Rush Hour Podcast –

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In this special, urgent episode of Rush Hour, we bring you all the breaking details and updates on the assassination of Charlie Kirk — what just happened, who's speaking out, and what this means for our divided country.

What we cover:

• A full rundown of the attack: where and how Charlie Kirk was killed, what's known about the shooter, and how law enforcement is responding. 

• Statements from Utah Governor Spencer Cox, who described the killing as a "political assassination" and called for Americans to confront growing hate, radicalization, and threats to free speech. Remarks from President Donald Trump: his condemnation of the killing, his view of political rhetoric's role in fueling violence, and what he's promising in response. 

• A discussion on violent rhetoric in today's political climate: how language escalates before violence, how ideologies become radicalized, and why public figures' messaging matters.

• Ideas and proposals for how we can stop the spread of hate, bridge divides, rebuild norms of civil discourse, and come together as a nation in mourning and mutual responsibility.

Why this matters:

This isn't just about a single tragedy. It's a signal of how polarized, toxic discourse can turn deadly — especially on college campuses, where free speech, debate, and ideas clash. The consequences ripple out: in politics, on social media, in communities. Understanding the hows and the whys is essential if we want to prevent future violence.

Join us today as we confront the uncomfortable truths, ask the hard questions, and try to find a path forward in a moment that demands more than politics.