Charlie Kirk: Podcast goes on in tribute to assassinated hostTroy de RuyterThe NightlySat, 13 September 2025 9:48AM
The show goes on — and that’s exactly what producers of the The Charlie Kirk Show did.
Leaving Mr Kirk’s usual seat empty in tribute during Friday’s episode of the daily podcast, executive producer Andrew Kolvet explained that he was filling in because “Charlie would’ve wanted us to be here”.
To his right was a vacant black leather chair facing a microphone. A white cap stitched in gold with the number 47 and a small stuffed giraffe sat where Mr Kirk’s laptop would have been.
“We, of course, have left his chair open and empty because no one will ever fill it,” Mr Kolvet said. “No one will ever hope to.”
The three-hour-long episode started with a seven-minute photo and video montage set to acoustic guitar music in Mr Kirk’s memory.
Mr Kolvet and three other hosts then discussed Mr Kirk’s faith, family and talent for reaching young conservatives.
Commentator Blake Neff said that he was with Mr Kirk at the Utah Valley University rally when he was shot.
Mr Neff recalled how he and Mr Kirk were work-shopping ideas in a text group chat before the event started.
The mood of the podcast swung from funereal to jocular as the hosts swapped stories and memories.
They shared memories of Mr Kirk’s habits such as wearing shorts and tall compression socks on planes to help circulation in his legs.
“He would always talk to me about this,” Jack Posobiec said. “He’s like, ‘It’s a thing for tall people, Jack’.”
The show ended with a bagpipe rendition of Amazing Grace, with the camera panning to Mr Kirk’s empty chair.
Mr Kolvert finished with: “You are a hero and always will be.”
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