Charlie Kirk (1993–2025) was an American right-wing political activist, entrepreneur, and media personality known primarily for co-founding the conservative organization Turning Point USA (TPUSA) in 2012. He became a leading voice of the MAGA movement within the Republican Party and was recognized for mobilizing young conservatives, particularly on college campuses and in high schools. Kirk was an influential Trump ally and promoted vigorous conservative viewpoints through his media presence, books, and public speaking engagements. Tragically, he was assassinated in 2025 while speaking at a TPUSA event at Utah Valley University.
Kirk's beliefs were firmly anchored in right-wing conservatism with strong advocacy for fiscal conservatism, limited government, free markets, and Christian nationalism. Over time, he embraced evangelical Christianity and advocated a Christian form of government. He promoted Judeo-Christian values, opposing abortion, gun control measures, diversity-equity-inclusion programs, and LGBT rights. He was critical of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Martin Luther King Jr., promoted conspiracy theories like the Great Replacement, and disseminated COVID-19 misinformation and false claims about the 2020 presidential election.
Kirk's activism was marked by efforts to influence young Americans through organizations like TPUSA, which had hundreds of chapters nationwide aimed at shaping political views on campuses. His rhetoric frequently targeted topics such as immigration, affirmative action, feminism, and the separation of church and state, framing these issues as threats to America’s traditional values. He openly criticized transgender identities and promoted Young Earth Creationism, advocating a strict biblical worldview.
In summary, Charlie Kirk was a prominent conservative activist who championed a fusion of evangelical Christian beliefs with right-wing political activism, aiming to shape a new generation of American conservatives through education, media, and political mobilization.
