Vice President JD Vance has taken on the role of host for “The Charlie Kirk Show” following the tragic assassination of the conservative activist last week at Utah Valley University.
Vice President Vance announced via social media on Sunday, expressing his intent to pay tribute to his friend. Speaking from the White House complex, Mr. Vance acknowledged the difficulty of his task, stating, “I’m filling in for somebody who cannot be filled in for.”
Charlie Kirk, aged 31, was fatally shot during an event organized by his group, Turning Point USA, in Orem, Utah. The young activist had close ties to the current administration, including President Trump and his family.
Related: Accused Charlie Kirk Shooter Now Faces Aggravated Murder Charges
Vice President Vance personally oversaw the transportation of Mr. Kirk’s remains to Arizona aboard Air Force Two, canceling a planned appearance at a 9/11 commemoration in New York to do so. The Vice President described this act as an honor, underscoring the personal nature of their relationship.
Vance has spoken openly about his longstanding friendship with Kirk, crediting him as a key ally in his political ascent. The Vice President revealed that Kirk was among the first he consulted when considering his Senate run in 2021, and that Kirk advocated for his vice-presidential nomination both publicly and privately.
It’s worth noting that Kirk’s organization has been credited with bolstering youth turnout for the Trump campaign in 2024. The Vice President asserted that much of the current administration’s success “traces directly to Charlie’s ability to organize and convene.”
Andrew Kolvet, executive producer of “The Charlie Kirk Show,” confirmed that Vice President Vance’s hosting role came at his own request, emphasizing the genuine friendship between the two men.
Looking ahead, President Trump has announced that Kirk will be posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. A memorial service is scheduled for September 21 in Arizona. Kirk’s widow, Erika, has vowed that her husband’s work will continue, stating, “The movement my husband built will not die.”
