X/@JamesOKeefeIII
An investigative journalist, James O’Keefe, has launched a video displaying his preliminary response to the taking pictures of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk throughout a dwell educating session. The footage exhibits O’Keefe taking a name from a reporter throughout his O’Keefe Academy course. The decision interrupted the category and conveyed O’Keefe’s uncooked expression of shock and concern as he was instructed about one thing that had occurred to his shut pal.
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Video reveals the scene throughout the dwell coaching, the place O’Keefe appeared distracted for a second, however as soon as the decision was taken, every part turned solemn. The audio recordings captured solely O’Keefe’s voice as he freely expressed his ideas throughout the unfolding occasions: “What? He received shot? When did that occur? Like 20 minutes in the past or one thing?” The tone of O’Keefe was altering from skilled to involved. Seen within the video had been O’Keefe’s expressions of dismay when he got here to know of Kirk being shot within the neck; he saved commenting, “That’s not good,” as he started to appreciate the grimness of the state of affairs.
O’Keefe defined why he shared this non-public second within the publish accompanying the video. He mentioned, “I’m conflicted about sharing this, it’s nonetheless arduous to course of, however felt it applicable to share this second because it was occurring.” The footage additionally captured O’Keefe damning his coaching session as soon as the information got here by means of: “Charles is an in depth pal of mine. And I feel we have to name it everybody,” earlier than main a prayer for Kirk to get well.
There was a rift of opinion over this video shared by O’Keefe, with those supporting him lauding his genuineness and people opposing his intentions. One commenter appreciated this very uncooked emotion by stating, “Thanks for sharing how respectable folks react. God bless Charlie Kirk.” One other expressed sympathy to O’Keefe’s grief, saying, “I’m so sorry for the good lack of your pal and an excellent man. An enormous loss for all of us.”
VIDEO of second I came upon Charlie Kirk was shot. We had been filming as a result of I used to be educating an O’Keefe Academy course dwell.
I received a name from a reporter who first gave me the information about my pricey pal.
I’m conflicted about sharing this, it’s nonetheless arduous to course of, however felt it… pic.twitter.com/BLEo2vTndA
— James O’Keefe (@JamesOKeefeIII) September 13, 2025
Then again, some started accusing O’Keefe of exploiting the incident for his profit. “Nothing like making Charlie‘s demise about you,” one person instructed, plainly placing it. “Cool, in probably the most maga vogue doable, you made it about your self. Traditional,” mentioned one other, implying O’Keefe was looking for consideration by airing his non-public grief. Some questioned the sincerity of the complete show, with one person stating, “Lmao, omg, that is so staged,” and one other saying, “Sorry, 3 cameras to a web based dwell course? These reactions are very bizarre, one thing is off.”
Many would go on to share their expertise of how they discovered in regards to the taking pictures, additional constructing the collective mourning state of affairs. One says: “I broke away to see if he was okay, praying he’d make it by means of on my break…and discovering out only a second later right here that he didn’t. It introduced me down for the remainder of the day.” One other person recounted: “I used to be driving and I heard over the radio needed to pull over as a result of I began shaking, then grabbed my telephone noticed the video and known as my husband.”
This video ignited conversations about political violence and Christian religion amongst conservatives. One remark learn, “I’d wish to ask each Christian conservative to put on their cross and/or crucifix proudly. Let the world know that you just love God,” whereas one other one shared the place to begin of their very own non secular journey: “Individuals like Charlie Kirk, Andrew Wilson, Tucker Carlson, and a bunch of others actually set me on the trail in the direction of Christianity once more.”
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If you share this second between the 2, you instantly see how the human impacts hit folks throughout the conservative media world due to political violence. The combined reactions to this video really hint out a bigger break up as as to whether public figures naked their souls publicly versus sustaining the general public persona that they cherish. This may very well be a documented second of pure shocked concern in an more and more violent political panorama.
