The Rubin Report: "Crowd Stunned by Trump’s Brutally Honest Remark at Charlie Kirk’s Funeral"

Host: Dave Rubin
Date: September 22, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of The Rubin Report is a deeply personal and politically charged recap of the massive memorial service and funeral for conservative activist Charlie Kirk, recently assassinated at a campus event. Broadcasting from Rumble Studios, Dave Rubin offers an on-the-ground account of the memorial, featuring stirring speeches from Donald Trump and others, addressing both themes of faith and America’s current political schism. Rubin weaves in live reactions to media and political responses, discussing the aftermath of Kirk's death, debates on free speech, political violence, and the role of religion in conservatism.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Charlie Kirk Memorial: Scale & Emotion

• The memorial in Phoenix drew an estimated 100,000 attendees, creating an atmosphere both spiritual and political—described by Rubin as “one of the most impactful, meaningful days, moments of my life.” (03:03)
• The event featured about 15 major speeches from political, religious, and cultural figures, culminating in Donald Trump’s heavily-anticipated address.

2. Donald Trump’s Eulogy: Honest, Blunt, and Human

• Trump’s speech addressed both the ideological conflicts surrounding Kirk’s death and provided moments of comic relief, breaking tension with characteristic candor.
• Notable Quote:

  “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.”
  (Donald Trump, 09:18)

• Trump condemned those who celebrated Kirk’s assassination, highlighting the dangerous inversion of “words are violence” rhetoric.

  “If speech is violence, then some are bound to conclude that violence is justified to stop speech. And we're not going to let that be justified.”
  (Donald Trump, 05:23)

• Rubin admired Trump’s ability “to make something funny out of something horrifically tragic,” remarking on Trump’s authenticity and ability to provide relief in heavy moments. (10:29, 12:23)

3. Erica Kirk’s Powerfully Forgiving Message

• Erica Kirk, Charlie’s widow, stunned attendees by publicly forgiving her husband’s assassin just days after his murder.
• Notable Quote:

  “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do… That man, that young man, I forgive him. I forgive him because it was what Christ did and is what Charlie would do. The answer to hate is not hate... the Gospel is love and always love.”
  (Erica Kirk, paraphrased by Dave Rubin, 14:05)

• Rubin emphasized the profound impact of Erica’s composure and Christian faith—characterizing the act as “an important healing moment.” (14:05, 15:58)

4. The Freedom & Wide Tent Movement

• Rubin highlighted how the speeches, including those by Vice President JD Vance, Bobby Kennedy Jr., and Pete Hegseth, underscored the dual pillars of Kirk’s legacy: faith and freedom.
• Speeches showed an unusual gathering across political lines, with previously unlikely figures like Bobby Kennedy and Tulsi Gabbard in attendance.
• Rubin reinforced that the movement felt inclusive, even as it grows more faith-centered—a “wide tent” vision of conservatism. (17:26-19:30)

5. Elon Musk’s Appearance & “The Handshake”

• Elon Musk publicly attended the memorial, offering a concise summary of Kirk’s fate:

  “He was killed because his words made a difference, because he was showing people the light, and he was killed by the dark.”
  (Elon Musk, 19:34)

• The Trump–Musk handshake (“For Charlie”) became a viral symbol of potential unity, sparking hope for broader alliances across the American right. (19:47-21:53)

6. Political and Media Reactions: Division & Hostility

• Rubin reviewed the House resolution to honor Charlie Kirk, noting bipartisan yet fractured Democratic support (310–58 vote).
• Hakeem Jeffries (House Democratic leader) and media figures like Ilhan Omar and Jasmine Crockett refused to fully condemn Kirk’s murder or recognize his legacy, sparking outrage on the right.

  “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...”
  (Ilhan Omar on CNN, 28:02)

• Rubin and guest commentators argued the refusal to honor Kirk was rooted in false charges of racism and divisive identity politics, while calling for honest media scrutiny. (28:02-35:32)

7. “Frankenstein’s Monster” and the Problem of Political Violence

• Referencing the “Frankenstein” metaphor used by critics, Rubin argued it was progressive ideology—not Kirk—that radicalized vulnerable youth, leading to political violence.
• Cites recent shooting of a Sacramento ABC affiliate (over Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension for remarks about Kirk’s death) as parallel evidence of left-wing radicalization. (40:27-44:47)

8. Defining Conservatism vs Liberalism vs Leftism

• Charlie Kirk’s distinction (played in a clip):

  “A liberal will agree to disagree... A leftist will try to shut you up before you even open your mouth... A leftist is rooted in intolerance.”
  (Charlie Kirk, 47:16)

• Rubin reinforced that classical liberals and conservatives can coexist and defend free speech, while leftists pose a fundamental threat to pluralism. (48:18-51:54)

9. Immigration, Islam, & The West

• Citing Charlie Kirk’s controversial remarks on mass immigration and “macro Islam,” Rubin explored concerns about assimilation and Western values. (59:46)

  “My primary doctor... is actually a Muslim and he’s amazing. That’s not the point... The question is, is macro Islam compatible with Western values? Macro, of course, it’s not.”
  (Charlie Kirk, 59:46)

• Touched on accusations, longstanding and revived, against Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, including the infamous “married her brother” charge, and debated their legitimacy and wider implications for American politics and law.(54:59-55:58)

10. “This Too Shall Pass” – Charlie’s Last Interview

• The episode closes with Charlie Kirk’s final recorded thoughts before his death, reflecting on the impermanence of both good and bad times, and finding peace in faith:

  “This too shall pass… Even the worst of times, this too shall pass and things are going to get better... There is a God and I am not him. And I surrender to his will.”
  (Charlie Kirk, 63:38-64:46)

• Rubin draws on this message for hope and guidance amidst national turmoil, advocating for blending Charlie’s spirit of faith with Trumpian realism to build unity going forward. (64:46)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Trump, on opponents:

  “I hate my opponent and I don’t want the best for them.” (09:18)

• Erica Kirk, on forgiveness:

  “The answer to hate is not hate… the answer is love and always love.” (14:05)

• Elon Musk, on Kirk’s assassination:

  “He was killed because his words made a difference, because he was showing people the light, and he was killed by the dark.” (19:34)

• Ilhan Omar, rejecting memorials:

  “That should be in the dustbin of history, and we should hopefully move on and forget the hate that he spewed every single day.” (28:02)

• Charlie Kirk, distinguishing liberals and leftists:

  “A leftist will try to shut you up before you even open your mouth…” (47:16)

• Charlie’s own philosophy (last interview):

  “This too shall pass… There is a God and I am not him. And I surrender to his will.” (63:38-64:46)

Important Timestamps

• [03:03] – Dave Rubin’s first-hand account of the scale/emotion of Kirk’s memorial
• [05:23] – Trump condemns those justifying or celebrating Kirk’s assassination
• [09:18] – Trump lightens the mood with honesty about his feelings toward political opponents
• [14:05] – Erica Kirk’s moving forgiveness of the murderer
• [16:33-19:30] – Compilation of faith and freedom themes from major speakers
• [19:34] – Elon Musk on Kirk’s legacy and Trump-Musk handshake for unity
• [23:34-28:02] – Breakdown of Democratic/media response: refusals to honor Kirk
• [47:16-48:18] – Charlie Kirk on liberals, conservatives, leftists
• [59:46-60:44] – Kirk’s analysis of Islam, assimilation, and Western values
• [63:38-64:46] – Charlie Kirk’s last interview, “This too shall pass”

Tone & Takeaways

• The episode balances somber reflection, sharp critique, and flashes of wry humor, mirroring both the weight of recent events and the personalities involved.
• Rubin is unequivocal in defending Kirk’s legacy as centered on debate, faith, and crossing divides, while fiercely critiquing progressive and media figures’ reactions.
• The show closes on a note of hope, referencing Kirk’s philosophy of weathering storms with faith and advocating for a renewed coalition against political extremism, above all keeping “Charlie's spirit” alive.

This summary captures the substance and key moments of the original episode for those who wish to understand its narrative and message without listening in full.