Vice President J.D. Vance said he will host the next episode of the Charlie Kirk Show to honor the late conservative activist and commentator Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot on Sept. 10 at Utah Valley University.
Vance, who has been publicly close to Kirk and was among the first politicians to pay tribute, said he would take the microphone for the podcast episode as a memorial to the 31-year-old conservative influencer.
Kirk was shot while participating in a campus event at Utah Valley University, a violent act that prompted an immediate response from political leaders and conservative organizations. His wife, Erika Kirk, said his legacy would continue through the Charlie Kirk Show and the conservative advocacy group he founded, Turning Point USA.
Officials in Washington and in the conservative movement reacted swiftly after Kirk’s death. Vance was photographed among those who helped carry Kirk’s coffin as it was loaded onto Air Force Two the day after the shooting for transport to Kirk’s home state of Arizona.
Vance’s announcement that he will host the podcast comes as Turning Point USA and Kirk’s family have signaled they intend to continue his work and public-facing projects. The Charlie Kirk Show has been a central platform for Kirk’s commentary and for Turning Point USA’s outreach to young conservatives.
Kirk rose to prominence as a leading voice in the conservative student movement and built a national profile through speaking tours, media appearances and Turning Point USA, an organization that focuses on college and high school campuses. His death has reverberated across Republican politics, with lawmakers and conservative figures offering condolences and recalling his influence on young activists.
Details about the circumstances of the shooting and any ongoing investigations remain limited in the public record. Authorities have not released a full accounting of events beyond initial reports that Kirk was shot while debating students on campus.
Vance’s decision to host the next episode of the Charlie Kirk Show underscores the close ties between Kirk and prominent figures in the Republican Party. It also reflects efforts by his family and allies to maintain the institutions and platforms he built.
Erika Kirk said in a public statement that her husband’s work would live on through his podcast and Turning Point USA. The show has previously featured interviews with lawmakers, policy advocates and commentators and has played a role in amplifying conservative messaging to younger audiences.
The White House and the vice president’s office did not immediately provide additional details about the planned podcast episode, including its format or the timing of its release. Vance’s announcement was first reported Sept. 15.
The shooting and its aftermath continue to draw national attention as supporters and colleagues of Kirk seek to commemorate his life and determine how his organizations will proceed in the coming weeks.