The Tony Kinnett Cast – Ep. 405

Reports of Shooting at Naval Academy; Media & Officials Embrace Evil After Charlie Kirk's Assassination
Date: September 12, 2025
Host: Tony Kinnett, The Daily Signal
Guest Contributors: Jerry Lopez, Producer Nick, Wade Stots, and others

Episode Overview

In this gripping and somber episode, Tony Kinnett addresses the shocking assassination of conservative figure Charlie Kirk and the subsequent national reaction—from political leaders to media figures and ordinary citizens. Amid breaking news of an active shooter at the U.S. Naval Academy, Tony and his guests analyze broader trends in political violence, chilling responses from public figures, and the cultural forces driving America’s descent into polarization. The episode delves deeply into the generational, political, and spiritual stakes, emphasizing the critical crossroads at which American society now stands.

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. Breaking News: Shooting at the U.S. Naval Academy

• [00:36–03:24, 09:28–09:46, 79:32–82:39]
  • Annapolis Naval Academy placed on lockdown after reports of an armed former midshipman on campus.
  • Conflicting reports about casualties; at least three reported, with one 19-year-old medevacked in critical condition.
  • Update: Reports indicate initial threat may have been a hoax, with confusion and chaos resulting in police-involved shooting of a midshipman.
  • Tony: “We pray for those at the Naval Academy. ...When we have information that we can confirm, we will share further updates.” [82:39]
  • Broader context: This follows another school shooting at Evergreen High School, marking the 47th school shooting this year.

2. Escalation of Political Violence: The Assassination of Charlie Kirk

• [00:36–08:59, included throughout]
  • Tony, visibly shaken, cancels personal travel after learning of Kirk’s death.
  • Jerry Lopez expresses condolences, highlighting Kirk’s influence and their close connection.
  • Lopez: "He was killed for exercising his First Amendment right... he scared the left because he was infusing a younger generation... to actually dissect and figure out the truth. And that's terrifying." [07:10]
  • Tony raises concern over sustained media and government focus on political violence, referencing recent drone activity in Poland as additional international context.

3. Media and Officials’ Response: Deflection, Reframing, and Celebrating Violence

• Media Deflection & Denial
  • Outlets and politicians (notably Schumer, Jeffries, Ilhan Omar) issue unity platitudes or deflect, minimizing clear ideological motives.
  • Schumer: “This is a time that all Americans should come together and mourn... Violence which affects so many of so many different political persuasions is an affliction of America.” [17:09]
  • Ilhan Omar: Implies Kirk’s past speech somehow justifies negative reaction, mischaracterizing his positions on gun rights and George Floyd. Tony observes: “Notice how they don't play any clips of Charlie Kirk... just quotes taken wildly out of context...” [22:45]
• Desensitization and Inhumanity on Social Media
  • Tony calls out the myth that public response is “measured” or “kind,” citing massive online streams of praise, mockery, or outright celebration of Kirk’s death.
  • Producer Nick details evidence: "Ammunition found in the Mauser and around it was engraved with transgender and anti-fascist ideology." [15:19]
• Reframing and Blame-Shifting
  • Politicians like J.B. Pritzker and Rep. Jamie Raskin equate left-wing political violence with right-wing, blaming broader “gun violence” or Trump administration rhetoric.
  • Pritzker: “Political violence unfortunately has been ratcheting up in this country... January 6th rioters have tripped a new era of political violence...” [31:01]
  • Tony on “both-sides-ism”: “The ‘both sides’ is a main correct here. It ain't the... both sides are equally bad. Again, I point to the board in which there are a small handful of political targeted violent events. ...left wing political violence... it knocks the other most recent events off in a couple of weeks.” [43:36]
• Glorification and Dehumanization
  • Figures like streamer Destiny and HasanAbi openly mock or celebrate Kirk’s death, refusing even basic condolences.
  • Destiny: “If [someone on the left] does offer condolences, then they're a cuck and they're weak... what really, you know, make T-shirts about the assassination or whatever.” [45:39]
  • Tony: “The entirety of Blue Sky... is the most reprehensible filth that I think I've ever seen. It's truly, truly deeply wicked...” [47:22]

4. The Dangerous Cultural Shift — Analysis with Wade Stots

• [50:26–77:34]
  • Tony and Wade focus on how Generation Z and young Millennials have responded—seeing an outpouring of anger, nihilism, or celebration of violence.
  • Wade: “What I admire in Charlie... is that he would still want to talk to those people and would be okay with dialoguing with those people. And those people are not okay with dialoguing with him. They are okay with cheering on his murder and... heaping scorn... on anybody who might be sad that he was murdered.” [59:58]
  • Discussion on the loss of meaning and purpose among youth, leading to escalations in inhumanity and polarization.
  • Tony connects spiritual and societal breakdowns, calling for a “cultural, spiritual and social reawakening.” [63:17]
• Calls for Institutional Response
  • Urge for rapid, public justice—“If justice isn't served quickly, then people will seek their own vengeance.” [76:16]
  • Wade: “Leftism needs to be a shameful thing to hold. A thing that cannot be mentioned in polite company...” [67:46]
  • Concern over the need for federal action as local governments have been “taken over by the same kind of force that... closes their eyes to the murderer... and the assassin of Charlie Kirk.” [70:45]

5. Contrasting Human Responses and Glimpses of Hope

• [78:02–86:40]
  • Tony spotlights more “human” reactions from across the political spectrum, including Joe Rogan, Charlie Sheen, The View, and left-leaning streamer Dean Withers.
  • Rogan: “Murder... for having a different opinion from somebody else. Yeah. Different ideology from somebody else. ...Nobody deserves that.” [79:25, 86:37]
  • The View: “I hope it doesn’t have a chilling effect... there’s never a place for political violence in that instance. That is a very appropriate sentence.” [86:37]
  • Ali Beth Stuckey (The Blaze): “If Charlie had had the choice…if someone had been able to come to him and say, OK, this is what your death will accomplish…it will accomplish more people hearing the gospel...I know that if Charlie had had that choice, he would have said yes. He would have said, ‘Yes, Lord, send me.’” [82:49]
  • Ben Shapiro (from linked article): “We are not going to stop. …We will not stop telling the truth. …We will never let Charlie Kirk’s voice die. Goodbye...May your memory be a blessing.” [84:15]
  • Tony notes: “Dean Withers... while finding out about the death of Charlie Kirk at the hands of the assassin, his response is a correct and human response... ‘Nobody deserves that. Correct. Correct. That's an appropriate response.’” [86:34]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jerry Lopez on Kirk’s Influence:
  “He was killed for exercising his First Amendment right... he scared the left because he was infusing a younger generation... to actually dissect and figure out the truth. And that's terrifying.” [07:10]

• Tony on Media Deflection:
  “Notice how they don't play any clips of Charlie Kirk... just quotes taken wildly out of context... pasted on social media to say, ‘ah, there you go. This is why you deserved it.’” [22:45]

• Producer Nick on Key Evidence:
  “Ammunition found in the Mauser and around it was engraved with transgender and anti-fascist ideology.” [15:19]

• Hakeem Jeffries (clip):
  “This moment requires leadership that brings the American people together as opposed to trying to further divide us. Political violence in any form... is unacceptable, should be denounced by everyone.” [17:05]

• Destiny (streamer, celebrating Kirk’s murder):
  "If [someone on the left] does offer condolences, then they're a cuck and they're weak... what really, you know, make T-shirts about the assassination or whatever." [45:39]

• Wade Stots on Kirk’s Legacy:
  "Charlie was a winsome, exciting, young, articulate, knowledgeable voice pushing in the other direction and winning... when they see that figure... channeling that anger into action that's positive... that's devastating...[the left] is trying to preserve the revolution... and seeing Charlie Kirk and Donald Trump as chief successful opponents of that..." [52:53]

• Ali Beth Stuckey (on Kirk’s Faith):
  "If Charlie had had that choice [to die accomplishing more for the gospel], he would have said yes. He would have said, 'Yes, Lord, send me.' And not only would he have, but he did." [82:49]

• Ben Shapiro’s Vow:
  “We will not stop telling the truth. We will never stop debating and discussing. We will never stop standing up for what America is and for what she should be. We will never let Charlie Kirk's voice die.” [84:26]

• Joe Rogan (with Charlie Sheen):
  "Murder... for having a different opinion from somebody else. ...Nobody deserves that." [79:25, 86:37]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:36] — Episode opens, news of Naval Academy shooting
• [01:22] — Jerry Lopez gives condolences and context on Kirk
• [02:57] — Recent history of U.S. school shootings
• [05:15] — International tensions: Russia, Poland, and NATO
• [07:10] — Lopez on political violence and lost civility
• [15:19] — Evidence details in Kirk assassination, ATF reports
• [17:05] — Schumer and Jeffries politician reactions (audio clips)
• [25:17] — Segment on HasanAbi and left-wing sensationalism
• [45:39] — Destiny (streamer) openly mocks Kirk’s death
• [50:26] — Deep dive on Gen Z’s chilling online reaction
• [59:58] — Wade Stots: “The people who...are okay with cheering on his murder...”
• [63:17] — Tony & Wade: need for cultural/spiritual revival
• [79:25] — Joe Rogan and others' human responses
• [82:49] — Ali Beth Stuckey’s theological tribute
• [84:15] — Ben Shapiro’s statement of resolve
• [86:34] — Dean Withers and The View: proper, humane responses

Main Themes and Takeaways

• Polarization & Moral Breakdown: The killing of Charlie Kirk is used as a lens to discuss the deepening political and moral rift in America, particularly among youth.
• Inhuman Responses: Large swathes of media, public figures, and online communities not only fail to condemn but in some cases celebrate or justify political violence.
• Deflection and “Both Sides”-ism: Leaders’ tepid responses are critiqued as missing (or intentionally ignoring) ideological motives and offering false equivalence between left and right political violence.
• Resistance & Hope: Affirmation from voices across the spectrum—however rare—that basic humanity and the right to open debate matter, and resistance to intimidation is necessary.
• Need for Revival: Both hosts and guests make an urgent call for a spiritual, cultural, and social revival, grounded in the notion that “leftism needs to be a shameful thing to hold,” and for political action to restore security and proper boundaries.

Conclusion

This harrowing episode combines minute-by-minute breaking news with raw emotional analysis of a country struggling to process open political violence. Tony Kinnett, with his guests, cuts past media fog, calls out the inhumanity of celebratory responses, and pleads for a return to principles, dialogue, and spiritual revival. Throughout, listeners are reminded that “Charlie's voice will not be silenced”—and that the nation faces a pivotal choice in how to respond to evil, loss, and division.

For further reading: Tony's latest article links three recommended tributes to Charlie Kirk (by Bradley Devlin, Ben Shapiro, and Jack Posobiec), available via The Daily Signal.