The Charlie Kirk Show – Ask Us Anything 254: Charlie and Aliens? Smart vs Educated? Liu vs. Gu?

Date: February 23, 2026
Host: Charlie Kirk
Main Theme: A live “Ask Us Anything” episode featuring questions from listeners on diverse topics such as extraterrestrial life, the difference between being smart and educated, U.S. political gridlock, and a spirited discussion about two Chinese-American athletes and their differing stances toward the U.S. and China.

Episode Overview

In this high-energy installment, Charlie Kirk and co-hosts Blake and Andrew answer questions from listeners, taking deep dives into current headlines and philosophical debates. The discussion ranges from unexplained aerial phenomena and metaphysics, to the dysfunction of Congress, the true value of education, and the intersection between sports, loyalty, and geopolitics. The tone is unapologetically conservative with frequent appeals to faith, patriotism, and traditional values.

Key Topics & Insights

1. Do Charlie and the Team Believe in Aliens?

Timestamps: 01:27 – 09:01

• Prompted by Listener “Brandon,” who asks if Charlie (and the team) believes in aliens, the hosts launch into a multifaceted conversation.
• Charlie’s Position (via team):
  • Open to the existence of unexplained phenomena. Considers the possibility that some “aliens” could be demonic rather than extraterrestrial (“Charlie thought they were possibly demonic elements...he believes in supernatural forces. So you could have angels, you could have demons, and they might be measurable in this world in some way.” – Blake, 01:52).
  • Recounts an experience where Charlie witnessed something inexplicable while flying, which was never confirmed by radar:
    “Something was above them and was not showing on radar. I'm sure there is a logical explanation here, but watch this video and tell me what I am missing.”
    (Charlie, 05:05)
• The Team’s Perspectives:
  • Andrew is more agnostic, citing the scale of the universe and the odds that intelligent life exists somewhere (“...so much universe out there, it feels like it would genuinely defy probability to say there is no life of any kind in any of the literally hundreds of billions of galaxies...” – Andrew, 02:57).
  • Blake is intrigued by reports like Roswell and materials that "defy explanation" (03:30 – 04:38).
  • Skepticism remains high, with references to government secrecy and “UFO lore” being occasionally used to distract from classified military activities or test the loyalty of internal actors (“CIA said, well let's just go plant some UFO stories to cover up for the surveillance activities that we were doing.” – Blake, 07:47).
• Notable Quotes:
  • “I think there's some compelling evidence out there.” (Blake, 04:35)
  • “...if these guys existed, we better not find out because we'll definitely start sending them money.” (Andrew, 09:01 – humorous, referencing America’s propensity to fund)

2. Political Gridlock & Republican Disunity in Congress

Timestamps: 11:02 – 13:26

• Listener Anthony’s Question: Why does Congress—even many Republicans—refuse to work with Trump?
• Key Points:
  • The “Zombie Congress” effect: Congress is hamstrung by the filibuster and slim or divided majorities, relying on outdated statutes and rarely passing new legislation (“Congress is essentially null and void. It's a zombie Congress in a lot of ways.” – Andrew, 12:06).
  • The Founders’ intentions vs. current practice: Congress often defers power to the Executive, resulting in a government that doesn’t reflect “the will of the people” or adapt swiftly to new issues (AI, licensing, etc.).
  • Fractured unity: Individual congressional members will often take a stand for personal or political reasons, making consensus laborious (“It's like herding cats in Congress...especially when you have slim majorities and then you've got this filibuster-proof 60 vote threshold in the Senate.” – Blake, 12:43).

3. “Smart” vs. “Educated”—What’s the Difference?

Timestamps: 13:30 – 18:27

• Prompted by Listener John: In light of Rush Limbaugh’s reflections and Charlie’s stance that “college is a scam,” what distinguishes being smart from being educated?
• Discussion Highlights:
  • Credentialism vs. Wisdom:
    • Critique of American higher education's focus on credentials rather than genuine cultivation of thought: “Education...degree collection has become increasingly meaningless. But there's also true education...not prioritizing credentials...but the cultivation of the mind.” (Blake, 14:57)
    • The difference between “smart, educated, and wise”—wisdom being the highest aim, as rooted in knowing the truth (“...the root words of what, education, how we derive that word. To lead forth, you have to know where you're going...You have to understand the good, the true and the beautiful, the eternal things...” – Blake, 16:12)
  • Classic Education as Ideal:
    • Frequent reference to classical thinkers and Hillsdale College: “...it's a learning institution...a classical education that leads forth to somewhere good...critical thinking, deeper knowledge, deeper, more profound wisdoms.” (Andrew, 16:40)
• Memorable Quotes:
  • “There's a lot of people with a lot of raw horsepower intelligence that are dumber than Doornell because they don't know what the truth is.” – Blake, 15:47
  • “...they are committed believers, but they are not thinkers yet they consider themselves the smartest people in the room.” – (Listener reading Rush Limbaugh, 17:22)

4. Redistricting, Filibusters, and Senate Tactics

Timestamps: 18:33 – 25:10

• Listener D’s Questions: On state redistricting efforts, the prospects for filibuster reform (the “talking filibuster”), and potential pressure points for bipartisan support on issues like the SAVE Act.
• Key Updates:
  • Legal battles over Virginia’s redistricting, with some counties defying early voting rulings—a possible “constitutional crisis” at the state level (19:52 – 20:35).
  • Slight edge to Republicans in current redistricting results, though outcomes in Colorado and pending state lawsuits could change this calculus.
  • The “talking filibuster” is described as restoring the Senate’s deliberative tradition—a reform favored by the show’s hosts, though concerns are noted about potential for indefinite stalling.
  • Emphasis on constituent pressure: “Politics is about numbers but also intensity. People who are more intense and more passionate and more vocal get more of what they want.” (Blake, 22:09)
• Memorable Quotes:
  • “I think it's existential. I think it's ridiculous that you do not need a government issued ID to prove your citizenship to vote in a federal election.” (Blake, 24:48)
  • “President Trump has been very clear we will have the SAVE act one way or the other...whether passed through Congress or the policies implemented in some other way.” (Blake, 24:30)

5. Contest of American Identity: Alysa Liu vs Eileen Gu

Timestamps: 26:40 – 36:11

• Listener Sam’s Question: Explores the juxtaposition between two Chinese-American athletes, Alysa Liu and Eileen Gu: one loyal to the U.S., the other representing China.
• Core Narratives:
  • Alysa Liu:
    • Daughter of a Chinese dissident, herself “a wokie” but not disloyal.
    • Despite CCP surveillance and offers to represent China for huge sums, proudly skates for the U.S. and brings home the first figure skating gold in 24 years.
      “Her dad fled the CCP China...The FBI has told them they've been under surveillance trying to intimidate his daughter Alyssa Liu from skating for the US Team. She did it anyways and she got gold.” (Blake, 26:48)
  • Eileen Gu:
    • Stanford grad, wealthy background, switched allegiance to China for the 2022 Olympics, earning an estimated $20 million/year.
    • Seen by hosts as opportunistic, unpatriotic, and “arrogant.”
      “You took the money, you went to...You're a traitor.” (Blake, 35:08)
    • Clip played of Eileen Gu’s dismissive response to criticism about “losing gold” (32:12), which is negatively framed by the hosts.
  • Broader Issues:
    • Coercive tactics by CCP toward the Chinese diaspora; fears of rising foreign influence and soft power manipulation through athletes and local politics.
    • Implication that loyalty to America, regardless of political leanings, should be celebrated above all.
• Memorable Quotes:
  • “She [Alysa Liu] turned down, it sounds like tens of millions of dollars to proudly represent America. And you know, she's a lib. But I would hope that our country is prepared to reward her for that because she should be seen as a patriotic hero for that.” – Andrew, 31:01
  • “Boo to Goo. Boo to Goo. But Alyssa Lou. Woo to Lou to Loo. Boo to Goof, Lou to Lou. Sweet Lou. We love Sweet Lou.” – Blake, 35:53 (tongue-in-cheek closing)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|---------|-------| | 01:52 | Blake | “Charlie thought they were possibly demonic elements. And obviously Charlie was a Christian...angels, you could have demons, and they might be measurable in this world in some way.” | | 03:29 | Andrew | “There's so much universe out there, it feels like it would genuinely defy probability to say there is no life of any kind in any...galaxies.” | | 04:35 | Blake | “I actually think there's some compelling evidence out there.” | | 15:47 | Blake | “There's a lot of people with a lot of raw horsepower intelligence that are dumber than Doornell because they don't know what the truth is.” | | 16:12 | Blake | “Imagine three things...Smart, educated, and wise. And there are three different ways to go.” | | 17:22 | Listener via Rush Limbaugh | “They are committed believers, but they are not thinkers yet they consider themselves the smartest people in the room.” | | 19:52 | Andrew | “Counties in Virginia...kind of creating a state level constitutional crisis because they're saying they're not going to be proceeding with early voting while other counties are.” | | 24:48 | Blake | “I think it's existential. I think it's ridiculous that you do not need a government issued ID to prove your citizenship to vote in a federal election.” | | 26:48 | Blake | “Her dad fled the CCP China...The FBI has told them they've been under surveillance trying to intimidate his daughter Alyssa Liu from skating for the US Team. She did it anyways and she got gold.” | | 31:01 | Andrew | “[Alysa Liu] turned down, it sounds like tens of millions of dollars to proudly represent America...she should be seen as a patriotic hero for that.” | | 35:53 | Blake | “Boo to Goo. Boo to Goo. But Alyssa Lou. Woo to Lou to Loo. Boo to Goof, Lou to Lou. Sweet Lou. We love Sweet Lou.” |

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Aliens & UFOs: 01:27 – 09:01
• Congress & Trump Relations: 11:02 – 13:26
• Smart vs Educated: 13:30 – 18:27
• Redistricting & Filibuster: 18:33 – 25:10
• Liu vs. Gu – Sports, Patriotism, and China: 26:40 – 36:11

Final Thoughts & Takeaways

This episode of The Charlie Kirk Show showcases the breadth of conservative grassroots concerns, ranging from cosmic questions to local politics and heartfelt debates about loyalty, virtue, and the American story. It brims with spirited commentary and a distinctive blend of humor, skepticism, and patriotic fervor—offering listeners both a window into the conservative psyche and an unapologetic “clarity in a sea of chaos.”