A shocking crime rocked the American political scene when 31-year-old conservative activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated by a sniper during his speech at a Utah university. The close ally of Donald Trump was killed by a bullet that struck his neck, while he was engaging with the audience at Utah Valley University. Intensive investigations are underway to locate the perpetrator of the assassination of the well-known conservative activist. The tragic incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon, when Charlie Kirk was conducting one of his characteristically controversial campus discussions.
Who was Charlie Kirk and his influence
The activist, born in 1993 in Illinois, was one of the most recognizable voices of the conservative movement in the USA. His career began under the influence of the Tea Party movement during the 2000s, while in 2012 he founded Turning Point USA.
Charlie Kirk emerged as a central figure of American conservatism through Turning Point USA, which he founded at just 18 years old. The organization’s mission focused on promoting principles such as fiscal responsibility, free markets, and limited government.
The conservative activist was distinguished for his national tours of American universities, where he invited critics to “prove him wrong” on various political issues. His podcast, The Charlie Kirk Show, which began in 2019, accumulated hundreds of episodes and a massive audience.
The close relationship with Donald Trump
Charlie Kirk’s rise was inextricably linked to Donald Trump’s political trajectory. Since 2016, the activist served as a personal assistant to the American president’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr. during the campaign, while evolving into one of the president’s most loyal allies.
Turning Point USA played a decisive role in mobilizing young voters, contributing to Trump’s victory in his second term. The organization grew exponentially, with donations reaching $79.2 million in 2022 and presence in more than 800 campus chapters.
Personal life and family values
Charlie Kirk married Erika in 2021, founder of the clothing company PROCLAIM x BIBLEin365. The couple had two children: their first daughter in August 2022 and their son in May 2024.
The conservative activist strongly defended traditional family values, often stating that young people should marry early and have many children. He viewed marriage and childbearing as “an act of resistance against the oligarchs.”
Political positions and controversial views
Charlie Kirk was distinguished for his radical positions on issues concerning:
- Free speech and free markets
- His opposition to transgender rights
- His skepticism about the Covid-19 pandemic
- His defense of the Second Amendment for gun ownership.
Months before his death, the activist had stated that “it’s worth having a cost, unfortunately, of some gun deaths each year, so we can have the Second Amendment.” The assassination of Charlie Kirk marks the end of an era for the American conservative movement, leaving behind a controversial but undeniably influential political legacy.
With information from people.com
