Charlie Kirk's chair is empty. Can MAGA harness his movement?
Summary
This episode explores the immediate aftermath of Charlie Kirk's assassination, focusing on how his movement is attempting to continue without him, with Vice President J.D. Vance stepping in to host The Charlie Kirk Show. NPR correspondents analyze the administration's strategy to shape the narrative, assigning blame to the political left for violence while reflecting on Kirk's significant influence within the MAGA world and the challenge of finding a successor for his unique brand of conservative activism.Episode description
With the assasination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, there’s a great deal of speculation about who will fill his seat, literally and metaphorically.
Vice President JD Vance hosted the Charlie Kirk Show on Monday. He talked with a variety of Trump administration heavyweights and conservative media figures, including White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller and political commentator Tucker Carlson.
The guests reflected on their personal and professional relationships with Kirk, and his many contributions to the second Trump presidency.
NPR Senior Political Editor and Correspondent Domenico Montanaro and NPR Media Correspondent David Folkenflik share what they learned from the show about how Charlie Kirk’s legacy is being shaped in real time.
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This episode was produced by Connor Donevan and Kira Wakeam, with audio engineering by Ted Mebane. It was edited by Megan Pratz, Emily Kopp and Sarah Handel. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.
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