The Moynihan Report

How Charlie Kirk’s assassination ‘created an army’ of new conservatives | The Moynihan Report

14 snips
Sep 17, 2025
Mary Katherine Ham, a journalist and Fox News contributor, joins to discuss pressing issues like political violence and media narratives. She delves into the assassination of Charlie Kirk and critiques the media's response. The conversation highlights how social media can amplify misinformation and lead to a culture of cancelation. Ham also examines the role of universities in fostering debate and the need to protect free speech on campuses. This insightful dialogue sheds light on the complexities of contemporary political discourse.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
INSIGHT

Media Amplifies Violent Impressions

  • Media narratives often amplify impressions of political violence beyond the facts on the ground.
  • Mary Katharine Ham found most 2009 healthcare town halls were peaceful with only 11 physical encounters among 500+ events.
INSIGHT

First False Story Often Sticks

  • Quick, speculative narratives after a violent event can stick even when untrue.
  • Ham warns the first false story often becomes the dominant public perception before facts emerge.
ADVICE

Delay Conclusions After Breakings

  • Wait 24–48 hours after a breaking violent event before asserting motives or political labels.
  • Avoid repeating early speculative narratives until primary reporting confirms details.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app