Morning Wire: Charlie Kirk Mentor, Assassination Eyewitness Frank Turek Sets the Record Straight
Date: September 21, 2025
Hosts: Megan Basham with co-hosts Georgia Howe & John Bickley
Guest: Dr. Frank Turek (Christian apologist, author, mentor to Charlie Kirk)
Episode Overview
This powerful edition of Morning Wire features an exclusive interview with Dr. Frank Turek, evangelical apologist and close friend of Charlie Kirk, following Kirk’s tragic assassination. Turek, who mentored Kirk and was present at the event, reflects on their friendship, the aftermath of the shooting, conspiracies targeting him online, the media's coverage, Kirk’s character and influence, and the future of the movement Kirk helped build. The conversation provides firsthand clarity and moving insight into a pivotal moment for politics and evangelical activism.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Dr. Turek’s Immediate Response & Personal Grief
Timestamps: 02:05–06:37
- Megan Basham opens with the most pressing question: "How are you doing?"
- Dr. Turek candidly describes his grief:
"It's waves of grief... Sometimes you feel almost normal. Other times you just bent over... you just overcome with emotion." (02:20)
- Dr. Turek candidly describes his grief:
- Explains the deep bond formed with Charlie, both personally and as a mentor:
> "Charlie was somebody that knew that a Christian was a Christian 24, 7, 365 in every area of his or her life." (02:58) - Reflects on Kirk’s commitment to merging faith and public action, emphasizing the intersection of politics and Christian life:
> “Politics affects our ability to... preach and live the gospel. And we're not loving people if we allow secularists or Sharia law adherents to take over politically because they're going to take away our freedoms.” (03:55)
2. Eyewitness Account of the Assassination
Timestamps: 04:25–06:37
- Details his position at the moment of the attack, FaceTiming his son and daughter-in-law as Kirk began his campus season.
- Describes hearing the shot, the immediate chaos, and instinctively running to Kirk’s side:
> "He was already gone. His eyes were fixed. He wasn't... looking at me. He was looking at... eternity." (05:36) - Vividly recounts the attempts to save Kirk’s life, including performing CPR, and the sinking realization that Kirk had died:
> “You just hope against hope that maybe there's some life in him... We were just trying to get him to the hospital.” (06:13)
3. Addressing Internet Conspiracies
Timestamps: 06:37–08:52
- Basham notes conspiracy theories suggesting Turek was “signaling” the shooter, clips circulating widely online.
- Turek bluntly refutes the claims, highlighting their absurdity:
“Why does a shooter need somebody to signal him at all? If he's 120 yards away and he has Charlie in his sights, what does he need some guy to signal for?... It's colossally stupid.” (07:41)
- Notes his initial unawareness due to focusing on Kirk’s family and funeral, but is pained by the "millions" who've seen the clips.
4. Media Coverage and Misrepresentation
Timestamps: 08:52–11:24
- Discusses the media's handling of the assassination and Kirk’s reputation.
- Basham points out significant media retractions, including a New York Times mischaracterization of Kirk’s remarks.
- Turek acknowledges the media’s bias, recounting his approach:
“Every day I read the New York Times and the Bible just to see what both sides are doing.” (09:12)
- Praises Kirk’s integrity and ability to unify friends with opposing views:
“He would try and keep people together for the greater good... He was just so gracious with everybody, including the students that disagreed with him.” (09:45)
5. Kirk’s Influence and Character
Timestamps: 11:24–15:08
- Shares how Kirk always encouraged dialogue with opponents, not silencing dissent:
“Why would he say to people, hey, anybody here who disagrees comes to the front of the line?... That's what fascists do. They give the microphone to their opponents and say, make your case.” (10:19)
- Emphasizes Kirk’s evangelistic and philosophical approach—pressing others to clarify their moral standpoints.
- Describes their recent collaboration: monthly, two-day sessions in Phoenix to help Kirk refine his answers to students' faith questions and to strengthen his apologetic approach.
- Highlights Kirk’s concern for the restoration of marriage and family values in American culture:
"He was trying to find answers to that... because he wanted people to flourish and he knew the country would flourish if the family flourishes." (13:03)
- Suggests Kirk’s legacy has reshaped the movement, noting the breadth of his influence across generations and on national politics.
6. Continuing the Mission
Timestamps: 15:08–17:25
- Turek outlines plans to continue college outreach events and apologetics tours, now as tributes to Kirk.
“Charlie would want us to go through with it... So there's a lot of people hurting right now, particularly kids on college campuses.” (15:24)
- Acknowledges increased security needs but insists the work will continue:
“We now have to have a security team to do this at great expense, but it has to be done.” (16:13)
- Comments on survey findings regarding political violence and deepening divisions in society.
7. Kirk’s Legacy and Re-Evaluation
Timestamps: 17:25–21:26
- Basham notes a trend: many, even skeptics and pastors, have reevaluated Kirk’s work posthumously, seeing greater depth and courage.
- Turek sees Kirk as a model for unapologetic Christian boldness:
“Charlie, for me, has always been an on ramp to Christianity... when you address the issues of the day boldly, that's attractive... And Charlie has helped people realize what the true direction is.” (18:15)
- Urges Christians not to shy away from self-sacrifice and truth-telling, even when misunderstood or slandered:
“Bold leaders risk being misunderstood and slandered... If you always play it safe and you never speak about these issues, what good are you anyway?” (20:47)
8. Supporting Kirk’s Family and the Future
Timestamps: 21:26–22:15
- Turek and Basham praise Erica Kirk’s strength and faith.
- Turek expresses confidence in the future of TPUSA and the broader movement:
“I think the future of TP USA is still bright... What the gunman meant for evil, God meant for good, the saving of many lives.” (22:04)
Notable Quotes & Moments
-
On grief’s unpredictability:
“It's waves of grief... Sometimes you're fine, other times, you're just overcome with emotion.”
(Dr. Frank Turek, 02:20) -
On conspiracy theories:
“Why does a shooter need somebody to signal him at all? ...It’s colossally stupid.”
(Dr. Frank Turek, 07:41) -
On the media:
“Every day I read the New York Times and the Bible just to see what both sides are doing.”
(Dr. Frank Turek, 09:12) -
On Kirk’s openness:
“That's what fascists do, Megan. That's what fascists do. They give the microphone to their opponents and say, make your case.”
(Dr. Frank Turek, 10:19) -
On living boldly:
“This is not a ‘let me make your life better’ religion. This is where you give up your life for Christ and for other people.”
(Dr. Frank Turek, 19:44) -
On TPUSA’s future:
“What the gunman meant for evil, God meant for good, the saving of many lives.”
(Dr. Frank Turek, 22:04)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 02:05 – Megan Basham introduces Dr. Turek and asks about his well-being
- 02:20 – Turek on grieving Kirk’s loss and their friendship
- 04:25 – Turek recounts the shooting
- 06:37 – Basham addresses conspiracy theories; Turek rebuts
- 08:52 – Discussion on media misrepresentation
- 11:24 – Kirk’s ethos of engaging with opponents
- 12:18 – The work Turek and Kirk did together; campus initiatives
- 15:08 – Turek explains how the mission continues
- 17:25 – Legacy: re-evaluation and impact posthumously
- 18:15 – Turek’s view on Christian boldness and leadership
- 21:26 – Basham thanks Turek and discusses the future of TPUSA
Tone & Final Thoughts
The episode strikes an emotional and reflective tone, mixing personal loss with determination to honor Kirk’s vision. Turek is forthright and sometimes blunt, dismissing conspiracy theories and media distortions, but always circles back to the importance of bold faith, honesty, and service—to God, to truth, and to others.
Useful For:
Anyone seeking clarity on the events surrounding Charlie Kirk’s assassination, understanding the “why” behind Christian political engagement, and those interested in Kirk’s true character and continuing legacy.