Charlie Kirk and the rise of political violence in the US

Charlie Kirk and the rise of political violence in the US

Author: The Times September 12, 2025 Duration: 29:24

A sunny afternoon at Utah Valley University suddenly became a scene of terror when the right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed during a campus event on Wednesday, 10 September. His death was quickly described as an “assassination” by President Trump, and it is the latest in a worrying spate of politically-motivated attacks in the US. So what’s behind this trend? Is political violence becoming normalised? 


This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory


Guest: Katy Balls, Washington Editor and Columnist for The Times and The Sunday Times. 

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Shabnam Grewal and Micaela Arneson.

Read more:

Search for Utah Valley University shooter after two suspects released

Who was Charlie Kirk? TikTok wizard who conjured up Trump youth vote

Clips: New York Post, Republic TV, CNN, KTLA 5, Fox News, Charlie Kirk via Instagram, President Trump via Truth Social  

Photo: Getty Images

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com     


This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


Each morning, The Story arrives with a clear purpose: to move beyond the headlines and explore the forces and people shaping our world. Guided by the experienced reporting of Manveen Rana and Luke Jones, this daily podcast from The Times delves into the most significant political developments and news events with a level of depth and context that only their global network of journalists can provide. You’ll hear more than just summaries; you’ll get a nuanced understanding of why a story matters, who it impacts, and what might happen next. The analysis is sharp and the storytelling is compelling, designed to fit into your morning routine seven days a week. It’s a direct line to the frontline reporting and editorial expertise of one of the world’s most respected news organizations. This consistent, in-depth approach makes the podcast a reliable resource for anyone looking to truly comprehend the day’s events. Supported by readers of The Times and The Sunday Times, the production maintains a commitment to journalistic integrity and thorough exploration, ensuring every episode provides substance and clarity.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 108

The Story
Podcast Episodes
Dominic Cummings vs Whitehall [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:16
Dominic Cummings has promised that a ‘hard rain’ will fall on the civil service. And last month Sir Mark Sedwill, Britain’s most senior civil servant, stood down. Has the pandemic created a moment for Dom to reinvent the…
Inside the Stasi spy school [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:16
At the height of the Cold War, East Germany operated an elite secret academy designed to train secret police agents in tradecraft and tactics for psychological manipulation. Now, a trove of previously classified recordin…
The life and death of a stable lad [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:34
Groomsman, Michael Curran, was acclaimed for his dedicated work with top horses but went into a spiral of decline that ended in his tragic suicide. What leads someone who reaches the top of their profession to take their…
100 days of Starmer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:20
Sir Keir Starmer has been Labour leader for 100 days, during which he’s had to deal with his own party’s issues as well as offer a response to the government’s handling of the pandemic.Guest: Gabriel Pogrund, Sunday Time…
The Jeffrey Epstein Scandal: Who is Ghislaine Maxwell? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:01
British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell - who was a close companion of Jeffrey Epstein - is facing decades in jail after being arrested over charges which include the enticement of minors and sex trafficking of children.Gues…
Bill Browder vs Vladimir Putin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:20
Russian lawyer Sergei Magnitsky was killed in a Russian prison in 2009. Bill Browder shares his decade long journey for justice- campaigning for a new UK law that takes on people who breach human rights. Guest: Bill Brow…
Katie Hopkins: Was Twitter right to ban her? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:30
What does the permanent banning of controversial right-wing commentator Katie Hopkins from Twitter say about the current landscape of social media platforms? And will Parler ever take Twitter's place online?Guests: Hugo…
Bow bells and facemasks: The end of lockdown in the East End [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:46
Across Britain, we are emerging from lockdown. But not everything is back to normal. As shops and pubs reopen their doors, we spend some time with three iconic businesses in London's East End. Guests: Anna Sereno, E. Pel…
Investigating the true origins of Covid-19 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:01
An investigation by The Sunday Times has found evidence that connects a deadly incident in 2012 in southern China with the current global pandemic.Guests:Jonathan Calvert, Insight EditorGeorge Arbuthnott, Insight Deputy…
Sir David King: are we easing lockdown too soon? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:04
As most of England eases lockdown, we ask: is the government making the right move?Guest: Sir David King, former chief scientific adviser, chair of the Independent SAGE.Host: Manveen Rana. Clips used: Independent SAGE, I…