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Every summer, the shadowy Bohemian Club — a private gentlemen’s society based in San Francisco — hosts a clandestine retreat called “Bohemian Grove” in Monte Rio, California, where highly influential men in politics, business, media, culture, and entertainment gather for two weeks on a secluded 2,700-acre private property deep in the redwood forests.

The event is shrouded in mystery — no paparazzi, no women, no entry without an invitation, and lots of whispers of strange rituals and elite networking.

Twenty-five years ago, Infowars founder Alex Jones snuck in and secretly recorded one of Bohemian Grove’s most cherished rituals: the “Cremation of Care.”

On a podcast with Glenn Beck, Jones shared the wild tale of his Bohemian Grove infiltration.

The Cremation of Care is a theatrical ceremony, where attendees burn an effigy before a large owl statue to symbolically banish worldly concerns for the duration of the retreat. It’s similar to how Burning Man attendees set fire to the “Temple” on the final day of the festival to represent letting go of personal burdens.

“It’s occultic, and there’s vibes of that everywhere,” says Jones of the event. He explains that Mark Twain founded Bohemian Grove in the late 1800s, but it was later taken over by the Republican establishment and Skull and Bones (a secret society at Yale University), which is what gives the gathering its secretive, Germanic, druidic, and Masonic character.

After sneaking in with Jon Ronson, a British journalist and documentary filmmaker, who gained access via an insider, Jones, having narrowly escaped inquisitive Secretive Service guards, hid under the deck of one of the cabins.

“I got into the woods, got to the first camp and nobody was there, and I climbed up underneath the log cabin deck, and there were like literally centipedes and spiders. It was like ‘Indiana Jones Temple of Doom,’” he laughs.

At nightfall, he emerged from his hiding place and stealthily joined a large crowd walking toward the lake.

And then he beheld it: the infamous stone owl.

Jones paints a chilling scene straight from a thriller’s darkest frame — “big crowds of men coming in hundreds and hundreds,” descending a shadowy hill, dwarfed by towering redwoods so colossal their trunks could swallow cars whole. “Bats and frogs” stir the murky air with restless flutters and croaks, their eerie chorus blending with a live symphony’s foreboding rendition of “In the Hall of the Mountain King.”

Jones, trying to fly under the radar, then climbed into a redwood tree and recorded the “dramatic footage” of the burning ritual.

“They mixed in Babylonian, druidic, Canaanite, faustian stuff in the hour. They bring out a hearse that’s horse drawn with the effigy of a child. They then call on the goddess to come and they call these other gods to come,” Jones recounts. “So it’s kind of an amalgamation like the Bible says of all these religions.”

In retrospect, especially after receiving Bohemian Grove annals years later, Jones says he realized that famous people, including American broadcaster Walter Cronkite, played the voice of the owl. These voice actors were stationed inside the statue where they controlled sounds, such as amplified voices or eerie effects, to enhance the theatrical atmosphere.

“I’m not saying they’re all devil worshipers … it’s more of a crazy art festival, but there is an occultic thing to it,” he tells Glenn.

The duo speculate that the majority of attendees are there just to have a good time, but the inner ring of people who control the event are indeed hosting legitimate pagan rituals, even if their guests aren’t aware.

Jones says the masterminds orchestrating the retreat use these two weeks to assess who among their guests might be of use to them. Jones recalls how most of the Bohemian Grove crowd was just having fun, but there were some, especially the official Bohemian Club members, who clearly took the ritual seriously. One man — “some billionaire,” he says — practically growled “this is a very important ritual” when Jones suggested it was a “neat” spectacle.

The members “were trying to transmute their problems onto this ritual” in hopes that “Karma” or some other vengeful deity would “pass over them,” he explains, calling the burning “very hardcore.”

“It was very sophisticated, very dark, [and] beyond black magic,” he says, explaining that the burning, like many ancient pagan rituals, aimed at casting one’s sins into an “interdimensional cauldron” before “[sending] it to another plane.” In other words, it’s the satanic version of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice that atoned for the sins of man.

To hear Jones’ full recount, watch the interview above.

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A Connecticut man who raped and impregnated a girl in his care agreed to take a plea deal and could only serve five years in prison.

Roger Barriault, 65, of Bristol raped the girl thousands of times beginning when she was 9 years old and impregnated her when she was 12 years old, according to police records. A DNA test of the girl’s daughter proved that he was the father.

‘She feels proud that she was able to stand up to this guy that she was abused by for so long, and she feels hopeful.’

Despite the horrific nature of the accusations, Barriault was given a plea deal for first-degree sexual assault. The charge carries a sentence of 25 years that can be suspended after 10 years. He must serve a minimum mandatory sentence of 5 years in prison with 20 years of probation.

Barriault was arrested after the victim, who is now an adult, went to police in 2023. She said that the Connecticut Department of Children and Families had put her in the care of a person who introduced her to Barriault. She ended up in his care and faced daily sexual assault.

Nate Baber, the victim’s attorney, said the victim was under the legal guardianship of Barriault. Law enforcement officials estimated that he had raped her between 3,800 and 4,000 times.

Barriault’s wife was also arrested and will face a charge of risk of injury to a minor.

Baber said the victim had received some sense of justice in court.

“She feels proud that she was able to stand up to this guy that she was abused by for so long, and she feels hopeful. This is the first time in a very long time she feels hopeful. That what she did was the right thing, and people are listening.”

The victim is now 30 years old and has filed a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against the Connecticut Department of Children and Families. She accuses them of ignoring the abuse she endured.

RELATED: Woman attacked her 10-year-old son with a machete while they were in the shower, police say

A statement from the department said they were legally limited from making statements about the case.

“However, statutes do allow us to correct misinformation made public about the Department’s role in how the victim arrived in the home of the person who harmed her,” the statement reads.

“To that end, it has been reported that DCF ‘lost track’ of the victim and a prior legal guardian in 2005. To clarify, the Department had no involvement with the child or any of the involved families between 2003-2006,” the statement continues. “Also, Mr. Barriault and his wife were never licensed foster parents for the Department and the now adult victim was not placed into the home of Roger Barriault by the Department. The family received guardianship of the victim via the Probate Court as a child.”

The police warrant said there had been as many as 12 children living in Barriault’s home at one time.

Barriault will be sentenced Nov. 2025.

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California is once again at the center of the nation’s automotive and energy policy debate. With federal electric vehicle tax credits set to expire this September, the state is considering whether to create its own replacement program.

This would not only affect car buyers but could also reshape the national conversation on emissions rules, vehicle affordability, and the balance of power between state and federal regulators.

With its ZEV mandate and aggressive environmental policies, California is pushing automakers, consumers, and policymakers to adapt — whether they’re ready or not.

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) released a report on August 19 recommending that the state consider “backfilling” the federal credits with its own point-of-sale rebates, vouchers, or other incentives to keep EV sales moving.

The details remain vague, but the intention is clear: California wants to keep its aggressive zero-emission vehicle goals on track, even as Washington scales back related programs.

Emissions mission

But California has been here before. This is not the first time the state has clashed with the federal government over vehicle regulations — and it likely won’t be the last.

California has a unique history when it comes to vehicle emissions. Decades before the federal government created the Environmental Protection Agency, California was already regulating air quality in response to its smog problem.

When the Clean Air Act was passed in 1970, California was granted a waiver that allowed it to set its own stricter emissions standards. Other states were given the option to adopt California’s rules, and some states have done so. Today, 11 states follow California’s lead.

This waiver authority has made California an outsize force in shaping vehicle propulsion. Automakers cannot ignore a market of this size, which means California’s rules often become de facto national standards.

Better red than fed

California’s regulatory independence has not always sat well with Washington. Under different administrations, the federal government has either supported or resisted the state’s authority. During the Obama years, California partnered with the federal government to create a unified fuel economy and emissions program, giving automakers a single set of national rules.

Under the Trump administration, the EPA rolled back certain emissions standards, sparking legal battles with California, which insisted on enforcing its own tougher rules. The state formed alliances with other states and even some automakers to defend its position.

Today, with federal EV tax credits expiring at the end of September and policy focus shifting, California is again stepping into the driver’s seat by proposing its own financial incentives. These ongoing disputes highlight a deeper question: Should environmental and automotive policy be driven by national uniformity or by one state acting as the policy leader?

Forever ZEV?

The discussion over tax credits cannot be separated from California’s ZEV mandate. Under CARB’s plan, automakers must steadily increase the percentage of EVs they sell, with the ultimate goal of phasing out new gasoline-powered vehicle sales by 2035.

This is one of the most ambitious policies in the country, and automakers are scrambling to meet the targets. Some states, such as New York and Massachusetts, have pledged to follow California’s lead, while others remain skeptical. For consumers, this means that vehicle availability will increasingly be shaped by government mandates and not by market demand. Even if gas-powered cars remain popular, automakers will need to balance that demand with regulatory compliance.

Different strokes

The CARB report suggests that any new program would differ from the federal credits in key ways. Instead of tax credits, buyers could receive point-of-sale rebates, allowing them to benefit immediately rather than waiting until tax season.

Incentives may also vary depending on income level, vehicle type, or price, so luxury EVs could receive lower rebates while affordable models get more support.

Additionally, any new program would be tied to yearly funding availability, meaning that if budgets tighten, rebates could shrink or disappear. This approach could make the system more flexible, but it also introduces uncertainty for buyers trying to plan their purchases. In the past, the state of California and other states have run out of money in the EV fund and left buyers with nothing.

RELATED: Little Deuce Prius?! California’s shocking plan to ban classic cars

Justin Sullivan/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Electric slide

The promise of continued incentives may be welcome news for some California drivers, but the reality is more complicated. EVs still come with challenges beyond sticker price. Even with rebates, EVs are often thousands of dollars more expensive than comparable gasoline cars.

California has built more chargers than any other state, yet many regions remain underserved, and home charging is not always an option, particularly for renters.

EVs also tend to depreciate faster than gas vehicles due to rapid advances in technology and concerns about battery life. Insurance rates are higher on electric vehicles as well.

And let’s not forget a major expense: Electricity rates are rising at double the rate of inflation.

One of the key criticisms of EV subsidies is that they often benefit wealthier households. Data from federal programs has shown that a large percentage of credits went to buyers in higher income brackets because these households are more likely to purchase new cars, and EVs remain disproportionately concentrated in the premium market segment.

California may attempt to address this with scaled incentives, but questions remain about whether the system can truly deliver benefits to everyone. Meanwhile, working-class families who rely on affordable used cars may find themselves subsidizing programs that they cannot realistically take advantage of.

Bowing to the bear

For automakers, California’s decisions carry immense weight. The state accounts for nearly 12% of U.S. auto sales, and when you include the other states that follow its rules, the market share becomes impossible to ignore.

Manufacturers that fail to meet California’s requirements face penalties, while those that comply can earn credits to sell or trade. This system has created an uneven playing field, favoring companies with strong EV lineups.

Tesla, for instance, has profited significantly from selling ZEV credits to competitors in the past. If California establishes a robust new rebate system, it could further tilt the market toward EVs, encouraging automakers to prioritize them even more, take greater losses on each vehicle.

Off the market

At its core, this debate is about whether government policy should drive technology adoption or whether the market should dictate the pace.

California argues that aggressive incentives and mandates are necessary to address climate goals and push the auto industry forward. Critics counter that these policies distort the market, forcing automakers and taxpayers to shoulder costs that may not align with consumer demand. They also warn of unintended consequences, such as reduced affordability, lack of charging stations, and strained electrical infrastructure.

California’s proposal to replace expiring federal EV tax credits with state-funded incentives is the latest chapter in a decades-long story of the state asserting its role as the nation’s automotive regulator.

With its ZEV mandate and aggressive environmental policies, California is pushing automakers, consumers, and policymakers to adapt — whether they’re ready or not.

For some wealthier car buyers, this could mean continued financial support when purchasing an EV, but it also raises questions about long-term effectiveness. For taxpayers, it means another debate about where funds should be directed and increased taxes for residents. For the auto industry, it underscores more losses on vehicles that are designed by one state’s demands.

As history shows, when California moves, the rest of the country often feels the impact. The next few months will reveal whether the state can successfully design a program that keeps EV sales going without overburdening its citizens with more increased taxes. But one thing is certain: California still has significant power over the U.S. auto industry.

​California, Lifestyle, Auto industry, Ev mandate, Tesla, Align cars 

Erika Kirk, the widow of slain political activist Charlie Kirk, issued her first remarks since his death and spoke about the legacy he left behind and how Americans can continue to support his cause.

Standing behind a podium with the message, “May Charlie be received into the merciful arms of Jesus, our loving Savior,” she spoke about her fallen husband.

‘My husband laid down his life for me, for our nation, for our children. … I will never, ever have the words to describe the loss that I feel in my heart.’

“Good evening. My name is Erika Kirk. Charlie Kirk is my husband,” she began.

She thanked all of the law enforcement officials who worked to hunt the suspect who allegedly shot and killed Kirk. She also thanked Turning Point USA as well as the first responders who tried to revive her husband.

“I want to thank President Trump and his incredible family. … Mr. President, my husband loved you. And he knew that you loved him too. He did. Your friendship was amazing. You supported him so well,” she said.

“Two days ago, my husband, Charlie, went to see the face of his Savior and his God,” she added.

“And one of the final conversations that he had on this earth, my husband witnessed for his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Now and for all eternity, he will stand at his Savior’s side, wearing the glorious crown of the martyr.”

She went on to say that her husband’s mission will continue and strengthen in his absence.

“My husband laid down his life for me, for our nation, for our children. … I will never, ever have the words to describe the loss that I feel in my heart. I honestly have no idea what any of this means. I know that God does, but I don’t,” Kirk said.

She also encouraged young people to find a local chapter of Turning Point USA and continue the mission he started.

“Most important of all, if you aren’t a member of a church, I beg you to join one, a Bible-believing church,” she added.

RELATED: ‘Shame on you!’ Stephen A. Smith tears into people celebrating the killing of Charlie Kirk

Vice President JD Vance accompanied Kirk’s family and friends on Air Force Two to bring the casket with Charlie Kirk’s remains from Utah to Phoenix, Arizona.

On Friday, President Donald Trump announced that a suspect had turned himself in to law enforcement authorities at the urging of his family. He was identified as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson and later arrested. He faces charges that include aggravated murder and felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury.

Robinson could face the death penalty if convicted.

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The National Football League chose to honor the memory of Charlie Kirk ahead of its Thursday Night Football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Washington Commanders, but many were offended by the decision.

Video of the announcement at the famed Lambeau Field stadium was also broadcast to the viewers of the game on Amazon Prime after an intro from host Charissa Thompson.

‘I’m sorry but what the f**k are y’all doing?’

“The National Football League asks that you please join us in a moment of silent reflection following the murder of Charlie Kirk,” the announcer said. “The NFL condemns all violence in our communities. It will take all of us to stop hate. Thank you.”

While many appreciated the moment to honor the activist, some on the left spewed their rancor on social media.

“Not for 9/11. Not for children murdered at school. But for a regular guy (not even military) that spewed nothing but hate shielded behind the bible. I thought politics weren’t allowed in this sport?” reads one popular response with 1.1K likes.

“I’m sorry but what the f**k are y’all doing? Didn’t that trout mouth b***h, Laura Ingraham tell Lebron to shut up and dribble?????” another reply reads.

“Racist sympathize with other racist. And the majority of white people in this country are racist,” another detractor wrote.

“But don’t kneel,” one user responded.

The NFL explained in a statement to PFL the reasoning behind the moment of silence.

“Last night’s moment was the league’s decision. It’s up to the clubs for this Sunday’s games,” the statement reads in part. “There have been a variety of moments of silence and tributes in-stadium and on-air in all games or a game immediately following events that rise to a national level. Clubs also often hold moments following a tragic event that affects their community.”

RELATED: ‘Shame on you!’ Stephen A. Smith tears into people celebrating the killing of Charlie Kirk

The manhunt for a suspect in the assassination ended Thursday evening when 22-year-old Tyler Robinson turned himself into law enforcement authorities.

His family members realized he matched the appearance of photographs of the suspect that had been released, and he allegedly admitted to the shooting, according to Republican Utah Gov. Spencer Cox. He was arrested without incident that night and could face the death penalty if convicted.

The Packers went on to beat the Commanders by a score of 27 to 18 and remain undefeated through week two of the NFL season.

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Conservatives are well aware that Charlie Kirk was as good as they come — honest, kind, hardworking, a family man, a truth seeker, a speaker — and they’ve been mourning his loss accordingly.

But the left has used the 31-year-old’s tragic assassination as an excuse to spread hate, and their horrific messages are everywhere on social media.

It has gotten so bad that even high-level Democrats who have spread vile rhetoric themselves are asking their voters to tone it down.

“This is a time that all Americans should come together and feel and mourn what happened. Violence, which affects so many different people of so many different political persuasions, is an affliction of America, and coming together is what we ought to be doing, not pointing fingers of blame,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement.

Schumer was joined by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who said, “This moment requires leadership that brings the American people together as opposed to trying to further divide us. Political violence in any form against any American is unacceptable, should be denounced by everyone, and moving forward, we have to figure out a better way to come together.”

“Not as Democrats or Republicans, but as Americans,” Jeffries added.

BlazeTV host Sara Gonzales isn’t buying it.

“I mean, isn’t that so convenient? Isn’t that so convenient for Hakeem and for Chucky to go over there and tell people now’s the time to come together? You guys are the ones who’ve been calling us this for 10 years,” she says on “Sara Gonzales Unfiltered.”

“It’s gaslighting,” BlazeTV contributor Matthew Marsden chimes in. “What this is, it’s not just gaslighting, right? It’s mental abuse. That’s what it is. It’s real mental abuse. And the other thing is, not only did people go out and celebrate, but they made it about something else.”

“They pivoted to gun control,” he continues, noting that shortly after bringing gun control into it, they started saying Republicans have been more violent and targeted more people.

“Every lie that the mainstream media puts out, it is cited by other people,” he adds.

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British admirers of the slain activist Charlie Kirk gathered in a large memorial in front of the Prime Minister’s Office on Downing Street in London.

The 31-year-old activist was shot and killed Wednesday while debating students on his celebrated national campus tour stop at Utah Valley University. President Donald Trump said Friday morning that a suspect had turned himself into law enforcement authorities on Thursday evening.

‘It shouldn’t be that we live in a world where, just for having an opinion, you should be killed. I think that’s abhorrent and a really negative turn for Western civilization.’

A day later, supporters gathered to remember him and vow to continue his life’s work to spread conservative policies and ideas.

Reuters reported that there were about a thousand supporters at the memorial, which was occasionally interrupted by heavy rain. Many wore “Make America Great Again” hats as well as British and U.S. flags.

One 22-year-old attendee named Isaac Grand told Reuters he did not support all of Kirk’s positions but agreed with him on family and culture.

“It shouldn’t be that we live in a world where, just for having an opinion, you should be killed. I think that’s abhorrent and a really negative turn for Western civilization,” he said.

— (@)

While no speakers were scheduled, many stood up to recite their thoughts about Kirk’s death and his legacy.

Independent journalist Louis Errington published nearly three hours of streaming video from the vigil onto the X social media platform. He captured one speaker before chants of “Christ is king!” broke out among the crowd.

“Be under no illusion: ‘Meek and mild,’ ‘turn the other cheek’ is over!” said the speaker, who was identified as Nick Marcel Tenconi. “Each and every one of you should be radicalized by what has happened! It is time to get organized and mobilized!”

Turning Point USA, the political organization Kirk founded, released a powerful statement encouraging Americans to continue his efforts.

“When asked, Charlie said that above all he wished to be remembered for his faith,” the statement reads. “Far more than any political victory, Charlie wanted to see a spiritual revival among America’s youth.”

RELATED: ‘It’s the death of free speech!’ Jay Leno expresses his shock at killing of Charlie Kirk

— (@)

“He wanted a nation of happy, thriving families who loved God and each other,” the statement continues. “At his final public speech, just days before his murder, Charlie witnessed to Christ to an audience of nonbelievers. Even in his very last moments, Charlie was professing the Gospel. He ran his race well all the way to the end.”

“Now, he goes to his heavenly reward.”

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Officials have filed an affidavit with intended charges against Charlie Kirk’s suspected assassin, NBC News reported.

Tyler Robinson, 22 — who is now in custody — is expected to be charged with aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, and obstruction of justice, the news network reported, citing the probable cause affidavit.

‘I am shocked, very shocked.’

Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray is planning to file formal charges against Robinson on Tuesday, NBC News said, adding that all the offenses are state charges.

Officials said early Friday that Robinson was taken to the Utah County Jail. A judge ordered Robinson held without bail, the Associated Press said, adding that Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) said Robinson is believed to have acted alone. Officials have repeatedly stated they will go for the death penalty in this case.

Blaze News reported Friday morning that President Donald Trump said Kirk’s suspected assassin was in custody. Kirk was killed after a single shot to his neck Wednesday at Utah Valley University while presiding over one of his wildly popular speaking events directed toward college students.

Officials released video just after the shooting showing their “person of interest” running across the rooftop of a UVU building, jumping to the grass below, and escaping into a wooded area on foot.

RELATED: Antifa, gay furries, and bomb codes? What the engravings on the Kirk assassination bullets may mean

A law enforcement official told the AP that Robinson’s father recognized him from images authorities released and encouraged his son to turn himself in.

The outlet, citing the official, said his son refused at first but then changed his mind. His father reached out for help to a youth pastor, who helped Robinson turn himself in, the AP added.

RELATED: ‘We got him’: Tyler Robinson — suspected Charlie Kirk assassin — is in custody, officials say

State and federal court records don’t show any prior criminal cases involving Robinson, the outlet reported, adding that officials from all military service branches confirmed Robinson has no affiliation with them.

The AP added Friday that a heavy police presence was outside the house of Robinson’s family in St. George, Utah, as media arrived. The outlet said window coverings were drawn, and a pickup truck was parked in front of the home on the street, blocking access to the driveway.

Kristin Schwiermann — a neighbor of the Robinson’s family — told NBC News said he was “smart,” “quiet,” and “never caused any problems.”

“It was just a shock,” Schwiermann added to the news network. “I am shocked, very shocked.”

She told NBC News she learned from her son that Robinson had been named as a suspect: “My son texted me and said, ‘Hey, this is Tyler Robinson that lives three doors down.’ And I’m like, ‘No, it can’t be.’ It’s shocking. That’s not who’s in our neighborhood. I feel for his mom. … She’s a great mom, and he has a great dad.”

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Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk never shied away from speaking truth — especially in the most hostile environments.

And BlazeTV host Stu Burguiere recalls a clip of Kirk doing just that on the “Whatever Podcast,” where he was speaking to women who use platforms like OnlyFans to sell content of themselves in the middle of unsavory acts.

“Thank you guys for a respectful conversation, even though we see things very differently,” Kirk told the panel of diverse characters.

“For whatever it’s worth, if you’re engaged in the creation of that content, I think God has a better plan for you. I know that might sound preachy and not what you want to hear, but just maybe you’ll have an encounter with God, and Jesus loves all of you, and he can transform your life,” he said.

“He transformed my life. I’ve had a lot of problems in my life, a lot of problems, and Jesus solves everything. And every day is a new day, and it’s a hopeful, beautiful life ahead of you. And I know that might not be something you even believe, and you might think that all Christians hate you and your way of life and all those sorts of things,” he continued.

“I’m a pretty firm, believing, outspoken Christian, and God loves every single one of us. We’re all sinners, and Jesus died for us,” he added.

“You’ve definitely been the most respectful one that I’ve seen,” a woman on the panel interjected.

“Well, thank you. That’s very, very kind. And I can tell you, it’s not me. If it was me, I’d be yelling and screaming. It’s the Holy Spirit,” he responded.

“That’s a great moment,” BlazeTV host Stu Burguiere comments.

“He’s not yelling at them, as he was saying. He’s not, you know, freaking out on them. He’s basically sharing the truth with them and doing it in a calm and loving way,” journalist Billy Hallowell agrees, recalling an event Charlie used to host.

“He would bring thousands of people out, and it was not a political event. I went to one in April. He sat down and talked about evil with this pastor, and broke down theologically what evil looks like,” Hallowell tells Stu.

“I think he cared so much about other people that he wanted to bring them along,” he continues, adding, “and he used logic to do it.”

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To Liz Wheeler, Charlie Kirk wasn’t just a fellow conservative warrior, a role model, or a kindred spirit who shared her fire for truth and liberty.

“He was a friend. We grew up in this movement together,” says Liz.

While Satan’s forces and radical leftists are celebrating the death of Charlie, Liz takes heart in knowing that God works everything — even the most horrific and atrocious acts — for His glory. Charlie’s death will not be in vain.

“The lion in our country has been awakened, and we are about to see a cultural revolution in our homes, in our neighborhoods, in our cities, in our country, the like of which we have never seen,” she says.

“Charlie Kirk was normal, just like you’re normal. Charlie Kirk wasn’t radical. He wasn’t extreme. He wasn’t bombastic. He wasn’t even edgy. He was just a regular guy. He was one of us. And they killed him for that,” says Liz.

“How many people woke up this morning with the realization that … Charlie Kirk was killed not just for his views, but for our views?” she asks. “Given the chance, the left wants us dead too.”

“It’s the first time for many people that they’re realizing … the reality of the political enemy that we face, that it’s not Democrat versus Republican just bickering in Washington, D.C. There is a spiritual battle raging.”

Change like we’ve never seen before is coming to the United States, but how we handle our raw anger will determine what kind of change we see, says Liz.

We can either “descend into civil war,” which is exactly what the left wants, she says, or we can channel our righteous fury into the next “great awakening.”

While it’s gut-wrenching “to think about what comes next [because that] means that we have to move on without Charlie,” we must act because “we cannot live in a country where not only do these things happen, but where these things are intentionally created by our political opposition,” says Liz.

Two things must be done if we want to see a cultural awakening that results in positive change, she says.

One: “Root out the evil” that’s been intentionally allowed to fester in “colleges and universities” that have become nothing more than “indoctrination centers.”

“These evil ideologies that are turning politically apathetic freshmen into hardened revolutionaries by the time they graduate — this needs to be stopped. Colleges and universities who allow anti-Americanism, Marxism, and communism to be taught on their campuses need to be razed,” says Liz, clarifying that this means “[losing] federal funding” and prosecuting the professors and staff who champion these evil ideologies.

“Charlie would want us to raise our voices on campuses like he did [and] in our workplaces like he did, all across the country.”

Two: Instead of letting anger consume us, we must believe that what Satan intended for evil, God will use for good.

“If you’re anything like me, then you have a really hard time processing why evil things happen to really good people,” says Liz.

But as hard as it is to wrap her mind around Charlie’s death, she knows that while God never causes or desires evil things to happen, sometimes He allows them to because He has a “higher purpose.”

“One of the things that my mind obsesses over is what is that higher purpose? How do we move forward when we don’t know what that is?” she confesses.

Even though the extent of that greater good remains to be seen, we can trust that our heavenly Father has a plan and it’s a good one.

But we already have a glimmer of the good in knowing this: Right now leftists are saying “how ironic it is that Charlie died at a school shooting from a gun when he was an advocate for guns,” but “the real irony is that Charlie Kirk in eternal life is praying for those who did this to him.”

“I guarantee it,” says Liz.

To hear more of her heartfelt tribute to her dear friend Charlie Kirk, watch the episode above.

Want more from Liz Wheeler?

To enjoy more of Liz’s based commentary, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

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Sports commentator Stephen A. Smith made it clear where he stands concerning people on the left celebrating the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

Kirk’s untimely death has led to poignant and powerful remembrances of the conservative activist, but many on the left have used the occasion to mock and ridicule the incident. Some have lost jobs and careers over expressing their ghoulish glee.

‘I don’t care what his political beliefs were! I don’t care what he felt! I care about the fact that a man was gunned down in front of two of his children!’

Smith addressed the issue in a tirade on his show excoriating those who would place their politics above their empathy and humanity.

“I’m a black man born in America. I know the problems that exist in this country! But I also know there’s far more good people than there are bad people in this country regardless of who you are, what your ethnic background is! White, black, Hispanic, and beyond!” he said passionately.

“I’m in studio here in Las Vegas, and I’m looking outside, and I see people looking at me and smiling, and saying, ‘What’s up, Stephen A.?’ They don’t look anything like me! And I don’t care because they’re showing me love, and I’m showing love right back to them!” Smith added.

“At some point in time, we got to recognize — can’t just speak about it. Can’t just give lip service to when such a vile act takes place, and we gonna give lip service to the tragedy of the moment and then within 24 hours we move on with our lives like nothing happened.”

“Something did happen!”

“I don’t care what his political beliefs were! I don’t care what he felt! I care about the fact that a man was gunned down in front of two of his children who are 5 years of age or less,” Smith concluded. “That he’s dead at the age of 31. That his wife is a widow. That his children are fatherless because his ideas and his beliefs differed from somebody else, apparently.”

“And then I’m going online, and I’m seeing people celebrating it! Shame! Shame on you!”

RELATED: Ilhan Omar mocks Trump and others for praising Charlie Kirk: ‘These people are full of s**t!’

Video of Smith’s tirade was posted to social media, where it quickly went viral with millions of views.

President Donald Trump announced Friday morning that the shooting suspect had turned himself in to law enforcement officials after being persuaded by his family members.

The suspect was identified as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, who allegedly left hints about his motivation on messages engraved on bullets found by investigators. Some were anti-fascist messages, while another referred to a meme mocking furries, according to Republican Utah Gov. Spencer Cox.

“We got him,” said Cox.

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The Federal Bureau of Investigation announced the arrest of a suspect in the shooting and killing of Charlie Kirk, and there is a flurry of speculation about the man’s motivations.

Here’s what we know so far about 22-year-old Tyler Robinson.

The messages engraved on the bullets appeared to refer to anti-fascist slogans, leading some to speculate that he was a part of the Antifa movement.

Robinson lived in Washington, Utah, which is about 260 miles away from the location where Kirk was shot. He has two younger brothers, and his mother works as a social worker.

Early reports said his father worked for the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, but the office has denied the claim on social media. Other reports indicated he works in construction. A spokesperson from the sheriff’s office told Blaze News that the father of the suspect was not employed there and had never been employed there at any time.

Robinson was last registered to vote in 2021 but had no party affiliation and is listed as inactive, meaning he did not vote in recent elections. He had reportedly become interested in politics over the last few years.

Robinson attended Utah State University, where he was enrolled as an engineering major, but he got a leave of absence after attending for only one semester. He had been enrolled at the Dixie Technical College in St. George in the electrical apprenticeship program.

Law enforcement officials say that he arrived at Utah Valley University at about 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday and was caught on surveillance video arriving as well as leaving.

Robinson allegedly discussed the murder plot on Discord under the name “Tyler” in messages provided by his roommate to law enforcement officials. The messages reportedly included talk of his obtaining a rifle left at a “drop point,” as well as references to the unique scope on the gun and the engraving on the bullets.

The messages engraved on the bullets appeared to refer to anti-fascist slogans, leading some to speculate that he was a part of the Antifa movement.

“If you read this you are gay LMAO,” read one of the messages, according to Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R).

Another bullet inscription referred to a “bulge,” which many say comes from a popular meme mocking “furries” as well as transgender people.

He had reportedly told his family that Kirk was “full of hate and spreading hate” at one point before the shooting, Cox said.

Robinson was arrested without incident on Thursday evening by U.S. marshals at about 10:30. He was wearing clothing that matched clothing worn by the shooter on footage from UVU. He had allegedly told his family he would rather die than surrender, but they persuaded him to turn himself in.

He has a limited digital footprint, and some of the content on a family Facebook account has been scrubbed from the internet.

Robinson faces a charge of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, and obstruction of justice, and if convicted he could face the death penalty.

RELATED: ‘It’s the death of free speech!’ Jay Leno expresses his shock at killing of Charlie Kirk

An image on social media showed Robinson with a Donald Trump costume for Halloween in 2017, when he would have been about 14 years old. However, the image documented at the Daily Mail appears to show him costumed to appear as if he’s riding on Trump.

His arrest was announced by the president on Fox News.

“I think, with a high degree of certainty, we have him — in custody,” he said. “Everyone did a great job. We worked with the local police, the governor. Everybody did a great job.”

This is a developing story.

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Charlie Kirk’s assassination was an atrocity — for his family, his friends, his supporters, and America. I haven’t been this shaken by the death of someone I didn’t personally know in a long time.

As an ex-U.S. Army Special Operations sniper, I’ve seen a lot of speculation online, and I want to cut through some of the noise. Even following the arrest Friday morning of 22-year-old Tyler Robinson for the crime, people are throwing around claims that this was “state-sponsored” or a “hired hit man paid by a political group.” We don’t know that, nor do we have any evidence pointing to that. In fact, we had ample evidence pointing to somebody just like Robinson: a leftist college dropout.

Charlie Kirk wasn’t taken down by a sniper, or a covert team, or a shadowy state actor. He was killed by a bitter amateur with a rifle and a desperate need to matter.

I won’t call this shooter an “assassin.” That word carries a mystique. It gives a pathetic loser like this validation. He doesn’t deserve the title. He wasn’t an assassin. He wasn’t a sniper. He wasn’t a pro. He was simply an amateur shooter who decided to take a life better than his own and become a killer.

The shot

The facts are simple. The distance was under 200 yards. He used a bolt-action .30-06 Mauser with a scope of at least 8x power. That’s a very easy shot — so easy that I could teach a child to make it in under an hour, and I am not exaggerating at all.

You don’t need military training, hunting experience, or any special skill. The .30-06 is a powerful round, and if you watched the sad, horrific video of Charlie being hit, you saw how devastating it is.

The round appeared to strike Charlie in the neck. Maybe it hit his chest and exited near the neck, but what it didn’t do was hit his head. A professional would have gone for the head. If this killer wanted maximum shock value — which he clearly did — a head shot would have given him that. Either he missed low or he aimed for the chest because he didn’t have the skill level for a headshot.

Either way: amateur hour.

The gun and the tactics

The rifle says it all. A Mauser .30-06 bolt-action is the tool of a casual hunter, not a professional killer. Even on a budget, a serious shooter would have picked better gear. To call that weapon “professional” is laughable. It’s like rolling up to an F1 race in a Honda Accord.

Even more ridiculous than his gear choice were his tactics or lack thereof. He positioned himself on a rooftop in black, wearing a tactical vest. That’s straight from the “Call of Duty in Mom’s basement” playbook. A professional wouldn’t be spotted on camera by kids on the ground asking, “Should someone be up there?”

A pro would have been invisible. Or, if seen, instantly forgettable. He would have used proper urban hiding techniques (I won’t detail them here). He wouldn’t have stood out in black tactical gear. He would have looked like a student or like someone with a legitimate reason to be where he was.

And then there’s the footage — clear, high-quality video of him at the school and hopping fences in a neighborhood. The FBI and local police had his face, which meant, in due course, they had him. This wasn’t a state-sponsored operator or “hit man.” It was an angry lone amateur.

Who he is

When I wrote this column Thursday night, I speculated that the shooter would turn out to be a lonely, angry kid desperate to be somebody. A nobody who wanted attention, validation, fame. He thought killing someone hated by one side of the political spectrum would make him loved by the other. This was about belonging. About being noticed.

And that’s where the media and social media come in. They amplify these monsters. They hand them the spotlight. And for a young man like this, that’s gasoline on the fire.

Sound familiar? Donald Trump barely survived an attempt when another college kid fired at him. Add Luigi Mangione, and that makes three young men in recent memory trying to kill or successfully killing public figures. We’re watching a disturbing trend.

Political assassination — or something new?

Yes, Kirk was killed for his political beliefs. But he wasn’t a politician. He held no office. That’s why this atrocity might mark something new: the first assassination of an influencer.

Think about that. Kirk wasn’t targeted for power, or for policy, but for his ability to influence. If that’s where we are now — where speech alone makes you a target — we’ve stepped into very dangerous territory.

The slippery slope of ‘hateful rhetoric’

Almost immediately, politicians and pundits said, “This is what happens when you use rhetoric like his.” Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) went as far as accusing Kirk of posting “hateful rhetoric,” as if that justifies what happened. That logic is as dangerous as the act itself.

If hateful rhetoric makes someone fair game, then by her own standard, someone could make the same judgment about Omar’s words. Would she see her own assassination as justified? Of course not. And that’s the slippery slope: When violence is framed as acceptable because someone decides speech is hateful.

That’s exactly why the First Amendment exists — to protect all speech, even the speech you hate. Because once a group can ban “hateful” speech, they can ban anything they dislike. That’s how dictatorships start. And it’s not a coincidence that the loudest calls to ban “hateful speech” come from people who want more control.

RELATED: Antifa, gay furries, and bomb codes? What the engravings on the Kirk assassination bullets may mean

Photo by MELISSA MAJCHRZAK/AFP via Getty Images

Bottom line: Charlie Kirk wasn’t assassinated by a professional. He wasn’t taken down by a sniper, or a covert team, or a shadowy state actor. He was killed by a bitter amateur with a rifle and a desperate need to matter.

That makes his death no less horrifying — but it should change the way we understand it. Because this wasn’t just about politics. This was about influence, attention, and validation. And it signals a very dark turn in where we are headed.

​Opinion & analysis, Opinion, Charlie, Charlie kirk assassination, Charlie kirk, Charlie kirk assassination attempt, Murder, Sniper, Delta force, Rifle, Leftist, Antifa 

Best-selling author Stephen King was forced to walk back and apologize for troubling comments he made about Charlie Kirk just hours after the conservative juggernaut was gunned down in cold blood.

Kirk was assassinated on Wednesday at Utah Valley University while the Turning Point USA founder kicked off his college campus tour.

‘Hey Stephen King, you are more monstrous than any of the characters you ever came up with.’

As Blaze News reported, numerous leftists made repugnant remarks regarding the murder of Kirk.

King wrote on the X social media platform, “The motivation of the man who shot Charlie Kirk isn’t clear (although he’s probably mentally unstable — duh). What is clear is it was another example of American gun violence.”

King — an outspoken liberal and donor to the Democratic Party — then stoked division by attacking Kirk after the conservative commentator died from being shot in the neck.

King claimed of Kirk, “He advocated stoning gays to death. Just sayin’.”

King’s scurrilous remarks about the deceased married father of two ignited a firestorm, including threats of a lawsuit.

Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) proposed, “Please share if you agree that the estate of Charlie Kirk should sue Stephen King for defamation over this heinously false accusation. He’s crossed a line. It will prove costly.”

Fox News host Laura Ingraham replied, “Stephen King is a sad, bitter man.”

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) declared, “You are a horrible, evil, twisted liar. No, he did not. Your party — which you shamelessly shilled for — sent $100 billion to the Ayatollah … who does routinely murder homosexuals. Why are you so dishonest & filled with hate?”

Conservative commentator Dave Rubin added, “Hey Stephen King, you are more monstrous than any of the characters you ever came up with. Charlie was never anything but kind to me and my husband. We broke bread many times, and he never treated us with anything other than respect. He even came to our house not too long ago, and plot twist, didn’t throw rocks at us. Write about that sometime, you hack.”

RELATED: New York Times continues SPLC demonization of Charlie Kirk, accuses him of provocation

Kirk believed that marriage should be between a man and a woman, but he did not have hate toward the LGBTQ community.

Kirk said in November 2019, “I believe marriage is one man, one woman. Also, gay people should be welcome in the conservative movement. As Christians, we are called to love everyone. I will always stand against people who wish to establish their own personal values as a reason to kick others out of our movement.”

Kirk applauded the Trump administration for launching a “worldwide effort to decriminalize homosexuality in 70+ countries where it’s still illegal.”

Kirk slammed Saudi Arabia for allegedly executing LGBT people and openly opposed the stoning of homosexuals.

The Turning Point USA founder proclaimed in July 2016, “Remember: when Hillary says she supports LGBT issues, she accepted millions from countries that stone and kill and imprison gay people.”

Kirk wrote in April 2019, “Will Ilhan Omar condemn the gays being stoned to death, sanctioned by the government in Brunei under Sharia Law? The left claims it is hate speech to even ask that question. Why is she so silent on this?”

King was likely referencing a video clip from 2024, when Kirk read a Bible passage from Leviticus to illustrate how passages in the Bible can be cherry-picked to present a certain narrative.

King admitted that he made a mistake of “reading something on Twitter without fact-checking” the claim, and he promised that it “won’t happen again.”

King made several apologies on social media.

“I apologize for saying Charlie Kirk advocated stoning gays,” King stated. “What he actually demonstrated was how some people cherry-pick Biblical passages.”

“I have apologized. Charlie Kirk never advocated stoning gays to death,” King said.

The horror author added, “I was wrong, and I apologize. I have deleted the post.”

Gad Saad — an evolutionary behavioral scientist — told King, “Dear Stephen King, while it is laudable that you have apologized for your post, I would urge you to do the following: Examine why you had the impulse to post such a reaction when a young man had been assassinated. That you succumbed to your dark impulses speaks to your having been parasitized by ideological capture. Your hate for Republicans was greater than your empathy for a wife and two young children who had lost their anchor. Charlie was a lovely human being that did not deserve your nastiness. Never let your humanity be overridden by your orgiastic tribalism.”

You can keep up to date with the latest developments in the assassination of Charlie Kirk here.

RELATED: MSNBC analyst Matthew Dowd fired over Charlie Kirk comments

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President Donald Trump is continuing his crime crackdown in blue cities across the country after a successful 30-day run in the nation’s capital.

Trump announced he will be deploying the National Guard to Memphis, Tennessee, a crime-ridden, Democrat-run city in a deep-red state. Despite the often partisan divide on Trump’s crime crackdown, the president said that both Republican Gov. Bill Lee of Tennessee and Democratic Mayor Paul Young were on board with his decision.

‘I would have preferred going to Chicago.’

“We’re going to Memphis,” Trump said on “Fox & Friends” on Friday. “Memphis is deeply troubled.”

“The mayor is happy, he’s a Democrat …” Trump added. “The governor’s happy. Deeply troubled. We’re going to fix that just like we did Washington.”

RELATED: Mainstream media turns a blind eye to vicious stabbing of young Ukrainian woman

— (@)

As Trump noted, both Lee and Young seemed open to ameliorating crime in Memphis and have vowed to work alongside federal law enforcement to ensure that safety improves.

“Earlier this week, I was informed that the governor and the president were considering deploying the National Guard and other resources to Memphis,” Young said in a statement. “I am committed to working to ensure any efforts strengthen our community and build on our progress.”

“For months, I have been in constant communication with the Trump administration to develop a multi-phased, strategic plan to combat crime in Memphis, leveraging the full extent of both federal and state resources,” Lee said in a statement.

Lee outlined the changes that will be enacted by Trump’s crime crackdown with Young’s support. At the same time, Young said additional funding is the most pressing issue for the crime-ridden city.

“The next phase will include a comprehensive mission with the Tennessee National Guard, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Memphis Police Department, and other law enforcement agencies, and we are working closely with the Trump administration to determine the most effective role for each of these agencies to best serve Memphians,” Lee added.

“We agree with Governor Lee that effective support for Memphis comes through focused initiatives that deliver results like we have seen with the FBI, state troopers, and other law enforcement partnerships,” Young said. “What we need most are financial resources for intervention and prevention, additional patrol officers, and case support to strengthen MPD’s investigations.”

RELATED: Jasmine Crockett’s jaw-dropping defense of criminals: ‘They literally are trying to survive’

Photo by Joshua Lott/Getty Images

The crime crackdown was originally expected to take aim at Chicago, Illinois, which boasts some of the highest crime rates in the country. Trump himself admitted that Chicago would have been his first pick.

“I would have preferred going to Chicago,” Trump said.

Despite Trump’s willingness to reach across the aisle and help crime-ridden Chicago, Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker of Illinois repeatedly refused the offer.

“It’s disturbing that the President is hellbent [sic] on sending troops onto America’s streets,” Pritzker said in response to Trump sending the National Guard to Memphis. “Using those who serve in uniform as political props is insulting. None of this is normal.”

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A law enforcement operation involving agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Chicago led to serious injuries for one officer and the fatal shooting of a suspect on Friday morning.

‘We are praying for the speedy recovery of our law enforcement officer.’

A Department of Homeland Security press release obtained by Blaze News revealed that an ICE officer was “seriously injured” during a traffic stop. The department described the stop as a targeted operation to arrest Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez.

The suspect was described as “a criminal illegal alien with a history of reckless driving” who entered the U.S. at an unknown date.

Villegas-Gonzalez allegedly “refused to follow law enforcement’s commands” and attempted to flee the scene in his vehicle, driving toward ICE officers. One officer was struck and dragged “a significant distance,” the DHS stated.

“Fearing for his own life, the officer fired his weapon,” the department said.

RELATED: Trump eyes National Guard deployment in Chicago — but is it constitutional?

Photographer: Christopher Dilts/Bloomberg via Getty Images

The FBI was at the scene where the shooting occurred.

The DHS noted that there has been a 1,000% increase in assaults against immigration agents.

“We are praying for the speedy recovery of our law enforcement officer. He followed his training, used appropriate force, and properly enforced the law to protect the public and law enforcement,” Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said. “Viral social media videos and activists encouraging illegal aliens to resist law enforcement not only spread misinformation, but also undermine public safety, as well as the safety of our officers and those being apprehended.”

Both the agent and the suspect were transported to the hospital for treatment, where the suspect succumbed to his injuries, CBS News reported.

RELATED: ‘Operation Midway Blitz’: Trump administration launches Chicago ICE surge

Image source: Blaze Media

Meanwhile, leftist protesters gathered outside an ICE facility in Broadview, Illinois, on Friday afternoon. Blaze News’ Julio Rosas was on the ground as the activists blocked the driveway to the facility for over four hours, forcing federal agents to come outside to clear the road when federal vehicles come in. Local police are helping keep the protesters off federal property, but that is the extent of their help.

Protesters have been heckling and accosting the agents who come outside the building. When the agents go back inside, the protesters’ ire is then turned on Broadview police for “helping the kidnappers.”

This is the second time a larger crowd has appeared outside the ICE building. Last Friday, the organizers declared victory because ICE vehicles reportedly turned around after seeing the crowd in the road.

— (@)

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Charlie Kirk was killed on September 10, 2025.

Like all conservatives, I think I must have seen hundreds or maybe even thousands of Charlie Kirk videos over the years. On YouTube, on Twitter, on Instagram. Videos of him being interviewed on Fox, videos of him hosting his show in his studio, and endless clips of him talking with students on college campuses.

You can’t go out, sit at a table for hours and hours over and over again, talking with anyone who comes up to you, without revealing that you, too, are human.

I don’t remember the first time I heard about Kirk, but it was early on, when he — and I — were much younger. Before he had kids and before I had kids.

Over the years, I, along with many conservatives of our generation, watched Kirk evolve and his impact grow — usually via the particularly intimate medium of our phones. His killing — no, murder; no, assassination — hits home in a close and terrible way.

Endless stream of mourning

I’m not alone in that feeling. To scroll through X Wednesday afternoon into the evening was to encounter an endless stream of shock, anger, and mourning. I read lots of posts from young people reflecting that it’s hitting them harder than they thought something like this could.

There were posts from parents noting how broken up their high-school and college-age kids were. There were abundant tributes from just about every big name in conservative politics praising Kirk for everything he did. Ben Shapiro wrote that when he met the 18-year-old Kirk, he predicted he would be the head of the RNC one day.

Kirk wasn’t a politician; he never held office. There’s a distance between us and politicians. They aren’t so real; everything is kind of an artifice to keep up an image and satisfy constituents.

Kirk was an activist, speaker, and a strong advocate for the good and the American people. He was human, and we who watched him on our little screens felt that. You can’t go out, sit at a table for hours and hours over and over again, talking with anyone who comes up to you, without revealing that you, too, are human.

‘I can’t stop thinking about it’

Thursday morning, I woke to a text from my sister, a normal, not terribly online conservative with a 10-month-old son. “I can’t stop thinking about it,” she wrote.

As I was writing this column, a DM came in from a friend: “Just no words. It’s hitting me like crazy. He was my exact same age and stage [of life].”

So many young conservatives are hit so dreadfully hard by the killing of Kirk because, in some way, they felt like they knew him. They saw him express just what they believed — or what his words made them realize they believed — hundreds and hundreds of times.

For many, Kirk was them, a representation of their hopes and their collective sense about the world and the future. Kirk did everything we are supposed to aspire to, or everything we as parents would want our children to aspire to. He advocated for what he believed in; he stood up for what was right; he was a husband and a father.

RELATED: Why Charlie Kirk’s assassination will change us in ways this generation has never seen

Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

A deeply American value

How many minds did Kirk change during his time on earth? How many people watched him debate on college campuses and then start to question what lies they previously thought they believed? I’m not sure it’s possible to accurately calculate the tremendous impact he had.

It takes a lot of bravery to go out, sit on a chair, and answer any question any person brings up to the open mic. Would you be able to do it? I don’t think I could. He fielded questions from people — often pretty nasty people — from all over the spectrum, but he never lost sight of the good and was never dragged down to the bad, as all too many have been. He devoted his life to trying to change people’s minds (and the world) with words and debate. It’s a deeply American value, and he was killed while he was doing it.

Leave a legacy

On Wednesday, I saw a post from Charlie dated July 27, 2025. It was a video of his young daughter running up to him as he sat on a couch in a Fox News studio. She jumped on his lap; he hugged her and smiled. The text accompanying the video read: “Get married, have kids, and stop partying into oblivion. Leave a legacy, be courageous. Happy Sunday. God Bless all the parents out there.”

Kirk believed in something, and he devoted his life to it. He didn’t sit around speculating, he didn’t spend his time waiting, he didn’t see a problem and decide not to do anything. He wanted to make a difference in the world; he wanted to make it better, and so he did. He changed American politics in the 2020s and invigorated young conservatives in a way few others have, and he did it all while raising a family. He did exactly what his post on July 27 called for the rest of us to do.

Charlie Kirk got married, he had kids, he was courageous, and he left a legacy.

God bless his soul in eternal rest.

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Former CNN anchor Chris Cuomo made an odd comment about the possible death of Elon Musk, as well as his own.

On his show, “The Chris Cuomo Project,” the host reflected on the shock of Charlie Kirk’s murder, which happened September 10 on a university campus in Utah.

‘I don’t know what it’s about with him, and I don’t give a s**t, to be honest.’

Cuomo was remarking on how he believed social media has become a “tool of destruction” in America when he went after X owner Musk for a recent post Musk made in which he called the political left “the party of murder.”

“When the richest man in the world, who controls the most powerful platform in our media, writes that ‘the Left is the party of murder’ and then decides — Elon Musk, I’m talking about — the stupidest genius I’ve ever been around,” Cuomo ranted without returning to his point.

Cuomo stated he will not “excuse” Musk’s remarks “because he’s autistic,” while adding that he believes Musk is “morally bankrupt.”

The insults toward the X owner continued, and along with more harsh rhetoric, Cuomo began discussing the idea that Musk could get murdered.

RELATED: Elon Musk pledges $1 million to honor the memory of Iryna Zarutska — and bring down the media blackout

Autistic people “don’t all say the stupidest thing at the worst time,” Cuomo said about the South African. “All right? I don’t know what it’s about with him, and I don’t give a s**t, to be honest. He has, in my opinion, exhausted his usefulness.”

Despite dismissing Musk as no longer useful, Cuomo followed up those statements with, “Does that mean he should be murdered? No. Because that’s not how I see the value of human life.”

Strangely, Cuomo followed that by saying he would not be surprised if Musk were assassinated.

“But would I be surprised? No. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s me. I mean, that’s where we are. It’s who we are. That’s who we are.”

RELATED: Antifa, gay furries, and bomb codes? What the engravings on the Kirk assassination bullets may mean

— (@)

The former nightly CNN host continued with an overall message that America has become a place hell-bent on fomenting “division and hate.”

“There are not one or two; there are many people who do not see the murder of this young man as wrong. And there are just as many, or more, who see his murder as something to be avenged,” Cuomo said, opposing both sentiments.

“That word [avenged] usually means, ‘I’m now going to kill one of yours,’ right?” he asked rhetorically.

Charlie Kirk speaking at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025, in Orem, Utah. Kirk was assassinated that day. Photo by Trent Nelson/Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images

Cuomo took issue not only with Musk’s words about other political ideologies, but about the entrepreneur’s claim that some media outlets are “anti-White.”

“He goes on this thing about why black is capitalized and why white is not,” Cuomo said.

Musk had asked the New York Times on X, “Why is ‘white’ always in lowercase, but Black is uppercase” in its articles.

While Cuomo’s issue with Musk’s question was unclear, the format directive comes directly from the Associated Press, which guides writing standards for media in the United States.

The AP announced in 2020 that “black” should be capitalized, but not white.

“White people generally do not share the same history and culture, or the experience of being discriminated against because of skin color,” the organization wrote as a justification.

The Chicago Manual of Style, however, which is often used for historical journals, decided it would capitalize both “black” and “white,” due to what it considers a cultural shift in meaning for the words, but it also wanted to remain consistent.

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​News, Charlie kirk, Elon musk, Chris cuomo, Cnn, Associated press, Black, White, Assassination, Politics 

BlazeTV host Glenn Beck is calling on his audience to say “thank you to Charlie Kirk.”

Kirk was murdered on Wednesday, September 10, during a campus speaking tour stop in Utah.

On Friday’s episode of “The Glenn Beck Program,” Beck decided to turn back the clock and use his 9-12 Project to benefit Kirk’s family, his loving wife, Erika, and their two children.

‘Every donation reflects the strength of this community and its resolve to stand together.’

“Charlie came from this audience,” Beck explained, noting that Kirk was a fan from a young age.

“He was a kid when he started watching me on Fox and listened to me on the radio,” the host continued.

Beck then recalled conversations he had with Kirk, remembering that the activist was always “gracious” and kind to him. In return, Beck said he wants to do everything he can to say “thank you back to him.”

This spawned the launch of a fundraiser on GiveSendGo under the 9-12 Project banner. The project was originally started in 2009 and was designed to honor the spirit of Americans coming together the day after September 11, 2001, regardless of their political affiliation.

The fundraiser is meant to be a way for supporters to express gratitude for Kirk’s commitment to freedom of speech, liberty, and the United States.

“Every donation reflects the strength of this community and its resolve to stand together,” it reads.

RELATED: Glenn Beck’s poetic tribute to Charlie Kirk sparks the next phase for fearless leadership

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The original 9-12 Project included a series of nine principles and 12 values inspired by the founding fathers. Among the principles were the ideas that “America is good” and that God is the center of life. Honesty, family, and the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness were also included.

The 12 values are as follows:

HonestyReverenceHopeThriftHumilityCharitySincerityModerationHard workCouragePersonal responsibilityGratitude

RELATED: Charlie Kirk: Loving father, fearless communicator, happy warrior — 1993-2025

Beck further recognized that while there are other fundraisers and safeguards in place for Kirk’s family, they have “a long life and road ahead of them,” and so does Kirk’s operation at Turning Point USA.

Beck stated that should Kirk’s wife feel she does not need the money, the 9-12 Project donations could be put toward Turning Point USA’s mission.

“It’s going to provide for the family and his children, but also, at his wife’s discretion, to the Turning Point USA mission as well. They’ve lost their biggest fundraiser in Charlie, and they are just broken up,” Beck continued. “They’re just broken up, and God bless them. I want you to know we’re thinking about you. We love you so much. And we’re very, very grateful.”

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Despite recent efforts by Republicans across the country to shore up election integrity, Maine has been under scrutiny about its voter rolls. Now, the Republican National Committee is demanding accountability.

Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows has allegedly been stonewalling RNC and federal efforts to obtain up-to-date voter role information as required by the National Voter Registration Act.

‘Despite admitting that noncitizens are registered to vote in Maine’s elections, Shenna Bellows continues to block efforts to clean up the voter rolls.’

In a complaint letter obtained by Blaze News addressed to Attorney General Pam Bondi, RNC chief counsel Mandy Lester accused the Maine secretary of state of violating the requirements of the NVRA.

Dating back to March 25 of this year, the RNC requested that the secretary of state, who is the chief election officer of the state, provide records pertaining to Maine’s voter list maintenance system.

RELATED: 16 noncitizens apparently voted in Michigan in 2024 — and liberals are cheering about it

Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images

Bellows’ office acknowledged the request on May 4 but apparently failed to provide any of the requested information. Following two months of silence and a reminder from the RNC on July 23, Bellows’ office responded that the records could be provided within “’36 to 48 months’ provided that the RNC was willing to pay $23,000.00 for the requested records,” according to the complaint.

The letter noted that these conditions were “intentionally prohibitive and contravene the NVRA’s clear commitment toward transparent government and public accountability.”

Perhaps central to transparency concerns raised by the RNC and Department of Justice was the secretary’s assertion that her office could not fulfill the request for voter information between the window of the November 2022 general election through the close of registration for the November 2024 general election because “the Department conducted its last list address confirmation mailing in June of 2022,” per the complaint.

The complaint also cited a clip of an interview on lawyer Marc Elias’ podcast in which Bellows admitted that she was “sure” that there were noncitizens on the voter rolls: “And guess what? There are duplicates on the voter rolls because people don’t tell their clerks when they move. Not duplicate voters, but duplicate registrants. … I’m sure there are, in some isolated instances, some noncitizens […] on the rolls. And that’s what the election officials do every day is verify the integrity of the voter rolls.”

“Despite admitting that noncitizens are registered to vote in Maine’s elections, Shenna Bellows continues to block efforts to clean up the voter rolls,” said RNC Chairman Joe Gruters. “Bellows is undermining Maine’s elections and betraying the trust of every Maine voter.”

Bellows framed the federal government’s scrutiny of Maine’s voter rolls as an encroachment of power: “So are they looking for that one or two or three cases to try to impinge and just attack the integrity of our elections? Are they trying to create a pretext for more federal involvement in our elections? Are they trying to take down secretaries of state they don’t like? Or is it a combination of things?”

The RNC letter concludes with an urgent request for an “immediate federal investigation within the Department of Justice’s statutory authority,” emphasizing that this matter requires the DOJ’s “prompt attention.”

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​Politics, Shenna bellows, Maine, Doj, Rnc, Maine secretary of state, Marc elias, Joe gruters, Nvra, Election integrity