Joe Rogan Learns of Charlie Kirk Assassination During Live Podcast with Charlie Sheen
The assassination of political activist Charlie Kirk has sent shockwaves through the nation, and the timing of the news created one of the most surreal moments in recent media history. Podcaster Joe Rogan was in the middle of filming an episode of The Joe Rogan Experience with actor Charlie Sheen when he discovered, live on air, that Kirk had been shot dead during a debate at Utah Valley University.
The unfolding tragedy, coupled with eerie social media activity from Kirk’s wife just hours earlier, has fueled widespread discussion about the risks facing public figures and the growing climate of hostility in America.
A Podcast Interrupted by Tragedy
Joe Rogan’s program, one of the most influential platforms in modern media, was already drawing attention for its guest—Hollywood veteran Charlie Sheen. Yet the planned conversation quickly took a dramatic turn.
Midway through the taping, Rogan received word of Kirk’s death. Cameras captured his stunned reaction as he struggled to continue hosting.
“So this just happened,” Rogan said, his voice breaking. “We just found out that Charlie Kirk got shot. It’s a f***ed up time. People are so divided in this country.”
Sheen, seated across from him, echoed the disbelief. “How does this happen in America? Murdered for having a different opinion? That’s not just politics—that’s insanity.”
The clip of Rogan’s live reaction quickly went viral, shared across platforms where millions debated both the incident itself and what it symbolized about the state of discourse in the U.S.
The Shooting at Utah Valley University
The killing occurred on September 10, 2025, as Kirk spoke before a crowd of students and Turning Point USA supporters at a white tented venue on the UVU campus.
Witnesses say a single gunshot rang out, striking Kirk before chaos erupted. Students ducked for cover, security rushed to the stage, and panicked attendees fled. Within minutes, police swarmed the scene, locking down the campus and launching a manhunt.
Two individuals were briefly taken into custody for questioning but were later released. By September 11, the FBI confirmed they had no connection to the shooting.
Instead, authorities turned their focus toward a person of interest captured on surveillance footage. Images released by the FBI show a figure leaping from a rooftop after the shooting and fleeing on foot.
FBI Releases New Details
The FBI released both still images and a video of the suspect. According to the bureau, trace evidence recovered from the rooftop included shoe impressions, a forearm imprint, and a palm print. Investigators also discovered the shooter’s weapon and ammunition abandoned in a wooded area near campus.
Officials have offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the assassin, urging the public to examine the video carefully.
An Eerie Post from Kirk’s Wife
As the investigation unfolds, many are reflecting on the final hours before Kirk’s death. His wife, Erika Lane Frantzve, shared a Bible verse on X just hours before the attack:
“Psalm 46:1 – God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
The post, now viewed in the context of her husband’s assassination, has been described by supporters as chillingly prophetic.
Frantzve and the couple’s two children were present at the UVU event. She later received an outpouring of sympathy, with thousands posting condolences and prayers. “Jesus is holding you in his warm embrace. We are heartbroken,” one supporter wrote.
Frantzve, a former Miss Arizona USA, married Kirk in 2021. The couple welcomed a daughter in 2022 and a son in 2024.
Joe Rogan’s Personal Reflection
While Rogan never hosted Kirk as a guest, he revealed on air that the two had crossed paths before.
“I met him at a gun range,” Rogan said. “He wasn’t a violent guy. He was actually very polite. He was talking to people on college campuses, trying to have debates. Whether you agreed with him or not, he was intelligent. He tried to be reasonable.”
His words painted a human portrait of a figure often vilified or celebrated depending on political perspective.
National Reaction
The killing has sparked bipartisan condemnation. Former President Donald Trump described Kirk as “legendary” and called his death a national tragedy. President Joe Biden urged Americans to “stand against hatred and violence, regardless of ideology.”
Prominent lawmakers from both parties stressed that attacks on political figures undermine democracy itself.
Meanwhile, students and faculty at UVU are grappling with the trauma of witnessing the assassination firsthand. The university has canceled events for the week and announced plans for a memorial.
What Comes Next
Authorities continue to hunt for the assassin, with the FBI’s video release marking a major step in the investigation. Analysts suggest the shooter’s decision to abandon a weapon and leave trace evidence could lead to a break in the case.
Yet beyond the immediate investigation, the event has reignited debates about security at public forums, the risks faced by controversial figures, and the role of rhetoric in fueling violence.
As Rogan’s live reaction shows, the impact of Kirk’s assassination extends far beyond the campus of Utah Valley University. It is being felt in homes, studios, and institutions across the country.
