New York Times White House Correspondent Peter Baker stated that the late conservative commentator Charlie Kirk has become “a symbol of the toxic culture we’re in.”
Baker participated in a panel discussion moderated by Jeffrey Goldberg from The Atlantic. While he acknowledged that Kirk often ventured into environments where conservatives were unwelcome, he also noted that provoking reactions was part of Kirk’s “style.”
WATCH:
NYT’s Peter Baker: Charlie Kirk Provoked Many, “A Symbol Of The Toxic Culture We’re In”
Read his remarks: https://t.co/KoGFydLGC5
Goldberg opened the discussion by introducing Baker and the panel, quickly leading into the topic of Charlie Kirk’s influence.
“Let’s start at the beginning. Peter, I want everyone to chime in, let’s talk about Charlie Kirk, who he was and his role in the broader Republican and political landscape,” Goldberg prompted.
“Charlie Kirk was a 31-year-old influencer, or provocateur, galvanizing young right-leaning voters to support Trump,” Baker explained. “Interestingly, he wasn’t initially a Trump supporter but became one of his most prominent advocates.”
Goldberg interjected, “That’s not unusual.”
Baker concurred, adding, “In modern conservative politics, that’s quite common. By age 31, he had emerged as a significant force among young voters and developed friendships with Trump, Donald Trump Jr., and particularly J.D. Vance, who was so affected by Kirk’s passing that he altered his schedule to accompany the casket home on Air Force Two to Arizona.”
Baker further emphasized Kirk’s considerable influence, noting that despite never holding elected office, the founder of Turning Point USA had made a notable impact among young Republicans.
“He often made statements that stirred controversy regarding race, gender, affirmative action, and Islam, which was part of his approach. He enjoyed engaging with audiences at college campuses, even when faced with opposition, and has recently become a representation of the toxic political culture we are experiencing today,” Baker concluded.
