Vice President JD Vance honors Charlie Kirk during speech at Republican midterm convention

Vice President JD Vance delivered a heartfelt speech Thursday night at the 2026 Republican midterm convention, reflecting on his friendship with the late Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk on the one-year anniversary of his death. 

Kirk, a rising star in the conservative movement, was assassinated last year during a rally at a college in Utah.

Vance reminded voters about how much Kirk loved his family and how he believed that having a family was the most important thing that young men could do.

“It’s a somber occasion for me personally, and I know for so many of you out there,” Vance said, referring to Kirk. “Charlie left behind two children … I hope that one day they will watch and they will know, and they will understand what I’m trying to say to them tonight. Though they may not appreciate it today, history will record that your father was a great man."

Vance also urged conservative voters who disagree with parts of the administration not to ditch the party as a whole.

“Charlie hated war. Whether it was Europe or Africa, the Middle East, he didn’t care. He just hated war. That was his view,” Vance said. “What I’m asking you to do is do what Charlie did: do not throw the baby out with the bathwater. Don’t give the country over to a bunch of crazy people because you happen to disagree with us on a policy issue here or there.”

The vice president's speech was ticketed as the keynote address of the second night of the Republican convention, although President Donald Trump will conclude the night with his own remarks. Trump also spoke the first night.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.