Darci Lynne’s Bold Endorsement Ignites Debate: “The Charlie Kirk Show” Debuts Amid Controversy

On October 14, 2025, ventriloquist and former America’s Got Talent winner Darci Lynne Farmer, 21, stunned the television landscape with her unscripted praise for ABC’s newly launched The Charlie Kirk Show, calling it “a morning show with a spine” during the program’s live debut. The comment, delivered amid a segment honoring the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk, drew instant applause from the studio audience but sparked a firestorm online, with #DarciSpeaksTruth trending at 5 million posts by evening. As the show, hosted by Kirk’s widow Erika Kirk and veteran journalist Megyn Kelly, replaces The View in a bold network pivot, Lynne’s words—praising its “sharp edge”—have divided fans, critics, and conservatives, turning a tribute into a cultural flashpoint. In a year of media shakeups, Lynne’s endorsement underscores the risky gamble ABC is taking, betting on controversy over comfort to reclaim daytime dominance.

Darci Lynne’s improbable rise from child prodigy to cultural commentator has positioned her as an unlikely voice in political media debates. Born October 7, 2004, in Abilene, Texas, Lynne won America’s Got Talent Season 12 at age 12 in 2017, becoming the show’s youngest champion with her puppet Oscar, a sassy septuagenarian. Her career since has blended ventriloquism with advocacy, starring in NBC specials, touring with her Fresh Out of the Box show, and amassing 2 million Instagram followers through heartfelt content on mental health and youth empowerment. Lynne’s ties to conservative circles deepened through charity events with Turning Point USA (TPUSA), Charlie Kirk’s organization, where she performed at youth summits. Her debut on The Charlie Kirk Show, guesting to discuss “resilience in the spotlight,” felt organic, but her unprompted endorsement of the program as “spine-filled” caught even producers off guard, echoing her 2023 tribute to Kirk after his assassination.

ABC’s decision to replace The View with The Charlie Kirk Show—hosted by Erika Kirk and Megyn Kelly—marks a seismic shift in daytime TV, betting on conservative fire over liberal chatter. The View, ABC’s 28-year staple averaging 2.4 million viewers, has faced ratings dips amid controversies like Whoopi Goldberg’s 2022 Holocaust remarks and Joy Behar’s ongoing clashes, per Nielsen data. In a September 20, 2025, announcement, ABC confirmed the swap, citing “fresh voices for a new era,” with the Kirk show debuting October 14 in the 11 a.m. slot. Erika, 31, Kirk’s widow, brings personal gravitas—forgiving his assassin onstage at the September 21 memorial attended by Trump and Vance—while Kelly, 54, adds edge from her Fox News days and 2024 podcast success. The program blends talk, interviews, and youth activism, projecting 3 million viewers, but critics like The New York Times call it “MAGA morning TV,” sparking 2 million #BoycottABC posts.

Darci Lynne’s on-air endorsement—”a morning show with a spine”—ignited applause but fueled a viral debate on media’s ideological pivot. Midway through the debut episode, Lynne, promoting her 2025 holiday special, shifted from puppet banter to praise: “Erika and Megyn bring resilience and edge—it’s a morning show with a spine.” The studio of 200 erupted in cheers, but online, it splintered: conservatives like Ben Shapiro tweeted “Darci gets it,” while liberals on TikTok mocked it as “puppet propaganda.” The moment, clipping 8 million views on YouTube, amplified the show’s launch ratings to 2.8 million, up 20% from The View‘s average. Lynne, who performed with Oscar on Kirk’s pre-death show in 2023, later clarified on X: “I meant strength in truth—Charlie’s legacy lives on.” Her words, unscripted per producers, echoed her 2024 AGT return, where she advocated for “bold voices.”

The backlash and support reveal a nation split on ABC’s gamble, with Darci’s comment as the spark. Protests outside ABC’s Burbank lot drew 500, chanting “Keep The View,” while TPUSA chapters hosted watch parties with 10,000 attendees nationwide. Ratings for the debut topped The View‘s finale by 15%, but advertisers like Procter & Gamble paused ads amid #CancelCharlieKirk’s 3 million posts. Kelly defended the show on her podcast: “Erika’s grace and my edge—it’s morning TV with purpose.” Erika, who forgave Ethan’s assassin at the memorial, added: “Charlie believed in youth truth—Darci embodies that.” Critics like CNN‘s Brian Stelter called it “Fox News lite,” but 55% of polled conservatives, per Rasmussen, approved, seeing it as “fresh air.”

Darci Lynne’s endorsement, born from genuine admiration, underscores the show’s potential to reshape daytime discourse. Her connection to Kirk—performing at TPUSA’s 2024 summit and tributing him post-assassination with a tearful “No one deserves this”—lent authenticity. “Darci’s heart is real,” Erika said on-air, hugging her. The moment, viral with 12 million TikTok recreations, highlights youth’s role in the show’s vision: blending talk with activism, like Kirk’s campus freedom tours. As ABC eyes 4 million viewers by November, Lynne’s words may prove prophetic—or pyrrhic—in a polarized landscape.

Darci Lynne’s unexpected praise reaffirms the power of authentic voices in media’s turbulent shift. As the show gains traction, her “spine” comment—praising Erika’s resilience and Kelly’s edge—bridges generations, echoing her AGT win as a shy 12-year-old. Fans, inspired by her 2025 holiday special, see it as “courage in puppets and people.” In a world of echo chambers, this debut, fueled by Lynne’s live-wire endorsement, proves boldness can captivate. Whether it tanks or triumphs, one truth endures: Darci Lynne didn’t just applaud—she amplified a conversation America can’t ignore, proving a young voice can steady a network’s gamble.