The spiked podcast RIP Charlie Kirk: a dark day for free speech and America
18 snips
Sep 12, 2025 
Francis Foster, co-host of Trigonometry, and Rakib Ehsan, a Spiked columnist, delve into the unsettling murder of political figure Charlie Kirk and its chilling implications for free speech in America. They discuss the broader societal divide revealed by this tragedy and the pressing need for civil discourse. The conversation also touches on the overlooked assassination of a Ukrainian refugee in North Carolina, highlighting biases in societal empathy. Finally, they critique the Labour Party's superficial leadership while reflecting on Peter Mandelson's controversial but resilient political career.
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Murder As A Chilling Signal
- Charlie Kirk's murder illustrates how political commentators can become targets simply for expressing ideas in public.
- The hosts warn this escalates fear and suppresses free speech across campuses and political life.
Political Violence As Ideological
- The episode frames recent US political violence as ideologically driven rather than random criminality.
- That pattern raises concern about polarization and targeted attacks on public voices.
Reactions Reveal Character
- The hosts note modern reactions reveal people's true character in crisis, including those spreading misinformation or celebrating deaths.
- They argue such responses should follow with lasting accountability in public life.