The American conservative movement was rocked this week by the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the prominent activist and founder of Turning Point USA. Kirk, who was killed shortly before September 13, 2025, leaves behind a legacy that has sparked both grief and renewed calls to action among his supporters, as well as a flurry of responses from high-profile figures across the political spectrum. His death, confirmed by multiple sources including a list of public reactions from 24 notable MAGA-aligned celebrities, has become a lightning rod for discussion about the future of political discourse, activism, and the ongoing struggle over the soul of America.
According to reporting published on September 12, 2025, a broad array of conservative celebrities—among them Roseanne, James Woods, Scott Baio, John Rich, Kevin Sorbo, Kristy Swanson, Ryan Garcia, Antonio Sabato Jr., Lee Greenwood, Kid Rock, Theo Von, Dean Cain, Russell Brand, Dr. Phil, Chris Janson, Rob Schneider, Brett Favre, and Tim Tebow—publicly responded to Kirk’s death. Their reactions, ranging from sorrow to calls for unity, highlight the deep impact Kirk had on the conservative movement and the personal connections he forged throughout his career.
Yet, perhaps no response captured the gravity of the moment more than that of actor and activist Robert Davi. In a deeply personal reflection published on September 13, Davi shared his initial reaction to Kirk’s assassination: "My first reaction to his assassination was to go nuclear on the left because of what my dear friend and brother Andrew Breitbart called ‘righteous indignation.’ The left in America has lied, spewed hatred, lawlessness, violence, and sedition. Charlie was a man of peace, truth, and courage. His whole essence was one of living a life based on Jesus Christ."
Davi’s words, steeped in grief and faith, reveal the emotional toll Kirk’s death has taken on those closest to him. Davi, who has himself experienced personal tragedy with the murder of both a grandfather and a younger sister, described how his Catholic upbringing and prayer ultimately guided him away from thoughts of vengeance. "My being violent was not the answer. I found myself feeling the same over Charlie’s murder, but prayer once again led me to a more powerful and positive place," Davi wrote. This process of reflection, he explained, inspired a call to action that eschews hate and violence in favor of truth, courage, and love.
To honor Kirk’s memory, Davi penned a stirring address inspired by Shakespeare’s Henry V—a call not to arms, but to what he calls "righteous indignation" wielded through peaceful means. He urged supporters to "battle we must—as angels against the forces of evil who want to sow hatred, division, and violence." In his reimagined speech, Davi wrote, "Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more; Or close the wall up with our righteous martyr’s blood. In peace, there’s nothing so becomes a soul as faith and humble love for God: But when the lies of tyrants tear our country apart, then rise with Charlie’s words and zeal, ablaze with truth!"
For many, Kirk was more than just a political figure. He was described by Davi and others as a man guided by the teachings of Jesus Christ—a person whose life was defined by peace, truth, and courage. Davi’s tribute emphasized that to honor Kirk properly, supporters must not succumb to hatred or despair, but rather continue his mission with renewed faith and determination. "Dishonor not his mission; now attest that Charlie’s vision lives within your blood, be now a light to those lost in the dark, be not afraid to teach them how to stand," Davi implored.
The outpouring of responses from well-known conservative celebrities underscores Kirk’s influence within the movement. The list of those who spoke out reads like a who’s who of right-leaning Hollywood, sports, and media personalities. Their public statements, though varied in tone, collectively signal a moment of reckoning and introspection for the conservative community. Several of these figures have called for unity and resilience, echoing Davi’s emphasis on fighting back against hatred not with more hate, but with conviction and love.
Turning Point USA, the organization Kirk founded, has long been a fixture on college campuses and in conservative circles, known for its energetic activism and unapologetic approach to political engagement. Kirk’s death, therefore, resonates not only on a personal level for those who knew him but also as a symbolic blow to a movement already grappling with deep divisions and external criticism. Supporters are left to grapple with the question of how best to carry forward Kirk’s legacy in an era marked by increasing polarization and political violence.
Davi’s invocation of Shakespeare and his call for "truth, courage, and love as the ultimate weapons in the battle not only for the soul of America but for mankind" reflect a broader anxiety about the state of American political life. The language of martyrdom and spiritual warfare, while deeply meaningful to many in Kirk’s orbit, also points to the high stakes and emotional intensity that now characterize much of the country’s political discourse. Davi’s words—"Reject their lies, and let truth’s banner soar! I see you stand like warriors of the Cross, straining for the charge. The fight is now: Follow his spirit, and upon this charge cry ‘God for Charlie, Faith, America, and Turning Point!’"—capture both the sense of loss and the determination to persist.
As the nation processes Kirk’s assassination, the conversation has shifted from shock and anger to questions about the future. What will become of Turning Point USA without its charismatic founder? How will the conservative movement respond to calls for both righteous indignation and restraint? And, perhaps most importantly, can the cycle of hatred and violence be broken by a renewed commitment to faith, truth, and love?
In the days and weeks ahead, these questions will no doubt shape the direction of conservative activism and the broader national debate. For now, the voices of those mourning Charlie Kirk—whether celebrities, activists, or ordinary supporters—offer a portrait of a movement at a crossroads, wrestling with its grief and searching for a way forward that honors both the man they lost and the ideals he championed.
Charlie Kirk’s death has left a void in American conservative politics, but also a challenge: to find strength not in anger, but in the values of truth, courage, and love that he so fervently espoused. For many, that challenge has only just begun.
