Joe Rogan Reacts Live On-Air With Charlie Sheen to Charlie Kirk's Death

Joe Rogan was in the middle of recording an episode of his famous podcast when the news broke of Charlie Kirk's death. The comedian and podcaster learned of the conservative commentator's death while interviewing actor Charlie Sheen.

Rogan was told mid-show that Kirk had been shot. He looked visibly shocked, turning to Sheen as the two tried to process what had just happened. "We just found out that Charlie Kirk got shot," Rogan said, as the two men questioned whether the reports were verified. The host also criticized early media takes, blasting Matthew Dowd of MSNBC for what he called a "crazy" segment speculating on who could have been responsible.

While Rogan never had Kirk on his show, he recalled meeting him "once at a gun range of all places. He was a nice guy when I met him...It's a fucked up time. People are so divided in this country."

He then criticized those celebrating Kirk's murder, stating, "There's going to be a lot of people celebrating this...We're so divided and there's so many people that love it. They profit off that division. And they stoke the fires and they do it for their own profit and it's so fucking gross. And to encourage this kind of thing is really one of the most horrific things that you can do after someone dies horribly like this, is celebrate."

The shooting itself took place on September 10, 2025, at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Kirk, 31, founder of Turning Point USA and a key voice in American conservatism, had been addressing an audience of around 3,000 people as part of his American Comeback Tour when a sniper opened fire.

Witnesses described panic as students and attendees fled the sound of gunshots. Police later confirmed that Kirk died from his injuries. Senator Mike Lee of Utah urged the public to pray for Kirk and the students who had gathered to hear him. Governor Spencer Cox went further, calling the incident a political assassination.

Law enforcement has revealed some details about the attack. A bolt-action hunting rifle was recovered in the woods near the university. Investigators believe it was the weapon used to kill Kirk. A person of interest described as of "college age" has been identified through surveillance images, though no one has been charged with the crime. Federal and state authorities continue to search for leads and have released photographs to the public while offering a reward for information.

The assassination has shocked the political world and triggered waves of reaction from across the United States. President Donald Trump announced plans to posthumously award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom, describing him as a patriot and a fearless defender of conservative values. That recognition would mark a historic move, as no civilian in modern history has been awarded the nation's highest civilian honor in such circumstances.

What remains unclear is the motive behind the killing. Some unverified reports have suggested that engraved ammunition was recovered, but investigators have not confirmed those details. For now, the official story remains that a young person with a high-powered rifle carried out the attack, and authorities are still searching for answers.

You can watch their full reaction here.