Mark Levin Podcast

Episode: 9/22/25 – Celebrating Life: The Legacy of Charlie Kirk
Date: September 23, 2025
Host: Brian Mudd (guest hosting for Mark Levin)

Overview

This episode is a special reflection on the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, following his assassination. Brian Mudd, sitting in for Mark Levin, delivers a detailed recap of Charlie Kirk’s memorial, discusses what made Kirk and his organization unique, analyzes the cultural and political impact of his death, and addresses topics such as political violence, Turning Point USA’s mission, and the social landscape in the wake of Kirk’s passing.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Celebrating Charlie Kirk’s Life & Memorial Recap

• Authenticity & Humanity at the Memorial:
  Mudd highlights the genuine faith and resilience shown, particularly by Erica Kirk, Charlie’s widow. He considers her public forgiveness of her husband’s killer as one of the most meaningful moments in recent American history, showcasing profound faith and strength ([01:00]).

  “One of the most meaningful moments in modern American history... what you saw on display yesterday was the absolute best version of humanity.” — Brian Mudd ([01:00])

• Cultural Impact Through Worship:
  The memorial included a worship service with top Christian music performers (Chris Tomlin, Brandon Lake, Phil Wickham, Kari Jobe, and Cody Carnes), turning the event into an uplifting celebration rather than just a somber occasion ([15:14], [20:27]).

• Political and Faith Leaders’ Tributes:
  Notable speeches from President Trump, Don Jr., Elon Musk, and others reflected on Kirk’s character, with Trump admitting Kirk “was probably a bigger man than me” for his ability to forgive enemies ([24:00]).

2. Turning Point USA: Mission and Threat Perceived by Political Opponents

• More Than a “Conservative Activist”:
  Turning Point USA’s foundation is rooted in faith, seeking cultural revival and promoting Judeo-Christian values.

  “Charlie was the leading faith-based conservative activist out there. That’s what made Charlie different and that’s what makes Turning Point USA different.” — Brian Mudd ([25:00])

• Four Movements under Turning Point USA ([26:46]):

  • Blexit: Grassroots movement focused on promoting Black exit from a victimhood mentality; addresses cultural and historical issues in the Black community.
  • Faith: Uniting churches and combating progressivism in the pulpit.
  • Education: Restoring God and virtue as foundations in youth education; counteracting the outcomes of secular public education post-1962 Supreme Court decisions.
  • Alumni: Engaging postgraduate activists, building pride and ongoing support for Turning Point’s cause.

3. Legislative Resolutions Honoring Charlie Kirk

• Senate and House Recognitions:
  Both chambers honored Kirk; the House resolution saw opposition from 58 Democrats, while the Senate passed “Charlie Kirk Day” (October 14) unanimously ([03:35]).

• House Resolution Excerpt:

  “Whereas Charlie Kirk became one of the most prominent voices in America, engaging in respectful civil discourse... fostering understanding and strengthening the Republic.” — House Resolution ([53:55], [58:49])

• Democratic Support Context:
  Mudd clarifies that, among Democrats who voted, nearly two to one supported the resolution ([53:55]), undercutting critics who link opposition purely to partisanship or racial animosity.

4. Political Violence, Media Narratives, and Social Tensions

• Assassination as Political Attack:
  Charlie Kirk’s death is framed not just as a loss to his family or organization but as an attack on American freedoms and dialogue ([59:01]).

  “Murder was not just an attack on one man or one movement. It was an attack on our entire nation.” — President Trump, quoted by Brian Mudd ([59:01])

• Jimmy Kimmel Controversy:
  Mudd criticizes ABC's decision to bring Jimmy Kimmel back post-suspension, noting affiliates' resistance and pointing out the network’s focus on insensitivity “timing” rather than the substance of Kimmel’s comments ([07:10], [75:20], [113:55]).

5. Legacy, Momentum, and What’s Next

• Turning Point’s Explosive Growth:
  Posthumous interest in Turning Point USA has surged:

  • Over 90,000 new chapter requests,
  • $15 million (publicly pledged) in new donations, projected to potentially $100 million ([39:33]).
  • Memorial watched by at least 65 million people.

• Comeback Tour Continues:
  The movement, led now in part by Erica Kirk and supported by conservative luminaries, presses on with nationwide events ([39:33]).

• Comparisons to Other Martyrs:
  Kirk is seen as joining the ranks of American and world figures whose deaths catalyzed their causes (e.g., Martin Luther King Jr., Jesus, Van Gogh, Tesla) ([39:33]).

6. Broader Societal Challenges Discussed

• Education & Removal of God:
  Mudd traces America’s educational decline and mental health crises to the removal of God from schools in the early 1960s ([26:46], [36:13]).

  “You can draw a straight line between educational outcomes going down the drain in the United States… and a dramatic increase in mental health issues.” — Brian Mudd ([26:46])

• Transgender Ideology and Violence:
  The episode contains a long segment critiquing gender ideology, citing studies about mental health rates among transgender people, and connecting recent political violence to transgender and Antifa extremist connections ([79:06], [86:58], [92:36]).

  “Society has moved to normalize something—transgenderism—that’s amoral, that’s unnatural, shouldn’t be accepted. Shouldn’t be accepted.” — Brian Mudd ([79:06])

• Two-State Solution & Israel:
  Mudd calls the two-state solution for Israel and Palestine a “farce,” reviewing historical background and highlighting persistent hostility among Palestinian voters towards Israel ([98:39]).

7. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Erica Kirk’s Forgiveness ([01:00]):

  “Forgiving her husband’s assassin just 11 days after it happened—something her faith calls her to do… it’s the ultimate in walking in one’s faith.”

• President Trump on Kirk ([24:00]):

  “Trump admitting I really kind of hate my enemies and Charlie wouldn’t like that… Charlie was the bigger man than me.”

• On Turning Point’s Unique Threat ([26:46]):

  “What greater threat is there to the Democrat plantation than that—who else is out there working for the black exit from victimhood mentality?”

• On Cultural Change ([39:33]):

  “If only 10% of the demand for Turning Point chapters turns out to stick, it would triple Turning Point USA. That gives you a view of the possible in real time.”

• On Cultural Legacy ([53:55]):

  “None of us will ever forget Charlie Kirk and neither now will history.”

• On Current Youth Political Shift ([67:17]):

  “Millennials are now trending more conservatively than Gen Xers were at the same age. Gen Z trending more conservatively not only than Gen X, but then millennials were. You’re beginning to see what really might have been the turning point in our society.”

Important Timestamps

• Forgiveness & Humanity at Memorial: [01:00]
• Overview of Memorial & Christian Performers: [15:14], [20:27]
• Turning Point’s Four Key Movements: [26:46]
• Reading from the House’s Kirk Resolution: [53:55], [58:49]
• Discussion of Turning Point’s Growth Post-Assassination: [39:33]
• Long-form Critique on Gender Ideology: [79:06]
• Analysis of Two-State Solution Farce: [98:39]

Final Thoughts & Tone

The episode is both eulogistic and defiant, urging listeners to continue Kirk’s legacy by arming themselves with information, standing up for truth, and remaining engaged in the cultural and spiritual revival Kirk championed. Mudd underscores this is a pivotal moment for American conservatism and faith-based activism, with Turning Point USA poised to become more influential than ever in the wake of Kirk’s martyrdom.

Host’s closing call to action:
“Get yourself informed as to what Turning Point USA really is all about… call people on [false narratives]. He was honored as a unifier… then go out there and be a good influence yourself in your community. Bigotry is always wrong; honesty and decency is always right.”— Brian Mudd ([113:55])