Charlie Kirk (October 14, 1993 – September 10, 2025) was an American far-right political activist, author, conspiracy theorist, and media personality known for co-founding the conservative organization Turning Point USA (TPUSA) in 2012. He was a prominent voice in the populist MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement and was closely associated with former President Donald Trump. Kirk was influential in mobilizing young conservatives, especially on college campuses, through Turning Point USA, which aimed to promote conservative principles like free markets, limited government, and Christian values. He was also known for opposing gun control, abortion, LGBTQ rights, and for promoting Christian nationalism and various controversial conspiracy theories. Kirk hosted "The Charlie Kirk Show," frequently appeared on Fox News, and was involved in shaping the Republican Party's populist shift under Trump. He was fatally shot while speaking at a Turning Point event in Utah in September 2025.
What Charlie Kirk Stood For
- Conservatism and Populism : Kirk championed conservative economic policies such as free markets and limited government and was a strong supporter of Donald Trump's populist agenda.
- Cultural and Social Conservatism : He opposed abortion, gun control restrictions, and LGBTQ rights, emphasizing traditional Christian family values.
- Political Activism Among Youth : He dedicated much of his career to engaging young people in conservative politics, founding Turning Point USA to organize conservative students and advocate on campuses.
- Christian Nationalism : Kirk promoted Christian nationalist ideas within the Republican Party and aligned with evangelical religious communities.
- Controversial Positions : He was known for spreading COVID-19 misinformation, attacking the civil rights movement and figures like Martin Luther King Jr., promoting conspiracy theories like the Great Replacement, and falsely claiming widespread electoral fraud in 2020.
Kirk's work had both ardent supporters and vocal critics, and he was a polarizing figure in American political discourse.
