Charlie is a reflective song inspired by the killing of Charlie Kirk, a high-profile conservative commentator and founder of Turning Point USA. Unlike many politically charged songs that take aim at ideology, this piece does not argue for or against Kirk’s views. Instead, it affirms a fundamental human principle: every individual’s right to life, even in times of sharp disagreement and cultural polarization.
The song was written in a political climate marked by extreme division and frequent incitement. By 2025, American political rhetoric had become increasingly vitriolic, with social and media ecosystems that often rewarded outrage, dehumanization, and tribalism. In that atmosphere, some reactions to Kirk’s death included celebration and schadenfreude from people who disagreed with his views — a response that shocked many and revealed how deeply partisan identity had overtaken basic empathy.
The cultural milieu normalized violence as a legitimate expression of political frustration. Charlie, the song, pushes back against that normalization, even if Charlie’s ideologies did not. Killing someone — regardless of political alignment — should never be something to rejoice over.
The song didn’t dive into ideology or critique specific ideas, and that seems intentional. Jesse’s focus was on the killing culture in America — the erosion of civility and the rise of celebratory responses to violent acts within political discourse. Charlie uses its simplicity to underscore a single moral point: every life has intrinsic value, and the loss of life through violence is a tragedy, not a moment for partisan victory. The song invites listeners to reflect on how we talk about those we disagree with, the ease with which some reduce opponents to targets, and the importance of preserving human dignity even in conflict. It stands as a plea for empathy in a time of deep divisions.
Note that in Jesse’s song, United Health, he critiqued systems of power and inequality in the healthcare industry, and references the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO, Brian Thompson, with the line “CEO’s come and go and one just went.” He’s expressed surprise that this line receives extra cheers at concerts, and doesn’t think that killing should be celebrated, a point which the volume of his songs agrees on. The reaction to his United Health song may have influenced how he thoughtfully treated this topic.
Jesse Welles 