In the wake of the shocking and tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk, a towering figure in conservative youth activism, many young conservatives are left grappling with grief, fear, and a renewed sense of responsibility. Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, was known for his charismatic speeches, political activism, and vocal support for conservative values. But his legacy is complicated, marked by both ardent support and harsh criticism for his controversial and often inflammatory rhetoric.
I sat down with three politically active college students—Kieran Laffy, Katie Caldwell, and Philip Vayrob—who admired Charlie Kirk and were profoundly impacted by his death. Their emotions ran deep as they recalled the shocking moment they learned about the assassination. “I was in my history class, and for the first time in my college career, I stepped out of the room with tears in my eyes,” Kieran shared. “It was truly tragic.”
For Kieran, Charlie Kirk represented an inspiring figure of youth activism. “I watched his videos as a kid—how he stood up, spoke articulately, and yet was kind to those around him. I wanted to emulate that passion and dedication,” he said. Katie Caldwell explained that Kirk resonated with her because of his traditional values. “I grew up in a conservative Christian household, and I saw many similarities between his family and mine,” she said. “That’s why this loss hurts so deeply.”
However, the students expressed deep concern over the toxic political environment that led to Kirk’s death. Katie stated, “As a conservative on campus who speaks out, I’m frightened because some believe Charlie Kirk deserved to die simply for expressing his opinion.” They fear the growing normalization of political violence, where opposing views are met not with debate but with hate and aggression.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox’s recent plea to the younger generation—to build a culture of unity rather than further division—resonated strongly with the students. “Unity is imperative,” Kieran asserted. “We must reject political violence and uphold the First Amendment. This country was founded on free, fair, and open debate.”
Despite witnessing instances of people on campus applauding Kirk’s death, the group remains committed to promoting civil discourse. “Political violence is corrosive,” Kieran said. “It fills us all with suspicion and hate. We cannot let ourselves become like those who celebrate it.”
One important question arose: Who can fill the void left by Charlie Kirk? “He started this movement as a young man without any organization backing him,” Kieran reflected. “It’s hard to imagine someone stepping into his shoes any time soon.” Yet, they believe that his vision should continue. “Charlie didn’t die in vain,” Philip said. “We must continue the fight to unify people, stand up for what is right, and foster open conversations.”
Katie emphasized that understanding opposing viewpoints is key to healing the country’s deep political divide. “Charlie always stood for debate, open dialogue, and understanding others’ perspectives,” she said. “We should carry on that legacy by being open-minded and respectful toward others’ ideas, even if we disagree.”
As for the blame surrounding political violence in the country, the students refrained from pointing fingers. “Playing the blame game won’t help,” Kieran stated firmly. “What matters is condemning violence, regardless of political affiliation.”
In a moment of unity and reflection, these young conservatives vow to continue advocating for open debate, political engagement, and civil discourse, honoring Charlie Kirk’s legacy. “Our generation has the power to build a future defined by understanding rather than division,” Katie concluded. “We owe it to Charlie to keep the conversation going.”