The media world shook on September 10, 2025. You’ve probably seen the headlines by now, but the reality of the situation at Utah Valley University is still sinking in for many. Charlie Kirk, the firebrand founder of Turning Point USA, was killed in a shooting that changed the conservative movement in an instant. It’s heavy. It’s the kind of thing that makes you stop scrolling.
Patrick Bet-David, the host of the PBD Podcast, was actually on stage when the news broke. If you watch the footage, you can see the moment the room shifts. PBD didn't just lose a frequent guest; he lost a peer he often called a "one of one" talent.
PBD Podcast Charlie Kirk: More Than Just Another Interview
Charlie Kirk wasn't just a random talking head on the show. He was a pillar of the Valuetainment network’s most-watched content. Throughout 2024 and leading into the 2025 election cycle, the PBD Podcast Charlie Kirk episodes were essentially masterclasses in grassroots mobilization and debating the "culture war."
Honestly, they had a rhythm. Patrick would push the business and "five moves" logic, and Charlie would bring the ideological fire. They didn't always agree on every tactical detail, but they shared a vision for a shifted American landscape.
One of their most significant recent collaborations was Episode 505. They were joined by Chris Cuomo. Yeah, that Chris Cuomo. It was a 2024 election post-mortem and transition discussion that felt like a fever dream. You had the architect of TPUSA and the former CNN anchor sitting at the same table, moderated by PBD. They talked about Trump’s cabinet picks, specifically Tom Homan and Kristi Noem. It wasn't just yelling. It was a high-level dissection of where the country was heading.
Why Their Dynamic Worked
Kirk was known for his "debate me" style on college campuses, but on the PBD Podcast, he was forced to be a strategist. Patrick has this way of getting people to stop reciting talking points and start talking about the how.
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- Obsession: PBD often pointed to Charlie’s work ethic as his defining trait.
- The Gen Z Factor: They focused heavily on why high school boys were trending conservative while girls moved left.
- Demographics: Charlie famously argued on the show that "conservatives will outbreed liberals" because of differing views on family structure and tradition.
It’s kinda wild to look back at those transcripts now. They were planning for a twenty-year horizon.
The Incident at Utah Valley University
The events of September 2025 are still being litigated. We know that Kirk was at UVU for a speaking engagement when the shooting occurred. The PBD Podcast released an emergency episode on September 11, titled "Charlie Kirk Assassinated In UVU Shooting." It was only 11 minutes long. No fancy intro. No sponsors. Just a shell-shocked Patrick Bet-David asking for unity.
The aftermath has been messy. By January 2026, the legal proceedings against the shooter have hit several snags. Recently, the defense team actually asked a judge to disqualify the entire prosecution team. It’s a legal circus that keeps the wound open for the Turning Point community.
Patrick’s tribute to Charlie was visceral. He compared him to a modern-day MLK or JFK for the right—someone whose influence would only grow after their passing. He even talked about his own safety, mentioning an FBI warning about a "50-name hit list" he had been placed on. The stakes of political podcasting suddenly became very real and very dangerous.
What Most People Get Wrong About the PBD-Kirk Connection
A lot of people think their relationship was purely for the "clout." That’s just not true. Patrick was an early believer in Charlie. He once told his internal team that Charlie "could be President."
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They spent over 4,700 hours on air and in private strategy sessions together. That’s not a business transaction; that’s a partnership. When people search for PBD Podcast Charlie Kirk, they’re usually looking for the fiery debates, but the real value was in their discussions about "The Fourth Turning"—the idea that history moves in patterns of crisis and rebirth.
Practical Impact on the 2024 Election
If you look at the 2024 results, the work Kirk did with the "Chase the Vote" initiative was a frequent topic on the podcast. They basically reinvented how conservatives handled mail-in ballots.
- They stopped complaining about the rules.
- They started playing by them.
- They built a "ballot chasing" machine that rivaled the DNC.
This transition from "protest movement" to "operational machine" happened largely through the brainstorming sessions caught on camera at the Valuetainment studios.
The Future of Valuetainment Without Charlie
It’s a massive hole to fill. You don't just find another 30-year-old who can speak for three hours without notes and mobilize 10,000 students at a moment's notice. Patrick has been clear that Charlie "won’t be replaced."
Instead, the show has pivoted toward a "Faith over Fear" theme. They’re leaning into the memorial legacy. They’ve even donated 100% of the proceeds from certain merchandise lines back to TPUSA to keep Charlie's vision alive.
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The most recent episodes in early 2026 have shifted toward the Department of Justice investigations into figures like Governor Walz and the fallout of the current administration’s policies. But Charlie’s ghost is still there in the room. Every time they talk about "the youth vote" or "cultural alignment," they're using the vocabulary Charlie helped build.
How to Apply These Insights
If you’re a follower of the show or just someone trying to understand the current political media landscape, there are a few takeaways that aren't just political:
- Build Systems, Not Just Noise: Charlie’s success wasn't just his voice; it was the "Chase the Vote" system. In business or life, your "voice" is useless if you don't have the logistics to back it up.
- Bridge the Gap: The PBD Podcast succeeded because it brought people like Chris Cuomo into the room. Don't live in an echo chamber.
- Legacy is Built in Hours: PBD pointed out the thousands of hours Charlie spent studying and debating. There are no shortcuts to becoming an authority.
- Prepare for Volatility: The tragic end of Charlie Kirk’s story is a reminder that the "temperature" of the country is at a boiling point. High-level creators are now having to balance their message with personal security in a way they never did before.
The PBD Podcast Charlie Kirk archives remain some of the most influential pieces of political media from the mid-2020s. Whether you loved him or hated him, you can’t argue with the fact that he changed the way politics is "sold" to the next generation.
To stay informed on the ongoing legal case regarding the UVU shooting and the evolution of the Valuetainment network, you should follow the official PBD Podcast feed for their weekly "Town Hall" segments. You can also monitor the Department of Justice's public filings concerning the Utah prosecution to see how the disqualification motions play out in the coming months. If you are looking to understand the mechanics of current grassroots movements, reviewing the 2024 "Chase the Vote" post-mortem episodes remains the best starting point for tactical analysis.