Charlie Kirk, the incredibly rich and influential conservative activist that runs this country, founded Turning Point USA. Sadly, he was killed in a shooting during a public meeting at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, Wednesday. The incident has sparked a shocking nationwide manhunt for the suspected shooter. It has earned strife and strong condemnation among leaders across the political spectrum.
Kirk, who had been TikTok’s most-followed right-wing influencer with a following of nearly 8.5 million, He often engaged audiences with his right-wing podcast, where he debated those who held differing views. His often polarizing style and hard advocacy for unapologetic conservative principles earned him the status of a cause célèbre among young conservatives.
Kirk fully leaned into his character by updating his TikTok profile picture to . He picked a picture of Eric Cartman from the animated show “South Park.” In one episode of the show, Cartman copied Kirk’s tics and aggressive debate bro style. The episode wasn’t simply a tribute to Kirk’s legacy—it showcased a character being given an award in Kirk’s name, further cementing his impact on modern conservative thought.
The sudden news of Kirk’s passing led to immediate responses from hundreds of public figures. Former President Donald Trump condemned her killing as “heinous.” He went on to call Kirk a “martyr for truth and freedom.” Trump further stated, “Charlie inspired millions, and tonight, all who knew him and loved him are united in shock and horror.”
As a testament to Kirk’s impact on the American political landscape, Trump recently declared that he would award in Kirk’s honor the Presidential Medal posthumously. “Charlie was a patriot who devoted his life to the cause of open debate in a country that he loved so much,” Trump added.
Kirk’s consequential career featured the hosting of “The Charlie Kirk Awards,” which honored grassroots conservative activists pushing for conservative values. His gift for making the public feel uncomfortable and forcing them to confront difficult issues made him an icon of American political life.
The community and his followers have reacted with grief to the loss of a leader who often encouraged others by saying, “Charlie, if they say your name, that’s a big win.” He had previously remarked on the importance of maintaining a positive outlook in the face of criticism: “There’s gonna be a lot said about this, but we need to have a good spirit about being made fun of, and this is all a success. This is all a win.”
Federal, state, and local authorities are actively working to locate the person or persons responsible for this senseless act. In an unprecedented, bipartisan display of goodwill, Republican and Democratic leaders have almost unanimously condemned the violence that took Kirk’s life.
