Charlie Kirk, Turning Point USA co-founder and Right-Wing Activist, Is Assassinated in Utah
Kirk was a co-founder of Turning Point USA, the host of a popular podcast and a staunch ally of President Donald Trump. He advocated for conservatism among younger generations.
Charlie Kirk, the outspoken conservative strategist who co-founded Turning Point USA at just 18 years old and rose to prominence as a central figure in Donald Trump’s MAGA movement, was shot and killed Wednesday during a political gathering in Utah. He was 31.
Kirk, who hosted one of the right’s most popular podcasts and was a husband and father of two, had become a defining voice in shaping the political views of young conservatives.
Trump confirmed his death on Truth Social, calling Kirk “The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk.”
“No one connected with America’s youth better than Charlie,” Trump wrote. “He was admired by all, especially me. Melania and I send our deepest sympathies to his wife Erika and their children. Charlie, we love you.”
Earlier in the day, following the shooting at Utah Valley University in Orem, Trump had described Kirk as “a great guy, from top to bottom” and urged supporters to pray for him.
The tragedy adds to an escalating climate of political violence and threats targeting figures across the political spectrum — from Trump to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro to local legislators in Minnesota.
Early Life and Rise
Born October 14, 1993, in Arlington Heights, Illinois, Kirk grew up in the nearby suburb of Prospect Heights. His father, an architect, worked on the design of Trump Tower in New York, while his mother was a mental health counselor.
From an early age, Kirk immersed himself in conservative talk radio, particularly the broadcasts of Rush Limbaugh. His first brush with activism came in high school, where he organized a cafeteria protest against rising food prices. He gained national attention, however, after publishing a Breitbart op-ed criticizing liberal influence in school textbooks.
Kirk’s visibility grew quickly — he appeared on Fox News, spoke at Tea Party events, and caught the attention of activist Bill Montgomery, who encouraged him to build a platform for young conservatives on college campuses. Together, they launched Turning Point USA.
Building Turning Point USA
Kirk briefly enrolled at Harper College in Illinois but soon left to focus fully on Turning Point. The group worked to elect conservatives to student governments, while also launching initiatives like the “Professor Watchlist,” which accused faculty of discriminating against conservative students. More recently, it expanded to a “School Board Watchlist.”
Turning Point’s alignment with Trump’s 2016 campaign transformed the nonprofit into a powerhouse, raising hundreds of millions and building a presence on more than 3,000 campuses with 450 staff nationwide.
Kirk’s influence grew not only through the organization but also through his personal advocacy. He pushed Trump’s false claims of a stolen 2020 election, urged Arizona lawmakers to submit alternate electors, and coordinated buses to Washington ahead of the January 6 Capitol riot.
Media and Writing
Kirk expanded his reach with The Charlie Kirk Show, a podcast drawing an audience of over a million daily. He also authored several best-selling books, including The MAGA Doctrine, The College Scam, and Rightwing Revolution.
His message resonated with Trump’s base and kept him at the center of conservative political discourse.
Political Alliances
Kirk formed close ties with numerous MAGA figures, including Vice President JD Vance, who credited him as a trusted ally during his 2022 Senate primary campaign. He also strongly advocated for Trump to select Vance as his running mate in 2024.
During Trump’s campaign, Kirk’s group hosted large-scale events that effectively doubled as rallies, drawing key figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Tucker Carlson, and Tulsi Gabbard. He even addressed the Republican National Convention in July 2024, days after Trump survived an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania.
Following the Utah shooting, Vance shared a photo with Kirk and Donald Trump Jr., writing: “Dear God, protect Charlie in his darkest hour.”
Final Days
In his last post on X, Kirk highlighted the killing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska in North Carolina, urging that her death be seen through a political lens.
“If we want change, we must politicize this senseless murder,” he wrote, blaming what he called systemic failures for allowing a repeat offender back on the streets.
Kirk is survived by his wife Erika and their two young children. They lived together in Arizona.
He wasn’t a politician. He wasn’t assassinated. He was shot like tons of kids in the USA every year. Assassination is not the correct word.
I am glad he's gone, not sad at all. Thoughts and prayers, y'all