Nightly Scroll with Hayley – Episode 139

"Erika Kirk Forgives Charlie’s Assassin"

Date: September 23, 2025
Host: Hayley Caronia

Overview

In this emotionally charged episode, Hayley Caronia recaps the monumental memorial service for conservative activist Charlie Kirk following his assassination. The show dives into themes of faith, forgiveness, and cultural rifts, spotlighting Erika Kirk’s extraordinary act of public forgiveness toward her husband’s killer. Hayley also offers updates on the ongoing investigation, reflects on the national response and security concerns at large conservative gatherings, examines President Trump’s eulogy and comments, and tackles cultural debates flaring online. Other topics include late-night television controversies, reactions to rapture predictions on TikTok, and the latest from Trump’s Truth Social posts.

Key Discussion Points

1. Charlie Kirk’s Memorial: A Show of Faith and Unprecedented Turnout

• Massive Attendance: State Farm Stadium was filled beyond capacity, with about 70,000 in the stadium and 20,000 in overflow spaces. Estimates claim over 100 million streamed the event online—a record for conservative events.

  • [01:48] “Turning Point USA reported that 70,000 filled the stadium capacity, and then 20,000 more attendees were in overflow venues… Over 100 million people just heard the gospel proclaimed again and again by speaker after speaker. Truly remarkable for Charlie.” —Hayley

• Protests and Security: Despite a few protesters outside, the event ran smoothly, credited heavily to robust Secret Service and law enforcement presence—including visible agents on rooftops waving to the crowd.

  • [05:32] “You know who was on top of their game yesterday was Secret Service and all the security and law enforcement that was there to secure this massive venue and make sure everyone was safe… So certainly everyone was safe. And it went off without a hitch.” —Hayley

• Faith as a Central Theme: Almost every speaker referenced Christianity and the gospel, including notable nontraditional voices.

  • Don Jr.: “He was kind of joking that he’s better known for shitposting on Instagram and posting memes than for his faith. But he did mention faith.”
  • Elon Musk tweeted, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us,” signaling a momentary truce and spiritual openness.
  • [06:19] “They were able to put their differences aside and kind of come together again, signifying maybe a reunification between the two.” —Hayley on Trump and Musk

Memorable Acts & Moments

• DJ Daniel’s Act of Service: The 13-year-old, known for his love of law enforcement, attended and was seen tying former Congressman Madison Cawthorn’s shoelaces.
  • [09:24] “All the people who spoke Jesus’s name and the word of God in their speeches… anyone who was there said that they could feel the Holy Spirit moving in that room.” —Hayley

2. Erika Kirk’s Public Forgiveness

• Powerful Forgiveness: Eleven days after Charlie’s murder, Erika Kirk stunned the crowd and viewers by publicly forgiving her husband’s killer.
  • [10:55–12:37] Erika Kirk:

    “That young man on the cross, our Savior said, father, forgive them, for they not know what they do… I forgive him because it was what Christ did and is what Charlie would do. The answer to hate is not hate. The answer we know from the gospel is love and always love. Love for our enemies and love for those who persecute us.”

  • [12:37] “That is not easy to do. Eleven days after your husband is senselessly murdered… she provided a lesson in forgiveness and faith that I think most people are not strong enough to do, emotionally or in their faith.” —Hayley

3. President Trump’s Eulogy and Comments

• Human and Candid: Trump delivered a eulogy loaded with personal reflection—and classic Trumpian divergence.

  • [16:03] Trump:

    “He did not hate his opponents. He wanted the best for them. That’s where I disagreed with Charlie. I hate my opponent and I don’t want the best for them. I’m sorry. I am sorry, Erika. But now Erica can talk to me and the whole group and maybe they can convince me that that’s not right. But I can’t stand my opponent.”

  • Hayley’s take: [16:40] “Sometimes he goes off the rails… I was really hoping… don’t turn this into a rally. Make it about Charlie.”

• Health Policy Hints: Trump previewed the “Make America Healthy Again” initiative and reignited the Tylenol use–autism debate.

  • [17:47] “There are certain groups of people that don’t take vaccines and don’t take any pills, that have no autism… The Amish, virtually, I heard none. See, Bobby wants to be very careful… But you have certain groups, the Amish as an example, they have essentially no autism.” —Trump

4. Culture, Media, and Memes

• Online Backlash & Culture Clash: Social media buzzed with accusations from the left, branding the memorial as cultish or a “Nazi rally.” Some journalists shared their cultural alienation witnessing a large-scale Christian memorial.
  • [22:19] “The left was calling it a Nazi rally… and this Atlantic writer posted this on X, saying that he doesn’t feel at home in America anymore… Odd that people don’t feel at home… watching a memorial service.” —Hayley

5. Jimmy Kimmel Suspension and Related Gun Incident

• Strange Aftermath: After Jimmy Kimmel was suspended from ABC for controversial comments, a gunman (anti-Trump, as per online posts) fired shots into a local ABC affiliate.

  • [27:16] “Why would you be so angry after a Jimmy Kimmel suspension that you would go do this? I mean, these are crazed leftists and they use their guns for evil.” —Hayley
  • The shooter was quickly re-arrested by the FBI after initially posting $200,000 bail.

• Industry Analysis: Discussion on whether late-night TV is a dying medium.

  • [37:06] “I’m not even sure the whole genre of late night isn’t a dying thing.” —Co-host

6. Updates on the Assassination Investigation

• FBI Director’s Statement: Cash Patel, as FBI Director, released a message affirming a comprehensive probe, addressing internet theories, ballistic analysis, and all leads.

  • [41:46] “We are meticulously investigating theories and questions, including the location from where the shot was taken… related conversations… angle of the shot and bullet impact, how the weapon was transported… visitors… in the hours and days leading up to September 10th.”
  • Hayley appreciates the transparency and willingness to investigate even fringe theories.

• Ballistics, Medical Anomalies, and Theories: Ongoing speculation surrounds the bullet that killed Charlie Kirk.

  • [48:30] Andrew Colvitt (Turning Point spokesman, quoting the surgeon):

    “The bullet absolutely should have gone through… a high-powered, high-velocity round… But it didn’t go through. Charlie’s body stopped it… In the end, the coroner did find the bullet just beneath the skin… Even in death, Charlie managed to save the lives of those around him.”

  • [50:13] “That literally would be something entirely miraculous, right? Like, and I don’t, I mean you can’t explain that.” —Co-host

• Ongoing Questions: The hosts express a desire for transparency and autopsy details, including matching the bullet to the weapon.

7. Trump’s Truth Social Posts Targeting Pam Bondi

• Mixed Signals: Trump publicly posted mixed critiques and support for Attorney General Pam Bondi regarding the lack of arrests or movement on high-profile legal issues.
  • [38:14] Trump (paraphrased):

    “I have reviewed over 30 statements and posts saying that … Same old story as last time. … What about Comey, Adam Shifty Schiff, Letitia? … Nothing is being done.”

  • Then:

    “Pam Bondi’s doing a great job as Attorney General… She’s very careful, very smart, loves our country, but needs a tough prosecutor…”

8. Rapture Predictions and TikTok Culture

• Apocalyptic Trends: Noting a “rapture is tomorrow” trend among Christians on TikTok, Hayley and her co-hosts mock the predictions and the digital witchcraft backlash.
  • [57:25] Hayley (on a TikTok woman prepping her husband for rapture):

    “If you think your husband is not going to make it to heaven, maybe work on him. Don’t take him with you. Make sure that he is going with you.”

  • [57:52] Commentary: A TikTok witch claims to bind Christians to earth to prevent their ascension.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Erika Kirk’s Forgiveness:

  "I forgive him because it was what Christ did and is what Charlie would do. The answer to hate is not hate. The answer we know from the gospel is love and always love. Love for our enemies and love for those who persecute us."
  —Erika Kirk [12:11]

• President Trump on Charlie vs Himself:

  "He did not hate his opponents. He wanted the best for them. That’s where I disagreed with Charlie. I hate my opponent and I don’t want the best for them. I’m sorry. I am sorry, Erica. But now Erica can talk to me and the whole group and maybe they can convince me that that’s not right. But I can’t stand my opponent."
  —Donald Trump [16:03]

• Hayley on Cultural Alienation:

  "It’s just odd that people don’t feel at home when you’re watching a memorial service. Why would you not feel at home?"
  —Hayley [22:19]

• Co-host on Late Night TV:

  "I’m not even sure the whole genre of late night isn’t a dying thing."
  —Co-host [37:06]

• Hayley on Ballistic Anomaly:

  "No exit wound is obviously strange, but… that the FBI director said that this is ongoing and they are going down every rabbit hole, even the Internet ones, even the crazy ones… that makes me feel a little better."
  —Hayley [53:49]

Additional Highlights

• Acts of Service at Memorial: DJ Daniel tying Madison Cawthorn’s shoes, spreading an anti-violence message.
• Speculation and Transparency: Robust discussion about the need for clear public investigation updates (ballistics, motive, digital records).
• Cultural Clashes: Ongoing polarization reflected in the treatment of grief, faith, and media events.
• TikTok as Touchstone for Trends: Emphasizes generational and cultural disconnects in online religious and anti-religious expressions.

Segment Timestamps

• Memorial Recap & Crowd: 00:30 – 08:40
• DJ Daniel and Acts of Kindness: 08:40 – 09:59
• Erika Kirk’s Forgiveness: 10:55 – 12:37
• Trump’s Memorial & Health Comments: 16:03 – 18:38
• Media Backlash & Memorial as ‘Nazi Rally’: 22:19 – 25:38
• Kimmel Suspension & Shooting Incident: 27:16 – 33:36
• Late Night TV Industry Discussion: 36:49 – 37:24
• Trump’s Posts on Pam Bondi: 38:13 – 41:46
• Assassination Investigation Updates: 41:46 – 54:12
• TikTok Rapture Trend: 55:16 – 59:46

Tone & Style

Hayley’s approach is conversational, direct, and blends sharp conservative critique with emotional outreach—particularly around faith and forgiveness. The co-hosts inject humor, skepticism, and technical curiosity, especially regarding the assassination investigation and cultural topics.

Summary

This episode stands as a microcosm of contemporary conservative discourse: a blend of painful loss, evangelical faith, culture war anxieties, and persistent skepticism toward establishment narratives and legacy media. Erika Kirk’s grace and forgiveness provide a spiritual through-line; debates on security, transparency, and political divides anchor the show in broader national anxieties. The result is a program that's both a cultural postmortem and a call for faith-driven unity in crisis.