The Charlie Kirk Show

Guest: Tucker Carlson

Episode: Tucker Carlson Joins the Show

Date: August 9, 2021

Episode Overview

In this thought-provoking episode, Charlie Kirk is joined by Tucker Carlson, celebrated conservative commentator and author of "The Long Slide: Thirty Years in American Journalism." The discussion ranges widely: from Carlson's recent visit to Hungary and its political significance, to the collapse of American journalistic institutions, the erosion of civil liberties, and the future of the conservative movement in America. The two delve into what freedom really means, the influence of media gatekeepers, and practical advice for pushing back against the prevailing cultural and political tides.

Major Discussion Points and Key Insights

1. Carlson’s Visit to Hungary and Western Media Critique (03:43 – 17:14)

• Hungary as a Case Study:

  • Tucker recounts his recent trip to Hungary, debunking media portrayals that label Hungary's government as "fascist" or anti-democratic.
  • He contrasts the country’s effective border controls and prioritization of family life with what he sees as failures in U.S. and Western European policies.
  • Quote:
    • “The lessons of Hungary… have nothing to do with who the specific president is… The government of Hungary and the people of Hungary have reached a basic agreement on what government’s supposed to do: not make your life worse, keep the streets clean, keep crime down, make it possible for ordinary people to get married and have children.” – Tucker Carlson (06:02)

• Western Hypocrisy on Freedom:

  • Carlson points out the irony of U.S. institutions condemning Hungary for a lack of freedom while stifling dissent at home.
  • Quote:
    • “Whatever Hungary’s flaws may be, it’s a freer society than ours. Can you get fired for disagreeing with the regime? You certainly can where I live.” – Tucker Carlson (08:30)

2. The Real Meaning of Freedom (09:05 – 10:16)

• Order vs. Licentiousness:
  • Kirk and Carlson challenge the libertarian notion of freedom as the ability to “do whatever you want,” instead highlighting the importance of order and discipline.
  • “It’s actually the order and the discipline that allows you to live flourishing lives.” – Charlie Kirk (09:18)

3. European Immigration Policy: Contrasting Hungary and Germany (10:16 – 17:14)

• Failed Multiculturalism:
  • Carlson criticizes Germany’s self-imposed guilt leading to mass immigration, leading to chaos in major cities.
  • Highlights Hungary’s refusal to join the Merkel-led refugee consensus as a key moment.
  • “Not an argument against immigration... but that’s not immigration. That’s an invasion. That’s insanity.” – Tucker Carlson (11:41)

4. Dissonance in Media and “Totalitarian Lying” (17:38 – 21:41)

• Carlson draws a line between benign everyday lies and the “180-degree” lies he sees in modern politics and media.
• Emphasizes dangers when elites refuse honest debate, instead preferring to silence or crush contrary opinion.

5. Scale, Community, and the Decline of Cohesion (23:16 – 27:51)

• America’s Unmanageable Growth:

  • The conversation turns to the failings of overly large systems—national, corporate, or media.
  • “Big is bad. It’s so obvious that it takes an act of real will to pretend it’s not true.” – Tucker Carlson (25:26)
  • Critiques technocratic calls for massive U.S. population growth (e.g., Matt Yglesias’ “One Billion Americans” thesis).

• Value of Small Communities:

  • Asserts that genuinely thriving communities are small, local, and rooted in real relationships.

6. American Double Standards: Israel, Hungary, and National Purpose (27:51 – 29:26)

• Kirk points out the U.S. intellectual class’ support for Israel’s clear identity, contrasting the same logic’s rejection when applied to America.

7. The Long Slide: Journalism’s Decay and Censorship (29:26 – 39:51)

• Book’s Central Theme:

  • Carlson describes how the decline of mainstream journalism mirrored the general decline of American civic life.
  • Chronicles how publishers like Simon & Schuster have become instruments of partisan politics, canceling dissenters while backing favorable voices.
  • Memorable Quote:
    • “When your cultural and intellectual gatekeepers become partisan robots, and they have, your country intellectually dies.” – Tucker Carlson (31:53)

• Publishing’s “Sacred Position”:

  • Critiques Jonathan Karp at Simon & Schuster and their appointment of politically correct (but inexperienced) leadership in response to the political climate after George Floyd.

8. Conservatism’s Crisis and Gatekeeper Failure (36:04 – 42:25)

• Legacy Conservative Institutions:

  • Both lament how conservative think tanks and publications have become ineffectual, insulated, and sometimes little more than pale imitations of the left.
  • “Only in professional conservatism would David French be considered smart.” – Tucker Carlson (38:44)
  • Critiques “safe” conservatism for shunning truly interesting or dissenting voices.

• The Lindsey Graham Problem:

  • Carlson’s takedown of Republican leadership figures who, in his view, performally espouse conservative values but ultimately serve the left’s agenda.

9. Reform, Resistance, and the Path Forward (45:16 – 53:20)

• Personal Betrayal and Activist Awakening:

  • Charlie shares his sense of betrayal by legacy conservative leaders as a young activist.
  • Carlson empathizes, noting he too was “used” by editors with hidden agendas.

• Advice for Conservatives:

  • Tucker stresses the need for courageous, genuinely representative leadership and keeping dissent within the political system (not through violence).
  • Stresses power lies in banding together and demanding better from those in office.
  • Advocates dignified, nonviolent civil resistance—especially against coercive vaccine mandates or compelled speech.
  • Quote:
    • “If your employer says, ‘you have to lie or violate your conscience,’ say, ‘I can’t do that... If you make me, I can promise you I’ll make it painful for you too… I am advocating for some kind of civil disobedience.’” – Tucker Carlson (52:10)

10. What Really Matters: Relationships and Faith (54:34 – 59:44)

• Enduring Happiness:
  • Carlson closes on the note that personal relationships and family, not work or notoriety, are what truly matter.
  • “What matters is your relationship with God… and your relationships with other people.” – Tucker Carlson (54:34)
  • Warns that the elites’ lack of self-control is their undoing: “Their aggression is totally a coping mechanism… they’re much more vulnerable than they’d ever let on.” – Charlie Kirk (58:30)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “Totalitarians lie in a very different way. They tell you the inverse of the truth. 180 degrees.”
  – Tucker Carlson (04:07)

• “You can’t question the regime in public. You’ll lose your job.”
  – Tucker Carlson (08:10)

• “The more order and law…and the more peace you have, the less repressive you need to be.”
  – Tucker Carlson (13:36)

• “Big is bad. It’s so obvious that it takes an act of real will to pretend it’s not true.”
  – Tucker Carlson (25:26)

• “When your…gatekeepers become partisan robots, your country intellectually dies.”
  – Tucker Carlson (31:53)

• “If your employer says…‘You have to lie or violate your conscience to work here,’…the best way to respond is, ‘I can’t do that. I’m an adult man. I have dignity.’”
  – Tucker Carlson (52:10)

• “In the end, what matters is your relationship with God…and with other people.”
  – Tucker Carlson (54:35)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:43] – Introduction of Carlson and Hungary trip background
• [06:00] – Media portrayal of Hungary vs. on-the-ground reality
• [10:16] – European immigration policy failures
• [17:14] – Parallels between Hungary and Florida as “alternative models”
• [23:16] – Dangers of large systems, importance of small communities
• [29:26] – Decline of American journalism and Carlson’s book insight
• [36:04] – Conservative think tanks and intellectual stagnation
• [42:25] – Failures in Republican leadership: the Graham and Haley examples
• [45:39] – Personal stories of being “used” by movement gatekeepers
• [47:35] – Advice for action and civil resistance
• [54:34] – What truly matters in life: relationships, not fame or career
• [57:04] – Elites’ self-destructive lack of self-control
• [59:20] – Humor on self-control and closing remarks

Overall Tone and Takeaways

The tone throughout is direct, irreverent, and unflinching—reflecting both Kirk and Carlson’s signature styles. Both men criticize both left-wing elites and what they see as the failings and cowardice of legacy conservative institutions. Carlson especially champions honesty, civil courage, and a return to personal relationships and local community as the wellspring for genuine happiness and hope. The episode offers a blend of biting social commentary, humor, and heartfelt moments, making it one of the more substantive and personal conversations on the future of American conservatism and journalism.

For Further Exploration

• Tucker Carlson’s book: The Long Slide: Thirty Years in American Journalism
• Topics: Media gatekeeping, freedom and order, civic engagement, resisting coercion

[For questions or to support the show, visit charliekirk.com/support.]