Tributes pour in after assassination of Charlie Kirk

Prominent Americans are remembering Charlie Kirk as a man of faith, generosity, and conviction after he was assassinated Sept. 10 at a college event in Utah. 

Former Utah Rep. Jason Chaffetz, a Republican, was in the crowd when Kirk was shot. He became visibly emotional in a FOX News interview as he recalled Kirk’s final words to the crowd.

“The last question he took, the last thing he talked about to people in Utah — thousands of people that wanted to come hear him — is that his message was one of the love, of Jesus Christ, of his belief in prayer,” Chaffetz said. “And he talked about that from his heart. And you can feel it.”

Commentator Benny Johnson also shared a personal story on FOX News of Kirk’s generosity, explaining that Kirk housed his family after his family’s lives were threatened. Johnson said there “was a horrific fire on my block in Washington, DC, right after a mass shooting when DC defended their police.”

“Charlie Kirk allowed me and my wife and my family to stay in his condo here in Florida to search for a new home, to have refuge and shelter when our home had been horribly fire-damaged and when bullets rang out on my block,” Johnson continued. “And he never asked for anything in return.” 

Johnson called Kirk “an American martyr and a Christian martyr.”

“We will continue his work,” he pledged. 

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said that “a bullet has silenced the most eloquent truth teller of an era.” He called Kirk his dear friend and “our country’s relentless and courageous crusader for free speech.” 

At a Pentagon 9/11 memorial, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth compared Kirk’s courage to that of the day’s fallen heroes, saying he will be remembered “like those on 9/11.” 

“The life, example, and even death of Christ follower and American patriot Charlie Kirk give me hope. Sheer courage, no matter the arena. Charlie, we love you. We know that you have heard the Lord's words: well done, good and faithful servant,” Hegseth proclaimed. “Full heart, clear eyes.”

Tributes also poured in online. NFL player Harrison Butker, a Catholic, honored Kirk’s Christian witness in a post on X: “Thank you for your strong witness for Christ @charliekirk11. Thank you for pursuing truth and leading your family as a husband and father.”

Conservative commentator Robby Starbuck, who has been featured on Kirk’s show, posted a 40-minute video tribute.