Jillian Michaels Opens Up About Charlie Kirk'S Lasting Influence On Her Son

Remembering Charlie Kirk's Influence

Jillian Michaels is reflecting on the remarkable influence Charlie Kirk had on her teenage son. In a candid interview with Fox News Digital, Michaels shared a touching story about her son's eagerness to meet the Turning Point USA founder. After being invited to speak at a Turning Point USA event, Michaels' son was determined to accompany her, eager to meet Kirk in person.

A Mother's Journey

Michaels, the proud mom of two, described the lengths her son went to in order to meet Kirk. "I was invited to speak at Turning Point USA at the Student Action Summit," Michaels explained. "I'm kind of surprised to get that invite. I'm going to be honest, because I thought, well, I am certainly not going to adhere to the narrative. I'm more centrist, to be fair, and I, of course, jumped at the opportunity, because I actually really respect Charlie Kirk, despite some of our differences in opinion on particular issues." Despite the logistical hurdles, her son was determined to make the trip to see Kirk, flying unaccompanied across the country.

"And my son, of course, flipped out. I was incredibly excited. And he was on vacation with his other mom [Heidi Rhoades]. And I said, 'Honey, you know what? I'm working the entire week. Like, you're gonna have to take an unaccompanied minor trip to get to L.A., an unaccompanied minor trip to get to Miami, and then you can fly with Uncle G, who's my business partner, from Miami to Tampa. But it's like, it's gonna be frigging, it's going to be a nightmare, and you're going to have to travel a lot.'"

A Memorable Encounter

During the event, Michaels' son had the chance to meet his idol. "Charlie, would you mind? My 13-year-old is here, and he is a fan, I'm sure you're tired, I hate to do this," Michaels recalled asking Kirk. "And he's like, ‘Absolutely, where is he?’ And he ended up stopping, having a moment with him, shaking his hand, looking him in the eye, taking a picture, and giving my son exactly what he took three planes to get." This moment was a testament to Kirk's generosity and the deep impact he had on young fans.

Legacy of Empowerment

Michaels shared how her children were drawn to Kirk's messages through social media. "My kids have become political as teenagers, largely because of social media. They didn't discover Charlie because of me. They like to say that I discovered Charlie because of them," Michaels explained. She admired how Kirk empowered young boys, encouraging them to be better individuals in a world that often diminishes them.

Charlie Kirk's untimely death on September 10 shocked many, including Michaels, who expressed her condolences to his family. "So Charlie, happy birthday from my son and to his family – I can't even imagine what you must be feeling. Utterly horrified. I really don't have words. If there was ever anything that I could do to return the kindness and the generosity and the grace that your father and your husband showed my son, it would be my honor to do that," she stated. Kirk's influence will undoubtedly live on through those he inspired.