Did Charlie Kirk say African American women were not smart enough to earn a degree

Checked on September 22, 2025
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1. Summary of the results

The claim that Charlie Kirk said African American women were not smart enough to earn a degree is not entirely accurate [1]. According to multiple sources, Charlie Kirk made comments about specific prominent Black women, including Joy Reid, Michelle Obama, Sheila Jackson Lee, and Ketanji Brown Jackson, stating that they "do not have the brain processing power to otherwise be taken really seriously" [1] [2]. However, these comments were made in the context of criticizing affirmative action, and not as a blanket statement about all African American women [1] [2]. Some sources fact-check the claim and find that the quote is not precise, and that Kirk's original statement was directed at specific liberal Black women, not all Black women [2].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

A key piece of missing context is the specific context in which Charlie Kirk made his comments [1] [2]. The sources suggest that Kirk's comments were made in the context of criticizing affirmative action, which is a crucial piece of information in understanding the intent behind his statements [1] [2]. Additionally, some sources provide alternative viewpoints on Kirk's comments, arguing that they are reminiscent of 19th-century pseudoscientific rhetoric used to justify the abuse of Black people [1]. Other sources do not directly address the claim, instead focusing on the aftermath of Charlie Kirk's comments or other related topics [3] [4] [5]. It is also important to consider the potential motivations behind Charlie Kirk's comments, as well as the impact they may have on African American women and the broader community [1].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement may be misleading or inaccurate, as it implies that Charlie Kirk made a blanket statement about all African American women, when in fact his comments were directed at specific individuals [1] [2]. This framing may benefit those who seek to criticize Charlie Kirk or highlight the perceived biases of conservative figures [1]. On the other hand, the original statement may also be damaging to Charlie Kirk's reputation, and may be used to distract from the actual issues at hand, such as the debate over affirmative action [3] [4]. It is also possible that the original statement is intended to provoke a reaction or spark controversy, rather than to provide an accurate representation of Charlie Kirk's comments [5] [1].

Want to dive deeper?
What were Charlie Kirk's exact words about African American women and education?
Has Charlie Kirk apologized for his comments about African American women's intelligence?
What is the educational attainment rate of African American women in the US as of 2025?
How have other conservative commentators responded to Charlie Kirk's statements?
What are the implications of Charlie Kirk's comments on the representation of African American women in higher education?