I think I just witnessed what might be the definable turning point for America over the weekend. I attended the memorial service for Charlie Kirk—the founder of Turning Point—at State Farm Stadium in Phoenix, and let me tell you, it was packed. The sheer energy that filled that stadium is something I will never forget.

A hundred thousand people or more came together to celebrate Charlie’s life and everything he stood for. It was one of the largest memorial services for a private citizen in recent memory, and honestly, I can’t think of another that rivals it. And it wasn’t just the size of the crowd. It was beautiful—tens of thousands worshipping God, remembering what it means to be united in gratitude for what He has given us, and committing to fight for the values Charlie carried with him during his too-short time on earth.

It was a perfect snapshot of conservatism at its best: truth-driven, grief-stricken but not consumed, capable of anger but stronger in forgiveness and hope. Compare it to what we saw just five years ago, when a repeat felon overdosed during a scuffle with police and the Left responded by setting fire to nearly every major city. Less than two weeks ago, a Christian conservative leader was murdered—a martyr in cold blood by a radical leftist—and what was the response? A revival defined by worship and faith. The contrast could not be clearer.

The pinnacle moment of the entire service came when Charlie’s widow, Erika Kirk, stepped forward. What followed was nothing short of revolutionary.

Two things were remarkable. First, Erika’s public choice to forgive the man who took her husband’s life—even as you could see her wrestling with the unimaginable emotions around that decision—was something only the grace of God could empower. Second, the crowd’s reaction: one of the longest standing ovations I’ve ever experienced. Tens of thousands of Americans applauding not the destruction of cities, not violence or vengeance, but the courageous act of forgiveness for a heinous crime. Our nation was built on Christian principles, and this is how it will survive.

The killer thought his crime would fracture a movement, but instead he unleashed something unstoppable. No single person can replace Charlie, but hundreds of thousands are now inspired to walk in his footsteps. This is why the Left works so tirelessly to distort our message—because when honestly presented, it is a message of peace, love, true tolerance, justice, equality of opportunity, and liberty. Their only defense is to smear us with labels: Nazis, fascists, bigots, racists. But I’m not a fascist, I’m a father. I’m not a Nazi, I’m a neighbor. I’m not a bigot, I’m a brother. I’m not a racist, I’m an American who wants the best for all Americans. If they don’t lie about us, they lose everything.

That’s why it’s more important than ever to speak up, to challenge the false titles, and to make it clear what you stand for. J.D. Vance captured that urgency perfectly.

Now is not the time to bury your head in the sand. It is time to embrace your purpose, to let your light shine even brighter in the darkness. And yes, the world does feel darker now, especially when some of the most deranged voices on the Left openly celebrate Charlie’s death. But this is precisely when light shines brightest.

Elon Musk himself sees it.

Elon may not agree with conservatives on everything, but he understands that right now nothing is more important than unity in the fight against darkness. Benny Johnson witnessed it too.

This is Charlie’s legacy. America’s 325 million citizens won’t agree on everything—but when it’s light versus dark, we can unite against the dark. Stephen Miller put that into a battle cry at the memorial.

Notice how different that tone is from Erika’s earlier moment of grace. Both are essential to a healthy society. The Christian must forgive; the government must punish evil. One without the other leaves society broken. Together, they create the conditions for flourishing.

Charlie understood this balance better than anyone, and his example is inspiring more people than ever to live that out both privately and publicly. These weeks have been heavy, but good is rising from tragedy. I’ll close with Charlie’s own words, spoken just hours before he was killed.

May we all take part in that good work, pushing harder and striving to be better than ever before for the causes that matter most. Remember: we have a country to save.