Podcast Summary
The Charlie Kirk Show
Episode: The Covid Shot and Kids: A Thanksgiving Bombshell ft. Alex Berenson
Date: December 3, 2025
Host: Charlie Kirk
Guest: Alex Berenson (independent journalist, Unreported Truth Substack)
Main Theme
This episode discusses recent revelations regarding the safety and approval process of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines in children, centering on new allegations and data uncovered by journalist Alex Berenson. The conversation critiques vaccine policy decisions made during the pandemic, explores the regulatory failures around drug trials, and debates accountability for pharmaceutical companies. The episode also touches on skepticism towards wider vaccine mandates and highlights the ongoing cultural war regarding public health policy.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Introduction & Alex Berenson’s Background
- Alex Berenson is introduced as an independent journalist and commentator, notable for his dissenting views on marijuana legalization and COVID-19 policy.
- He is set to debate marijuana policy at an upcoming event and is recognized for challenging mainstream narratives during the height of the pandemic.
(03:16)
“His instincts were so good on so many things, and they were good on Covid, and they were good on the mRNA’s, and they’re good on pot. Like, he just got it.”
—Alex Berenson on Charlie Kirk (04:00)
2. Bombshell Allegations: Child Death in Moderna Vaccine Trial
- Berenson’s Substack Report: Details that a young child died of cardiac arrest during Moderna’s key COVID vaccine trial for children, with the death disclosed only in European regulatory data, not by US authorities.
(03:36)–(07:59) - He notes that Moderna “basically hid [the death] for almost three years.”
- The trial showed increased side effects in vaccinated children—including high fevers, diabetic complications, and other concerning autoimmune responses.
- Berenson asserts that public health authorities and medical journals ignored or downplayed these signals.
“All this stuff was out there. And the FDA, the Biden administration, they did nothing about it... It’s so, it makes me so angry. No kids should have been vaccinated with this.”
—Alex Berenson (07:40)
3. Critique of Vaccine Approval and Data Transparency
- Berenson responds to critics who argue the child who died was already ill, clarifying the trial enrolled only healthy children.
- He points out inherent conflicts of interest in pharmaceutical companies running their own trials and controlling data disclosure.
(08:23)–(10:07) - Suggests that fears around mRNA vaccines have spilled over, undermining trust in longstanding childhood vaccines.
“When people get injured by the vaccine or by any drug in a clinical trial, the company running the trial is going to go out of its way to try to find other excuses for this... And by the way, this is not just a problem with Moderna. This is...a problem with the drug industry in the US.”
—Alex Berenson (09:19)
4. Regulatory Capture, Parental Pushback & International Context
- The host and Berenson highlight the lack of accountability from regulatory agencies; more cautious policies were adopted in Europe.
- Recounts efforts in “blue states” to mandate COVID vaccinations for children (not widely enacted due to parental opposition).
(11:27)–(14:59) - Less than 3% of children got boosters last year, indicating broad public skepticism.
“The fact that they even considered [mandates] tells you how in the tank they were for the vaccine companies and how...they lost their minds about the risks and benefits of this vaccine.”
—Alex Berenson (13:08)
5. Lessons Learned & The Need for Accountability
- Discussion about whether pharmaceutical firms can be sued—realistically unlikely due to legal immunity.
- Berenson calls for “a lot more skepticism” from the new FDA leadership, including tailored vaccine schedules by risk group.
(14:59)–(16:21)
“Maybe a vaccine that makes sense for a 75 year old doesn’t make sense for a 2 year old.”
—Alex Berenson (15:23)
6. Memorable Quotes
| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|---------|-------| | 07:40 | Alex Berenson | “No kids should have been vaccinated with this.” | | 09:19 | Alex Berenson | “The company running the trial is going to go out of its way to try to find other excuses...” | | 13:08 | Alex Berenson | “The fact that they even considered it tells you how in the tank they were for the vaccine companies...” | | 15:23 | Alex Berenson | “Maybe a vaccine that makes sense for a 75 year old doesn’t make sense for a 2 year old.” |
Notable Moments & Timestamps
- [03:36] Berenson breaks down his original reporting, discusses the timeline and regulatory failures.
- [07:40] Frustration voiced over public health messaging and lack of transparency.
- [09:18] Explains how companies manage information about adverse events in trials.
- [13:08] Commentary on potential political overreach around mandates.
- [16:21] Berenson suggests the key to restoring trust is a science-driven, non-ideological vaccine policy.
Listener Engagement—Emails & Community Response
- Discussion of email feedback from listeners about vaccine side-effects (31:00–34:00). Some claim anecdotal connections between vaccination and illnesses (such as type 1 diabetes), though the hosts acknowledge lack of proven causal links.
- General sentiment among the show’s audience is heavily critical of perceived overreach and lack of transparency from public health authorities.
“Maybe it’s possible. But again, there are a lot of illnesses that just manifest when you’re a young child and then you also happen to get vaccinated...”
—Charlie Kirk (31:34)
Tone & Language
- The segments are assertive and often impassioned, with a tone of skepticism and indignation towards regulatory agencies and the pharmaceutical industry.
- There’s a recurring emphasis on “freedom,” “parental rights,” and “doing your own research.”
Conclusion
The episode contends that COVID-19 mRNA vaccines for children were pushed without sufficient safety or efficacy data, and that regulatory agencies prioritized pharmaceutical interests over public well-being. Public skepticism has grown, leading to historically low uptake in pediatric boosters. The hosts argue for targeted vaccine recommendations based on actual risk and call for increased scrutiny of public health policies to rebuild parental and public trust.
For more, visit Alex Berenson’s Substack, "Unreported Truth."
End of Summary