Forrest Frank Loses 30,000 Followers After Speaking Out on Charlie Kirk Assassination — And Won’t Back Down

Christian singer-songwriter Forrest Frank finds himself at the center of controversy after publicly reacting to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The fallout has been swift: in the days following his video, Frank lost around 30,000 Instagram followers, sparking a heated debate about faith, free speech, and the costs of taking a stand. But despite the backlash, Frank has stood his ground, embracing the consequences and using the moment to clarify his convictions.

The Post That Divided His Audience

On September 10, 2025, when Charlie Kirk was assassinated during an event at Utah Valley University, Forrest Frank shared a video in response. He became emotional as he reflected on Kirk’s influence, citing a clip in which Kirk praised Frank’s music—calling it “biblically good” and influential among Gen Z.

In the Instagram video, Frank declared, “Jesus Christ is Lord.” He said that he did not want people following him or streaming his music unless they had first followed Christ. It was a clear statement of faith and intended audience.

Within hours, Frank noticed tens of thousands of followers drop off. For him, this loss was not humiliation but a moment of clarity: he said that if people couldn’t align with his faith statement, he didn’t want their support. “I don’t want you to follow me,” he said, “if you don’t follow Jesus.”

His Response: Repentance and Resolve

Rather than apologize for his stance, Frank used the moment to reflect. He acknowledged times he felt he’d been “lukewarm,” letting his platform slide into performance without passion or clarity. He repented publicly for not always using his platform consistently for what he believes matters most: faith.

Frank also said that despite the follower loss, he felt a weight had lifted: there was a heaviness that shifted after the video, but he didn’t care about losing followers. He emphasized that his primary focus was speaking truth, not maintaining popularity.

Public Reaction: Support, Criticism, and Division

As expected, reactions were polarized. Some fans and observers praised Frank for courage, calling the video a bold act of faith and calling out what they saw as hypocrisy. Comments flooded in supporting his message: many wrote that they had greater respect for him after standing firm in his beliefs.

Others, however, criticized him. Some said he was politicizing a tragic event, using it to push a religious message in a way that alienated people. Some felt that public figures must be mindful of tone and context, especially when grief, tragedy, and faith are involved.

The division also reflects broader tensions in the Christian music world: between those who believe artists should stay neutral in politically sensitive moments vs. those who believe faith demands engagement, even at risk.

Forrest Frank: Background and Why This Hits Hard

Understanding Frank’s trajectory helps explain why this issue resonates so deeply. At 30 years old, Forrest Frank has emerged as a notable name in contemporary Christian music. His album Child of God (2024) topped Christian charts for many weeks. He blends pop, gospel, and hip-hop influences, aiming to reach younger listeners with messages of faith.

Earlier this year, Frank endured a serious injury in a skateboarding accident, fracturing multiple vertebrae. During recovery, he released new music (“God’s Got My Back”, “Lemonade”) written from his hospital bed. The vulnerability he’s shown through personal challenges has helped shape a public image of sincerity.

That background likely makes this moment particularly consequential for him. He’s not just an entertainer — he’s someone who has often leaned into personal struggle and faith in his work. So this public statement about Charlie Kirk touches both his identity and his message.

Faith, Free Speech, and the Digital Price

Frank’s situation underscores a key tension in our digital age: the intersection of faith, expression, and audience expectation. Many public figures claim creative or spiritual freedom, but when that expression conflicts with popular sentiment or safety, backlash is often swift.

Losing 30,000 followers is a significant drop — but for Frank, it becomes a marker of clarity rather than a defeat. He’s shown willingness to sacrifice audience numbers for authenticity. There’s a cost to speaking from conviction, but there’s also a kind of release — the burden of performing for everyone is lifted when you know some will leave.

The Bigger Picture: What Does This Mean for Christian Artists?

Forrest Frank’s experience may be a signal for other faith-based artists: expression comes with risk. Fans who follow Christian artists often expect spiritual alignment; when an artist speaks on politically or emotionally loaded subjects, the audience’s threshold for discomfort tends to be lower.

Frank’s case also highlights how Christian artists navigate identity: not only as performers but as witnesses. In his words, this moment is less about Charlie Kirk per se and more about what he believes is the most important message he has to share. It’s a reminder that for many Christian musicians, ministry and music are inseparable.

What Comes Next?

So far, Frank has shown resolve. He’s not retracting his statement, and he is doubling down on the notion that his platform should carry spiritual meaning — that his music is not just entertainment but testimony. (Christian Post)

He also appears to be aware of the costs: fewer followers, more scrutiny, possibly criticism from both secular and faith-based corners. But he seems willing to accept those costs. Whether this moment becomes a turning point for his career — either increasing his reach among certain audiences or narrowing his broad appeal — remains to be seen.

Conclusion: Loss, Truth, and Integrity

Forrest Frank’s loss of 30,000 followers after speaking about Charlie Kirk is more than a social media story. It’s a story about faith, authenticity, and what it means to use one’s platform with purpose.

In a culture often driven by metrics and popularity, choosing to say what one believes—even when many disagree—is a rare stance. Frank shows us one artist’s decision: choosing truth over numbers, belief over comfort. And for many fans, that choice may mean much more than any follower count ever could.

This moment will likely be remembered not just for the follower loss, but for what it revealed: a man willing to stand by his convictions, even when it costs him dearly.