The Charlie Kirk Show: "If It's Not Us, It's Nobody" — My Speech at Hillsdale College
Release Date: March 2, 2025
Host: Charlie Kirk
Location: Hillsdale College Leadership Seminar
1. Introduction and Praise for Hillsdale College
Charlie Kirk begins his speech by expressing high regard for his presentation at the Hillsdale Leadership Seminar, emphasizing its effectiveness in diagnosing and framing the current societal issues. He lauds Hillsdale College as a beacon of excellence among American educational institutions.
"Charlie Kirk's running the White House, folks. I want to thank Charlie. He's an incredible guy. His spirit, his love of this country..." [03:15]
Kirk underscores Hillsdale’s unique approach to education, contrasting it with other universities. He praises the deep engagement of Hillsdale students with classical texts and their commitment to learning about good citizenship and character development.
"There is no place like Hillsdale College. The students are different. They're focused on the right things..." [12:45]
2. Hillsdale College’s Impact on the Conservative Movement
Highlighting Hillsdale's role in shaping future leaders, Kirk discusses how the institution fosters a culture of freedom and constitutional understanding. He credits Hillsdale’s online courses for educating millions and influencing state legislatures, senators, and Congress members.
"The Constitution 101 course, that alone should be taught mandatorily to every police officer, firefighter, marine person in the military..." [18:30]
Kirk emphasizes that Hillsdale serves as a cornerstone for the new administration's philosophical foundations, aiding in the restoration of a free society.
3. The Four Branches of Government and the Administrative State
A significant portion of Kirk’s speech delves into the structure of the U.S. government. He challenges the traditional understanding of the three branches, introducing the concept of a "fourth branch"—the administrative state.
"What's been grown like a cancer over the last hundred years is this fourth branch of government." [25:10]
Kirk argues that agencies like the FBI and DOJ operate outside the constitutional framework, effectively forming an unelected shadow government that undermines presidential authority.
"The FBI's not independent. Now, the president could be as provocative. He'd get impeached if he does this. But it would be perfectly constitutional if he asked the FBI director to look at every pending case..." [29:50]
4. President Trump's Counterattack on the Administrative State
Kirk praises President Donald Trump for his aggressive stance against the administrative state, viewing his actions as unprecedented in their scale and impact. He lists various executive orders aimed at dismantling bureaucratic overreach, including ending DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives and closing the southern border.
"President Donald Trump is going after one of the most ambitious reclamations of a republic in the history of the species." [32:15]
Kirk highlights the dramatic reduction in illegal border crossings as a tangible success of Trump's policies.
"In the last couple of days of Joe Biden being president, 11,000 people were crossing a day into our country. Last day, 142 people." [34:00]
5. The Youth Movement and Technological Influence
Addressing the pivotal role of young voters, Kirk acknowledges the shift of under-30 demographics from traditional left-wing affiliations to supporting conservative causes. He attributes this change to grassroots movements like Turning Point USA and the educational efforts of Hillsdale College.
"This movement of young people is largely driven by them being raised in the excess of what we call wokeism... Do you want to be able to own a home, get married and have kids?" [39:45]
Kirk also discusses the influence of Elon Musk, portraying him as a pivotal figure in challenging federal agencies through technological savvy and direct communication with the public.
"Elon Musk is getting down to the heart of the matter. Why? It's so simple. Elon Musk sees the world very clearly because Elon Musk has actually built things." [42:30]
6. Executive Orders and Government Reform
Kirk outlines the scope of Trump’s executive orders aimed at reducing government overreach. He mentions the revocation of policies like affirmative action in federal hiring and hints at future actions targeting unionization within federal agencies.
"President Trump reversed the executive order requiring affirmative action for hiring practices in the federal government... He could undo it." [44:20]
7. Grassroots Movement and Media Strategy
Emphasizing the power of direct communication, Kirk highlights the importance of bypassing traditional media to reach citizens directly through social media platforms. He credits this strategy for mobilizing support and driving change more effectively.
"We can communicate to millions of people in a moment's notice without having to go to the Washington Post. I'm able to open my phone right now..." [48:00]
8. The Role of Providence and Faith
Kirk touches upon the providential aspect of America’s political journey, expressing faith that divine guidance is shaping the country’s path towards reclaiming constitutional integrity and foundational values.
"I really believe that God has a hand on Donald Trump. And I believe that God has a hand on this country." [52:10]
9. Closing Remarks: The Future of the Conservative Movement
In his closing, Kirk calls for continued support for Hillsdale College and the broader conservative movement. He stresses the urgency of the current moment, portraying it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to restore the nation's founding principles.
"It's a once in many lifetimes opportunity, a moment to reclaim what has been given to us that we did not earn, that we do not deserve..." [58:45]
Question and Answer Session
Audience Member 1: Professor at ASU
- Topic: Impact of Trump’s Executive Orders on Universities
- Kirk’s Response: Agrees that institutions like ASU are likely violating Trump’s executive orders banning federal funds for critical race theory, DEI, and transgender ideology. He advocates for a phase two and three campaign to dismantle bureaucratic state institutions, emphasizing Hillsdale’s role in preserving true educational values.
"Phase two and three needs to be an all out campaign... training factories for the administrative state." [35:54]
Audience Member 2: Hillsdale Sophomore
- Topic: Trump’s Foreign Policy Ambitions (Canada as the 51st state, Greenland)
- Kirk’s Response: Takes Trump's comments seriously, explaining the strategic importance of Greenland’s natural resources and geopolitical position. He characterizes Trump as a skilled negotiator and defers to experts for specific regional issues like Gaza.
"President Trump is a dealmaker, he's a negotiator... maybe the next national leadership seminar can be in Nook." [36:20]
Audience Member 3: Supporter from Washington State
- Topic: Potential Revocation of Executive Orders Allowing Federal Employee Unionization
- Kirk’s Response: Admits lack of specific insight but praises Trump for reversing affirmative action in federal hiring. He indicates a possibility of further executive actions against unionization of federal workers, aligning with Trump's broader agenda to reduce governmental overreach.
"If a president does it, a president can undo it..." [38:12]
Audience Member 4: Arizona Tech Supporter
- Topic: Onshoring Manufacturing and Economic Policies
- Kirk’s Response: Supports Trump's tariffs as a means to encourage domestic manufacturing and reduce dependency on foreign nations for essential goods. He points out that many companies are already considering relocating production to the U.S., despite potential short-term economic pain.
"President Trump using tariffs is getting a very, very bad rap... You cease to be an independent, autonomous, sovereign country if you're dependent on a nation 5,000 miles away..." [40:00]
Audience Member 5: General Supporter Concerned About Conservative Leadership
- Topic: Future of the Conservative Establishment
- Kirk’s Response: Reassures that a new generation of conservatives is rising in D.C., characterized by young, dynamic leaders like Caroline Levitt and J.D. Vance. He criticizes the old guard, particularly Mitch McConnell, for failing to unite the Republican Party.
"This next generation of conservatives is operating with urgency and is taking over D.C. for the better... it's very disappointing that Mitch McConnell... tells us a lot about Mitch McConnell." [41:20]
Conclusion
Charlie Kirk's speech at Hillsdale College serves as a rallying cry for the conservative movement, emphasizing the critical role of education, grassroots activism, and strategic leadership in combating the expansive administrative state. By highlighting successes under President Trump and advocating for continued vigilance and support for institutions like Hillsdale, Kirk outlines a comprehensive vision for restoring America's foundational values and constitutional integrity.
Notable Quotes:
- "We are finding our way back as a country. We are finding our way back to foundational roots." [20:15]
- "President Donald Trump is counter attacking the, the fourth branch of government that tried to stop him over the last decade." [28:40]
- "The Supreme Court is now willing to hear the arguments... we can reverse it." [46:50]
- "If it's not us, it's nobody." [52:30]
Further Information:
For more insights and detailed discussions from this episode, visit charliekirk.com.