During a packed memorial at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., hundreds gathered to honor the late Charlie Kirk, the conservative media activist who was fatally shot at Utah Valley University. Among the speakers was Robert F. Kennedy Jr., U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, who delivered a heartfelt but puzzling tribute.
RFK Jr. described Kirk as his “soulmate” and “spiritual brother,” recalling their first meeting on Kirk’s podcast in July 2001. He claimed the two approached each other with trepidation but quickly bonded, with their friendship blossoming over the following years.
This statement confused many, as Kirk was born in 1993 and would have only been around eight years old in 2001, making it unlikely he hosted a podcast at that age. Some social media users called the claim a “hallucination” or questioned its truthfulness, while others suggested Kennedy Jr. simply misspoke and meant 2021.
RFK Jr. spoke of Kirk’s role in uniting him with Donald Trump and shared a moving conversation they had about facing risks due to challenging powerful interests. He praised Kirk’s dedication to free speech, presenting it as intertwined with Kirk’s faith and his vision for dialogue to heal political divisions.
Charlie Kirk’s funeral was scheduled for September 21 in Glendale, Arizona, with Donald Trump expected to attend. The social media reaction to RFK Jr.’s claim added another layer of debate surrounding the legacy of Kirk’s life and death.
This controversial claim reflects the emotional environment of a deeply divided political landscape where even memorials are scrutinized.
