Vice President J.D. Vance said Monday that national unity will be unattainable with people who celebrated the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, speaking during a live broadcast of Kirk’s radio program from the White House complex.
Vance, who filled in as host of "The Charlie Kirk Show" from his ceremonial office in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, said he was "desperate" for unity following Kirk’s fatal shooting last week but added that unity can only exist with those who acknowledge that political violence is unacceptable. The two-hour livestream, which aired on the Rumble platform from the White House press briefing room, featured appearances by White House and administration officials who knew the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA.
Vance opened the program by acknowledging he was "filling in for somebody who cannot be filled in for," and recounted conversations with Kirk’s widow, Erika, describing Kirk as a kind and loving husband. He said he transported Kirk’s body from Utah to Arizona aboard Air Force Two last week and described his grief and sense of obligation to honor his friend. "I’m desperate for our country to be united in condemnation of the actions and the ideas that killed my friend," Vance said. "We can only have it with people who acknowledge that political violence is unacceptable."
Guests on the program included White House chief of staff Susie Wiles; Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.; White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt; and deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller. Miller, in his remarks, pledged aggressive action against what he described as "festering violence on the far left," saying the administration would use resources at the Department of Justice, Homeland Security and other agencies to "identify, disrupt, dismantle and destroy these networks." Law enforcement officials have said they believe the suspect accused of killing Kirk acted alone.
Vance blamed what he called lies about Kirk for contributing to the killing and promised the Trump administration would act to stop anyone who would kill another person because of their words. He said he felt indebted to Kirk for his role in Vance’s political rise and in the administration’s successes, noting that Kirk helped organize youth turnout and introduced people who later worked on Vance’s campaign and in government. "If it weren't for Charlie Kirk, I would not be the vice president of the United States ... it's one of the reasons why I feel so indebted to him," Vance said on the program.
Kirk, who founded Turning Point USA and built one of the nation’s largest conservative youth organizations, had been criticized over the years by some Democrats and others for comments they described as anti-immigrant, racist, misogynistic or otherwise offensive. Vance said he wanted the nation to condemn those ideas as well as the violence they said led to Kirk’s death.
Vance also shared a personal anecdote from talking with Erika Kirk, recounting that she told him her husband never raised his voice to her and was never "cross or mean-spirited." Vance said that exchange inspired him to try to be a better husband and father.
The program and Vance’s role as substitute host highlighted Kirk’s close relationship with the Trump-Vance team. Vance described their friendship as beginning around 2017 after Kirk messaged him following an appearance on the show of conservative commentator Tucker Carlson. Kirk later advocated for Vance in political circles and helped connect him with donors and aides; Vance said Kirk helped shape the staffing and outreach that contributed to the administration’s 2024 success.
The vice president interrupted his schedule following the shooting, canceling attendance at a Sept. 11 remembrance in New York to fly to Orem, Utah, with his wife, Usha Vance. The couple accompanied Erika Kirk and the casket to Arizona on Air Force Two.
Political scientists noted the unusual nature of a vice president hosting a political program from the White House. Jody Baumgartner, a political science professor at East Carolina University, said vice presidents have more flexibility in their schedules than presidents, which likely allowed Vance to appear on the show and speak at length about Kirk’s influence.
Authorities have continued to investigate the killing, and at least publicly have indicated the suspect acted alone. Vance and other administration officials used the broadcast to call for condemnation of political violence while also emphasizing the friendship and political contributions of Kirk, reflecting the deep ties between the conservative activist and senior members of the administration.