WATCH: Gavin Newsom Telling Charlie Kirk His Son Wanted to Skip School to Meet Him

Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist who was assassinated in Utah on Wednesday, was best known for his efforts to persuade young Americans to join the ranks of the Right.

In the inaugural episode of his podcast, This is Gavin Newsom, California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) revealed to Kirk that he had been successful in piquing the interest of his own son.

At the outset of Newsom and Kirk’s conversation, the former told the latter that he had known the firebrand would be visiting the University of Southern California because his niece was so excited about it.

“The worst part, though, Charlie — no BS, true story — literally last night trying to put my  son to bed, he’s like, ‘No, Dad. I just-, what time? What time’s Charlie gonna be here? What time?’ And I’m like, dude you’re in school tomorrow. He’s 13. He’s like, ‘No, no.’ This morning, wakes up at 6 something, he’s like, ‘I’m coming.’ I’m like-, he literally would not leave the house,” Newsom recalled.

“Did you let him take off school?” asked Kirk.

“Of course not,” answered Newsom.

“Come on, you canceled school for like two years,” joked Kirk.

Later in their conversation, Newsom said that he admired Kirk’s ability to organize on college campuses.

“I love watching your TikTok, which is next level, clearly that’s expressed by my 13-year-old son,” observed Newsom.

“I want to meet this guy!” roared Kirk before suggesting Newsom’s son attend a Turning Point event in Florida later in the year.

Newsom and Kirk’s conversation was published on March 6 of this year. Newsom reacted to Kirk’s assassination on Thursday in a statement that read:

We should all feel a deep sense of grief and outrage at the terrible violence that took place in Utah today. Charlie Kirk’s murder is sick and reprehensible, and our thoughts are with his family, children, and loved ones.

I knew Charlie, and I admired his passion and commitment to debate. His senseless murder is a reminder of how important it is for all of us, across the political spectrum, to foster genuine discourse on issues that deeply affect us all without resorting to political violence.

The best way to honor Charlie’s memory is to continue his work: engage with each other, across ideology, through spirited discourse. In a democracy, ideas are tested through words and good-faith debate — never through violence. Honest disagreement makes us stronger; violence only drives us further apart and corrodes the values at the heart of this nation.

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