who was charloe kirk

Charlie Kirk (October 14, 1993 – September 10, 2025) was an American conservative political activist, author, podcaster, and media personality. He co-founded Turning Point USA (TPUSA) in 2012 at the age of 18 and served as its executive director. TPUSA is a nonprofit organization that advocates conservative values, particularly targeting youth and college campuses. Kirk was a prominent ally of former President Donald Trump and a leading voice of the populist MAGA movement within the Republican Party. He was known for his sharp critiques of mainstream media and progressive issues, often engaging in heated debates on topics such as transgender rights, climate change, and family values. Kirk gained significant influence through his media presence, including hosting "The Charlie Kirk Show," a popular podcast and radio program with a large audience. He was credited with mobilizing young voters and expanding conservative youth involvement in politics. Tragically, Kirk was shot and killed at an event on the campus of Utah Valley University in September 2025, which led to widespread attention and condemnation of political violence. Throughout his career, Kirk was known for his confrontational style and was a central figure in efforts to reshape the Republican Party and U.S. political culture around conservative populism.