Extremism expert Cynthia Miller-Idriss on Charlie Kirk and America’s political violence problem

Political violence expert Cynthia Miller-Idriss joins Margaret Hoover to discuss the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and the rising threat of political violence in America.

Miller-Idriss, author of the new book “Man Up: The New Misogyny and the Rise of Violent Extremism,” details some of the factors fueling radicalization, including online gaming and social media. She also explains why young men have proven particularly susceptible to extremist influences amid a crisis of masculinity in society.

As conservatives cast blame on the left and demand vengeance for Kirk’s death, Miller-Idriss warns of vigilanteism and suppression of free speech. She says there is “unquestionably” a danger of further violence if rhetoric is not toned down.

Miller-Idriss, the founding director of the Polarization & Extremism Research & Innovation Lab at American University, also talks about potential solutions to radicalization and what she has learned from talking to students about these issues.

Support for Firing Line with Margaret Hoover is provided by Robert Granieri, The Tepper Foundation, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, and Pritzker Military Foundation.