Charlie stuck with us as he went from rising star, to mega star to conservative icon.
Charlie Kirk, conservative icon, fearless champion of debate and leader of a powerful youth movement, is being mourned today by Americans across the political spectrum—those who agreed with him and those with whom he fiercely disagreed.
I mourn Charlie too, as a friend and as someone who played a crucial role in helping me realize my vision for a modern Newsweek. When I first met Charlie in early 2019, I had just taken over as owner and CEO of Newsweek, a publication that had lost its ability to connect with the vast majority of Americans, the foundation of its business model for nearly 90 years. Its recent reputation for unyielding liberal bias had alienated readers, writers, and thought leaders with differing views. I wanted to reposition the brand as a platform that would welcome all Americans to the search for common ground through vigorous, civil debate.
