Serving as Guest Host of "The Charlie Kirk Show"
Administration Mobilized to Launch Investigation into Left-Wing Groups
JD Vance, the U.S. Vice President, delivered a message of condolence as he hosted a podcast at a recent public event in place of the assassinated conservative political activist Charlie Kirk. Local commentators noted that the sitting Vice President personally stepping in as a show host to honor the death of a civilian is a clear demonstration of Kirk's significant influence within the Republican Party and the conservative movement.
JD Vance, the U.S. Vice President, recently hosted a podcast in place of the assassinated conservative political activist Charlie Kirk at a public event. Photo by AP News Agency
On the morning of the 15th, Vice President Vance took the microphone for a live broadcast of "The Charlie Kirk Show," standing in for the late Charlie Kirk, the head of Turning Point USA. Hosting the show for about two hours, Vice President Vance said, "I am here to share his story in place of someone who cannot be replaced," and added, "We will fight against the left-wing extremist movement that has been unbelievably destructive in recent years."
Politico, a U.S. political media outlet, commented, "It is unprecedented in American political history for a sitting Vice President to so openly express emotion and acknowledge Kirk's political rise." Previously, on the 10th, when news broke that Kirk had been fatally shot, Vance canceled his scheduled attendance at the 9/11 memorial event in New York and flew to Utah, where the incident occurred, to recover Kirk's body. He then transported Kirk to Arizona on his official plane, Air Force Two, and Vance personally leading the procession became a major topic among supporters of Make America Great Again.
Vice President Vance announced that, as a tribute, he would serve as a one-day host of "The Charlie Kirk Show," which Kirk had hosted during his lifetime and through which he wielded considerable influence among his supporters. He also promoted the broadcast on his social media, saying, "Join me on this journey to remember my friend." The broadcast, which Vice President Vance hosted from his office, garnered nearly 1 million views on YouTube in just three hours.
Vice President Vance: "The Smartest Person I Have Ever Met"
Referencing his long friendship with Kirk, Vance said, "He was the smartest political strategist I have ever met," and added, "Many of our administration's successes are thanks to Charlie's ability to organize and bring people together. Beyond helping us win the 2024 presidential election, he also played a role in shaping the entire administration's personnel." Turning Point USA, led by Kirk, ran campaigns during the last election to encourage young people in the Rust Belt to vote, and is credited with driving support for Trump among people in their 20s and 30s.
President Trump announced plans to award the Medal of Freedom along with an early flag lowering after Kirk's passing, and stated that he plans to attend the memorial service this week at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News
In particular, it is known that Kirk played a significant role in Vance being chosen as President Trump's running mate over other contenders. Vance continued, "There are increasing calls for unity and healing these days, but true unity can only be achieved after we climb the mountain of truth." He added, "We all owe Charlie a debt. He was a fighter who willingly devoted himself to his country. He loved America and was tireless in his efforts to make our nation a better place."
To Democratic Party members who expressed condolences after Kirk's death, Vice President Vance said, "I want to embrace those who condemn political violence," expressing his gratitude. However, regarding 'far-left fringe groups,' he emphasized, "We will use all government means to root them out." Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, shared a video of Vance's broadcast and stated, "It is impossible to unite with evil fanatics who praise murder."
White House Chief of Staff, Spokesperson, Cabinet Members, and Key Figures All Present
The broadcast featured key officials from the Trump administration and prominent conservatives, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services; Susie Wiles, White House Chief of Staff; Caroline Leavitt, White House Spokesperson; and conservative commentator Tucker Carlson. Secretary Kennedy Jr. notably described Kirk as his "soulmate in spirit." Stephen Miller, White House Deputy Chief of Staff and architect of President Trump's anti-immigration policy, characterized the incident as an "organized domestic terror movement" by non-governmental organizations (NGOs), stating, "We will mobilize all resources from the Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, and every agency to identify, dismantle, and destroy the related networks to make America safe again for our people. We will do this again in Charlie's name."
President Trump announced plans to award the Medal of Freedom along with early flag lowering after Kirk's passing, and he is also expected to attend the memorial service this week at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Photo by AP Yonhap News
President Trump is also expected to soon order a broad investigation into left-wing groups in response to Kirk's assassination. President Trump announced plans to award the Medal of Freedom along with early flag lowering after Kirk's passing, and stated that he plans to attend the memorial service this week at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. He also said, "Kirk was like a magnet for young people," and added, "The stadium may very well be filled to capacity."
Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated in a Fox News interview released that day that visas would be denied or revoked for foreigners celebrating Kirk's assassination. He said, "We should not grant visas to those who come to the United States to celebrate the killing, execution, or assassination of political figures. If they are already here, their visas should be revoked. Why would we want to bring people into our country who will engage in negative and destructive behavior?" Previously, Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau also said that while monitoring foreign cases, "Those who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors," echoing a similar sentiment.
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