Charlie Kirk‘s Campus Tour Continues, Sparking Questions of Legacy and Future Debate
Following the death of Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, his association continued a planned campus tour with speaker Megyn Kelly at an undisclosed location. The event differed markedly from Kirk’s previous appearances, lacking the viral, confrontational exchanges he often fostered. Unlike Kirk’s typical open-air settings on campus lawns, this event took place in a secured auditorium, possibly limiting accessibility. Organizers also speculated that the event’s headliner, Ms. Kelly, may have drawn a different audience than Kirk, with fewer left-leaning students seeking debate.
The current political climate, marked by heightened partisanship and accusations in the wake of Kirk’s death, may also be a factor. the event raised questions about whether there remains an appetite for the kind of robust, often challenging, debates Kirk championed.
Instead of provocative exchanges,the audience posed largely conservative-leaning questions,including inquiries about Israeli influence in politics,Ms. Kelly’s Starbucks order, and strategies for conservative christians to coexist with liberals. the question of navigating relationships with those holding opposing political views was repeated several times.
Ms. Kelly responded to the last question by advocating for avoiding political discussions altogether, sharing a personal anecdote about maintaining friendships with a liberal and an independent woman by deliberately avoiding the topic. “Unless you really, really love each other and feel like it’s safe to try… But there’s no reason to start debating, I think, people with whom you have diametrically opposed views,” she advised.
This stance contrasted sharply with Kirk’s own beliefs, as highlighted in a memorial video played at the event’s beginning.
Despite kirk’s passing, many students expressed a desire to continue his work. Ariel Schlosser, a senior at Virginia Tech, stated, “The courage and inspiration we’ve gotten from this moment, it’s going to inspire a lot of other future Charlie Kirks.” A common sentiment among more than a dozen students interviewed by the Monitor was that Kirk wouldn’t be replaced by a single individual, but rather by a broader movement.
“I want to carry on his legacy,” said Chase Wampler, who founded a Turning Point chapter at his high school in southwest Virginia just three days after Kirk’s death. “I think he’s going to be replaced by a movement and not a singular person.”
However, Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk’s wife, is emerging as a key figure in the organization’s future. She was recently appointed chief executive and board chair of turning Point USA. Her message of forgiveness delivered at her husband’s memorial service garnered bipartisan praise.
Mikey McCoy, Kirk’s chief of staff, recently discussed with Ms. Kirk plans to expand the organization, stating on “The Charlie Kirk Show” that the conversation felt like speaking with Kirk himself. “She knew everything,” McCoy said. “From the way she texts to the way she talks, I can confidently say that I feel like it’s Charlie still leading this organization.”
