Vice President JD Vance stepped into an unusual role on Monday, hosting The Charlie Kirk Show in memory of his slain friend. Broadcasting from his ceremonial office in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, adjacent to the White House, Vance described the occasion as “filling in for somebody who cannot be filled in for.”
The two-hour programme, livestreamed in the White House press briefing room, featured contributions from senior administration figures who had worked with Charlie Kirk. “Every single person in this building, we owe something to Charlie. He was a joyful warrior for our country. He loved America. He devoted himself tirelessly to making our country a better place.”
Vance vows crackdown on Left ideology in US
Vance used the platform to call for national unity, but admitted reconciliation was impossible with those who had celebrated the activist’s killing. He announced that the Trump administration would be cracking down on what they called leftist nongovernmental organizations.
Vance urged Americans to call the employers of people celebrating Charlie Kirk’s murder.
“We don’t believe in political violence, but we do believe in civility. And there is no civility in the celebration of political assassination.”
Vance said the government would “work to dismantle the institutions that promote violence and terrorism in our own country”.
The administration would “explore every option to bring real unity to our country and stop those who would kill their fellow Americans because they don’t like what they say”, Vance said.
What Vance said in the radio show?
Opening the show, Vance recalled his conversations with Kirk’s widow, Erika, describing her moving stories of her husband as a devoted partner and father. He admitted her words inspired him to strive to be a better husband and father himself.
In closing, the vice president condemned what he described as lies about Kirk, which he believes contributed to his death. He promised that the Trump administration would act to prevent further violence driven by words or ideology. “I’m desperate for our country to be united in condemnation of the actions and the ideas that killed my friend,” Vance said.
‘If we want to stop political violence like what happened to Charlie Kirk, we have to be honest about the people who are celebrating it and the people who are financing it,” Vance added.
‘If not for Charlie Kirk, I wouldn’t be vice president’
Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA, was central to mobilising young conservative voters and maintaining Donald Trump’s grassroots strength. Vance acknowledged that much of his own political career owed a debt to Kirk, who championed his rise from Senate hopeful to vice president.
Kirk had been instrumental in introducing Vance to donors, campaign staff, and influential figures such as Donald Trump Jr. Vance emphasised, “If it weren’t for Charlie Kirk, I would not be the vice president of the United States.”
Charlie Kirk’s death has shaken the conservative movement. For Vance, his radio appearance was not only a personal farewell but also a statement of gratitude to a man he credited with shaping the Trump-Vance administration.
“Charlie helped us win in 2024 and helped us staff the government,” Vance said. “To honour him, we must ensure his vision for America lives on.”
White House remembers Kirk
The broadcast also served as a memorial from the administration. Chief of staff Susie Wiles, Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, press secretary Karoline Leavitt and deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller all participated.
Miller in particular pledged that the administration would deploy every available resource to root out what he called “networks of political violence,” vowing the crackdown would take place in Kirk’s name.
Vance and Kirk first connected in 2017, after Kirk praised Vance’s television appearance. That message of encouragement grew into a close friendship. Kirk was an early advocate for Vance’s political career and an important influence on Trump’s decision to select him as running mate in 2024.
After Kirk’s assassination in Utah last week, Vance abandoned his schedule to accompany the activist’s body home to Arizona aboard Air Force Two, alongside his wife and Kirk’s widow.