Charlie Kirk R.I.P.

It was a chilly November evening last year around the pool at Mar-a-Lago. The reception hosted hundreds of Trump supporters who were on a “sugar high” after winning the 2024 Presidential election. 

There were numerous conservative celebrities sprinkled around the pool. I will always remember a small simple gesture from that evening that set Charlie Kirk apart. As the sun lowered, the night became chilly. Charlie’s wife did not have a sweater or jacket. Charlie showed his classy nature as he removed his jacket and placed it around his wife’s shoulders. 

Earlier this week, a disturbed young man who was captured by the hate of leftist Americans, decided that murdering Charlie was an appropriate response to counter what Charlie believed. While this young man was able to take Charlie’s life, his dastardly act unleashed across our country a renewed determination to stand up against those who refuse to allow conservatives to speak.

For decades, we have observed leftist students wearing t-shirts bearing the picture of Che Guevara. Che was the Cuban revolutionary who was known for executing those who disagreed with his Marxist ideology. 

As our culture changes, I believe that for many decades, young Americans will wear t-shirts emblazoned with Charlie Kirk’s photograph.

The marked difference is that Charlie understood that interacting with those who disagreed with you was the way to handle differences. The stories are ubiquitous of Charlie calling those who disagreed with him to the front of the line so he could interact with them.

His willingness to defend American values of faith, family and country impressed many young people across our homeland. For too long, our young people have been taught by leftists who refuse to allow those who disagree with their philosophy to have the right to express themselves. These leftists used the “cancel culture” to intimidate conservatives into staying silent. Charlie proudly stood up and voiced his conservative principles.His strong voice will be sorely missed but long remembered. 

Just as Charlie wrapped his jacket around his wife’s shoulders, so too, last Wednesday, Charlie’s Savior wrapped his arms around Charlie’s bloodied body and carried him through the pearly gates.

In Charlie’s memory, we must all dedicate ourselves to speaking boldly about what we believe while always being willing to interact civilly with those who disagree.