

Where does the US go after the Charlie Kirk shooting?
20 snips Sep 11, 2025
David Smith, the Washington DC bureau chief for The Guardian, discusses the tragic shooting of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk and its unsettling implications for political violence in the U.S. The conversation highlights the emotional fallout across party lines and the growing concerns around escalating unrest. Smith also addresses the complicated relationship between youth activism, economic pressures, and political discourse, shedding light on the intertwining of gun culture and divisive rhetoric in contemporary America.
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Shooting Highlights Political Polarization
- Charlie Kirk's shooting was a highly public act of political violence that shocked national audiences.
- The event raised immediate questions about rising political polarization and rhetoric in the US.
Kirk’s Origin And Turning Point USA
- David Smith outlines Charlie Kirk's rise from suburban Chicago to founding Turning Point USA at 18.
- He built campus networks pushing conservative, anti-'woke' messages across universities.
Youth Influence Cemented MAGA Reach
- Kirk became a major youth influencer with podcasts, radio and social media followings.
- His platform helped mainstream elements of the MAGA movement among young voters.