The Right Remembers a Fallen Hero and Martyr; The Left Celebrates

Editor’s Note: Charlie Kirk, 31, married to Erika Frantzve, Miss Arizona 2012, and father of two young children, a daughter born in Aug. 2022 and a son born in May 2024, was killed on Sept. 10th at 12 noon while on stage at his “American Comeback tour” at Utah Valley University in Orem while answering a question on transgenderism and violence. Previous articles from the past week on Charlie Kirk include “A Tribute to Charlie Kirk” and “Prayer Vigils on the Eve of 9/11 Honor the Fallen Hero Charlie Kirk”.)

CALIRED NEWS–Vice President J.D. Vance accompanied Charlie Kirk’s body on his flight from Salt Lake City to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Supporters waited at the airport to honor him. His casket was then transported to Hansen Mortuary Chapel near Seventh Street and Northern Avenue in the city’s North Town neighborhood.

Outside Turning Points USA’s headquarters in Chandler, Arizona there has been a “constant flow of thousands of people,” paying their respects and saying prayers. At the Valley’s Dream City Church, where Charlie and his family worshiped, supporters packed the auditorium on Thursday to mourn Kik’s passing. Charlie’s pastor Rob McCoy conducted four memorial services over the weekend at Godspeak Calvary in Newbury Park. 

Charlie Kirk’s funeral will be held Sunday, Sept. 21st at the Arizona Cardinals’ State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona at 11 a.m. PST, which has a capacity of 63,400 but with seating on the field, holds more than 73,000. A worldwide audience is expected.  Turning Point has invited everyone to attend, pay their respects and say goodbye to the 31-year-old conservative legend.

(Editor’s Note: Stadium officials are reporting that tickets to enter the stadium are no longer available.)

President Donald J. Trump has said he will be in attendance and that he would be awarding Charlie a posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom, calling him “a giant of his generation, a champion of liberty and an inspiration to millions and millions of people.” 

After the Wednesday shooting, President Trump released a video statement condemning the wave of “radical left political violence” in America and calling Charlie a “friend (also as a ‘son’)… Charlie was a patriot who devoted his life to the cause of open debate and the country that he loves so much–the United States of America.” Trump described the day of his death as a “dark moment for America…Charlie was also a man of deep, deep faith. And we take comfort in the knowledge that he is now at peace with God in heaven.” 

Since Charlie Kirk’s Death (as of Sept. 12):

• GiveSendGo’s giving platform has amassed more than $2.8 million for Erika Kirk and her two children (a two-day fundraising record).
• Turning Point USA leaders say they have received 18,000 requests to start college and high school chapters. Currently, Turning Point has 9,000 college chapters and 1,100 high school chapters. (Editor’s Note: It has been reported that the number of requests to start Turning Point chapters has doubled over the weekend.)
• 1 Million Patriots flooded London on Sept. 13 at Tommy Robinson’s fifth “Unite the Kingdom’ event in which Elon Musk via livestream said: “The Left is the Party of Murder.” Over 2.5 million watched the livestream that honored Charlie Kirk.

(Editor’s Note: According to Musk: “The people need to be in charge, not some bureaucracy that doesn’t care…The government needs to protect the people…Violence is coming to you, You either fight back or die.” Texas congressional candidate Valentina Gomes led the crowd in a chant of “Christ is King.” Danish People’s party leader Morten Messerschmitt said: “Today, we are all Charlie Kirk.” Many in the audience wore shirts saying: “I Am Charlie Kirk.” German Afd MeP Petr Bystron said: “They tried to kill President Donald Trump. They killed Charlie Kirk! But they will not silence us!. The crowd broke out in cheers of “Charlie!”)

Erika Kirk: ‘My Husband Witnessed For His Lord And Savior Jesus Christ’

“I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, God bless you,” Erika can be heard whispering to her husband as she wept over his body.

Erika’s Instagram tribute echoes the raw emotion she expressed in her first public statement delivered during a somber public address from the Turning Point headquarters in Arizona on Friday.

“Two days ago, my husband, Charlie, went to see the face of his savior,” Erika began, her voice breaking as she thanked law enforcement for their efforts. She emphasized hope amid the pain, declaring that “the cries of this widow will echo” and promising that no one would forget Charlie’s contributions.

“They have no idea what they just ignited within this wife. If they thought my husband’s mission was big now…you have no idea. You. All of you. Will never. Ever. Forget my husband, Charlie Kirk. I’ll make sure of it,” Erika Kirk wrote in her first social media post after her husband was assassinated. “My husband laid down his life for me, for our nation, for our children.”

Erika Kirk emphasized that the mission of Turning Point will continue, including the campus tours, the organization’s flagship “America Fest” event in Phoenix, Charlie’s radio show and Charlie’s voice. Charlie’s mission will not fade with his death: “It will become stronger, bolder, louder, and greater than ever. My husband’s mission will not end–not even for a moment.

“One of his mottos was never surrender, and I want to tell you right now–we will never surrender. Never, ever…Our campus tour this fall will go forward. There will be even more tours in the years ahead…America Fest here in Phoenix this December (18-21 at the Convention Center) will go on–and it will be greater than ever. His beloved radio and podcast show will not stop. In a world filled with chaos, doubt, and uncertainty, Charlie’s voice will remain. His wisdom will endure. His impact will ring louder than ever.”

Powerful Quotes from Charlie Kirk (Sept. 12 From Kyle Patterson, Thrive News):

• Marriage: “If God alone is the author and originator of marriage, man does not have the right or authority to redefine what God has created…In its proper context, with Christ at its center, marriage is still one of the greatest blessings God has given mankind.”
• Men: “Young men love a good challenge, a physical challenge, a career challenge…We gotta challenge our men. We have to challenge them to be better than they are.”
• Women: “Most importantly please become a wife and start a family, that is the most important thing if you so feel called and want to be happy, I really encourage you to do that…As part of his family manifesto, Ladies, listen carefully: there is no amount of corporate success, no amount of likes on Instagram, no amount of promotions that will ever come close to the fulfillment that comes from being a wife and a mother. That is the highest calling.”
• Protecting America: “There’s nothing racist or xenophobic about loving the country so much that you don’t want people who hate your country to come into your country.”
• Immigration: “I think the biggest issue facing America is immigration, and without this President (Trump), we would not even be talking about it. He’s stayed so disciplined on it. He did not waver, and he really stayed in a way that said, ‘Here’s the issue, and here’s a solution to it…Huge reforms need to happen with hard-line policies regarding both legal and illegal immigration if we’re serious about saving this country…We have way to many legal immigrants coming into this country, too…Every American student should be put ahead of a foreign student.”
• Life:  “I’m not just pro-birth. I’m pro-life. And being pro-life means standing with mothers not only before the baby is born, but long after…This is something that I think is now a top-to-bottom, comprehensive moral movement about caring about the innocence of our children….I’m enthusiastically pro-life.”
• The Bible: “The Bible is not up to date. It’s ahead of time…It drives the left nuts when you say this, that all men are created equal in the eyes of God, all men and women, but not all cultures are created equal…Western civilization is the best that humanity has produced. It’s an outgrowth of the Bible…I believe in the Bible, and I believe that Christ rose from the dead on the third day. This is the foundation of my faith and guides my actions.”
• On Legacy and Faith: “I want to be remembered for courage for my faith. That would be the most important. The most important thing is my faith in my life.”

JD Vance Promises To Carry On Legacy Of ‘True Friend’ Charlie Kirk

Vice President JD Vance called Charlie Kirk a “true friend” who contributed directly to much of the success of President Donald Trump’s administration and his getting re-elected in 2024. The Vice President praised Kirk for his willingness “to listen, learn, and engage in the open discussion of ideas. Charlie died doing what he loved: discussing ideas. He would go into these hostile crowds and answer their questions.

“Charlie was so proud of Erika and the two kids. He was so happy to be a father. And he felt such gratitude for having found a woman of God whom he could build a family.

“You ran a good race, my friend.”

James O’Keefe Gives Emotional Tribute To His Friend Charlie Kirk

O’Keefe Media Group founder James O’Keefe said: “As for now, our country, at this pivotal moment in our history, is facing a generational equivalent to the assassination of Martin Luther King or John F. Kennedy…He has left us with this warning and a call to action. The price for his message was his life.”

Ben Shapiro Vows To Host “Many” Campus Tours

Daily Wire founder and podcast host Ben Shapiro has announced that he will tour college campuses, “many of them this year…and to those who would intimidate, who would seek to stop us, who would seek to end free discussion, who believe that they have ownership over public space and can violently threaten and kill people who speak freely, we are not going to stop.”

California Pastor and Gubernatorial Candidate To Begin Visiting Campuses

Harvest Rock Pastor and California Gubernatorial Candidate Che Ahn announced at a Sunday Sept. 14 Pasadena church service that he will begin visiting college campuses to support the “great harvest among young people” which will become a “catalyst for the greatest revival globally” based on the willingness “to lay down your life like Charlie Kirk.”

Pastor Ahn recounted that he started in Baltimore, Maryland as a campus minister with a Bible study that grew to hundreds before receiving the call to move 3,000 miles to plant a church in California.

“We need to seek a healing to the land. We have a bullet train that goes nowhere and we have nothing to show for it. We have the highest taxes. We have the highest costs for a home.

“The devil thought he won when Charlie Kirk was killed. But we are being called to fight abortion and human trafficking; (to minister love) to the LGBTQ+ and those with mental health issues; and bring salvation to souls. The devil is facing his worst nightmare because he killed Charlie Kirk.”

Assassin Tyler Robinson Turned In By Father Makes First Court Appearance

On Tuesday, Sept. 16, 22-year-old assassin of Charlie Kirk made his first court appearance in a hearing that was conducted virtually. Tyler Robinson, the shooter confessed to his father and declared that he would rather kill himself than turn himself in to law enforcement.

“His family and a friend helped to deliver him into custody of law enforcement in Washington County,” Utah Governor Spencer Cox said during a Friday press briefing.

At the time of the shooting he wore a t-shirt with an eagle design, dark jeans and white/gray Converse shoes with black soles.

Investigators tracked Robinson as he climbed onto the rooftop of the Losee Center building, positioning himself at 12:17 p.m. with a bolt-action rifle with a view of the courtyard at Utah Valley University where Kirk was speaking at his “Prove Me Wrong” event. Five minutes later at 12:22 p.m., a single gunshot rang out.

On Saturday, the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) would reveal that Robinson was living with his transgender boyfriend, who was in the process of “transitioning” to pretend to be a woman. 

Tyler Robinson, was charged Tuesday with aggravated murder, felony discharge of firearm, and two counts of obstruction of justice. Other charges include “two counts of witness tampering, and committing a violent offense in the presence of a child.” Prosecutors will seek the death penalty. The charges were handed down by the Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray who said: “Charlie Kirk was murdered while engaging in one of our most sacred and cherished American rights, the bedrock of our democratic republic, the free exchange of ideas and the search for truth, understanding and a more perfect union.”

Robinson is currently being held without bail in the Utah County jail. Meanwhile, Utah State Senator Daniel McCay (R-18) has launched a fundraiser for a permanent memorial at Utah Valley University, the site of Kirk’s final speech.

Turning Point USA Eulogizes Charlie Kirk On Their Event Web Page

“Charlie Kirk’s life was a testament to faith, courage, and conviction. From his earliest days, he believed America was worth fighting for, and he dedicated every moment of his 31 years to that cause. He lived with eyes fixed on eternity, grounded in the truth of God’s Word, and driven by a calling bigger than himself.

“Charlie was a servant of the Lord, a devoted husband to Erika, a loving father to two beautiful children, and a leader of uncommon clarity and strength. He did not seek influence for its own sake. Instead, he poured his life into others, raising up a generation who would be bold in their faith, steadfast in their love of freedom, and unafraid to defend their country.

What began as the vision of an 18-year-old in a small garage in Lemont, Illinois, grew into one of the most powerful grassroots movements in America. Through Turning Point USA, Charlie ignited a fire in the hearts of tens of millions daily. He showed a generation that truth must never be silenced, that courage is contagious, and that freedom must be protected at all costs.

“Charlie died doing what he loved: fighting for truth, for faith, for family, and for America. His sacrifice will endure as a guiding light for generations. Though our hearts are heavy, we do not grieve as those without hope. Charlie’s legacy endures in his family, in Turning Point USA and Turning Point Action, and in the millions he inspired to live with conviction. We honor him not only with our words, but with our actions. We will move forward together, fighting harder, standing taller, and refusing to surrender.

“Charlie’s life was short, but it was full. It was defined by truth, anchored in faith, and devoted to the country he loved. His legacy will endure for generations. And now he hears the words of Matthew 25:23 from his Lord and Savior: ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’”

Charlie Kirk’s Legacy ‘Be Bold’ (Taken From Thrive News, Sept. 12)

• Sparked a campus revolution by founding Turning Point USA (TPUSA) in May 2012 at just 18.
• Relationship with J.D. Vance forging a political dynasty in 2017.
• Launched Turning Point Action from ideas to votes in 2019.
• Created the three-hour Charlie Kirk show in 2019.
• Established Turning Point Faith bridging belief and the ballot box in 2021.
• Became a best-selling author with four books published that sold 500,000 copies.
• Speaking engagements and conference ignited crowds worldwide giving over 1,000 speeches by 2025.
• Exported American conservatism overseas to the United Kingdom and then to Korea.
• Charlie Kirk’s Christian faith mobilized the Church to engage culture.

Charlie Kirk’s Last Published Words

The Left Celebrates Kirk’s Death (Just A Few Examples):

• Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D-MN) stomps on Charlie Kirk’s legacy.
• Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (D-TX): I can say Trump is “operating as a dictator. That doesn’t mean that I want somebody to go out and hurt the President of the United States.”
• Illinois Governor JB Pritzker lays blame on President Trump for conservative activist’s death.
• Fairview Park, Ohio Council president Michael Kilbane wrote a Facebook post stating “Charlie Kirk wasn’t one of them” (good people).
• Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced statewide investigation into educators celebrating murder.
  
  

• Secret Service agent Anthony Pough on Facebook: “He spewed hate and racism on his show.” (Editor’s Note: Placed on administrative leave by the Secret Service.)
• Marine Corps recruiter relieved of duties for posting on Instagram: “Another racist man popped.”
• The National Football League’s Carolina Panthers fired a member of the team’s communications department for his posting the song “Protect Ya Neck.”
• Oxford Union Trust Secretary (England) resigned in protest after Oxford Union’s President-elect George Abaraonye’s comments on The Telegram in which he celebrated. (Editor’s Note: Charlie Kirk debated the 20-year-old Oxnard student George Abaranonye in May on “toxic masculinity.”)
• Middle Tennessee State University fired an Assistant Dean of Students Laura Sosh-Lightsy for Facebook posts celebrating Charlie Kirk’s assassination and saying she had “zero sympathy.”

• University of Mississippi star member terminated for social media remarks.
• Assistant campus director Anthny Pohorilak at George Washington University wrote on Facebook, “it is fair” that Kirk was gunned down due to his support of gun ownership and the Second Amendment. “No thoughts no prayers.”
• Leftist protestors sing the Italian song written on the assassin’s bullet casings at New York University and chant “I want you to die” at College Republican Club President.
• A Canadian public school teacher in Toronto (Corvette Junior Public School) who showed the Charlie Kirk assassinaton video to 10 and 11-year-olds several times and told students he “deserved to be killed” as she gave students a speech about anti-fascism and transgender issues was suspended.
• Texas Senator Ted Cruz paints over Houston graffiti at interstate bridge that profanes Charlie Kirk.
• Washington Post columnist and editor Karen Attiah fired over a social media post after Charlie Kirk’s assassination.
• Army Col. Scott Stephens was suspended following posts purportedly belonging to him that praised the killing. 
• MSNBC political analyst Matthew Dowd fired for his comments about Charlie Kirk with the public relations department apologizing and saying: “There is no place for violence in America, political or otherwise.” (Editor’s Note: Comcast, the owners of MSNBC had their three top executives: Brian Roberts, Mike Cavanagh, and Mark Lazarus warn employees such as anchor Katy Tur and political reporter Allan Smith “to do better.”)
• New Jersey nurse Lexi Kuenzie at Englewood Health was suspended before being reinstated after calling out Dr. Matthew Jung who then was fired for his comments (“He had it coming. He deserved it.”) supporting Charlie Kirk’s death despite taking the Hippocratic Oath pledging to defend life. 
• Office Depot fired a worker at its Portage, Michigan store (a suburb of Kalamazoo) in the west side of the state who refused to print flyers for a Charlie Kirk prayer vigil.
• Liberal author Stephen King libelously claimed on Twitter that Charlie Kirk “advocated stoning gays to death.” (Editor’s Note: Texas Senator Ted Cruz called out King as a “horrible, evil, twisted liar…dishonest and filled with hate.”  After Utah Senator Mike Lee said he could be sued “for defamation,” King deleted the post and began issuing “desperate apologies” in which he said: “The horrible, evil, twisted liar apologizes. This is what I get for reading something on Twitter w/o fact-checking. Won’t happen again.”) 
• TMZ staff cheering and clapping the death of Charlie Kirk (later denied by their founder Harvey Levin despite video evidence reported by The Gateway Pundit). 

A Texas Country Ballard For Charlie Kirk

“A man is gone

Cause he spoke his mind

It’s all so wrong

That someone out there thinks it’s right

The coward fled

The nation bled

Yet another time”

“What do you say to the kid that lost their dad

Cause something that he said made someone mad

No wonder why people scare their voice

What do you say to the mother that’s all alone

In a house that used to feel like a home

Cause someone made a sick and evil choice

What do we do?

Red, white and blue”

–Mitchell Ferguson (Sept. 11, 2025)

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CaliRed News is a news site posted on Making California Red by the 2028 elections through reaching Gen Z (ages 13-28), Hispanics, and Christians with biblical traditional values and their pastors. CaiRed News (founder and senior writer is Mike Hernandez) reports on political, business, community, nonprofit, and church news. CaliRed News is the Christian conservative/constitutional voice of Patriots who will vote into office a new California governor in 2026 and “Make California Golden Again” while bringing faith (Prayer Over News Daily) and politics together. Free subscriptions are available at: https://substack.com/@calirednews or going to CaliRedNews.com.

Mike Hernandez is co-founder of the Citizens Journal–Ventura County’s online news service and writes for CitizensJournal.net and MountainTopMedia.com. He is a former Southern California daily newspaper journalist and religion and news editor, writer of “Prayer Over News Daily”, the monthly Election Countdown, and edits the weekly “Stories Speak Volumes” and other columns. Mr. Hernandez mentors citizen journalists and can be contacted here.