Turning Point Names Erika Kirk New CEO; “She’s ready”

Andrew Kolvet, producer for Charlie’s daily program: The Turning Point Board has unanimously elected Erika Kirk as the new CEO and Chair of the Board. Charlie told me, and many others, that this is exactly what he wanted. She’s ready (Kolvet). From their press release: It was the honor of our lives to serve as board members along Charlie’s side. Charlie prepared all of us for a moment like this one. He worked tirelessly to ensure Turning Point USA was built to survive even the greatest tests. And now, it is our great pride to announce Erika Kirk as the new CEO and Chair of the Board for Turning Point USA. More: Townhall

In Wake of Death, Charlie Kirk Podcast Moves to Number One

Inside Radio: In the days since the murder of Charlie Kirk, his Salem Podcast Network show has seen a bump in listening. Apple Podcasts says The Charlie Kirk Show currently ranks No. 1 as the most listened-to show on its app. Meanwhile, on Spotify it ranks as the top Trending Podcast, with an overall rank of No. 20. It is part of a surge in interest in what Kirk has had to say since he was shot and killed last Wednesday (Sept. 10) while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, UT. Sales of Kirk’s books have also spiked…. Vice President JD Vance guest-hosted The Charlie Kirk Show podcast from the White House on Monday (Sept. 15) in a special episode honoring his late friend. It also aired on Salem Radio Network and was simulcast on Salem News Channel during Kirk’s 12-3pm ET timeslot. More than 200,000 people also joined the show’s live stream (Inside Radio). The podcast: (Apple; Salem Podcast Network). On Thursday, Megyn Kelly sat in for her friend: (Salem). Charlie’s memorial will be held on Saturday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Service will begin at 11 a.m. PT/AT. Streamed on Charlie’s Rumble: (Kirk).

48 Trump Nominees Confirmed Under New Senate Rules

After the absolute stonewalling of Trump nominees from Minority Leader Schumer and Democrats, Majority Leader Thune has been working to change the rules for the upper chamber. Amy Curtis for Townhall: the Senate voted under those new rules to confirm a group of 48 nominees in one fell swoop (Townhall). Among those confirmed: ,  Sean O’Keefe, of Virginia, to be a Deputy Under Secretary of Defense, Michael Dodd, of Indiana, to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense,  Callista Gingrich, to be Ambassador to Switzerland, Kimberly Guilfoyle, to be Ambassador to Greece (full list: Congress).

Trump Designating Antifa a Terrorist Organization

There’s little question that their actions merit such a designation. From President Trump: I am pleased to inform our many U.S.A. Patriots that I am designating ANTIFA, A SICK, DANGEROUS, RADICAL LEFT DISASTER, AS A MAJOR TERRORIST ORGANIZATION. I will also be strongly recommending that those funding ANTIFA be thoroughly investigated in accordance with the highest legal standards and practices. Thank you for your attention to this matter! (Truth). Given that Antifa is not a foreign group, there are limitations to what Trump’s team can do. Washington Post: Under U.S. law, the government can designate hostile groups as “foreign terrorist organizations,” a label that carries key financial and legal consequences. It can do so because individuals and groups that are entirely foreign aren’t protected by the First Amendment. Typically, the formal declaration is made by the secretary of state, often under direction from the president, and the label allows the Treasury Department to impose financial sanctions and the Justice Department to prosecute people for providing “material support or resources” to the organization (Washington Post).

California Legislature Passes Legislation Funding Government-Overseen News Outlets

An absolutely horrible idea and Newsom looks likely to sign it. Center Square: The California Legislature passed a bill to provide $10 million in state funding for a governor-overseen news media subsidy program that media leaders say will erode the incentive for news organizations to hold the government accountable for its actions. The bill now heads to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk for approval. “This new office undermines the very independence of local media,” said state Assemblymember David Tangipa, R-Fresno, in a statement to The Center Square. “Just like the Washington Post doesn’t run negative stories about Jeff Bezos — because he owns and funds it — Governor Newsom and the Legislature are creating the same conflict of interest with this new fund.” In an Assembly hearing on the bill, AB 155, Tangipa asked state staff about the program and its governance (Center Square). Kevin Schrupp: a coalition of 3,000+ newsrooms, warned against giving the governor’s office power to “pick winners and losers.” Yet the bill, rushed through in a week, seems to do exactly that under the “Civic Media Program” (Schrupp).

Pritzker Posed With Man Convicted for Crash-and-Grab Burglary a Week Later

A burglary that left an innocent civilian killed.  CWB Chicago: Less than a week before a crash-and-grab burglary crew killed an innocent man on the Magnificent Mile last Thursday, one of the men now charged with that murder donned a “peacekeeper” uniform and posed for a one-on-one picture with Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker. While that’s troubling, some law enforcement experts are more concerned that the accused man was able to stand directly next to the state’s most powerful executive despite having outstanding warrants in four states (CWBChicago). David Strom: No matter how absurd you think a work of fiction might be, reality will slap you across the face to remind you that liberals can be more absurd than any writer’s imagination. Illinois, which is enraptured by the idea that the best way to prevent crime is to quit counting the instances and to hire thugs to cosplay “violence preventers,” gives us a perfect example:… Pritzker’s solution to crime prevention is to keep the National Guard out and hire felons to keep the peace. You can’t make this up (Hot Air).

Trump Administration Working to Get Bagram Airbase Back

Whatever one’s opinion on the war in Afghanistan and the Biden administration’s botched withdrawal, there is no question that the base is an enormously strategic asset. USA Today: The U.S. is trying regain control of Bagram airbase in Afghanistan, President Donald Trump says, as it seeks to reestablish a foothold in the region as a check on China.  The United States left the military base in July of 2021 ahead of the chaotic withdrawal of American troops and subsequent takeover of the country by the Taliban. “We’re trying to get it back, by the way,” Trump said of Bagram on the final day of a trip to England. “We’re trying to get it back, because they need things from us. We want that base back. But one of the reasons we want the base, is, as you know, it’s an hour away from where China makes its nuclear weapons” (USA Today).

Sign on German Shop: “Jews are forbidden here”

Or, more precisely: “JUDEN haben hier Hausverbot!!!”  From the story: A shop owner in Flensburg, northern Germany, has sparked outrage after hanging a sign in his store window reading “Jews are forbidden here.” He claimed it was a protest against Israel’s military operations in the Gaza Strip. Despite police arriving at the scene on Wednesday night, the sign remained in place, according to German media reports published Thursday…. Felix Klein, Germany’s commissioner for combating antisemitism, condemned the act in an interview with German television. “This is clear antisemitism, with direct connections to the Nazi period, when Jews were boycotted and signs like these were widespread,” he said. “This must not be tolerated under any circumstances (Israel Hayom).

A Deeper Look at the Biden-Era Debanking Scandal

It’s a scandal that still lingers—and strikes at the very core of our freedom to operate (whether it’s a business or a non-profit or a ministry). Alexander Saeedy for the Wall Street Journal: In August, the president issued an executive order demanding an investigation into what the White House has termed “politicized or unlawful debanking” with penalties for banks that have unfairly cut off customers for political or religious reasons. A White House spokesman told The Wall Street Journal the order directs regulators to ensure banking decisions “are made using individualized, objective, and risk-based analyses—not based on ideology or politics. This is a victory for the countless Americans who have been unfairly debanked and shut out of the financial system for practicing their First Amendment rights.” “We need banks to stay out of politics,” said Michael Ross, legal counsel for ADF, which also helped write Trump’s executive order. “No one should be denied access to critical financial services because of their political or religious views….” Prompted by the August executive order, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has asked the nation’s nine largest banks for information about their debanking activities. The review is scheduled to be done by early next year. Executives at some of the big banks say they could face steep fines or be forced to strike settlement deals, even though they don’t think their companies are guilty of systemic discrimination. They say their biggest fear is that the federal government will try to turn them into financial utilities that can’t fire an unprofitable client (Wall Street Journal).

Geraldo Rivera: Jimmy Kimmel Needs to Apologize

Geraldo was on CNN with Wolf Blitzer: Jimmy Kimmel owes the family of Charlie Kirk and his wife Erica and two small children an apology. What’s he saying that if you’re a member of MAGA and Charlie is a friend of MAGA, then he had it coming? It, it’s in some way it’s very extremely insensitive. The country’s in a very tough spot right now. Everyone’s walking on eggshells. The First Amendment is not a license to incite hatred, and I think that we can start the discussion once Jimmy Kimmel apologizes. Then they can talk about the business aspects and whether or not he gets back on the schedule and so forth. But there’s got to be a recognition that a terrible thing has happened here and that millions of Americans are grievously hurt by what happened…. Charlie Kirk was beloved by many and to just trample over it … he’s not even buried yet, for goodness sake. And to make fun of the flags and half-staff and so forth. I just think that we’ve got to look at it with a notion that the country has to be healed, that we have to work to bring people together, that we need to respect each other. We don’t have to agree, but we have to respect. And I think that the audience has deserted him for a good reason (Houck). New York Post is reporting that the abruptness of Kimmel’s departure was due to the fact that he was not really going to apologize at all: Late night host Jimmy Kimmel said he was unwilling to apologize for his remarks that blamed MAGA supporters for killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk — and said he was going to double down on attacking President Trump’s backers before he was yanked from the air, according to new reports (New York Post).