By Douglas V. Gibbs
One year ago, on September 10, 2025, Christian Patriot Charlie Kirk was shot and killed by a gunman. The assassination took place at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah as Charlie was speaking at an outdoor campus event with about 3,000 people in attendance. He was doing what he loved – inviting critics to challenge him face-to-face at a Turning Point USA (TP USA) event. His “Prove Me Wrong” tent debates had become something to see. Thousands would gather – from both sides of the political spectrum. It was something he had done many times. But on that day, an assassin would take a shot at him, scoring a fatal bullet wound to the neck. News spread rapidly. Charlie Kirk had been the target of a political public assassination.
Over the years I had the opportunity to meet Charlie twice. On the second occasion, in 2019 at the Unite I.E, Conference in Ontario, California, we got the chance to talk a little bit, and he purchased two of my books. I told him his money was no good with me, but he insisted on paying for them, and he expected me to autograph them. When we talked, it wasn’t about politics, or about him. He asked me about me. Charlie was particularly interested in the Constitution Classes I hosted around Southern California. Before he departed with a group of security personnel around him, we shook hands, snapped a photo, and I gave him one of my business cards.
I was already following him online, but my main radio hero at the time was still Rush Limbaugh. Two years later, Rush passed away, and I was sure the radio torch would be passed on to Charlie. For the most part, it was. Charlie’s radio presence seemed to increase, and I began to see his name popping up at events much more often. While I taught U.S. History at a private school in 2023 through 2024 a Turning Point USA club was started on campus, and I was acquainted with the local TP USA representative. I was sure, at the time, that Charlie Kirk was becoming a household name.
When the assassin’s bullet took Charlie’s life, I was surprised at how many people came to me asking me about who he was. Most people I knew outside my Constitution-Class-World were not familiar with his name. In fact, the farther away the person was from believing in Christianity and conservative politics, the more likely they had no idea who he was.
Suddenly, his name sparked a lot of interest. Who was he? Why would Charlie Kirk be the target of a public execution by an assassin’s bullet?
What amazed me even more was not that so many people seemed to not be as familiar with him as I supposed, but the intense reaction that rose up from the foul ranks of the political left. Hate rose up, with people celebrating his violent passing – reactions so disgusting that it even led to hundreds of people being fired from their jobs, or disciplined, due to their public vitriol regarding Charlie Kirk, and what he represented. He became the face of the Trump Derangement Syndrome crowd. He was, in their eyes, the leader of the “Christian Nationalist” movement (which only exists in their minds). Charlie was being called a Nazi, Fascist, and bigot.
Sure, during his lifetime, many progressive left commie Democrats called him these kinds of names to his face at the events on college campuses, and elsewhere, but now that he had been so horribly killed the attacks against hime reached a crescendo.
Fortunately, on the other side of the ideological spectrum the number of tributes was mind-blowing. Political and public leaders from around the world, including President Donald Trump, stood firm around TP USA and Erika Kirk, Charlie’s widow. A celebration of Charlie’s life rose up so powerfully that it almost drowned out the hatred and disgusting celebrations of Charlie’s death. TP USA was suddenly on everybody’s radar, and American Patriots (Christians and Non-Christians, alike) stood together to celebrate Charlie’s life and accomplishments, showing an incredible amount of love for Erika, and the organization that Charlie had co-founded, built, and operated.
Charlie Kirk’s assassination touched off a countrywide conversation about political violence, and an incredible wave of Christian revival that rocked the U.S. from sea to shining sea. As legislators around the country began launching ways to honor Charlie, the age of WOKE and the Cancel Culture buckled under the weight of conservatism’s new found appreciation for Freedom of Speech. Prayer gatherings formed. Large worship events appeared. Young people were being emboldened by the death of a man who had spent his adult years challenging cultural norms. The new generation was rejecting the immoral foundation of Wokeism. Charlie Kirk had given many young Americans the courage to stand firm on their beliefs in the public square while he was alive, and in his death Charlie inspired many more, launching a wave of newfound conviction and boldness that was fueling an incredible political and Christian revival.
Courage, I think. is the right word.
The Tytler Cycle came to mind. Alexander Tytler, a Scottish political voice alive during the dawn of the American Experiment, offered that there is a series of steps that a nation goes through when it comes to rising out of bondage, and ultimately returning to it. From bondage a society must first experience an increase in Faith – a search for unity and deep moral groundings. From that faith comes the courage to fight for liberty, and then there is a rise in prosperity once that freedom is achieved. The system’s success then leads to so much prosperity that the culture becomes more focused on material things and selfishness. Personal responsibility becomes a thing of the past as the members of the society become complacent and apathetic. As the public loses touch, the government’s power centralizes. Independence becomes more controlled until government programs and intrusion in the lives of the citizens creates a dependency on government. Government then gains complete control, leading the people back to bondage – the condition from whence they began.
In my Constitution Classes, when teaching about the Tytler Cycle, I asked the class where they thought America was at present time. Somewhere between apathy and dependence? In total dependence? How close to bondage have we come to? Then, I ask if it is necessary for us to suffer through bondage, or can we cut straight across to spiritual awakening?
Could the death of Charlie Kirk have accomplished that very thing? As Charlie’s legacy continues to be written, is it possible that in death his impact will move America in a direction that will avoid the sting of full collapse and bondage?
No matter what becomes of this country following Charlie Kirk’s death, one thing is for sure: His assassination a year ago will be looked back upon by historians as being ranked among the more significant moments in history. Traumatic. Unforgettable. Course-changing.
After Charlie’s death the videos of his events and debates roared through the internet – building an audience wider than during his life. Many credit him with bringing in huge numbers of young voters for Donald Trump’s elections. Charlie was known worldwide, having been in contact with leaders like Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
He was friends with Vice President J.D. Vance, and his bold ability to stand in the public square proclaiming Faith in Jesus Christ was inspiring and effective. He advocated for Faith, marriage, and parenthood. American Exceptionalism was something he talked about constantly, and his knowledge of the Bible and the Constitution was like no other. He challenged the cultural leftist push about race, gender, and politics – passionately defending his position. His was a crusade. A movement. And that movement is still moving forward. A year after his death, love of God and Country is still on the rise. A year after his death his organization, TP USA, is still educating and inspiring young Americans. A year after his death his message has become global in ways his opposition feared. His message of the Love of Christ, America’s greatness, and the dangers of socialism continues to reverberate across the land and through the halls of school campuses.
Shortly after Charlie’s death the growth of TP USA exploded, with the organization reporting a 300 percent rise in church partnerships, a 200 percent jump in Club America groups in high schools, and a 64 percent increase in the number of college chapters. Thousands of schools are represented, and thousands attend TP USA events. Donations are up to support the organization’s activities, and Kirk’s “happy warrior” style of debate is being emulated across America. His legacy is one of standing firm on one’s beliefs in a calm, positive and courageous manner. Despite the extreme political hateful rhetoric against Kirk, his legacy is growing. Despite the leftist attacks, Americans are becoming more unified, and eager to learn more about the U.S. Constitution and Christianity as a result of Charlie’s life. In his death his political movement has grown in ways that the political left never dreamed of. Their attacks have backfired, and conservative Christians have become bold and steadfast in the wake of the rhetoric and glimpses of political violence. A new generation has grabbed the baton from Charlie, exclaiming, “We won’t back down.”
This is not to say that the opposition to Charlie’s message is going away anytime soon. Socialism is on the rise in American politics. Protesters continue to clash with police and conservative groups. Democrats refuse to honor Kirk’s passing on this first anniversary, though many are willing to condemn his assassination. The leftist side of the political spectrum has become more violent in its rhetoric, despite Charlie’s message of building bridges through education and debate. They reject his model of defending our values in America unapologetically, adopting instead an oppressor-oppressed view of American History.
When the opposition attacks, his message was clear. Stay calm. Let the lefties be the one’s losing their mind during the conversation. Ask questions, not only to understand what you are up against, but so that the leftwing opponent eventually contradicts themselves when faced with truth and logic. Rather than react emotionally, respond with reason and truth. While you may not change the minds of those you are talking to, some of those watching will recognize the truth when confronted with it.
Kirk said, “You’re not just debating a person. You’re performing for the audience of everyone else. And I try to do that at our prove-me-wrong events.”
Charlie inspired in such a way that people would walk away with “a fire in [their] belly that was so contagious,” says TP USA spokesman Andrew Kolvet.
The fire continues to burn.
As Charlie would remind us: Romans 8:28 – And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
— Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary
