CNN analyst Van Jones disclosed Saturday that he received a private message from conservative activist Charlie Kirk just one day before Kirk was assassinated during a college tour event in Utah.

The message, which Jones shared on Instagram, invited him to appear on Kirk’s show for what Kirk described as a “respectful conversation about crime and race.”

Kirk, 31, was shot and killed on September 10 while speaking with students at Utah Valley University.

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“Hey Van, I mean it, I’d love to have you on my show to have a respectful conversation about crime and race,” Kirk wrote, according to the post.

He added, “I would be a gentleman as I know you would be as well. We can disagree about the issues agreeably.”

Jones explained that the two men had been “beefing hard” in the week leading up to Kirk’s death, making the outreach unexpected.

“Charlie Kirk and I were not friends. At all,” Jones said.

“That message shocked me.”

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Jones said he wrestled with whether to share Kirk’s final words but decided it was important in light of public reactions following the assassination.

“In the past week and a half, just watching people talk about civil wars and censorship and all this stuff coming out of his death, I just thought it was important to let people know – Don’t put that on Charlie Kirk,” Jones said.

He continued, “The last day of his life, he was reaching out to have not more censorship, more conversation, more dialogue, with somebody who, honestly, was one of his adversaries – me.”

Jones said he hoped making the exchange public would serve as an example to others.

“Maybe it might help somebody, on both sides, deal with issues more like he did,” he stated.

Kirk’s death has led to widespread debate online, with some social media users posting celebratory or mocking comments in response to the violent killing.

The assassination has drawn condemnation from public figures across the political spectrum and has sparked discussions about threats facing public speakers on college campuses.

A public funeral for Kirk is scheduled to take place Sunday at State Farm Stadium in Phoenix, Arizona.

The venue is preparing for a large turnout, with officials estimating attendance in the tens of thousands. President Donald Trump is expected to deliver remarks, along with other national leaders and colleagues of the Turning Point USA founder.

Kirk rose to prominence as a conservative activist, building Turning Point USA into a major presence on college campuses across the country.

His assassination has drawn intense media coverage, law enforcement attention, and tributes from supporters nationwide.

Jones, who shared the private message with his 1.4 million Instagram followers, said it was a reminder that Kirk sought dialogue even with those who strongly opposed his views.

“I think it’s important for people to see that,” Jones said.

“That was the last communication from him to me.”

Van Jones Gets Emotional After a Newly Discovered DM from Charlie Kirk

“After he was murdered, my team called and said he was trying to reach you … This guy is reaching out to his mortal enemy saying, we need to be gentlemen and sit down together … I’ve sat on it long enough.” pic.twitter.com/3qE1PIEaGl

— Chief Nerd (@TheChiefNerd) September 20, 2025

NEW: CNN’s Van Jones reveals he got a DM from Charlie Kirk calling for personal dialogue just one day before he was killed.

“Charlie Kirk and I were not friends at all. In fact, the last week of his life, we were beefing hard.”

“The day before he died, [Charlie] did something… pic.twitter.com/THhCaMm4Ru

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) September 20, 2025

The service in Phoenix will follow days of mourning and memorials across the country, as Kirk’s supporters, friends, and family prepare to gather for one of the largest events in Arizona in recent years.

President Trump is scheduled to speak at the ceremony, highlighting Kirk’s influence on young conservatives and his role in shaping political activism nationwide.

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