The Charlie Kirk Show

Episode: The Left Turns on Taylor Swift?
Date: October 10, 2025
Host: Charlie Kirk
Notable Guests: Chris Cuomo, Andrew Colvett, Blake Neff, Daisy, Corey, Mikey McCoy

Episode Overview

In this episode, the Charlie Kirk Show explores the intersection of pop culture and politics, with a focus on the controversy swirling around Taylor Swift’s latest album and the way “the Left” has allegedly turned on her. The show also delves into campus activism, the politicization of violence, the current state of America’s culture wars, and conservative interpretations of recent pop music events—including a notable discussion about country singer Zach Bryan.

The episode features a substantive interview with Chris Cuomo, reflecting on the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, the culture of violence in American politics, and the media’s role in amplifying division. The second half zooms into the allegations against Taylor Swift for being "Republican coded," and pop culture’s new battleground over traditional values.

Throughout, the show’s hosts highlight their own activism, promote faith and family values, and critique the excesses of online and left-wing outrage.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Reflections on Charlie Kirk’s Assassination and Political Violence

(00:03–11:21)

• Opening Remarks: Charlie Kirk and Andrew Colvett open with reflections on Charlie’s activism, Turning Point USA, and the importance of standing for truth and traditional values.
  • “My call is to fight evil and to proclaim truth. If the most important thing is just feeling good, you're gonna end up miserable.” — Charlie Kirk (00:03)
• Chris Cuomo Interview:
  • Chris Cuomo, now at NewsNation, joins for an honest conversation about the shocking murder of Charlie Kirk, describing it as a “low for us.”
    • “The idea of his murder is an absolute low for us. … It can never be mitigated. It can never be qualified.” — Chris Cuomo (03:05)
  • Discussion centers around the “yeah, but” reaction—people finding ideological justification for violence—which Cuomo strongly condemns.
    • “Yeah but is really frightening when it comes to a moral analysis. Okay, yeah, look, it's wrong to kill somebody, but. No, no, no, no, no but.” — Chris Cuomo (03:05)
  • Colvett and panel express frustration over the media and political figures using Kirk’s death to push unrelated agendas or conspiracy theories.
• Media and Social Media’s Role:
  • Cuomo criticizes how violence is weaponized on both sides and amplified on social media, referencing conspiracies and “rage-bait” as destructive to civil discourse.

2. Differentiating Policy Debate from Dehumanizing Rhetoric

(11:21–20:32)

• Mislabeling Racism:
  • Cuomo and Colvett discuss how accusations of racism and extremism have become weaponized, trivializing serious issues.
    • “You cheapen the profound nature [of racism] … just like calling people Nazis or saying that Trump is Hitler.” — Chris Cuomo (12:29)
• Campus Culture and Turning Point USA:
  • Colvett highlights how Charlie Kirk valued real conversation over viral confrontation, suggesting most campus interactions were civil despite the incendiary clips that circulate online.

3. Why Is Political Violence Seen as More Justifiable Among Some Young Progressives?

(16:30–19:14)

• Poll Data:
  • The show analyzes a recent poll showing ~30% of young self-described liberals (age 18-39) see political violence as justified—a greater share than young conservatives or older generations (16:30).
  • Cuomo attributes this to “pendular” politics, with outrage cycling between the Left and Right; currently, young progressives are more activated by grievance and a sense of “righteousness.”

4. Preserving Civil Disagreement and the Dangers of ‘Rage-bait’ Media

(19:14–20:32)

• Both Cuomo and the hosts agree that digital and legacy media often reward the most divisive or emotionally provocative content.
  • “You have to stop allowing the algorithms to reward rage baiting.” — Chris Cuomo (20:32)

5. Pop Culture Power Half Hour: Taylor Swift and the ‘Republican Coded’ Album

(22:21–36:32)

The Taylor Swift Controversy Unpacked

• Taylor Swift’s New Album & Backlash:
  • The panel discusses how Swift’s new lyrics about wanting marriage and children sparked accusations from left-wing commentators of being “Republican coded” and even racist.
    • “She’s getting canceled by her own side.” — Corey (26:23)
    • “People are upset saying that Taylor has given the alt right their conservative agenda on a silver platter because she's talking about how she wants to get married and have kids.” — Corey (27:00)
• Accusations of Racism and Homophobia:
  • Lyrics interpreted as white supremacist or anti-black—e.g., “Onyx night” (purported reference to Travis Kelce’s Black ex-girlfriend) and “Opalite” (as “translucent and white”).
  • Panel mocks the over-interpretation and microaggression claims.
    • “So Taylor is not only using the lyrics in the song to talk about how she is so much better for Travis than his ex girlfriend is, but she is choosing to do that using the imagery of Onyx ... and Opalite, which is typically white.” — Guest/Commentator (29:30)
• The Right’s Response:
  • The group expresses wry amusement that even Swift—long a progressive activist—is being accused of “alt right” sympathies.
    • “It's crazy that people are saying that Taylor is so MAGA coded in this album because Taylor is ... very publicly against Trump. Just because she wants to get married and have kids does not mean that she is a Republican.” — Corey (31:49)
    • “It is remarkable that normal things are now Republican coded. I think that's a win for the country in the short term politically, because how are you supposed to win if monogamy is like a partisan issue?” — Andrew Colvett (36:32)
• Memorable Satirical Moments:
  • Joking that “peace and joy” and “monogamy” have now become partisan/Republican virtues.
    • “Peace and joy. These are obviously Republican monogamy.” — Corey (35:02)
    • “How did like obviously good things become partisan things?” — Andrew Colvett (35:08)
  • Jokes about doing “exposure therapy” on progressives by showing them nuclear families to see if they have a “visceral disgust reaction.” (36:00)

Is This a Turning Point for Taylor Swift?

• Prediction:
  • The panel teases that getting “canceled” could push Swift rightward, fulfilling a “Charlie Kirk prophecy.”
    • “Maybe she’ll get canceled so hard that it’ll actually push her to the right wing doors.” — Mikey McCoy (32:27)

6. Additional Pop Culture: Zach Bryan Controversy

(37:19–42:17)

• Hostility Toward Zach Bryan:
  • Discussion of country singer Zach Bryan, recent negative headlines, and personal controversies (messy breakup, bribes, fights with police).
  • Dissection of lyrics criticizing ICE and patriotic values, and Kristi Noem’s viral condemnation of Bryan.
    • “He just compromised it all by putting out a product such as that [song] that attacks individuals who are just trying to make our streets safe.” — Kristi Noem (40:58)
• General Pop Culture Grievances:
  • Panel derides “woke” country stars, jokes about Bryan’s short stature, and reviews feuds between Bryan and ex-girlfriends.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The idea of his murder is an absolute low for us. It can never be mitigated.” — Chris Cuomo (03:05)
• “The ‘yeah, but’ was really terrifying ... Everyone was trying to find a reason it was a good thing.” — Daisy (05:20)
• “You have to stop allowing the algorithms to reward rage baiting. … If I were to do that, there would be so much scrutiny of, wow. All this guy does is give you reasons to hate people.” — Chris Cuomo (20:32)
• “People are upset saying that Taylor has given the alt right their conservative agenda on a silver platter because she's talking about how she wants to get married and have kids.” — Corey (27:00)
• “So Taylor is not only using the lyrics in the song to talk about how she is so much better ... but she is choosing to do that using the imagery of Onyx ... and Opalite, which is typically white.” — Guest/Commentator (29:30)
• “It's crazy that people are saying Taylor is so MAGA coded ... Just because she wants to get married and have kids does not mean that she is a Republican.” — Corey (31:49)
• “It is remarkable that normal things are now Republican coded. I think that's a win for the country ... because how are you supposed to win if monogamy is like a partisan issue?” — Andrew Colvett (36:32)
• “How did like obviously good things become partisan things?” — Andrew Colvett (35:08)

Timestamps of Important Segments

• Charlie’s opening—faith, activism, college as a scam: 00:03–01:09
• Interview with Chris Cuomo on polarization and post-assassination discourse: 01:09–11:21
• On the media’s role and weaponizing division: 13:54–15:08
• Poll: Is violence justified for political goals? 16:30–19:14
• Taylor Swift album controversy (“Republican coded” accusations start): 25:44–36:32
• Taylor Swift’s “Opalite” lyric dissected as racist: 28:38–30:59
• Taylor’s “Cancelled” song and broader left-wing outrage: 31:26–32:44
• Satire about “monogamy,” peace, and joy as Republican values: 33:24–36:32
• Zach Bryan controversy, personal drama, and Kristi Noem’s response: 37:19–42:17

Tone and Style

The show’s language alternates between combative, earnest, and irreverently humorous. There is a strong sense of conservative solidarity, layered with tongue-in-cheek mockery of left-wing interpretations of pop culture and a recurrent call to return to traditional family and faith-based values.

Summary for New Listeners

This episode is a mix of serious cultural criticism—anchored by a notable discussion with Chris Cuomo about political violence and the state of discourse in America—and lighthearted, pointed takes on trending pop culture controversies. The hosts argue that the left has turned so extreme that even pop celebrities like Taylor Swift are considered conservative for expressing traditional desires for marriage and children. They see this as both a sign of cultural decline and, paradoxically, a political opportunity.

Whether you’re looking to hear an unusual intersection of right-wing activism with pop culture, or curious how current events are being framed inside conservative media circles, this episode provides a representative taste—with both gravitas and edge.