Sunday’s memorial service for Charlie Kirk drew thousands who came to honor the late conservative leader. Among the speakers was Tucker Carlson, who offered an emotional tribute that blended politics, faith and reflection on Kirk’s life.
Carlson called Kirk “a Christian evangelist” and praised his courage in speaking truth to power. In his remarks, Carlson likened Kirk’s boldness to Jesus’ ministry in Jerusalem, drawing a parallel between efforts to silence Kirk’s voice and the crucifixion of Christ. “They become obsessed with making him stop,” Carlson said of the authorities in Jesus’ day. “I’ve got an idea. Why don’t we just kill him? That’ll shut him up. That’ll fix the problem. It doesn’t work that way.”
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Carlson went on to argue that attempts to extinguish truth only cause it to “burn brighter every single time.”
Tsarfati Pushes Back
Amir Tsarfati, founder of Behold Israel and a well-known Bible teacher, took issue with Carlson’s words. In a statement after the memorial, Tsarfati said Carlson had misrepresented the gospel by portraying Jesus as a victim silenced by men.
“Today at Charlie Kirk’s memorial, I was struck by Tucker Carlson’s words,” Tsarfati said. “He compared Charlie’s death to that of Jesus—both, he said, silenced by those who could not bear their message. But Tucker clearly misunderstands the gospel: Jesus was not assassinated by men trying to silence Him. He came willingly to pay the price for our sins.”
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Tsarfati pointed to John 10:18, where Jesus declared, “No one takes My life from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.” He also cited Isaiah 53:6: “All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”
Today at Charlie Kirk’s memorial, I was struck by Tucker Carlson’s words. He compared Charlie’s death to that of Jesus—both, he said, silenced by those who could not bear their message.
— Amir Tsarfati (@beholdisrael) September 22, 2025
But Tucker clearly misunderstands the gospel: Jesus was not assassinated by men trying to…
Pro-Israel Voices React
Beyond theological concerns, Carlson’s remarks drew criticism from a number of pro-Israel commentators online. Several saw his description of Jesus’ death at the hands of leaders in Jerusalem as a veiled swipe at Jews and at Israel itself, reflecting a pattern in Carlson’s rhetoric that many have labeled as increasingly hostile.
Beyond theological concerns, Carlson’s remarks also drew pushback from pro-Israel commentators online. Many saw his description of Jesus’ death at the hands of leaders in Jerusalem as echoing a familiar line of rhetoric used to cast blame on Jews. Others noted that Carlson’s recent public statements have reflected an increasingly hostile tone toward Israel, and some described his comments at Kirk’s memorial as ill-timed given Kirk’s strong support for the Jewish state.
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A Tension Between Emotion and Theology
Carlson’s comments reflected the raw emotion of the gathering, where many spoke of Kirk’s faith and fearlessness. But Tsarfati’s response, and the online pushback, underscored a very important point: that the gospel message must remain clear.
James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a background in journalism from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine.
