On July 8th, I got a text from Charlie Kirk inviting me to an "influencer retreat." The theme was, "Save the West." I told him I was available and would see him there. Very little information was provided. But it was a Turning Point event spearheaded by Charlie, so I assumed (correctly) that there would be some good people and a great program. The retreat took place in the Hamptons on August 4th and 5th. At least 30 people attended. I only knew a handful of them personally. An itinerary was provided when we arrived. There were meals and themed sessions covering topics like American identity, immigration, economics, and foreign policy. Charlie stood at the front of the room. He would speak a little, then open the floor for discussion. He drove the discussion with challenging questions and there was spirited debate. If there were private meetings that took place, I wasn’t in them. If there were angry confrontations, threats, or coercion, I didn’t witness or hear about any of it. Should evidence of such things come to light, it will be news to me. One concern Charlie raised, which I believe he also raised publicly, was about free speech. He felt that criticism of Israel was so discouraged, so penalized, that we aren’t really free to voice it. Some in the room agreed with him. I argued that while it can come at a cost in certain contexts, it also pays pretty handsomely in others. There are people who have generated massive audiences and engagement by doing little other than criticizing Israel and Jews. I pointed out that in my case, it was criticizing the critics that had come at a high cost. Prominent figures on the Right now have me in their crosshairs as an enemy who must be destroyed. That I’m in a position where I feel the need to write this post and clear my name of any wrongdoing is only further evidence of this. After the retreat, I sent Charlie a text to let him know it meant a lot that he had wanted me there. He replied, “Of course. I’m here for you.” I responded, “Same.” He then shared a verse from Scripture that has been on my mind ever since his senseless murder: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” – Psalm 46:1 I did not organize or participate in an "intervention" with Charlie. I was there at his personal request. I did not coerce him, or threaten him, or pressure him, or witness anyone else do any of these things. We spent two days hearing from our friend — both his concerns and his wisdom — and he took time to listen to, and encourage, each of us. He welcomed our feedback and debate; that’s why we were there. I also didn’t place any calls to try and stop anything from being published or publicized. On the contrary, Charlie’s team reached out to me yesterday and told me not to respond to any inquiries about the retreat because they were being made in bad faith. They said, “These people have no good intentions during a time while we mourn our friend.” They also apologized to me that I was being dragged into this, and said that they were doing what they could to put false rumors and allegations to rest. I thanked them and told them I was sorry they were having to deal with it, too. I’m sick with grief over the loss of my friend. And that sadness is compounded by the fact that instead of honoring Charlie and his legacy, his name is being exploited to generate controversy, confusion, and conspiracies. My heart breaks for everyone involved whose integrity and affection for Charlie are being called into question. I’m sure there will be responses to this that accuse me of dishonesty. I note in advance that they’ll be coming from notoriously dishonest people. I’ve also attached screenshots of correspondence with Charlie and his team to support what I’ve said here. The fact that any of this is necessary is a disgrace.