Conservative talk radio is now reportedly entering a new chapter as the Salem Radio Network announced that CNN contributor Scott Jennings and Breitbart editor Alex Marlow will take over the national midday time slot previously held by the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
According to exclusive reporting from Axios, the new lineup will begin January 5. Marlow will host the noon to 1 p.m. hour, while Jennings will expand his existing show to run from 1 to 3 p.m. Eastern Time. Together, the two prominent conservative voices will assume responsibility for one of the most influential blocks in talk radio.
The move comes as Salem continues to recalibrate following Kirk’s killing in September, a loss that sent shockwaves through the conservative movement and media world. While Kirk’s daily radio program will no longer air in its original form, his voice will remain present. The Charlie Kirk Show will continue as a podcast under the banner of Turning Point USA, the organization Kirk founded and led.
Salem’s decision reflects both continuity and transition. Rather than replacing Kirk with a single host, the network opted to split the midday hours between two well-known figures with distinct styles and established followings.
Jennings, a frequent presence on CNN where he is often billed as a pro-Trump or MAGA-aligned voice, acknowledged the significance of stepping into Kirk’s former role. In response to the announcement, Jennings expressed gratitude to The Charlie Kirk Show producer Andrew Kolvet, recognizing the weight of the moment and the legacy involved.
“Thank you for your stewardship of Charlie’s radio legacy,” Jennings said. “These are some of the most important hours in talk radio.”
Marlow, a longtime Breitbart editor and Salem podcast host, also emphasized the personal and professional meaning of the transition. He recalled his frequent appearances on Kirk’s show and spoke warmly of their relationship.
“It was a rare pleasure to be a weekly guest on my friend Charlie Kirk’s show during the last year of his life,” Marlow said. “I can’t wait to get started.”
Andrew Kolvet, who now co-hosts The Charlie Kirk Show podcast, also weighed in on the announcement. He thanked Salem for its cooperation and sensitivity during a difficult period, noting that the decision followed careful discussion.
“Salem has been so gracious through this process,” Kolvet said. He added that all parties ultimately agreed Jennings and Marlow were the right choices to carry the radio portion of Kirk’s legacy forward.
The selection of Jennings and Marlow signals Salem’s intention to maintain a strong conservative presence in midday talk radio while honoring the influence Kirk built over years behind the microphone. Both hosts bring deep experience in conservative media, and their pairing is designed to preserve the reach and relevance of the time slot.
As the network moves ahead, the transition underscores a broader effort to ensure that Kirk’s impact on conservative discourse continues — even as the format evolves and new voices step into the spotlight.
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