Phoenix, Fracture, and the Questions We’re Not Supposed to Ask

Phoenix has become the quiet center of a nation’s fracture. Tomorrow, a memorial for Charlie Kirk will be held here in Arizona — the state where his organization, Turning Point USA, was born and built. Arizona has become a focal point of remembrance, but also of division, because Kirk’s death has forced people to confront just how polarized we’ve become.

Who Charlie Kirk Was

Charlie Kirk co-founded Turning Point USA in 2012 when he was just 18 years old. What started as a small student movement grew into one of the most recognizable conservative youth organizations in America. TPUSA’s headquarters are here in Phoenix, and under Kirk’s leadership it became known for its hardline defense of free markets, its vocal stance on cultural issues, and its unwavering support for Israel.

Kirk became a regular on cable news, hosted his own shows, and was widely seen as one of the most visible young leaders of the conservative movement. His sudden death has left both admirers and critics reeling.

A Moment of Tension

And yet, in the months before his death, there were signs that Kirk was rethinking some of his long-held positions. Friends, colleagues, and commentators — from Candace Owens to Tucker Carlson, Kim Iversen, and Max Blumenthal — have all said he felt pressure, particularly around his views on Israel and Gaza. Some described him as uncomfortable with Netanyahu. Some said he was afraid.

Whether or not every detail can be proven, it opens a door to questions that many people would rather keep shut: what happens when someone inside the machine starts to shift?

Trust, Trauma, and the Stories We Tell

Part of why this is so charged is history. After the horrors of World War II, many Americans grew up with the belief that Israel must always be defended, no matter what. That impulse comes from a real place of trauma and moral clarity. But moral clarity doesn’t mean blind trust. Governments, leaders, and institutions deserve scrutiny.

Sometimes what we’re told is safe and trustworthy carries hidden harms. And sometimes what society assumes is toxic holds unexpected healing.

Why I’m Writing This

I’m not here to say I know what happened to Charlie Kirk. I don’t. What I do know is that truth is rarely simple, and it rarely fits neatly into headlines. My goal isn’t to spread so-called 'conspiracies' — it’s to keep an open mind, to pay attention when voices say “something doesn’t add up,” and to share perspectives that don’t always make it onto the evening news.

This is my very first post on Coming Clean, and I want to be clear about what this blog is going to be. It isn’t about picking a party line, clinging to nationalism, or defending an institution just because history or religion says we must. It’s about questioning everything — our assumptions, our leaders, our media — and looking at evidence without letting tribal loyalty or fear shut the door.

Sometimes what looks toxic on the surface hides unexpected healing. Sometimes what looks trustworthy hides real harm. If we can sit with that tension, maybe we can see more clearly.

Voices Worth Hearing

Because this is such a complex, emotional story, I’ve included links to a range of voices — people who knew Charlie, people who’ve been investigating, and people who aren’t afraid to ask hard questions. I don’t present these clips as “proof” of anything, but as perspectives worth considering.

You don’t have to agree with everything these journalists believe to value their insights. For example, Candace Owens is extremely Catholic — I’m not, and I don’t share her religious views. But I deeply respect the way she dives into research and consistently cites her sources. That’s what matters here: the courage to investigate and question.

(Also, a note on platforms: many of these creators post to YouTube, but they often hold back there because of censorship. On Rumble, they can speak more freely and share details that would be taken down or demonetized elsewhere. That’s why I highly recommend watching their full content on Rumble whenever possible — you’ll get the uncensored version of their work.)

• Candace Owens — To My Friend, Charlie Kirk
  Her moving memorial episode, filled with photos and memories, is a deeply personal window into who Charlie was.
  🎥 Rumble · 🎥 YouTube · 🎧 Apple Podcasts · 🔗 Daily Wire Show Page

• Candace Owens — Who Ordered The Hit On Charlie Kirk? (Ep 237)
  Her direct questioning of the official story and whether the shooter acted alone.
  🎥 Rumble · 🎥 YouTube · 🎧 Apple Podcasts · 🔗 Daily Wire Show Page

• Man in America — Charlie Kirk’s Assassination—An URGENT WARNING for America
  One of the first responses to Kirk’s death; it frames the event as an urgent moral moment for America and a warning about where the nation is headed.
  🎥 Rumble · 🎥 YouTube · 🎧 Apple Podcasts

• Kim Iversen
  Critical breakdowns of the theories, pressure on Kirk, and questions about Israel’s role.
  🎥 Rumble · 🎥 YouTube · 🎧 Apple Podcasts

• Tucker Carlson
  Reflections on Charlie’s discomfort with Netanyahu and the growing unease among conservatives about Gaza.
  🎥 Rumble · 🎥 YouTube · 🎧 Apple Podcasts

• Megyn Kelly
  Coverage and interviews discussing Kirk’s positions, legacy, and the controversy that followed his death.
  🎥 Rumble · 🎥 YouTube · 🎧 Apple Podcasts · 🔗 Megyn Kelly Website

• Max Blumenthal / The Grayzone
  Investigative reporting on donor influence, political pressure, and Charlie’s late-breaking shifts.
  🎥 Rumble · 🎥 YouTube · 🎧 Apple Podcasts · 🔗 The Grayzone Website

Closing Thought

I don’t know if I’ll post further about Charlie Kirk. But starting here — with his memorial in Phoenix tomorrow (Link Here) and the ripple effect of questions it’s unleashed — feels like fateful timing, just as I decided to launch Coming Clean. This blog is meant to question the stories we’re told by mainstream media, the government, and our trusted public officials, to dig into what lies beneath the surface. Beginning here reminds me why this work matters. It’s about opening our minds to the possibility that what we’ve been told isn’t the whole story.

With Love & Light,

Jen Coombe ✨ alias ~ Jennadea