The killing of Charlie Kirk, conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, has sparked outrage and deepened debates about political violence in the United States.
Naija News reports that Kirk, 31, was shot dead on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, while hosting a live Q&A event with university students in Utah.
His death has triggered a barrage of reactions across the political space, with allies and critics alike acknowledging his influence on America’s polarised political landscape.
Former U.S. President Barack Obama condemned the shooting as “despicable violence with no place in democracy,” while President Donald Trump-aligned conservatives hailed Kirk as a fearless fighter for free speech.
Amid a series of tributes on social media, some critics pointed to the controversies Kirk often courted as a divisive political figure.
Below Are 10 Things To Know About Charlie Kirk
1. Founder of Turning Point USA
Kirk was best known as the founder of Turning Point USA (TPUSA), a conservative student movement he launched in 2012. The organisation quickly expanded nationwide, becoming a hub for youth activism on college campuses.
2. A Voice of Young Conservatives
Born on October 14, 1993, in Illinois, Kirk rose to prominence as one of the youngest and most outspoken conservative commentators in the U.S.
3. Close Ally of Donald Trump
Kirk was a loyal ally of Donald Trump, serving on the Trump 2020 Advisory Council and helping to mobilise young voters under the MAGA movement. Trump himself described Kirk as “a true patriot” after his death.
4. Host of The Charlie Kirk Show
Through his widely followed Charlie Kirk Show podcast and radio programme, he reached millions with his sharp critiques of liberal policies and advocacy for conservative values.
5. Skipped College for Politics
Kirk briefly enrolled at Baylor University but left early, deciding that political activism offered him a bigger platform. He often used his experience to argue that higher education was not the only route to success.
6. Christian Faith and Advocacy
He was outspoken about his Christian beliefs, linking his politics to his faith. Through TPUSA’s affiliate, Turning Point Faith, he worked to bring young Christians into political activism.
7. Author of Political Books
Kirk authored books such as Campus Battlefield and The MAGA Doctrine, which set out his conservative worldview and inspired young followers to challenge progressive politics.
8. A Controversial Figure
Kirk was no stranger to criticism. Detractors accused him of spreading misinformation and exploiting culture-war debates. Yet to his supporters, he was a defender of free speech and a symbol of resistance to what they saw as left-wing dominance.
9. Organizer of Conservative Events
His organisation, TPUSA, hosted huge rallies like AmericaFest and the Student Action Summit, which drew Republican leaders, media personalities, and thousands of student activists.
10. Advocate for Youth Political Power
At the heart of his work was the conviction that young people must shape the future of America. He often declared: “Politics is downstream from culture, and culture is created by the next generation.”
Naija News reports that Charlie Kirk’s assassination has thrown America into mourning and reflection.
To some, he was a courageous fighter for conservative values, while to others, Kirk was a polarising figure who deepened divisions.
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