Vice President JD Vance guest-hosted a special episode of The Charlie Kirk Show, the popular conservative podcast and radio program founded by Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old activist and Turning Point USA leader who was assassinated on September 10.
The episode aired live at 12:00 PM ET from Vance's office in the White House complex and lasted approximately 2.5 hours. It was broadcast on platforms including Rumble (rumble.com/CharlieKirk), Real America's Voice, and syndicated radio stations, drawing significant attention as a tribute to Kirk, whom Vance described as a "close friend and ally" instrumental in the Trump-Vance administration's success.
🚨BREAKING: Vice President JD Vance talks about his trip to Utah, where he escorted Charile Kirk's body back to Arizona. The conversation he had with Erika Krik, he says, really, really moved him.
— The Patriot Oasis™ (@ThePatriotOasis) September 15, 2025
"When I go to kiss my children goodnight, it just makes me realize all of the… pic.twitter.com/M5Rwk3KQiv
The event underscored Vance's personal ties to Kirk—Vance and his wife, Usha, had accompanied Kirk's casket on Air Force Two from Utah to Phoenix for funeral arrangements—and highlighted ongoing tensions surrounding Kirk's death, including investigations into the assassination and broader debates about political violence.
The episode was framed as a memorial but quickly evolved into a platform for Vance and guests to critique left-wing activism, vow aggressive responses to perceived threats, and rally conservative supporters. It drew praise from the right for its emotional depth and calls to action, while facing sharp criticism from the left for promoting what detractors called "extremism," "lies," and potential misuse of government resources.