The David Pakman Show

Episode Title: United States entering a very dark period
Date: September 12, 2025
Host: David Pakman

Episode Overview

In this deeply charged episode, David Pakman explores the aftermath of the assassination of right-wing figure Charlie Kirk and reflects on the political violence, societal polarization, and authoritarian tendencies gripping the U.S. Pakman critically analyzes both right-wing and left-wing responses, Trump-era policies, the economic reality under the current administration, and the public's shifting relationship with capitalism. He also explores the Epstein files scandal, Trump’s health speculations, and the Democratic Party’s future.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. *Assassination of Charlie Kirk and Political Violence

[01:06–13:00]

• Capture of the Alleged Assassin: Tyler Robinson, 22, from Utah, was taken into custody, reportedly after his father notified authorities.

• Initial Reporting Errors: Contrary to some media reports, bullet casings recovered did not have pro-transgender messages but instead had various inscriptions, including anime references and an antifascist anthem:

  • “notices bulge O W O. What's this?”
  • “Hey fascist! Catch!”
  • “oh bella chow, bella chow, bella chow, chow chow” (anti-fascist song)
  • “If you read this you are gay. lmao.”

• Shooter’s Background: Robinson comes from a “standard Utah Republican” family with law enforcement and military ties—a “pro-Trump, gun-loving household” (04:05).

  • Pakman emphasizes that reading ideology into the shooter’s background is premature and that the urge to make this incident a left vs. right issue is pervasive but unhelpful.

• Condemnation of Selective Outrage: David stresses that all political violence is unacceptable, regardless of one’s view of the victim’s politics:

  • “If our goal is to reduce political violence and reduce gun violence, we can’t ever say some instances of it are cool.” – David Pakman [06:08]

• Trump and the Right’s Response: Trump and others immediately weaponized the tragedy, blaming “radical leftists” before facts emerged, displaying a pattern of immediate partisan blame.

  • “There was no pause. There were no facts. It was just partisan blame from Donald Trump.” [08:16]

• Hypocrisy in Responses to Political Violence: Pakman points to the difference in response from the right, noting that violence against Republicans is treated with solemnity, while violence against Democrats is minimized or mocked (e.g., Paul Pelosi attack).

  • “Selective outrage from Trump’s base... This is bigger than Trump....” [09:30]

• Structural Causes of Violence: David links Charlie Kirk’s own rhetoric—defending widespread gun access as worth the cost—to his fate, highlighting the environment that breeds such violence.

2. Democrats, Division, and 2028 Strategy

[13:00–21:50]

• Feedback on Kamala Harris Critique: Pakman recounts backlash he received from some left-leaning listeners after stating his belief that Kamala Harris should not run in 2028 for strategic reasons. He pushes back against accusations of misogyny:

  • “If we are going to treat a strategic analysis like a personal insult... We are in some serious trouble.” [16:45]

• The ‘Offended’ Left: He warns that the left’s temptation to focus on offense and purity over winning strategy risks repeated electoral losses.

  • “If every critique is spun as bigotry, we’re going to have a real problem here.” [19:54]

• Comparison to GOP Strategy: Pakman notes that Republicans, in contrast, focus more on rallying behind candidates they think can win, regardless of personal grievances (e.g., their ability to unite behind Trump).

3. Trump, Authoritarianism, and Foreign Policy Weakness

[21:50–26:25]

• Foreign Leaders Manipulating Trump: Pakman details how Putin, Netanyahu, Xi Jinping, and Kim Jong Un exploit Trump’s ego through flattery.

  • “Every authoritarian… has figured out, if you stroke his ego and feed him some compliments, you’re going to get him to do what you want.” [22:33]

• GOP Realization: Some Republicans now publicly concede that Putin is “playing” Trump but simultaneously insist Trump can’t be outsmarted—which Pakman calls out as delusional.

• ‘Two Weeks’ Routine: Trump’s stalling tactic—promising solutions “in two weeks” that never materialize—comes under criticism as a façade of leadership.

4. Jobs Market & Trump Economic Policies

[26:25–36:00]

• Job Growth Overestimated: Bureau of Labor Statistics revised earlier data, revealing nearly 1 million jobs fewer than initially reported.

  • Manufacturing jobs: net loss, despite promises of resurgence.
  • Trump’s immigration crackdown and tariffs are cited as driving the current job stall and loss in manufacturing jobs.

• Upward Wealth Transfer: A new study shows Trump’s economic policies enrich only the top 1%; by 2027, all groups except for the top 1% will lose after-tax income.

  • For the middle 20% earning $109,000, tariffs erase modest tax cuts, resulting in a net loss.
  • Poorest Americans see an even more dramatic loss.

  • “Donald Trump has wrapped this massive transfer of wealth up to the rich in a package he has said is about helping working families… it is a rigged deal…” [35:30]

• Tariffs’ Second-Order Effects: Beyond direct costs, Pakman explains how chaotic tariff policy and policy whiplash drain business and international confidence.

5. Epstein Files & GOP Damage Control

[36:00–41:17]

• House Vote on Epstein Files: Discharge petition for a House vote on Epstein files is about to clear the signature threshold due to special elections.

• GOP split: Some loyalists refusing to sign; others deflect with offensive moral relativism.

• Key point: The GOP’s shifting explanations for Trump’s alleged connection to Epstein are meant not for coherence, but to offer supporters any excuse they prefer.

  • “The goal here is not to land a consistent story for them. It’s to spray out so many contradictory defenses that his supporters can just pick the one...” [37:55]

• Pakman’s Advice to Dems: Focus public attention on Trump’s obfuscation and evasiveness, not just the sexist content of the alleged letter.

6. Americans’ Crumbling Faith in Capitalism

[41:17–49:55]

• Gallup Poll Results: Only 54% of Americans view capitalism positively (down 6 points since 2021), with the sharpest drop among Democrats and independents.

  • Support for socialism remains steady at 39%; skepticism is not conversion.

• Small Biz vs. Big Biz: Americans overwhelmingly support small business (95%) and free enterprise (81%) but only 37% support big business.

  • “People are not rejecting the idea of an economic system where if you have innovative ideas, you get rewarded... What people are rejecting is... the version of capitalism they’re living in right now, dominated by giant corporations, runaway inequality, political corruption…” [45:20]

• The Social Democratic Model: Pakman notes success in countries combining market economies with strong welfare states (e.g., Sweden, Denmark).

7. Trump’s Health: Mainstream Media Finally Take Notice

[51:59–55:54]

• Ali Velshi’s Segment: MSNBC’s Ali Velshi openly questions Trump’s health, referencing swollen ankles, bruised hands, unexplained absences.
  • White House explanation: “chronic venous insufficiency” for his legs and “frequent handshaking” for bruised hands.
  • Pakman: These are likely excuses, and lack of transparency is troubling.

    • “I don’t believe that the hand bruising is from handshaking. I don’t believe that the only thing going on is chronic venous insufficiency…” [55:54]

8. Listener Feedback & Audience Interaction

[57:50–end]

• Impeachment prospects (impossible under current Senate).
• Critique of Caroline Levitt and cult-like loyalty to Trump.
• DNC influence on primaries and inevitability of establishment-favored candidates.
• International perspectives (listener from Australia on U.S. tariffs).
• Volume of messages from listeners hoping for Trump’s passing—a reflection of national sentiment, not Pakman’s own wishes.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Political Violence’s Roots:

  “Charlie Kirk’s assassination is kind of the latest in a grim series of these killings... It’s important to contextualize this... Political violence in the United States didn’t just happen... It’s been fed and it’s been normalized, and in some cases, it’s even been celebrated. And one of the biggest agitators of that has been Donald Trump.”
  — David Pakman [07:52]

• On Strategic Analysis vs. Identity Politics:

  “If we are going to treat a strategic analysis like a personal insult... we are in some serious trouble.”
  — David Pakman [16:45]

• On Trump and Authoritarian Praise:

  “Every authoritarian… has figured out, if you stroke his ego and feed him some compliments, you’re going to get him to do what you want.”
  — David Pakman [22:33]

• On Upward Wealth Transfer:

  “Trump benefits, his friends benefit, his cronies benefit. It’s like Robin Hood in reverse. Take from most people and give it to the richest Americans.”
  — David Pakman [36:55]

• On America’s Souring on Capitalism:

  “People are not rejecting... an economic system where if you have innovative ideas, you get rewarded... What people are rejecting is... the version of capitalism they’re living in right now, dominated by giant corporations, runaway inequality, political corruption...”
  — David Pakman [45:20]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Charlie Kirk’s Assassin: Details & Fallout: 01:06–13:00
• Political Violence & Hypocrisy: 07:00–13:00
• Left Divisions / 2028 Elections: 13:00–21:50
• Trump’s Weakness on Foreign Stage: 21:50–26:25
• Jobs/Economic Reality Checks: 26:25–36:00
• Epstein Files Exposure Looms: 36:00–41:17
• America’s Capitalism Crisis: 41:17–49:55
• Trump’s Health Scrutiny: 51:59–55:54
• Listener Feedback: 57:50–End

Tone and Style

David Pakman maintains a sharp, fact-based, and conversational tone, with an undercurrent of progressive outrage particularly around political violence and hypocrisy. He balances detailed policy and data analysis with pointed humor and candid listener engagement.

Useful for both regular listeners and newcomers, this episode provides a comprehensive, thoughtful critique of current political and societal events, appealing to anyone seeking informed, left-leaning commentary on the state of American democracy.