Evangelist and Samaritan's Purse CEO Franklin Graham, son of the late evangelist Billy Graham, stated that the assassination of Charlie Kirk reflects an attempt by the Left to silence their adversaries.
In a phone interview with The Christian Post, Graham said, “I think what the assassin was wanting to do, no question, has backfired. And what the Left is wanting to do is to shut the mouths of anyone who’s willing to speak out.”
Graham expressed optimism that even after his death, Kirk, reportedly assassinated last week in Utah by a young individual with leftist political views, would continue to impact others for Christ.
Graham stated, “I hope this is going to raise up an army of young people who will take a stand for Jesus Christ, who are not afraid to speak out and not afraid that they’re going to be attacked or accused. We have to take a stand and be open to the truth and not be afraid to speak the truth.”
While attending the second meeting of the White House Religious Liberty Commission in Washington, D.C., last week, Graham asserted, “There’s no question that Christian people of faith are under attack.”
Graham admitted that society has become increasingly hostile toward Christianity, highlighting how the Left has coined the term “Christian nationalism” to disparage people of faith.
He elaborated, “It’s another word to try to put you down, and to shut you up and to make you fearful of taking a stand,” emphasizing that Christians are nonetheless called to share their faith boldly.
He praised Charlie Kirk’s forthright sharing of the Gospel, referencing a tweet by Kirk made 11 days before his death encouraging his followers to “tell someone about Jesus this weekend.”
Graham told CP, “I think Charlie’s death put a huge spotlight on this truth: that Jesus Christ is God’s Son,” suggesting that while the assassin aimed to silence Kirk, the opposite effect is occurring.
Graham noted “millions of people are talking about” the Gospel in the aftermath of Kirk’s assassination, with reports of increased church attendance dubbed “the Charlie effect” emerging the weekend after Kirk’s death.
Although Graham is uncertain whether the United States is on the brink of a revival, acknowledging that such movements often take “a long period of time,” he commended Kirk for his bold witness, particularly to Gen Z.
He observed that many young people are starting to question, “What’s life all about? It’s not a party; there’s an emptiness, and I don’t have it. I’m not fulfilled; I’m not satisfied.”
Graham remarked, “I think people are looking now, because drugs and sex and alcohol don’t satisfy. There’s an emptiness in young people, and they’re searching. When Charlie said that Jesus Christ was everything to him, that was huge. He is going to be remembered for his faith.”
