To: Les H who wrote (47635 ) 9/12/2025 2:03:49 PM From: Les H Respond to Stephen King Repeatedly Apologizes for “Horrible” Charlie Kirk TweetJames Hibberd Stephen King has issued a rare apology for a politically oriented tweet in the wake of Charlie Kirk ‘s death.posted on X about Kirk in the wake of his assassination: “He advocated stoning gays to death. Just sayin.'” The tweet was in reaction to post by Fox News host Jesse Watters writing, “Charlie Kirk was not a controversial or polarizing figure. Charlie was a PATRIOT.”Hollywood Reporter Leveraged an established movement: Critics and observers argue that Kirk used the momentum and visibility of Trump's "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) movement to elevate himself. He began as a young activist and gained national prominence by aligning himself with a politician who was already a phenomenon.Echoed and amplified Trump's message: Kirk's rhetoric on his podcast and at Turning Point USA events closely mirrored Trump's platform and culture war narratives. Some suggest this amplification was a key factor in his own rise, as it appealed to the existing MAGA base and expanded his audience.Political utility, not independence: The relationship is sometimes viewed as transactional. As one political analyst wrote, Kirk's most significant political win was mobilizing young people for Trump, suggesting his purpose was to serve Trump's political ends rather than to build an independent political force. Galvanized youth voter turnout: Proponents of this view credit Kirk with building a grassroots youth movement through Turning Point USA (TPUSA) that was crucial for Trump's success, particularly in the 2024 election.According to a Fox News article, a media consultant for the 2024 Trump campaign said Kirk's efforts were possibly "the effort that put President Trump over the top". Exit polling data cited by Al Jazeera shows that Trump significantly increased his support among young male voters in 2024 compared to previous elections. Influenced key campaign outcomes: TPUSA's ground game was instrumental in driving irregular voters to the polls, particularly in battleground states like Arizona, which some credited with helping Trump win the state in 2024.Reshaped the conservative media landscape: Kirk became a prominent media figure in his own right, using social media platforms to engage young audiences directly. Some compared him to a "Gen Z and millennial version of Rush Limbaugh". A "trusted ally" with influence: Kirk was a close personal friend of the Trump family and a regular visitor to the White House. He was seen as a key adviser who kept a finger on the pulse of the MAGA base.Rare disagreements but ultimate loyalty: While Kirk occasionally offered criticisms to Trump, his ultimate loyalty was never in doubt. A 2025 CNN piece noted that Trump accepted Kirk's criticism on a few occasions, suggesting mutual respect. However, the New York Times reported that Kirk publicly reversed himself on a position after an irritated Trump called him, demonstrating where the power ultimately lay.A "personal loss" for Trump: Following Kirk's death, Trump paid tribute to him, calling him a "legendary" figure and stating that "No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth... better than Charlie". Trump's personal connection to Kirk was highlighted, even as the president used the incident to rail against the "radical left".
