Charlie Kirk’s decades-long effort to popularize conservative ideas galvanized American youth and helped Gen Z become one of the right-leaning generation in recent history. Kirk, who was speaking at Utah Valley University on Wednesday, was killed.
He was once considered a “fringe” politician, but he brought conservative America First populism into the mainstream, and many young voters who did not feel they belonged to the Democratic Party joined the Republican Party by attending universities. This is what he called “liberal indoctrination.”
Kirk, who passed away at the age of 31, traveled across the country, engaging students of all political views, promoting dialogue among liberal and conservative peers and fighting back against campus censorship.
Turning Point USA: The Rise
Kirk has been a full-time activist since he turned 18 years old, deciding to forego a college education in order to co-found TPUSA. Kirk spent the next four-years building a grassroots movement that was a catalyst in President Donald Trump’s 2016 takeover of Republican Party.
Some conservative groups were initially sceptical about Trump and chose to support either Sen. Ted Cruz, R-TX or the former Florida Governor. TPUSA, which supported Jeb Bush during the Republican primaries, was more receptive of Trump’s message.
Turning Point USA became one of the most prominent right-wing organizations during the 2016 elections. Kirk and his organization continued to build on this momentum with Trump’s conservative victories during the first term, their opposition against the Biden administration and in the 2024 election, when Kirk was recognized as a key figure for Trump’s return to White House.
Kirk’s legacy
Jeremy Varl, Claremont University senior fellow and TPUSA’s leader, said in reflecting on Kirk’s legacy that he was “the most influential conservative leader in America”, as well as “without a doubt… the most *young* leader of conservatives in America”.
Carl stated, “Even if he is known for not having attended college and being a ‘populist leader’, I assure you that some of the most brilliant minds in the movement have full respect for him, as they understand what he brings to the movement from a strategic standpoint.” “Charlie also takes ideas seriously and is interested in them. He would be delighted to read something that could teach him new things.”
Donald Trump said on Truth Social, Wednesday, that “The Great and even the ‘Legendary Kirk’ was loved and admired and especially by me.”
“Nobody understood or had the Heart of the Youth better than Charlie… Melania, and my Sympathies are extended to his beautiful wife Erika and her family. Charlie, we love YOU!” he said.
Max Rose, a former congressman, said that the United States had witnessed “the assassination” of a leader of a political movement in Kirk’s shooting death. Graphic videos of this have become viral.
Rep. Cory Mills, R-FL, told the Washington Examiner that he was in the “early phases” of writing a resolution honoring Kirk and condemning political violence.
Mills described Charlie as a conservative leader. “He was a voice for reason and truth on university and college campus,” Mills said.
Kirk’s wife Erika Lane Kirk and their child are the only survivors.
The political violence in this country must stop.
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