Is JD Vance right about left-wing violence?
Following the assassination of Charlie Kirk, we look at the statistics around political violence in the US.
On September the 10th 2025, right-wing political activist and media personality Charlie Kirk was assassinated while speaking at an event in Utah.
In the aftermath, his friend JD Vance, the US Vice President, hosted a special memorial edition of ‘The Charlie Kirk Show’, live from the White House, during which he called for unity, but said that could only be found by “climbing the mountain of truth”.
“While our side of the aisle certainly has its crazies, it is a statistical fact that most of the lunatics in American politics today are proud members of the far left,” he said.
We investigate the statistical evidence around political violence – both in people’s attitudes and the crimes themselves.
Presenter: Tim Harford
Reporter: Lizzy McNeill
Series producer: Tom Colls
Sound mix: Hal Haines
Editor: Richard Vadon
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Broadcasts
- Sat 20 Sep 202504:50GMTBBC World Service Online, Americas and the Caribbean & UK DAB/Freeview only
- Sat 20 Sep 202517:50GMTBBC World Service Online, Americas and the Caribbean, UK DAB/Freeview, News Internet & Europe and the Middle East only
- Sun 21 Sep 202504:50GMTBBC World Service East and Southern Africa
- Sun 21 Sep 202508:50GMTBBC World Service West and Central Africa
- Sun 21 Sep 202510:50GMTBBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, Europe and the Middle East & West and Central Africa
- Sun 21 Sep 202523:50GMTBBC World Service South Asia, News Internet & East Asia only & Live News
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