In a surprising and emotional revelation, liberal CNN analyst Van Jones shared on Saturday that conservative activist Charlie Kirk reached out to him just one day before Kirk’s tragic assassination—extending an unexpected olive branch in the form of a respectful invitation to discuss crime and race.
“Hey Van, I mean it, I’d love to have you on my show to have a respectful conversation about crime and race,” Kirk wrote in the message, which Jones posted to his Instagram account.
The message continued, “I would be a gentleman as I know you would be as well. We can disagree about the issues agreeably.”
Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA, was gunned down on September 10 during a college tour stop in Utah. His killing shocked the world and prompted intense national debate about the rise of political violence and the growing hostility across ideological lines.
“We Were Not Friends. At All.”
Speaking candidly on social media, Van Jones admitted he was “shocked” to receive the message, especially given the public “beefing” between him and Kirk just days prior.
“Charlie Kirk and I were not friends. At all,” Jones said in a video. “We were beefing hard. And this message shocked me.”
Initially unsure whether to share Kirk’s final outreach, Jones ultimately decided it was important for the public to know the full picture—especially given the toxic rhetoric that followed Kirk’s murder.
“In the past week and a half, just watching people talk about civil wars and censorship and all this stuff coming out of his death, I just thought it was important to let people know – Don’t put that on Charlie Kirk,” he said.
“The last day of his life, he was reaching out to have not more censorship, [but] more conversation, more dialogue, with somebody who, honestly, was one of his adversaries – me.”
A Call for Civil Discourse
Jones’s comments arrive amid a troubling wave of celebratory or mocking social media posts in response to Kirk’s assassination—many of which have been condemned across the political spectrum.
For Jones, Kirk’s final message is a reminder that even in the midst of fierce ideological battles, common ground and basic decency are still possible.
“Maybe this [message] can help someone on both sides,” Jones said, “deal with issues more like he did.”
Funeral Set for Sunday in Arizona
Kirk’s funeral is currently unfolding in Phoenix, Arizona, and has drawn tens of thousands of mourners. Among the high-profile speakers delivering remarks is President Donald Trump, a close ally of Kirk who has called the assassination a “national tragedy.”
Kirk, who rose to prominence as a young conservative firebrand, built Turning Point USA into a powerhouse student organization and was known for his sharp political commentary and unapologetic defense of American values.
Final Words, Final Lesson
The fact that one of Charlie Kirk’s last acts was an attempt to bridge a divide—even with someone he vehemently disagreed with—adds a powerful dimension to his legacy. As Jones aptly put it, the message serves as a counterweight to the division and hatred that have erupted in the wake of Kirk’s death.
In a time of deep political polarization, Kirk’s final message reminds Americans on both sides: disagreement does not have to mean dehumanization—and it’s still possible to talk.
“We can disagree about the issues agreeably.”
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