Kirk was known for influencing younger Americans to support Trump in last year’s election. (Photo: Reuters)
Charlie Kirk was shot dead on Wednesday during an appearance at Utah Valley University. He was a high-profile conservative activist and media personality. The 31-year-old was a close ally of former President Donald Trump and a leading voice in the Republican MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement.
Kirk was known for influencing younger Americans to support Trump in last year’s election.
Kirk was a prominent radio host and podcaster. He also hosted live debates on US college campuses in a signature "Prove Me Wrong" format. During these debates, he challenged students on topics to promote conservative views. This was what he was doing on Wednesday when he was shot.
Kirk attracted both supporters and critics. Many accused him of promoting controversial or conspiratorial beliefs. His views often targeted liberal positions on climate change, gun control, LGBTQ+ rights, and civil rights.
In 2023, Kirk made headlines for his stance on gun rights. Speaking at Salt Lake City’s Awaken Church on April 5, 2023, he said, "It's worth it to have a cost of, unfortunately, some gun deaths every single year, so that we can have the Second Amendment to protect our other God-given rights...That is a prudent deal."
Ironically, he was answering a question about gun violence when he was killed.
Kirk also voiced strong opinions on civil rights. In December 2023, he called Martin Luther King Jr. “awful” and criticized the Civil Rights Act of 1965. "I have a very, very radical view on this, but I can defend it, and I've thought about it. We made a huge mistake when we passed the Civil Rights Act in the 1960s."
He claimed the law created a permanent bureaucracy promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Kirk shared conspiracy theories during his career. In March 2020, he referred to COVID-19 as the “China virus.” In a 2021 interview with Tucker Carlson, he compared pandemic vaccine requirements to apartheid. In February 2024, he mentioned the “great replacement,” a widely debunked theory about undocumented immigrants replacing white Americans.
He was also known for provocative racial statements to attract younger voters. In a 2024 podcast with Jack Posobeic, he said, "I'm sorry. If I see a Black pilot, I'm going to be like, 'Boy, I hope he's qualified.'"
Kirk opposed Juneteenth as a federal holiday, calling it “anti-American” and promoting a “neo-segregationist view.”
Kirk co-founded Turning Point USA at age 18 in suburban Chicago in 2012 with Tea Party activist William Montgomery. The group aimed to bring conservative ideas like low taxes and limited government to college campuses.
Turning Point USA strongly supported Trump in 2016. Kirk also served as a personal aide to Donald Trump Jr. during the general election campaign. The group’s funding grew rapidly, reaching $79.2 million in 2022. Today, it operates on nearly 4,000 high school and college campuses and promotes hundreds of online conservative influencers.
Charlie Kirk was a polarizing figure in American politics. He played a key role in mobilizing young voters for the Republican Party. While praised by supporters, he faced intense criticism for his controversial remarks and conspiratorial views. His death at 31 marks a shocking moment in US political activism and campus debate culture.
