“It\u2019s not a random shooting. I mean, it\u2019s the death of free speech, to think that you are so illiterate and so stupid you can\u2019t answer verbally and you have to shoot somebody with a gun to \u2018win the argument,\u2019” Leno said during an appearance<\/a> on the “Tim Conway Jr. Show.”\u00a0<\/p>\n Kirk was assassinated<\/a> on Wednesday while speaking during a campus event at Utah Valley University.\u00a0<\/p>\n “When I was in school, lively debate was unbelievable, to have the SDS, the Students for Democratic Society, debate somebody else,” Leno continued. “I can remember when James Baldwin debated William F. Buckley at Oxford University. It was just fascinating.<\/p>\n Jay Leno attends the private unveiling of the Meyers Manx electric automobile at Little Beach House Malibu Aug. 8, 2022, in Malibu, Calif. (Michael Tullberg\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n DATE SET FOR CHARLIE KIRK’S MEMORIAL SERVICE AS WIFE ERIKA BREAKS SILENCE<\/a><\/p>\n “This is a political assassination of a man who I didn\u2019t necessarily agree with, but I certainly enjoyed listening to. Because, \u2018Oh, I didn\u2019t know that, OK?’ And I didn\u2019t have to agree on everything,” Leno said. “I mean, we\u2019re at a point in this country where, if you don\u2019t agree with everybody on everything, you take out a gun, and you shoot them?<\/p>\n “Especially on a college campus,” Leno lamented.<\/p>\n He also brought up the Kent State shootings<\/a> in 1970, when the Ohio National Guard shot and killed four students and injured several others protesting the Vietnam War.<\/p>\n Host Tim Conway said watching a good debate was like watching a boxing match and should be entertaining for both sides.<\/p>\n Charlie Kirk attends a TPUSA event in Arizona in 2024. \u00a0 (Rebecca Noble\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n CHARLIE KIRK ANSWERED ‘HOW DO YOU WANT TO BE REMEMBERED’ LESS THAN 3 MONTHS BEFORE KILLING<\/a><\/p>\n Leno agreed and added, “And, a lot of times, when you watch something by Charlie Kirk, it might enforce your own beliefs more or it might change your mind.<\/p>\n “But at least it gets you thinking,” Leno said. “At least you’re thinking about what’s going on.”<\/p>\n Leno said he enjoyed listening to “the other side” because it was how he got smarter.\u00a0<\/p>\n The comedian and former host of “The Tonight Show” reiterated that the shooting marked, in his view, the death of free speech.<\/p>\n Comedian Jay Leno speaks at the 26th Annual White House Correspondents’ Weekend Garden Brunch at the Beall-Washington House April 27, 2019, in Washington, D.C.\u00a0 (Paul Morigi\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE<\/a><\/p>\n Authorities identified the suspect as Tyler Robinson,<\/a> 22, of Utah. He was taken into custody Friday after his father alerted police, and he faces aggravated murder charges, according to prosecutors.<\/p>\n In a live stream from Kirk’s office Friday, his widow, Erika Kirk, said her husband\u2019s<\/a> work and message \u2014 centered on faith, patriotism and moral conviction \u2014 will not die.\u00a0<\/p>\n She said his mission will become “stronger, bolder, louder and greater than ever,” encouraging young people to join or create Turning Point USA chapters if there is not one in their area.<\/p>\n![\"Jay](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/jay-leno-radio-kirk.jpg\")
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