Charlie Kirk Exposes How Public Schools Attempted to Remove Founding Documents from History Classes
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Charlie Kirk Exposes How Public Schools Attempted to Remove Founding Documents from History Classes
Charlie Kirk reveals a stunning attempt by educational leaders in his Illinois school district to remove the Constitution and Declaration of Independence from U.S. history classes, claiming documents before 1860 were no longer relevant. The Turning Point USA founder discusses how economics textbooks by Paul Krugman present factually incorrect data favoring progressive ideology, and shares poll results showing 40% of students believe socialism would be more prosperous than capitalism. Kirk explains how Turning Point USA reaches students through innovative methods like basketball tournaments and social media to educate young Americans about fiscal responsibility, free markets, and the immorality of the national debt that their generation will inherit.
Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, sat down with Jack Roser to discuss a troubling trend in American education. Kirk revealed that educational leaders in his Illinois school district attempted to remove the Constitution and Declaration of Independence from U.S. history classes. According to Kirk, these officials wanted to eliminate everything before 1860 from the curriculum, claiming it was no longer relevant to students.
While the proposal did not pass the school board, Kirk found the attempt itself deeply concerning. The fact that some educators believed America's founding documents had no place in history classes represented a fundamental shift away from teaching students about the principles upon which the nation was built.
Kirk noted that this wasn't the position of all teachers in the district, but even a select few pushing this agenda was alarming. The reasoning provided was that students needed a more progressive view of the country, with everything post-1860 being more relevant to what kids should be learning.
Paul Krugman's Economics Textbook in Public Schools
Beyond the attempt to remove founding documents, Kirk exposed another issue in his school district: the adoption of an economics textbook written by Paul Krugman, a Nobel Prize-winning economist who writes for the New York Times. Kirk described Krugman as a renowned collectivist and author of "The Conscience of a Liberal."
The textbook contained what Kirk identified as factually incorrect data, including the claim that Reagan tax cuts did not accelerate economic growth. Kirk stood up to his teachers multiple times and wrote a piece for Breitbart.com exposing what he saw as lies being taught in public education.
Kirk argued that Krugman writes for a partisan news source and should not be presented as an objective authority in public schools. He noted that Krugman has made controversial statements, including suggesting that 9/11 was a stimulus that created jobs, based on the broken window fallacy—an economic myth that destruction creates prosperity.
The lack of parental involvement in these curriculum decisions troubled Kirk. He observed that parents were minimally aware and involved in school board meetings, allowing textbooks like Krugman's to be approved without significant pushback.
How Schools Make Socialism Sound Appealing
Kirk and the interviewers discussed how modern textbooks present economic systems to students. Some textbooks describe capitalism as one person owning the whole cow, while communism is portrayed as everyone sharing the cow—making the latter sound fairer and more desirable in theory.
The curriculum places heavy emphasis on the Progressive Era of the early 1900s, teaching students that whenever there's a problem, government must fix it. Kirk cited examples like Upton Sinclair's "The Jungle" leading to the creation of the FDA, and currency instability leading to the Federal Reserve. This pattern teaches students to subconsciously believe that government solves every problem.
The results of this educational approach are striking. Kirk conducted a poll in his high school and local area asking which economic system would be most prosperous for creating wealth for the lower, middle, and upper classes over the next hundred years. The results were troubling: 28% said capitalism, 40% said socialism, and the rest said they didn't know the difference between socialism and capitalism.
Launching Turning Point USA From High School
In response to these educational concerns, Kirk organized Turning Point USA at the end of his high school years and throughout the summer. Launched on June 5th, the organization quickly grew into a national movement with 20 to 25 national chapters and 30 to 50 student columnists contributing to the website from across the country.
The organization provides students with a platform of empowerment, allowing them to write, publish, and share their perspectives with friends and family. Kirk's goal is to educate the 40% of students who don't understand the difference between economic systems and re-educate those who have been misled.
Innovative Outreach Methods for Young Americans
Turning Point USA employs three specific strategies to reach students. First, the organization uses social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, recognizing their importance for reaching young people. The organization built a following of 12,000 likes, positioning itself on the cutting edge of social media engagement for youth.
Second, Turning Point USA planned to host what would hopefully become one of the biggest debate tournaments in the Midwest in July, expecting 300 to 400 high school debate teams to come and debate fiscal policy.
Third, and most innovative, the organization hosts three-on-three basketball tournaments to reach the 40% of kids who usually don't care about politics. Participants leave with Turning Point USA t-shirts and literature. This fresh approach represents a departure from traditional think tank methods—going to where young people are rather than expecting them to come to conventional political events.
Other chapters have adopted similar creative approaches, with one chapter proposing an ultimate frisbee competition. These events require participants to provide their email addresses and like the organization on Facebook and Twitter, creating a connection that allows for ongoing education through social media.
Focus on the Debt and Education Reform
Turning Point USA focuses primarily on two topics: the national debt and deficit, and education reform. Kirk views the debt as extremely relevant to his generation because they will have to pay it off, making it a moral issue. The organization characterizes excessive government borrowing as socialistic behavior.
On education, Kirk believes every student should have a chance to learn and that teachers are not being held accountable in the public school system. He provided the example of District 214, covering Arlington Heights, Mount Prospect, Elk Grove, and Wheeling, where 50 teachers earn $150,000 or more with no accountability. Kirk noted that even most students believe such compensation is excessive without corresponding accountability.
While acknowledging that some great teachers have influenced his life, Kirk argues that some teachers take advantage of the system. He advocates for private sector reforms to improve the education system for students.
A Nonpartisan Approach to Civic Engagement
Turning Point USA takes a nonpartisan approach, focusing on principles like fiscal responsibility and free markets rather than specific candidates. The organization encourages civic participation and internships, with many members serving as interns for representatives like Joe Walsh or Congressman Dold.
The organization educates through meetings and debates, including events like a debate hosted at the University of Wisconsin Madison where they started a chapter. With 20 high schools and colleges represented, local chapters hold meetings and educate peers through innovative methods.
Kirk and his interviewer discussed the challenge of textbook selection, noting that current textbooks are "shoved down our throat" with bias. Kirk pointed out the irony that when socialist-leaning educators control textbook selection, it's considered appropriate, but when parents and students want textbooks reflecting the founders' intentions, they're accused of censoring.
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