Jake Paul did not hold back while reacting to the death of Charlie Kirk, and he made his stance crystal clear early. The YouTuber-turned-boxer said he believes Kirk “was clearly going to be the next president,” a take that has since drawn heavy criticism online.
Paul made the remarks during a conversation with Theo Von. He reflected on Kirk’s life, influence, and what he believed his future could have looked like.
Kirk, the co-founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed at age 31 in September last year while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University. His death sparked widespread reactions, given his prominence and polarizing views on issues like gun rights, women’s rights, and the LGBTQ+ community.
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Jake Paul Says Charlie Kirk “Was Clearly Going To Be The Next President”
Paul’s comments stood out not just for their emotional tone but for the certainty behind them. Speaking candidly, he framed politics as something Kirk was destined for. “Becoming president for Kirk was like his job and his purpose and all of that,” Paul said, before adding, “Charlie Kirk was clearly going to be the next president.”
The statement quickly became the focal point of backlash, with critics questioning both the certainty of the claim and Paul’s authority to make it. Many pointed out that while Kirk was influential in conservative circles, predicting a future presidency with such confidence was a stretch.
Paul admitted he did not have a personal relationship with Kirk, though he followed his content closely online. Despite that distance, his admiration was evident. “Like Charlie would have been that guy,” Paul said. “It’s f***ing sad, bro. He’s so f***ing awesome.” Paul also recently took shots at the UFC and Dana White.
The conversation also resurfaced Paul’s own potential political future, especially after a surprising endorsement from Donald Trump earlier this year. During a rally in Hebron, Kentucky on March 13, Trump publicly backed Paul, saying, “I’m going to make a prediction that you will be, in the not-too-distant future, running for political office.”
The former president did not specify what level of office he had in mind, but he made his support unmistakable, adding, “You have my complete and total endorsement.” Paul, who has built a massive following across boxing, social media, and entertainment, acknowledged that the idea of entering politics has crossed his mind. His reasoning, however, leaned more philosophical than strategic.
“I think it goes back to Marcus Aurelius, of, like, helping society, and like that’s the number one thing you can do,” he explained. Despite entertaining the idea, Paul made it clear that stepping into politics is not something he takes lightly. The risks, in his view, are significant and personal.
He even suggested that entering the political arena could come with life-threatening consequences. “If there is a dumb, running, and opposing, I will enter the game and risk getting assassinated, but I don’t want to,” he said.
Published: Apr 7, 2026 01:04 pm