The assassination of Charlie Kirk on September 10 shook conservatives to their core.
His widow Erika stepped up to lead Turning Point USA and opened AmericaFest in Phoenix with 30,000 attendees honoring Charlie's memory.
And Byron Donalds stunned Newsmax with two words about Charlie Kirk's legacy.
Donalds defines Charlie Kirk's true mission
Florida Congressman Byron Donalds appeared on Newsmax days after Erika Kirk's powerful AmericaFest speech, and his answer about Charlie Kirk's legacy cut straight to what made Kirk different from every other conservative activist.
"Look, his legacy was one of debate, of open and honest communications, of respect for other people and their views," Donalds told Newsmax. "Even if you have vehement disagreements with them."¹
https://twitter.com/TPAction_/status/2002780518598009101?s=20
Those two words — "open" and "honest" — capture what Charlie Kirk built before a sniper's bullet ended his life at 31.
Donalds explained that Kirk's entire approach centered on engaging ideas head-on rather than shutting down opposition.
"He was obviously focused primarily on young Americans, college-age Americans, high school-age [students], because he wanted them to be politically aware and politically thoughtful, having gone through the details, the debate and the idea sets," Donalds said.²
This wasn't about preaching to the choir or creating echo chambers.
Kirk believed young people needed to grapple with opposing viewpoints, test their beliefs, and develop genuine convictions through rigorous intellectual combat.
That's the opposite of what's happening on campuses today where left-wing administrators silence conservative voices before students ever hear them.
Kirk's vision extended beyond politics
Donalds made clear that Charlie Kirk saw political education as essential to preserving the nation's foundations.
"In Charlie's view, and in my view, a country based upon Western civilization, Judeo-Christian values, and constitutional conservative principles, those are the ideals that will allow America to continue to be a prosperous nation," Donalds explained.³
These aren't abstract concepts disconnected from daily life.
Kirk understood that grounding young Americans in these principles would equip them to build successful lives, raise families, and eventually lead the country forward.
"These values even allow young people in high school and college to be prosperous when they become adults, when they have children and they begin to take the reins of leadership in our country," Donalds added.⁴
Donalds also expressed confidence that Erika Kirk and Turning Point USA's leadership team remain committed to Charlie's vision.
At AmericaFest, Erika announced that campus "Prove Me Wrong" debates — the same type of events where Charlie was assassinated — would return in spring 2026.⁵
"My husband didn't build this movement so people could feel comfortable. He built this movement so people could feel brave," Erika told the Arizona crowd.⁶
That's exactly what Kirk stood for — giving young conservatives the courage to defend their beliefs in hostile environments.
Donalds praised the organization's future direction while running for Florida governor with President Trump's endorsement.
https://twitter.com/ByronDonalds/status/2002723535647805934?s=20
Donalds honors Kirk's memory through action
The Florida Congressman has repeatedly invoked Charlie Kirk's memory as he campaigns across the Sunshine State with a massive fundraising advantage over GOP rivals.
"So that's his legacy, in my view," Donalds said. "And I think that Erika and the team at Turning Point, they're committed obviously to keeping Charlie's legacy intact and continuing to build the organization that he created."⁷
At AmericaFest, Donalds delivered another speech honoring Kirk's impact on the conservative movement.
"The other fighter that has defined our movement is Charlie Kirk," Donalds told the Phoenix crowd. "What came to my mind, and what came to my spirit was the verse that defined the other fighter of our movement, Charlie Kirk."⁸
Donalds quoted 2 Timothy 1:7: "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline."
"Charlie was a fighter who wore the armor of God. He was a fighter that tried to embrace those, even when they disagreed with him," Donalds continued.⁹
https://twitter.com/ByronDonalds/status/2002142057146822806?s=20
That's the essence of what made Charlie Kirk different — he didn't fear opposing ideas, he engaged them directly with confidence in conservative principles.
President Trump posthumously awarded Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom on what would have been his 32nd birthday in October, with Erika accepting the honor at a White House ceremony.
Trump called Kirk "a visionary and one of the greatest figures of his generation" who "fought for free speech, religious liberty, strong borders, and a very strong and proud America."¹⁰
Kirk's assassination galvanized young conservatives rather than silencing them, exactly as he would have wanted.
¹ Byron Donalds, Interview, "Newsline," Newsmax, December 19, 2025.
² Ibid.
³ Ibid.
⁴ Ibid.
⁵ AZFamily, "After assassination of Charlie, AmericaFest opens with Erika Kirk at the helm," December 18, 2025.
⁶ Gitanjali Poonia, "Ben Shapiro, Tucker Carlson butt heads on first day of AmericaFest," Deseret News, December 18, 2025.
⁷ Byron Donalds, Interview, "Newsline," Newsmax, December 19, 2025.
⁸ Real America's Voice, Twitter Post, December 21, 2025.
⁹ Ibid.
¹⁰ KUGN, "Rep. Donalds to Newsmax: Honor Kirk With Civil Debate, Not Violence," October 14, 2025.
