The Charlie Kirk Show — Ask Charlie Anything 60: Should Conservatives Support Caitlyn Jenner for Governor? Who Killed Ashli Babbitt? And More Date: April 26, 2021 | Host: Charlie Kirk
Episode Overview
This “Ask Charlie Anything” episode features Charlie Kirk answering audience questions about major topics trending in conservative circles. Key themes include the debate over supporting Caitlyn Jenner’s campaign for California governor, the moral state of the Republican Party, law and order issues, the Ashley Babbitt case from January 6th, the California recall, educational choices, and broader cultural conflicts in America. Kirk delivers his unapologetically conservative perspective in a candid, combative style.
Key Discussion Points
1. Should Conservatives Support Caitlyn Jenner for Governor?
- Charlie’s position: Firmly against endorsing Jenner (transgender woman, formerly known as Bruce) for governor as a Republican.
- Reasoning:
- Belief in original gender design and opposition to mainstreaming transgenderism.
- Concerns about party values and cultural message.
- Acknowledges personal respect (“very nice person”) but sees Jenner’s candidacy as incompatible with conservative principles.
- Quotes:
- “I’m not a fan of someone who is currently suffering— and I use that word intentionally— suffering from gender dysphoria, being in the Republican Party… that is not to say we have to be a jerk about it… But I’m going to be very clear that I believe there are two genders, and I believe transgenderism is not something that should be widely accepted as if it’s a lifestyle.” — Charlie (03:00)
- “If the Republican Party is not going to stand for original design, then what are we going to stand for?” — Charlie (04:15)
- “This is me drawing the line. I am drawing a line and saying that a transgender person should not be running for office in the Republican Party... for a variety of different reasons.” — Charlie (06:20)
- Tone: Blunt, explicit on boundaries; stresses compassion but non-negotiable on party standards.
2. Rule of Law and BLM
- Context: Responds to a UK listener comparing American trends to UK issues (BLM, border crisis, gun rights).
- Main point: Alarm over deterioration of rule of law and importation of UK-style liberal policies.
- BLM and Ilhan Omar: Critiques Rep. Ilhan Omar’s praise of Daunte Wright, characterizing it as memorializing a criminal and undermining law and order.
- Quotes:
- “The attack on the rule of law is fundamental to the end of civil society... Cicero warned us: the more laws, the less justice.” — Charlie (12:05)
- Tone: Grave, persuasive, invokes history and classical references.
3. California Recall and State of the State
- Audience Q: Hopes for recalling Governor Gavin Newsom.
- Charlie’s view: Applauds recall as a healthy democratic tool, essential check and balance. Advocates aggressive grassroots action irrespective of California’s political leaning.
- Quotes:
- “It’s actually not about winning. It’s about building the movement and getting these ideas out there.” — Charlie (16:30)
- Tone: Encouraging, movement-building, realistic but optimistic for conservatives.
4. Who Killed Ashli Babbitt?
- Audience Q: Asks for more information about the Capitol Police who shot Babbitt on January 6th.
- Charlie’s stance:
- Calls it “an inexcusable discharge of a weapon.”
- Points out Babbitt was unarmed.
- Wonders why the left is silent on police use of force when it implicates their political side.
- Criticizes lack of transparency about the officer’s identity.
- Quotes:
- “The question is why do we have this very public anti police conversation happening in our country, yet the left was perfectly fine with Ashley Babbitt getting killed?” — Charlie (23:50)
- Tone: Cynical, probing, “just asking questions” approach.
5. Homeschooling, Education, and Wisdom
- Audience Q: Concerns about future of homeschooling, teaching wisdom.
- Charlie’s advice: Strongly pro-homeschooling; sees it as safeguard for values and true wisdom versus mere practical knowledge taught in public schools.
- Educational philosophy: Cites Greek origins of “character” (tattoo, praxis) and distinction between practical and eternal knowledge.
- Quotes:
- “Homeschooling, if you can do it, is the best way. It really is. We need to double our homeschooling population in our country quickly... Government run schools are becoming an untenable option.” — Charlie (28:00)
- “Wisdom is the knowledge of things that never change.” — Charlie (27:40)
- Tone: Affirming, a bit philosophical, deeply anti-mainstream-education.
6. Free Speech, Safety, and Street Violence
- Charlie describes personal experience: Event threatened by “700 terrorists” intending disruption; police/authorities unable to ensure safety.
- Main point: If hosts can’t ensure safety due to threat of violence, free speech is effectively curtailed.
- Quotes:
- “How can I have the right to speak if the host of who’s going to have me is afraid that their church is going to burn down?” — Charlie (31:00)
- Tone: Indignant, highlights chilling effect on liberty.
7. Arizona’s Forensic Audit (Election Security)
- Audience Q: What’s happening with Arizona’s 2020 audit?
- Charlie’s summary:
- Explains the scope: hand count of 2.1 million ballots, machine audits, voter roll checks.
- Praises the Arizona legislature’s role and questions Democrats’ opposition.
- Quotes:
- “Why are the Arizona Democrats so nervous about trying to audit ballots? Shouldn’t they be supportive about this so they can celebrate their victory in Arizona?” — Charlie (34:10)
- “The Senate plans to hand count 2.1 million ballots... That’s an awesome use of time and energy because a lot of people in Arizona, myself included, feel as if there was something wrong with the process.” — Charlie (36:10)
- Tone: Analytical, skeptical of Democratic motives, faith in audit process.
8. Mask Mandates and Private Rights
- Audience Qs: On lifting mask mandates in Texas and New Hampshire, and private businesses still requiring masks.
- Kirk’s answer: Consistent libertarian line for private businesses: they can require masks if they choose, though he frowns on mandates generally and raises potential HIPAA issues.
- Notable moment: Jokes about the contradiction of mask mandates in the “Live Free or Die” state.
- Quotes:
- “Live free and die. Put on your mask... a little bit contradictory.” — Charlie (39:20)
- Tone: Sarcastic, critiques government overreach but upholds business rights.
9. Tech Censorship and Conservative Innovation
- Audience Q: 15-year-old listener building a Christian alternative to Twitch.
- Charlie’s encouragement: Applauds the entrepreneurial spirit; urges conservatives to “build their own stuff” regardless of odds of success.
- Quotes:
- “We need conservatives to build their own stuff. So I want to thank you, Joseph, for that and thank you for listening. That is terrific.” — Charlie (41:20)
- Tone: Supportive, motivational.
10. Race, Child Psychology, and Black Lives Matter
- Audience Q: How to explain BLM messaging to a confused child.
- Charlie’s critique: Hyper-racialization confuses children and damages social cohesion.
- **Cites Piaget’s child psychology to argue kids’ worldviews are naturally non-racialized but are being manipulated by adult messaging and curricula.
- Quotes:
- “This hyper racialization of our rhetoric and our language is so destructive to young children. Children are so confused by this because they are not looking at overly racializing our country.” — Charlie (43:50)
- “Children ask the best questions... There’s sometimes more wisdom out of young children than... adults.” — Charlie (44:30)
- Tone: Concerned, somewhat academic, warns of long-term harm.
11. Greta Thunberg, Generational Politics, and 1984
- Concludes with: Critique of Greta Thunberg’s rhetoric, likening it to the dynamics of Orwell’s “1984” where youth loyalty to the regime trumps family ties.
- Quotes:
- “We have a whole society of people that are afraid of Greta Thunberg... One of the main thesis of 1984 is rewriting history and putting a small group of very angry people in charge of what’s written.” — Charlie (32:00)
- Tone: Alarmist, sardonic, literary references.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Caitlyn Jenner’s Candidacy:
“If the Republican Party is not going to stand for original design, then what are we going to stand for?” (04:15) -
On Rule of Law:
“The attack on the rule of law is fundamental to the end of civil society.” (12:05) -
On Ashley Babbitt:
“We know the name of every police officer that has done anything in like 24 hours or less. But this goes to my thesis that… they want a national police force.” (25:00) -
On Homeschooling:
“Homeschooling… is the best way. It really is. We need to double our homeschooling population in our country quickly.” (28:00) -
On Free Speech and Safety:
“How can I have the right to speak if the host… is afraid that their church is going to burn down?” (31:00) -
On Election Audits:
“The Senate plans to hand count 2.1 million ballots… That’s an awesome use of time and energy.” (36:10) -
On Race and Childhood:
“This hyper racialization… is so destructive to young children.” (43:50) -
On Greta Thunberg and “1984”:
“If you want to be remembered nicely, you better do what I tell you to do. Now do I think Greta Thunberg was born with this mountain of garbage? No…” (32:00)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Caitlyn Jenner for Governor? — 03:00 to 08:00
- Rule of Law & BLM/Ilhan Omar — 12:05 to 15:00
- California Recall and Grassroots Activism — 16:30 to 18:00
- Who Killed Ashli Babbitt? — 23:50 to 25:50
- Homeschooling and Education Philosophy — 27:30 to 30:00
- Free Speech Threatened by Street Violence — 31:00 to 32:00
- Arizona Ballot Audit Explained — 34:10 to 37:00
- Mask Mandates: Texas & New Hampshire — 39:20 to 40:30
- Tech Censorship & Conservative Seeding — 41:20 to 42:00
- Childhood, BLM, Piaget — 43:50 to 46:00
- Greta Thunberg, Generational Politics, “1984” — 31:25 to 33:00
Summary
Charlie Kirk tackles contentious cultural and political issues, articulating conservative “red lines” on transgenderism, decrying the erosion of rule of law, questioning law enforcement double standards, making a strong pitch for homeschooling, and supporting grassroots investigation of elections. He uses literary, philosophical, and psychological references to underscore his worldview, all in candid responses to listener queries.
Listeners who missed the episode will find Kirk’s main themes and arguments are unmistakably clear: the Republican Party should set moral boundaries, cultural shifts must be resisted, and grassroots activism—whether in politics or technology—remains vital.
