Vice President JD Vance honored his late friend Charlie Kirk during the Republican Midterm Convention in Dallas Thursday, marking the first anniversary of Kirk’s assassination with an emotional message to his two young children.

“One year ago today, on September 10th of last year, that good friend was taken from us when Charlie was assassinated,” Vance said, "...Charlie left behind two children, two little kids. They were too young to fully understand”.

He then addressed Kirk’s children directly, invoking Scripture as he spoke about their loss.

“I want you to know what your dad knew. Scripture says that God is a father to the fatherless,” Vance said. “I hope that one day they will watch and they will know and they will understand what I’m trying to say to them tonight,” he continued. “Though they may not appreciate it today, history will record that your father was a great man!”

Kirk, the co-founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot on Sept. 10, 2025, while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. He was 31 and left behind his wife, Erika, and their two children. Vance has frequently spoken about his friendship with Kirk and the influence Kirk had on his personal and political life.

Vance’s remarks came during the second night of the Republican Party’s first Midterm Convention, held at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. Kirk has been widely remembered throughout the two-day event, with speakers honoring his political activism and his influence on the next generation of conservatives.