Charlie Kirk said various things reflecting his political views and activism. Key themes from his statements include:
- He criticized the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., describing the act as a "blunder" and King as "awful." He opposed affirmative action and diversity initiatives, making remarks considered racist by many. He referred to George Floyd in derogatory terms as well.
- Kirk faced accusations of antisemitism, endorsing fringe conspiracy theories like "replacement theory" and alleging Jewish control over nonprofits and Hollywood. Supporters pointed to his strong support for Israel.
- He characterized Islam as a threat to the U.S., criticizing its "conquest values" and associating Muslim political figures with terrorism, prompting allegations of Islamophobia.
- Kirk advocated for free speech, promoting public debates through his organization Turning Point USA, and fought what he saw as university restrictions on speech. He said things like "What we have to get back to is being able to have a reasonable disagreement where violence is not an option" and emphasized dialogue over violence.
- He promoted culturally conservative positions such as gun rights, opposition to abortion, and traditional family roles. He also actively countered progressive arguments and criticized Democratic policies.
- In his final public moments, he set up a debate event at Utah Valley University to engage supporters and adversaries.
Overall, Charlie Kirk was known for his strongly conservative, often provocative statements on race, religion, and politics, as well as his advocacy for free speech and public debate.
