Conservative leader Charlie Kirk was tragically killed in a campus shooting in Utah this week, and during an interview, nationally syndicated radio host Joe Pags and Dr. Ben Carson learned of his death in real time — turning a routine conversation into an emotional moment of shock, grief, and remembrance.
“Charlie is such an incredible person, wise beyond his years, and very courageous,” Carson said just moments before learning of Kirk’s passing. As reports came in, Pags quietly broke the news: “I’m getting various reports that are saying that Charlie has now passed. And it makes me sick.”
What followed was an unscripted, deeply personal exchange between two men in shock, trying to process the sudden loss. Pags admitted, “All the blood came out of my face. My heart started pumping very hard. If that’s true, this doesn’t make any sense, Ben.”
Dr. Carson, shaken, offered a broader reflection: “We have a situation that’s really quite urgent in our country. The forces of evil, the forces that want to fundamentally change us, are doing everything they can to divide the population.”
Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was just 31. In that short time, he built a movement, mentored a generation, and became one of the most influential conservative voices in America.
“He never ever said a hateful word as far as I know,” Pags said. Dr. Carson echoed, “He stuck with the truth — and that’s a rare quality that we see in people in the spotlight.”
For both Pags and Carson, the grief gave way to resolve.
“We have to fight for ourselves. We have to fight for our children and all those people who are coming after us,” Dr. Carson added. “If we don’t fight for it, we’re going to lose it.”
Pags closed the interview with quiet admiration: “Charlie Kirk is no longer with us. I think his legacy… I think that he’s made his mark. And as he sits with Jesus, I think Jesus is going to be proud.”
"Charlie was a man of God," Dr. Carson added.
The segment wasn’t planned to be a tribute. But it became one — a raw, unscripted reminder of Charlie’s courage, faith, and fire. His voice may be gone, but his message will echo for generations.
You can watch the full conversation above.