No, Charlie Kirk Was Not Practicing Politics the Right Way
Mother JonesSEP 9
Trump Honors Slain Conservative Activist Charlie Kirk
Above: **Watermarked Getty Image. Kindly Replace** President Donald Trump gives a speech during the memorial service for conservative activist Charlie Kirk at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, United States, on Sunday. Image copyright: Jon Putman/Anadolu/Getty Images
The Spin
Trump’s memorial speech for Charlie Kirk was fitting as it fused grief with reverence, casting him as a martyr of liberty, a patriot whose life’s mission transcended death. It honored Kirk’s faith, humility, and defiance, while uplifting his family and immortalizing his cause. The words resonated as both tribute and rallying cry — cementing Kirk’s legacy in America’s story.
Trump’s speech at Charlie Kirk’s memorial squandered a sacred moment. Instead of uniting mourners, he rambled about autism, tariffs, and old elections, even declaring he “hates” opponents — an admission at odds with the grace on display. Where others honored Kirk’s faith and forgiveness, Trump turned the occasion into a spectacle of grievance, diminishing its solemn purpose.
Metaculus Prediction
There is a 50% chance that the Democracy Index of the U.S. will be 7.08 in 2040, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
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© 2025 Improve the News Foundation.
All rights reserved.
Version 6.15.2