The Charlie Kirk Show

Episode: Defunding Woke, Once and For All
Date: October 22, 2025
Host: Andrew Colvett (Executive Producer, standing in for Charlie Kirk)
Guests: Dr. David Azerrad (Hillsdale College), Mikey McCoy (Turning Point USA Chief of Staff), Jordan Harmon (Angel Studios)

Overview

This poignant episode of The Charlie Kirk Show explores the aftermath of Charlie Kirk's assassination and the fight against "woke" ideology in American institutions—particularly academia. The discussion navigates the boundaries of free speech, the culture of campus radicalism, the meaning of tyranny, and the future of the conservative movement after Charlie's death. Touching tributes to Charlie’s life and faith are included, as well as a conversation with Angel Studios’ Jordan Harmon about the power of film to communicate truth and courage in desperate times.

Main Themes

• The attack on conservative values and voices, culminating in Charlie Kirk’s assassination
• The failure of liberal institutions to check their radical fringes
• The need to defund and de-institutionalize “woke” departments in public universities
• The confusion among youth about socialism and the path from “democratic socialism” to broader statism
• Charlie Kirk’s legacy of faith, debate, and courage in the face of opposition
• The role of Christian media in carrying forth the message of truth and moral clarity

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Remembering Charlie Kirk and the Culture War (00:03 – 05:06)

• Charlie’s Opening Message:
  “If the most important thing for you is just feeling good, you're gonna end up miserable. But if the most important thing is doing good, you will end up purposeful. College is a scam, everybody. You gotta stop sending your kids to college… I gave my life to the Lord in fifth grade. Most important decision I ever made in my life.” (Charlie Kirk, 00:03)

• Andrew and Mikey reflect on Charlie’s ethos: mobilizing for “purpose” over comfort, and a no-holds-barred approach to activism.

• Dr. David Azerrad honors Charlie’s commitment to dialogue:
  “Isn’t that the saddest…they murdered someone who dedicated his life to dialoguing…and the genuine patience he exhibited in talking to them.” (Dr. Azerad, 03:03)

Memorable Moment:

Charlie’s legacy of disagreeing well and willingness to debate all comers.

The Limits of Dialogue and The Left’s Radicalism (05:06 – 13:07)

• Dr. Azerrad questions whether dialogue is possible with illiberal elements:
  “We should not call them liberals. They're opposed to free speech, they don't believe in democracy, they don't respect the outcome of elections.” (05:06)
• Critiques left-wing silence in the face of real threats and violence against conservatives, e.g., “murdering Charlie Kirk.”
• Andrew lists recent examples of "tyrannical" behavior by Democrats (COVID censorship, J6 targeting, Hunter Biden laptop suppression).
• Media criticism: Even late-night hosts now challenge White House narratives, e.g., Colbert confronting Karine Jean-Pierre (07:00–08:35).

Notable Quote:

“You brought up the list of things that happened under Biden…what do you think is a greater threat to democracy? To enforce the existing laws…or to basically announce de facto open borders?” (Dr. Azerad, 09:09)

What is Tyranny? What is Democracy? (10:31 – 13:07)

• Dr. Azerrad emphasizes the foundational definitions:
  “Democracy should mean you have elections…tyranny would be the naked abuse of power with complete disregard for the rule of law.” (Dr. Azerad, 10:59)
• Reflection on how the left has redefined democracy as solely aligning with their “policy preferences.”

Notable Quote:

“They've come to basically redefine democracy as our policy preferences. And if you disagree with this, you're a fascist…It lays down the predicate for justifying violence. Because if he is a fascist, then why shouldn’t we kill him?” (Dr. Azerad, 12:32)

The State of Academia and Defunding the “Woke” (14:27 – 19:13)

• Mikey McCoy’s concern: “The left is headed increasingly to a place where they just do not care about common sense or reason. And I'm a little worried…at these woke universities, these teachers…teach their students that reason no longer matters.” (14:27)
• Dr. Azerrad’s “flippant” solution:
  “At public universities, if they stop pushing the crazy tranny agenda, most of them will fold…If it’s got 'studies' in it, as a rule of thumb, it’s a corrupt, bogus discipline. Shut it down.” (15:38–17:53)
• Defunding doesn’t mean banning ideas, but refusing taxpayer support for disciplines deemed detrimental to the public good.

Notable Exchange:

“You say you’re for free speech, but you want to shut down Women’s Studies?”
“Not forbidding—just not subsidizing. Why are red states subsidizing disciplines that are corrupt and don’t contribute to the common good?” (18:18–19:13)

Youth, Socialism, and Ideological Confusion (19:13 – 22:38)

• Reflection on Dr. Azerrad's 2016 article about youth support for socialism:
  “Bernie Sanders and…the people who say they like socialism are not Marxist communists…They just want free stuff.” (Dr. Azerrad, 19:47)
• Warns of the creeping expansion of the welfare state leading towards more government control, but distinguishes this from true Marxism.

Memorable Quote:

“If we could find a way to pay for it, maybe [free health care] isn’t terrible, but…the problem with socialism, you eventually run out of other people’s money.” (Andrew Colvett paraphrasing Margaret Thatcher, 22:38)

Charlie Kirk’s Life, Legacy & Faith (25:22 – 34:29)

• Jordan Harmon (Angel Studios) shares moving memories of Charlie’s loyalty and faith:
  “He was the first person to call me [in my darkest hour]…always included an incredible scripture…Let’s share the truth of the resurrection daily with boldness and love.” (Jordan Harmon, recalling a message from Charlie, 28:17)
• Emphasis on Charlie’s daily habit of sending scriptures and living out his beliefs even in debate settings.
• Discussion about the impact of Charlie’s death:
  “When he was killed, he died at the peak of his faith. He had loved the Lord the most at that moment.” (Mikey McCoy, 29:55)
• Charlie’s wife Erica and others are determined to preserve and accelerate his mission.
• Reflections on the memorial’s vast reach:
  “We tracked over 120 million streams just from our stuff…probably double that, maybe triple, who knows?” (Andrew Colvett, 32:18)

Notable Visual:

Vision of Charlie before the Lord after dying: “Before you go, I want you to see the harvest if you stay and if you come home…and Charlie says, ‘Okay, Lord, I’ll come home.’” (Andrew Colvett, 33:35)

Media, Angel Studios & The Power of Christian Storytelling (35:48 – End)

• Angel Studios’ projects promoted by Charlie, notably “King of Kings,” positioned as “the Passion of the Christ for kids.”
• Tribute to Charlie:
  “Charlie’s life is a testimony to Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior. His relationship with Him was the most important thing he would want the world to remember.” (Jordan Harmon, 37:25)
• New Angel Studios film, “Truth and Treason,” tells the true story of Helmut Hübener, a 17-year-old executed by Nazis—paralleling themes of truthful resistance and martyrdom.
• Jordan warns against trivializing Nazism by labeling all dissent “fascist,” and stresses the need for cultural resistance.

Notable Quote:

“I do think it’s important we…put our foot down: enough's enough on branding anybody who has an alternate opinion as a fascist or Nazi.” (Jordan Harmon, 42:32)

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps & Attribution)

• “They killed the guy who I think best represented the conservative ideal of dialoguing with the other side…” (Dr. Azerrad, 03:03)
• “The real threat to democracy in America today comes from the left. I think the right recognizes it.” (Dr. Azerrad, 06:09)
• “What do you think is a greater threat to democracy?” (Dr. Azerrad, 09:09)
• “Democracy means violence and censorship against the right. And that's basically the way they look at it.” (Dr. Azerrad, 11:59)
• “If it's got studies in it, as a rule of thumb, it's a corrupt, bogus discipline. Shut it down.” (Dr. Azerrad, 17:53)
• “Bernie Sanders and…the people who say they like socialism…just want free stuff.” (Dr. Azerrad, 19:47)
• “King of Kings was one of the top, top [projects] because…it was just about Jesus.” (Andrew Colvett, 35:50)
• “Charlie’s life is a testimony to Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior. His relationship with Him was the most important thing…” (Jordan Harmon, 37:25)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:03 — Opening, Charlie Kirk’s call to action and faith
• 03:03 — Dr. Azerrad on Charlie’s legacy of patient debate
• 05:06 — Conversation shifts: Are radical leftists still amenable to dialogue?
• 07:00–08:35 — Media, recent leftist overreach, and Karine Jean-Pierre criticism
• 09:09 — Dr. Azerrad's foundational questions about democracy, tyranny, and immigration
• 14:27–17:53 — Defunding “woke” academic departments
• 19:13–22:38 — Youth, socialism, and the “new red scare”
• 25:22–34:29 — Personal tributes to Charlie Kirk
• 35:48–37:25 — Angel Studios, King of Kings, and Charlie’s advocacy
• 39:33–42:52 — Discussion of “Truth and Treason”; warning against hijacking the “Nazi” label
• 43:12–End — Show close, information on Angel Studios films

Conclusion

This episode is both a stirring tribute to Charlie Kirk’s legacy—his unwavering faith, courage, and activism—and a clarion call for conservatives to assert themselves in America’s institutions, especially in higher education. Dr. Azerrad and the hosts argue for cutting off public funding to disciplines seen as undermining Western values, while honoring the power of media to preserve truth and inspire new leaders. The grief and resolve of Charlie’s colleagues and friends serves as a rallying cry for the conservative movement in the uncertain era following his assassination.