Tucker Carlson Warns Trump Admin Is Using Kirk’s Death to Justify War on Free Speech

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Tucker Carlson delivered a sharp rebuke of the Trump administration Wednesday, accusing Attorney General Pam Bondi of weaponizing the death of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk to erode First Amendment protections.

In the latest episode of The Tucker Carlson Show, the former Fox News host said Kirk — a close personal friend — would be “heartbroken” to see his name invoked in efforts to restrict so-called hate speech.

“Charlie was a free speech champion. He died believing Americans have the right to say what they believe — even if it’s ugly. And I pray that’s his legacy,” Carlson, 56, said.

The comments were a direct response to Bondi’s Monday appearance on The Katie Miller Podcast, in which the Attorney General vowed to “target” individuals spreading hate speech in the wake of Kirk’s September 10 killing.

“There’s free speech, and then there’s hate speech,” Bondi said. “And there is no place — especially now, especially after what happened to Charlie — for hate speech in our society.”

Carlson took issue with that distinction.

“The implication that hate speech is a crime — there’s no sentence Charlie Kirk would’ve objected to more than that,” Carlson said. “You’ve got to think the Attorney General didn’t think that through and was not attempting to desecrate the memory of the person she was purporting to celebrate. You hope that.”

Kirk, 31, was shot and killed during a public event in Dallas last week. The alleged shooter, a 23-year-old student, reportedly cited Kirk’s “rhetoric” as a motive. The killing has since reignited political debates over speech, extremism, and accountability online.

But Carlson warned that grief and fear should not be manipulated into policy.

“You hope that Charlie’s death won’t be used by a group we now call ‘bad actors’ to create a society that was the opposite of the one he hoped to build,” Carlson said.

Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA and host of The Charlie Kirk Show, frequently criticized efforts to criminalize offensive speech. In 2024, he tweeted:

“Hate speech does not exist legally in America. There’s ugly speech. There’s gross speech. There’s evil speech. And ALL of it is protected by the First Amendment.”

Carlson went further, suggesting that Bondi’s comments echoed the very ideology that led to Kirk’s murder.

“That thinking that she just articulated on camera is exactly what got us to a place where some horrifying percentage of young people think it’s okay to shoot people you disagree with,” he said.

The White House did not comment directly on Carlson’s accusations, but on Tuesday President Trump praised Bondi’s performance, telling reporters, “Pam has done an unbelievable job, and everyone agrees with that.” The Department of Justice has not responded to media requests for clarification on Bondi’s remarks.

Carlson’s podcast, which has gained a massive audience since his departure from Fox News in 2023, has become a leading voice for populist conservatives and libertarians skeptical of state power. His criticism of the administration has added to a growing chorus across the political spectrum alarmed by government efforts to monitor speech.

Just hours after Carlson’s episode aired, ABC announced it had “indefinitely” pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! from its late-night lineup. The move followed a threat from FCC Chairman Brendan Carr to revoke the network’s broadcast license over Kimmel’s controversial remarks about Kirk’s death. President Trump celebrated the decision on Truth Social, calling it “Great news for America.”

Carlson warned that such developments point to a dangerous trend.

“There are a lot of people who’d like to codify their own beliefs by punishing those under the U.S. code who disagree with them,” he said. “Any attempt to do that is a denial of the humanity of American citizens and cannot be allowed under any circumstances. That’s got to be the red line. When they can do that, what can’t they do?”

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Tucker Carlson Condemns Netanyahu’s Response to Charlie Kirk’s Death; Kirk ‘Did Not Like Bibi Netanyahu’

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Conservative commentator Tucker Carlson has strongly criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for what he described as a “ghoulish” and self-serving reaction to the assassination of Charlie Kirk. In a recent episode of The Tucker Carlson Show, the former Fox News host condemned the exploitation of Kirk’s death for political gain — particularly by foreign leaders.

Carlson, who was close to Kirk, said he was “shocked and sickened” by Netanyahu’s public statement following the young conservative activist’s assassination. According to Carlson, the prime minister attempted to reframe Kirk’s death in support of Israel’s ongoing military operations — a move Carlson called “disgusting.”

“Basically [Netanyahu] made it all about him and all about his country,” Carlson said. “Immediately trying to take the energy, the sadness, the grief that people felt over Charlie’s murder and redirect it towards support for whatever project he’s involved in.”

Carlson emphasized that Kirk had long expressed deep reservations about Netanyahu and his policies, especially the conduct of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.

“He loved the state of Israel. He loved going there,” Carlson said. “But he did not like Bibi Netanyahu. He felt that Netanyahu was a very destructive force. He was appalled by what was happening in Gaza.”

According to Carlson, Kirk was particularly frustrated by what he saw as Netanyahu’s willingness to use American political and financial support to further Israel’s military objectives — at the expense of U.S. interests.

“He believed Netanyahu was using the United States to prosecute his wars… and that it was shameful, embarrassing, and bad for the United States,” Carlson said. “He resented it.”

Carlson acknowledged that some Netanyahu allies and defenders would likely attack him for speaking out, but he insisted that Kirk’s views on the matter were well known and could be corroborated.

“There are enough text messages that I think it can probably be verified in pretty short order — not that it needs to be, because that is true.”

Carlson also revealed that Kirk had come under heavy pressure from donors and political insiders for inviting Carlson to speak at a recent Turning Point USA conference. According to Carlson, Kirk lost a $2 million donation just two days before his death due to that decision.

“Donors tormented Charlie Kirk until the day he died,” Carlson said. “I hated seeing how much he was suffering, the hassle he was getting from people.”

He described the pushback as intense and driven in large part by individuals aligned with Netanyahu, who viewed Carlson’s criticisms of Israeli policy as a threat to their influence.

Carlson’s remarks sparked immediate discussion across the conservative political landscape. Former Republican congressman Matt Gaetz came to Carlson’s defense, writing, “I have personal knowledge as to many of the claims Tucker is making here. They are 100 percent true.”

For Carlson, the issue is not merely political — it’s personal. His remarks were rooted in what he described as a genuine concern for preserving the truth about who Charlie Kirk was and what he believed.

“There are many liars out there — Bibi Netanyahu number one among them, shamefully — who are trying to distort the truth,” Carlson concluded. “A truth that I know and can prove.”

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr

WATCH: Rep. Thomas Massie Confronts FBI Director Kash Patel Over Epstein Trafficking Claim

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In a fiery exchange on Capitol Hill Wednesday, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) directly challenged FBI Director Kash Patel over his recent claim that no “credible information” exists tying Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking operation to any individuals beyond Epstein himself.

Massie, a vocal proponent of government transparency and a longstanding advocate for the release of the Epstein files, pressed Patel over his testimony before the Senate earlier this week — and used the opportunity to read out a partial list of prominent figures who, according to victims, were allegedly involved in Epstein’s trafficking network.

“Director Patel, I watched some of your Senate hearing yesterday,” Massie began. “You said there’s no credible information that Epstein trafficked these women to anyone else. But that doesn’t match the evidence the FBI already has.”

Massie then cited FBI Form 302s — official records of witness interviews — which, he said, contain testimony from victims naming at least 20 men, including Jes Staley, the former CEO of Barclays Bank. Other unnamed individuals, according to Massie, include a Hollywood producer worth hundreds of millions, a royal prince, a government official, several billionaires, and even a magician.

“We know these people exist in the FBI files, the files that you control,” Massie said. “I don’t know exactly who they are, but the FBI does.”

He then asked Patel directly: “Have you launched any investigations into any of these people, and have you seen these 302 documents?”

Patel responded that while he had tasked FBI agents with reviewing all Epstein-related material, no new indictments had been brought forward, and no new credible evidence had been presented to him personally.

“We’re working with Congress to divulge that information and produce it to you,” Patel said. “But there have been no new materials brought to me.”

Massie didn’t hold back.

“So is the loophole here that you’re saying these victims aren’t credible? That the 302s maybe didn’t produce credible statements that rise to probable cause?” he pressed.

Patel denied making that assertion, attributing the lack of prosecution to the judgment of two separate U.S. Attorneys’ Offices under three different presidential administrations — none of which pursued further charges based on the documents.

The congressman, however, refused to let the matter drop.

“Are the 302 documents in the FBI’s possession?” Massie asked.

“They reviewed all that, yes, sir,” Patel replied.

“And have you reviewed them — the ones where the victims name the people who victimized them?”

“If I personally—no. But the FBI has,” Patel admitted.

That prompted a pointed response from Massie:

“So how can you sit here and in front of the Senate and say there are no names? I named one today.”

Patel responded that the FBI doesn’t typically release names of either victims or individuals tied to unproven allegations, especially when the agency has determined that the information does not meet a threshold of credibility or probable cause.

“We are not in the habit of releasing incredible information,” Patel said. “Multiple authorities have looked at the entirety of what we have.”

But Massie wasn’t satisfied.

He underscored that the limitations of prior investigations — particularly the controversial 2007 non-prosecution agreement signed in Florida — did not apply to the 2019 Epstein indictment in the Southern District of New York, which, he noted, generated a fresh wave of interviews and supporting documentation.

That distinction, he argued, invalidates Patel’s claim that earlier constraints hampered the FBI’s ability to follow through on victim allegations.

As outrage continues to build across the political spectrum over the lack of public accountability in the Epstein case, Massie’s interrogation marks one of the most direct public challenges to the FBI’s current handling of the matter — and raises fresh questions about why the names of alleged accomplices remain sealed, even years after Epstein’s death.

“We owe the American people the truth,” Massie said. “And I intend to keep asking.”

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr

Bill Ackman and Babylon Bee CEO Seth Dillon Dragged Into Candace Owens’ Explosive Charlie Kirk Scandal

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American commentator and author Candance Owens has made startling claims against billionaire hedge fund manager and Trump ally Bill Ackman and The Babylon Bee CEO Seth Dillon. Owens alleged a “high-stakes intervention” involving the two and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk took place just weeks before his tragic assassination.

The six-minute clip has already garnered more than 1.2 million views and sparked intense debate across platforms. Known for her [anti-Israel] stances, Candance Owens alleged that there was a “tense” meeting in the Hamptons where Ackman allegedly pressured Kirk over his views on Israel.

Owens alleged in a video and social media posts that Ackman, Kirk, and Babylon Bee CEO Seth Dillon participated in an “intense intervention” where “threats were made” to influence Kirk’s stance on Israel.

She also claimed that Kirk had been offered “a ton of money” and had been contacted by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Kirk reportedly declined the invitation. “I know that Charlie was offered a significant amount of money during that time… a ton of money,” Owens stated.

She also mentioned reaching out to Dillon for comment on the story, but he did not respond. She displayed a screenshot of a post where Ackman praises Kirk as a “giant of a man” after their meeting, contrasting it with her claims of coercion. (Read more from “Bill Ackman and Babylon Bee CEO Seth Dillon Dragged Into Candace Owens’ Explosive Charlie Kirk Scandal” HERE)

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Fire Chief on Administrative Leave over ‘Incendiary’ Post After Charlie Kirk’s Assassination

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Anthony P. Luke, chief of the Cleveland Division of Fire, has been placed on administrative leave after publicly posting “incendiary” remarks following the horrific public assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.

According to Fox 8, which confirmed that Luke has been placed on leave, the now-deleted Facebook post contained a cartoon image of a rifle with the caption, “Bring out the next sacrifice!!” following Kirk’s assassination, which occurred during a speaking event at Utah Valley University on September 10.

Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb, a Democrat, confirmed that the post was brought to his attention, asserting that it fundamentally “romanticizes gun violence, a matter far too serious in a city where we mourn too many families every week, too many lives cut short, and too many children denied safe sleep in their beds.”

The mayor said he believes in free speech and that the First Amendment “protects every individual’s right to express opinions—even those that are unpopular, provocative, or difficult to hear.”

“But with rights come responsibilities, especially for those who hold positions of public trust and leadership,” he continued, explaining that someone in a position like Luke is a “standard-bearer for what the City of Cleveland stands for, what we teach our children, and how our neighbors should expect to be treated—and protected.” (Read more from “Fire Chief on Administrative Leave over ‘Incendiary’ Post After Charlie Kirk’s Assassination” HERE)

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Tyler Robinson Emotionless, Wearing ‘Suicide Smock’ in First Virtual Court Appearance Since Charlie Kirk Assassination

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By New York Post. Tyler Robinson appeared on video from his Utah prison cell for a virtual hearing before District Judge Tony Graf early Tuesday evening, looking emotionless in a green “suicide smock,” and not speaking except to state his name.

The suspect in the assassination of Charlie Kirk stared blankly ahead as the judge read out the seven charges against him, sporting slightly mussed locks, several days’ worth of facial hair, and wearing a vest similar to the one he wore in his released mug shot.

Judge Graf said the court determined Robinson, 22, was “indigent,” and therefore had been appointed an attorney.

Robinson nodded slightly several times throughout the 10-minute hearing, including as the judge said he would remain in custody without bail.

Prosecutor Chad Grunander said the state had filed a pre-trial protective order on behalf of Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, which Judge Graf accepted. The reason for the request was not immediately known. (Read more from “Tyler Robinson Emotionless, Wearing ‘Suicide Smock’ in First Virtual Court Appearance Since Charlie Kirk Assassination” HERE)

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Tyler Robinson Grew ‘More Pro-Gay and Trans-Rights-Oriented,’ Mom Told Cops as Charlie Kirk Suspect Charged, Could Face Firing Squad

By New York Post. Tyler Robinson had grown “more pro-gay and trans-rights-oriented” in the past year, his mother told cops in new details revealed Tuesday — as the accused Charlie Kirk assassin was hit with charges that could land him in front of a firing squad.

Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray called Kirk’s killing “an American tragedy” as he provided more stunning details about the role Robinson’s parents played in his surrender while speaking at a press conference.

The developments came as the seven state charges were announced against Robinson, a 22-year-old with a trans boyfriend — including the top rap of aggravated murder, which qualifies for the death penalty in Utah.

Gray said he would in fact seek Robinson’s execution, which could be by firing squad under Utah law.

“The murder of Charlie Kirk is an American tragedy” Gray told reporters at the Utah County Health & Justice Building in Provo. (Read more from “Tyler Robinson Grew ‘More Pro-Gay and Trans-Rights-Oriented,’ Mom Told Cops as Charlie Kirk Suspect Charged, Could Face Firing Squad” HERE)

Read the Chilling Text Exchange Between Charlie Kirk’s Alleged Assassin and His Trans Lover

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Tyler Robinson’s roommate, Lance Twiggs, a biological male that identified as transgender who was in a romantic relationship with Robinson, provided evidence including a series of text messages from Robinson on September 10, 2025.

Prosecutors say Twiggs received a text message from Robinson which said, “drop what you are doing, look under my keyboard.”

Twiggs looked under the keyboard and found a note that stated, “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it.”

Police found a photograph of this note. Prosecutors say the following text exchange then took place: After reading the note, Twiggs responded, “What?????????????? You’re joking, right????”

Robinson: I am still ok my love, but am stuck in orem for a little while longer yet. Shouldn’t be long until I can come home, but I gotta grab my rifle still. To be honest I had hoped to keep this secret till I died of old age. I am sorry to involve you.

Roommate: you weren’t the one who did it right???? (Read more from “Read the Chilling Text Exchange Between Charlie Kirk’s Alleged Assassin and His Trans Lover” HERE)

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Report: Charlie Kirk Rejected Netanyahu’s Funds, ‘Frightened’ of Israel Lobby Before Death

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A Trump insider and long-time friend of murdered [conservative] influencer Charlie Kirk has told the Grayzone that Kirk’s burgeoning change of heart on Israeli influence over US politics provoked a backlash from Netanyahu’s allies that left him angry and ‘frightened’ of the Israel lobby after a seeming Israeli spying operation was uncovered.

According to [an unverified] source close to Kirk, Kirk rejected a huge offer of cash from Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu earlier this year for his ‘Turning Point USA’ (TPUSA), believed Netanyahu was trying to bring him to heel after he began to raise public questions over Israel’s “overwhelming influence in Washington” and had begun to “loathe” Netanyahu and his influence over Donald Trump’s appointments and decisions, which had led to Kirk warning Trump against attacking Iran to please Israel.

Kirk’s new-found recognition of Israel’s influence led to him becoming the target of a “sustained private campaign of intimidation and free-floating fury by wealthy and powerful allies of Netanyahu”, and Kirk was frightened:

Kirk tried to underline his commitment to Israel, making a series of comments about the consistency and resoluteness of his devotion, but even the least criticism of Israel’s actions generated a mass backlash, as did his decision to host Dave Smith, a comedian and political commentator who has become increasingly critical of Israel during its genocide in Gaza, in a debate Kirk organised. As the Grayzone reported:

“He was being told what you’re not allowed to do, and it was driving him crazy,” Kirk’s friend recalled. The conservative youth leader was not only alienated by the hostile nature of the interactions, but “frightened” by the backlash.

The friend’s account dovetails with those of multiple right-wing commentators with access to Kirk. “I think, in the end, Charlie was going through a spiritual transformation,” Candace Owens, a conservative influencer who shifted decisively against Israel after October 7, reflected after her friend’s killing. “I know it, he was going through a lot. There was a lot of pressure, and it’s hard for me to watch the people who were pressuring him just say the things that they’re saying.”

(Read more from “Report: Charlie Kirk Rejected Netanyahu’s Funds, ‘Frightened’ of Israel Lobby Before Death” HERE)

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The House Just Passed a Bill Punishing “Politically Motivated” Boycotts of Israel

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In a first step toward a federal law punishing criticism of Israel, the House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a massive defense budget that would bar companies engaged in “politically motivated” boycotts of the country from Pentagon contracts.

The bill would effectively ban contractors boycotting Israel from tapping most federal contract dollars, since more than half of the $755 billion the U.S. government spent on contracts last year flowed through the Defense Department.

The ban, the latest legislative attempt to target the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement against Israel’s human rights violations, or BDS, would still have to pass the Senate. The upper chamber was debating its own version of the budget bill on Thursday that does not include an anti-BDS provision.

Critics predict a court challenge if the anti-boycott provision makes it into law.

“This amendment is really designed to shield Israel from any accountability by penalizing those who protest its violations of Palestinian human rights through boycotts, which should be protected by the First Amendment,” said Hassan El-Tayyab, the legislative director for Middle East policy at the Friends Committee on National Legislation. (Read more from “The House Just Passed a Bill Punishing “Politically Motivated” Boycotts of Israel” HERE)

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Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan Join Republicans to Block Release of Epstein Files in Narrow Senate Vote

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In a sharply divided Senate, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan — both Republicans from Alaska — voted Wednesday night in favor of tabling an amendment that would have required the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to release case files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The amendment, introduced by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D‑N.Y.), was narrowly defeated 51–49.

Schumer’s amendment, attached as part of debate over the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), sought to force disclosure of Justice Department and other federal records in the Epstein sex trafficking investigation. Supporters of the amendment argued that the public, especially survivors of Epstein’s abuse, deserve full transparency.

All Senate Democrats voted in favor of releasing the files, joined by Republican Sens. Josh Hawley of Missouri and Rand Paul of Kentucky. The rest of the GOP, including Murkowski and Sullivan, joined in voting to table (set aside) the amendment, blocking its consideration.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R‑Alaska) said she voted against the motion to release the files not because she opposes transparency per se, but because she viewed Schumer’s amendment as a last‑minute procedural surprise. She called it a “political stunt” and said the process was flawed.

Sen. Dan Sullivan (R‑Alaska) defended his vote similarly, saying that while he believes as much information as possible should be released in a way that protects survivors, he opposed Schumer’s approach of forcing the issue into the defense bill knowing it might be stripped out in later negotiations.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer pressed repeatedly for the files’ release, arguing that Republicans have long claimed support for transparency but now had a moment to prove it. He criticized what he described as obstruction, cover‑ups, and misinformation.

The Alaska Democratic Party sharply criticized Murkowski and Sullivan, accusing them of being complicit in a “cover‑up” and failing to respond to both survivors and constituents who want disclosure.

The vote has heightened scrutiny of President Donald Trump’s past promises. During the 2024 campaign, Trump pledged to release Epstein‑related files; however, after entering office, his administration has declared that no comprehensive “client list” exists and has resisted further disclosure.

This vote goes beyond procedural maneuvering. For many, it symbolizes a larger struggle over how much of the Epstein case — including possible connections to influential individuals — remains hidden from public view.

As Schumer put it on the Senate floor:

“The American people deserve transparency…. If Republicans vote no, you’ll be saying to the American people that they should not see the Epstein files.”

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