Who was Charlie Kirk?
Charlie Kirk was shot and killed in Utah today. The world lost a bright and beautiful soul, a true friend of America and Israel. We are all shocked and heartbroken.
Charlie Kirk, born Charles James Kirk on October 14, 1993, in Arlington Heights, Illinois, was an American right-wing political activist, author, and media personality. He is best known as the founder and CEO of Turning Point USA (TPUSA), a conservative nonprofit organization aimed at promoting free-market principles and limited government on college campuses.
Kirk grew up in the Chicago suburb of Prospect Heights. His mother is a mental health counselor, and his father is an architect. As a teenager, he was active in the Boy Scouts of America, earning the rank of Eagle Scout. During high school at Wheeling High School, Kirk volunteered for Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mark Kirk's 2010 campaign (no relation) and campaigned against a school cafeteria price hike. He also wrote an essay for Breitbart News criticizing liberal bias in textbooks, which earned him a spot on Fox Business. Kirk briefly attended Harper College but dropped out to pursue activism full-time.
As a teenager, he was active in the Boy Scouts of America, earning the rank of Eagle Scout. During high school at Wheeling High School, Kirk volunteered for Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mark Kirk's 2010 campaign (no relation) and campaigned against a school cafeteria price hike. He also wrote an essay for Breitbart News criticizing liberal bias in textbooks, which earned him a spot on Fox Business. Kirk briefly attended Harper College but dropped out to pursue activism full-time.
At age 18, in 2012, Kirk co-founded TPUSA with Tea Party supporter Bill Montgomery to counter liberal campus groups. The organization grew rapidly after receiving funding from investor Foster Friess at the 2012 Republican National Convention. As TPUSA's public face and chief fundraiser, Kirk has expanded it into a major conservative youth movement, launching initiatives like the Professor Watchlist (targeting allegedly biased educators) and the School Board Watchlist.
In 2019, he created Turning Point Action, a political advocacy arm, and acquired Students for Trump to mobilize young voters for Donald Trump's 2020 reelection bid (which fell short of its one-million-recruitment goal). Other ventures include Turning Point Faith (2021) for evangelical outreach and Turning Point Academy for "America-first" education. Kirk is affiliated with the Council for National Policy and, in March 2025, was appointed by President Trump to the U.S. Air Force Academy Board of Visitors. He has been a vocal Trump supporter, leading efforts like the Mount Vernon Project to reshape Republican leadership.
Kirk hosted The Charlie Kirk Show, a syndicated radio podcast on Salem Media that airs three hours daily and ranks among the top news podcasts on Apple, with 500,000–750,000 downloads per episode as of 2024. He also streamed Turning Point Live for Gen Z audiences and, in February 2025, launched Charlie Kirk Today on Trinity Broadcasting Network. His TikTok presence exploded in 2024 with campus tour videos garnering millions of views. Kirk maintains a large social media following, including over 5 million on Instagram and more than 5 million on X (formerly Twitter) under @charliekirk11.
In the lead-up to the 2024 election, Kirk's "You're Being Brainwashed" campus tour was credited by supporters with boosting Trump's youth turnout.
Kirk had long been recognized as a staunch ally and vocal advocate for Israel, earning him praise as one of the most dedicated non-Jewish supporters of the Jewish state among his generation.
Throughout his career, Kirk consistently defended Israel's right to exist and its actions in self-defense, particularly in response to threats from groups like Hamas, emphasizing the strategic and moral importance of the U.S.-Israel alliance.
He also used his platforms, including his popular podcast and social media channels, to highlight why Israel matters to America, framing it as a key partner in promoting shared values of democracy and security in the Middle East.
Kirk's efforts extended to countering antisemitism on college campuses and pushing back against narratives that undermine Israel's legitimacy, positioning him as a reliable friend amid rising global tensions.
Even in the face of criticism from some quarters within the conservative movement, Kirk maintained an "America First" stance while advocating for robust support of Israel, arguing that the two are not mutually exclusive but complementary.
He organized events, speaking engagements, and media appearances where he debunked misinformation about Israel's policies, such as claims of starvation in Gaza, and calls for unwavering solidarity against common adversaries.
This unwavering commitment solidified his role as a bridge between young American conservatives and pro-Israel causes.
Earlier today, he was shot during a debate event at Utah Valley University as part of The American Comeback Tour. Videos circulating on social media show him being struck while speaking under a tent in the university courtyard.
Charlie is a passionate and eloquent speaker. He cares deeply about his family, America and Israel. He is also a religious Christian.
Tragically, he succumbed to his wounds and his death was declared.
His invaluable contribution means that he will never be forgotten.
Rest in peace, Charlie. The world is much darker without you in it.