Charlie Kirk Dies After Shooting in Utah

Charlie Kirk, Trump Ally, Dies After Shooting in Utah
Trump Confirms Death After Utah Attack
Turning Point USA Founder Killed at 31

A Deadly Attack at a Conference

Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA and one of the most influential conservative activists of the past decade in the United States, died Wednesday at the age of 31 after being shot in the neck during an event at Utah Valley University, in the city of Orem.

The leader had barely taken the stage when he was attacked shortly after noon. Despite the rapid intervention of his security team, the wounds proved fatal.

The news of his death was confirmed by President Donald Trump through his social network Truth Social, in a message describing Kirk as “a great man, through and through.”

Kirk was in Utah as part of the “American Comeback Tour,” a series of presentations with students marking his return to campus activism after a break.

Charlie Kirk, Trump Ally, Dies After Shooting in Utah

«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… pic.twitter.com/aM8Pz3TKml

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) September 10, 2025

Kirk founded Turning Point USA in 2012, at just 18 years old, as a conservative counterweight to progressive platforms like MoveOn.org.

With a direct and provocative style, he secured financial backing from influential Republican donors, including Foster Friess, as well as members of the Trump family.

His strategy focused on mobilizing young voters and promoting a discourse against what he described as “Marxism and gender ideology” on college campuses.

From there, he built a network of influence that made him one of the closest voices to the Trump movement.

During Trump’s first presidency, Kirk became a frequent figure in conservative media and political conferences, gaining both supporters and critics who questioned his methods and his willingness to spread unverified claims.

A Controversial Legacy and Meteoric Career

Donald Trump has confirmed via Truth Social that Charlie Kirk has unfortunately passed away after the shooting earlier today pic.twitter.com/2km2keiVb4

— internet hall of fame (@InternetH0F) September 10, 2025

Throughout his career, Charlie Kirk stood out for his ability to connect with young conservatives—while also drawing controversy.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, he attacked the World Health Organization, opposed school closures, and promoted unfounded theories about medical treatments, which led to temporary suspensions on social media.

After the 2020 elections, he played a central role in the “Stop the Steal” movement, organizing caravans of supporters to Washington in backing of Trump. Although many of his claims were later debunked, his profile continued to rise within the conservative media ecosystem.

Kirk’s death is a blow to the movement he helped shape and leaves a vacuum in Trump’s orbit, where he had become an effective spokesperson for articulating the rhetoric of the American far-right.