8 September 25 - OctOber 1, 2025 dallasobserver.com DALLAS OBSERVER Classified | MusiC | dish | Culture | unfair Park | Contents “The District expects all employees to uphold the highest standards of profession- alism and conduct—both in and outside of school—consistent with state law, the Texas Educator Code of Ethics, local board policies, and our employee handbook,” the spokesperson said. ▼ RELIGION CHATGOP AI CHARLIE KIRK PREACHED FROM BEYOND THE GRAVE AT PRESTONWOOD BAPTIST CHURCH. BY KELLY DEARMORE O ne of the more alarming, albeit predictable, trends that has emerged following conservative media personality Charlie Kirk’s Sept. 10 death has been the proliferation of AI- generated images and videos purporting to support Kirk, his message and his fol- lowers. Kirk posing “in heaven” with Jesus, Mar- tin Luther King Jr., John F. Kennedy Jr. and other departed luminaries has filled your uncle’s Facebook page. AI-generated videos appear to show A-list musicians, including Ed Sheeran and Adele, singing a fake song of praise to the deceased Turning Point USA founder. It was perhaps only a matter of time be- fore megachurches got in on the AI act. On the Sunday following Kirk’s death, preach- ers across the country eulogized Kirk and found ways to work Kirk’s religious and po- litical messaging into their sermons. One notable church in North Texas took it a few steps beyond that, according to a recent Roys Report article. On Sunday, Sept. 14, Prestonwood Bap- tist Church, the giant conservative enclave in Plano, got downright creepy during one of its morning services. Lead pastor Jack Graham, a longtime, vocal supporter of President Donald Trump, called Kirk “a martyr” before adding, “I want you to hear what Charlie is saying regarding what hap- pened to him earlier this week.” As an image Kirk’s face and an Ameri- can flag appeared on large video screens, an AI version of Kirk’s voice started by saying, “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 is not the end. It’s a promotion. Don’t waste one second mourning me,” the AI Kirk said in front of a packed, multi-level auditorium. “I knew the risks of standing up in this cultural moment, and I’d do it all over again.” The nearly one-minute clip ends with the fake Kirk saying, “Remember this, America is worth it. Free speech is worth it. Fighting for the unborn, for families, for sanity in a culture gone mad, it is all worth it. So, dry your tears, pick up your cross and get back in the fight. Do it with joy, do it with strength and never ever let evil think it won.” As the audio ended, the congregation of- fered a standing ovation dotted with cheers (shout out to the guy in the front row wear- ing a Dallas Cowboys No. 11 jersey; we can’t let Micah Parsons go either, sir). The full video of the Sept. 14 service featuring the Kirk AI presentation is available on the church’s Facebook page. Just before the Kirk AI audio played, Graham noted that he had only heard it prior to that day’s second service. Two other churches in other states with thou- sands of attendees reportedly played the same AI Kirk audio that Sunday, including Dream City Church in Phoenix and Awaken Church in San Marcos, California. On Sunday, Sept. 19, a massive memorial service was held outside of Phoenix for Kirk, with some outlets reporting that the event felt like a cross between a “religious revival and a political rally.” Prestonwood, as some readers might recall, is the same church that produces one of the grandest, most ostentatious Christmas plays every year. It won’t be long now before TikTok is filled with high-energy clips of a living nativity scene, flying angels and Broadway-ready lights and production. Maybe an animatronic Charlie Kirk will make an appearance in the production this year. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images Charlie Kirk was shot in the neck during an event in Utah on Sept. 10, 2025. Unfair Park from p8
