RFK Jr.’s Tribute to Charlie Kirk

RFK Jr. at Charlie Kirk’s Memorial in Washington, D.C. Courtesy of AOL.com.

Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. delivered a eulogy for conservative activist Charlie Kirk on September 14, 2025 at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. The event reflected Kirk's legacy, including broader ideas of free speech and national identity. The vigil was attended by prominent Republican leaders including House Speaker Mike Johnson and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

Charlie Kirk, conservative podcaster and co-founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot during a speaking event at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025. Before his death, Kirk represented a beacon of hope for many young right-wing voters. He transformed Turning Point USA into a nationwide movement and framed conservative ideas as rebellious in the face of liberal institutions, encouraging Generation Z to see themselves as part of a cultural shift. Through his platform with Turning Point, Kirk had become one of the most visible conservative figures on college campuses across the country. Outspoken in his support for President Donald Trump, Kirk utilized these events and his large social media following to challenge liberal ideology within higher education.

Kennedy, leader of the “Make American Healthy Again” movement and a Trump ally, used his remarks to frame Kirk as more than a partisan figure. Beginning his speech with an anecdote, Kennedy told the attendees that before heading off to college, his niece packed a bible. As she left, she told her family, “I want to live like Charlie Kirk.” Much of Kennedy’s remarks revolved around the principle of free speech, a theme that shaped Kirk’s career and much of the discourse around his death. Kennedy argued that Kirk’s willingness to “speak the truth as he saw it” was essential to democracy itself, a sentiment echoed by many of Trump’s allies in the wake of the shooting. While drawing on his family’s legacy of defending civil liberties, Kennedy simultaneously aligned himself with the rhetoric of current conservative leaders.

This emphasis on free speech also represents Kennedy’s evolving role within the current administration. Once known for his environmental advocacy, Kennedy has pivoted in recent years to align himself with Trump on many hot button issues, such as pandemic policies and governmental accountability. The launch of the “MAHA” movement has solidified Kennedy as a MAGA stronghold, and right-wing politicians and voters alike have welcomed him as one of their own.

By framing Kirk’s legacy around authenticity and open expression rather than solely partisan politics, Kennedy also hinted at broader ambitions. In elevating Kirk as a model for younger generations, Kennedy underscored the importance of youth engagement in shaping America’s political future. His participation at the vigil also highlighted how figures on the outskirts of the Republican establishment may use moments of tragedy to highlight themes that resonate across party lines.

The speech ultimately offered insight into Kennedy’s broader political strategy: claiming free speech not as a conservative talking point, but as a shared national value rooted in his own family’s values. In doing so, Kennedy sought to transform his tribute to Kirk into a larger statement about where he sees the country heading and how he fits into that future.