Nick Sandmann credits Charlie Kirk with helping him endure online harassment; six years later Kirk was killed

Nick Sandmann, now 23, said in a candid interview with the Daily Mail that a 20-minute FaceTime call from Charlie Kirk in 2019 helped him endure a torrent of online abuse after a video of his encounter on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial went viral. The clip, filmed during the March for Life in Washington, showed Sandmann smiling at Nathan Phillips, a Native American activist, while wearing a MAGA hat. Critics accused him of harassment and racism, and the incident became a flashpoint in debates over media coverage and online mobs.

Sandmann described how, in the days after the incident, he lived under security restrictions and did not stay in his own house because of safety concerns. Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA, was one of the first people to reach out, tracking down Sandmann’s phone number and calling him on FaceTime for about 20 minutes. "He urged me to continue fighting, and reminded me that people cared about me and what was going on," Sandmann recalled. The attention also led to lawsuits against several major outlets, which Sandmann later settled.

Today Sandmann is based in Washington and works for the Republican Party in Congress. He said his interactions with colleagues and staff have been professional, and he takes pride in playing a small role in the majority and in what the government can deliver. He noted that, while the viral moment followed him for years, he has sought to build a career rooted in public service rather than in the fallout of a single video.

In September 2025, Kirk was assassinated while hosting an event on a university campus in Utah. Sandmann said he was shocked by the news and spent minutes online watching updates as friends and supporters processed the tragedy. "I was devastated," he said, noting that Kirk had helped shape his political views. The incident sent a wave through conservative circles and renewed debate about political rhetoric and security for public figures.

Trump praised Kirk as a 'great American hero' and a 'martyr' for American values during a public memorial in Arizona, where more than 200,000 people gathered to mourn. Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, told the crowd that her husband had wanted to help young men like Sandmann learn to engage in constructive debate. "My husband, Charlie, he wanted to save young men just like the one who took his life," Erika said.

Tyler Robinson, 22, was charged with killing Kirk and faces the death penalty if convicted on the most serious counts. Erika Kirk, who spoke at the service, said, "I forgive him." The memorial drew President Donald Trump and other prominent conservatives, underscoring how the incident has intersected with ongoing debates over political leadership, media accountability, and the responsibilities that come with public influence.

Sandmann also reflected on his early involvement in a high school speech and debate club that aimed to foster dialogue among students with different viewpoints. He described Kirk as an embodiment of the values many conservatives strive to defend, and said his own trajectory—from a viral moment to a role in national politics—illustrates how online narratives can reshape careers, for better or worse. While the episode remains a touchstone in discussions about civility and media coverage, Sandmann emphasized the importance of constructive discourse and professional conduct in public life, insisting that the work of elected officials should focus on policy outcomes and the needs of the public.