Charlie Kirk gained notoriety for his viral in-person debates on college campuses and recorded shows. While many admired his rhetorical skill, a major criticism consistently followed him: he debated in bad faith. He rarely engaged with opposing viewpoints sincerely, often refusing to consider new evidence or admit any flaws in his arguments. Instead, he approached debates with a closed mindset — not to learn, but to win and maintain his ideological stance.

This pattern reflects a broader trend among many right-wing figures today, including Myron Gaines of the Fresh and Fit podcast. In a recent college campus debate, Myron engaged with a well-prepared, articulate Black student who challenged the popular conservative claim that “Black people were more successful under Jim Crow than they are today.” Myron insisted this was due to the nuclear family and choice, avoiding any serious discussion of government-led destruction of Black wealth through systemic racism, redlining, or events like the Tulsa Race Massacre.

Despite his opponent presenting solid historical evidence, Myron dodged the nuance. Instead of acknowledging the role of government policy in eroding Black economic gains, he mocked the argument and stuck to shallow slogans about “personal accountability.” This refusal to fairly engage or acknowledge uncomfortable truths is the hallmark of bad faith debating.

When confronted with facts about wealth destruction, HBCU underfunding, discriminatory laws, or Black businesses being burned down, Myron shifted the conversation to Black-on-Black crime or exaggerated claims about criminality — a classic strawman strategy. He misrepresents complex socioeconomic realities as mere personal failure, sidestepping systemic context entirely. This tactic makes him and others like him seem persuasive to those unfamiliar with the issues but reveals a clear disinterest in actual dialogue or mutual understanding.

More disturbingly, Myron’s broader behavior — such as public mockery of Black women and reducing them to stereotypes — shows a deeper bias. His rhetoric isn’t just dismissive; it borders on being anti-Black, especially when he simultaneously refuses to support reparations or government accountability, yet blames the Black community entirely for its challenges.

The reality is: accountability matters, but so does context. Many in the Black community acknowledge that internal change is needed. However, it’s disingenuous to call for “bootstraps” while ignoring who took the boots in the first place. Generational wealth was stolen, not lost — and until that’s acknowledged, these debates remain skewed.

Ultimately, trying to have honest conversations with people like Myron or Charlie Kirk — who clearly aren’t open to changing their minds — is a waste of time. These personalities are less interested in solutions and more focused on going viral, monetizing controversy, and maintaining ideological clout.

Instead, the Black community should focus energy on building with those who care, who are solution-oriented, and who believe in collective uplift. Engaging with bad-faith actors not only wastes time but legitimizes harmful narratives.

The lesson here is simple: don’t waste your voice on those who refuse to listen. Build with those who will.