Stout, who was 17 years old at the time, was enamored by Kirk’s ability to speak with confidence and zeal. On that day, Stout quietly aspired to be just like Kirk, who was just a few years her elder. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementTo join Kirk’s cause seemed natural for Stout, who grew up in conservative Texas with family and friends who mostly identified as devout Republicans. AdvertisementAdvertisementTo Stout, this politicization of Kirk’s death in a farcical fight over free speech may have been exactly what he wanted. Kirk published two books and has a third one forthcoming, plus his talk show, The Charlie Kirk Show, has jumped to the No.