political and moral values are foundational for lasting relationships, suggesting that such differences invite inevitable disputes and instability ([22:15]).

• Affirmation of Decision: Kirk supports Juan’s choice to end the relationship, reinforcing that aligning with like-minded partners is crucial for personal and familial harmony ([22:40]).

6. Listener Matt's Perspective on Being an Argentine Conservative in America

Timestamp: [23:52] – [27:05]

Matt, an Argentine immigrant, shares his experiences and seeks Kirk’s advice on leveraging his unique perspective and faith to inspire young conservatives in America.

Charlie Kirk's Guidance:

• Narrative of Argentina's Decline: Kirk encourages Matt to highlight Argentina's historical prosperity and its decline due to socialist policies and poor economic decisions, serving as a cautionary tale for American audiences ([25:00]).

• Comparative Analysis: He advises Matt to draw parallels between Argentina’s situation and potential future scenarios in the U.S., emphasizing the importance of sound public policy and economic freedom ([25:23]).

• Promoting Conservative Values: Kirk suggests that Matt use his personal story to advocate for conservative principles, illustrating the tangible benefits of maintaining economic stability and rejecting socialist tendencies ([26:26]).

• Encouragement and Support: He expresses support for Matt’s endeavors, acknowledging the value of immigrants who uphold American values and contribute positively to the nation's political landscape ([27:05]).

7. Listener J's Query on the Israel-Palestine Conflict

Timestamp: [28:58] – [34:07]

J poses a complex question regarding the roots of the Israel-Palestine conflict, specifically asking whether it is fundamentally a territorial dispute or driven primarily by religious differences. J also inquires if events like the October 7th attacks would have occurred if Israel were a majority Muslim state.

Charlie Kirk's Analysis:

• Radical Islamic Terrorism as a Primary Driver: Kirk contends that events like the October 7th attacks are uniquely fueled by radical Islamic ideology rather than territorial disputes alone. He asserts, “What happened on October 7th is uniquely radical Islamic terror” ([29:24]).

• Historical Context and Civilizational Struggle: He frames the conflict as a “civilizational struggle” between “barbarians versus civilization,” dismissing purely religious explanations and emphasizing the role of extremist ideologies ([30:10]).

• Critique of Opposing Sides: While condemning anti-Jewish sentiments, Kirk differentiates between being anti-Jewish, anti-Israel, and anti-Israeli government, urging intellectual and moral honesty in understanding the complexities of the conflict ([29:50]).

• Views on Warfare and Its Consequences: He expresses empathy for the loss of life, particularly among young Gazan children, but maintains that war is an unfortunate reality that should not be politicized or celebrated by either side ([30:40]).

• Final Thoughts: Kirk concludes that the Israel-Palestine conflict is deeply rooted in extremist ideologies rather than mere territorial or religious differences, advocating for a nuanced understanding of the underlying causes ([33:00]).

8. Discussion on the Derek Chauvin Case

Timestamp: [31:26] – [34:09]

Jordan raises a question about the Derek Chauvin case, pondering whether Chauvin should be pardoned and the implications of such an action, especially concerning state and federal jurisdiction.

Charlie Kirk's Response:

• Complexity of the Case: Kirk acknowledges the complexity surrounding Chauvin's conviction, noting that while he doesn’t fully endorse the actions taken by Chauvin, he believes that a state pardon might be unwarranted ([32:01]).

• Federal vs. State Jurisdiction: He explains the challenges of federal pardons in state cases, emphasizing respect for state sovereignty and constitutional boundaries. Kirk dismisses the idea of federal authorities unilaterally pardoning or relocating convicted individuals to other states ([32:42]).

• Personal Stance on Pardon: Although critical of Chauvin's actions, Kirk suggests that Chauvin should not spend the rest of his life in prison, advocating for a federal pardon while recognizing the legal and practical obstacles involved ([33:20]).

• Contextual Considerations: Kirk touches upon the role of media portrayal and public perception, hinting that partial truths and selective information influence the case's narrative ([33:00]).

9. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Timestamp: [34:16]

Charlie Kirk wraps up the episode by thanking listeners for their engagement and encouraging them to reach out via email and the show's website for more discussions and insights. He reiterates the importance of staying informed and involved in the political process to foster a free and prosperous society.

Notable Quotes:

• On Education and Foreign Influence: “Many of these colleges, they have become basically like Foreign racketeering operations from the Chinese Communist Party” ([02:38]).

• On Political Engagement: “If you want to be popular in politics and get in politics, go do the work” ([14:00]).

• On Relationship Values: “A house divided cannot stand” ([22:15]).

• On the Israel-Palestine Conflict: “This is a civilizational struggle. This is barbarians versus civilization” ([29:50]).

• On Grassroots Activism: “You have to knock on doors. You have to chase ballots. You have to make phone calls” ([12:10]).

Conclusion:

In Episode 225 of The Charlie Kirk Show, Charlie Kirk successfully navigates through diverse and challenging topics, offering steadfast conservative viewpoints while engaging directly with his listeners' concerns. From critiquing higher education policies and dissecting intricate political conflicts to providing personal advice on relationships and political engagement, Kirk maintains a clear, unapologetic stance that resonates with his audience. The episode underscores the importance of grassroots activism, shared values, and informed participation in shaping America's future.