TL/DR –
Charlie Kirk, a right-wing political activist in the US, was killed at a speaking event at the age of 31. He was known for his controversial posts and speeches, promoting theories like the “great replacement theory”, denying climate change, and spreading misinformation about Covid. He had significant influence in the Republican party and conservative circles, with connections to former President Donald Trump and direct interaction with Republican voting campaigns through his organization, Turning Point USA.
Charlie Kirk: Life and Death of a Controversial Rightwing Figure
Rightwing political activist Charlie Kirk, 31, was assassinated by sniper fire during a speaking event at Utah Valley University. Despite his young age and lack of formal public service, Kirk was a highly influential figure in US nativist circles. Even President Donald Trump hailed him as a “martyr for truth”.
Kirk was a frequent guest to the White House and Mar-a-Lago, earning fame with Republican conventions. He might not be a household name globally, but within the US, he became notable enough to be satirized by animated TV show South Park.
His social media was often filled with posts disparaging minorities and promoting the racist “great replacement theory”. Kirk was also known for spreading misinformation about climate change, abortion, Covid, and the 2020 elections.
Despite his controversial views, Kirk was admired by many – including the ex-UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson – for his free speech advocacy. Through Turning Point USA, a platform Kirk founded at 18, he encouraged students to report professors they suspected of being “woke”.
Kirk leveraged the culture wars to appeal to young white men, receiving financial backing and widespread support. In the era of Twitter/X, Kirk’s controversial views gained traction and his ability to articulate them attracted the attention of Trump and his allies.
Journalist Clay Risen noted that Kirk’s ability to maintain a balance between far-right activists, establishment Republicans, and young voters was a key factor in his influence. Donald Trump with Kirk at AmericaFest 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. Photograph: Brian Cahn/Zuma Press Wire/Shutterstock
Born to conservative parents in the Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights, Kirk’s political leanings were greatly influenced by rightwing shock jock Rush Limbaugh.
Kirk dropped out of Harper College to focus on growing Turning Point USA into a well-funded Phoenix-based organization. It combined a Twitter-era politics of abuse with an effective voter turnout strategy.
In 2016, he was recruited by Trump Jr. as a social media coordinator, beginning a long-lasting association with Trump Sr. During the 2020 elections, Kirk used apocalyptic language to rally support for Trump.
Kirk expressed concern over an “assassination culture” allegedly spreading on the left. However, his own rhetoric frequently included violent language. His advocacy for bailing out David DePape, who was sentenced for an attempted murder, went unnoticed by many.
On his American Comeback Tour, Kirk was shot in Orem, Utah while responding to a question about transgender involvement in mass shootings. He is survived by his wife Erika Frantzve and their two children.
Charles James Kirk, political activist, born 14 October 1993; died 10 September 2025
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