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<\/p>\nCNN commentator Van Jones revealed this week that conservative activist Charlie Kirk privately reached out to him on September 9, just one day before Kirk was assassinated at Utah Valley University. Kirk invited Jones to a civil debate on crime and race, offering to \u201cdisagree agreeably.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jones said he only discovered the message after Kirk\u2019s death. \u201cWe were beefing… and then after he died, my team called and said, \u2018Van, he was trying to reach you,\u2019\u201d Jones recalled. Kirk\u2019s invitation, Jones said, reflected a desire for respectful dialogue despite their public clashes. \u201cHe was not for censorship. He was not for civil war. He was not for violence. He was for dialog, open debate, even with me.\u201d<\/p>\n
The revelation adds a poignant layer to their recent feud, sparked by differing views on the racially charged killing of a Ukrainian refugee. Kirk argued the murder was racially motivated, while Jones pushed back. Their disagreement spilled onto social media, where Jones says he faced waves of hostility.<\/p>\n
Conservative commentator Natalie Jean Beisner criticized Jones\u2019 account, calling it \u201cpsychotic to lie about Charlie this way.\u201d Despite the tension, Kirk\u2019s private message showed his wish to turn conflict into conversation.<\/p>\n
Jones said Kirk\u2019s note \u201cwas pointing a way out\u201d amid growing political violence in the U.S. He urged the country to follow Kirk\u2019s example of \u201ccivil discourse, civil dialog, debate. Let\u2019s disagree agreeably.\u201d Kirk\u2019s funeral is scheduled for Sunday and is expected to draw tens of thousands, including former President Donald Trump.<\/p>\n
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