The Dynamics of Political Communication and Leadership

The Washington Roundtable discusses the fatal shooting of the right-wing activist and Donald Trump ally Charlie Kirk, who was killed on Wednesday during a speech on a college campus. The panel considers whether the United States risks tumbling into a spiral of political violence, and how the Administration might use this moment to justify a crackdown on political opponents.

This week’s reading:

• “Did Trump Just Declare War on the American Left?,” by Susan B. Glasser
• “MAGA Reacts to the Assassination of Charlie Kirk,” by Antonia Hitchens
• “Charlie Kirk’s Murder and the Crisis of Political Violence,” by Benjamin Wallace-Wells
• “The Epstein Birthday Book Is Even Worse Than You Might Realize,” by Jessica Winter

Tune in wherever you get your podcasts.

The Political Scene draws on the reporting and analysis found in The New Yorker for lively conversations about the big questions in American politics. Join the magazine’s writers and editors as they put into context the latest news—about elections, the economy, the White House, the Supreme Court, and much more. New episodes are available three times a week.