In this urgent and unplanned episode of Free Speech Forward, hosts Joia and Chris respond to the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk on September 10, 2025—the most horrific attack on free speech on US soil in their lifetimes. Recording in the immediate aftermath of this tragedy, they grapple with what Kirk's murder means for America's future as we approach the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. As the founder of Turning Point USA, Kirk was killed while doing exactly that to which he dedicated his life: engaging in civil discourse and debate on a college campus. Joia and Chris examine the dangerous ideology that equates "words with violence," tracing how this academic concept has escaped universities to radicalize ordinary Americans into justifying—or even celebrating—political murder. They explore the troubling reactions from some Americans who are rationalizing Kirk's death, and issue an urgent call for all who value civilization to defend the bright line between speech and violence. This episode serves as both a tribute to a fallen advocate for free expression and a rallying cry for defending the foundational freedoms that make peaceful disagreement possible in a diverse society.

Learn more about Charlie’s legacy with Turning Point USA at: https://tpusa.com/