In a bombshell statement that’s sent shockwaves through the music and political worlds, Rolling Stones frontman Sir Mick Jagger has unleashed raw emotion over the brutal assassination of conservative firebrand Charlie Kirk, hailing the 31-year-old activist as his “close ally” and a fearless “fighter” who stood as a “beacon in the battle against LGBT agendas and the WOKE movement.” The 82-year-old rock icon’s heartfelt tribute, delivered amid a sea of tributes from unlikely quarters, has left fans reeling, with many stunned that Jagger – long seen as a counterculture pioneer – would align so publicly with Kirk’s hardline conservative crusade.
Jagger broke his silence during an intimate New York City concert on September 11, 2025 – the 24th anniversary of 9/11 – where he paused mid-performance to honor both the terror attack victims and Kirk, who was gunned down just a day earlier at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. As the crowd of 20,000 fell into a one-minute silence, Jagger, his voice cracking with uncharacteristic vulnerability, declared: “Charlie was a true fighter, a beacon against the madness of LGBT agendas and the WOKE movement that’s tearing at our society’s soul. This isn’t just the loss of a friend – it’s the loss of a comrade in a war that’s far from over.” The words, captured on fan videos that have racked up over 10 million views on X, hit like a thunderbolt, igniting debates about Jagger’s surprising political pivot and Kirk’s polarizing legacy.
Kirk, the dynamic founder of Turning Point USA who rose to fame mobilizing young conservatives against what he called “radical left indoctrination,” was fatally shot in the neck by a sniper during his signature “Prove Me Wrong” debate on gun violence before 3,000 students. The attack, eerily timed on the eve of 9/11, led to the swift arrest of 22-year-old suspect Tyler Robinson on September 11 after tips from his roommate and others flooded authorities; he’s now facing aggravated murder charges and potential execution in Utah, with bullet casings inscribed with transgender and antifascist slogans pointing to a politically fueled motive. President Donald Trump, a staunch Kirk supporter, called him a “martyr for truth” and plans to award a posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom at his September 21 funeral in Arizona’s State Farm Stadium, where Vice President JD Vance will also speak.
But Jagger’s endorsement has raised eyebrows, given his own history as an unlikely queer icon who paved the way for gender fluidity in the 1960s and ’70s through glam-rock fashion, makeup, and rumored bi𝑠e𝑥ual flings – including alleged encounters with bandmates Keith Richards and Mick Taylor, as detailed in Lesley-Ann Jones’ 2022 book The Stone Age. The Stones’ frontman, knighted in 2003 and a fixture at New York’s Studio 54 with gay icons like Truman Capote, has long been celebrated in LGBTQ+ circles for his serpent-hipped performances and anti-establishment vibe. Yet in recent years, Jagger has voiced frustration with “woke” culture, once joking during a 2023 Florida concert about potential bans on “She’s Like a Rainbow” amid anti-LGBTQ legislation – a quip aimed at Republican Governor Ron DeSantis. His Kirk tribute, blending anti-woke rhetoric with a call for unity, seems to echo that complexity, with Jagger adding: “Charlie spoke truth to power, no matter the backlash. We need more like him now.”
The statement comes amid a flood of celebrity reactions to Kirk’s death, from Jelly Roll and Brandon Lake’s tear-jerking “Hard Fought Hallelujah” at the Grand Ole Opry, to Eminem and Teddy Swims’ chart-topping “Forever Remembered,” and Steven Tyler’s UBS Arena “Livin’ on the Edge” anthem. Jagger’s words also follow controversy over Ava Raine’s (Dwayne Johnson’s daughter) jab at Kirk’s legacy, which drew death threats and was overshadowed by widow Erika Kirk’s graceful forgiveness. Erika, 31, responded to Jagger’s tribute in a video from Turning Point USA HQ, clutching her two young children (daughter born August 23, 2022, and son born May 2024): “Mick, Charlie admired your fight against the establishment. Your words honor his spirit – thank you for seeing the warrior in him.” Her emotional reply, viewed 9 million times, has fans in tears, especially after Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob’s declined funeral offer and Stephen Curry’s pledge to fund the kids’ future.
Not all reactions are glowing. Some X users debunked early viral claims of Jagger’s comments as hacks or fakes, like a Billy Dee Williams Facebook page that spread disinformation, including a bogus Jagger tweet predicting Jesus’ return. Critics, including LGBTQ+ advocates, slammed Jagger’s anti-agenda rhetoric as a betrayal of his queer icon status, with one Reddit thread questioning: “Mick fighting against LGBT agendas? That’s rich from the guy who embodied fluidity.” Others, like a Bismarck rally organizer, praised it as “faith over fear,” tying into Kirk’s free speech legacy.
As the FBI wraps up its investigation and vigils continue from Utah to New York, Jagger’s outburst proves Kirk’s death has bridged worlds – music, politics, faith. For the Stones’ enduring rebel, this “war” rages on. Will it inspire more rockers to speak out? Stream clips of Jagger’s tribute and support Turning Point USA’s fund, now over $4 million strong. America mourns, but the fight, as Mick says, is far from over!