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On the 10th of September, political activist and speaker, Charlie Kirk was shot dead during one of his many “Prove Me Wrong” debates on the grounds of Utah University [1]. Since then his name has rippled on an international scale, causing a national divide that has provoked the question: Have we lost the ability to empathise?
What Kirk stood for and his impact
Kirk was a man who campaigned to have his voice heard. The right-wing populist activist had extraordinarily strong opinions that caused divisions on the already parted political spectrum. Disagreeing wholly with Abortion, the expansion of LGBTQ+ rights, the idea of public schools and what they stand for, illegal immigration, to name a few. His strong views gained traction with the current President of the United States, Donald Trump, as their opinions aligned with Republican ideology. Kirk’s opinions were heavily based on his faith, constantly quoting scripture in his many debates with college students. His American Comeback Tour began on the day he died, the point behind this tour was to go to different US university campuses and share the message of key Republican beliefs, in order to combat with those on the left [2]. Kirk advocated for Christian Radicalism (wholehearted commitment to Christ with a life that is deeply rooted in traditional scripture), support for Trump, gun ownership, and culture war framing. His political stance on certain topics created a rise in tension between young Democrats and Republicans, many of his debates went viral on the internet. Specifically one seen on YouTube hosted by the channel “Jubilee” where he puts himself in the crosshairs of young Liberal opinion [3].
His highly controversial arguments were not widely accepted among the Liberal population on both a national or international scale, but many Republicans endorsed the majority of his views. Since his death, President Trump has described Kirk to be “Great and even legendary”, and a “Great guy from top to bottom.”, the president’s complete condemnation of Charlie Kirk’s death has arguably created the largest wave in the USA- his voters have taken example of his words and actions in believing that the “Radicals on the left are the problem”, causing violent outcries and calls for revenge amongst the majority [4].
Alex Brandon/AP Photo
What does this mean for America?
Kirk’s death will mean many things are possible for the future of the USA and the already tense relationship between the two political oppositions. Since his death, the argument between generations and opinions have been very extreme. Many of the right are calling for vengeance and the hardening of policies to restrict rights and speech for certain groups casting blame on anyone who has different views to the current Republican manifesto, whereas the left have stated: Kirk didn’t believe in empathy, why should we give it to him now [5]. This stems from Kirk’s statement that empathy is a ‘made-up, new age term’ and should therefore not be used regularly to describe the way we feel or our own approaches to situations like this one. Does that mean the people that are emphasising their happiness about Kirk’s death are putting themselves on the same level as the man they wholeheartedly opposed? Are they practicing what Kirk preached about abolishing empathy? Or do they have the complete right to not adhere to the granting of empathy to the man who pledged to supress them? In the case of becoming someone you fought long before the day they died- Charlie Kirk was able to encourage what he wanted from the grave, showing the true power of political speech and the way things have the ability to change so quickly in such a short amount of time.
As seen recently, empathy is on the forefront of the minds of both Democrats and Republicans. Republicans have shared their disgust at the words or lack there of shared by the Liberal population. The anger of the Democrats has resurfaced stronger than ever before, posts on social media showing the celebratory attitude regarding the murder of Kirk and the statement constantly reading “He deserved it”. Does this inform human beings that politics has become an argument of not just the way we vote or who we believe has more reliable ideas to uphold democracy, or is it now entirely the case of human beings and the treatment that they deserve. The death of Charlie Kirk will act as a catalyst to change in the USA, the change it will cause is not yet seen to be positive- divisions have created anarchy in many states and even now the White House. Is humanity at a loss now, or has it ceased to exist for longer than we care to admit?
Antranik Tavitian/Reuters
Trump’s Role and Reaction
Trump was a well-known ally to Charlie Kirk, seeing as Kirk spent the majority of his debates arguing in favour of his President’s efforts and actions. Another one of Donald Trump’s friendships has recently been a talking point among the global population, he has also previously been rumoured to have a likely comradeship with the infamous Jeffrey Epstein when he was alive. Epstein, an accused sex criminal, had an alleged close companionship with the current president. This attachment to Epstein and the Epstein Files (list of known celebrities and people in the public eye who have previously had links with Epstein or Epstein Island) could be severely detrimental to his reputation and the rest of his four years in office.
Could Kirk’s killing be a direct link to Trump’s involvement in the files? Many have argued that not the death of Kirk but instead the participation in delivering a state funeral as well as constant TV interviews may indicate to a “distraction” away from revealing the Epstein Files [6]. With his visit to the UK currently underway, the president’s arrival clearly presents the view of the international population in regards to recent events as well as his connection to Epstein. Leading to the perception of Kirk’s death being used as an ulterior motive to be not only a feasible argument, but also an increasingly realistic one.
This evident anger being expressed by the public against the likes of Kirk and Trump including the positive reaction to Kirk’s death has definite connections to the situation regarding Trump and his administrations resistance to release the Epstein Files.
Self-Made Martyr
Charlie Kirk was extremely religious and presented himself to be a very Conservative Christian. He identified that the origin of his views stemmed from Biblical teaching and the word of God that he pledged his life to preach. Many opinions of which arguably unadopted by the current views on certain matters the world concerns itself with. Examples of which being Abortion, reducing Gun-Control, and the expansion of Transgender person’s rights.
In recent times, Kirk stated that “Democrats stand for everything God Hates” [7] , including the denouncement of the LGBTQ+ Agenda. He commented on his firm belief in the Bible verse Leviticus 20:13, which states “If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them”. This approach to the LGBTQ+ community is very traditional and widely rejected by the current global population and especially its youth.
However, Kirk vouched for the voicing of the opinions of the youth. He travelled across the United States to allow young people to express their views on his opinions and ultimately try to “Prove him wrong”. He would attempt to offer young men guidance against things like pornography, drinking excessively, and taking drugs- stating that “The Church will act as a Life Raft in this Tsunami of chaos and disorder” [8].
This therefore poses the question- was Charlie Kirk murdered because of his extremely traditional beliefs singular to the fact he was a Conservative Christian, or did he actively cause his own Martyrdom by choosing to spread anti-progressive messages he claimed stemmed from his beliefs? In this case, the possible martyring of Charlie Kirk may lead to a slippery slope of future cases deriving from both of the political parties. The future actions of the Republicans now teeters on the choice between acceptance and revenge.
A political cataclysm is more likely now than ever before, was this down to the death of Charlie Kirk or was it inevitable from the start?
[1] Turning Point USA, Official Website of Turning Point USA, 2025. Available at: https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=1c8be9d769213890c7cdae763106c0674cdbaf8f9cbde2f4abd1c63e2b4c3698JmltdHM9MTc1NzgwODAwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=1205713c-ca49-68d7-00fc-6445cbd66987&psq=turning+point+usa&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudHB1c2EuY29tLw&ntb=1
[2]Turning Point USA, Official Website of Turning Point USA, 2025. Available at: https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=5aed4f7b934382aaf6323b387b57346fcadf5486299e1a11163ae339f49c9d2fJmltdHM9MTc1Nzg5NDQwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=1205713c-ca49-68d7-00fc-6445cbd66987&psq=turning+point+usa&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudHB1c2EuY29tLw&ntb=1
[3] Jubilee ”Can 25 Liberal College Students Outsmart 1 Conservative? (feat. Charlie Kirk) | Surrounded’‘ 8 September 2024, Available at:
[4] Dallas Express, Carlos Turcios “Trump: ‘Radicals On The Left Are The Problem’ After Kirk Assassination” September 13, 2025, Available at:
[5] Snopes, Jordan Liles “Charlie Kirk once said empathy was ‘made-up, new age term’”
[6] Relationship of Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, Wikipedia, Available at:
[7] AP News, Bill Barrow and Jill Colvin “Donald Trump tells supporters to ‘just vote’ at Georgia rally organized by Charlie Kirk“, Available at:
Trump speaks in Georgia rally with Charlie Kirk | AP News
[8] The Christian Post, Ryan Foley “Charlie Kirk lauds young men’s renewed interest in attending church: ‘It’s beautiful’”, Available at:
Charlie Kirk lauds young men’s interest in attending church | U.S.
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