Gov. Spencer Cox joined CBS News’ “60 Minutes” on Sunday evening to continue delivering a plea for peace following the political assassination of Charlie Kirk.
Cox also responded to a question about possible presidential ambitions.
In the wake of the Utah Valley University shooting earlier this month, Cox has continued to ask Americans to find a way to talk through their disagreements. CBS dubbed him a “lonely voice” in politics, as he calls for people to respect each others’ differences.
“I get accused on the right all the time of ‘I just want people to have a kumbaya moment. I want people to hold hands and just hug it out. And we’re done with that,’” Cox said, later adding. “I’m not asking anybody to hold hands and hug it out. I’m not asking for that. I’m trying to get people to stop shooting each other.”
Correspondent Scott Pelley asked Cox what is at stake if Americans aren’t willing or able to do that.
“I don’t think it’s hyperbole to say that the future of our country is at stake,” the governor replied. “This grand experiment that we embarked on 250 years ago, can we hold together?”
“When I hear people say that we’re at war, I say, ‘OK and ... what? What does that mean? What is next? Who am I supposed to shoot now?’” Cox added.
The episode aired less than three weeks after Kirk was killed at Utah Valley University.
Also, the segment on “60 Minutes” featuring Cox aired just hours after a gunman opened fire at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint chapel in Michigan, before setting the structure ablaze, killing at least four.
Cox said online he was heartbroken by the shooting and argued places of worship should be “sanctuaries of peace, worship, and community.”
The governor has closely watched political violence for years. Previously, as the head of the National Governors Association, Cox launched his “Disagree Better” initiative in 2023. The project, backed by research, has both urged Americans to be nicer to one another, but also to also participate in debate that moves toward solutions.
Pelley asked the governor, does the campaign mean Americans should drop their differences and meet one another in the middle? “Absolutely not,” Cox replied.
Cox explained that the initiative was intended for people to find solutions and common ground on firmly-held issues they are passionate about.
He said Sunday that he’s been “keenly aware” of political violence, including the assassination attempt on President Donald Trump last year and the shooting of two Democratic lawmakers in Minnesota in June.
After Kirk’s killing, and while the suspect was still at large, Cox was frustrated and angry. He told Pelley that this came from seeing people get killed on both sides of the political spectrum.
Cox pointed to social media and how the algorithms fuel addictive and angry behavior, furthering the division among Americans. It has led the country down “a very dark path,” he said.
While Cox has three years left in his second term as governor, he said he doesn’t have plans to run for higher office.
Pelley remarked that Cox could never “survive” a Republican primary if he did run for president.
Cox said the idea “makes me nauseous” and he has “no interest in that.”
“I’m glad that there are good people who are willing to do that,” he said, adding, “And you’re also correct. The way we select our candidates makes it almost impossible for someone like me to have an opportunity.”
Still, he’s working feverishly to change America for the better.
“I’m desperately looking for more architects and fewer arsonists,” he said. “It’s so easy to burn down and tear down and we’ve got too much of that today.”
“I’m hoping that a positive vision for our country, a positive vision for our party, treating everyone with dignity and respect, that’s how we get our country back,” Cox continued.