The Charlie Kirk Show
Episode: "California's Democrat Dream Comes to an End"
Date: August 24, 2021
Host: Charlie Kirk
Episode Overview
In this episode, Charlie Kirk discusses the high-stakes California recall election targeting Governor Gavin Newsom, analyzing its national significance, underlying political currents, and the emergent candidacy of black conservative radio host Larry Elder. Kirk critiques media and progressive responses to Elder, especially the framing of Elder as "the black face of white supremacy" by the Los Angeles Times, and calls for action among conservatives to unite behind Elder’s campaign.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The California Recall Election: National Importance
- Recall Overview: Kirk frames the California recall as a critical “mini-presidential race” with the potential to send political shockwaves through the country.
- "[The recall] is three weeks away to send a political shockwave to Nancy Pelosi, Kamala Harris, Adam Schiff, Barbara Boxer, Dianne Feinstein and the entire ruling class degenerate elite…" (10:30)
- Election Mechanics: Explains the recall process—voters decide on the recall and, if successful, choose a replacement by plurality.
- Polls at the time showed a near-even split on whether to keep or recall Newsom (06:00–08:00).
2. Grassroots Mobilization & Changing Public Mood
- Conservative Energy: Kirk notes an energizing, diverse coalition in California echoing past populist movements.
- "I have not seen enthusiasm and energy like this since the Tea Party movement or since the Trump movement." (13:44)
- Pastoral Involvement: Highlights prominent pastors (e.g., Jack Hibbs, Rob McCoy) helping mobilize their congregations for the recall (12:40).
- Loss of Faith in Newsom: Critiques Newsom’s leadership, referencing scandals like the French Laundry dinner and his vacationing during crises (15:40).
- Hispanic Voter Shift: Cites polling data showing rising Hispanic support for the recall (18:42).
3. Larry Elder as the Conservative Alternative
- Why Elder: Kirk strongly backs Larry Elder as the only viable Republican candidate, urging other Republicans to drop out to avoid splitting the vote.
- "Larry Elder is the man and he’s a friend of mine, and I’m back on him proudly." (33:55)
- Democratic Panic: Asserts that Democrats and the media are alarmed by Elder’s momentum.
- Attacks on Elder: Reviews the Los Angeles Times’ article labeling Elder as “the black face of white supremacy” and dissects its arguments at length.
4. Media & Progressive Reactions to Elder
- Critique of LA Times:
- "Can you believe the Los Angeles Times published this? This is, this is something that like a 19-year-old blogger at Wellesley College would write. No, this is the Los Angeles Times." (36:22)
- Dissecting the White Supremacy Claim:
- Kirk reads and reacts to direct quotes from Erica D. Smith’s article, calling out what he sees as logical and moral inconsistencies (40:45–49:00).
- "The name of your entire article is you’re calling a black person a white supremacist. And Larry Elder is the name caller?" (44:20)
- "This shows you how fragile Democrats' control over the black community is. They just go to racist, bigot, homophobic, and immediately throw pejoratives." (56:00)
- Kirk reads and reacts to direct quotes from Erica D. Smith’s article, calling out what he sees as logical and moral inconsistencies (40:45–49:00).
- Identity Politics: Argues that progressive opposition to Elder demonstrates their reliance on racial narratives for political influence.
- "Maybe it’s all about power and not about race." (54:15)
5. Larry Elder’s Policy Views and the Progressive Critique
- Policy Analysis:
- Elder opposes many progressive policies such as vaccine and mask mandates, supports school choice, and emphasizes law and order.
- Kirk challenges the assertion that Elder’s stances are harmful to black communities, claiming the opposite and calling out failures of progressive leadership in cities and schools.
- "How about school choice? Larry Elder stands for that. Do you stand for that, Erica D. Smith?" (50:30)
- "Do you know that that’s actually what black people want? Or are you too busy living in a white neighborhood, Erica D. Smith?" (50:41)
- "Larry Elder is someone who just fundamentally doesn't believe that systemic racism exists. I just want to say, Larry is black. He grew up in South Central LA. I thought you were supposed to listen to black voices." (52:05)
- Claims about California’s ethnic studies curriculum and critical race theory are discussed as points of contention.
6. Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On California’s “Impenetrable” Politics:
- "California looked untouchable. You might as well colonize Neptune. We were told it’s never going to turn…The drum beat of cynicism set in…But slowly and surely…I can tell you, all of a sudden, that remnant got louder and it expanded." (11:20)
- On Progressive Rhetoric:
- "What kind of writing prose is this? Do you not speak English? ‘Larry Elder smiled the smug smile…’" (39:00)
- On Hypocrisy and Race:
- “So you’re trying to tell me that Erica D. Smith would rather have a white male colonialist governor than a black man from South Central LA? Maybe it's all about power and not about race.” (54:15)
- On Recall’s Broader Impact:
- “It would be a shock to the system the likes of which we haven't seen since Donald Trump's election in 2016.” (01:05:32)
7. Call to Action
- Kirk urges national listeners to get involved—donate, advocate, and support Elder—to make the California recall a pivotal conservative victory.
- "I call everyone across the country to do some role to help out Larry Elder in this race – he can win which would be...a shock to the system the likes of which we haven't seen since Donald Trump's election in 2016." (01:05:32)
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
- On Pulling Together for Elder:
- "I want to say this for all the other Republicans that are in the race. Drop out immediately, consolidate behind Larry Elder and get all your support behind him. Only Larry can win this race. There is no other way." — Charlie Kirk (33:30)
- On the LA Times Article:
- "Larry Elder is the black face of white supremacy. You've been warned. You hear that? She’s saying Larry Elder has both blackface and he's a white supremacist. As a black person, can you believe the Los Angeles Times published this?" — Charlie Kirk (36:22)
- On Race and Political Allegiance:
- "This shows you how fragile Democrats' control over the black community is. They just go to racist, bigot, homophobic, and immediately throw pejoratives. Larry Elder might be the next governor of California, everybody, no matter how much they call him a white supremacist." — Charlie Kirk (56:00)
- On School Choice for Black Communities:
- "How about school choice? Larry Elder stands for that. Do you stand for that, Erica D. Smith?" — Charlie Kirk (50:30)
- On National Significance:
- "You want to take back the House of Representatives, everybody. You want to retire Nancy Pelosi…a Republican governor in California would be a very good start." — Charlie Kirk (17:40)
Key Timestamps for Important Segments
- California recall election context & polling: 03:20–08:10
- Grassroots movement and pastors' involvement: 11:35–13:00
- Hispanic voter shift away from Newsom: 18:42–19:30
- Newsom’s controversies & scandal discussion: 15:47–16:30
- Debunking “black face of white supremacy” article: 36:00–57:00
- Media and progressive attacks on Larry Elder: 40:45–49:00, 53:00–56:00
- Call for Republicans to unite behind Elder: 33:30–35:00
- Broader implications for national politics: 10:45–18:45, 01:05:00–01:08:00
Tone and Language
Charlie Kirk maintains an unapologetically combative, sarcastic, and confrontational conservative tone. He employs humor, personal asides, and forceful rhetoric, frequently mocking political opponents, progressive leaders, and mainstream media, while calling on his audience for activism and solidarity.
Conclusion
Kirk closes by reinforcing the recall’s importance—not just as a state election, but as a national bellwether. He posits Larry Elder’s candidacy as a critical opportunity for conservative and black voters alike to seize the political narrative and challenge progressive orthodoxy—lambasting efforts by Democrats and the mainstream press to frame Elder’s views as “white supremacy” and urging unity and action among Republicans to secure an upset in California.
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