One of the more frightening, yet inevitable, patterns that has developed since the death of conservative media celebrity Charlie Kirk on September 10 is the explosion of AI-generated visuals and films pretending to support Kirk, his message, and his fans.
Kirk has populated your uncle’s Facebook page with photos of himself “in heaven” alongside Jesus, Martin Luther King Jr., John F. Kennedy Jr., and other departed heroes. AI-generated videos appear to show A-list singers, like Ed Sheeran and Adele, performing a fictitious song of tribute to the late Turning Point USA founder.
It was probably only a matter of time before megachurches got into the AI act. On the Sunday following Kirk’s death, pastors around the country eulogized him and found ways to incorporate his religious and political messages into their sermons.
According to a recent Roys Report piece, one well-known church in North Texas went above and beyond.
Prestonwood Baptist Church, Plano’s big conservative enclave, became weird during one of its morning sessions on Sunday, September 14.
Lead pastor Jack Graham, a longtime, vocal supporter of President Donald Trump, referred to Kirk as a “martyr,” adding, “I want you to hear what Charlie is saying about what happened to him earlier this week.”
As a big television panel displayed an image of Kirk’s face and an American flag, an AI version of Kirk’s voice said, “First, I want you to know that I am fine, not because my body is fine, but because my soul is secure in Christ.” Death isn’t the end.
This is a promotion. “Don’t waste a single second mourning me,” urged the AI Kirk in front of a crowded, multilevel audience. “I knew the risks of standing up in this cultural moment, and I’d do it all over again.”
The roughly one-minute video concludes with the fictitious Kirk declaring, “Remember this: America is worth it.” Free speech is worthwhile. Fighting for the unborn, families, and sanity in a mad world is all worthwhile.
So, dry your tears, take up your cross, and get back into the fight. Do it with pleasure and strength, and never allow evil to think it has won.”
As the recording ended, the congregation gave a standing ovation accompanied by cheers. The church’s Facebook page has a full video of the Sept. 14 service, which included the Kirk AI presentation.
Graham mentioned just before the Kirk AI audio started playing that he had only heard it before the second service of the day. Two additional churches with thousands of attendees, Dream City Church in Phoenix and Awaken Church in San Marcos, California, apparently played the identical AI Kirk audio on Sunday.
On Sunday, September 19, a major memorial service for Kirk was conducted outside of Phoenix, with some publications describing the event as a cross between a “religious revival and a political rally.”
Prestonwood, as some readers may know, is the same church that stages one of the richest, most showy Christmas plays each year.
It won’t be long before TikTok is flooded with high-energy videos of a live nativity scene, flying angels, and Broadway-worthy lights and production. Perhaps an animatronic Charlie Kirk will be in the production this year.
