The Charlie Kirk Show
Episode: Trump's State of the Union Test
Date: February 25, 2026

Overview

In this episode, Charlie Kirk covers the emotional aftermath of crimes committed by illegal immigrants, the political response at the state and federal level, and provides in-depth commentary and expectations leading up to President Trump’s State of the Union address. The show features interviews and discussions on immigration policy, law enforcement, fiscal policy, national sentiment, foreign policy challenges (especially Iran), and the intersection of politics and national pride. The tone is unapologetically conservative, urgent, and infused with patriotic energy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Angel Families and Immigration Policy

(01:09 – 09:19)

• Guest: Joe Abraham, "Angel Father" of Katie Abraham, whose daughter was killed by an illegal immigrant.
• Joe's Story: Katie, a 20-year-old student, was killed in a car crash by a Guatemalan national using a Mexican alias in Illinois. Joe describes how state policies and the lack of federal cooperation allowed this to happen, and the pain felt by his family.
  • Joe: "Katie unfortunately died on the scene. Another young woman died the next day, there were three injuries. And it turns out the person who struck the vehicle not only fled right away...he is an illegal alien, a Guatemalan national using a Mexican national alias." (02:19)
  • Illinois as a 'sanctuary state' is harshly criticized for poor vetting and lack of health screening: "Illinois allows folks to roam around the state unchecked, unvetted, unhealth screened. This guy has HIV in our communities, was let go to roam free." (04:37)
  • Blame placed squarely on Governor J.B. Pritzker and state leadership for "negligent" and "radical" policies.
  • Joe highlights a deep lack of compassion and engagement from Illinois officials: "Not one Democrat would talk to me. So look at the difference there. This guy is not compassionate. JB Pritzker. He's not a caring man. He's aloof. He's arrogant." (06:49)
• Contrast with Trump Administration: Joe describes being welcomed and comforted by Trump personally—standing in direct contrast to his treatment by state Democrats.
  • "Donald Trump has welcomed us to the White House more than once, has looked me in the eye, father to father, and said, this has been a mess. We're gonna clean it up." (06:49)

2. Political Wins and American Pride

(09:23 – 17:10)

• Recent Developments:
  • Positive legal developments regarding a death penalty case ("motion denied, death penalty on track").
  • Erica Kirk invited to the State of the Union by President Trump.
  • U.S. Men's Hockey Team's gold medal win and subsequent patriotic celebration in Miami—used as a symbol of "unabashed masculine energy" and American pride:
    • “They’re still singing ‘God Bless the USA’... I think everybody needs to loosen up, have a moment of just pure, unadulterated national pride.” (13:22)
  • Team USA received an Air Force transfer to D.C., possibly to be honored at the State of the Union. This is celebrated as Trump "making good on promises" and supporting American athletes.
• Discussion reflects on media and liberal criticism of such patriotic displays, with panel pushing back on progressive discomfort with masculinity and nationalism.

3. Immigration Courts and Mass Deportation Infrastructure

(10:46 – 13:22)

• Analysis of the Trump administration’s quiet efforts to reduce immigration court backlogs, a move that is called a "purge" in critical media coverage.
• Blake (co-host): “In the past year, the backlog...has fallen by 341,000. Maybe next year it’ll be half a million, 600K, a million...Once you're doing that, that is what allows ICE to just go and say, oh, you have an order of removal, we’re taking you, getting you out of the country. Bam, bam, bam, bam, bam.” (12:05)
• Notable Quote: "[Darren Margolin] was an immigration judge and he quit in 2024 because he said, 'I felt like a co-conspirator in treason regarding the Biden administration's policies.'" (12:38)
• Optimism about real-world enforcement ability as new judges are trained and brought online.

4. Economic Policy, Messaging, and Fiscal Conservatism

(18:55 – 26:00)

• Guest: Kane from Citizen Free Press discusses what he wants to hear from Trump at the State of the Union.
  • "I want to hear about the national debt. I'd love to hear Trump talk about a spending freeze...Make fixing the national debt his legacy..." (18:55)
• Discussion on the challenge of conveying improvements in the economy given persistent effects of inflation and high interest rates.
  • Kane: "A lot more of America can get behind the fraud stuff..." (22:22)
• Talks about the political impact of banning congressional stock trading and targeting fraud in federal programs as popular economic policies.
• The group is enthusiastic but skeptical about the possibility of deep entitlement reform ("raise the retirement age" etc.), but agrees starting the conversation is important.
  • "I just want the conversations to start...let’s start talking about how we slowly raise the retirement age from 67 to 70 over 30 years." (23:06)
• The effect of interest rates on home affordability and middle-class economic sentiment is discussed.

5. Political Polarization, Media Culture, and Patriotism

(26:00 – 27:54)

• Don Lemon’s criticism of Trump and the hockey team is played and ridiculed.
  • Don Lemon: “I don't understand why anyone would want to be in the vicinity of this president…He doesn't care about this country.” (26:16)
  • Kane (on Don Lemon): "He's about as popular as month-old convenience store sushi." (27:12)
• The loss of "bipartisan patriotism" is lamented. Charlie’s team sees this divide as emblematic of a deeper cultural and political rift.

6. Foreign Policy Hotspots: Iran and Beyond

(30:11 – 35:15)

• With rumblings of military action against Iran, the group debates if the Trump administration has made a public case for escalation or regime change.
  • Kane: “There’s a natural trepidation [about war]...but at the same time, it’s a trust. People really do trust [Trump].…If they [Iran] don’t [agree to a new non-nuke proposal], Trump doesn’t fool around.” (31:22)
  • Andrew: “Charlie was America First to his core…But at the end of the day, this is why we elected President Trump to lead the military, to lead this nation.” (32:19)
  • Blake: “If you are going to launch a regime change war…you need to be able to, in a handful of sentences, say why this is invaluable for America’s national interests…there’s a lack of a clear explanation…” (33:38)
  • Kane: “Regime change through airstrikes is not easy…there are hundreds of other mullahs [who] could replace them. These are difficult decisions, but we trust in President Trump.” (34:38)
• All agree on the need for clear messaging, no appetite for drawn-out foreign wars, but confidence in Trump’s decisiveness.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Joe Abraham on loss and state betrayal:
  “So I sit here with a life sentence thanks to my Illinois government, and Katie received the death penalty. She got death. That's it.” (05:31)

• Charlie’s perspective on activism and family:
  “You should get married as young as possible and have as many kids as possible. Go start a Turning Point USA chapter…” (00:13)

• Blake on ICE enforcement:
  “Once you’re doing that, that is what allows ICE to just go and say…getting you out of the country. Bam, bam, bam, bam, bam.” (12:05)

• Kane on fiscal crisis:
  “Let’s start talking about how we slowly raise the retirement age from 67 to 70 over 30 years. Nothing quick, you know, so that people don’t freak out.” (23:10)

• On loss of bipartisan patriotism:
  “It’s really a shame that we can’t have bipartisan patriotism anymore. It’s just a shame. It’s a shame what they’ve done to the country.” (27:42)

Important Timestamps

• Angel Father Joe Abraham Interview: 01:09 – 09:19
• White Pill/American Pride Segment: 09:23 – 16:39
• Immigration Court Developments: 10:46 – 13:22
• Fiscal Reform & Economic Messaging: 18:55 – 26:00
• Cultural Divide & Don Lemon Segment: 26:00 – 27:54
• Iran & Foreign Policy Discussion: 30:11 – 35:15

Conclusion

This episode blends deeply personal stories of tragedy, political grievance, and national revival with concrete discussions about current policy and the future direction under Trump’s leadership. The hosts reinforce their movement’s urgent, activist spirit and preview critical issues for the State of the Union—immigration, economics, restoring American pride, and foreign policy—all through a combative, proudly patriotic lens. The show captures both grassroots heartbreak and high-level policy debate, aiming to mobilize and inspire its conservative audience ahead of a pivotal presidential address.