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Assassination Triggers Surge in Podcast Popularity

Podcast Popularity Surge

News Summary

The assassination of a prominent political figure dramatically increased the listenership of his podcast, highlighting a shift in audience engagement. Following this tragic event, the podcast leaped significantly in the rankings and consistent demographics revealed a strong following among older conservative listeners. In addition, tributes and new releases, including books and music, showcased an ongoing interest in his legacy amidst discussions around political violence. This incident has sparked a larger conversation about the culture of political discourse and violence in society.

Tragic Incident Sparks Major Podcast Boom

On September 10, 2025, the political landscape experienced a shocking jolt when Charlie Kirk was assassinated during an event organized by his group, Turning Point USA, at Utah Valley University. This heartbreaking event set off a chain reaction, drawing widespread international attention and igniting a passionate discourse in the political world.

Surge in Podcast Popularity

One surprising outcome of Kirk’s assassination was the *incredible spike in listenership* for The Charlie Kirk Show. The podcast leaped from the 49th to the 17th largest weekly podcast audience in the U.S. following this tragic event. In the third quarter of 2025, the podcast’s audience surged from 793,000 in Q2 to an astonishing 1,838,000 in Q3. Remarkably, this jump happened with just 20 days left in the quarter.

Consistent Demographics

The demographic makeup of the podcast’s audience has largely remained stable. The majority continue to be self-identified Republicans, with a notable portion aged 55 and older. Interestingly, a higher percentage of dedicated listeners are also retired compared to the average U.S. weekly podcast audience, showing how this program resonates strongly with older conservatives.

The Legacy Continues

Despite the tragedy, Kirk’s legacy will not be forgotten. His widow, Erika Kirk, has committed to continuing the show posthumously, ensuring that her husband’s voice will still resonate in the podcasting world. Following his passing, Kirk’s content enjoyed a phenomenal rise in popularity, topping charts on platforms such as Amazon and Spotify. Both Apple Music and Spotify recognized The Charlie Kirk Show as the No. 1 trending podcast shortly after his assassination.

Books and Audiobooks Taking the Lead

The enthusiasm around Charlie Kirk doesn’t end with his podcast. His upcoming book, “Stop, in the Name of God: Why Honoring the Sabbath Will Transform Your Life,” achieved the No. 1 pre-order ranking on Amazon in the wake of his death. Furthermore, his 2022 release, “The College Scam,” climbed to No. 5 on Amazon’s book chart. Meanwhile, the audiobook of “The MAGA Doctrine” secured the No. 3 spot on both Audible and Apple’s charts, indicating a vast interest in his ideas and beliefs.

Tributes Pour In

Tributes to Kirk have come in various forms. A song tribute titled “CHARLIE” by rapper Tom MacDonald rocketed to the No. 1 position on U.S. iTunes shortly after Kirk’s death. In addition, several right-wing streamers, including Megyn Kelly, saw record viewership in the aftermath of the assassination, with Kelly’s YouTube livestream attracting around 4 million views. Similarly, a livestream from Daily Wire also pulled in about 4 million views, demonstrating how much people are engaging with the aftermath of this incident.

A Call for Political Action

The assassination of Charlie Kirk has also propelled a wave of discussions about political violence. President Donald Trump announced Kirk’s death and pointed fingers at the “radical left” for the increasing political violence in the country. The suspect, Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old, was taken into custody following the event, leading to conversations about his motivations and ideology, which appeared to differ from his conservative family background.

Political leaders, including Vice President JD Vance, have emphasized the need for action against left-wing political violence, calling for thorough investigations into groups they believe incite such aggression. Vance even hosted a special episode of The Charlie Kirk Show, inviting notable guests like Tucker Carlson and Stephen Miller to discuss the implications of Kirk’s death and the concerning trend of political violence.

As this story continues to unfold, the political landscape is likely to see even more changes, highlighting the profound impact of Kirk’s life and tragic death on the nation.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER
Author: STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER

The ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREStPetersburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in St Petersburg, Pinellas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Localtopia, and SHINE Mural Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Pete Downtown Partnership, plus leading businesses in finance, manufacturing, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Raymond James Financial, Jabil, and Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.

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