As more details emerge about the sudden assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, the country grapples with how to move forward. While there is a fringe of people celebrating Kirk’s death, people across the political spectrum have been largely united in condemning the assassin and standing up for free speech. If we are to preserve the American experiment, we must reinvigorate the spirit of debate in this country.
Last month, Charlie Kirk was debating students at Utah Valley University—something he has done thousands of times without incident. While talking with a student about trans issues, Kirk was allegedly shot and killed by a student opposed to Kirk’s beliefs. While people on the right condemned the assassination, many on the left also spoke out to honor Kirk and defend free speech. Gavin Newsom, Cenk Uyghur, and Bernie Sanders all released statements honoring Kirk’s life and calling for respectful dialogue with those with whom they disagree.
However, not everyone has responded this way. Some, especially on social media, have celebrated Kirk’s death. Some teachers celebrated Kirk’s death in front of their students. A number of people lost their jobs due to comments they made online.
It isn’t just anonymous people on X who have reacted in this manner. The incoming president of the Oxford Union, one of the oldest and most prestigious debating societies in the world, mocked Kirk’s death on social media. If we are to continue resolving political disputes peacefully across the West, such callous attitudes toward political violence must be rejected, or more violence is in our future.
Debate is a foundational aspect of the American experiment. Going back to our founding, the Federalists and Anti-Federalists fiercely debated in the public square about what form our constitution should take. More recently, broad swaths of America grew to know William F. Buckley, Jr., thanks to the spirited but civil debates he had on Firing Line with a broad range of guests. We need more of that in this day and age to ensure there are no more politically motivated assassinations.
To normalize political disagreement, we need respectful examples of it on public display. Cable news is replete with examples of various talking heads shouting over each other about the news of the day. While there is value to this format, it prevents the viewer from having an opportunity to hear the full point a speaker is trying to make. A more improved forum for debate is one-on-one, which gives each side the chance to make their views known more thoroughly.
Members of the media have certainly exemplified this format. On the left, Bill Maher gives those on the right a chance to make their case, both on his HBO show and on his podcast. On the right, Charlie Kirk did this masterfully on college campuses, respectfully debating students who passionately disagreed with him. To encourage this type of respectful debate, viewers should reward pundits who engage in this type of conversation with their viewership.
Our leaders should also set the example of how to disagree respectfully. While the public is treated to presidential and vice presidential debates every four years, more frequent public discussions between opposing politicians would do a great deal to improve our collective dialogue. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and California Governor Gavin Newsom exemplified this when they debated back in 2023.
Most conservatives will find very little to agree with when it comes to Gavin Newsom. However, the fact that Newsom made Charlie Kirk the first guest on his podcast speaks favorably to his willingness to talk to the other side. More of this would help members of both the right and the left appreciate that the other side is not their enemy, but rather their friends and neighbors.
More on this point, people within the same family often hold vastly different political views. On the aforementioned podcast, Newsom admitted to Kirk that his son wanted to skip school that day because his son was a big fan of Charlie Kirk. This dynamic is common in politics and is likely common in our own lives as well.
If we see more respectful disagreement in public, then perhaps we can see more of it in private, as well. The United States is as polarized as it has been in a long time, with many Americans ending relationships over politics. Perhaps if those in the media and in government give us more examples of how to disagree, it will give us all a greater hope that we can do so, as well.
In addition, public and civil debate would improve relations between the opposing sides. Vice President JD Vance admitted that he liked Minnesota Governor Tim Walz a lot more after their debate. It might not seem important that our leaders get along, but, as Charlie Kirk pointed out, violence is more likely to occur when we stop talking to each other.
Another way to improve the culture of debate is by improving the situation on college campuses across the country. To that end, universities and state governments need to do more to make sure students and outsiders feel safe to exercise their right to free speech. Revising policies restricting speech, taking action to prevent the silencing of speakers invited to campus, and promoting disagreement are some of the steps that can be taken.
Free speech is one of the cornerstones of American political life. While the Constitution spells this out, our culture must appreciate this as well. If we stop talking to those we disagree with, we may see more people resorting to violence to resolve their differences. What makes America great is not how we do things here. To improve our political climate, we need more examples of respectful debate in our society. Public figures should be the start, but by no means should they be the end. Responsibility for restoring a culture of debate falls on all of us.
Matt Cookson is an alumnus of the Young Voices Contributor Program and was a Middle East History and Policy Fellow with Young Voices. He also works in the supply chain for a U.S. Defense Contractor. His commentary has appeared in the Daily Wire, Mises Institute, Real Clear Politics, the National Interest, Providence Magazine, China Source, and the Idaho Freedom Foundation. You can follow him on X @MattCookson95.
Image generated by AI.