Podcast Summary: The Charlie Kirk Show – "Russiagate Returns, Eight Years Later"

Release Date: July 23, 2025

In the episode titled "Russiagate Returns, Eight Years Later," host Charlie Kirk delves into the intricate web of Russiagate, revisiting the narrative eight years after its inception during Donald Trump's first presidency. Joined by Mark Halperin, editor-in-chief of Two Way and host of Nextup on the Megyn Kelly Network, the discussion scrutinizes the origins, impact, and lingering effects of the Russiagate investigation on American politics.

1. Introduction to Russiagate and Its Origins

Charlie Kirk opens the episode by setting the stage for a comprehensive review of Russiagate, emphasizing its origin eight years prior during Trump's first term. He asserts that Russiagate was a manufactured narrative by intelligence agencies against the American populace.

Charlie Kirk [00:00]: "What was this? We go back eight years, meticulously of where we were eight years ago during Trump 1.0. And we make the argument that we are not just in a far better place..."

2. The Impact of Russiagate on Trump's First Term

Kirk highlights how Russiagate consumed the Republican-controlled Congress, diverting attention from significant policy initiatives. He references the New York Times' front page from July 23, 2017, illustrating the intense focus on Russia's alleged interference in the 2016 election.

Charlie Kirk [08:30]: "It's almost looking through a time capsule... Congress's number one focus while we had a Republican House and a Republican Senate during Trump 1.0 was to punish Russia."

He criticizes the appointment of Bob Mueller as Special Counsel and Jeff Sessions' recusal as strategic moves to undermine Trump's administration.

3. Declassification Revelations by Tulsi Gabbard

A pivotal moment in the episode is the discussion of recently declassified reports released by Tulsi Gabbard, now the Director of National Intelligence. These reports allegedly dismantle the foundations of the Russiagate narrative by exposing flaws and fabrications within the original intelligence assessments.

Charlie Kirk [16:00]: "Now we know, thanks to Tulsi Gabbard, it was all a fabrication from the beginning."

4. The Consolidation of Russiagate as a Political Tool

Kirk and Halperin debate how Russiagate transcended an intelligence issue to become a political weapon. They discuss its utility for the D.C. ruling class and the neoconservatives to justify military engagements and maintain a state of perpetual conflict.

Charlie Kirk [10:45]: "It's a soft coup against popular sovereignty and against the will of the American people."

5. Media's Role in Propagating the Russiagate Narrative

The conversation shifts to the media's relentless pursuit of the Russiagate story, with Kirk citing Rachel Maddow's nightly segments as emblematic of the sustained media assault.

Charlie Kirk [12:15]: "Rachel Maddow would get massive numbers, she would get 4, 5, 6 million people watching her at night when she would just peddle lie after lie after lie."

6. Guest Insight: Mark Halperin on Russiagate's Aftermath

Mark Halperin provides a nuanced perspective, acknowledging that while there was genuine Russian interference, the subsequent investigation was politicized to an extreme degree. He emphasizes the lack of concrete evidence tying Trump directly to collusion, labeling much of the investigation as a "hoax."

Mark Halperin [20:26]: "This was a hoax. This was an attempt to, partly because of Trump derangement syndrome, explain to the tens of millions of Americans..."

7. Handling Allegations and Accountability

The discussion touches upon the appropriate methods for handling such allegations. Halperin stresses the importance of specificity in accusations and criticizes the vague and sloppy presentation of evidence against Trump and his associates.

Mark Halperin [28:46]: "Send a quiet private referral to the Department of Justice... write a comprehensive report."

8. Polling Data and Presidential Approval

Kirk introduces polling data presented by CNN's Harry Entin, showcasing Trump's fluctuating approval ratings. Halperin critiques the reliability of such polls, attributing negative perceptions to both media bias and challenging contemporary issues.

Harry Entin [31:32]: "Donald Trump is about 440 points lower than the average president at this particular point, he has the second worst net approval rating."

Mark Halperin [32:50]: "It's a complicated time for polling... a lot of bad news coverage is now coming from sources beyond the traditional liberal media."

9. The Future of Trump’s Presidency and Republican Politics

Halperin reflects on the long-term implications of Russiagate on Trump's ability to govern effectively. He notes that the constant investigations consumed valuable administrative time, hindering policy progress and setting a precedent for over-politicization.

Mark Halperin [35:47]: "You literally can't go back and do the counterfactual to say, had he not spent all this time dealing with the investigations..."

10. Conclusion: Moving Beyond Russiagate

In closing, Kirk underscores the importance of recognizing the detrimental effects of Russiagate on American governance and political integrity. He calls for accountability and a reassessment of how intelligence reports are utilized in political arenas.

Charlie Kirk [37:55]: "Thanks so much for listening and God bless."

Key Takeaways:

• Russiagate's Origin and Purpose: Initially positioned as a national security concern, Russiagate evolved into a political tool to undermine Trump's administration.

• Impact on Governance: The incessant focus on Russiagate impeded significant policy achievements during Trump's first term, diverting attention from issues like trade deals and immigration reform.

• Media's Role: Major media outlets, including those traditionally liberal, played a pivotal role in perpetuating the Russiagate narrative, often prioritizing sensationalism over factual accuracy.

• Declassified Reports: New revelations by Tulsi Gabbard challenge the legitimacy of the original Russiagate claims, suggesting systemic flaws and potential fabrications within intelligence assessments.

• Polling Challenges: Presidential approval ratings are influenced by a combination of media portrayal, ongoing investigations, and public perception of policy effectiveness.

• Call for Accountability: Both Kirk and Halperin advocate for a more transparent and accountable approach to handling intelligence reports and political allegations.

Notable Quotes:

• Charlie Kirk [08:30]: "Congress reaches deal on Russia sanctions setting up tough choice for Trump."

• Mark Halperin [20:26]: "This was a hoax. This was an attempt to, partly because of Trump derangement syndrome..."

• Harry Entin [31:32]: "Donald Trump is about 440 points lower than the average president at this particular point..."

• Mark Halperin [28:46]: "Send a quiet private referral to the Department of Justice... write a comprehensive report."

This episode provides a critical examination of the Russiagate saga, highlighting its origins, the political machinery that sustained it, and its lasting repercussions on American politics. Through the dialogue between Kirk and Halperin, listeners gain insight into the complexities of media influence, political accountability, and the challenges of maintaining governance amidst external pressures.