Podcast Summary: VINCE – Episode 126:
“The Left's 'Malignant' Violence Problem”
Host: Vince Coglianese
Date: September 16, 2025

Overview

In this episode, Vince Coglianese addresses what he and several conservative figures are calling “the left’s malignant problem” with political violence, in the wake of Turning Point USA CEO Charlie Kirk's assassination. The episode features heartfelt personal reflections, political analysis, polling data, and excerpts from notable commentators like Vice President J.D. Vance, Tucker Carlson, Speaker Mike Johnson, and President Donald Trump. Vince argues that the American left is disproportionately tolerant of political violence and examines media coverage, public opinion data, and government responses following Kirk’s murder. Music, ads, and intros have been skipped in this summary.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Personal Reflection on Loss and Family

• Impact of Charlie Kirk’s assassination: Vince shares the emotional toll the killing has had on his household, referencing a thoughtful mall outing with his daughter who, despite not knowing all the details, understood the loss and its implications on treasuring time with loved ones.
  • Quote: “I do think that for her, she was reflecting on what happened this last week and thinking that, you know, our time with our loved ones is short and can end at any moment.” [04:21]
• Broader call for self-improvement: Vince encourages listeners to reflect on how they can be better people in response to tragedy.

The “Violence Problem” and Political Rhetoric

• J.D. Vance’s remarks on left wing violence:
  • Vance, guest-hosting Charlie Kirk’s show, states:

    "People on the left are much likelier to defend and celebrate political violence. This is not a both sides problem… one side has a much bigger and malignant problem." – J.D. Vance [08:20]

  • Vance lists high-profile attacks against conservatives as evidence and blames left-wing rhetoric for contributing to a violent climate.
  • Vince concurs, emphasizing the role of “misdirection” and demonization by left-leaning media and politicians.
  • Quote: "Your words have meaning. You should be thoughtful about how you express yourself..." [10:00]
  • Vince references Charlie Kirk’s own caution about words:

    “You should taste the words in your mouth before you spit them out.” [10:53]

Public Opinion and Data Analysis

• YouGov Poll Findings:
  • Panelist Joe Borelli recaps poll data showing:
    • 16% of liberals and 24% of “very liberals” feel joy or find it acceptable when a political opponent is killed, versus 4% of conservatives and 3% of “very conservatives.” [12:19]
    • Similarly, support for justifying violence against opponents is much higher on the left (25% very liberal, 17% liberal) than on the right (8% conservative, 3% very conservative).
  • Quote: “Six times the amount of Republicans believe that it's okay to feel joy when your political opponent is, is killed...that six to one believe that they are okay in justifying violence against political opponents.” – Joe Borelli [12:19]
  • Vince summarizes:

    “In other words, the left has an assassination culture… It has a proclivity for violence that does not exist on the right.” [13:39]

• Democrats’ unawareness of political motives in Kirk's murder:
  • Only 8% of Democrats surveyed knew Kirk's killer was a leftist; 41% believed the shooter was a Republican. [15:46]
  • Vince attributes this to “legacy media” obfuscation and reiterates that conservatives are more media literate and informed about both mainstream and alternative narratives.

Media Coverage and Cultural Ignorance

• Critique of media responses:
  • Vince criticizes CBS for downplaying or obfuscating the assassin’s political motives. [25:18]
  • He draws parallels to previous mass violence incidents by perpetrators with left-wing or transgender identities, accusing media of intentional evasiveness.
  • Quote: “This is intentional obfuscation. It’s meant to try and defray the left’s responsibility for breathing life into that monster.” [26:55]
  • Vince also discusses the rhetorical framing of conservatives as “Nazis,” which he feels is used to justify violence in a “by-any-means-necessary” narrative.
    • Quote: “There are people who believe this horseshit. There are people who believe it and then they act on it.” [30:22]

Community Remembrance and Congressional Response

• Memorial vandalism:
  • Vince recounts an instance in Colorado where a Kirk memorial was set on fire, arguing media would respond differently if political alignments were reversed. [20:48]
• Congressional vigil for Charlie Kirk:
  • Speaker Mike Johnson and a small group lead a prayer vigil in Statuary Hall to honor Kirk.
    • Quote: “Our friend Charlie did not pass away in a car accident. He was assassinated for standing for his political beliefs.” – Mike Johnson [35:31]
  • Vince criticizes Democrats for minimal participation.
    • Quote: “Almost none… It became a partisan thing. What is wrong with these people?” [37:51]

Tucker Carlson on Charlie Kirk’s Legacy

• Carlson's reflection:
  • Tucker Carlson shares that he learned much from Kirk, especially about disagreeing civilly:

    “The main thing that I learned from him was how to disagree with people on topics that you take very seriously and that they take very seriously without hating them or without feeling bitterness.” – Tucker Carlson [39:57]

  • Kirk is praised as a unifier within the conservative movement, committed to dialogue even amidst major political divides.

Administration Response & Law Enforcement

• Federal intervention in crime-ridden cities:

  • President Trump announces the deployment of the National Guard to Memphis, with intentions to expand to Chicago, St. Louis, and New Orleans. [43:58, 45:29]
  • He states:

    “A person is four times more likely to be murdered in Memphis, Tennessee today than in Mexico City… We got to save St. Louis. We got to save these cities.” – President Trump [43:58, 45:29]

• Ongoing investigations into Kirk’s assassination:

  • Trump suggests the shooter (Tyler Robinson) was radicalized online in left-wing/transgender circles, and references an FBI probe into possible broader conspiracies:
    • Quote: "I can tell you he didn't work alone on the Internet… looks like he was radicalized over the Internet and it's radicalized on the left…" – President Trump [47:52]
  • Vince reviews Free Beacon reporting of at least seven social media accounts possibly indicating foreknowledge of the assassination and significant transgender/LGBTQ involvement in the online discourse surrounding Kirk.

Broader Sociopolitical Dynamics

• Law enforcement under attack:
  • Vince reports increased attacks against ICE agents, including incidents involving illegal immigrants, and condemns rhetoric from progressive politicians likening ICE to “slave patrols.” [57:05]
  • Quote: “You live in the greatest country on Earth. Every morning you wake up, you should kiss the ground and be grateful...” [58:09]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “People on the left are much likelier to defend and celebrate political violence. This is not a both sides problem…” – J.D. Vance [08:20]
• “Six times the amount of [leftists] believe that they are okay in justifying violence against political opponents.” – Joe Borelli [12:19]
• “In other words, the left has an assassination culture… It has a proclivity for violence that does not exist on the right.” – Vince [13:39]
• “Your words have meaning. You should be thoughtful about how you express yourself…” – Vince [10:00]
• “Our friend Charlie did not pass away in a car accident. He was assassinated for standing for his political beliefs.” – Mike Johnson [35:31]
• “The main thing that I learned from him was how to disagree with people on topics that you take very seriously…without hating them.” – Tucker Carlson [39:57]
• “A person is four times more likely to be murdered in Memphis, Tennessee today than in Mexico City.” – President Trump [43:58]
• “They're not on our side.” – Vince quoting Chris Plant [56:24]

Important Timestamps

• [04:21] – Vince’s family reflection, Kirk’s impact at home
• [06:22] – J.D. Vance speaks about Kirk and left-wing violence
• [08:20] – Vance: “Not a both-sides problem”
• [12:19] – Joe Borelli on YouGov polling data and violence
• [15:46] – Democrats unaware of Kirk assassin’s motive
• [20:48] – Memorial for Kirk vandalized in Colorado
• [25:18] – Media coverage and “unknown motives”
• [30:22] – “Nazi” framing, justification for violence
• [35:31] – Speaker Mike Johnson at congressional vigil
• [39:34] – Tucker Carlson on Kirk’s sincerity and approach to disagreement
• [43:58], [45:29] – President Trump: National Guard for crime in Memphis, St. Louis, Chicago
• [47:52] – Trump on shooter’s radicalization, FBI investigation into wider conspiracy
• [55:45] – Trump on military action against drug cartels
• [57:05] – Attacks on ICE, rhetoric from Democrats

Conclusion

Vince Coglianese leverages the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk to launch a wide-ranging critique of left-wing violence, political rhetoric, and media misrepresentation, using recent polling, real-life incidents, and commentary from top Republican figures. He expresses concern for rising anti-conservative violence, calls out selective media narratives, and urges reflection and unity among conservatives while lauding federal responses to crime and praising Kirk’s legacy as a bridge-builder in the movement.