The Charlie Kirk Show

Episode: The Democrats' Zero-Percent Satisfaction Rate

Date: August 29, 2025
Host: Andrew Colvitt (filling in for Charlie Kirk)
Guests: Ben Berkwam

Episode Overview

This episode, led by guest host Andrew Colvitt, delves into the results of a new Gallup poll revealing that 0% of Democrats are satisfied with the direction of the country—a historic low. Colvitt analyzes the implications for American political dynamics, what this means for both parties, and frames the moment as a turning point for the conservative movement. The episode features in-depth border coverage from field reporter Ben Berkwam, who discusses the resurgence of ICE deportations under the current administration and the morale among border agents.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Historic Dissatisfaction Among Democrats

• Gallup Poll Shocks:
  • The latest Gallup poll finds "0% of Democrats" satisfied with the country's direction—claimed to be the lowest satisfaction rate in at least 25 years (03:39).
  • Traditionally, opposing parties maintain at least a small floor of satisfaction, but now, "Democrats are unhappy with Democrats" ([03:39]).
• Causes of Discontent:
  • Lack of representation and ineffective leadership among Democrats: "All you've got is Gavin Newsom, JB Pritzker, two beta white males from failed states trying to be the chief Trump foil" ([04:31]).
  • Republicans now control the House and Senate with Donald Trump as president, leading to the perception that "the back of the Democrat Party... their spirit, broken their will" ([05:04]).

"What you're really seeing that sets this moment apart is the fact that Republicans are using the power that the Constitution affords them... for the first time to get what we want, to use power effectively, efficiently and aggressively."
—Andrew Colvitt, 06:55

2. Party Brand and Registration Shifts

• Democratic Brand Crisis:
  • Harry Enten (CNN) compared the Democratic brand to the botched Cracker Barrel rebrand:

    "Democratic brand right now has about the appeal with the American voter as the Cracker Barrel rebrand has with the American consumers. Bad, bad, bad." —Harry Enten, 07:39

• Party Registration:
  • Republican Party in its best cyclical position since 2005, with major registration gains in key swing states ([07:39]).

3. Democratic Depression and Financial Woes

• Fundraising and Debts:
  • DNC facing "a lot of mental and literal debts", including unresolved campaign debts and contributions being stretched to legal bills for Biden ([08:50]).
• Electoral Implications:
  • Despite being "depressed, broke, can't raise money," Democrats are warned not to be underestimated ([09:40]).

4. Necessity and Challenges of National Renewal

• Division and Decline:
  • Colvitt contends that division is rooted in demographic changes, mass immigration, social cohesion dissolution, and loss of traditional values ([10:59]).
  • Desire for a unified, post-WWII-like America, but insists "the only option left before us as conservatives is that we win and they lose" ([10:59]).
• Immigration as a Central Problem:
  • Strong call for an immigration moratorium, arguing that decades of mass immigration have undermined "cultural cohesion" ([13:59]).
  • Argues the 1925-1965 low-immigration era created a happy, productive nation ([16:21]).

5. On-the-Ground Border Report with Ben Berkwam

• Border Security Status:
  • Berkwam, embedded with DHS and ICE, claims "the border is more secure today than it's ever been" ([17:45]).
  • Details joint agency efforts on deportation, with multiple agencies involved ([19:20]).
• Operation Highlights:
  • Describes a fugitive raid in San Antonio:
    • "One house in one community. There are thousands, tens of thousands of houses like this across America." ([20:47])
    • All deported individuals have had due process ([23:20]).
  • Morale Shift:
    • Agents' morale "never been higher" under current administration, compared to the "media blackout" and lowest morale under Biden ([20:47]).

"Many of them were former service members in the military. They've sworn that oath a couple times, and they just want to be able to do their jobs... they're pumped up about it."
—Ben Berkwam, 20:47

6. Self-Deportation and Messaging

• Impact of Deportation Videos:
  • Notable rise in "self-deportations" (estimated 1.6 million) motivated by viral videos from El Salvador's tough prison system ([24:20]).
• CBP Home App:
  • New process allows illegal immigrants to voluntarily return home, avoiding formal deportation and bar to future re-entry ([25:54]).
  • Berkwam notes this program is more effective than he expected, with many choosing to leave without even using the app ([25:54]).
  • Interviews indicate families are making the choice to avoid harsher outcomes ([27:30]).

"You can self-deport and leave on your own terms, or you can wait for us to find you and you leave on our terms."
—Ben Berkwam (quoting a field office director), 25:54

7. Framing the National Struggle

• America at a Turning Point:
  • Colvitt frames the current moment as a "baptism by fire," with two roads diverging: renewal or continued decline ([10:59]).
  • Echoes themes of "good vs. evil" and argues globalists, leftists, and NGOs are intentionally undermining the nation ([32:29]).
• On NGOs and "The Invasion":
  • Berkwam details how international NGOs—Catholic Charities, Lutheran Social Services, Jewish Family Services, etc.—profited from and encouraged illegal immigration ([30:19]).
  • Labels some participants as "naive," but insists the leadership is "evil," seeking to destroy and remake America ([32:29]).

"There is a contingent of the population in America who hate this country... communists, leftists, now jihadists... They want to remake it. They want to destroy it."
—Ben Berkwam, 32:29

8. Closing Thoughts

• Proclaims a sense of national "healing" as net migration flows turn negative for the first time in decades ([29:22]).
• Celebrates the reversal of previous policies as "miraculous," and credits the new administration with restoring law and order on immigration ([29:22]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "You never see 0%. I want you to put that graph back up... 0% if the poll is to be believed. This is absolutely unbelievable." —Andrew Colvitt, [10:59]

• "We want some Democrats to be happy with the direction of the country... but there is an ideological rot that has infested the progressive mind..." —Andrew Colvitt, [10:59]

• "The border is more secure today than it's ever been." —Ben Berkwam, [17:45]

• "Morale has never been higher... these guys are able to do their jobs again." —Ben Berkwam, [20:47]

• "You can self-deport and leave on your own terms, or you can wait for us to find you and you leave on our terms." —Ben Berkwam, [25:54]

• "It's either naive or evil." —Ben Berkwam, on motivations behind NGOs and open borders policies ([32:29]).

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:39] Introduction of Gallup poll: 0% Democrat satisfaction
• [07:39] Harry Enten's critique of the Democratic brand
• [08:50] Discussion of DNC debts and fundraising failures
• [10:59] Colvitt on the necessity for stark political division and renewal
• [13:59] Immigration moratorium advocacy and America's demographic shift
• [17:45] Ben Berkwam joins with on-the-ground border security update
• [20:47] Morale among ICE and Border Patrol; raid details
• [24:20] Rise in self-deportations and strategic use of deportation messaging
• [25:54] Detail on CBP Home app and voluntary returns
• [30:19] Origins and critique of NGO involvement in immigration
• [32:29] Berkwam explains his position on the intent behind the left's immigration agenda

Conclusion

This episode of The Charlie Kirk Show offers a stark, unapologetic conservative perspective on the state of American politics in 2025. The new Gallup poll is used as a springboard to dissect the Democratic Party's malaise and highlight the ascendancy of the Republican and conservative movement. On-the-ground reporting from Ben Berkwam reinforces the border as the defining battleground, illustrating the administration's approach to immigration and law enforcement. The tone is urgent and combative, calling for conservatives to seize the moment and framing America's crossroads as a battle between good and evil.

For more details and full context, visit charliekirk.com.