Business Leader Recounts Joyful Final Hours with Charlie Kirk Before His Untimely Death

Business leader Andrew Smith conversed with Charlie Kirk approximately sixty minutes prior to the conservative political commentator's demise at age 31.

“Most people would expect him to seek an argument in any discussion he joined. This occasion, however, was quite unlike that,” Smith revealed solely to Us Weekly on Tuesday, September 23. “That morning, he was exceptionally jovial and full of enthusiasm. He expressed considerable eagerness to participate.”

Smith continued, “Our discussion in the green room lasted roughly half an hour before we took the stage. We discussed his recent journey to Korea, from which he had returned that very weekend. He traveled to Korea alongside Mikey McCoy, his chief of staff, John McGovern, as well as some security personnel and a social media specialist, and they collectively shared how delightful their Korean excursion had been. Following that, our conversation shifted to sports and then family travel. It truly was a pleasant and innocent exchange.”

The "remarkably cheerful and inspiring" dialogue between Smith and Kirk occurred just before their appearance on a convention panel focused on entrepreneurship earlier in the month. (Smith, who co-founded Savory Fund and owns multiple eateries, hosts a yearly convention to impart business insights.)

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“As the room began to clear, signaling our readiness to ascend to the stage, he looked at me and simply stated, ‘Andrew, what assistance can I offer today? My sole desire is to be helpful.’ My reply was, ‘Charlie, as we discussed earlier, we are about to address an audience of entrepreneurs and CEOs; let's simply share your narrative and mine, and thereby motivate them,’” Smith recounted to Us regarding their final interaction before the public session. “He responded, ‘Oh my goodness, this subject is my absolute favorite. I’m so eager.’ We exchanged a friendly embrace, and then ascended the stairs together. The prevailing sentiment as we proceeded was, ‘Let us engage in a discussion about entrepreneurship and share our respective paths.’”

Smith stated that conversing with Kirk, both during and outside of their stage appearance, was “remarkably effortless.”

“It felt as though I had been acquainted with him for ages,” he reminisced to Us. “Engaging in conversation with him was incredibly smooth, and he was genuinely authentic with every individual assisting behind the scenes. He made sure to introduce himself. He posed for photographs with attendees. He exhibited such immense graciousness, and then we proceeded onto the stage.”

Following the conclusion of their presentation, Kirk inquired about Smith's perception of the session's performance.

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“My response was, ‘How did you do? Charlie, you were phenomenal. What are you even saying? You deliver speeches constantly,’” Smith recounted. “He replied, ‘My only desire was to perform well.’ That was his mindset. Consider that; he was dedicating his personal time. He was concerned with how the audience would interpret the insights. He aimed to be beneficial with the knowledge he shared. We had proposed, ‘Let’s go out there and discuss politics. Let’s keep this non-political.’ He countered, ‘No politics. I wish to remain neutral. Let's simply go out and speak about our journey as entrepreneurs.’ He found that prospect thrilling.”

Within an hour, Kirk was fatally shot during a distinct public address event at Utah Valley University. Charlie is survived by his spouse, Erika Kirk (born Frantzve), and their two offspring.

Charlie had even briefly referenced his upcoming UVU engagement to Smith, displaying a photograph of the densely populated venue as attendees were “entering” the arena.

“I asked, ‘What kind of attendance are you anticipating today?’ He replied, ‘Between 3,000 and 3,400,’” Smith recounted. “He then added, ‘Yes, it has simply expanded continually. … For this particular event, I’m hoping there will be attendees, more individuals who are my acquaintances.’ My response was, ‘I believe you’ll likely have more supporters there, given the larger audience.’ He was enthusiastic that his team had organized it and that the venue was filling up, and then we proceeded onto the stage.”

Smith further stated, “He was keen to visit and connect with individuals at UVU, and upon his departure from [my convention], he was in high spirits.”

Upon receiving news of Kirk’s demise, Smith discovered it exceptionally challenging to view their panel discussion again.

“It was profoundly moving to watch. Once I became aware that the recording existed, I refrained from viewing it for several days, as it was undergoing editing and I was preoccupied with handling numerous requests for it,” he explained. “Eventually, I managed to sit down and watch our dialogue, partly because I was a participant. … Considering the circumstances of his assassination, and then observing this, one realizes, ‘How remarkable were those final comments he uttered.’”

Smith concluded their conversation by inquiring about Charlie's preferred life motto. The founder of Turning Point USA responded, “For those to endure, this too shall fade.”

“I believe he was conveying to the world, ‘Understand that periods of prosperity arrive and subsequently depart. And equally, when adversity is present, it too will dissipate,’” Smith articulated. “And currently, it is a particularly challenging period for everyone to comprehend. You know, there are many individuals who are enraged and others who are content, and so forth. Ultimately, this specific period will transition, and then the subsequent phase will emerge. And I simply reflected, ‘What an extraordinarily profound declaration to possess.’”