Charlie Kirk Day

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As of right now, the USA is a place of violent polarization and simmering anger. There have been a multitude of violent events from school shootings to attempted political assassinations–some of which succeed, creating an atmosphere of fear and outrage. Despite all of this, the US government has done little to combat this, and they seem more interested in using it to their advantage, as seen with the assassination of Charlie Kirk. 

On October 14, 2025, President Trump proclaimed that day as the National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk, following the posthumous awarding of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, which was received on Kirk’s behalf by his wife, Erika. This same day would have been Charlie Kirk’s 32nd birthday. It will be designated as “National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk.”

Charlie Kirk was a conservative political activist with a wife and two children who, on September 10, 2025, was fatally shot at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, while at a Turning Point USA (TPUSA) event. He was assassinated by 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, who was arrested on September 16th on seven felony charges. Officials say they will seek the death penalty for Robinson.

A prominent voice of the MAGA movement and co-founder of the conservative student group, Turning Point USA, many grieved his death greatly. It came as a shock and a cry of outrage and pain to the nation. A public vigil was held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on September 14th. A memorial service on September 21st drew over 100,000 people in attendance, including figures like President Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

This day of remembrance was first created when Senator Rick Scott, a Florida Republican, first introduced it to legislation. Other lawmakers, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, Greg Steube, Mark Alford, Anna Paulina, and Maria Salazar, among others, also promoted this Remembrance Day.

It was resolved that the House of Representatives supported this designation, recognized Charlie Kirk for his contributions to civic education and public service, and encouraged others to observe this day with the appropriate programs to promote civic engagement and principles of freedom, democracy, and faith.

On Charlie Kirk Day, TPUSA and Charlie Kirk supporters wore red shirts, many with “Freedom” printed on them in white to celebrate Kirk’s birthday. Turning Point USA sold many of these shirts and has other merchandise, including wristbands.

Charlie Kirk had strong right-wing views and was admired by many conservative youths who felt as though he had given them a stronger voice. He would invite students to challenge his viewpoints and then defend them, something that made some look up to him and others criticize him. He would debate topics about immigration, transgender rights, abortion, and other highly controversial issues, often citing his Christian faith while doing so.

His rhetoric was sometimes described as hate speech, being racist, homophobic, and xenophobic. He was critical of abortion and transgender rights and was accused of creating a toxic environment.

As such, his remembrance day received much criticism. Many have pointed to Kirk’s controversial and sometimes harmful beliefs, claiming that by honoring him, those viewpoints are being promoted.

Some have accused far-right Christians and white supremacists of attempting to replace the image of Martin Luther King Jr. with Charlie Kirk in the public mind. Kirk has called Dr. King a “bad person” and has further called the Civil Rights Movement a “mistake.” Accusations have been made claiming that conservatives are trying to make Charlie Kirk into a martyr to promote their beliefs.

Others say that the day is needed to remember who Kirk was and all he had done, such as the several movements he supported, his devotion to his Christian faith, the many books he published, helping to give conservative youth a way to express themselves, and connecting with those in the USA.

His assassination has made an already tense USA even more politically polarized, with the issue situated in the rigid two party system. A third party candidate has never once been elected for president, with most Americans choosing between candidate A and candidate B, republican or democrat, with no in-between. 

This has led to bitter feelings and relationships between both—highlighted by this assassination over differing beliefs. And while it’s not Civil War extreme, it’s still highly disturbing that the USA is becoming a country where speaking your beliefs can lead to death, no matter what those beliefs are. 

In turn, we are seeing a blame game on political violence between the two parties. Most republicans are honoring Kirk’s legacy–painting that martyr picture, claiming that the democrats are to blame. Meanwhile, democrats oppose resolutions honoring Kirk, citing his highly controversial beliefs and statements.

Republicans have attempted to use Kirk’s message’s in their favor to boost sympathy, receiving harsh criticism from democrats in turn, further highlighting how horrid events like this are being used in politics. 

It’s simply refusal to concede one’s opinion over a certain topic that has made cooperation between the two parties nearly impossible, and has led to the build up of this polarization. Lawmakers are unable to put their differences aside, rather they are arguing and making childish jabs at one another, all while the USA rots in the background of their incompetence and stubbornness. 

If the two parties could actually lay out some groundwork and sacrifice some personal pride, things could go so far and, most importantly, actually get done.

In conclusion, Charlie Kirk Day was created to honor the memory and message of political activist Charlie Kirk, but it’s enveloped in controversy and uproar among a highly polarized USA that shows where the cracks lie in it.