Episode Overview
In this episode of The Charlie Kirk Show, regular hosts Andrew Colvett and Blake Neff are joined by Alex Marlow, Editor-in-Chief of Breitbart, for a wide-ranging discussion steeped in unapologetic conservative commentary. The main theme interrogates media and political narratives around 9/11, particularly criticism of the notion—amplified recently by New York politician Zohran Mamdani—that Muslims were the “real victims” following the attacks. The hosts also reflect on Charlie Kirk’s legacy, dissect divisions within the Democratic Party, and offer energetic critiques of progressive politics, all in Kirk's signature provocative, populist tone.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Charlie Kirk’s Legacy and Influence
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The show opens with a heartfelt reflection on the impact of Charlie Kirk after his passing, emphasizing his unparalleled focus, argumentation skills, and fusion of faith and politics.
- Alex Marlow (05:00): "He would just get it so that every single point... he had all this knowledge and wisdom, but the knowledge part in particular. He had so much to say, and he... had so much history to back it up... And the focusing... He would focus the arguments, and that's how you convince people who are completely new."
- Andrew Colvett (06:36): "Turning Point is not a think tank. We're a battle tank."
2. Challenging the Narrative: Were Muslims the "Real Victims" of 9/11?
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Main Segment (09:44–14:21)
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The hosts deconstruct recent comments by Zohran Mamdani, a New York City politician. Mamdani claims his Muslim aunt became fearful to ride the subway post-9/11 due to Islamophobia, positioning Muslims as the true victims in the wake of the attack.
- Blake Neff (10:35): Critiques Mamdani’s claim, suggesting his story may be exaggerated or fabricated: "She was living in Tanzania when 9/11 happened and there are no photos of her wearing a hijab. So this may all be quite exaggerated or possibly even made up..."
- Blake Neff (11:24): Refutes the narrative: "You can look at Pew Research. They asked, do you have a favorable opinion of Islam after 9/11? ...conservative Republicans... went from 35% favorability to 64% favorability... Everyone went up."
- Alex Marlow (13:19): "You think he's gonna say she was on one of the planes, she died on the plane? And he says, no, she couldn't take the bus because the real bad guys..."
- The hosts argue that, contrary to increased hate, the U.S. government and society engaged in a "charm offensive" toward Muslims, investing in Muslim-majority countries and accepting large numbers of immigrants and refugees.
3. Criticism of Progressive Victim Narratives
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Grievance Politics & Demographic Shifts (14:23–19:48)
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They assert Mamdani’s stance is an example of "weaponizing grievance politics," linking it to a wider left-wing trend and cultural shift in Democratic politics:
- Andrew Colvett (14:21): "He’s playing the victim, like a good little communist is trained to do... the oppressors deserve all that's coming for him."
- Alex Marlow (19:48): Addresses the blurring line between Democrats, Communists, and Democratic Socialists: "Is there any daylight between the communists and the DSA and the Democrat Party anymore?"
4. Left-Wing Demographics and Division
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AOC, Bernie, and the Future of the Left (18:56–25:45)
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The team discusses the political ascendency of Mamdani, AOC, and other leftist figures, suggesting the establishment Democrats have lost the party to the activist base.
- Blake Neff (21:57): "AOC starts giving the screeching spiel... ascension order of the Oppression Olympics."
- Alex Marlow (22:51): (On AOC's coalition): "She sounds so shrill, so screechy... the party, both leaders of the party, live within a driver and a five iron from each other... It’s just a coastal elite party. They're completely out of touch with normal Americans."
- Andrew Colvett (25:20): "The last holdouts were Kathy Hochul and Hakeem Jeffries... the power powers that be within the American left have completely capitulated."
5. Electoral Politics in New York: Cuomo, Sliwa, and Mamdani
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Political Strategy in NYC Mayor Race (25:45–27:26)
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The crew debates whether Republicans or centrist Democrats have any chance against the activist left in New York City's mayoral race.
- Blake Neff (26:37): "It is understandable, looking at the polls, to say Sliwa, even if should support him, is in a distant third... if he were to drop out and people voted Cuomo, we could avert a really nasty disaster for New York City."
- Alex Marlow (27:03): "As a resident Californian, I can say that the right absolutely does abandon parts of the country."
6. Broader Trends: Newsom’s Positioning and Democrat Leadership Vacuum
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Gavin Newsom and Democrat Identity Crisis (28:39–30:53)
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Listeners’ emails prompt debate over where politicians like Newsom fit, with consensus that he’s opportunistic but out of step with the far-left direction of the party.
- Alex Marlow (28:54): "Yeah, he's a political lizard. He just does whatever he thinks will get him the most attention."
- Andrew Colvett (30:41): "He owns a winery, he eats at French Laundry. Here he is just trying to be this population [the people], but he doesn't care because he's not a true leader."
7. Viral Media Moments: Trump and the White House Ballroom
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Mockery of Liberal Outrage (31:01–36:10)
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Blake recounts Trump’s redesign of the White House East Wing triggering hyperbolic liberal outcry, mocking the media’s focus and the left’s supposed embrace of “abundance” and progress.
- Blake Neff (31:01): "I was out for two weeks... and I come back to discover the number one issue in America, apparently, is Trump redecorating the White House."
- Alex Marlow (32:35): "There's so many points to be made... A guy who's so qualified to do this [build a ballroom], it's ridiculous, and he's gonna build a ballroom so we can host state dinners..."
- The hosts jest that Democrats should "thank [Trump] for building us a new Ballroom... [because] we're going to win back the White House [and] throw party after party."
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Alex Marlow (05:00): "He would just get it so that every single point... not only did he have all this knowledge and wisdom, but... he would focus the arguments, and that's how you convince people..."
- Blake Neff (11:24): "The more galling thing is it's just the complete opposite of reality. You can look at the polls. Or you could just remember it... We got this giant charm offensive towards Islam. You know, Bush came out and said, this is not Islam, the religion of peace."
- Andrew Colvett (14:21): "He is playing the victim, like a good little communist is trained to do. Because what they do is they're going to weaponize grievance politics..."
- Alex Marlow (19:48): "Kathy Hochul's quote was, elect Zoran and take back America... If you read these quotes, these are truly threatening."
- Andrew Colvett (25:20): "The power powers that be within the American left have completely capitulated. It's almost like the Germans coming into France... France is the old school Democrats here."
- Blake Neff (31:01): (sarcastically) "I come back to discover the number one issue in America... is Trump redecorating the White House."
- Alex Marlow (32:35): "He's gonna build a ballroom so that we can host state dinners... For more on many of these stories and news you can Trust, go to charliekirk.com."
Important Segment Timestamps
- 00:03–02:15: Reflections on Charlie Kirk’s faith, activism, and approach to conservative politics.
- 09:44–14:21: Discussion and rebuttal of Zohran Mamdani’s 9/11 victim narrative.
- 14:21–19:48: “Grievance politics,” Mamdani’s mayoral campaign, and the Democrat Party’s ideological shift.
- 21:57–25:20: “Oppression Olympics” and left-wing coalition-building through identity politics.
- 25:45–27:26: NYC mayoral race strategies, Republican/Liberal abandonment of cities.
- 28:39–30:53: Gavin Newsom’s positioning and disconnect with the modern Democratic base.
- 31:01–36:10: “White House ballroom” controversy, media mockery, and broader implications for conservative messaging.
Episode Summary
'Muslims, The Real Victims of 9/11?' challenges prevailing progressive narratives about American society post-9/11, with hosts offering data and personal recollections to rebut recent political claims from the activist left. The episode also takes a step back to honor Charlie Kirk’s activism and influence, while examining the Democratic Party's leftward shift and weaknesses in leadership. The tone is combative, irreverent, and committed to a vision of muscular, populist conservatism—continuing Kirk's controversial legacy amid shifting political tides.
