WHAT GETS QUOTED:
I can’t stand the word empathy, actually. I think empathy is a made-up, new age term that — it does a lot of damage. But, it is very effective when it comes to politics.
THE FULL QUOTE:
Bill Clinton in the 1990s. It was all about empathy and sympathy. I can’t stand the word empathy, actually. I think empathy is a made-up, new age term that — it does a lot of damage. But, it is very effective when it comes to politics. Sympathy I prefer more than empathy. That’s a separate topic for a different time.
THE CONTEXT:
Of course, the most obvious misrepresentation is that detractors never include the part of the quote where Charlie explains that he prefers “sympathy” over “empathy.” They want to give the impression that he’s heartless.
Additionally, they exclude the part where he says “That’s a separate topic for a different time.” That comment clearly indicates that he’s thought a lot about the difference between sympathy and empathy, understood that his statement likely needs clarification, and would want to explain it at a future point.
Unfortunately, I haven’t found anything anywhere yet that circles back to that topic, but knowing that Charlie was a man of faith, and a voracious reader, I wouldn’t doubt if this is article was one of his influences:
Article by Joe Rigney | May 2, 2020
Do You Feel My Pain? EMPATHY, SYMPATHY, AND DANGEROUS VIRTUES
THE ORIGINAL SOURCE:
The Charlie Kirk Show | Don’t Believe Your Lying Eyes, Everything is FINE!
Bannon, Sheriff Lamp, Patel, West | Rumble | Oct 12, 2022
The empathy quote starts at 36:40.
Last Updated on September 15, 2025 by Real KBrett