RFK Jr. mistakenly said he met Charlie Kirk in 2001 during a vigil, even though Kirk was only eight at the time. The internet quickly pointed it out.
The death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk has led to vigils across the United States, but one moment from Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s speech is going viral for all the wrong reasons.
The Vigil
Kirk, 31, was fatally shot on September 10 while speaking at a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University. Authorities later identified and arrested 22-year-old Tyler Robinson as the suspect.
Over the weekend, multiple vigils were held nationwide, including one at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., where Republican leaders and supporters gathered to pay their respects.
RFK Jr.’s Strange Claim
During his speech, RFK Jr. said he first met Charlie Kirk in 2001. But here’s the catch—Kirk was born in October 1993, meaning he was only eight years old at the time.
Adding to the confusion, Kirk didn’t start his podcast, The Charlie Kirk Show, until 2020. Most observers believe Kennedy simply meant 2021 and misspoke.
Still, the slip didn’t go unnoticed.
The Internet Reacts
In 2001, Charlie Kirk was eight years old https://t.co/64CEKTocks
— alex bronzini-vender (@alexbronzini) September 15, 2025
Social media quickly picked up on the mistake:
“In 2001, Charlie Kirk was eight years old,” one person posted.
Another defended Kennedy: “He meant 2021, people make mistakes.”
Erika Kirk Speaks Out
Meanwhile, Kirk’s widow Erica delivered her own emotional message during a livestream at Turning Point USA’s office in Phoenix.
Standing next to her late husband’s podcast chair, she thanked first responders, Kirk’s staff, and political allies, including Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha, who helped bring Kirk’s casket home.
She also expressed gratitude to Donald Trump, calling him a true friend to her husband:
“Mr President, my husband loved you. And he knew that you loved him too.”
Erica vowed to continue her husband’s mission, declaring:
“You have no idea the fire that you have ignited within this wife. The cries of this widow will echo around the world like a battle cry.”
