The Jim Acosta Show

Episode: BREAKING NEWS – Charlie Kirk has died after a shooting attack in Utah
Date: September 10, 2025
Host: Jim Acosta
Guests: Harry Dunn, Olivia Troye, Glenn Kirschner, Senator Doug Jones

Overview of the Episode

This urgent broadcast of The Jim Acosta Show responds to the breaking news that Charlie Kirk—conservative activist and Turning Point USA founder—was shot and killed during a campus event at Utah Valley University, Utah. Joined by guests across the political spectrum and with backgrounds in law enforcement, security, and politics, Acosta leads a candid, emotional conversation about political violence, its normalization, the broader consequences for American democracy, and the urgent need for de-escalation and reflection.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Immediate Facts & Updates

• Kirk was shot at Utah Valley University (Orem, Utah) during a public event ([01:36]).
• Early confusion surrounded the apprehension of the shooter; initial reports of a suspect in custody were later retracted ([61:57]).
• Kirk was confirmed dead by President Trump on Truth Social; mainstream outlets (AP, NBC) followed ([78:46]–[81:08]).
• The attack appears to have been a long-range/sniper shooting ([87:23]).
• The context of regular mass shootings: A separate school shooting occurred the same day in Colorado ([33:13], [44:18]).
• Kirk was 31, husband, and father ([01:21], [09:23], [91:55]).

2. Condemnation of Political Violence

• Unanimous, forceful condemnation: “Political violence has no place in this country… This cannot happen. This is not okay.” — Harry Dunn ([00:42]–[02:30]).
• Violence against any political affiliation is wrong; recent trend cited: Minnesota state lawmaker Melissa Hortman’s assassination, January 6, attack on Paul Pelosi, and the assassination attempt on Donald Trump ([02:30], [04:59], [05:15], [11:26]).
• Recurrent warnings against “tit for tat” or “cycle of revenge” dynamics ([12:18], [25:10], [93:15]).
• Rhetorical disagreement—even harsh debate—should never lead to violence ([11:26], [14:42]).

3. Societal Normalization & Dangers

• Political violence is becoming normalized and Americans are growing numb ([09:39], [10:02], [47:06]).
• Guests recount routine threats, death threats, and security precautions at public events ([23:32], [25:10], [43:23], [66:22]).
• Warnings that broad social media platforms exacerbate division and can incite responses ([50:58], [52:02]–[54:48]).

4. Responsibility of Leadership and Public Figures

• The urgent need for leaders, especially from both major parties, to denounce violence and refuse to inflame tensions for political gain ([36:34], [38:59], [41:00], [90:21]).
• Frustration at President Trump’s history of inflammatory rhetoric and failures to meet the moment as “consoler in chief”; comparisons to Joe Biden’s response to tragedy ([36:34], [37:57], [39:29], [93:44]).
• Elon Musk’s provocative post—“The left is the party of murder”—was called out repeatedly as dangerous (“This is a powder keg…” — Jim Acosta, [52:27]).

5. Media & Social Media: Misinformation & Amplification

• Social media plays a central role in spreading both information and dangerous inflammatory statements ([52:02]–[54:48]).
• Calls for responsibility by those with vast reach—journalists, politicians, and tech leaders alike ([91:55], [94:21]).

6. Fear, Security, & New Realities for Public Life

• Increasing reliance on personal security for public figures; impact on civil liberties and open discourse ([26:41], [43:23], [88:40]).
• Expectation that universities and other venues will need to significantly increase security for future political events ([26:41], [44:18], [89:44]).

7. Deep Reflection and Hopeful Calls for Unity

• Host and guests urge deep collective reflection, recognizing that the country is at a crisis point ([78:46], [81:18], [93:02]).
• “This is a moment to turn down the volume, to turn down the rhetoric.” — Jim Acosta ([94:37])
• Hope that Republican and Democratic leaders can join together to challenge the culture of violence, de-escalate tensions, and defend democratic practice ([58:10], [59:00]–[63:46]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the Shock and Outrage

• Jim Acosta [00:00]:
  “Political violence has no place in this country…this is wrong, period.”
• Harry Dunn [02:30]:
  “Political violence is not okay. Never. …no matter what ideology you’re from, no matter what side of the aisle you’re on, this cannot happen.”
• Olivia Troy [17:36]:
  “We should be able to attend events and feel safe without a situation like this developing.”
• Glenn Kirschner [19:42]:
  “Violence begets violence…I wish we could find a way to begin to reduce the heat and pull back from this insane rhetoric.”

On Normalization and Numbness

• Jim Acosta [09:39]:
  “Might not like his politics, but…everybody should be able to have their say. And political violence should not be normalized. …we keep having these kind of instances every few months. It does kind of get normalized. People get numb to it.”
• Senator Doug Jones [45:42]:
  “We’re just seem to be getting numb to this kind of violence. And it’s on both sides of the aisle.”

On Cycles of Violence and Retaliation

• Glenn Kirschner [19:42]:
  “Violence begets violence in certain circumstances...I fear that where we are is, if not at a boiling point, we are…at this simmering stage.”
• Jim Acosta [12:18]:
  “What I get concerned about is the potential for a cycle of back and forth kind of violence, you know, that somebody on the right would see this and say, okay, well, now it’s time to do this. Because when does it end?”
• Olivia Troy [81:08]:
  “I worry about what is to come in terms of how conservative figures and the reaction from the right on this situation is what really worries me, Jim, is how this is going to play out.”

On Leadership Responsibility

• Jim Acosta [36:34]:
  “For all the stuff that was said about Joe Biden, I mean, this is…an area where Joe Biden excelled. He excelled at being the consoler in chief and trying to bring people together. …That’s what we need right now.”
• Glenn Kirschner [58:10]:
  “I would again challenge both political parties to step up and to try to do whatever you can do to lower the temperature in America, understanding that that might…misplease Donald Trump, but at some point, just care about at least your own constituents, not your own sort of political viability and your next reelection campaign. Care about America, care about the health and viability of our democracy.”

On Social Media and Provocation

• Jim Acosta [52:16]:
  “Elon Musk apparently tweeted… ‘The left is the party of murder.’ …This is a powder keg…”
• Senator Doug Jones [53:01]:
  “No one can say that [that post] is in the best interest of the American people. …That’s just typical of Musk who, who shoots off his mouth before he thinks.”
• Olivia Troy [90:21]:
  “That’s the wrong takeaway from this moment. And it’s absolutely not helpful…”

On Hope, Reflection, and Moving Forward

• Jim Acosta [78:46]:
  “This is not a time for politics. This is not a time for scoring points. This is a time for deep reflection in this country.”
• Harry Dunn [14:26]:
  “An eye for an eye makes the whole world…blind. …We can’t just keep going back and forth and tit for tat. This has to end and be condemned by everybody.”
• Jim Acosta [94:42]:
  “A young man’s life was taken away. He’s just 31 years old, Charlie Kirk. …He, as an American citizen, had the right to express [his views]. …We’re better than this, America. …I still am holding out hope that we can get there and that we can learn from this episode…”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:00–03:51]: Breaking news reported; condemnation of political violence (Acosta/Dunn)
• [13:25–15:04]: On intentionality of the shooting and holding the shooter accountable
• [16:30–19:38]: Olivia Troy & Glenn Kirschner join; discussion on polarization and violence escalation
• [23:32–24:31]: Guests describe escalating threats and normalization of danger for public figures
• [33:13–34:52]: Parallel coverage of school shooting in Colorado
• [36:34–38:59]: Failure of presidential leadership, calls for bipartisan condemnation and unity
• [47:06–49:10]: Senator Jones: reflection on history, hate, and the numbing impact of polarization and violence
• [52:02–54:48]: Elon Musk’s inflammatory post and dangers of irresponsible social media leadership
• [61:57]: Real-time updates: suspect custody confusion
• [78:46]: On-air confirmation: Charlie Kirk’s death announced
• [81:08–83:44]: Reflecting on Kirk’s significance, worries about retaliation
• [93:02–94:42]: Closing reflections and host’s final plea to American society

Structure of Final Message

The episode unspooled as a tense, painful, and wide-ranging live conversation, marked by shock and distress in real time. Participants often reiterated their opposition to the very notion of political violence, regardless of ideology. There was a strong emphasis on the need for leadership, collective responsibility, and returning to civility and nonviolence in American public life.

Key Takeaways

• Political violence in America is at a crisis point; normalization is dangerous and frightening.
• Emotional unity across disagreement: Guests from different backgrounds were unanimous in their condemnation.
• Leadership vacuum: Desperate appeals for Republican and Democratic leaders to stand together and de-escalate.
• The media and tech platforms play a critical role, and have the power to heal or inflame.
• Reflection and restraint are urgently needed at every level of society, from presidents to ordinary citizens.
• The future trajectory is undetermined: it will depend on how leaders, media, and millions of Americans choose to respond.

Host’s Closing Reflection:
"We are not at our best right now. ...We need to get back to a place where we can have these kinds of discussions peacefully, nonviolently. ...If we resort to political violence, it is going to take us down a very dark road." — Jim Acosta [94:37]

End of Summary