Podcast Summary: The Charlie Kirk Show Episode: The Bill May Be Big and Beautiful, But Is It Passable?
Release Date: May 28, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of The Charlie Kirk Show, host Charlie Kirk delves into the ongoing right-wing movements, examines the potential impact of the "Big Beautiful Bill," and addresses personal grievances against journalist Jake Tapper. The discussion is enriched by an in-depth interview with Senator Mike Lee, who provides insight into the legislative challenges surrounding the bill.

Triple Trending Counties: A Shift to the Right

Charlie Kirk kicks off the episode by highlighting a significant political shift in the United States. Referencing a comprehensive analysis by The New York Times, Kirk introduces the concept of "triple trending counties," which have consistently moved to the right across three consecutive presidential elections (2016, 2020, 2024).

[16:30] Charlie Kirk: "These are counties that have moved right in all three elections that Trump ran in. Almost 50 million people live in these counties. This is not just some sample size."

He underscores the breadth of this shift, noting that nearly 50 million Americans reside in these counties, indicating a substantial nationwide trend rather than isolated incidents. Particular attention is given to Clinton County, New York, and Suffolk County, New York, both of which transitioned from Democratic strongholds to Republican favorites in recent elections.

Interview with Senator Mike Lee: The Big Beautiful Bill

The centerpiece of the episode is an interview with Senator Mike Lee regarding the "Big Beautiful Bill," a legislative package aimed at extending tax cuts, revitalizing the military, and addressing immigration issues. However, Senator Lee expresses reservations about its current form.

Current Status and Concerns:

[18:46] Senator Mike Lee: "At the moment, no. In fact, there's no chance it could pass the Senate right now. But there's still time to fix it."

Senator Lee emphasizes the bill's necessity in preventing a projected $4 trillion tax increase and its role in enhancing national security and border control. Nonetheless, he critiques the bill for insufficiently addressing the federal spending crisis, highlighting that projected deficits remain unacceptably high.

Key Points Discussed:

• Spending Cuts: Senator Lee insists that for the bill to gain his support, it must offer a clear path to reduce federal spending to pre-pandemic levels by fiscal year 2026.

  [20:19] Senator Mike Lee: "We just have to have a reasonable path to get back to pre-pandemic spending levels somewhere at least in range for fiscal year 2026."

• Medicaid and Medicare Reforms: The conversation delves into potential reforms within Medicaid, including closing loopholes that allow states to manipulate Medicaid funding.

  [23:21] Senator Mike Lee: "We've got to close that loophole because that's encouraging states to take more and more federal money."

• Doge Cuts: Senator Lee explains the distinction between discretionary and non-discretionary spending, clarifying that while some spending cuts ("Doge cuts") can be expedited through mechanisms like rescissions packages, not all can be addressed within the current legislative framework.

  [25:17] Senator Mike Lee: "Not everything through DOGE could be done through reconciliation. But I think most people want to see aggressive action."

Timeline for Legislative Action:

[26:41] Senator Mike Lee: "I suspect it'll take place over the next four weeks. During the month of June."

Senator Lee remains optimistic about the bill's progression, anticipating aggressive action in the Senate with hopes of finalizing the legislation by the end of June.

Artificial Intelligence and Job Displacement

Charlie shifts the discussion to the burgeoning impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the job market. Referencing a report from Axios, he highlights warnings from AI leaders about the potential elimination of white-collar jobs.

[28:00] Charlie Kirk: "AI could wipe out half all of the entry-level white-collar jobs. Unemployment could spike to 10 to 20% in the next one to five years."

He critiques the Democratic Party's focus on protecting white-collar workers while neglecting the blue-collar workforce, suggesting that AI advancements pose a significant threat to the latter as well.

Personal Grudge Against Jake Tapper: Accusations of Anti-Semitism

Towards the episode's conclusion, Charlie Kirk vents his frustration with journalist Jake Tapper, whom he accuses of smearing him as an anti-Semite during the Republican National Convention (RNC).

[32:15] Charlie Kirk: "Jake Tapper smeared me as an anti-Semite during the Republican National Convention when I was speaking. I'm not getting over it."

Kirk references a New York Times article by Jonathan Weissman that labeled him disturbingly anti-Semitic, asserting that his pro-Israel stance is often misconstrued.

[33:45] Charlie Kirk: "I defend Israel on campus every single day to the New York Times. Call me an anti-Semite. And then you have Jake Tapper pedal that garbage on CNN during a primetime audience for nine minutes straight."

He challenges Tapper to appear on his show for an apology, expressing unwavering confidence in his commitment to honor the Shabbat and support Israel.

Conclusion

Charlie Kirk wraps up the episode reaffirming his dedication to combating false accusations and promoting conservative values. Despite facing media backlash, he remains steadfast in his mission to influence American politics and safeguard constitutional principles.

[34:07] Unknown Speaker: "For more on many of these stories and news you can Trust, go to charliekirk.com."

Notable Quotes

• Charlie Kirk on Government Bureaucracy:

  [07:30] Charlie Kirk: "The permanent machine bureaucracy exists to extinguish the will of a well-meaning Mr. Smith goes to Washington. The bureaucracy intentionally plays things slow."

• Senator Mike Lee on Fiscal Responsibility:

  [20:19] Senator Mike Lee: "We just have to have a reasonable path to get back to pre-pandemic spending levels somewhere at least in range for fiscal year 2026."

• Charlie Kirk on AI Threats:

  [28:00] Charlie Kirk: "AI could wipe out half all of the entry-level white-collar jobs. Unemployment could spike to 10 to 20% in the next one to five years."

Final Thoughts

This episode provides a comprehensive look into the current political climate, legislative challenges, and personal battles within conservative circles. Charlie Kirk effectively combines data-driven analysis with personal anecdotes to engage his audience, fostering a deeper understanding of the shifts occurring in American politics.