Vice President JD Vance Pays Respects to Charlie Kirk

On Thursday, Vice President JD Vance, along with his wife, Second Lady Usha Vance, will head to Salt Lake City to honor the family of Charlie Kirk, who was tragically assassinated at a university in Utah.

Kirk, well-known for his role in the organization Turning Point USA (TPUSA), was killed while participating in an event aimed at fostering open discussions with college students.

Originally, the Vances were set to mark the 24th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks at Ground Zero in New York City. However, following the shocking news of Kirk’s death, they opted to alter their plans.

JD Vance and Kirk shared a close friendship. In fact, Kirk was among the first individuals Vance reached out to when he was considering a Senate run back in 2021. Following the dreadful shooting, the vice president called for prayers online and penned an emotional nearly 1,000-word tribute on X, reminiscing about their bond that formed during Donald Trump’s presidency.

“Charlie was fascinated by ideas and always willing to learn and change his mind,” Vance reflected. He continued, “When others were right, he learned from them. When he was right—as he usually was—he was generous with his insights. The attitude with Charlie was never about “I told you so,” but rather, “welcome.”

Vance also acknowledged that Kirk played a significant role in connecting him with Donald Trump during a time when he still had reservations about him.

“Long before I even thought seriously about running, Charlie had me speak to his [Trump’s] donors at a TPUSA event. He introduced me around the room and offered honest feedback, all without expecting anything in return. At that point, my polling was below 5 percent. He acted out of friendship and kindness,” Vance explained.

The vice president shared how becoming the VP nominee affected him and his family, voicing gratitude for Kirk’s constant support through phone calls and texts, checking in, and providing guidance.

“This isn’t my forte, and I’m struggling to articulate the deep loss I feel over Charlie Kirk’s assassination. Charlie wasn’t just a friend—he was like a little brother not only to me but to countless people globally—a true beacon,” shared Donald Trump Jr.

“He wasn’t merely a thinker; he was a doer, turning large ideas into major events with thousands of activists. After every event, he would embrace me, assure me he was praying for me, and ask how he could assist,” Vance said.

Despite their disagreements about religion, Vance emphasized that Kirk held a genuine faith in Jesus Christ. He often remarked on how Kirk thrived in challenging environments, engaging with tough crowds and encouraging constructive conversations.

“Charlie died doing what he loved: discussing ideas,” Vance wrote. “He approached his work with courage and fostered debate even in challenging settings. He embodied a fundamental principle of our Republic: the willingness to engage openly with differing viewpoints.”

Kirk’s casket is expected to be transported from Utah to Arizona aboard Air Force Two on Thursday.

“You ran a good race, my friend,” Vance concluded. “We’ve got it from here.”