Television host Jenny McCarthy says the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk marked a turning point in her spiritual life, pushing her into a deeper, more personal devotion to Christ.
Speaking during a Dec. 11 appearance on Alex Clark’s podcast, McCarthy reflected on how Kirk’s life, and his violent death, reshaped her outlook on faith, activism, and personal sacrifice. She described the moment as shattering, but also transformative.
Jenny McCarthy Reflects on Faith and Loss
Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed while speaking at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025. The assassination sent shockwaves through supporters nationwide, including McCarthy, who said his courage left a deep impression on her.
“It was so sad because the work he was doing was so good,” she said. “And it’s amazing to me how people really do have two realities, because there’s a certain group of people in the world that were fed only one narrative of Charlie and they really, to be fair to them, they didn’t see the other side. They were fed one narrative and that’s what they believed.”
McCarthy explained that the loss felt personal, in part because she has faced intense criticism for her own activism, something she says has affected her career.
“A Dark Day” of Prayer and Grief
Recalling the day Kirk was shot, McCarthy said the news left her devastated and desperate for hope.
“I was so broken,” she said. “When he was shot, I prayed and prayed and prayed, and then I called like every doctor I possibly could, saying tell me that this wound is something that could be healed. And you know, I kind of knew it wasn’t. It was such a dark day. It is still a dark time, I think, for so many people.”
The tragedy, she said, forced her to confront suffering in a new way, one that ultimately drew her closer to God.
A Spiritual Awakening After Tragedy
McCarthy said she searched for purpose amid the grief and believes Kirk’s death sparked something far bigger than politics.
“With every horrible thing, if you find the good, it can help you move forward. Look at the mass awakening. Look at how many people came closer to God, even including myself,” she said.
Raised Catholic, McCarthy noted that faith had always been part of her life. Still, she said the loss renewed her devotion with unexpected intensity.
“I’ve always been a follower of Christ, but when he passed, I completely surrendered,” McCarthy said.
“I am so devoted. I mean, I started Bible study immediately.”
A Sacrifice He Understood
McCarthy also reflected on what she believes Kirk knew about the risks he faced and the response that followed his death.
“I feel like Charlie knew exactly what he was doing,” she said. “And I know now that he knew the sacrifice he was making and watching his memorial and feeling it. Couldn’t you feel it around the country, you guys, around the world? Like, I felt it the mass awakening.”
In the months since the assassination, faith leaders across the country have reported increased church attendance and renewed interest in Christianity, particularly among young people. Bible sales also surged in the weeks following Kirk’s death, signaling what many see as a broader spiritual shift.
