President Donald Trump used part of his State of the Union address to honor the memory of the late Charlie Kirk, taken down by an assassin’s bullet in September of 2025. His widow Erika was given a standing ovation by Republicans as the president remembered her late husband’s contribution to the conservative movement, specifically helping bring back religion.
“I’m very proud to say that during my time in office, both the first four years, and in particular this last year, there has been a tremendous renewal in religion, faith, Christianity and belief in God. Tremendous renewal,” Trump began as he segued from attacking Democrats for their horrendous policies and listing off the successes of his administration..
Continuing, Trump credited the renewal of which he boasted to former podcaster and political savant Charlie Kirk. “This is especially true among young people, and a big part of that had to do with my great friend, Charlie Kirk, great guy,” the president reminisced.
“So last year, Charlie was violently murdered by an assassin and martyred, really martyred for his beliefs. His wonderful wife, Erica, is with us tonight. Erica, please stand you….Thank you. Erica, been through a lot. In Charlie’s memory, we must all come together to reaffirm that America is one nation under God, and we must totally reject political violence of any kind,” Trump then declared.
“We love religion and we love bringing it back, and it’s coming back at levels that nobody actually thought possible. It’s really a beautiful thing to see,” he finished.
Previously, Donald Trump’s Vice President JD Vance likewise exhorted Americans to follow Kirk’s example. Speaking in December, shortly after Kirk’s assassination, Vance said he missed what Charlie brought to the political discussion. “Most of all, I miss Charlie’s wisdom. I miss this reminder that politics is not a dress rehearsal or a game. We are making decisions that will save our country and give the American people a shot at their dreams,” he said.
He then asked others to honor Kirk’s legacy by following his lead. “f you miss Charlie Kirk, do you promise to fight what he died for? Do you promise to take the country back from the people who took his life? Do you promise to help defeat the radicals who cheered his death? Do you promise to honor his memory by having faith in the God he loves. My friends, commit to these things and I promise you victory. I promise you closed borders and safe communities. I promise you good jobs and a dignified life.”
Trump’s entire State of the Union was marked by periods of celebration, such as remembering Charlie Kirk and awarding medals to military heroes and Olympic gold medalists. He also used the occasion in typical Trump fashion to go on the offensive against corrupt Democrats.
In one particularly memorable segment, Trump brought up the now-infamous Minnesota case of Somali migrant fraud. All told, the president has previously estimated that more than $19 billion has gone missing from state coffers.
“The Somali pirates who ransacked Minnesota remind us that there are large parts of the world where bribery, corruption and lawlessness are the norm, not the exception. Importing these cultures through unrestricted immigration and open borders brings those problems right here to the USA, and it is the American people who pay the price and higher medical bills, car insurance rates,” he stated.