Scott Jennings, a conservative commentator on CNN, delivered a eulogy for Charlie Kirk following the news of Kirk’s assassination. Jennings highlighted Kirk’s influence within the conservative movement and his role in engaging young people in politics.
During his remarks, Jennings said, “Charlie was one of the most unique and special people in the conservative movement today. What he was able to build, the people he was able to organize, was just so large and powerful. He was able to convince people to get involved in politics that might not have otherwise done so. And you look at what he did on these campuses and these public events. Thousands of people were showing up not for a rock concert, not for a sporting event, but for American politics. He inspired all these kids to be involved in their country. It’s unequivocally a good legacy. He was also a Godly person. He spoke about his faith openly. He was unapologetic about his views.”
Jennings also addressed Kirk’s leadership among conservatives: “I think what’s been said about Charlie having his … finger on the pulse of the MAGA base is true. But what’s also true is that he was enormously influential in that when an issue was emerging, when something was happening and people were, you know, sorting out their own views on it, you know, ‘How should I feel about this?’ Charlie was one of the first people they turned to see where’s Charlie going to be on this issue, and how’s he processing it, how’s he analyzing it, and how does he think the young conservative should view whatever the issue happened to be.”
He continued by noting Kirk’s ability to lead: “So it wasn’t that he was just reflecting people, he was leading people, he was influencing people. When he did something, when he said something, when he took a stand on an issue you could bet that people would move. And so, what he did to organize these young kids, to bring conservative values and views into public spaces that aren’t normally thought of as places where conservatives would gather, was enormously courageous. It took a lot of damn guts to do it.”
The video clip of Jennings’ comments circulated widely online after airing.
