Charlie Kirk's Powerful Memorial, Ilhan Omar Doubles Down, Shooting at ABC Affiliate: AM Update 9/22

Summary

The Megyn Kelly Show: AM Update 9/22/25

Guest Host: Emily Jashinsky
Episode Title: Charlie Kirk's Powerful Memorial, Ilhan Omar Doubles Down, Shooting at ABC Affiliate
Air Date: September 22, 2025

---

Overview

This episode of The Megyn Kelly Show, hosted by Emily Jashinsky, delivers a powerful recap of the public memorial for conservative activist Charlie Kirk, marked by tributes from family, political allies, and national leaders. It also covers the contentious response from Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, incidents of political violence including shootings at an ABC affiliate in Sacramento and a New Hampshire country club, and reflections on the ongoing polarization in America. The tone is solemn, reverent, and at times combative, reflecting on grief, political legacies, dignified defiance, and the importance of open debate.

---

Key Themes and Segments

1. Remembering Charlie Kirk and the Turning Point USA Movement

[02:55–12:46]

The Memorial Event

• Location & Attendance: Held at State Farm Stadium in Arizona, drawing a reported 200,000 attendees and heavy security, classified by DHS as a “level one” event.
• Atmosphere: Stadium filled with red, white, and blue; emotional songs of worship; numerous tributes from friends, colleagues, and top government officials, including President Trump.

Emotional and Political Legacy

• Mission Commitment: Turning Point leaders vow to carry forward Kirk’s mission, with the phrase “well done, good and faithful servant” echoing throughout the service.
• Mike McCoy (TPUSA Chief of Staff):

  “My friend was martyred for using his voice to engage in peaceful dialogue. We are resolved to live free from lies and seek out what is true.” [04:10]

• Jack Posobiec (TPUSA contributor):

  “He was Athens and Jerusalem, the city of reason and the city of God in one person. But … America was his home, and he was willing to die for it.” [08:21]

• Erica Kirk (widow & new CEO):
  On forgiveness for the shooter:

  “On the cross, our Savior said, father, forgive them, for they know not 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.” [09:34–09:58]
  “Everything that Turning Point USA built through Charlie’s vision and hard work, we will make 10 times greater through the power of his memory.” [10:36]

• President Donald Trump:

  “He’s a martyr now for American freedom. … He was actually a master builder — master builder of people. … The assassin failed in his quest because Charlie’s message has not been silenced. It now is bigger and better and stronger than ever before.” [11:06–12:46]

---

2. Ilhan Omar Responds to the Kirk Legacy

[13:49–14:38]

• Omar’s Controversial Statement:
  Days after Kirk’s assassination, Omar reposted a video equating Kirk to “Dr. Frankenstein, with his monster shooting him,” and accused mourners of “using his death to further their Christo-fascist agenda.”
• Refusal to Walk Back:
  On CNN, Omar doubled down rather than retract her comments:

  “People found it jarring to hear such criticism … What I find jarring is that there are so many people willing to excuse the most reprehensible things that he said, that they agree with that … I am not going to sit here and be judged for not wanting to honor any legacy this man has left behind. That should be in the dustbin of history, and we should hopefully move on and forget the hate that he spewed every single day.” [13:49]

• House Resolution and Voting:
  Omar was among 58 House Democrats voting against a resolution honoring Kirk and condemning political violence.

---

3. Political Violence: Sacramento & New Hampshire

[16:53–20:45]

ABC10 Sacramento Shooting

• Incident Details:
  Multiple gunshots fired into the station’s building (no injuries); suspect (Annabel Hernandez Santana) arrested and charged federally.
• Possible Motive:
  Suspect’s social media included anti-Trump commentary and aggressive political rhetoric:

  “Where is a good heart attack when we need it the most? Please join in my thoughts and prayers for the physical demise of our fearful leader.” [Reported in summary of social media posts]

• Ongoing Investigation:
  Federal and local authorities continuing to probe the circumstances.

New Hampshire Country Club Shooting

• Incident:
  Gunman (Hunter Naidu) opened fire at a wedding, killing one attendee (Robert Stephen De Cesare) who reportedly shielded his family; shooter reportedly yelled “the children are safe and free Palestine.”
• Police & Community Response:
  AG John Formella noted “statements were intended to create chaos … not much sense of motive.” [Quoted by Emily, paraphrasing AG Formella]
• Legal Action:
  Naidu charged with second-degree murder, more charges anticipated.

---

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• Mike McCoy (TPUSA):

  “We are resolved to live free from lies and seek out what is true. We will respectfully, boldly challenge what is accepted by culture… to seek out what is true and acceptable to God Almighty alone.” [04:10]

• Jack Posobiec:

  “He was Athens and Jerusalem, the city of reason and the city of God in one person … but America was his home, and he was willing to die for it.” [08:21]

• Erica Kirk:

  “The answer to hate is not hate. The answer … is love and always love. Love for our enemies and love for those who persecute us.” [09:57]

• President Trump:

  “[Charlie] is bigger today than he was … The assassin failed in his quest because Charlie’s message has not been silenced.” [11:06–12:46]

• Ilhan Omar:

  “I am not going to sit here and be judged for not wanting to honor any legacy this man has left behind. That should be in the dustbin of history.” [13:49]

• Emily Jashinsky:
  On the emotional contrast at the memorial:

  “Attendees checkering the stands with red, white and blue apparel. Thousands of voices joining together in songs of worship throughout the service.” [02:55]

---

Structure & Flow

• Opening: Momentous news headlines, memorial context [00:32–02:55]
• Main Segment: Kirk’s memorial—tributes, speeches, recurring emphasis on peaceful debate, faith, and forgiveness [02:55–12:46]
• Broader Reaction: Ilhan Omar’s refusal to honor Kirk, House resolution response [12:46–14:38]
• Political Violence Stories: Sacramento and New Hampshire shootings—details, motives, community impact [16:53–20:45]
• Closing: Brief recap and programming notes [20:45–end]

---

Summary

This episode powerfully captures the reverence and determination at Charlie Kirk’s memorial, with resounding calls for faith, principled activism, and forgiveness from political and personal allies. In sharp contrast, discussion of Ilhan Omar’s combative response and two violent incidents underscores ongoing polarization and rising tensions in American political culture. The podcast maintains a deeply committed, somber, and sometimes defiant tone, urging listeners to reject hatred and violence, uphold open debate, and honor the memory of those lost in political strife.

Transcript

[ExxonMobil Narrator]

Can lighter structures really be stronger? Yes, they can. ExxonMobil is helping advance American industrial innovation with Proxima systems, enabling a lighter and stronger alternative to traditional rebar while lowering greenhouse gas emissions to help build a more efficient construction industry. With sustainability in mind. ExxonMobil, let's deliver.

[Emily Jasinsky]

Good morning everyone. I'm Emily jasinsky, host of Afterparty, filling in today for Megyn Kelly. It's Monday, September 22, 2025, and this is your AM update.

[Erica Kirk]

Everything that Turning Point USA built through Charlie's vision and hard work, we will make 10 times greater through the power.

[Emily Jasinsky]

Of his memory At a packed stadium in Arizona. Friends, family and top White House officials, including President Trump, remember the life and legacy Charlie Kirk.

[Ilhan Omar]

We should hopefully move on and forget the hate that he spewed every single day.

[Emily Jasinsky]

Democrat Congresswoman Ilhan Omar doubles down on hateful comments directed toward Charlie Kirk and the man accused of shooting up a local ABC station now in federal custody. All that and more coming up in just a moment on your AM update.

[Megan Kelly]

Did you know all chips and fries used to be cooked in tallow up until the 1990s when big corporations switched to cheap, processed seed oils. Today, seed oils make up 20% of the average American's daily calories and recent studies have linked seed oils to metabolic health issues and inflammation in the body. Masa decided to do something about it. They created a tasty and delicious tortilla chip with just three ingredients and no seed oils, organic corn, sea salt and 100% grass fed beef tallow. These chips don't only avoid all the bad stuff, they also taste incredible. Masa is crunchier, tastier and sturdier than other chips by far. The beef tallow makes the chips much more satiating so you will not find yourself uncomfortably binging and then still feeling hungry afterward. I can attest all of this. And by the way, all all of us love them. The kids and I fight over the massive bags. Thankfully they come in like you can get like a 12 pack and they're large. They've got great flavors. Lime, churro even. I like original. Also the white corn. The lime is also delicious. I haven't tried the churro yet. Ready to give Masa a try? Go to masachips.com mk and use code MK for 25% off your first order. That's masachips.com mk code MK when you check out to get 25% off your order.

[Emily Jasinsky]

A reported 200,000 people turning out for Charlie Kirk's memorial event at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Two full planes of White House officials, including President Trump and Cabinet secretaries turning out for the event, paying their respects to the man they credit with delivering the youth vote in 2024, the Department of Homeland Security designating the service as a level one event similar to the Super Bowl. Attendees checkering the stands with red, white and blue apparel. Thousands of voices joining together in songs of worship throughout the service. More than two dozen speakers, from faith leaders to close friends and employees and Cabinet officials, his wife and new Turning Point CEO Erica Kirk and President Trump delivering moving tributes to Charlie from behind a bulletproof barrier. Amid the grief and gratitude, one refrain rising again and again, well done, good and faithful servant. TPUSA Chief of staff Mike McCoy, executive producer of the Charlie Kirk Show, Andrew Colvett and TPUSA contributor Jack Posobic, vowing the mission of their dear friend and leader, will march on 11 days ago.

[Mike McCoy]

My friend was martyred for using his voice to engage in peaceful dialogue. We are resolved to live free from lies and seek out what is true. We will respectfully, boldly challenge what is accepted by culture in order to seek out what is true and acceptable to God Almighty alone.

[Jack Posobiec]

When he met fancy elites who tried to take him off course and try and tell him what regular people really cared about, he knew better because he knew all of you.

[Andrew Colvett]

He knew he had a secret weapon.

[Jack Posobiec]

And it was you. And he never forgot about you because he loved you and he respected your wisdom.

[Mike McCoy]

At a century from now, when they write of the two or three pivotal moments that led to the saving of Western civilization, they will write that the sacrifice of Charles James Kirk was the turning point. And the ugliness that has been revealed by Charlie's murder will be and is already being overcome by, by the beauty of the outpouring of love and prayer around the world. Seas of a thousand candles that have been litten from coast to coast for Charlie's sacrifice. For all of us, we will overcome their evil.

[Emily Jasinsky]

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Honoring Charlie's life's work.

[Andrew Colvett]

But Charlie Kirk was bold. He actively sought out to engage peacefully, respectfully those who he disagreed with. And he did this on campuses. He did this on podcasts. He did this on radio shows. He did this on television shows. Time and again, he sought to engage those he disagreed with because he understood that we were not created to isolate ourselves from one another. Charlie Kirk did that more than anyone alive in America today is doing. In just 31 years of life. He made a difference. He mattered. And he will matter now more than he ever has before.

[Jack Posobiec]

He was a true believer. Only Christ is king. But over time, he realized, like so many of us have, that this is not a political war. It's not even a cultural war. It's a spiritual war. Faith and family first. There is a God. And as Charlie would say, it is not us. We're sinners, saved only by grace, in need of the gospel. You see, we always did need less government. But what Charlie understood and infused into his movement is we also needed a lot more God. Charlie had big plans, but God had even bigger plans.

[Mike McCoy]

He always gave the biggest microphone to the people who were most passionately aligned against him because he believed that we need to talk to each other and that we needed to be able to say what we mean without saying it.

[Emily Jasinsky]

Mean Donald Trump Jr. For whom Charlie worked as an aide in the 2016 election, and Vice President J.D. vance, who credits Charlie with so much of his political success, on what comes next. In carrying on Charlie's movement, Charlie led the way.

[Mike McCoy]

His message was clear then, and his message is clear now. We won't back down. We won't be intimidated. But Charlie embodied something at the very core of our movement. When people disagree with us, we don't silence them, we don't destroy them, and we certainly don't sink to violence. We stand tall and we win with our ideas.

[Jack Posobiec]

He showed all of us how to carry on after his death. You know, Charlie Kirk, he loved history. He devoured the ideas that formed the foundation of of our civilization. He stood for a tradition that Socrates established 2,500 years ago to question, to search, and to teach. He was Athens and Jerusalem, the city of reason and the city of God in one person. But if he loved those places, they were not his home. America was his home, and he was willing to die for it. In the wake of his death, we have seen some of the very worst parts of humanity. I think he would encourage me to be honest that evil still walks among us, but to address it head on and honestly as the sickness that it is. But I also think he would encourage me. He would encourage all of us to focus on the good.

[Emily Jasinsky]

Charlie's widow and new Turning Point USA CEO and board chair Erica Kirk delivering powerful remarks on forgiveness and love.

[Erica Kirk]

On the cross, our Savior said, father, forgive them, for they not know what they do. That man.

[Emily Jasinsky]

That young man.

[Erica Kirk]

I forgive him.

[Donald Trump]

Him.

[Erica Kirk]

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. The world needs Turning Point usa. Every part of our work will become greater. I am tremendously honored to be the new CEO of Turning Point usa. I do not take that lightly. His passion was my passion and now his mission is my mission. Everything that Turning Point USA built through Charlie's vision and hard work, we will make 10 times greater through the power of his memory. I love you Charlie baby. And I will make you proud.

[Emily Jasinsky]

President Trump highlighting Charlie's lasting impact on the MAGA movement.

[Donald Trump]

He's a martyr now for American freedom. I know I speak for everyone here today when I say that none of us will ever forget Charlie Kirk and neither now will history. I got to know him very well and so immediately that Charlie was actually a master builder, master builder of people. It was Charlie who helped unite maga. And you know what Maha is? He brought together Donald Trump, Bobby Kennedy, right here in the great state of Arizona one year ago. Remember that? What a, what a night. What a day that was. And it was Charlie who was among the first to speak to me about a man from Ohio by the name of J.D. vance. Charlie didn't just bring young people into the movement. All of a sudden, it started to grow by leaps and bounds. By 2024, we won more young people than any Republican candidate in the history of our country, including for the first time, a majority of males under 30. To kill a man like this. He didn't deserve this. He didn't deserve this. Our country didn't deserve this. The assassin failed in his quest because Charlie's message has not been silenced. It now is bigger and better and stronger than ever before. And it's not even close. And it's rare that such a thing happens. But Charlie is bigger today than he was. Think about it.

[Emily Jasinsky]

Just two weeks ago, the President concluding the service, inviting Erica back onto the stage as America the Beautiful rang out across the stadium. And on the other side of the moral spectrum, US Congresswoman from Minnesota, Democrat Ilhan Omar, doubling down on the comment she reposted on X. Just days after Charlie Kirk's assassination, two days after Kirk was murdered, Omar sharing a video accusing those of mourning Charlie of, quote, using his death to further their Christo fascist agenda. The narrator compared Charlie to Dr. Frankenstein with his monster shooting him in the neck. The deranged monologue goes on from there, though the comments are not worth repeating any further. CNN's Kaitlan Collins on Friday offering Omar the chance to clarify or retract those remarks. Omar instead saying this people found it jarring to hear such criticism of that in the immediate aftermath of what I.

[Ilhan Omar]

Find jarring is that there are so many people willing to excuse the most reprehensible things that he said, that they agree with that, that they're willing to to have monuments for him, that they want to create a day to honor him, and that they want to produce resolutions in the House of Congress honoring his life and legacy. It is one thing to care about his life because obviously so many people loved him, including his children and wife. But I am not going to sit here and be judged for not wanting to honor any legacy this man has left behind. That should be in the dustpin of history and we should hopefully move on and forget the hate that he spewed every single day.

[Emily Jasinsky]

These comments delivered hours after the Congresswoman voted against a resolution honoring the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk. 58 Democrats voted nay and 38 voted presentation. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio Cortez sang on the House floor. The resolution underscores the majority's recklessness by choosing to author this condemnation and honoring on a purely partisan basis, the resolution, a symbolic gesture condemning Charlie's assassination and all forms of political violence commending law enforcement's actions in finding the suspect responsible for the killing extending condolences to Charlie's family, honoring Charlie's life and leadership and calling upon all Americans to reject political violence and recommit to respectful debate, uphold American values and respect one another as fellow Americans. Coming up, a man in federal custody after allegedly shooting at a local ABC affiliate in Sacramento, his apparent social media posts pointing to a likely motive and a New Hampshire country club shot up over the weekend, the shooter allegedly shouting Free Palestine.

[Megan Kelly]

I've been talking a lot about Riverbend Ranch lately because their stakes are amazing. Riverbend Ranch has taken Black Angus beef to a whole new level. For the last 35 years, Riverbend Ranch has been creating a very elite Angus herd by using ultrasound to to select genetically superior cattle with a focus on flavor and tenderness. When you purchase from Riverbend Ranch, you are not only supporting the 64 Cowboys and Cowgirls and their families who work on that ranch, but you're also supporting over 260 other US ranches and the hundreds of American families who work on them. It is born in the USA, raised in the USA and processed in the USA. It's aged to perfection for 21 days and shipped directly from the ranch to your home. This is not your average Black Angus beef. So order from Riverbendranch.com use the promo code Megan and that'll get you 20 bucks off your first order and let me know what you think. Riverbendranch.com promo code Megan.

[Emily Jasinsky]

The man accused of firing a gun at a Sacramento ABC affiliate arrested by the FBI on Saturday night around 1:30pm on Friday, someone firing multiple times into ABC10 in a drive by shooting. The building struck three times was occupied at the time of the shooting. Tegna, the company that owns the station, reporting no one was harmed. Authorities who identified the Suspect's vehicle arresting 64 year old Annabel Hernandez Santana early Saturday morning. Hernandez Santana charged with assault with a deadly weapon, negligent discharge of a firearm and shooting into an occupied building. The suspect booked into Sacramento County Jail, Bail set at $200,000. He was released later that afternoon hours after posting bail. The FBI arresting Hernandez Santana on probable cause for violating a federal statute involving willful or malicious interference with radio communications of a station licensed by the government. The shooting comes just days after Disney's ABC indefinitely suspended Jimmy Kimmel's late night program in the wake of vile inaccurate statements made by Kimmel about Charlie Kirk's death one day prior to the shooting. That same station, the site of a protest over ABC's decision to pull Kimmel's show. Local authorities say a motive for the Sacramento shooting is still under investigation. In the meantime, Variety reporting on a social media account matching the suspect's name, discovering quote a steady stream of anti Trump commentary. One post from July reading quote the authoritarian oligarchy is now complete. CBS plus caving big law firms in D.C. the subservient FBI and ag university presidents stepping down fanboys, SCOTUS public radio, ice goons we are going to have to fight like hell. Rules don't apply if election was stolen fight this past Thursday another post reading quote where is a good heart attack when we need it the most? Please join in my thoughts and prayers for the physical demise of our fearful leader. Charming stuff. Hernandez Santana is due in federal court this afternoon and in Sacramento Superior Court on Tuesday afternoon. One person killed and two wounded when a shooter opened fire at a New Hampshire New Hampshire country club. A witness saying he heard the shooter yell quote the children are safe and free Palestine before opening fire at the Sky Meadow Country Club on Saturday night. The deceased victim 59 year old Robert Stephen De Cesare attending a wedding at the club, his mother telling local station WMUR de Cesare threw himself in front of his wife and daughter to protect them from the gunman. Police arresting 23 year old suspect Hunter Naidu at the scene. One witness telling local outlet WCVB that a man hit the shooter over the head with a chair, likely saving more people. Investigators saying they are still working to determine the motive, noting no apparent connection between the suspect and the deceased. New Hampshire Attorney General John Frumela saying Nadeau previously worked at the country club but has not been employed there for more than a year. AG Formella addressed the Free Palestine reporting saying, quote, it appears to us that those statements were intended to create chaos during the event and that they don't give us much a sense of his motive. One victim, an unidentified employee, is hospitalized in stable condition. The status of the other victim is not yet clear. Naidu is charged with second degree murder. He is due in court later today. AG from Mela saying additional charges will likely be brought in this case. That'll do it for your AM Update, I'm Emily Jaszynski, host of afterparty. Megan is back tomorrow. Catch the Megyn Kelly show today live on SiriusXM triumph channel 111 at noon east on YouTube.com Megyn Kelly and all podcast platforms.

[ExxonMobil Narrator]

What if we could reduce carbon emissions and strengthen the economy? At ExxonMobil, we believe both are possible. As a global leader in carbon capture and storage, we're empowering industries to reduce their emissions all through technologies that are creating job opportunities in America. How's that for a win win ExxonMobil? Let's deliver.