Vice President JD Vance paid tribute to his “true friend” Charlie Kirk who was assassinated whereas talking at a school campus occasion in Utah on Wednesday.
In a prolonged submit on X, previously Twitter, Vance spoke about Kirk’s position in his political ascendance, supporting his 2022 Senate marketing campaign in Ohio, introducing him to Donald Trump Jr., after which advocating for him to be Donald Trump’s operating mate in 2024.
Vance recalled their friendship started after Kirk despatched him a direct message on X, praising his efficiency in an interview with then-Fox Information host Tucker Carlson in 2017.
“Charlie was fascinated by ideas and always willing to learn and change his mind,” Vance mentioned. “Like me, he was skeptical of Donald Trump in 2016. Like me, he came to see President Trump as the only figure capable of moving American politics away from the globalism that had dominated for our entire lives.”
Vance, who described Kirk as a “true friend,” mentioned the right-wing political activist earned the belief and love of “people at the very highest level of our government,” as he acknowledged Kirk’s instrumental position each in getting Trump reelected in 2024 but in addition in serving to the president put his new workforce collectively.
“So much of the success we’ve had in this administration traces directly to Charlie’s ability to organize and convene,” Vance wrote. “He didn’t just help us win in 2024, he helped us staff the entire government.”
Samuel Corum by way of Getty Photographs
Trump Jr., who described Kirk as a “little brother to me,” posted a message with related themes, writing that “there is no question that Charlie’s work and his voice helped my father win the presidency. He changed the direction of this nation.”
“Charlie was never a threat to anyone,” Trump Jr. wrote on X. “He was civil, he was kind, he listened and responded with respect. The only ‘threat’ he ever posed was that he was incredibly effective. He was a powerful messenger of truth, and people heard that truth. That’s what made him a target.”

Samuel Corum by way of Getty Photographs
Vance mentioned he discovered of the taking pictures whereas he was in a West Wing assembly.
“I prayed a lot over the next hour, as first good news and then bad trickled in,” Vance mentioned. “God didn’t answer those prayers, and that’s OK. He had other plans.”
“You ran a good race, my friend. We’ve got it from here.”

Rebecca Noble by way of Getty Photographs