The Five – September 12, 2025

Overview

This episode of The Five is a deep and emotional look at the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, the immediate capture of his alleged killer Tyler Robinson, and the social and political ramifications sweeping the nation. Hosts Martha MacCallum, Emily Compagno, Harold Ford Jr., Jesse Watters, and Greg Gutfeld grapple with grief, outrage, and concerns about politically-motivated violence, as well as reactions from leaders, the media, and the broader public. The show also briefly covers President Trump's announced crime crackdowns and controversy within the Biden administration, but the tragic killing of Kirk dominates the panel’s discussion.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Development in the Charlie Kirk Assassination Case

• [00:32-03:23] Martha MacCallum introduces breaking developments: 22-year-old suspect Tyler Robinson is in custody after turning himself in, accompanied by his father and a minister.
• Media on the scene observes police searching Robinson’s house and the suspect’s car, a Dodge Challenger, still in the driveway.
• Community reactions are mixed—shock, but also a sense of political hatred spreading in America.

Notable Quote

“I am so thankful for them [the suspect’s parents]. That had to be an unbelievable decision and I should hope that all of us parents would do the same.”
– Neighbor (02:30)

2. Leadership and Community Reaction

• [03:23-04:08] Utah Governor Spencer Cox praised his state’s calm, peaceful reaction:

“There was no rioting. There was no looting. There were no cars set on fire… And that, ladies and gentlemen, I believe, is the answer to this.”
– Gov. Spencer Cox (03:37)

• [04:37-06:11] Harold Ford Jr. reflects on Cox’s honesty, empathy, and his urging for civil, nonviolent disagreement. He highlights the need to make “debating safe again” and lauds Cox, even across party lines.

3. Family Dynamics and Political Division

• [06:11-06:57] Discussion of Robinson’s background: conservative family, Robinson identified as left-leaning and increasingly isolated before the attack.

• Jesse Watters notes Kirk died honorably “fighting in the battle of ideas” and calls for political resolve:

“Because they can’t win an argument, they’re trying to kill… We have to politically destroy the sick movement that’s giving birth to these killers… Enough is enough. This ends now.”
– Jesse Watters (07:37-08:26)

4. Charlie's Legacy and Civil Discourse

• [09:30-12:01] Emily Compagno reflects on Kirk’s steadfastness, faith, and ability to engage respectfully even with aggressive opponents:

“The bullet did not just pierce Charlie Kirk, but it pierced this idea that there is room for civil, peaceful discourse…”
– Emily Compagno (09:30-11:05)

• She invokes Kirk’s legacy as an inspiration for a new generation to carry forward principles of calm, peaceful debate.

• MacCallum relays Kirk's own wisdom:

“When things are moving very fast and people are losing their minds, it’s important to stay grounded. Turn off your phone, read scripture, spend time with friends, and remember, Internet fury is not real life.”
– Charlie Kirk, paraphrased by Martha MacCallum (12:01)

5. Concerns about Rhetoric and Political Violence

• [12:19-16:41] Greg Gutfeld voices alarm: conservative voices most frequently silenced or targeted on campuses; branding people “fascists” fuels violence.

“When you brand someone a Nazi or a fascist, you put everything on the table to stop them. If you don’t stop them, you are immoral.”
– Greg Gutfeld (14:48)

• He draws a direct line from political labeling to justification for violence.

6. Public and Politician Reactions: Celebration and Outrage

• [17:16-20:39] Panel discusses disturbing reactions—cheering Kirk’s death from teachers, public employees, and on social media.

“I was scrolling down X and I found a story of a teacher celebrating Kirk’s death… and then there was another one… and another. I couldn’t keep up.”
– Gutfeld (18:21-19:00)

• Shock at how some people have become desensitized, believing their hateful views are “widely accepted” due to social media bubbles.

7. Media and Institutional Response

• [20:40-22:17] The panel notes atypical responses from networks like NBC, with major outlets issuing statements of unity and the importance of debate, a marked contrast to responses after events like George Floyd.

• Jesse Watters calls for accountability—not “cancel culture,” but a necessity to “cleanse evil” from society when people celebrate political violence.

8. Online Radicalization and Youth Susceptibility

• [24:09-26:08] Emily Compagno and Jesse Watters discuss the dangerous normalization of violent rhetoric online, especially among young people, and call for responsibility among public figures.

“Radicalization is when things are repeated and it normalizes. So extreme language… feels normal and then it’s echo chambered and amplified in horrific algorithms like on X.”
– Emily Compagno (24:54)

9. Bipartisan Condemnation and Hope for Change

• [26:08] Notably, Young Republicans and Young Democrats of Connecticut issue a joint statement condemning political violence, which panelists praise as a small step toward renewed civility.

Other Major Segments

10. Trump’s National Crime Crackdown Tour

• [26:52-33:21] President Trump announces new crime crackdown tours in cities like Memphis, following some success in DC. Harold Ford Jr. (a former Memphis Congressman) supports temporary increased law enforcement but pushes for a comprehensive national crime bill.

• Emily Compagno shares concerns about the tolerance of “professional agitators” in certain cities, and all agree on the need for more law enforcement resources and bipartisan solutions.

11. Biden-Kamala Book Fallout

• [34:35-38:27] Discussion of Vice President Harris’s new book slamming Biden’s re-election campaign as “recklessness,” and how her lack of agency or willingness to speak up is damaging. Panelists agree Kamala’s confessions help neither her nor Biden, and Gutfeld links the administration’s repeated “fascist” label to the dangerous rhetoric that led to Kirk’s death.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Harold Ford Jr.:

  “We’ve got to make disagreeing safe again. We’ve got to make debate safe again.” (05:00)

• Jesse Watters:

  “He died fighting in the battle of ideas… The left is losing [ideas]… and they’re trying to kill.” (08:00)

• Emily Compagno:

  “The killer represented… the conditioning, a programming, a radicalization from rhetoric fomented online.” (10:30)

• Greg Gutfeld:

  “If Charlie hadn’t been killed… he would have been president. He had the talent stack, no question.” (15:15)

• Utah Governor Spencer Cox:

  “Vigils and prayers and people coming together to share the humanity. And that… is the answer to this.” (03:37)

• Greg Gutfeld:

  “When you brand someone a Nazi or a fascist, you put everything on the table to stop them.” (14:48)

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:32-03:23]: News update on suspect’s capture and investigation details
• [03:37]: Gov. Cox’s statement on Utah community’s peaceful response
• [06:57-09:28]: Jesse Watters on Charlie Kirk’s impact and the ‘battle of ideas’
• [09:30-12:01]: Emily Compagno on Kirk’s legacy and the blow to civil discourse
• [12:19-16:41]: Greg Gutfeld on political rhetoric and the danger of violent labeling
• [17:16-20:39]: Discussion of online and public celebrations of Kirk’s death
• [20:40-22:17]: Mainstream media and institutional reactions
• [26:52-33:21]: Trump’s crime crackdown and bipartisan solutions discussion
• [34:35-38:27]: Biden-Harris book fallout and linking rhetoric to violence
• [39:16-40:37]: Details about Tyler Robinson’s arrest, evidence, and upcoming charges

Summary

This episode is a poignant and sometimes heated conversation about the killing of Charlie Kirk, with the hosts grieved, indignant, and determined to call out the toxic effects of divisive politics, online radicalization, and dangerous rhetoric—especially the branding of political opponents as “fascists.” The show moves from factual updates to emotional tributes and sharp criticism of those celebrating Kirk’s death. The panel wrestles with how America can restore civility in politics, the responsibility of public voices, and the path to healing after an act of political violence. The episode closes with renewed calls for both justice and a return to civil, peaceful debate.