What were Charlie kirks exact words about black women's brains
This fact-check may be outdated. Consider refreshing it to get the most current information.
Was this fact-check helpful?
1. Summary of the results
Based on the analyses provided, Charlie Kirk's exact words about Black women's brains have been significantly misquoted and taken out of context. The actual quote from Kirk's July 13, 2023 show was: "You do not have the brain processing power to otherwise be taken really seriously. You had to go steal a white person's slot to go be taken somewhat seriously" [1] [2] [3].
Crucially, Kirk was not making a general statement about all Black women, but was specifically discussing four prominent liberal Black women: Michelle Obama, Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, Joy Reid, and Sheila Jackson Lee in the context of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs [1] [2] [3]. The full context shows Kirk was arguing that these specific individuals were "affirmative action picks" and stating: "If we would have said that Joy Reid and Michelle Obama and Sheila Jackson Lee and Ketanji Brown Jackson were affirmative action picks, we would have been called racists. Now they're coming out and they're saying it for us" [3].
Multiple sources confirm that the widely circulated claim that Kirk said "Black women do not have the brain processing power to be taken seriously" as a blanket statement about all Black women is a misquote [2]. The fact-checking reveals that while Kirk's actual words were inflammatory and targeted these four specific women, the viral misquote transformed his comments into an apparently broader generalization about Black women as a group.
2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints
The analyses reveal several important pieces of missing context that significantly alter the understanding of Kirk's statements. First, the temporal context is crucial - these comments were made on July 13, 2023, during a specific political discussion about DEI programs and affirmative action [2] [3].
The political aftermath and reactions provide additional context. Following Kirk's assassination, there were significant political divides and calls for accountability [4]. Pastor Jamal Bryant and other Black Christian leaders confronted Kirk's religious legacy, highlighting the broader impact of his rhetoric on religious communities [5]. Additionally, a Manitoba cabinet minister faced scrutiny for reposting content condemning Kirk, though the premier stated they would not lose their job over it [6].
Educational and political institutions also responded strongly. A Florida school board member, Darryl Jones, referred to Kirk as a "racist, misogynist, homophobic Klansman" in a Facebook comment, leading to GOP demands for his resignation [7]. This demonstrates how Kirk's rhetoric created ripple effects across various sectors of society.
One source provides critical academic perspective, noting that Kirk's comments were "problematic and reminiscent of 19th-century pseudoscientific rhetoric used to justify the abuse of Black people" [3]. This historical context is essential for understanding why the statements were so inflammatory, regardless of whether they targeted specific individuals or all Black women.
3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement
The original question itself contains an embedded assumption that may perpetuate misinformation. By asking for Kirk's "exact words about black women's brains," the question implies that Kirk made general statements about Black women as a group, when the evidence shows his comments were directed at four specific individuals [1] [2].
This framing demonstrates how viral misquotes can become accepted as fact. The analyses consistently show that the widely circulated version of Kirk's quote - suggesting he made blanket statements about all Black women - is inaccurate [2]. The actual quote, while still highly problematic and offensive, was more targeted in its scope.
The misinformation appears to have amplified the controversy beyond what Kirk actually said. While his actual words about these four specific women were undoubtedly inflammatory and drew legitimate criticism for invoking harmful racial stereotypes, the misquoted version made his comments appear even more broadly discriminatory.
This case illustrates how political rhetoric can be distorted in the digital age, where partial quotes and paraphrases can spread faster than accurate reporting. The fact that multiple sources had to specifically fact-check and clarify Kirk's actual words suggests that the misquoted version gained significant traction, potentially influencing public perception and political discourse based on inaccurate information.