ESPN
ESPN NFL analyst Ben Solak bears a resemblance to Charlie Kirk
You may not be specifically familiar with ESPN NFL analyst Benjamin Solak. If you looked at him, though, there’s a chance you may recognize him, albeit as someone else entirely: late conservative podcaster Charlie Kirk.
Ben Solak, an ESPN NFL writer and analyst who started at the company in August 2024, bears a resemblance to late conservative podcaster Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed in September 2025.
ESPN NFL analyst Ben Solak said he has to either shave or grow out his hair due to people comparing him to Charlie Kirk
The comparisons to Kirk have become so rampant that Solak tweeted he’s either going to shave or grow out his hair to differentiate himself from the controversial content creator.
Solak was responding to Mina Kimes’ podcast about his recent guest appearance on his podcast, which featured multiple replies about him looking like Kirk.
That’s it. I’m shaving my hair off/growing it long. https://t.co/NDpdxuMWiZ pic.twitter.com/3elMXNNqfs
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) August 10, 2026
— Matt ⚡️ (@MattOfTheSouth) August 10, 2026
Swear to god I thought that was Charlie Kirk
— #HTTWFT (@SayNoMore598) August 10, 2026
Before joining ESPN, Solak worked with Bill Simmons at The Ringer. According to his official ESPN biography, Solak is a native of Stroudsburg, Pa., graduated from the University of Chicago in 2019, and lives in Michigan with his wife, daughter, and dog.
Kirk was the founder of Turning Point USA, a conservative nonprofit organization that became one of the most prominent youth-focused political organizations in the country. He was shot and killed at the age of 31 while addressing thousands of supporters at Utah Valley University in September 2025.
Tyler Robinson, a 23-year-old who was arrested two days after the shooting following a tip from a family member, has been charged with aggravated murder and is currently in the preliminary hearing phase of his trial.