Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old conservative activist who founded Turning Point USA and became a close ally of Donald Trump, was shot and killed during a speaking event at Utah Valley University. Authorities said the shooting occurred while Kirk was addressing students in one of his signature campus forums. His death follows a string of high-profile political violence in recent years. Kirk rose to prominence as a teenager by mobilizing young conservatives and later built Turning Point into a national force. Tributes poured in, including from former President Trump, who called him "a tremendous person" and "a very good friend."
Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist who rose to national prominence by rallying young voters behind Donald Trump, was shot and killed Wednesday during a speaking engagement at Utah Valley University. He was 31.
Authorities report that the shooting took place while Kirk was addressing students in one of his trademark campus forums, a format that had become central to his political identity. His death is the latest in a disturbing pattern of political violence across the United States, following the killing of a Minnesota lawmaker and her husband earlier this year and the 2024 shooting of Trump himself.
Kirk entered politics as a suburban Chicago teenager when he co-founded Turning Point USA in 2012. Under his leadership, the group grew into a sprawling youth-focused conservative network with hundreds of thousands of student members, flashy national conferences, and a growing presence in Republican politics.
Known for a confrontational style, Kirk made his name by staging events on liberal-leaning campuses and debating students on hot-button issues such as abortion, religion, and free speech. His unapologetic approach earned him a devoted following and financial backing from major conservative donors, fueling Turning Point's transformation into a multimillion-dollar enterprise.
By the 2016 campaign, Kirk had become a close Trump ally, working alongside Donald Trump Jr. and establishing himself as a frequent cable news guest. Later, Turning Point's political arm played a prominent role in voter mobilization during Trump's successful 2024 run, especially in battleground states like Arizona.
Former President Trump, who often appeared at Turning Point events, confirmed Kirk's death in a Truth Social post. "No one understood or had the heart of America's youth better than Charlie," Trump wrote. "He was a very, very good friend of mine and a tremendous person."
Kirk's influence stretched beyond party politics into the broader culture wars. His podcast and rallies framed political debates as moral struggles. At a Georgia rally in 2024, he told thousands in attendance, "This is a Christian state. I'd like to see it stay that way," sparking chants of "Christ is King."
An outspoken evangelical, Kirk frequently invoked the "Seven Mountain Mandate," a belief that Christians should take leadership in areas from politics to business to media. He rejected the notion of a strict separation between church and state, instead promoting a faith-centered vision of American life.
That worldview won him admiration from supporters who saw him as a fearless champion of conservative and working-class values, while critics accused him of sowing division and eroding boundaries between religion and governance.
Kirk is survived by his wife, podcaster Erika Frantzve, and their two young children.
Turning Point USA said in a statement that it would continue his mission of reaching young conservatives "with boldness, faith, and truth."
For many Republicans, Kirk symbolized a shift toward combative, youth-led conservatism that flourished in the Trump era. His sudden death leaves not only a personal void but also uncertainty about the future of the movement he helped build.
As investigators continue to examine the Utah shooting, leaders from across the political spectrum are once again forced to confront the rise of violence in public life -- and what it means for American democracy.
Authorities said the gunman opened fire during the Utah Valley University forum, fatally wounding Kirk. As of publishing, officials had not released the suspect's name or motive. Investigators stressed that the case remains active, and updates will be shared as more information becomes available.