Charlie Kirk's killing: A dangerous moment for America?
Americast
BBC
4.2 • 2.8K Ratings
🗓️ 11 September 2025
⏱️ 34 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Charlie Kirk, the right-wing influencer and trusted ally of Donald Trump has been shot dead while speaking with students at a university in Utah.
Kirk was one of the most prominent conservative activists and media personalities in the United States, and a trusted ally of Donald Trump. Many credit his influence - particularly with young people - as a key reason behind Trump’s victory in last year’s election.
The president, visibly angry and upset, delivered a message to the nation last night in which he described Kirk’s killing as a “dark moment for America”.
Justin, Sarah and Marianna assess who Charlie Kirk really was. what made him so successful and how dangerous a moment this could be for America as a whole.
HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Sarah Smith, North America Editor • Marianna Spring, Social Media Investigations Senior Correspondent
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This episode was made by Purvee Pattni, George Dabby, Alix Pickles, Rufus Gray and Grace Reeve. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | BBC Sounds, Music, Radio, Podcasts. |
| 0:05.0 | America is once again facing the horror of political violence. |
| 0:08.5 | Charlie Kirk was not elected to any high office, but he was an enormously influential voice |
| 0:14.5 | on the right of American politics. He was only 31 years old. He leaves behind him a wife and two young children. |
| 0:22.6 | He was a friend of President Trump, and he did a huge amount to get President Trump elected for his second term. |
| 0:29.5 | What impact is the killing of Charlie Kirk going to have on the United States? |
| 0:34.1 | Welcome to AmeriCast. |
| 0:37.7 | AmeriCast from BBC News. |
| 0:40.8 | You're gambling with lives of millions of people. |
| 0:43.6 | You're gambling with World War III. |
| 0:45.9 | President Trump's message is very simple. |
| 0:47.9 | We are done being taken advantage of. |
| 0:49.7 | Mr. President, in the name of our God, have mercy upon the people. |
| 0:54.0 | We're scared now. |
| 0:55.3 | Are you supportive of these onesies? |
| 0:57.2 | I'm supportive of vaccines. |
| 0:58.8 | What is happening? |
| 1:00.0 | Like, this is not America. |
| 1:01.7 | This is a terrible nightmare. |
| 1:03.2 | This is what victory feels like. |
| 1:06.6 | Yeah. |
| 1:16.6 | The United States. Yeah. Hello, it's Sarah here in the BBC's Washington Bureau. |
... |
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