Kennedy Center prayer vigil for Charlie Kirk stirs patriotism and hope amid tragedy
Sunday night’s moving tribute at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., offered an uplifting memorial for Kirk’s exceptional life
by Summer Lane | September 15, 2025
Sunday night’s vigil at the Kennedy Center paid homage to the exceptional life of Charlie Kirk, offering Americans a thoughtful perspective on dealing with the loss of such a dynamic political and faith leader while acknowledging the price of freedom: sacrifice.
“It’s as if a dark shadow was cast over our country and certainly here on Capitol Hill – the leaders of the nation have been shaken,” said Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., during his remarks, reflecting on the past week.
He continued, “In spite of that, we remember that our dear friend Charlie would never want us to be overcome by despair…Charlie Kirk recruited and trained and educated a generation of happy warriors, and we do well to be reminded, that the best way to honor his memory, and to honor his unmatched legacy, is to live as Charlie did.”
Kirk was a giant in the world of politics and faith. He served as the president of Turning Point USA, and he was largely responsible for mobilizing the youth vote to turn out for President Trump in 2024 in key battleground states like Arizona and Wisconsin. He was also a huge proponent of free speech and open civic discourse, and he was well-known for his ability to debate college students.
Kirk was a close friend to both President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance – among many other deep and meaningful friendships with political and thought leaders.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt – who worked with Kirk as far back as the days of her campaign for a congressional seat in New Hampshire in 2022 – delivered comments honoring Kirk’s life.
“When so many influential voices in our society are brainwashing young people to abandon our faith, to stay single, not to have children, and to bash our country, Charlie Kirk offered us an alternative path… Charlie celebrated American exceptionalism,” she said.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. delivered thoughtful remarks on Sunday, speaking to the depth of Charlie’s sacrifice and the impact of his strong faith on the nation.
“Yesterday, my 17-year-old niece left for Europe to go to college,” he said. “While she was packing her mother…noticed that she had put a Bible in her suitcase. And [her mother] was curious about it, and she asked her. And Zoe said to her, ‘I want to live like Charlie Kirk.’”
“There are millions and millions of kids around the country who he inspired who now want to live like Charlie Kirk,” he continued.
Kennedy spoke warmly of his friendship with Charlie Kirk, and told the audience that Kirk was the “primary architect of my unification with President Trump.”
Kennedy’s decision to join the Trump campaign in the summer of 2024 was a key moment in the presidential electoral battle – giving Trump incredible momentum. The endorsement of Kennedy for Trump was even delivered at a Turning Point event.
In later comments, Kennedy discussed the real dangers facing both himself and Kirk from “challenging entrenched interests.”
“And he asked me if I was scared to die,” Kennedy remarked. “And I said to him, ‘There’s a lot worse things than dying.’”
Kennedy continued, “I said to him at that time, ‘Sometimes our only consolation is that we can die with our boots on. We can die fighting for these things.’ Charlie gave his life so that the rest of us would not have to suffer those fates worse than death. Now it’s our job. He’s no longer there to lead us. Rush in and fill the deep breach and win this battle for our country, for God, and for our families.”
Other prominent conservative leaders like Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Senior Advisor for the U.S. Agency for Global Media Kari Lake, and Florida Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna (R) also spoke.
“We can’t have freedom without faith,” Lake – a good friend of Kirk – said during her remarks. “And I believe that Charlie will live an even bigger life after Wednesday than we would have before Wednesday… But God is using him in such powerful ways. Charlie is not dead. He’s got everlasting life.”
