Vice President J.D. Vance returned to Arizona from Utah, personally escorting the body of Charlie Kirk. It’s a poignant gesture honoring a friendship that significantly influenced President Trump’s rise to the White House and his presence on the global stage.
Just before attending the 9/11 anniversary at Ground Zero in Manhattan, Vance decided at the last moment to travel to Utah with his wife, Usha.
The body of Kirk, the Turning Point USA founder, was loaded onto the Vice President’s plane, and they returned to Phoenix together.
Their friendship began around 2017, when Vance, initially a skeptic of Trump during the 2016 election cycle, grew closer to Kirk over shared ideas and ambitions.
A multitude of tributes poured in for Kirk after his untimely death during a public debate at Utah Valley University on Wednesday.
“I was on Tucker Carlson’s show in 2017, and after it aired, I received a kind DM from Charlie Kirk,” Vance recounted. “He was someone who was always eager to learn and evolve his views. Like me, he was initially doubtful about Trump but eventually recognized him as a pivotal force in American politics.”
“He was always ready to learn from others but equally generous in sharing his thoughts when he was right. That was just Charlie,” Vance reflected.
After their initial exchange, the two grew close, with Kirk being one of the first to reach out to Vance when he decided to run for the Ohio Senate in 2021. Even though Vance was polling low, Kirk urged him to speak at Turning Point USA events, introducing him to potential supporters and providing constructive feedback.
At 27 and 37, Vance and Kirk represented a youthful approach to conservative politics, appealing to younger generations. Kirk was already a recognized figure, backing Vance as a promising voice on the right.
Kirk also believed in Vance’s potential, even facilitating an introduction to Donald Trump Jr. during a time when the Trump family was still skeptical about Vance’s past critiques in his book “Hillbilly Elegy.”
Fast forward three years, and Vance found himself as a Vice Presidential candidate, though he admitted his family was facing challenges adjusting to this new life.
“Our oldest child has struggled with the added security measures and scrutiny. It’s hard not to feel guilty for bringing them into this lifestyle,” Vance shared.
“Charlie was a constant support, always checking in on our family and offering prayers and guidance,” he mentioned, recalling how Kirk would provide encouragement and care after events.
After winning the White House, Vance publicly thanked Kirk during an event, highlighting his invaluable friendship.
In a recent conversation with Trump, Vance noted that Charlie truly cherished his family. “Charlie Kirk was a genuine friend—someone you could trust completely. He passed doing what he loved: discussing ideas and engaging in meaningful conversations,” Vance concluded, stating that Kirk exemplified the core values of their Republic.
