A Tribute to Charlie Kirk

By Coleton Furlow

Yesterday, America lost the single most influential political figure of our time. Charlie Kirk was more than a leader—he was a husband, a father, a visionary determined to rescue this nation from a deteriorating ideology. But above all, he was a man unashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Charlie Kirk was an American hero. He gave us hope for a better future, inspired students across the nation to think for themselves, and made it cool to love America again. Through his leadership, Gen Z was given a voice when so many tried to silence us. He emboldened us to stand firm in truth and common sense. He even made politics fun.

Charlie engaged in political discourse the right way—peacefully, respectfully, every single time. The “crime” that led to his assassination was simply debating college kids and convincing them that hating America was wrong. He welcomed opposing views, gave space for questions, and treated others with dignity. They killed him for it.

I had the privilege of working with Charlie at several political events, including interviewing him backstage at CPAC. My favorite part of working in politics is discovering who is genuine—who is the same person off-camera as they are on. Charlie was exactly that. A class act. Always smiling backstage, always excited to meet people and share his vision for America.

While I knew him, I didn’t know him as many of my closest friends did, and my heart breaks for them. I can’t imagine losing a leader and mentor in such a horrific way. What breaks me even more is knowing his children will grow up with stories instead of memories—never seeing their dad in action on campus, changing hearts and minds.

Like many of you, I’ve wrestled with emotions: anger, grief, fear, uncertainty. Watching the footage of the attack was gut-wrenching. For the first time in a long time, I asked God, “Why? Why Charlie? Why now? Why like this?”

I don’t have the answers. But I do know this: evil is rampant in our nation, and one political party has fanned its flames. The Democrat Party has normalized hatred toward half of America, incited violence, and turned “tolerance” into weaponized intolerance. For a party that cries out for gun control, they’ve shown us all too clearly how willing they are to use violence to silence their opposition.

It is unsafe to be a Christian or a conservative in America today. You are mocked, attacked, jailed, or worse—murdered. They jailed Christians for praying. They burned our cities. They attacked one of my best friends in New York for simply asking questions. They tried to assassinate President Trump. And now, they succeeded in assassinating the future of the GOP.

Where do we draw the line? I don’t know. But I know this—Jesus has already overcome the world. He has defeated death, hell, and the grave. Every wrong will one day be made right, and we will stand in victory.

No one will ever fill Charlie Kirk’s shoes. But his vision has created a generational movement that will outlive him. Because of organizations like Turning Point, I have lifelong friends, renewed courage, and a fire to leave my country better than I found it. It all began with Charlie’s dream to save America.

This must be the turning point. We must never back down. We cannot give in. We must carry the torch Charlie left behind, boldly speaking truth—even if it costs us everything. Because to lose your life for Christ is to gain it forever.

Charlie is now with his Savior, the One he was never ashamed to proclaim. Thank you, Charlie, for your leadership, your legacy, and your sacrifice. Until we meet again.