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Conor here: The following article draws a comparison between the adulation surrounding Charlie Kirk and that of iconic figures like Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Kobe Bryant, and Queen Elizabeth. While the author may be cautious due to the “sensitivity” of the topic, it is clear that the situation involving Kirk exists on an entirely different level. Although memes and social media posts may be similar in volume, the number of influential parties that stand to gain from Kirk’s case—such as the Trump administration, Israel, the military, the national security apparatus, ICE, the private prison sector, and Christian nationalists—is significantly larger. Furthermore, a key distinction lies in the nature of their deaths: the aforementioned individuals passed away due to natural causes or, in Bryant’s case, a tragic accident. In contrast, Kirk was assassinated, and the official narrative surrounding his death is rife with inconsistencies that may remain unaddressed.
Nonetheless, this article serves as a poignant reminder of the typical American tendency to exalt public figures, a tendency that has been amplified in the digital age—both of which are currently being leveraged in this case.
By Arthur “Art” Jipson, Associate Professor of Sociology in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work at the University of Dayton. Originally published at The Conversation.
An AI-generated image of Charlie Kirk embracing Jesus. Another depicts Kirk with angel wings and a halo. Additionally, there’s one of Kirk standing with George Floyd at heaven’s gates.
In the United States, when notable political or cultural figures pass away, their legacies often morph into hagiography. This transformation has been evident since the violent death of conservative activist and Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk.
The term hagiography, originally rooted in the Christian tradition of documenting the lives of saints, often spills over into secular domains like politics and media. This phenomenon falls under the sociological concept known as the “sacralization of politics.” Acts of assassination and violent deaths lend themselves particularly well to these interpretations, transforming individuals into secular martyrs who are portrayed as having made noble sacrifices, imbued with moral righteousness and spiritual purity.
Well done, My good and faithful servant. pic.twitter.com/GIcJ6HjRK8
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) September 14, 2025
This reaction can be seen as a natural aspect of the mourning process. However, examining the reasons behind this trend—and how the internet accelerates it—provides crucial insights into contemporary U.S. politics.
From Presidents to Protest Leaders
One prominent example of this phenomenon is the crafting of Ronald Reagan’s post-presidency image.
Following his time in office, Republican leaders meticulously polished his legacy, transforming him into a symbol of conservative success, conveniently overlooking scandals like the Iran-Contra affair and Reagan’s initial reluctance toward civil rights. Today, he is honored less as a multifaceted politician and more as a saint of free markets and patriotism.
Conversely, the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. underwent a similar transformation, albeit in a distinct manner. Most mainstream representations tend to bypass King’s critiques of capitalism, militarism, and structural racism, often leaving behind a softer portrayal of a peaceful idealist. With an annual holiday, countless street renamings, and murals, his legacy has evolved into a generally acceptable narrative of unity.
Even more contentious figures like John F. Kennedy and Abraham Lincoln have experienced similar trends. Their assassinations triggered waves of mourning that elevated them to near-mythic proportions.
Decades post-Kennedy, his portrait graced the walls of many American Catholic homes, often positioned alongside religious icons like statues of the Virgin Mary. Meanwhile, Lincoln emerged as a civic figure of saintly status, with his memorial in Washington, D.C., resembling a temple, displaying inscriptions from his speeches etched on its walls.
Why It Happens and What It Means
The hagiography of public figures serves multiple purposes. It fulfills essential human needs, assisting grieving communities in navigating loss by providing moral clarity amidst turmoil.
Moreover, political movements can consolidate power through the sanctification of their leaders, discouraging dissent. This elevation reassures followers that their causes are not only just but also cosmic in significance.
In an increasingly divided environment, the sanctification of an individual transforms a political struggle into a sacred mission. Viewing someone as a martyr implies that opposing their movement goes beyond mere disagreement; it is akin to an affront against the sacred. Thus, hagiography becomes not merely an act of remembrance but a means to mobilize the living.
However, there are pitfalls. Once someone is enshrined as a saint, criticism often becomes taboo. The more sacralized a figure becomes, the more challenging it is to discuss their flaws, errors, or controversial actions. Hagiography simplifies history and constricts democratic discourse.
In the aftermath of Queen Elizabeth II’s death in 2022, public mourning swiftly elevated her legacy into a representation of stability and continuity. Mass tributes, viral imagery, and global ceremonies transformed a nuanced reign into a simplified narrative of loyalty and service.
This elevation also intensifies polarization. If one faction’s leader is a martyr, the opposing faction’s must be vilified. The framing is straightforward yet impactful.
A supporter of Charlie Kirk holds banners outside State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, during Kirk’s public memorial service on September 21, 2025. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images
In Kirk’s instance, many of his admirers characterized him as a truth seeker whose demise highlighted a broader moral lesson. During Kirk’s memorial service in Arizona, President Donald Trump hailed him as a “martyr for American freedom.” On social media, Turning Point USA and Kirk’s official account decried him as “America’s greatest martyr for free speech.”
In doing so, they positioned his death as emblematic of larger struggles over censorship. By underscoring that he died while merely expressing himself, they reinforced the narrative that liberals and the left are predisposed to violence to suppress opposing views, despite evidence to the contrary.
The Digital Supercharge
While veneration of public figures is not a recent phenomenon, the speed and magnitude of this shift are. Over the last twenty years, social media has transformed hagiography from a slow cultural evolution into an immediate and widespread phenomenon.
Memes, livestreams, and hashtags empower anyone to canonize figures they admire. When NBA legend Kobe Bryant passed away in 2020, social media quickly overflowed with tribute images, murals, and video compilations that depicted him as more than just an athlete: he was transformed into a spiritual icon of resilience.
Kobe Bryant#KobeBryant #Kobe #RIP pic.twitter.com/5FaNIavkU6
— Addictive AI 🖼️ (@AddictiveAI) August 14, 2024
Similarly, after Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s passing, the “Notorious RBG” meme landscape quickly expanded to encompass digital art, as well as merchandise, casting her as a saintly protector of justice.
Similar trends emerged following the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Within hours, memes featuring Kirk draped in an American flag surfaced, as well as images of him carried by Jesus.
In the ensuing days after his assassination, AI-generated audio presentations of Kirk resembling “sermons” began to circulate online, alongside supporters sharing biblical passages they claimed held significance in relation to the timing of his death. Together, these events framed his assassination not merely as a political event, but as one imbued with spiritual importance.
Such digital narratives propagate effortlessly on social media, where stories about public figures can take shape within hours, often before facts can be verified, leaving minimal space for complexity or scrutiny.
Furthermore, easily created memes and videos empower everyday users to engage in the process of sanctification, making it a grassroots movement rather than something dictated from above.
In essence, digital culture converts what was once the slow construction of monuments and historical accounts into a dynamic, adaptable folk religion that intertwines culture and politics.
Toward Clearer Politics
Hagiography is unlikely to fade away, as it effectively addresses emotional and political needs. However, recognizing its patterns can help citizens and journalists mitigate its distortions. The objective is not to dismiss grief or admiration but to maintain space for nuance and accountability.
In the United States, where the intersections of religion, culture, and politics are commonplace, understanding that the elevation of sainthood in politics is often constructed—and frequently strategic—can enable people to commemorate loss without allowing myth-making to dictate public discourse.
