That’s how I feel today. Broken for Charlie Kirk and his family. Broken for our country and for an administration that now faces the loss of one of its boldest voices and strongest advocates. Broken because what happened today wasn’t just an attack on a man–it feels like an attack on the values he stood for, the convictions I share, and the freedom we all depend on.
Today, the unthinkable happened. Charlie Kirk—a conservative Christian influencer who dedicated his life to bringing conservative viewpoints and open debate to college campuses—was assassinated. The tragedy unfolded at Utah Valley University, during the first stop of the American Comeback Tour hosted by Turning Point USA, the organization Charlie founded at just 18 years old. He leaves behind a wife, two young children, and a community of family, friends, colleagues, and countless followers who now grieve this unimaginable loss.
Charlie was a defining voice in shaping conservative youth culture (including my kids) in the U.S.—often controversial, always outspoken, and deeply committed to his mission. Turning Point USA quickly grew into a nationally recognized movement, sparking activism on campuses across the country. Over the years, Charlie built an enormous platform through social media, public speaking, and his daily podcast. He was a fierce defender of free markets, limited government, and social conservatism, and he became one of Donald Trump’s most influential allies. Whether you admired him or opposed him, there’s no denying the mark he left on our culture and our politics.
I never met Charlie. I never went to one of his events. I’m not much of a podcast listener. But I did watch his debates online, and I remember saying once, “I want to be like Charlie.” His ability to debate with conviction, quote scripture effortlessly, and anchor himself in faith were all things I deeply admired. What struck me most was how he stayed true—to his values, his family, his faith, and his mission. Even from afar, he was inspiring.
What happened today is something I’ve quietly feared for a long time. In a world where words and convictions are so often met with hostility, I prayed this kind of violence would never come. And yet, today, that fear became real.
Already, political voices are pointing fingers. Don’t get me wrong–I want see justice served. I want whoever is responsible for this to be held accountable and punished to the fullest extent of the law. But for me, this is less about blame. I guess I am too naive. I struggle to believe that so much hatred exists–that someone would see a faith-filled man, committed to his beliefs and his family, as a target. Yet evil is real. And more than politics, this is about the fragility of life and the danger of letting our disagreements turn into violence.
And as I sit with this tragedy, I realize the brokenness I feel isn’t just grief—it’s a mirror. Charlie’s life—his steadfastness, his willingness to live out his convictions openly—makes me wonder about my own. I know what I believe. I know where I stand. But do the people in my world see it? Do my family, my friends, my colleagues recognize the values I hold so deeply, or do I keep them tucked too far inside? His example challenges me to live with more courage, more clarity, and more openness about what truly matters.
Today, we are broken. A husband, a father, and a leader are gone. But I also know that God meets us most tenderly in our brokenness. In this moment of loss and uncertainty, I find myself turning to Him—asking not only for comfort for Charlie’s family, but also for strength for our nation, and for courage to live my own convictions more faithfully. My hope is that in remembering Charlie, we don’t just remember his words—we remember his courage to speak them, and we choose to carry our own convictions forward with both strength and grace.