What A Day – "Political Violence In America"

Host: Jane Coaston (Crooked Media)
Guest: Graeme Wood, staff writer at The Atlantic
Date: September 12, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode centers around the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk—a shocking event that has reignited national anxieties about the rise of political violence in America. Host Jane Coaston examines how political leaders, media, and the public have responded, with a special focus on the role of social media and the psychology of violence. The episode features an in-depth interview with Graeme Wood, whose Atlantic article, “Political Violence Could Devour Us All,” provides historical and global context for the current moment.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Immediate Aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s Murder

• Active Investigation: At the time of recording (00:55), there is no suspect or established motive, though speculation is rampant.
• Politicized Reactions: Several political figures, including President Donald Trump, quickly attributed Kirk’s murder to left-wing political violence, despite an absence of facts.
  • Quote, Trump (01:36):

    "This kind of rhetoric is directly responsible for the terrorism that we're seeing in our country today and it must stop right now."

• Calls for Calm: While some Republicans blame Democrats, House Speaker Mike Johnson urges for a reduction in heated rhetoric.
  • Quote, Mike Johnson (02:13):

    "You can't take that home and you can't hate the person on the other side. We're all in this together."

• Democratic Response: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries denounces violence and emphasizes unity.
  • Quote, Hakeem Jeffries (02:35):

    "Political violence in any form against any American is unacceptable, should be denounced by everyone."

2. Historical Context of Political Violence in America

• Historical Precedence: Graeme Wood (03:34) describes America as “blessedly” free of frequent political violence, especially compared to other nations and the 1970s in the U.S.
  • Quote, Wood (03:34):

    "The United States has been very free of... political violence. And to see that change in front of our eyes... is a portent of something really bad."

3. The Role of Social Media in Political Violence

• Availability Heuristic: The psychological effect of witnessing violence so intimately and frequently via social media increases its perceived normalcy and potential to inspire further violence (05:03).
  • Quote, Wood (05:03):

    "If we see these things happening, if they approach us on our telephones... it's a very different thing when it's right there next to the pictures of your significant other or your kids."

• Global Perspective: Drawing on examples like Italy in the Years of Lead, Wood notes that normalized political violence becomes “on the menu” for political action (06:19).
  • Quote, Wood (06:19):

    "...suddenly this is just one of the things that's on the menu for political action... the very thought of it is part of the terror that it causes."

4. Performative Responses and Social Media’s Impact

• Performative Grief and Outrage: Coaston and Wood discuss how social media incentivizes public performance of grief, outrage, or partisan animosity, which in turn can inflame divisions (07:06–07:45).
  • Wood draws a parallel to ISIS's use of social media for violent spectacle:

    "Isis, of course, every day. Very performative imagery..." (07:59)

• Mental Health Consequences: Wood underscores the challenge of consuming traumatic content and protecting oneself, especially for social media natives (08:00).

5. Escalating Responses and Security Concerns

• Real-World Fallout: Publicly identifying those accused of making light of Kirk’s murder, lockdowns at HBCUs due to threats, and legislators increasing security (09:01).
• Leadership Vacuum: Wood laments the absence of credible, calming leadership able to de-escalate public tensions (09:23).
  • Quote, Wood (09:23):

    "I can't think of a public figure who could say, let's all calm down about this. I can think of many public figures... who could say things that would cause the heat to ratchet up."

6. The Psychological Toll and Political Shifts

• Disorientation and Radicalization: Wood discusses how shocking violence disorients people, loosening moral and political moorings and potentially shifting the “Overton window” as citizens become open to previously unthinkable political stances (10:19–11:41).
  • Quote, Wood (11:41):

    "If something horrifying happens, that's an opportunity... maybe since you didn't see that coming, you might recalibrate your view of the world and be open to a politics that before... was far too... fringe or radical."

7. Lessons from Abroad and the Importance of Context

• International Perspective: Drawing on events in Western Europe, Pakistan, Indonesia, Wood cautions what happens when violence becomes routine, warning against complacency (12:06).
  • Quote, Wood (12:51):

    "When this happens all the time, and the instinct to denounce it is no longer automatic... everybody loses really, really badly."

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• President Trump politicizes the murder immediately:
  (01:36) "This kind of rhetoric is directly responsible for the terrorism that we're seeing in our country today and it must stop right now."
• Mike Johnson calls for de-escalation:
  (02:13) "You can't take that home and you can't hate the person on the other side. We're all in this together."
• Graham Wood on the normalization of violence:
  (05:03) "If we see these things happening, if they approach us on our telephones... it's right there next to the pictures of your significant other."
• Wood’s warning about shifting political norms:
  (11:41) "Maybe since you didn't see that coming, you might recalibrate your view of the world and be open to a politics that before you, you thought was far too... radical."

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [00:55] – Latest on Charlie Kirk murder; no suspect or motive, speculation begins
• [01:36] – President Trump frames murder as left-wing political violence
• [02:13] – Mike Johnson on lowering rhetoric
• [02:35] – Hakeem Jeffries calls for unity
• [03:25] – Jane Coaston interviews Graham Wood of The Atlantic
• [03:34] – Wood on U.S. rarity of political violence
• [05:03] – Social media and the "availability heuristic"
• [06:19] – Historical and international analogies
• [07:45] – Social media’s performative influence on grief and outrage
• [09:01] – Security escalations and renewals of threats
• [09:23] – Leadership lessons and their absence
• [10:19] – The psychological toll and shifting political views
• [12:06] – What happens when violence becomes normalized in society
• [14:00] – Interview concludes

Episode Tone and Style

The tone is sober, analytical, and inquisitive. Coaston and Wood favor nuance over sensationalism, continually reminding listeners of the dangers of jumping to conclusions or succumbing to polarized performances. There is a persistent call for context, calm, and learning from both American and world history.

Summary

This episode provides a deep, context-rich exploration of political violence in America following the murder of Charlie Kirk. The hosts and guests caution against the rush to politicize tragedy and highlight the dangerous ways in which social media and psychological factors can amplify violence, erode civic norms, and shift collective political thinking. Ultimately, the episode is a plea for measured leadership, historical perspective, and emotional resilience in the face of profound national trauma.