Following up his recent article in The Grayzone, some cautious dot-connecting from Max Blumenthal with Chris hedges today.
ChatGPT 5 Summary (basically covers everything discussed on this thread so far):
Summary: Chris Hedges and Max Blumenthal on Charlie Kirk Assassination and Israel
1. Escalation of Political Violence in the U.S.
- Kirk’s assassination follows other high-profile killings and attempts (Trump, Melissa Hortman).
- Trump blames the radical left, pledging sweeping repression against opponents, including Democrats, media, universities, and activist groups.
- Risk: both state repression and vigilante violence against minorities, Muslims, LGBTQ groups, immigrants, and the left.
2. Charlie Kirk’s Break with the Israel Lobby
- Kirk built Turning Point USA with heavy funding from the pro-Israel lobby (via the David Horowitz Freedom Center).
- For years he tied his influence to strong support of Israel, pushing anti-BDS campaigns and blacklisting academics.
- By 2025, Kirk faced growing pressure from conservative grassroots angered by U.S. support for Israel during the Gaza war.
- At a major summit in July 2025, Kirk allowed open criticism of Israel, hosted debates, and mocked Zionist donors. The crowd cheered.
- Donors and pro-Israel power brokers reacted furiously, threatening to cut his funding. Kirk reportedly felt frightened and bullied.
3. Netanyahu, Funding Offers, and Fear
- Netanyahu personally offered Kirk renewed financial backing to “get back in line.” Kirk refused.
- Friends say he had grown to hate Netanyahu, viewing him as a manipulative bully.
- Rumors circulated of Israeli surveillance operations even inside U.S. institutions, fueling fears among Trump and others.
- While there is no evidence Israel assassinated Kirk, Blumenthal says Israel and its lobby had both motive and capacity to “take him out”—if not physically, then financially and politically.
4. Political Fallout and Weaponization of His Death
- Despite Kirk’s break with Israel, the Israel lobby is exploiting his martyrdom to justify crackdowns on critics of Israel.
- Bills have been introduced to strip citizenship or passports from people accused of supporting “terrorist sympathizers.”
- Right-wing leaders are pushing for measures reminiscent of the Patriot Act—but directed at domestic dissent, especially the left and pro-Palestinian voices.
- Universities and media are already under pressure; dissent is increasingly equated with terrorism.
5. Strategy of Tension & Historical Parallels
- Blumenthal compares the current moment to Italy’s “Years of Lead,” when intelligence services used political violence and false flags to push society rightward.
- Events like Kenosha (Rittenhouse) illustrate how authorities can inflame tensions.
- The aim: pit Americans against each other, justify authoritarian crackdowns, and protect elite interests while silencing dissent.
6. The Coming Crackdown
- Expect expansion of secret-police–like structures (ICE, detention centers).
- Push to label Antifa or other protest movements as terrorist organizations.
- A likely “Charlie Kirk Act” could criminalize media independence or anti-Israel activism.
- The environment resembles or even surpasses McCarthyism—blacklists, institutional capture, and the silencing of universities.
Bottom Line
- Kirk’s assassination marks a dangerous escalation of U.S. political violence.
- Exposes the split between conservative youth and the pro-Israel establishment.
- Is being weaponized by the Trump administration and Israel lobby to suppress dissent, expand authoritarian controls, and target both the left and critics of Israel.
- Reflects a broader “strategy of tension,” where fear and violence drive society toward repression and elite control.