By now, everyone has heard about the murder of Charlie Kirk. The news has shaken the country, sparking an outpouring of grief, outrage, and solemn calls to stop the rising tide of violence in America.

Last Thursday night, before the Packers-Redskins game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the NFL held a moment of silence in Charlie’s honor. The league issued a statement:

“The National Football League asks that you please join us in a moment of silent reflection following the murder of Charlie Kirk. The NFL condemns all violence in our communities. It will take all of us to stop hate. Thank you.”

For me, it was surreal to hear his name spoken in that stadium, as tens of thousands stood in silence. It was a reminder that Charlie’s death was not just another headline; it was personal, and it cut across the whole nation.

The reaction online has been equally intense. Social media has been lit aflame, filled with grief, shock, and anger. Some mourners have written heartfelt tributes, while others have raged against the senselessness of his death. But did you notice? There were no riots after his murder, just vigils. That contrast spoke volumes. And on a personal level, I’ll admit it was a proud moment when a liberal posted a nasty comment about Charlie on Facebook, only to be immediately set straight by two of my children. They didn’t hesitate to defend him, reminding me that Charlie’s message still resonates, even in the face of hate.

As of this writing, authorities believe they have captured the coward responsible—Tyler Robinson. In an ironic twist, the killing took place in Utah, a state where the death penalty still exists… by firing squad. Justice has a way of finding its own cruel symmetry. Still, I wonder – would Charlie have seen it that way?

Though Charlie and I were of like minds in the Conservative Movement, I wasn’t as devoted to following him as I had been to Rush Limbaugh or even Tucker Carlson. I knew him mostly through his Fox News appearances and the occasional podcast. But when the shooting happened, I realized I didn’t know as much as I should have. So I dug deeper.

Charlie was 31 years old. A husband. A father to two small children. Born and raised in Arlington Heights, Illinois, he grew up a Chicago Cubs fan – like me. His first taste of politics came in high school, where he supported Republican Senate candidate Mark Kirk (no relation). After attending Harper College, he dropped out to pursue activism full-time, pouring his energy into the Tea Party and eventually co-founding Turning Point USA, an organization that grew into a national movement for conservative students.

More than anything, Charlie became known as one of the strongest voices of the MAGA era, embodying the rise of Christian nationalism in America. He was bold and willing to peacefully debate anyone. He took the fight into the heart of America’s universities, those bastions of left-wing indoctrination, and dared students to think critically instead of swallowing the liberal agenda.

Of course, his critics painted him in the darkest terms. Wikipedia, for example, branded him a promoter of “far-right causes” and accused him of peddling “controversial views”—opposing gun control, abortion, and LGBTQ rights; questioning the Civil Rights Act; supporting Christian nationalism; challenging COVID mandates; warning about demographic replacement; and doubting the 2020 election. The list reads less like a rap sheet and more like the platform of the Trump movement. Funny how the truth gets twisted when liberals hold the pen. Yet they’ll still beg for donations while claiming neutrality. China, Russia, and North Korea all do that, too.

But here’s the difference: Charlie didn’t just rant online, like yours truly. He showed up. He spoke out. He challenged people to debate him, daring anyone to prove him wrong. He carried the conservative message into places where it wasn’t welcome and forced people to reckon with it. He represented conviction and a refusal to back down.

Charlie’s voice is now silenced. But his message and fight remain. And if his death teaches us anything, it’s that no one is safe from the chaos we’ve allowed to grow in this country. The violence must end. But just as important, the voices of truth and conviction must not be silenced.

After all, when you call your political opponents Hitler enough times, you’ve signed their death warrant.