The Charlie Kirk Show
Episode: Jimmy Carter 2.0 on Steroids
Date: May 12, 2021
Host (Guest Host): Andrew Colvett

Episode Overview

Fill-in host Andrew Colvett discusses the striking similarities between the Biden administration and Jimmy Carter’s presidency, arguing that President Biden is “Jimmy Carter 2.0 on steroids.” The episode explores persistent inflation (“Bidenflation”), gas shortages, international instability, and stagflation, drawing historical parallels to late-1970s America. Colvett also delves into Republican Party dynamics following the ouster of Liz Cheney and critiques the administration’s responses to economic and security challenges.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Liz Cheney Ouster & GOP Identity (02:04–09:54)

• Cheney’s Removal From GOP Leadership:
  Host remarks that Cheney’s ouster was expected and symbolized the GOP’s alignment with Trump-era populism.

• Controlled Opposition:
  Andrew describes Cheney as “controlled opposition,” arguing she’s supported by left-leaning media as a “good Republican” for opposing Trump (04:20).

  • “She has become a mouthpiece of the opposition. We call this controlled opposition.” (04:20)

• Party Unity vs. Division:
  Points out that Republican leaders must represent the base’s shared priorities, which Trump embodies in his view.

• Cheney as Out-of-Touch:
  Predicts primary challenges against Cheney in Wyoming, seeing her stance against Trump as politically untenable.

Notable Quote:

“This is the party of Donald Trump... What we are beholden to is, is the first politician in 50 years that...actually fought for the American people, that put our country first, that put our values first, and said, to hell with you media, to hell with you fake news.” – Andrew Colvett (04:35)

• Liz Cheney's Response (Clip 49):
  Cheney says the GOP “cannot be dragged backward by the very dangerous lies of a former president” (07:45).

“We cannot be dragged backward by the very dangerous lies of a former president.” – Liz Cheney (07:45)

• Election Integrity Debate:
  Host pushes back, claiming the 2020 election was unprecedented and rife with irregularities (08:07), but says progress is being made on election reform via state legislatures.

2. The “Jimmy Carter 2.0” Analogy & Economic Parallels (10:42–16:48)

• Viral Photo of Bidens and Carters:
  Colvett finds the viral image of the Bidens towering over the Carters oddly prophetic, symbolizing Biden as a “giant” Carter in terms of “malaise and inflation.”

• Bidenflation:
  Argues that inflation under Biden echoes Carter-era “stagflation,” with prices rising due to lockdown-driven money printing:

  • “We’ve come to reincarnation of Jimmy Carter and Joe Biden. We have Biden inflation. That’s right. I just put Biden and inflation together.” (11:08)

• Economic Policy Critique:
  Disapproves of last year’s pandemic stimulus (even under Trump), suggesting that reckless spending and lockdowns have primed the economy for inflation and malaise.

3. Middle East Instability & International Weakness (14:50–16:48)

• Rising International Instability:
  Observes that Biden’s perceived weakness has emboldened terrorists in the Middle East, referencing rising violence in Israel/Palestine and American progressive sympathies for Palestine.
• Pattern of Surprise by Elites:
  Asserts that mainstream experts and elites are repeatedly “surprised” by consequences the show predicted.

Notable Quote:

“Common sense has left the building.” – Andrew Colvett (15:43)

4. Colonial Pipeline Cyberattack & Energy Policy (16:48–23:40)

• Colonial Pipeline Hack:
  The episode covers the massive pipeline cyberattack that caused fuel shortages on the East Coast, recounting station closures and price spikes.
• Biden Administration’s Response:
  Plays a White House clip essentially leaving ransom-payment decisions to the private sector (20:53–21:22).

Notable Quote:

“You do not negotiate with terrorists... This is an absolute, utter national embarrassment.” – Andrew Colvett (21:22)

• Keystone XL Closure & Gas Prices:
  Criticizes Biden’s Day One cancellation of Keystone XL, job losses, and higher national gas prices (Clip 56, 22:40).

“Remember that on his first day in office, Joe Biden shut down a pipeline...and more than 11,000 people lost their jobs. Gas prices went up. ...it's the entire country.” – Clip 56 (Tucker Carlson, 22:40)

5. Broader Economic Warnings: Inflation and Stagflation (23:15–29:35)

• Impact of Energy & Lumber Costs:
  Cites surging prices, especially in gas and homebuilding, as evidence that inflation is already hurting the middle class.
• Implication:
  Suggests the economic situation is “all by design” to destabilize “the old way of doing things” and force societal change.

Notable Quote:

“If you just assume that 1 plus 1 equals 5, then don’t be surprised when inflation comes knocking at your door.” – Andrew Colvett (23:45)

6. Stagflation, Macroeconomics, and Policy Lessons (29:35–end)

• Definition of Stagflation:
  Explains that stagflation is when “prices are going up, but the economy is not expanding” (29:40).

• Reagan Comparison:
  Credits Reagan’s tax cuts and deregulation for curing Carter-era stagflation by promoting competition and productivity.

• Contrast with Biden Policies:
  Argues Biden is increasing taxes and spending, while restricting energy, thus combining the worst Carter policies with additional progressive expansions.

• Warning of Stagflation 2.0:
  Predicts stagflation will recur due to increased demand, limited supply, higher taxes, and regulations—“It is stagflation 2.0 coming, and it’s scary and we need to start calling it out.” (29:57)

• Media’s Role:
  Hopes media will report seriously on inflation’s impact as Americans feel it directly.

Notable Quote:

“Math is not racist. Math does not know skin color. Math knows math. Math knows numbers.” – Andrew Colvett (29:46)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Trump vs. Establishment:
  “We like results. We like people that have courage and action that aren’t just trying to lob missiles at every foreign adversary that steps in our path.” (06:00)
• On the Administration’s Energy Policy:
  “It took 100 days to go from energy independence to gas shortages on the eastern seaboard.” (26:25)
• On Inflation and Basic Economics:
  “When you create more goods, supply and demand says the prices are going to go down. But what [Biden]’s doing is he’s creating a scenario where that’s almost impossible.” (29:45)

Notable Timestamps

• 02:04 – Discussion of Liz Cheney and GOP leadership rift
• 04:20 – Cheney’s floor speech: “Our election was not stolen…”
• 07:45 – Interplay of election integrity, Cheney’s critique
• 10:42 – The viral Biden–Carter photo and its symbolism
• 14:50 – Middle East destabilization under Biden
• 16:48 – Biden’s wanted legacy, comparisons with FDR/Carter
• 20:53 – Biden admin’s response to Colonial Pipeline ransomware (clip)
• 22:40 – Tucker Carlson on gas prices and pipeline policy (clip)
• 23:15 – Economic inflation hits middle America
• 26:25 – Energy policy and swift loss of independence
• 29:35 – Definition and historical context of stagflation
• 29:57 – Warning about return of stagflation

Final Takeaways

• Host frames Biden as a more disastrous repeat of Jimmy Carter, blaming administration policies for economic woes, energy shortages, and international instability.
• Argues these crises are largely “by design” so as to disrupt and restructure society and economics according to progressive priorities.
• Encourages conservatives to remain vigilant, support challenges to establishment Republicans, and prepare for ongoing economic hardship.

For more, listen to the full episode or visit The Charlie Kirk Show podcast archive.