Stephen A. Smith Mistakenly Says 'Charlie Kirk' Instead of Christian Kirk

The sports personality quickly apologized for the flub on ESPN talk show 'First Take.'

(L) Stephen A. Smith broadcasts from SiriusXM's LA Studios on December 08, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Center) Christian Kirk #13 of the Houston Texans exits the field after an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on December 7, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (R) Founder and President of Turning Point USA Charlie Kirk speaks during the Turning Point Believers Summit at the Palm Beach County Civic Center on July 26, 2024.
Images via Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images for SiriusXM, Cooper Neill/Getty Images, and Al Diaz/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

Stephen A. Smith named late conservative media personality Charlie Kirk during an awkward slip-up on ESPN's First Take.

As the First Take roundtable discussed Houston Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk, Smith said Charlie Kirk's name instead. The political activist was shot and killed during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University last September.

"We saw Charlie Kirk catch eight receptions for 144 yards," the sports personality said in the clip below. Smith was then corrected by co-host Shae Cornette.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I apologize, oh my God. Christian Kirk," Smith said.

The mistake was instantly turned into a meme on social media, with Charlie Kirk's face being superimposed onto images of the NFL player.

Smith isn't the only celebrity to make a flub involving Kirk.

Last month, Nicki Minaj joined the late activist's widow, Erika Kirk, during a Turning Point USA event in Phoenix. The rapper called Vice President JD Vance an "assassin" before briefly going silent.

"Words are words, and I know her heart, and it doesn't even matter," Erika Kirk said onstage.

Charlie Kirk's death created a firestorm on social media, with some criticizing his political views.

The accuser shooter, Tyler Robinson, was charged with aggravated murder and is scheduled to return to court this week.

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