Charlie Kirk’s decades-long efforts to popularize conservative ideals galvanized young Americans and contributed to Gen Z being known as one of the most right-leaning generations in recent memory. While speaking on the Utah Valley University campus on Wednesday, Kirk was shot and killed.
Once seen as being on the political “fringe,” he helped bring conservative, America First populism to the mainstream among young voters, bringing many voter who didn’t feel like they belonged in the Democratic Party into the fold as Republicans by speaking at universities, a key source of what he described as “liberal indoctrination.”
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Kirk, who died at age 31, traveled the country engaging with students of all political beliefs, promoting dialogue between liberal and conservative peers, and pushing back on campus censorship of right-wing ideas.
CHARLIE KIRK DEAD AFTER BEING SHOT AT UTAH VALLEY UNIVERSITY EVENT
The conservative trailblazer the Left loved to hate
Shortly after Kirk was shot on Wednesday, MSNBC characterized him as “divisive” and appeared to place blame on him for being shot — sparking massive criticism for the left-leaning outlet.
Conservative commentator Hugh Hewitt called the characterization “ignorant reporting” and said, “Charlie is no more ‘divisive’ than any figure in American politics. He is just far, far more effective and dedicated than any other activist. Thus, some crazy shoots him.”
“Charlie started @TPUSA in 2012 and built it campus audience by campus audience for years before President Trump entered politics,” he said.
Kirk’s rise to national recognition earned him his own parody on South Park, which mocked his college campus tour in its 27th season this year — the same tour where Kirk was shot.
Liberal media outlets and left-wing politicians have received criticism for concocting a narrative that Kirk and other conservatives are akin to Nazis who want to unleash a dystopian Christian Nationalist dictatorship on America. The rhetoric has heightened political tensions and, critics say, contributed to rising political violence. President Donald Trump survived two assassination attempts during the 2024 campaign trail alone.
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Kirk’s organization has gained popularity over the years for making bold statements meant to push back on left-wing ideas and censorship, while confronting liberal ideas face-to-face through events such as his American Comeback tour, where he would hold “prove me wrong” exercises for anyone to challenge his ideas through peaceful dialogue instead of violence. He would often ask the crowd to respect opposing views and let people speak even when they were being disrespectful.
In response to the Left’s recent gender ideology push, for example, TPUSA repeatedly affirmed that there are only two genders. This has been the topic of debate at several Kirk events, where the conservative activist engaged with students on their beliefs. The left-wing backlash to such statements and events has acted as the jet fuel that propelled Kirk’s organization to the top.
Every time the Left tried to silence Kirk, he, his organization, and his ideas only gained more prominence and public legitimacy. His message will likely be further amplified after the latest attempt to silence the TPUSA leader.
The rise of Turning Point USA
Kirk pursued full-time activism since he was 18, opting to forgo a college degree so he could co-found TPUSA. He spent the next four years helping to build a grassroots following that acted as a catalyst for President Donald Trump’s takeover of the Republican Party during the 2016 election.
While some conservative groups initially expressed skepticism about Trump, opting to support Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) or former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush in the Republican primary, TPUSA was more receptive to Trump’s populist messaging.
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Turning Point USA rose to prominence as one of the biggest right-wing groups during the 2016 election cycle. Kirk and the organization built on that momentum through Trump’s first-term conservative victories, their opposition to the Biden administration, and the 2024 race, where Kirk was credited as a key figure in Trump’s return to the White House.
The legacy Kirk leaves
In reflecting on Kirk’s legacy, senior fellow at Claremont University Jeremy Varl said that the TPUSA leader was possibly “the most important conservative leader in America” and “without question… the most important *young* conservative leader in America.”
“Even though, quite famously, he did not go to college, and is a ‘populist’ leader, let me assure you that he has the full respect of some of the brightest minds in the movement, who understood what he brought to the movement strategically,” Carl said. “Charlie is also very interested in ideas and takes them seriously, and would always be happy to read a piece of writing that would teach him something new.”
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Trump posted on Truth Social Wednesday that “The Great, and even ‘Legendary’ Kirk, was loved and admired by ALL, especially me.”
“No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie… Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife, Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!” he added.
Former Congressman Max Rose said the United States witnessed “the assassination of a movement leader” in Kirk’s death by shooting — graphic videos of which have gone viral.
Rep. Cory Mills (R-FL) told the Washington Examiner that he is in the “early stages” of drafting a resolution to honor Kirk and denounce political violence.
“Charlie’s been a conservative leader,” Mills said of his legacy. “He’s been someone that, on the university and college campuses, has been a voice of reason — a voice of truth — and it’s just a difficult time when you think about his wife and his children.”
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Kirk is survived by his wife, Erika Lane Frantzve, and their child.
“The political violence that’s continued to ramp up this country needs to stop. The dangerous rhetoric, I mean, our offices have received threats. Other members’ offices have received threats. You know, we shouldn’t be in fear of having to do our jobs just to be legislators,” he added.
David Sivak contributed to this report.