On a reflective episode of The Dana Show podcast, simulcast on The First, host Dana Loesch sat down with MRC President David Bozell to honor the extraordinary life and tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk. Bozell’s opening words captured the weight of the loss: “Charlie Kirk was certainly the best at creating an activist organization in the conservative movement. He was one of, if not the best, public speakers we had in our ranks. He combined all of that and started a podcast, and then started his family. He had this prolific career; he was the Rush Limbaugh of our time in that respect.”
Loesch set the stage for the conversation by highlighting Charlie’s unique ability to connect with audiences. She described him as “naturally inquisitive,” bringing a “warm and genuine insight” to every endeavor, whether rallying young conservatives or engaging listeners through his podcast. His zeal inspired countless followers, and his loss leaves a void in the movement.
Bozell built on this, emphasizing Charlie’s unparalleled impact. “He was a one-of-one,” Bozell said, comparing him to Rush, a singular voice who reshaped conservatism. “He will be sorely missed. He’s not going to be replaced by one particular individual. We’re all going to have to combine all of our forces and try to accomplish as much as he has.”
The conversation took a turn to the circumstances surrounding Charlie’s death. His final tweet, Bozell pointed out, called out an “assassination culture” fueled by a study showing growing acceptance of violence over speech. “The media was one of the last things that Charlie tweeted about,” Bozell noted, tying the tragedy to a broader decline in discourse. Since Trump’s emergence, the “upper-class media,” as Bozell calls legacy outlets, has leaned into divisive rhetoric, branding conservatives as “Hitler” or worse. Shockingly, “30% of the country still believes these guys,” Bozell said, arguing that this tragedy feels like a “logical manifestation” of such hostility. He reflected on how personal attacks for one’s beliefs have become commonplace, a sentiment Charlie himself had highlighted.
Loesch praised NewsBusters for exposing “media malpractice.” She wondered aloud if the media’s failure to recognize their missteps in covering Charlie’s death might finally erode their credibility. Bozell noted that while “95% of the coverage was measured” initially, with even liberal anchors offering condolences, the tone shifted quickly.
CBS’s Nate Burleson challenged Kevin McCarthy, implying that Republican rhetoric bore responsibility. Meanwhile, “MSNBC’s Matthew Dowd got fired yesterday due to his comments about Charlie,” for falsely suggesting a supporter’s gun misfired. Bozell mused that Charlie, ever the “good Christian,” would have accepted Dowd’s apology, but MSNBC acted swiftly. Then there was Katy Tur, speculating on air about Trump politicizing the tragedy — a move so tone-deaf that Bozell questioned her fitness for the anchor chair.
“The political Left has declared a jihad against the Right… They’d rather see us in the grave than debate us openly in public.”@DavidBozell doesn’t think the media will change their rhetoric after Charlie Kirk’s assassination, but conservatives should never back down. pic.twitter.com/h6JobAtHyO
— Media Research Center (@theMRC) September 11, 2025
As the discussion wound down, Dana asked if this could be “the final nail” for the legacy media’s influence or approach. Bozell was skeptical. “Is a murder going to change them? Maybe, but I doubt it,” he said. “The political left has declared a jihad against the right wing. I have no other way of putting it. They would rather see us in the grave than debate us openly in public. Bozell urged conservatives to recognize this hostility and stand resolute, emphasizing that now is not the time to retreat or be silenced.
Bozell cautioned that legacy media, tightly entwined with tech giants like Google and Apple, still reach millions despite declining viewership. To truly diminish their influence, their credibility must erode further. “We cannot have 30% of the country believe these guys anymore. That’s got to get down into the teens or less. They must be marginalized,” he insisted. Yet, even with 95% of the media showing some respect toward Kirk — for now — Bozell warned that the cycle of division could reignite swiftly: “It’s just going to take one of them to call us Hitler or fascist again, and then it’ll be Katie bar the door all over again.”
Loesch closed with heartfelt gratitude: “We appreciate everything that you and MRC do, and NewsBusters. God bless you guys. We’re so grateful.”
David Bozell is President of the Media Research Center and ForAmerica, a grassroots organization mobilizing conservatives to advance policies that prioritize American sovereignty and values.
Dana Loesch is a conservative political commentator, the number one nationally syndicated female talk radio host of The Dana Show, and a best-selling author, recognized for her work with the NRA, Breitbart News, and TheBlaze TV.
