{"id":359443,"date":"2026-09-06T09:34:17","date_gmt":"2026-09-06T14:34:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.etrafficlane.com\/60dollarmiracle\/utah-gov-cox-americans-desperate-for-something-better-amid-heightened-polarization"},"modified":"2026-09-06T09:34:20","modified_gmt":"2026-09-06T14:34:20","slug":"utah-gov-cox-americans-desperate-for-something-better-amid-heightened-polarization","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.etrafficlane.com\/60dollarmiracle\/utah-gov-cox-americans-desperate-for-something-better-amid-heightened-polarization","title":{"rendered":"Utah Gov. Cox: Individuals \u2018determined for one thing higher\u2019 amid heightened polarization"},"content":{"rendered":"


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As the country approaches one year since the fatal shooting<\/a> of conservative commentator and activist Charlie Kirk, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox is again calling on Americans and political leaders alike to turn down the temperature and push for a new way forward.<\/p>\n

\u201c70% of this country doesn’t like where we are right now,\u201d Cox told ABC News\u2019 \u201cThis Week\u201d co-anchor Martha Raddatz. \u201cThey’re tired of the hyper-partisanship. They’re tired of the contempt and they’re desperate for something better, something different.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kirk was killed during a public event at Utah Valley University last September. While Kirk was known for his controversial political opinions<\/a>, he was also remembered as someone who frequently engaged in debates<\/a> with those with whom he disagreed.<\/p>\n

His killing unleashed a political firestorm, but also thrust Cox into the spotlight for his conciliatory rhetoric in the aftermath.<\/p>\n

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Utah Gov. Spencer Cox speaks at a press conference flanked by FBI director Kash Patel following the fatal shooting of political activist Charlie Kirk during an event at Utah Valley University on September 12, 2025 in Orem, Utah. Authorities announced that the suspect who shot and killed Kirk while he was speaking at an event for his “American Comeback Tour” has been apprehended and is in police custody.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Michael Ciaglo\/Getty Images<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cWe can return violence with violence. We can return hate with hate,\u201d Cox said<\/a> at a press conference after the shooting. \u201cAt some point, we have to find an off-ramp or it’s going to get much, much worse.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cox returned to Utah Valley University with Raddatz nearly one year after the Sept. 10, 2025, shooting, reflecting on the moment he had learned what happened.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat’s a moment I can’t get out of my mind,\u201d Cox said. \u201cI wish I could, but it just kind of overwhelmed everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

Today, with polarization and division penetrating many facets of American life, Cox is calling for a change in course. He is the author of the upcoming book, \u201cOff Ramp: How to Be a Peacemaker in an Age of Contempt,\u201d which will be released Tuesday. In the book, Cox presents what he calls a \u201cblueprint\u201d for how Americans can deescalate political tensions and polarization by finding common ground.<\/p>\n

‘This is not something that any one party owns’<\/strong><\/h3>\n

After not voting for him in 2016 or 2020, Cox voted for President Donald Trump in 2024 and said he remains a supporter. Raddatz asked Cox about comments Trump made at Kirk\u2019s funeral, which were heavily criticized at the time.<\/p>\n

\u201c[Charlie] did not hate his opponents. He wanted the best for them. That\u2019s where I disagreed with Charlie. I hate my opponent, and I don\u2019t want the best for them,\u201d Trump said at the time.<\/p>\n

Cox defended Trump\u2019s comments to Raddatz, saying he appreciated his honesty.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought it was very transparent. He was being very honest and I appreciate that. Sometimes politicians aren’t honest,\u201d Cox said.<\/p>\n

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VIDEO: Gov. Cox on polarization: \u2018This is not something that any one party owns\u2019<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

ABCNews.com<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

In the book, Cox writes that he worries the U.S. is on a path to \u201ccomplete failure of our democratic republic and its institutions.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThose are really extraordinary statements for a Republican to say in the middle of a Republican presidency, not to mention Congress,\u201d Raddatz said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would have written those words five years earlier as well,\u201d Cox said. \u201cThis is not something that any one party owns. It’s not something that is the responsibility of any one person. This is America and our drift.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cox says one way to cure that drift is for Americans to unplug from social media.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet off of the algorithms, to get off of the screens,\u201d Cox told Raddatz. \u201cI was a Twitter addict in December of last year. I deleted Twitter off my phone. Everything got better. The world got better.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cox addresses 2028 presidential speculation<\/strong><\/h3>\n

As Cox has risen in national prominence, so too has the speculation that he may run for president. Cox is trying to quash the rumors early \u2013 the very first line of his book reads \u201cI\u2019m not running for president. No, really.\u201d<\/p>\n

Raddatz asked Cox if he thought he would make a good president.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don’t know. I don’t know if I would,\u201d Cox said. \u201cIt’s a very hard job \u2026 I’m not running for president. I don’t want the job.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think there’s a market failure in both parties right now. I think that the party that figures out that Americans are tired of the toxicity will do very very well in the election,\u201d Cox added. \u201cI hope it’s my party in \u201928, but that remains to be seen.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n


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