New Trump Reaction To Charlie Kirk Assassination

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Five – "New Trump Reaction To Charlie Kirk Assassination"
FOX News Podcasts | September 11, 2025

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Episode Overview

This episode of The Five centers on the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, the urgent manhunt for his killer, and reactions across the political spectrum – including a substantive, unscripted appearance by former President Donald Trump. The panelists reflect on Kirk’s legacy, the growing threat of political violence, media responsibility, gun control debates, and the societal rifts exacerbated by current political rhetoric. The conversation touches on generational divides, the value of civil debate, and America’s mood on the 24th anniversary of 9/11.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Breaking News Updates on the Investigation

• [00:50–03:17] The episode opens with a report from Matt Finn in Utah, detailing law enforcement’s efforts:

  • Cancelled press conference due to FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Dan Bongino’s arrival.
  • Use of technology, public help, and reward offer ($100,000) to identify the suspect.
  • Discovery of the suspected weapon – a high-powered bolt-action rifle – and the suspect’s description.

• Quote:

  “Police say the suspect appeared to be college age and blended in on campus… anything the suspect may have touched could have left behind DNA or fingerprints.”
  — Matt Finn [01:25]

2. Charlie Kirk’s Life, Legacy, and Influence

• [03:43–04:38] Katie Pavlich reflects on her personal connection to Kirk and his impact:

  • Known since 2013; admired Kirk for his early start in conservative activism.
  • Describes Kirk as deeply dedicated to reaching and uplifting young conservatives.
  • Emphasizes the widespread tributes across media and social platforms.

• Quote:

  “He touched millions of people in ways that we won’t know the full effect of for many years to come.”
  — Katie Pavlich [03:43]

3. Analysis on Political Violence and Its Causes

• [06:03–08:13] Greg Gutfeld draws parallels between sports motivation, media rhetoric, and civil discourse:

  • The assassination “gives the idea legs and wings.”
  • Claims media language contributes to incidents like Kirk’s killing.
  • Warns that “live and let live” may now mean only with physical security.

• Quote:

  “Calling people evil bigots and Nazis does put targets on their back…”
  — Greg Gutfeld [07:17]

4. President Trump’s Reaction: Live Q&A

• [08:22–13:53] President Donald Trump, in a freeform press interaction, answers questions from both FOX hosts and international reporters:
  • Expresses concern for the country, not personal safety:
    “We have a radical left, group of lunatics out there… we’re going to get that problem solved.” [08:24]
  • Urges supporters to respond in Kirk’s spirit:
    “He was an advocate of nonviolence. That’s the way I’d like to see people respond.” [08:52]
  • Describes the shooter as “an animal, total animal,” and pledges to bring him to justice.
  • Touches on international affairs (Congo, Rwanda, Brazil, Israel/Doha, Russia/Poland).

5. Media and Social Media’s Role

• [14:35–16:21] The panel discusses how media narratives affect public perception and may fuel violence:

  • Gutfeld argues mainstream and social media “brainwash” people against conservatives.
  • Pavlich notes celebrations of Kirk’s murder by some on social media, raising concerns about deep-rooted ideological divides.

• Quote:

  “It’s like this is brainwashing... through repetition of specific words.”
  — Greg Gutfeld [30:14]

6. Charlie Kirk as a Model for Civil Debate & Political Engagement

• [16:21–23:07] Harold Ford Jr. praises Kirk’s willingness for real debate:

  • Despite disagreements, commends Kirk’s pursuit of answers through respectful exchange.
  • Links Kirk’s approach to the need for problem-solving in politics, not just scoring points or inciting division.

• Quote:

  “He had a fervor and he had an energy, but he wanted that back and forth… one of the things this young man will be remembered for…”
  — Harold Ford Jr. [17:33]

• [18:40–20:44] Pavlich references Kirk's impact on young men and the conservative youth movement, as reflected in polling swings from 2023 to 2025.

7. National Mood & Generational Reflections (9/11 Anniversary)

• [22:37–23:07; 38:18–42:25] Dana Perino draws a parallel between post-9/11 societal unity and today’s fractured climate:

  • Notes the heaviness of September 11, 2025.
  • Wonders aloud if America’s greatest threats are now internal.

• Quote:

  “On September 11th of 2025… it’s extra heavy and very chilling because you think the enemy might be within…”
  — Dana Perino [21:43]

8. Debate over Heated Rhetoric & Gun Control

• [29:03–33:47] Panelists address reactions on the left, particularly media figures like Matthew Dowd, and renewed calls for gun control.

  • Gutfeld and Pavlich deride what they see as “professional left” hypocrisy and brainwashing.
  • Ford and Kilmeade call for bipartisan approaches and less inflammatory personal attacks.
  • Discussion of the need for policy improvements (e.g., bipartisan summits, immigration, education).

• Quote:

  “I wish people could see us in the commercial break and the back and forth and the camaraderie. I think it’s important at some point for the president to… bring Democrats and Republicans together…”
  — Harold Ford Jr. [33:07]

9. America’s Generational Challenges and Hope

• [36:43–42:25] The conversation closes with reflections on American decline, generational pessimism, and enduring resilience, referencing recent statistics on education and Kirk’s advocacy for family and faith.

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Notable Quotes & Standout Moments (with Timestamps)

• “This person is a coward. This person is a loser… He didn’t have the courage to use words to fight Charlie Kirk.”
  — Katie Pavlich [04:23]

• “If you want to kill an idea, the worst thing you could do is kill the guy behind it because it gives the idea legs and wings and millions of resilient voices…”
  — Greg Gutfeld [06:25]

• Trump: “He was an advocate of nonviolence. That’s the way I’d like to see people respond.”
  [08:52]

• “When people stop talking, that’s when you get violence. That’s when civil war happens…”
  — Greg Gutfeld [14:41]

• “I hope Democrat, Republican alike are able to learn something from [Charlie Kirk’s legacy].”
  — Harold Ford Jr. [17:59]

• “Every generation deals with something horrific. Evil persists, but so do we. And we are going to win.”
  — Katie Pavlich [42:20]

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Important Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:50–03:17]: Investigation updates from Utah, details on manhunt and evidence
• [03:43–05:50]: Katie Pavlich on Kirk’s life and meaning to the conservative movement
• [06:03–08:13]: Gutfeld comments on media influence and political violence
• [08:22–13:53]: Full segment with President Trump answering questions about Kirk’s assassination and broader national/international issues
• [14:35–16:21]: Discussion on the connection between civil debate and preventing violence
• [18:40–20:44]: Kirk’s influence on youth and changing political demographics
• [21:43–23:07]: Reflections on the 9/11 anniversary and America’s current vulnerabilities
• [29:03–33:47]: On left-wing media, gun control, and the nature of today’s political rhetoric
• [38:18–42:25]: Generational outlook, teaching 9/11 history, resilience themes

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Memorable & Emotional Closings

• Charlie Kirk’s Purpose & Positivity:

  “Charlie Kirk believed in strangers and friends more than they believed in themselves and encouraged them to live a life of purpose…”
  — Katie Pavlich [46:17]

• Brian Kilmeade:

  “We’re better when we come together.” [46:37]

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Episode Tone & Panel Dynamics

The tone was somber, urgent, and deeply reflective, dominated by shock at the assassination but also by a heartfelt appreciation for Kirk’s role in fostering debate. The panel often disagreed sharply on the roots of violence and responsibility, but all acknowledged a crisis in American civic culture of dialogue versus demonization.

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Summary for New Listeners

This episode is an in-depth, emotionally charged discussion following the assassination of Charlie Kirk. It’s essential listening for understanding the crosscurrents of grief, blame, and calls for unity that mark American political life in 2025. Key moments include President Trump’s unscripted reaction, the panel’s differing diagnoses of the national mood, and repeated tributes to the loss of a young conservative leader whose mission was, above all, promoting debate over violence. The episode closes with reflections on the 24th anniversary of 9/11 and the enduring need for resilience, togetherness, and hope.

Transcript

[Brian Kilmeade]

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[Dana Perino]

Hello, everyone. I'm Dana Perino along with Katie Pavlich, Harold Ford Jr. Brian Kilmeade and Greg Gutfeld. It's five o' clock in New York City and this is the five.

[Donald Trump]

President.

[Dana Perino]

Trump just spoke to reporters on the assassination of Charlie Kirk. And we will have that video for you shortly and we'll bring it to you you in full. And this comes amid rapid developments in the manhunt for the suspect. Right now, FBI Director Cash Patel and his deputy, Dan Bongino, Ben Gino, excuse me. Are headed to the scene in Utah where officials are expected to hold a news conference. The FBI is offering a $100,000 reward for this person of interest that you can see right there on your screen. Let's go to Matt Finn. He's in Utah with the latest. Hi, Matt.

[Brian Kilmeade]

Hi, Dana. Earlier this afternoon, we were preparing for a news conference on the ground here, and then it was suddenly canceled. And our understanding is that is at least in part because of Bongino and Patel being on their way here. Law enforcement said earlier today that they were trying to use technology to identify Charlie Kirk's killer on video. But then they did turn to the public and ask for help as well, releasing two screen grabs of a person of interest and offering that $100,000 reward. Police say the suspect appeared to be colle and blended in on campus here. And if you look at the photo of the person of interest, it appears that that person has a long dark shirt which lines up with eyewitness accounts, video and even dispatch audio which described the suspect as wearing dark clothing. Now, no apparent gloves, at least in the screen grabs that we can see. So anything the suspect may have touched could have left behind DNA or fingerprints. Today, law enforcement announced they recovered a high powered bolt action rifle in a wooded area where they believe the shooter had fled.

[Griff Jenkins]

Through all that work last night, we were able to make a few breakthroughs. We were able to track the movements of the shooter.

[Brian Kilmeade]

We have recovered what we believe is.

[Griff Jenkins]

The weapon that was used in yesterday's shooting.

[Brian Kilmeade]

It is a high powered bolt action rifle.

[Griff Jenkins]

Sesbig blended in well with the college institution. We're not releasing many details right now.

[Brian Kilmeade]

And we will soon, but right now.

[Griff Jenkins]

We'Re not but that that individual appears to be of college age.

[Brian Kilmeade]

And on the ground here at Utah Valley College. The white tent that Charlie Kirk was inside of now a morbid and infamous symbol as a part of his prove me wrong table still standing on the campus. We will keep you updated on the Patel and Bongino visit here in Utah. Back to you guys.

[Dana Perino]

Matt, Finn, thank you so much. And working on getting that tape for you of President Trump. We'll bring it to you soon. But in the meantime, let's get some comments. Let's start with Katie Pavlich, because, Katie, it's wonderful to have you here on the show today. It is interesting to me to think to have known you for as long as I have and then to realize that you actually knew Charlie Kirk going way back, and he's been a real important part of your life for many, many years.

[Katie Pavlich]

Yeah, Charlie's a little bit younger than I am, but we started our careers essentially at the same time because I went to college, maybe that was a mistake. And he decided to gradu and go right into conservative activism and build something himself. And I had the privilege of knowing him since 2013. He was always reaching out to new people, wanting to develop relationships. And we kept in touch over the years. And on election night of 2024, I texted him and said, congratulations, Charlie, on one of the greatest political comebacks of all time. He was a friend to many people. I know we're going to talk about his legacy and what people are saying about him later in the show, but it's been very nice to see on the channel all day and on social media and elsewhere in the conservative movement people's tributes to him because a lot of people were friends with him. And he touched millions of people in ways that we won't know the full effect of that for many years to come. I do want to talk about this. The shooter that is on the run, this person is a coward. This person is a loser. People like this do things like this because they are weak and pathetic. And there are far too many of them that are out in the country and the world trying to harm innocent people. He didn't have the courage to use words to fight Charlie Kirk. He instead decided to use a gun with a bullet and run away. But the FBI is looking for him. It's a little disappointing they haven't found him yet. But I know everybody's working really hard to find him. And when I listened to the president last night in the video he released from him in the Oval Office and He said, quote, my administration will find each and every one of those who contributed to this atrocity into other political violence, including the organizations that fund it and support it. He is tired of this. The country is tired of this. And a lot of this organizing of this violent political terrorism is going to come to an end. And I think they're lashing out because they know that. And I hope it doesn't get worse before it gets better. But the president has vowed to end it, and he's usually a man of his word.

[Dana Perino]

Greg, while we wait to get this tape from the President, we understand from Matt Fan that Kash Patel and Dan Bongino, they're headed to Utah. And maybe that's because they have more information or they need to be on the scene in order to figure out what's going on.

[Greg Gutfeld]

Yeah, I don't like commenting on this stuff because it's fog of war and you say one thing, it turns out to be false. You don't want to feed into a rumor, things you hear. So to stick to just talking about Charlie and how we got here and where we're going. You know, in sports, you know, I'm a jock, Dana.

[Dana Perino]

Yeah, lettered in everything. Really tiresome. All the sports you talk about, when.

[Greg Gutfeld]

A player on another team trashes your team in the press, it fires up your team. Coaches call it bulletin board material. They put it on the board, you see it, it gets you fired up. Charlie's assassination is our bulletin board material. You know, if you want to kill an idea, the worst thing you could do is kill the guy behind it because it gives the idea legs and wings and millions of resilient voices which are ours and the people at home. I do believe there is causation from news to outcome. If you subtract the media's influence, this wouldn't have happened. I think you could say the same for Scalise. Trump's near assassinations. Tesla owners attacked. IRS agents. I mean, sorry, ICE agents attacked. Jewish students attacked. Raleigh Gaines cornered in on a campus. Causation. Calling people evil bigots and Nazis does put targets on their back. And this is why you're seeing on social media so many people celebrating, even if you're not even looking for it. It's there. And I don't call them evil. I call them hypnotized. They were brainwashed. And the way that you brainwash somebody is through repetition. Nazi, Nazi, Nazi, fascist, fascist, fascist. That's how you brainwash. So it's almost like shouldn't be surprising that these things happen. And what scares me. And there's gonna be a change in the way we live. You know, we have a simple ethos in America. Live and let live. The problem with that ethos. You got Trump 30 seconds. Oh, okay, 30. The problem with that ethos, it makes us vulnerable to those who disagree with the ethos our freedoms allow for our destruction. It's no longer gonna be live, and it's going to be live and let live, but only indoors with a metal detector.

[Dana Perino]

It's almost like those soft targets that we talked about before.

[Greg Gutfeld]

Yeah.

[Dana Perino]

Now that might be more of a reality. President Donald Trump spoke to reporters. Let's listen.

[Katie Pavlich]

For your own safety.

[Donald Trump]

Not really. I'm really concerned for our country. We have a great country. We have a radical left, group of loot, lunatics out there, just absolute lunatics. And we're going to get that problem solved. I'm only concerned for the country. Yeah.

[Greg Gutfeld]

Mr. President, how do you want to see your supporters respond to this?

[Dana Perino]

Charlie Kirk was a big advocate of.

[Greg Gutfeld]

Nonviolence and free speech on campus. How do you want your supporters to respond?

[Donald Trump]

I think that way. He was. He was an advocate of nonviolence. That's the way I'd like to see people respond. Say it. I did. I spoke to Erica, his wife, and we had a long talk. And she's devastated. She is absolutely devastated, as you can imagine.

[Dana Perino]

Behind this.

[Donald Trump]

I don't know what you.

[Dana Perino]

When, Mr. President, are you planning to bring both presidents, the president of Congo and president of Rwanda?

[Donald Trump]

They're coming soon. They're coming soon. And as you know, I spoke to their foreign ministers. They were here a couple of weeks ago, as you remember. And they'll be coming soon. The presidents are coming very soon.

[Dana Perino]

This week, Mr. President. Eyewitness.

[Brian Kilmeade]

More than 60 people in DRC, Congo were killed.

[Dana Perino]

There is people affiliated with ISIS terrorist groups are taking advantage because of the situation going on, because of the war. So what is your word for Congolese people?

[Donald Trump]

Well, we're going to be talking to them, as you know. We are talking to them. It's a very violent place. It's very, very violent for a long time. It's been going on for 30 years, 35 years even, they say. But we're going to handle it. Thank you.

[Greg Gutfeld]

What do you think about the media.

[Donald Trump]

That justified the murder of Charlie Kirk? I think it's terrible. They're going to be ashamed of themselves. It's terrible.

[Greg Gutfeld]

Why haven't they found the shooter yet?

[Katie Pavlich]

Mr. President, are you concerned that it's been 24 hours?

[Donald Trump]

Well, I hear they're making big progress, and we'll have to see what happens.

[Greg Gutfeld]

Do you have any indication of the shooter's motivation, sir?

[Donald Trump]

I have an indication, yeah. But we'll let you know about that later.

[Dana Perino]

Thank you.

[Griff Jenkins]

Uzbekistani President.

[Dana Perino]

And this last Sunday, you sent greetings to Kazakhstan.

[Greg Gutfeld]

UN General assembly is upcoming.

[Griff Jenkins]

Are you going to meet with presidents.

[Greg Gutfeld]

Of Central Asian countries, President?

[Katie Pavlich]

Where?

[Griff Jenkins]

Central Asian countries, Kazakhstan.

[Donald Trump]

I will be, yeah. They're very good people, and I will be doing that, yes.

[Dana Perino]

Do you believe that Keller was a trained assassin? Usually your instincts are always on.

[Donald Trump]

I'd rather not say. I think progress is being made. He's an animal, total animal. And hopefully they'll have him and they'll get him. What he did is disgraceful. Charlie Kirk was a great person, a great man. Great in every way, especially with youth. And what he did, what this man did was disgraceful. So hopefully we'll have him and we will deal with him very appropriately. What's your reaction to Russian drone incursion into Poland? Could have been a mistake. Could have been a mistake. But regardless, I'm not happy about anything having to do with that whole situation, but hopefully it's going to come to an end.

[Greg Gutfeld]

Bolsonaro was just found guilty by the Supreme Court. You've been very clear that you would apply sanctions. Are you thinking further sanctions to Brazil because of this?

[Katie Pavlich]

Bolsonaro?

[Donald Trump]

Well, I watched that trial. I know him pretty well. Foreign leader. He was a good. I thought he was a good president of Brazil, and it's very surprising that that could happen. That's very much like they tried to do with me, but they didn't get away with it at all. But I can only say this. I knew him as president of Brazil. He was a good man. And I don't see that happening.

[Dana Perino]

Everybody's lost.

[Katie Pavlich]

I'm very sorry for your loss. First of all, how do you think Israel's attack in Doha will affect the hostage deal?

[Donald Trump]

You better say it a little bit. Where are you from?

[Katie Pavlich]

I'm from Israel.

[Greg Gutfeld]

Channel 14 is like, go ahead, do.

[Donald Trump]

It again, do it again.

[Dana Perino]

How do you think Israel's attacking Doha.

[Katie Pavlich]

Will affect the hostage deal?

[Donald Trump]

Well, hopefully it won't affect it at all. We want the hostages out and we want them out soon. Hopefully, it won't affect us on the loss of the same.

[Griff Jenkins]

Can I ask her personally, how are.

[Donald Trump]

You holding up over the last three and a half, sir? I think very good. And by the way, right there, you see all the trucks? They've just started construction of the new ballroom for The White House, which is something they've been trying to get, as you know, for about 150 years. And it's going to be a beauty. It'll be an absolutely magnificent construction. And I just see all the trucks we just started. And so it'll get done very nicely, and it'll be one of the best anywhere in the world, actually.

[Dana Perino]

Thank you so much.

[Griff Jenkins]

All right. Obviously, that was President Trump just now, unscripted, taking questions from the whole world. The urgent manhunt still underway for Charlie Kirk's assassin. We could have an answer to who did it. We certainly have a photo. This is the photo we've all been looking at all day. It was delayed to be released. It caught everybody by surprise. Why delay it? But the person of interest. You're looking at him. They are offering $100,000 for his capture. Meanwhile, we continue to mourn the loss of a husband, of a dad, two young children, and a generational talent, Charlie Kirk, powerful voice who never shied away from respectful debate.

[Brian Kilmeade]

There's more people that agree with me.

[Greg Gutfeld]

Than some people would actually believe. And they come out of the woodwork.

[Brian Kilmeade]

When I do stuff like this.

[Greg Gutfeld]

We record all of it so that we put on the Internet so people can see these ideas collide. When people stop talking, that's when you get violence. That's when civil war happens because you.

[Brian Kilmeade]

Start to think the other side is.

[Greg Gutfeld]

So evil, and they lose their.

[Griff Jenkins]

Yep. And here he is persuading college kids on campus, just, listen, let's think about.

[Greg Gutfeld]

This more deeply, because I could tell you're smart. Are you a voter?

[Dana Perino]

I am a voter.

[Greg Gutfeld]

Oh, so I vote and you vote. So I'm talking to voters of this country that will determine the future of Western civilization. That's where we are on different planets, and that's okay. I'm not trying to make fun of you. I'm trying to be graceful in the way that we're going about this.

[Katie Pavlich]

Pancakes or waffles?

[Greg Gutfeld]

Oh, pancakes.

[Brian Kilmeade]

All day.

[Dana Perino]

No.

[Greg Gutfeld]

100% no.

[Griff Jenkins]

Hello, Charlie.

[Greg Gutfeld]

What's your name?

[Griff Jenkins]

None of your business, unfortunately.

[Brian Kilmeade]

Nice to meet you.

[Greg Gutfeld]

None of your business.

[Katie Pavlich]

Thank you.

[Griff Jenkins]

I appreciate it. And that's why some of those videos went viral, because it was unscripted, it was real, and it was a legitimate debate. People that didn't like him lined up to meet him.

[Greg Gutfeld]

Harold.

[Griff Jenkins]

This is a page out of the Harold Ford playbook. I think you like debating people that don't agree with you, and you don't get angry and you listen. I mean, why do. And this guy did it With a smile, he did.

[Brian Kilmeade]

Look, I'm still moved by all of this, like we all are. And I'm hopeful that we'll be able to come back and maybe before the show is up or before the night is up, we'll have more details about this guy, this killer. Each political base, it's interesting, Brian. Each political base, the Republican and Democrat, their extremes, and they're in the loudest in their party, are always urging politicians and those representing them to fight. Democrats said, you know, we want to fight, fight, fight. Even Republicans want to fight, fight, fight.

[Griff Jenkins]

Don't Gavin Newsom just say that directly? It's time to punch them in the.

[Brian Kilmeade]

Mouth, all of them. I'm saying it goes on both sides. I mean, I watched Senator Mark Wayne Mullen and Josh Gotten Heimer earlier today. Both acknowledge that both sides do this. The energy that we need and what I hear from Charlie, and one of the reasons I didn't agree with him on very much, at least not a lot of things he expressed publicly where we did agree and I think is indisputable, is that we love our country and we just expressed it differently. And I love the fact that he was willing to have those kind of conversations with people. To your point, you were nice to say that about me, but you never hear the energy in the base of each of the parties urging politicians to solve, solve, solve. Everyone wants to fight, fight, fight. And I think one of the legacies of, and one of the things this guy, this young man will be remembered for is that he had a fervor and he had an energy, but he wanted that back and forth. Even if the back and forth got a little contentious, it was civil and oftentimes very serious. And that's what our political not only discourse needs. That's what our political culture needs, needs more of. Every time I listen to him and I didn't agree with him very much, but he always seems like he was trying to get to an answer. And in politics today, I think one of the great failings and shortcomings of our political class on both sides is that everyone is just trying to settle a score. Everyone will say, I beat you on that point, on that point, on that point. Not remembering or easily forgetting that we represent people and that they're real people who are going to be impacted by these things. And I hope that those who celebrate this young man's life over the next several days, and I know the country is going to celebrate him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, that that is one of the things that is talking. That's what I heard from Katie and what I've heard from all around the table. That's this young man's legacy and I hope Democrat, Republican alike are able to learn something from it.

[Griff Jenkins]

Katie. The other thing is he was winning the argument, if you think about, and not until he passed away after the assassination did I fully realize it. Cuz I was there early. They just said this guy Charlie Kirk has got a. Has got this group. You want to speak in front of him. I thought, okay. I couldn't believe the size of crowd and how young they were. And they told me about his movement, but I didn't see much movement in the electorate. It took a couple election cycles, but now he's got the majority. But he did it by not having big parties. He had better ideas and he made it cool to want to be part of his posse.

[Katie Pavlich]

And he gave everyone, but particularly his mission was to reach the younger generations an alternative, a better way to approach their own American dream. And he was effective. If you look at the numbers just in terms of political issues, Democrats in 2023 had men 18 to 29 years old by 26 points in 2025. Republicans had that same group by plus 18. So he was changing hearts and minds on policy issues by offering solutions. He talked about marriage, he talked about the American dream, he talked about the things you can do to better your life. And he was brilliant. He didn't go to college. He was constantly going to college campuses, not just debating but teaching people so many detailed things about his Christian faith, about the economy, about world history. He would go to the UK and debate at the Oxford Union on very serious, deep topics. He was never superficial in any of his discussions with people who agreed with him or people who disagreed with him. And he tried to offer some clarity, mostly through his faith. Two young people who felt like they had none, that they didn't have opportunity in this country. They didn't know right from wrong. And he's able to do that. And with his attitude towards all of this, I find it just so admirable because so many people, including me, struggle with it is he was so resolved in his mission and that everything would be okay. And he walked into the most violent in terms of the caustic nature of campuses around the country. And he walked into them willingly. And he taught knowing he had a wife and a family and that the threats were there and having to have security. And he did it anyway because he believed it would be okay and eventually his faith would protect him and it would Pay off. And so it's paid off politically. And he's just touched so many people throughout his time and obviously it was cut way too short.

[Donald Trump]

Right?

[Griff Jenkins]

And with all this, Dana, out of all the tapes I've seen and the sparring sessions that I witnessed and the interactions, what I'm going to remember is that video that when the cameras went down and the show was over, on his appearance on Fox and Friends on the weekend, when I think his 2.

[Donald Trump]

Year old daughter ran up to him.

[Dana Perino]

I think she's four, I think that. And he was a loving father and he encouraged and inspired a lot of young men to want to be fathers. If you look at over the past five years, even how the numbers of young men who saying, I want to be a dad, I want to be father, I want to have a commitment, I want to go to church, I want to be a good man. A lot of that you can say, okay, wait. If you think about how many followers he had and how fervent they were, it's so interesting. Plus, he was doing something on college campuses that the professors are not doing. He was providing a forum for civil debate and in a fun way and willing to take any question that's not happening in the lecture hall. If the other thing I was thinking about is I mostly saw him in interviews that he did on cable news. Okay. Now watching all these other videos, I'm starting to understand more how the younger generation saw him even more intimately. Right. They're watching these videos on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, wherever they were seeing them. And I think about how they had access to somebody like this in the medium of their time. We had Alex P. Keaton of Family Ties on NBC. I mean, I was like, oh, that's a conservative guy. And he was an outsider. And I was like, that's what it felt like when you were a younger conservative 25 years ago. And now it is pretty amazing to think that it is a cool thing to be. And I will maybe make this last point. Today was going to be heavy no matter what because it's the anniversary of 9, 11, the 24th anniversary. So on September 11, 2001, we felt like we could all come together because there was an enemy that wanted to destroy our way of life, that hated the idea of freedom, of Western civilization. And now you get to September 11th of 2025 and it's extra heavy and very chilling because you think the enemy might be within. And that's a choice. And I feel like America's at this very fragile state where we could go in either direction. I hope we go in the direction of more civil debate. But I find this to be a very scary time, and I hope that they catch this guy quickly and that we figure out a way to protect others who are out there bravely communicating.

[Griff Jenkins]

I'll tell you, it sounded grim and very well said. It sounded really grim last night that we were going to catch this guy at all. I thought this was going to be like the Atlanta bombing. That takes years. But the fact that they found the gun, they found the casing, they got the. They know exactly what happened. There's evidently writing on the casing. They know he's got blue jeans, and they know he's got that shirt on and those glasses. So hopefully people said, I know that guy.

[Greg Gutfeld]

Greg, you mentioned civil debate, the word. You need two sides to be civil. And I agree with everything Harold said except both sides. And I'm gonna tell you why, and I'll tell you why. You know, the Democrats, they didn't target politicians. They targeted people. You know, I will never forget Joe Biden in Philly in that dark, dark speech. You know, Tesla owners, they're not politicians. ICE agents aren't politicians. Trump supporters demonized by the millions. They're not politicians. I mean, Trump went after individual celebrities and names. Never, never went after the voter. I'm not saying that the Democrats killed Charlie Kirk. That would be crazy. I see them more like an absentee parent whose violent offspring did. They knew that their parenting skills were bad because we told them about it on this show. We warned them. That's what drives me crazy is we warned them about the rhetoric over and over again. Even after attempts on Trump, the Tesla vandals, which are the product of the media and the Democrats direct language about Elon Musk. And they still didn't change their path. Right now, a lot of them. And I exclude Harold from this because Harold has always been sincere and legit from day one. Right now, Democrats are playing catch up. They're saying the right things. They're like the parents of a mass shooter, expressing sympathy for the victims. But they knew. They bought them the guns. Now, I just want to. I didn't mean to say that. I want to talk about something that I notice about Charlie Kirk that personally means a lot to me, and that is his faith. You know, from his faith, something amazing comes from it that I never really understood. You know, people will say that he's fearless, but what if he wasn't fearless? What if he wasn't? What if he was doing all of this with a measure of fear. How brave is that? The fact that he's going out there with the knob, he's not fearless at all. And that for me is a lesson in fear and in self doubt. That like, you know, as someone who used to take a drink before doing a live event in front of thousands or cradling a glass of wine while doing book signings or getting blasted before boarding a flight, you know, it was a lack of faith in my ability to handle fear. This would be the. I had to do this thing before I could handle something that scared me. He did something every day that might have scared him and you couldn't tell. It's pretty amazing.

[Brian Kilmeade]

Yeah, I can't.

[Greg Gutfeld]

I know, I know.

[Brian Kilmeade]

But to say Democrats, the history of our nation, we regrettably, unfortunately have a history of violence in American politics. And just as recently as midway early part of the year, Josh Shapiro, the governor of Pennsylvania, had his house caught on fire.

[Greg Gutfeld]

Yeah, but you know what?

[Brian Kilmeade]

The Minnesota Lumber was going to lose.

[Griff Jenkins]

That was anti Semitic.

[Brian Kilmeade]

But what I'm saying is. But to say Democrats, President Trump, who is a friend of mine, has said that Democrats are terrible.

[Greg Gutfeld]

He's talking about the leaders your party demonized, the voter. And we can't argue.

[Brian Kilmeade]

I mean, I differ with you on this. You and I, we're great powers, but different with you on this. And I think it is, this is not the path we want to go down at this very moment. That's the only thing I caution everybody.

[Greg Gutfeld]

Screw you, Harold. In your face.

[Griff Jenkins]

The only thing I would say, you know, the first one to make maga or try to make maga negative word was Joe Biden. It didn't work because then they used that word and they rode themselves right to the White House. Up next, new calls to tone down the heated political rhetoric as some Democrats give some truly awful takes on the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

[Greg Gutfeld]

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[Katie Pavlich]

Well, some on the left are reacting in downright disgusting ways to Charlie Kirk's assassination. MSNBC firing Matthew Dowd after he went on air after the shooting and immediately smeared Charlie Kirk and accused him of pushing hate speech. And Democrats are demanding more gun control while blaming Trump. Would you say to people who are saying that Democrats need to lower their temperatures?

[Greg Gutfeld]

Oh, please.

[Dana Perino]

Right.

[Katie Pavlich]

Why don't you start with the president of the United States?

[Dana Perino]

Right.

[Griff Jenkins]

We've seen the January 6th rioters who clearly, you know, have tripped a new.

[Brian Kilmeade]

Era of political violence. We also need to be honest about.

[Greg Gutfeld]

As a nation about where this violence is coming from. If we want to stop the scourge.

[Katie Pavlich]

Of violence in this country, we must do our jobs and pass common sense gun safety reforms in the United States, period. All right, so we have a distraction talking point back. But Greg, trying to figure out the situation here. I see two tiers. There's professional left, which is these politicians who are in Capitol Hill, the media pushing these narratives. And then there's the grassroots foot soldiers who are kind of carrying out what they're being told. And the question is how fringe really is this? The number of people I've seen today who are schoolteachers.

[Greg Gutfeld]

Yes, it's right.

[Katie Pavlich]

Faculty, people in government, medical field, openly celebrating this brings up other questions about where, how far this has spread.

[Greg Gutfeld]

It just again, I go back to the B word. Maybe I'm brainwashed by Scott Adams, but to me it's like this is brainwashing. You know, all of these people have like this mass delusion that they're, that a segment of society, people like us are evil. And you see them and you're going like, oh my God, what is going on in their heads? And it's all. It was through. Again, the repetition of specific words. The gun argument is really silly because, I mean, did they forget Irena, she was stabbed on a subway. Are you calling for blade control? It doesn't, it's like they forget. I think there was another woman that was just murdered. It wasn't by a gun. I know that Dowd, like Dowd got fired. But you have to remember that MSNBC in places like CNN they create a comfort zone for this kind of thinking and they exploit those who are willing to go the extra mile and say these things. And a lot of these people are not. Well, you see them on MSNBC and on cnn you go, there's something wrong with them. You look at their eyes are just like I don't even know what I just did there. But dad was fired because he got noticed, not because of what he said. Msnbc again, you go back to thanks to the social media platforms. Probably dad would have gotten away with it, but I think he needs help. And going on MSNBC shows you that MSNBC doesn't care that he needs help. They're just using him. And lastly, just to finish up on your point, I gotta ask where the Democratic Party is, aside from Harold. There's a huge hole where this party used to be. And Harold, you are outside the party. You could come in, swoop in and fill that hole. There needs to be some kind of moral authority there and it is missing.

[Katie Pavlich]

Would you like to respond?

[Brian Kilmeade]

I appreciate the kind words. I think, Katie, that the nation is drowning in violence. We yesterday there was a shooting in Denver at a school, elementary school or middle school there. And two kids whose parents dropped them at school could not have had the furthest from their mind was they were going to get a call a few hours later. That one, the daughter was I think in an emergency room in a trauma center. She had a bullet in her head. No one wants that either. So I don't necessarily agree that. I don't agree with Greg in that it's knives, it's guns. But I admire people who are talking about policy. I don't like people talking about the personal and the personalities. Greg and I differ a little bit on this. I think there's violence on both sides and unfortunately the rhetoric is encouraging. I think people to do who don't have, I think the kind of maturity that we have around this table. I wish people could see us in commercial break and the back and forth and the camaraderie. I think it's important at some point for the president passed a big beautiful bill. I wish he'd do a big, beautiful bipartisan summit at the White House and bring Democrats and Republicans together around things that they agree with. You have Marsha Blackburn and Blumenthal from Connecticut who were trying to ensure that social media companies don't go after young kids with algorithms. It'd be great to bring them all together. You have Blumenthal again, I think with Lindsey Graham on a Russia sanctions bill. If it passes. Bring them all together, Mr. President, for the simple, simple reason that the country needs to see that as much as we disagree sometimes on things between the parties, that there is some common. Some common. Not only good, but common sense and common agreement around things that are big.

[Katie Pavlich]

Well, to be fair, I mean, the president's door is always open. You see people at the White House all the time who vehemently disagree with him. And Democrats on Capitol Hill seem to be willing to work with fellow Republicans on the Hill, but they're not willing to work with Trump for the sake of satisfying their base. But, Brian, on this issue of going back to the gun control, I think that people who have been accused of being Nazis and fascists and who have threats on their lives constantly aren't really interested in having gun control on them from the people who are accusing them of those things.

[Griff Jenkins]

Yeah. So, Lee, do you think this guy is not going to get a gun? They'll take our guns and we're going to be susceptible and victims of his, as he hopefully will get arrested within the next hour. Bipartisan. Bill Clinton weighed in for Charlie Kirk. Didn't even know he knew Charlie Kirk existed.

[Brian Kilmeade]

Barack Obama did.

[Griff Jenkins]

Barack Obama weighed in. Joe Biden weighed in. George W. Bush weighed in. So the other side of the Republican Party, I think that there was a little bit of bipartisanship, but overall, Democrats are scared right now to do anything with Trump. Chuck Schumer says, I can't shut down the government. It doesn't make any sense. And they try to get rid of them. And I'm believing Chuck Schumer is no bastion of bipartisanship. He never will be. He doesn't know how. But now they're all in their corners. They're afraid to talk or deal anything with Trump. But I think the first opportunity would be immigration. And since the president did the impossible and shut down the border, we could do things like getting people who have been waiting on line, doing it the right way, and make it expeditious. People that marry people from other countries, why are they waiting forever? Because charging money that they can't afford, is that a way we're welcoming people from other countries? I think we could fix things. That would be an opportunity. But ironically, when I brought that up to Charlie Kirk, I said, charlie, would you be my first guest? But I tell you, I'm talking about getting together in immigration, because, Brian, I vehemently disagree. There's no way I'm gonna agree with you. It's gonna be a great segment.

[Greg Gutfeld]

I go, great.

[Griff Jenkins]

I Just don't, don't feel bad about disagreeing. He goes, I love disagreeing.

[Katie Pavlich]

Yeah. Yeah, Dana.

[Dana Perino]

Well, thinking back to Elizabeth Warren being asked about that question, President Trump says, we need to turn down the rhetoric. Do you agree? And she says, ha, ha, ha. And I think, what would it have taken for her to say, I agree, he's right. That's something we can agree on. I'll meet him more than halfway on that. And then move on with your day. Why? Because you want small dollar donations. You want, you don't want to be ostracized from the cool kids table in the Senate cafeteria. It's preposterous. Then I was also thinking about the real emergency this week, that only 22% of seniors in high school in this country. 22%. Only that amount can do math at a grade level. 35% of seniors can actually do reading at a grade level. That is a national emergency. Could we not get together on that? In addition to immigration. And nobody wants to talk about it because they just want to talk about the problems that led to this moment. There are a lot of stops along the way. And on this road to Charlie Kirk getting murdered.

[Greg Gutfeld]

And what was Charlie Kirk talking about about young people was the importance of raising a family. And you look at the stats of that survey of Kamala Harris voters of women, they don't want it. They don't want kids. And it's like, well, that's how a country dies. That's not a patriarchal view. That is a realistic view.

[Dana Perino]

And also because that means that they have a very dim view of the future. So where's the hope and change? Right? Where's the abolishment? So I was thinking, and just I know we have to go. Who is the Charlie Kirk of the left? Because the young people on the left can't stand their elderly leadership. They don't want any of them. They're threatening to primary them. You have people like Jerry Nadler deciding not to run again. Chuck Schumer could have a tough primary. He might be able to pull it out. But the younger people are having a revolt. But there isn't a Charlie Kirk on the left that's saying, let's talk about the ideas. They're. Charlie Kirk on the left, I think is Zoran Mamdani. He's the one that's on TikTok. He's got all the energy. He's talking about free tickets to the World cup. And they're buying it. And that's certainly dangerous.

[Katie Pavlich]

Yes.

[Dana Perino]

We need to get Harold on TikTok.

[Katie Pavlich]

All right. Up next, America remembers 24 years since the 911 terror attacks.

[Dana Perino]

We're putting our new bio.

[Brian Kilmeade]

Listen to the all new Bret Baier podcast featuring common ground in depth talk talks with lawmakers from opposite sides of the aisle, along with all your Brett Bear favorites like his All Star panel.

[Greg Gutfeld]

And much more Available now@fox newspodcasts.com or.

[Brian Kilmeade]

Wherever you get your podcasts.

[Greg Gutfeld]

America marking 24 years since the 911 terror attacks. Nearly 3,000Americans were murdered by Islamic jihadists. President Trump will be attending a Yankees game later tonight. And earlier he spoke at the Pentagon.

[Donald Trump]

In America, we take blows, but we never buckle. We bleed, but we do not bow. And we defy the fear, endure the flames and emerge from the crucible of every hardship stronger, prouder and greater than ever before.

[Greg Gutfeld]

Dana, I always go by this rule. You can, you can always tell how rough a week is when you're doing 911 in the D block.

[Dana Perino]

Yes.

[Greg Gutfeld]

Because that means there's some serious bad stuff that happened this week. But we got through that.

[Dana Perino]

And you and I have been doing the show together for 14 years and that never happened. So I thought a couple of things were very interesting today. One was that you had Pete Hegseth as the secretary of war, as the first Pentagon leader who was who joined the military after 9 11. Right. And is part of that generation. There's many who joined the military, but also the intelligence services. And they felt that call to action. And what America did at that time was surprise Osama bin Laden and say, oh, no, we're not going to fold. And we took the fight to the enemy. And that is a generational fight in terms of a war of ideology. They wanted to destroy our way of life, but radical Islamic terrorism is still there, but they are much less able to do big attacks like they did that day. And that's a tribute to everyone there. I did note this from Neil Ferguson, who wrote this in the Free Press. This is very chilling. He said it's a long piece, but he basically says it's taken me all these years to understand that 911 really was a clash of civilizations. And it has taken me until this week finally to face the reality that ours is losing. I'm not quite there with him yet, but I can see, see where he's headed. And I think that even like the pragmatic optimists amongst us, which I might consider myself, I'm feeling pretty heavy today.

[Greg Gutfeld]

Yeah. It goes back to what I said about live and let live, the people we live amongst don't agree, Harold. You know, in 1970, I was 6 years old. 29 years before that was Pearl Harbor. We grew up. I feel like this is the Pearl harbor to children of like six, seven or eight. That's why I wanted, like, how do you keep history alive?

[Brian Kilmeade]

Well, I think technology helps. I think when I was six years old in 1976, it didn't seem like it was after Vietnam. It seemed like we weren't going to go to war. Don't get me wrong, we ejected Saddam Hussein from Kuwait in the early 90s, and we had incursions, but they were small. You have a generation that has grown up. You talked about Pete. This is a young man that joined the military after 9 11. And you have kids that are born over the last 25 years that have grown up essentially in a war culture. And they view America's role in the world differently than I did when I was growing up. We have to teach these things. It's sad. It's terribly sad what we've dealt with over the last 24 hours. I think this day is always one we want to have and want to give history lessons about. I used to not enjoy, but it reminded me of how great our country was watching. And the strangest was watching those planes because all the shows would go back to live. Their Today show or their Fox show, what they were doing. I remember where I was on 9 11. I was in the Capitol dining room. We didn't have these phones. We had beepers. And everybody's beepers started going off. And my dad called me on my cell phone and said, are you near your tv? I think a private plane has crashed into one of the World Trade Centers. Then a few minutes later, he called me back, said, you need to go back to your office. We're under attack. And everybody's beepers started going off. The press was coming in. It was just a different time. We all got assigned blackberries after that. As a result. You remember that day. A few people had it, but it was just so. We have to teach on this day, and hopefully we will continue to.

[Greg Gutfeld]

Katie.

[Katie Pavlich]

Every generation deals with something horrific. Evil persists, but so do we. And we are going to win.

[Greg Gutfeld]

You're here, Brian.

[Griff Jenkins]

We're not losing. I don't think we're losing. You look at the UK and Ireland and things like that. They have allowed illegal immigrants to come into their country and take over their culture. We have a president that's not allowing that. If we were going to allow it, it stopped. I don't know if you've noticed. But these, making sure that with ice. And also I'm proud of the fact that 24 years later, we're still reading the names, we're still going down there. We're still ringing the bells. The FDNY is still there. The guys are retired, put their uniforms on and the women, and they go back and they remember it. I'm thrilled that Trump is doing what George W. Bush did perfectly. Trump say, I'm going back. I'm going to throw the first pitch. I think he's throwing the first pitch. I'm not sure.

[Dana Perino]

At least he'll be at the game.

[Griff Jenkins]

But he'll be at the game.

[Greg Gutfeld]

Yeah. All right. Up next, the latest on the manhunt for Charlie Kirk's assassin.

[Brian Kilmeade]

So what do you think about these?

[Greg Gutfeld]

Recently we asked some people about sharing.

[Griff Jenkins]

Their New York Times accounts.

[Dana Perino]

My name is Dana. I am a subscriber to the New York Times, but my husband isn't. And it would be really nice to be able to share a recipe or an article or compete with him in wordle or connections.

[Katie Pavlich]

Thank you, Dana.

[Greg Gutfeld]

We heard you introducing the New York Times family subscription. One subscription, up to four separate logins.

[Griff Jenkins]

For anyone in your life.

[Greg Gutfeld]

Find out [e-mail] family.

[Brian Kilmeade]

The manhunt continues at this hour for the suspect who assassinated Charlie Kirk. Let's go. Charlie Kirk. Let's go right to Griff Jenkins. Griff.

[Griff Jenkins]

Yeah, Harold. Officials say there are rapid developments in the case. Was just moments ago telling FOX that still no suspect in custody, which means the shooter is still on the loose. At this hour, FBI Director Kash Patel is due to arrive on scene soon. And just a short while ago, President Trump weighed in.

[Greg Gutfeld]

Listen, why haven't they found the shooter yet? Mr. President, are you concerned that it's been 24 hours?

[Donald Trump]

Well, I hear they're making big progress and we'll have to see what happens.

[Greg Gutfeld]

Do you have any indication of the shooter's motivation, sir?

[Donald Trump]

I have an indication, yeah. But we'll let you know about that later.

[Griff Jenkins]

And right now, the FBI offering a $100,000 reward for information asking the public's help to identify this person. If you recognize him, the FBI wants you to call 1-800- call FBI now. So far, investigators have been able to track the suspect's movements through stairwells to the roof where they believe the fatal shot was fired. He then appeared to jump from the building's roof in fled campus. Officials say they have good video images, footwear and palm impressions and recovered the alleged gun. Used a high powered bolt action rifle. Finally, investigators also looking at what appears to be messages written on both the gun and ammunition. But the content of the messages, Harold, is unclear. The FBI is not commenting. We may learn more at a press conference later today.

[Brian Kilmeade]

Harold Griff, as always, great. Thank you. Our final thoughts next was here. Hey, I'm Trey Gaddy, host of the Trey Gaddy Podcast. I hope you will join me every Tuesday and Thursday as we navigate life together and hopefully find ourselves a little bit better on the other side.

[Griff Jenkins]

Listen and follow [e-mail].

[Dana Perino]

And we are remembering the life in the legacy of Charlie Kirk. We'll get some final thoughts and I'm sure you'll have some tonight on your show.

[Greg Gutfeld]

Yeah, we're gonna have, you know, we're gonna do a fair amount on him. We're gonna have Michael, Malice, Kennedy, Tyrus and Kat. We're gonna talk about that tonight.

[Dana Perino]

Awesome. There was one other videos that I saw today that I thought, I'm gonna change my Starbucks order for the next, maybe for the rest of the year. One of the young people asked him at the campus what you always have Starbucks. What's in there? What's your order? And she thought it would be really complicated. No, he wanted mint Majesty because he would get a sore throat. So I'm changing, I love a mint tea as well. So everyone maybe get one of those for him.

[Katie Pavlich]

Sounds good, Katie. You know, Charlie Kirk believed in strangers and friends more than they believed in themselves and encouraged them to live a life of purpose. And he was telling people who really need to hear it that America is a good place and that they should believe in it and pursue a life that was worth, worth doing.

[Brian Kilmeade]

Carol, we're better when we come together. And Brett Baer, I know he's got something that's common ground thing tonight. So I hope everybody watches that.

[Dana Perino]

All right, that is it for us. And Special Report begins now.

[Brian Kilmeade]

It's Will Kane Country Watch it live at noon Eastern Monday through [e-mail] or on the Fox News YouTube channel.

[Griff Jenkins]

And don't miss the show. Listen and follow the podcast five days a week at foxnewspodcasts.com or wherever you.

[Brian Kilmeade]

Download your favorite podcast podcasts, listen to the 5ad free on Amazon Music with.

[Greg Gutfeld]

Your prime membership or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.