Podcast Summary: The Five — “Charlie Kirk Dead” (FOX News Podcasts, Sept 10, 2025)

Main Theme & Purpose

This solemn episode of "The Five" centers on the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA, who was shot and killed at a campus event in Utah. The hosts process their grief, recall Kirk's influence, debate the implications for political discourse and public safety, and discuss the national reactions—including statements from Presidents Trump, Biden, and Obama. The episode also features insights into the ongoing manhunt for the assassin and reflects on the prevalence of political violence in the United States.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Breaking News: The Shooting ([01:01]–[04:44])

• Dana Perino opens with a Fox News alert: President Trump announced Charlie Kirk’s death, offering condolences.
• Jonathan Hunt reports from Utah Valley University:
  • Kirk was shot by a distant marksman in a public outdoor event, the crowd panicked in terror, and the perpetrator is still at large.
  • Initial custody of an elderly man proved unrelated; the manhunt continues.
  • The precision of the shooting, use of a high-powered rifle, and escape point to careful planning.

Jonathan Hunt: “From the way it played out ... this was very much planned and carried out by somebody very familiar with and competent with the use of a high powered rifle. The ultimate outcome: Charlie Kirk dead at 31.” ([04:42])

Personal Reflections, Kirk’s Legacy, and Nation in Mourning ([04:44]–[11:16])

• Dana Perino: Describes Kirk as a “giant human ... with a huge heart,” calls the shooting a “watershed moment” for America.
• Greg Gutfeld: Emphasizes Kirk’s persuasiveness and the sense of camaraderie he fostered.

Greg Gutfeld: “He was brilliant and funny, but what scared people was his persuasiveness... if you believe in Charlie, you gotta believe in yourself, because he believed in you.” ([05:48–07:50])

• Jesse Waters: Expresses deep sorrow and anger, vowing that Kirk’s death will be ‘avenged’ by upholding his ideals, not violence.

Jesse Waters: “He was like Socrates. He asked questions and he did it with a smile. There’s nothing controversial about saying socialism is worse than capitalism.” ([08:02])

• Perino: Announces President Trump ordered flags at half-mast for Kirk.
• Joe Biden and Barack Obama issue statements calling for an end to political violence.

Political Discourse, Free Speech, and Kirk’s Impact ([11:16]–[22:06])

• Harold Ford Jr.: Notes the lack of justification for violence, even amidst deep political disagreements. Praises Kirk’s contribution to political debate.
• Kennedy: Highlights Kirk’s skill in engaging young people, using Socratic questioning on campus, sparking ideological discussion.

Kennedy: “It is okay to be polarizing ... It is not okay to take someone’s life.” ([13:42])

• Jeanine Pirro: (Guest) Characterizes Kirk as a “force of nature” who “inspired millions of young people,” empowered conservatives to speak up in hostile environments, and always championed debate.

Turning Point USA: Growth and Social Effects ([19:39]–[27:58])

• Gutfeld & Perino: Detail Turning Point’s reach — 3,500 campus chapters, 750,000 student activists, $81 million in revenue, and the Professor Watch List initiative.
• Waters: Calls Kirk potentially the “greatest community organizer in American history,” credits him with political shifts in key states.

Jesse Waters: “He’s credited with sometimes winning Arizona last election and what he did on the ground in places like Michigan. The President owes him big time.” ([22:52])

• Kennedy: Compares Kirk to inventors and philosophers who challenged the status quo. Kirk made it “cool to be conservative when you’re young.”

Reflections on Kirk’s Methods & Influence ([27:58]–[32:41])

• Harold Ford Jr.: Shares personal history of political debate and encourages everyone to find common ground, in tribute to Kirk.
• Paul Morrow (guest, ex-NYPD): Praises Kirk’s courage and effectiveness, notes his resonance with youth, and raises concern about the rise of “leftist violence.”

Paul Morrow: “...it dawned on me slowly how significant a figure he was. And I’m talking about high school level now.” ([32:41])

Manhunt & Security Context ([32:41]–[40:53])

• Morrow: Analyzes the evidence, suspects a distant shooter took the shot with a high-powered rifle. Urges witnesses to submit any video footage.
• Gutfeld: Questions whether public, outdoor political events are now ‘a relic’ due to heightened danger.
• Waters: Outlines geographical challenges facing the manhunt, fears a protracted search.

Was This Shooting a “Message”? Political Violence, Chilling Effect ([40:53]–[53:52])

• Gutfeld, Kennedy, Ford Jr.: Contemplate if the assassination was intended to send a message or to intimidate political speech.

Kennedy: “This is an assassination. This is an act of terrorism … his power came from joy and igniting a movement … that was enough of a threat that they had to take his life.” ([42:46])

• Perino: Reads the official Turning Point USA statement, emphasizing the magnitude of loss.

• Joey Jones (guest): Compares Kirk’s brave public presence to warriors at war; urges honoring Kirk by refusing to “cower.”

Joey Jones: “We owe it to those we lost in battle to live our lives and live it well. And that’s exactly what we owe Charlie Kirk.” ([47:03])

• Discussion with Jason Chaffetz and reports on venue logistics reinforce the planned nature of the act.

Media & National Conversation ([50:48]–[55:16])

• MSNBC’s Matthew Dowd is called out for suggesting Kirk was a divisive figure whose rhetoric might have led to violence.

  • Gutfeld: “He’s right for the wrong reasons… Hateful words do lead to hateful actions and it was his side that … called everyone Hitler and Nazis.”
  • Ford Jr.: Advocates restraint and fact-finding before further debate or blame.

• Waters: Demands Dowd's firing, argues that the ‘real message’ sent is that speaking out is dangerous, but insists, “Never be afraid to say what’s in your heart … that’s what this country is founded on, freedom.” ([53:52])

Final Thoughts & Closing Reflections ([55:16]–[60:47])

• Charlie Hurt (guest): Remembers Kirk’s ability to model “good faith debate” as foundational to American democracy.
• Kennedy: “We have to get back to the place where we respect human life. It is not disposable, especially when we have political disagreements.” ([58:03])
• Ford Jr.: “Words, not weapons, no matter how much you disagree…again my prayers to his family” ([58:35])
• Waters: “If they can kill Charlie, they’re capable of anything … move forward with passion and conviction, just like Charlie would have wanted.” ([58:53])
• Gutfeld: “If you thought that you were gonna shut a movement down, you’re gonna get a rude awakening. You woke us the fuck up.” ([59:30])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Greg Gutfeld:
  • “Charlie’s power just got released in all of us. He’s going to be bigger now than he ever was on this chaotic planet.” ([07:37])
• Jesse Waters:
  • “He was such a beautiful boy… he made politics fun… He electrified and made them patriots.” ([08:02])
• Kennedy:
  • “He confronted the sophistry of socialism and progressivism on college campuses. That was his life’s work.” ([13:42])
• Jeanine Pirro:
  • “We had someone who literally was a voice for a generation, someone who literally could turn out young people and change an election.” ([16:03])
• Joey Jones (on honoring Kirk):
  • “The only way to honor his legacy is to stand in his place ... we can’t cower. We can’t run away from what we believe in.” ([47:03])
• Charlie Hurt:
  • “Kirk was shot because of his efforts to speak with good faith and debate with people in good faith with whom he disagreed, which of course is the foundation of our country.” ([55:48])

Important Timestamps

• [01:01]–[04:44]: News of the shooting and initial details from Utah
• [05:48]: Gutfeld’s personal tribute
• [08:02]: Waters’ reflection & broader context of political violence
• [13:42]: Kennedy on free speech and Kirk’s Socratic method
• [16:03]: Pirro: Kirk as a generational leader
• [22:52]: Waters on political organizing and campus activism
• [32:41]: Paul Morrow on courage and security risk
• [42:46]: Debate on whether this was meant as a chilling “message”
• [47:03]: Joey Jones compares loss to wartime, urges “Don’t cower”
• [50:48]: Criticism of MSNBC’s reaction, per Gutfeld and Waters
• [55:48]: Charlie Hurt: the national tragedy and loss for democracy
• [58:03]–[60:47]: Round of final thoughts, commitment to honor Kirk’s legacy

Episode Tone

The episode is a blend of deep sorrow, outrage, retrospection, and resolve, with personal stories, raw emotion, and a call to national introspection. The hosts’ language is both reverent and forceful, often urgent, sometimes defiant, united in warning against further violence and advocating the honor of Charlie Kirk’s legacy by speaking out, not retreating.

For listeners new to the tragedy, this episode comprehensively traces the event, responses, and meaning, serving as a memorial, a warning, and a rallying call not to let violence mute the American spirit of debate and free speech.