A 31-year-old conservative, husband and father was shot to death while peacefully practicing free speech in open dialogue with college students.
Let that sink in for a moment.
Many described Charlie as gracious, genial, moderate, a talented public orator, commanded attention, fair, never insulted, sought to debate ideas.
Within the first few hours after his martyrdom, tributes all over the country (and Idaho) to this remarkable Christian activist and patriot, and founder of Turning Point USA, began flooding my X feed and my email box.
Here are but a few:
Raul Labrador, Idaho Attorney General: “Charlie Kirk lived and breathed the First Amendment. He was, in many ways, the voice of his generation for freedom of speech. He believed that open political conversation—real dialogue, not censorship—was the path to healing our country. Charlie held strong views, but he shared them without malice. He modeled how to disagree without being disagreeable.”
Ron Nate, Idaho Freedom Foundation: “Charlie dedicated his life to a cause he believed in, but he was first and foremost a husband, father and a man of God.”
Michael Knowles, The Daily Wire: “This is a clarifying moment in American history. Over the past month, we have watched a transgender terrorist murder Catholic schoolchildren, a career criminal casually stab a young woman on public transport, and now the preeminent voice of the conservative movement assassinated in broad daylight. Yesterday is proof that the radical left will not let us make America great again without a fight.”
Idaho Family Strong: “On September 10th, Charlie paid the ultimate price … but the truth cannot be killed. Though Charlie’s voice has been quieted, his courage will echo as a blazing reminder that liberty, once lit, cannot be extinguished. It is now for us to carry the torch he bore so faithfully.”
Tony Perkins, Family Research Council: “Charlie Kirk championed our constitutional and God-given freedoms, and he leaves that legacy to a whole new generation. We must recognize that while our earthly battles are waged in political power and cultural arenas, the roots are spiritual. Without confronting the spiritual decay at the heart of our crisis, no policy or program will suffice.”
Sen. Glenneda Zuiderveld, Dist 24 “Charlie would want us to press on: to keep speaking truth, to keep fighting for freedom, and to secure liberty for the next generation.”
Erika Kirk: “If you thought that my husband’s mission was powerful before, you have no idea. You have no idea what you just have unleashed across this entire country and this world. You have no idea. You have no idea the fire that you have ignited within this wife. The cries of this widow will echo around the world like a battle cry.”
My prayer is that we Idahoans will continue Charlie’s legacy by boldly pressing on in faith and love in speaking truth and defending our God-given freedoms. Nothing less than our families, faith, and our country’s future are on the line.
Please consider making a donation to support the Kirk family: https://donate.tpusa.com/donate-e