Riley Gaines Delivers Heartfelt Tribute To Charlie Kirk | 'Gaines For Girls'
Riley remembers her dear friend, Charlie Kirk.
OutKick host Riley Gaines gave a raw, emotional tribute to Charlie Kirk, the Turning Point USA founder, who was fatally shot at Utah Valley University in an act of political violence.
He was 31 and left behind his widow, Erika, and a young daughter and son.
Riley, who was close to Kirk, deeply mourned Kirk's loss, as did many around the world, who lauded Kirk's faith and promotion of conservative values.
On "Gaines for Girls," Gaines spoke with grief and frustration over the loss of her close friend.
"Our society is so sick, so broken," Gaines said. "The truth is hated. They’ve proven they’ll kill you for disagreeing politically."
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AVENTURA, Fla. - Riley Gaines speaks during the 10X Ladies Conference Hosted by Elena Cardone at JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa on August 15, 2025. (Photo by Ivan Apfel/Getty Images)
For Gaines, Kirk was never just a public figure.
The seminal conservative figure was a mentor, a devoted husband and father, and a Christian leader whose intellect, she believed, could have carried him all the way to the presidency.
"They knew there was no one like Charlie," she said. "If they couldn’t get Trump, Charlie was the next best target. Everyone knew it. Spend any time with him and you’d see it. He could’ve been president one day."
Gaines recalled how Kirk fueled her activism after her 2022 tie with Lia Thomas.
Male-born swimmer William "Lia" Thomas was allowed to compete against women, including OutKick's Riley Gaines in 2022. (Getty Images)
Together, they faced hostile campus protests, tense rallies, and long private talks where his counsel steeled her resolve.
"Charlie saw the truth in me before I saw it myself," Gaines added.
She tied his killing to a broader assault on conservative voices. While the news of Kirk's death brings despair, joy comes in the morning, and the ministry of faith they shared must press on.
The tribute wasn’t only grief.
"They couldn’t silence his ideas, so they silenced him."
Gaines vowed to honor Kirk through a TPUSA memorial event and future podcast episodes spotlighting his legacy.
"The truth isn’t dead," Gaines declared. "I’ll carry it forward." Rest in Peace.
Check out Riley Gaines’ Gaines for Girls podcast here
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