The Charlie Kirk Show: Ask Charlie Anything 63

Episode Date: May 24, 2021
Host: Charlie Kirk

Episode Overview

This episode of The Charlie Kirk Show is an "Ask Charlie Anything" edition, where Charlie answers listener questions on pressing cultural and political issues. The main themes discussed include mandatory workplace COVID-19 vaccinations, freedom of choice, Big Pharma skepticism, an in-depth critique of Chicago’s Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s media policies, the notion that "diversity is our strength" (particularly regarding the military), and ongoing challenges facing conservatives in today’s sociopolitical climate. Charlie delivers his characteristically candid, unapologetically conservative perspectives throughout, engaging with real listener emails as a springboard for his arguments.

1. Mandatory Vaccines at Work & Personal Integrity

Timestamps: 07:00–17:55

Key Discussion Points:

• Listener Question: Kathy from Indiana asks what she should do about mandatory vaccination at her state university job (07:00).
• Charlie’s Position: Acknowledges the complexity and emotional strain, stressing there is “not an easy answer.” He sympathizes with listeners facing career jeopardy over their vaccine stance.
• Big Pharma Critique: Strong skepticism about pharmaceutical companies, their role in promoting the COVID-19 vaccine, and profit motives overriding individual well-being.
  • “I have a special place of contempt for Big Pharma. Their profit model is completely dependent on addicting you on non-holistic methods or remedies.” (Charlie, 11:20)
• Personal Example: Shares an anecdote (with permission) of a woman who left her job rather than betray her convictions, describing her newfound sense of freedom.
• Charlie's Personal Stance:
  • “For me, personally, I would quit or leave my job over this. That’s me. I’m not saying you should do that… I would not get the jab for a paycheck.” (Charlie, 13:45)
• Philosophical Advice: Urges listeners to clarify their core values—especially truth for Christians—and not to “lie to yourself or to the world” for convenience or financial necessity.
• NIH/CDC Example: Cites low vaccine uptake among employees at the CDC and NIH as grounds for skepticism about mandates:
  • “If our own public health officials will not take the vaccine, you should not be forced to.” (Charlie, 16:30)
• Advice Summary:
  • Encourages listeners, “If truth matters to you and you do not want to be forced to violate your beliefs, hold the line.” (Charlie, 17:50)

Notable Quotes:

• "What is your own integrity worth? Is it worth losing a job? Maybe it is." (Charlie, 13:20)
• “All I know is that more people have died of complications to the vaccine than died at 9/11.” (Charlie, 16:20 — Note: This statement is unsubstantiated and highly controversial.*)

2. Mayor Lori Lightfoot & The "Diversity" Debate

Timestamps: 17:55–23:55

Key Discussion Points:

• Context: Mayor Lori Lightfoot of Chicago announces she will only give interviews to journalists of color to spotlight lack of diversity in the press corps.
• Charlie’s Critique:
  • Frames Lightfoot’s policy as discriminatory and reverse racism: “Mayor Lori Lightfoot is now saying she'll only grant interviews to black and brown journalists, which is an unbelievably racist thing to say.” (Charlie, 18:15)
  • Draws comparisons to civil rights era logic, asking hypothetically how the press would react if a white politician had a similar policy.
  • Criticizes critical race theory (CRT) logic of “current discrimination fixes past discrimination,” referring to Ibram X. Kendi’s well-known positions.
• Memorable Moments:
  • Asks: “Will the mayor of Chicago only allow black waiters to serve her? … Will you divorce your white wife?” (Charlie, 21:50)—satirical, underscoring his view that identity politics are taken to absurd lengths.
• Underlying Message: Asserts that the principle of equal treatment is being eroded in favor of divisive “equity” approaches—“We used to call you a racist. Now, Lori Lightfoot believes that if you do not have the proper skin color, ye not allowed within my kingdom to ask me a question.” (Charlie, 19:15)

Notable Quotes:

• “The only remedy to past discrimination is present discrimination. The only remedy to present discrimination is future discrimination.” (paraphrasing CRT, 21:30)
• “I thought diversity is your strength, Lori Lightfoot. Why are you marrying a white person?” (Charlie, 21:50)

3. Red vs. Blue State Migration & Corporate Influence

Timestamps: 23:55–30:40

Key Discussion Points:

• Listener Question: Derek from Arizona asks how conservatives can fight back against a progressive media and political machine.
• Charlie’s Response:
  • Highlights concerns over companies relocating to conservative states (like Texas and Florida), bringing “liberal employees” and values that shift state politics.
  • Terms such moves as “parasitic,” suggesting that corporate relocations should not be welcomed if they undermine local conservative culture and governance.
• Economic vs. Cultural Values:
  • Warns against making a “false idol out of profiteering” and argues that GDP growth should not be prioritized over cultural and moral values.
  • “Do not make a God out of GDP growth or a false idol out of profiteering.” (Charlie, 28:12)

4. Diversity and the U.S. Military

Timestamps: 30:40–end

Key Discussion Points:

• Listener Question: A Marine staff sergeant expresses concern over politics, "extremism training," and “feministic ideology” infiltrating the military.
• Charlie’s Take:
  • Argues that concepts like diversity and ideology have no place in a military predicated on discipline, unity, and mission-focus.
  • Gives a metaphor with Tom Brady and the Buccaneers to illustrate the need for unity in critical organizations:
    • “If Tom Brady called a play… and Gronkowski just runs right down the field like it’s a Hail Mary… and he comes back to the huddle… ‘Diversity is our strength, Tom!’” (Charlie, 32:48)
  • Posits that not all forms of diversity are constructive, especially in institutions (like the military) that require cohesion.
  • Suggests that leftist policies in the military are intentionally weakening its focus and strength.
• Advice to Listener:
  • Advises political pushback should come from leaders and policymakers, not rank-and-file soldiers, given the unique nature of military hierarchy.
  • "It’s up to our leaders, our senators, our Congress people, and God willing, our generals to stand up against this nonsense. Because if they truly do take over the aircraft carriers, the missiles, the bullets, and the Marines, it’s going to be very hard for us to counter that." (Charlie, 36:40)
• Memorable Expression: “It’s the suits, not the boots, that are pushing this garbage.” (Charlie, 36:50)

5. Reflection & Closing Thoughts

• Community & Support: Charlie reiterates his promise to read and support listener stories, particularly those facing termination over vaccine mandates.
• Bottom Line Message: The episode closes on a call for personal integrity, active engagement in the culture war, and moral clarity over comfort or compliance.

Notable Quotes & Moments

| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker | |---------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------| | 11:20 | "I have a special place of contempt for Big Pharma…" | Charlie Kirk | | 13:45 | "I would not get the jab for a paycheck." | Charlie Kirk | | 16:20 | "All I know is that more people have died of complications to the vaccine than died at 9/11." | Charlie Kirk | | 17:50 | “If truth matters to you and you do not want to be forced to violate your beliefs, hold the line.” | Charlie Kirk | | 18:15 | "Mayor Lori Lightfoot… will only grant interviews to black and brown journalists, which is an unbelievably racist thing..." | Charlie Kirk | | 19:15 | "We used to call you a racist. Now, Lori Lightfoot believes that if you do not have the proper skin color, ye not allowed…" | Charlie Kirk | | 21:30 | "The only remedy to past discrimination is present discrimination…" (paraphrasing CRT) | Charlie Kirk | | 21:50 | “I thought diversity is your strength, Lori Lightfoot. Why are you marrying a white person?” | Charlie Kirk | | 28:12 | "Do not make a God out of GDP growth or a false idol out of profiteering." | Charlie Kirk | | 32:48 | Tom Brady & Buccaneers analogy about diversity vs. unity | Charlie Kirk | | 36:50 | “It’s the suits, not the boots, that are pushing this garbage.” | Charlie Kirk |

Episode Flow and Tone

• The episode is direct, unapologetically opinionated, with a populist-conservative and culture war orientation.
• Emphasis is placed on moral clarity, skepticism towards mainstream institutions, and the importance of individual integrity in resisting what Kirk perceives as overreach or ideological imposition (e.g., vaccines, diversity mandates).

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Mandatory Vaccination and Integrity: 07:00–17:55
• Mayor Lori Lightfoot & Diversity Debate: 17:55–23:55
• Corporate Relocation & Conservative Culture: 23:55–30:40
• Diversity and the Military: 30:40–end

This summary encapsulates the main arguments, tone, and memorable moments of the episode, providing a clear reference for those who wish to understand Charlie Kirk’s perspective on workplace vaccine mandates, diversity, and the present state of American culture and institutions.