No, Charlie Kirk Was Not Practicing Politics the Right Way
Mother JonesSEP 10
Trump Honors Slain Conservative Activist Charlie Kirk
Above: President Donald Trump during the memorial service for Charlie Kirk at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Sept. 21, 2025. Image copyright: Jon Putman/Anadolu/Getty Images
The Spin
Republican narrative
Trump's memorial speech for Kirk was fitting as it fused grief with reverence, casting him as a martyr of liberty, a patriot whose life's mission transcended death. It honored Kirk's faith, humility and defiance, while uplifting his family and immortalizing his cause. The words resonated as both tribute and rallying cry — cementing Kirk's legacy in America's story.
Democratic narrative
Trump's speech at Kirk's memorial squandered a sacred moment. Instead of uniting mourners, he rambled about autism, tariffs, and old elections, even declaring he "hates" opponents — an admission at odds with the grace on display. Where others honored Kirk's faith and forgiveness, Trump turned the occasion into a spectacle of grievance, diminishing its solemn purpose.
Narrative C
We must mourn the dead and denounce political violence, but portraying Charlie Kirk as a martyr at his memorial distorts a complex legacy. His divisive rhetoric on race, immigration, gender, and LGBTQ+ rights sowed discord and spread falsehoods. Elevating him as a saint of liberty buries this truth, ignoring the harm his words caused. A memorial should honor without erasing flaws — Kirk’s impact demands scrutiny, not blind veneration.