Photo: JEFF KOWALSKY / AFP / Getty Images
Conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed during an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday (September 10). He was 31. Kirk was taking questions from the crowd when a single shot was fired, striking Kirk in the neck. He was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. President Donald Trump made the announcement on Truth Social.
"The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!," President Trump wrote.
Charlie Kirk was the founder of Turning Point USA, the largest conservative youth organization in the United States. Established with the mission to promote conservative values among young Americans, Turning Point USA boasts over 250,000 student members and has a presence on more than 1,500 high school and college campuses nationwide.
Kirk, who was born on October 14, 1993, in Arlington Heights, Illinois, had become a significant figure in the conservative movement. He served as the chairman of Students for Trump, an initiative aimed at engaging one million new college voters in battleground states during the 2020 presidential election. His influence extended to social media, where his accounts reach over 100 million people monthly.
In addition to his activism, Kirk hosted The Charlie Kirk Show, a podcast that frequently ranked among the top news shows in the country. His work made him a key voice in conservative circles, particularly among young voters.
Kirk's journey into activism began during his high school years when he volunteered for political campaigns. He decided to forego college to focus on his burgeoning career in political activism, a decision that has led to his status as a leading figure in the conservative movement.