JD Vance: ‘Honor’ Charlie Kirk by Not Doing Things ‘That He Himself Refused to Do in Life’

Vice President JD Vance told a packed audience at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest on Sunday that the most meaningful way to honor the late Charlie Kirk is to avoid the kind of exclusionary behavior Kirk himself rejected throughout his life.

Vance framed his remarks around the broad appeal of President Donald Trump’s political message, emphasizing that the slogan “Make America Great Again” is rooted in inclusion rather than gatekeeping. He said the strength of the movement lies in the idea that every American is welcome, regardless of background or circumstance.

VP VANCE: "President Trump did not build the greatest coalition in politics by running his supporters through endless, self-defeated purity tests… I didn't bring a list of conservatives to denounce or to de-platform… The best way to honor Charlie is that none of us here… pic.twitter.com/jyMQotlW1O

— Greg Price (@greg_price11) December 21, 2025

“President Trump did not build the greatest coalition in politics by running his supporters through endless, self-defeated purity tests,” Vance said. “He says ‘Make America Great Again’ because every American is invited. We don’t care if you’re white or black, rich or poor, young or old, rural or urban, controversial or a little bit boring, or somewhere in between. People of every faith come to our banner because they know that the America First movement will make their lives better and they also know that the Democrats don’t care about anything other than maybe transing their kids.”

According to Vance, that open-door approach is precisely why the America First coalition has grown into a political force. He argued that Americans who love their country and want it to be “richer, stronger, safer, and prouder” naturally belong within the movement.

Vance also addressed criticism he expects to receive, saying he deliberately avoided attacking or excluding fellow conservatives. He stressed that Kirk’s legacy was built on bringing people together, not pushing them out.

“I didn’t bring a list of conservatives to denounce or to deplatform, and I don’t really care if some people out there — I’m sure we’ll have the fake news media denounce me after this speech, but let me just say, “the best way to honor Charlie is that none of us here should be doing something after Charlie’s death that he himself refused to do in life,” Vance said. “He invited all of us here.”

He concluded by reiterating that the America First movement remains a home for anyone committed to the country’s strength and future, echoing what he described as the core principle Charlie Kirk championed from the beginning.

{Matzav.com}