Kirk might've had private, critical dislikes about Israel, but ZERO chance he'd ever "turn" on Israel in public with any sincerity besides offering occasional / mild criticism.

He's a mouthpiece for the GOP (if there's any doubt see Exhibit A: JD Vance hosted Turning Points this week). Until the GOP turns on Israel, he's saying whatever line they tell him to.

[–] UmbraVivi@hexbear.net 21 points 2 days ago (2 children)

The right-wing anti-Israel grift is lucrative. Candace Owens is doing way better than she was doing when she was on the Daily Wire.

[–] SerLava@hexbear.net 6 points 2 days ago

The only thing that could have made Kirk go anti-Israel would have been Trump going anti-Israel

[–] Carl@hexbear.net 7 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

You're not wrong, but then the question becomes why target Kirk and not Owens. idk the story that this was a kid who just succumbed to America's culture of violence and gun fetishization makes more sense to me than Mossad choosing to kill Kirk over people like Fuentes who have more cultural purchase and are more clearly anti-Israel.

[–] stink@lemmygrad.ml 21 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I wrote this above:

A lot of these right-winger populist mfs were slowly going against "israel" one-by-one because it's hard to defend them anymore lol. 80 years of propaganda has been demolished. Now these grifters have to slowly pivot over and it takes a while to do that.

First invite some anti-zionists and debate them, agree with some of their takes, invite a zionist on the show, criticize them a bit, and keep repeating the process until you're seen as an anti-zionist in people's eyes.

Piers Morgan did it, Tucker Carlson did it, Charlie Kirk was next in line to do it. They didh't suddenly grow a conscious 2 years into the genocide, it's all about self-preservation and ratings.

[–] TraschcanOfIdeology@hexbear.net 11 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

And if it lets them be a bit antisemitic as a treat? Even better.

[–] sewer_rat_420@hexbear.net 9 points 2 days ago

His main goal is to keep the youth, which are anti Israel, still loyal to the GOP. Throwing them a few bones like a MTG debate about AIPAC makes sense in this regard. As long as there is room for anti Israel people in the GOP you can maintain the youth support.