Charlie Kirk, a conservative political activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA, was killed Wednesday after being shot at an event at Utah Valley University, President Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. He was 31.
As Trump remade the Republican Party, Kirk embodied the occasion’s newfound populist conservatism within the social media age.
Kirk’s involvement started within the wake of the tea occasion motion and grew with Trump’s ascendance. Having co-founded Turning Point in 2012 at the age of 18, Kirk was a prominent supporter of Trump who courted younger voters and used his community of nonprofits to hunt to end up voters on campuses and church buildings for Trump in 2024.
Kirk incessantly traveled to varsity campuses, talking and taking questions from viewers members in exchanges that always led to viral movies. Kirk’s look at Utah Valley University on Wednesday was the primary of a 14-city fall “American Comeback Tour.”
Kirk was answering a query at the event when a single pop was heard. Video taken by attendees reveals the gang screaming as Kirk recoiled in his seat and appeared to achieve for his neck.
Among these in attendance was former US Rep. Jason Chaffetz, a Utah Republican. He stated on Fox News he was at the event along with his spouse, daughter and son-in-law. He stated Kirk “came out, he was throwing hats, riling up the crowd,” and then began taking questions earlier than the shot rang out.
“I was watching Charlie. I can’t say that I saw blood. I can’t say that I saw him get hit, but I did see him fall immediately backwards into his left,” he stated.
The American Comeback Tour had Kirk’s signature “Prove Me Wrong Table,” the place he would urge those that disagreed with him to debate a problem.
Kirk was additionally an creator and prominent media persona who hosted a each day three-hour radio present. He traveled with a personal safety contingent, a Turning Point USA aide touring on the tour instructed NCS, whether or not he was chatting with massive rallies just like the one in Orem, Utah, or at smaller occasions.
Trump has credited Kirk with galvanizing and mobilizing the youth vote for him. Kirk most lately appeared within the Oval Office in May, attending the swearing-in ceremony of Judge Jeanine Pirro.
The president and dozens of different Kirk allies – in addition to Democrats who had sharp disagreements with him – posted well-wishes and requires prayer on-line within the wake of the shooting.
An Illinois native, Kirk married Erika Frantzve in 2021. The couple had two younger kids.