The First Amendment Trinity And Charlie Kirk’s Murder
(ANALYSIS) What do Joe Rogan, Charlie Sheen and Charlie Kirk have in common?
On many levels, the correct answer is, “Not much.” And I never thought that I would be discussing Sheen in the context of someone like Kirk who, whatever you thought of his MAGA messages, was maturing into an increasingly effective public apologist on topics of faith, family and public life.
So, what unites Rogan, Sheen and Kirk? It’s this:
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
Kirk was gunned down, according to the early evidence, by a dark-Web Antifia disciple while debating a polite, rational critic about the sharp rise in political violence in America.
With this event, we are talking about free speech, the free exercise of religious convictions and a massive, voluntary public assembly. In terms of Bill of Rights doctrine, this was the First Amendment trinity in action — at the same time, in the same place, on a university campus that is supposed to be a safe zone for debate and education.
For several days, I have been reading and listening — primarily heeding the words of Kirk himself and people on the true First Amendment left who have been defending him and even mourning his loss. Of course, I have also followed the prayer vigils and the events surrounding Kirk’s widow and family. Her speech last night was agonizing, brave and, yes, an act of faith.
Now, back to Rogan and (I can’t believe that I am typing this) Sheen.
Yes, there plenty of furious F-bombs in the Rogan video (embedded above). But look at the man’s face and listen to the pain and shock in the voice of this old-school free speech liberal. To my amazement, Sheen knew who Kirk is, and then was, and is clearly horrified when Kirk’s death was announced.
It is one thing to see Kirk’s close friends, such as broadcaster Megyn Kelly, crying on live, streamed video. Rogan and Sheen only knew Kirk through mass media. Nevertheless, it’s clear that both men (click for Page Six feature at The New York Post) totally understood the First Amendment context of this assassination.
A visibly distressed Rogan informed Sheen of the news of the shooting and the political commentator’s passing live on-air, to which the actor responded, “Murdered for having a different opinion from somebody else, different ideology from somebody else. Rest in peace.”
Sheen added that Kirk “didn’t deserve” to be killed.
“He’s not a violent guy. He was talking to people on college campuses. Wasn’t even particularly rude. He tried to be pretty reasonable with people,” Rogan argued.
“Whether you agree with him or not, and there was a lot of stuff I didn’t agree with him on, you’re allowed to disagree with people without celebrating the fact they got shot.”
Sheen agreed with Rogan’s sentiment, saying he believes Kirk’s assassination will put other political commentators “on guard” from speaking out and could be a “tipping point moment” in history.
As I said earlier, I have been reading a wide range of commentary and tributes about Kirk. However, I am glad that I do not have a Blue Sky account, because the hellish celebrations there — I have seen screenshot collections — have been truly scary.
I get that part of the illiberal left is dancing, right now. But that’s not what is happening among many of those who call themselves liberals, and actually mean it.
I think one of the best ways to understand the man Kirk had become was to see him sitting across from an almost stereotypical old liberal like Bill Maher. Their disagreements are many and important.
However, if you don’t have time to watch all of that Club Random episode with Maher and Kirk, jump to the 1 hour and 18 minute mark — where they begin a discussion of the importance of the Resurrection of Jesus — and watch to the end. Why do Christians say, “Christ IS Risen”? Kirk stands firm.
The final discussion focuses on defending the legacy of Western Civilization, even if that means facing angry students, faculty and administrators on college campuses. Kirk says these campus debates are at the heart of what he is called to do. He won’t stop going. Period.
You can read the rest of Terry Mattingly’s post on his Substack page.
Terry Mattingly is Senior Fellow on Communications and Culture at Saint Constantine College in Houston. He lives in Elizabethton, Tennessee, and writes Rational Sheep, a Substack newsletter on faith and mass media.