The Rubin Report — December 16, 2025

Episode: Being with Charlie Kirk in His Final Moments & Debunking Candace Owens
Host: Dave Rubin
Guest: Frank Turek (Christian apologist, author, president of CrossExamine.org)

Episode Overview

In this emotionally charged episode, Dave Rubin sits down with Frank Turek to reflect on the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk, Turek’s close friend and mentee. They discuss the harrowing moments immediately following the attack, the spread of conspiracy theories—particularly those promoted by Candace Owens—fractures within the political right, and Turning Point USA's struggle with public perception since Charlie’s death. Ultimately, the discussion shifts to themes of legacy, leadership, and forgiveness during a turbulent holiday season.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Frank Turek’s Account of Charlie Kirk’s Final Moments

Frank provides a firsthand, heartbreaking description of the immediate aftermath of the assassination.

• Details from the Scene:

  • Frank tried to resuscitate Charlie after he was shot, working with the security team to provide CPR until they reached the hospital ([00:16], [02:56]).
  • “He wasn’t looking at me. He was looking right past me into eternity. His eyes were fixed. He was...” ([02:56], Frank Turek)
  • Doctors confirmed Charlie was killed instantly by a shot likely impacting his brain stem ([00:00], [02:56]).

• On the Speculation and Rumors:

  • Frank deeply objects to the flood of conspiracy theories, particularly those promoted online ([00:15], [02:56]).
  • He criticizes Candace Owens by name, listing several far-fetched groups alleged to be involved and concluding, “It strains credulity to think all those people work together, which means…most of what she’s saying, if not all, has to be false.” ([00:15], Frank Turek)

2. Fracturing on the Political Right and Charlie’s Legacy

Dave and Frank unpack the impact of Charlie’s death on right-wing unity and his personal principles.

• On Betrayal of Charlie’s Wishes:

  • Dave expresses concern over Tucker Carlson’s platforming of Nick Fuentes, someone Charlie explicitly did not want involved ([06:36]).
  • Dave: “I’ve desperately tried to honor his legacy, and I don’t know if it’s working.” ([06:36], Dave Rubin)

• Charlie’s Character:

  • Frank, along with anecdotes from Josh Hammer, praises Charlie’s humility and thirst for learning from others ([02:56], [07:20]).
  • “The only thing that exceeded his intellect was his humility.” ([02:56], Frank Turek)
  • Dave and Frank agree that they both learned from Charlie more than they gave ([07:59]).

• Ongoing Slander and Division:

  • Frank cites the biblical proverb condemning those who “stir up dissension among brothers,” emphasizing the damage of baseless accusations in the movement ([08:01]).

3. Faith, Slander, and Dealing with Lies

The conversation turns to how a faith-based approach can help process grief and public chaos.

• Spiritual Perspective:

  • Frank frames the lies and slanders as stemming “from the pit of hell,” citing Satan as both a liar and a murderer ([09:15]).
  • He recounts being accused of signaling the shooter and the FBI’s investigation, mocking the absurdity:
    “Were you signaling the shooter? I said, yeah, I was telling him to steal second base.” ([09:15], Frank Turek)

• Turning Point USA's Response:

  • Dave asks if TPUSA could have done anything differently. Frank says he doesn't know if there was a better solution:
    • “At some point they just decided...we're going to have to at least address it. And then they invited her to come on the show, and she, she declined after saying, 'name the time, name the place.'” ([11:15], Frank Turek)
  • Frank is especially upset that attacks are now targeting grieving family and staff.

4. Personal Accountability and Reflections on Candace Owens

The hosts discuss their personal histories with Candace Owens and the impact of her current behavior.

• Regrets and Reflections:

  • Dave shares that he was the first to “put [Candace] on a real primetime show” and introduced her to Charlie ([13:07]-[13:50]).
  • “I really think when I meet my maker one day I'll have to answer for that…maybe I should have saw.” ([13:07], Dave Rubin)

• Candace Owens’ Talent and Current Path:

  • Frank says he prays for Candace, acknowledging her talent but lamenting her latching onto destructive conspiracy theories ([14:13]).
  • Both note the disproportionate harm these accusations have caused:
    • “Not all these people can be involved in this, Dave. And yet she keeps going on and on about all these different conspiracy theories and yet people are getting death threats over it.” ([14:13], Frank Turek)
    • “I was there trying to save him. He's my friend, you know, it's just, it's crazy.” ([14:13], Frank Turek)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Frank Turek’s Reflection on Charlie’s Death:
  “He wasn’t looking at me. He was looking right past me into eternity. His eyes were fixed.” ([02:56])

• On Conspiracy Theories:
  “They can't all be implicated in this. It strains credulity to think all those people work together, which means...most of what she's saying, if not all, has to be false.” ([00:15], Frank Turek)

• On Personal Regret (Dave Rubin on Candace Owens):
  “I really think when I meet my maker one day I'm gonna have to answer for that. Like, I didn't see something that maybe I should have saw.” ([13:07])

• On Charlie’s Character:
  “The only thing that exceeded his intellect was his humility.” ([02:56], Frank Turek)
  “I learned more from him.” ([07:59], Dave Rubin)

• On Slander and Lies:
  “This is coming from the pit of hell, because Satan is a liar and a murderer, and both those things have been done in Charlie's life.” ([09:15], Frank Turek)

Important Timestamps & Segment Highlights

• 00:00–01:36 — Frank gives the timeline and medical details of Charlie Kirk’s shooting and his final moments.
• 02:56–06:36 — Frank recounts the hours and days leading up to the shooting, Charlie’s character, and criticisms of misinformation online.
• 06:36–08:01 — Dave and Frank discuss political fallout, unity, and the emotional toll of slander within the right.
• 09:15–10:32 — Frank discusses the spiritual battle and conspiracy theories personally aimed at him and others.
• 11:15–13:07 — Analysis of TPUSA’s attempts to refute conspiracy theories; internal frustration with ongoing attacks.
• 13:07–14:41 — Rubin and Turek reflect on personal history with Candace Owens and the lasting effects of the current chaos.

Tone and Takeaways

The episode is intimate, candid, and at times raw, with both men wrestling vocally with grief, regret, and a sense of duty to honor true legacy amidst a cascade of misinformation. Frank Turek’s steadfastness in faith provides both a narrative anchor and a challenge to listeners: to resist division and slander, and to pursue grace and truth, especially “when you don’t have evidence.” The episode closes with hopeful encouragements toward love, decency, and truth—especially timely for the Christmas season.