The Commentary Magazine Podcast

Episode: Gaslighting and the Kirk Assassination
Date: September 15, 2025
Host: John Podhoretz, with Matthew Continetti, Christine Rosen, Abe Greenwald

Overview

This episode directly confronts the fallout from the assassination of Charlie Kirk, dissecting the political implications, cultural responses, media coverage, and the broader dynamics of political violence in America. The hosts scrutinize both the specifics of the Kirk case and its resonance with larger trends—especially the rise of online radicalization, political polarization, and the media’s selective narratives. The discussion also touches briefly on U.S.-Israel relations, recent Emmy Awards culture war moments, and the enduring tension over free speech and ideological conformity.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Assassination of Charlie Kirk & Political Violence

[05:44–12:17]

• The panel describes the assassination of Charlie Kirk as a “pointless painting” with many themes, but central is the refusal of liberals/Democrats to address the specifically political and ideological motives behind Kirk’s killing.
• John Podhoretz insists on recognizing the act as ideologically motivated, not random or merely “crazy,” referencing the identity and online activity of the 22-year-old shooter with transgender and radical online affiliations.
  • Quote (John): “Unless liberals and leftists ... are willing to acknowledge that some of the ideas that they have been promulgating may be crossing over into real world action, then things are not going to improve.” [08:43]
• Matthew adds that early attempts by media to cast the killer as MAGA or conservative were quickly debunked by Utah’s Governor Cox, who clarified the killer’s ties to trans activism and “deep web” subcultures.
  • Quote (Matt): “What we get from this description ... is someone who seems to fit the bill of a left wing radical, radicalized on the issue of transgender rights and specifically targeted Charlie Kirk.” [09:53]
• The rhetoric surrounding Kirk (calling him a purveyor of hate, dehumanizer, fascist, etc.) is noted as common in left circles and potentially radicalizing for unstable individuals.

2. Shift in Political Rhetoric & Its Consequences

[12:17–16:08]

• Christine Rosen observes a qualitative shift in political violence: “Even people who didn’t like Charlie Kirk say something shifted. This was different.” [12:45]
• The group highlights the explicitly incendiary language of politicians like Senator Chris Murphy, discussing the escalatory dangers of “any means necessary” rhetoric.
• The culture of “speech is violence” is critiqued, with Christine noting it is a largely left-wing conceptual tool used to justify suppression or even retaliation.

3. Media and Institutional Gaslighting

[26:33–31:49]

• Discussion turns to the media’s reluctance to report on evidence indicating the assassin’s explicitly anti-fascist and transgender motivations.
  • Quote (John): “That’s where people on the right feel like they’re being gaslit. Well, yeah, they are, over and over again.” [30:54]
• Mainstream coverage is described as “pro forma”—focusing on supposed uncertainties about motive, with many outlets downplaying or denying the significance of details like messages inscribed on the killer’s bullets.

4. Selective Media Narrative and Information Silos

[32:26–38:54]

• After a terrorism attempt in Utah (explosives planted by suspects with Arabic names), the group laments the absence of mainstream coverage.
  • The pattern: media coverage intensifies or is suppressed not by newsworthiness, but by identity/group narratives.
• Christine connects this to a broader issue: “They will cover it with such a lens, they shape the aperture so narrowly that people who don’t have other mainstream or alternative news sources will never hear the stuff that we tend to discuss.” [36:45]
• The same narrative “flip” is seen in coverage of Israel and Gaza: focus quickly shifts to “potential retaliation” or consequences for groups favored by progressive hierarchy.

5. Uncomfortable Truths about Identity, Crime, and Data

[38:54–43:17]

• John references Commentary’s own reporting on the lack of data regarding crime and the trans population, and notes parallels in media/objective reluctance to confront uncomfortable demographic realities across race and gender.
  • Quote (John): “We are being told that this is a distinct population in America ... behavioral aspects of this distinct population should be collected. And we are refusing to do it.” [41:44]
• The pod also notes a series of violent acts perpetrated by individuals identifying as transgender and argues that these patterns cannot be dismissed outright without data.

6. Cultural Responses, Cancel Culture, and Reaction

[47:27–52:39]

• Christine discusses the public outpouring at vigils and growing activism among conservatives, especially as efforts to identify and shame those celebrating violence against Kirk are met with left-wing cries of “cancel culture.”
• John details concern over progressive educators and medical professionals displaying openly hostile or celebratory reactions to Kirk’s death, suggesting it raises real issues of security and trust.
• The difference: When conservatives have to hide their beliefs in professional life vs. liberals’ shock at being “outed” for extreme statements.

Secondary Focus

The U.S., Israel, and the Mixed Messages over Gaza, Qatar, and Diplomacy

[52:39–59:55]

• The group breaks down the apparent contradiction between Trump’s administration criticizing Israel’s strike in Qatar but then sending Secretary of State Rubio for a ceremonial visit.
• The actual “daylight” between the U.S. and Israel is seen as largely theatrical, meant to appease multiple audiences.
• Quote (John): “So I take that to mean that we are not in a brogus with Israel over Qatar ... the brigas is surface and a stunt and for show.” [57:09]

Pop Culture & Emmy Awards: Cultural Power and Speech

[59:55–69:26]

• The Emmys are used to illustrate leftward cultural and political dominance in media professions. While John celebrates quality winners (“The Studio”, “The Pit”, “Adolescents”), he castigates TV Academy head Chris Abrego for hypocrisy, and calls out overt anti-Israel gestures/statements by celebrities like Hannah Einbinder and Javier Bardem.
  • Quote (John): “She is the daughter of Lorraine Newman ... she had on her lapel the red hands ... a Palestinian murderer who held up his red hands to demonstrate ... celebrate the blood of Jews on his hands.” [65:04]
  • No one dares speak in defense of Israel or the murdered conservative, reinforcing the one-sidedness of elite culture.
• The tolerance for anti-Israel activism at the show is contrasted with the likely backlash against anyone expressing even the mildest sympathy for Kirk or Israel.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• John Podhoretz: “We have been treated as though we are demonic and evil. And now something evil has been done to somebody who holds these views. And everybody on the other side is like, we never said that.” [25:23]
• Matthew Continetti: “You can’t just ignore [the facts]. And that’s what I said.” [28:22]
• Christine Rosen: “It’s not a contradiction to say that there’s wildly overheated rhetoric on both sides ... but it’s also true that in this case, this clearly seems to be a targeted political assassination.” [12:17]
• Abe Greenwald: “It’s just the country having to do with social atomization and every imaginable crazy sort of online community ... and this breaking down of national fabric.” [14:50]
• John Podhoretz: “That’s where people on the right feel like they’re being gaslit. Well, yeah, they are, over and over again.” [30:54]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00–03:19: Issue previews and article discussions
• 05:44–08:55: Introduction to the Kirk assassination repercussions; framing by political camps
• 08:55–12:17: Profile and motivations of the assassin; language of political radicalization
• 12:17–16:08: The shift in violence, political rhetoric, and speech as violence
• 26:33–31:49: Media coverage and gaslighting, especially over the facts and leaked evidence
• 32:26–38:54: Coverage of related violent crimes and selective media attention; comparisons to Israel/Gaza
• 38:54–43:17: Trans crime, demographic realities, refusal to collect/acknowledge data
• 47:27–52:39: Pushback, activism, cancel culture, consequences for teachers/medical professionals
• 59:55–69:26: Emmy Awards discussion; cultural dominance, anti-Israel activism, lack of dissent

Closing Thoughts

The episode maintains the magazine’s characteristically combative yet intellectual tone—direct, rhetorical, and skeptical of elite consensus. The emotional undercurrent is one of frustration and urgency, particularly regarding what the hosts see as widespread gaslighting, the dangerous implications of unchecked radical rhetoric, and the need for honest confrontation of facts—even when they are uncomfortable or politically inconvenient.

For Further Listening/Reading:

• Commentary Magazine’s October issue, especially Seth Mandel on Israel
• Matt Continetti’s piece on the meaning of the Declaration of Independence’s legacy
• “Trans Criminals: The Problem We Refuse to Define” by Hannah Myers (Commentary, May 2025)