People slam new proposal which could mean Charlie Kirk's face is placed on US currency
Topics: Charlie Kirk, US News, Politics, Money, Twitter
Britt Jones
Featured Image Credit: Getty Images/Andrew Harnik
Topics: Charlie Kirk, US News, Politics, Money, Twitter
The suggestion of including Charlie Kirk’s face on US currency has been met with major backlash from many.
Charlie Kirk was fatally shot in the neck while hosting a Q&A session as part of a Turning Point USA event at a college campus in Utah on September 10.
The political activist was known for his conservative views on the US civil rights movement, women's reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and, importantly, gun violence.
At the time, Kirk was talking about gun violence and the role of transgender shooters in recent incidents when he was killed by a shooter.
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Tyler Robinson is believed to be the man who shot him and was formally charged with his death.
His death gained much attention from left-wing and right-wing political voters alike.
But now, representatives Abe Hamadeh and the Republican Study Committee (RSC) Chairman August Pfluger are planning on introducing legislation to place Kirk’s likeness on 400,000 silver dollar coins in 2026.
Along with his face, they will also be featuring the phrase ‘well done, good and faithful servant’, which is the first time someone so young will ever be included on US currency.
Kirk will join presidents, founding fathers and significant figures on the coins.
While the RSC members are keen on making this legislation pass this week, others are not so pleased.
Some believe it’s going too far, lamenting that Kirk did not provide enough of an impact to be given the honor.
An X user wrote: “Give him the Nobel Peace Prize and Silver Star while you’re at it. At this rate you people will name a new religion after the podcaster or am I too late?”
Someone else commented: “Putting the guy on money. Weird, it's not how I'd honor a Christian.”
Another asked: “Watch next they’re gonna add his face to Mt. Rushmore lol.”
While people are unhappy with Kirk being minted on money, Rep. Hamadeh and RSC Chairman, August Pfluger, say its celebrating his life’s work.
"Charles ‘Charlie’ James Kirk was an American treasure,” said Rep. Hamadeh, as per a press release from the organization. “So, it's only fitting that we create a treasured commemorative coin in his honor. Since 1892, Congress has authorized commemorative coins to celebrate and honor historic American patriots.
He added: “I have full confidence that Charlie Kirk will go down in history as one of the most influential men of our great nation's history, liberating young minds from the pernicious hold of leftists in our academic institutions and ushering in an era of brave faithfulness and national pride. I want to thank Chairman August Pfluger for joining me in offering this small token of our appreciation for Charlie's sacrifice.”
Noting that Kirk 'tirelessly sacrificed his time, energy, and money to save this nation for future generations’, but at 'the hands of a radical leftist’ he ‘sacrificed’ his life.
Because of this, he said ‘his life must be commemorated, and this coin will allow us to pass a reminder of his remarkable life on to generations to come.’
As for Pfluger, he called Kirk a 'conservative titan’ whose ‘transformational impact on millions of Americans deserves permanent recognition alongside our nation's greatest leaders and influential figures’.
Pfluger added: “This commemorative coin will make Charlie the youngest American ever immortalized on legal U.S. currency, a fitting honor that cements his extraordinary legacy alongside presidents and founding fathers who shaped our republic. Through his leadership of Turning Point USA and relentless advocacy for American values, Charlie built a movement whose torch we will proudly carry forward to defend our nation's core principles for generations to come."