American Hero Charlie Kirk’s Legacy of Honest Debate and Patriotism Will Grow

When I heard Charlie Kirk had been shot at a school in Utah, I prayed. Hard. There were probably hundreds of thousands with me, around the world, all petitioning Heaven for him.

Then, we received the news that he was gone.

My first thought: Did we just see the death of a future president? Who knows?

Charlie never promised to run for office, but still, at only 31, it seemed clear that he would be a central figure in our nation for the next 50 years or so. He was an unusual talent with what appeared to be an encyclopedic memory on a great many topics relating to history, philosophy, politics, and theology.

Charlie was one of those rare people with the ability to read others and situations with unusual accuracy and insight. That is something we’ve seen in President Trump, who wins most negotiations because of his intuition and next-level discernment. It’s why we could picture an older, more seasoned Charlie someday seated behind the Resolute Desk.

He was a bright and brilliant, happy warrior. At the age of 18, he began his organization in his parents’ garage. Students began responding to his positive voice and commonsense conservatism. Since then, Turning Point USA has grown to well over 800 chapters on college campuses and more in high schools, with more than 250,000 students involved. He also hosts a top podcast, The Charlie Kirk Show.

A Happy Warrior

Charlie was known for sitting at a table on college campuses, offering a goodhearted challenge to any student who wanted to try to “prove” him wrong. In the early days, Charlie was often surrounded by those who seemed to dislike his conservative views; yet, he never shied away from contentious conversations, always debating respectfully and with genuine care for his challengers. An unparalleled apologist for Christianity and America’s founding principles, Charlie was ready for any question.

In more recent years, his campus gatherings have reflected the young adult shift to conservatism, and his little table is usually facing several thousand MAGA-hat-wearing supporters. He would admonish his many fans to be polite, as those opposed to his message had the mic, and would commend those who challenged him for their courage.

TPUSA conferences became a hot ticket, as thousands of enthusiastic young conservatives gathered to hear Charlie with top conservative speakers, even President Trump himself, along with frequent admonitions from Charlie to get married and have kids.

A Family Man

In May of 2021, he followed his own advice and married the love of his life, former Miss Arizona, Erika Fantzve, and the couple welcomed a daughter and a son into their family. We can imagine she is holding those little ones close today, trying to find the words and ways to love them through the unthinkable loss of their dad.

An American Hero

It’s a time for prayer and mourning for our nation. There have been thousands of expressions of condolence, grief, and remembrance for this young man who dared to change the world.

President Trump ordered American flags to be lowered to half-mast until Sunday, September 14, in his honor and has shared his plans to award Charlie the Presidential Medal of Freedom, posthumously. He honored the slain conservative leader with a speech given from the Oval Office and several posts on social media.

“Charlie was the best of America, and the monster who attacked him was attacking America,” Trump said. “An assassin tried to silence him with a bullet, but he failed, because together, we will ensure that his voice, his message, and his legacy will live on for countless generations to come. Today, because of this heinous act, Charlie’s voice has become bigger and grander than ever before, and it’s not even close.”

A Man of Faith

Turning Point USA released a statement which read in part, “Charlie loved America, its people, its Constitution, its freedom, and the limitless good all of them have done for the world. But above all, Charlie lived every day with an overflowing love of the Christ he knew he would one day get to see.”

Just two months ago, an interviewer asked him what he would want to be remembered for. Without hesitation, Charlie answered, “I want to be remembered for courage for my faith… The most important thing is my faith.”

Thankfully, we can be sure that in his absence, the movement begun by Charlie Kirk will not diminish. It will grow. His life reminds us to not shrink from disagreement and conflict, but to listen – and to stand with patriotic fervor for our great nation. Likewise, his example inspires us to proclaim the truth of the Gospel and its hope for everyone who will believe in and embrace Christ. Voices will rise as never before – just wait. 

A Time to Grieve

Americans are processing the tragedy of this unthinkable loss. World leaders, politicians, conservative media, and young people touched by his life have shared tears, prayers, and thousands of posts online offering condolences to his family or voicing their own sadness.

Our President of Moms for America, Kimberly Fletcher, shared her thoughts the day after Charlie’s passing. “I am broken. Yesterday was a very hard, heavy day. I am still numb. There is much evil and darkness in the world. We need truth and light more than ever. My heart is aching for Erika and their beautiful babies.”

She continued, “Evil is counting on us to shrink. To honor Charlie’s legacy, this is our turning point. We must stand. Stronger. Brighter. Ambassadors of truth. Fighting the good fight. Standing as beacons of light.” 

His life and work were honored by Moms for America with the Champion of Freedom Award, presented to Charlie at a ceremony at Trump’s Mar-a-lago in 2021.

A Life Fully Lived

I started out this post imagining that maybe Charlie Kirk would’ve been the president one day. But no, that was never to be his destiny. The reason I know is this:  Charlie lived every day God gave him to the fullest. He packed a remarkably full and robust life into 31 short years.

Psalm 139:16 explains that “…all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” 

God knew the day he would go home to meet his Savior face-to-face.

With only three decades on earth, Charlie was inspired by his Creator to change the world – and he did just that. He offered the youth of America hope, sanity, and faith as they sat through the drone of professors who divorced the truth long ago. He showed them and all of us how to ask questions and to stay vigilant for America, our families, and the future.

Our team at Moms for America wanted to share these additional thoughts from Turning Point USA:

“Although Charlie is gone, his legacy will endure. He shall not grow old; age shall not weary him. For all time, he will remain the brave young man who inspired tens of millions of Americans to better themselves and take action to better America. All of us will miss Charlie. None of us will ever forget him.”

May God bless his legacy – and America.

Podcast note: Don’t miss our conversation with Pastor Sharon Ward.  Sharon Ward is the Co-Pastor of INSIGHT Church outside Chicago, Illinois. Together with her husband, James E. Ward, Jr., they lead the church and several entrepreneurial ventures. Known as a gifted speaker with a passionate love for God and others, she has led successful business deals and cultural and spiritual initiatives. But the role for which she is most proud? Being a mother to her two children. Sharon shares how to build a strong family and the importance of faith in raising our children.

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