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Young conservatives are reflecting on how Charlie Kirk inspired them to boldly and unashamedly stand up for their beliefs.
Fox News Digital attended the Texas Youth Summit in The Woodlands, Texas, to speak with attendees about the legacy Kirk leaves behind following his assassination.
“Charlie Kirk was one of the first people who got me into politics,” said Fred, a college student and the Vice Chair of Special Affairs for the Young Conservatives of Texas. “I started watching when I was a freshman in high school a few years ago. And Charlie… he was my inspiration for getting involved on campus at [Southern Methodist Univerity].”
Braelunn from Montgomery, Texas, said, “I believe that the assassination of Charlie Kirk was not only an attack on someone I watched, and I adored, but is an attack on my First Amendment right.”
Paul, who is originally from California but now resides in Houston, said he was familiar with Kirk’s work as the founder of Turning Point USA, but in the wake of the assassination, he got to know his story better.
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“Since what’s happened last week, I think I’ve got to learn more about his life and his legacy, and he’s almost even more of an inspiration now,” he said.
Shaylin, originally from Canada, shared how Kirk was a model to her.
“Charlie Kirk is someone who I’ve been watching for 10 years in my life, and he has been the one that has showed me what it looks like to live a radical life of being grounded in morals and truth and what it means to be even bold in your faith,” she said.
Natalie attends Austin College, which she described as very liberal, but Kirk’s legacy inspired her to not fear speaking out.
“He has helped in encouraging me to speak up about my beliefs and have civil discussions with people who may not agree with you and, even if the person that disagrees with you, backlashes with violence or aggressive insults or cursing, obviously, to keep it respectful,” Natalie told Fox News Digital.
Following the assassination of Kirk, these young conservatives said they are more determined than ever to share their views openly.
Noel, a student at Dallas Baptist University, said, “I do not think they are safe on campus, but as a believer and as a fellow conservative myself, I think conservatives now more than ever are bolder and standing for what they believe in, despite the fact that they know that they are in trouble. And it’s sad that we’ve gotten to that point.”
However, Noel shared the importance of being bold in your values.
“We’re standing up bolder, stronger, more than we’ve ever known… As Christians, we’re guaranteed that persecution in this life, but that’s part of the cost, and we know that,” he told Fox News Digital. “We were prepared for that, and I think truly now we understand that it’s there, but we also understand that our mission is greater and the consequences that could happen.”
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Ella, a student at Lone Star College, said, “So in the past, I used to be kind of nervous, but I mean, I have God in my life and I know I’m going to be spreading His word in my politics and in the way that He has shaped my life and who I am as a person, and I’m not afraid of anybody, the only person I’m afraid of is God.”
Will, a Young Conservatives of Texas state board member, said he’s troubled by where the country is heading.
“I think a lot of schools are going to start putting in more security,” Will said. “We’re taking it a lot more serious now. Never before in America did you have to worry about getting shot for your opinions, but now we’re there, I guess. It’s sad.”
Fred added that his school, Southern Methodist University, is working to keep students safe and is confident about other campuses in the Lone Star State.
“I’m sure administrators across the state of Texas and across the nation can see that and will work with their students and conserve these awards to make sure that students are safe,” he said.
People hold candles and sing during a memorial and prayer vigil for Charlie Kirk at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Washington. (Rod Lamkey, Jr./AP Photo)
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Paul said following the assassination of Kirk, he is anticipating a similar response for college safety to the response that 9/11 had on airport security.
Braelunn said, “I truly, I hope that it changes safety. I hope there should be no person, right or left, no matter which side of the spectrum you’re on, that should feel threatened for expressing their beliefs.”
Noel said he felt encouraged to continue his mission.
“The whole situation has definitely been hard,” he said. “But at the same time, to see a leader like that who died for something you truly believed in encourages me to go even harder. So the mission keeps going.”
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Fox News’ Alba Cuebas-Fantauzzi contributed to this report.
