The Take: What is the future of US dissent in the post-Charlie Kirk era?
![Signs are arranged during a protest at the El Capitan Entertainment Centre, where "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" was recorded for broadcast, following his suspension for remarks he made regarding Charlie Kirk’s assassination, on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles, California, U.S. September 18, 2025 [David Swanson/Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2025-09-19T011134Z_1156828593_RC2PUGAE9TL2_RTRMADP_3_USA-KIMMEL-1758560884.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
A wave of firings has followed the killing of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. From TV hosts and journalists to professors, critics who spoke honestly about his record have faced consequences, even as Kirk is elevated as a martyr by the right. What does this backlash reveal about who gets to speak freely in the United States today?
In this episode:
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- Manisha Krishnan (@manishakrishnan), senior culture editor, WIRED
Episode credits:
This episode was produced by Tamara Khandaker, Tracie Hunte and Sari el-Khalili with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Chloe K Li, Melanie Marich, Farhan Rafid, Kisaa Zehra and our guest host Natasha Del Toro. It was edited by Kylene Kiang.
The Take production team is Marcos Bartolome, Sonia Bhagat, Spencer Cline, Sari el-Khalili, Tracie Hunte, Tamara Khandaker, Kylene Kiang, Phillip Lanos, Chloe K Li, Melanie Marich, Catherine Nouhan, Haleema Shah, Amy Walters and Noor Wazwaz. Our editorial interns are Farhan Rafid and Kisaa Zehra. Our host is Malika Bilal.
Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio.
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