Charlie Kirk, Famous right-wing activist and podcast host, Being shot while speaking at Utah Valley University Wednesday. He is 31 years old.
Originally from a suburb of Chicago, Illinois, Kirk continues to be one of the most polarized figures of his generation. In 2012, when Kirk was only 18 years old, he co-founded the influential conservative youth organization Turning Point USA. Kirk specializes in digital and grassroots organizations, using social media to attract young voters. He ended up being a key ally and adviser to President Donald Trump.
Trump announces Kirk’s death Socializing in the truth, Wednesday afternoon. “The great, even legendary Charlie Kirk is dead. No one understands or has the heart of the youth of the United States of America better than Charlie. He is loved and admired by everyone, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and me sympathy, my sympathy is his beautiful wife Erika and family, we love you.
Kirk was killed during an event at TPUSA, a nationwide campus tour that aims to “provide students with tools to delay combating the left-wing indoctrination of academia” according to part of his “America Comeback Tour.” Press release Announced the series. have More than 800 TPUSA chapters Schools across the country.
Kirk’s turning point Musical instruments The role of rights in efforts to dominate the field of digital politics. Over the past few years, the organization has searched and developed right-wing talent, providing social media creators with platforms and funds to spread conservative ideologies across the internet. Kirk is known as a powerful fundraising campaign, helping TPUSA raise over $85 million in 2024 alone According to tax records.
From Benny Johnson to Jack Posobiec, some of the most popular creators have served as turning point contributors, frequently appearing in live shows and podcasts, such as Alex Clark’s The Apothecary in Culture. Kirk also hosts his own daily current affairs podcast called “Charlie Kirk Performances”, which often ranks number one in downloaded charts.
“For many conservative influencers and content creators, Charlie Kirk represents the blueprint. When I was 12, Charlie was barely 18, and he was the first person in the movement to come into contact with me,” CJ Pearson, a well-known Republican creator, told Wired. “The lasting legacy will last due to his concerted efforts to incubate the next generation of conservative leaders.”
Kirk advocates for many right-wing reasons, and often Condemned by critics For his inflammatory remarks. He is a regular on university campuses nationwide, giving speeches, begging young people to embrace Trump and conservatism, and condemns what he calls gender ideology and the popularity of Marxism. He responded to similar ideas in the book, including the 2020 bestseller Magazine theory. He often argues that the United States is a fundamentally Christian country, borrowed from the rhetoric of Christian nationalism, and describes the right’s opposition to progressive politics as a spiritual battle.
His influence grew in 2020, when Kirk repeatedly spread misinformation about Covid-19. He strongly opposed public health measures to stop the spread of the virus, such as mask authorization and school closures, and mocked the World Health Organization. Shortly after Trump lost his 2020 election, Kirk also held a “stop steal” rally in Arizona, spreading conspiracy theories about President Joe Biden’s victory.
“Charlie Kirk is a martyr now,” Johnson said in X postal Wednesday. “Now, the world will change forever, which shows how dominant and powerful work Charlie’s work is.”
About the Truth SocietyTrump called for the flag to be lowered to half the mast until Sunday night in memory of Kirk.
U.S. Trekking Point spokesman Andrew Kolvet did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Tyler Bowyer, chief operating officer of Turning Point Action, did not respond to Wired’s separate request.
