‘Have Kids, Not Careers’: What Charlie Kirk Said About ‘Fertility Collapse’ Days Before His Death

Last Updated:September 11, 2025, 08:05 IST

The Conservative influencer was shot dead in Utah on Wednesday, with US President calling it a ‘dark moment for America’

Arizonans mourn Turning Point USA Founder Charlie Kirk outside of the Turning Point USA headquarters. (AFP)

Conservative influencer and Donald Trump aide Charlie Kirk, who was shot dead in Utah on Wednesday, believed that young women should focus on having children instead of chasing career goals.

Kirk, during a FOX News appearance on The Ingraham Angle on September 8, addressed what he called the “Gen Z Gender Divide”, arguing that many young women today prioritise career ambitions over starting a family, The Economic Times reported. Urging them to “put having kids ahead of their careers”, he claimed that modern cultural norms encourage young women to follow a trajectory of careerism, travelling, and financial success first and these trends are contributing to what he described as a “fertility collapse” in Western societies.

The 31-year-old then contrasted this with what he saw as a healthier pattern among young men, who he said more often place family and marriage first.

Kirk’s views were not limited to gender roles. According to a report in the Hindustan Times, he often linked his political and cultural views back to his Christian faith, talking about living by Gospel principles. He also opposed expansions of LGBTQ rights, describing progressive gender and sexual identity ideas as divisive or harmful to traditional societal structures.

The activist’s controversial opinions on gun culture in America have flooded social media since his killing. Kirk had earlier said while gun deaths were tragic, they were part of America’s reality for the preservation of Second Amendment rights.

“You will never live in a society when you have an armed citizenry and you won’t have a single gun death,” Kirk said, adding, “That is nonsense. It’s drivel. But I am—I think it’s worth it.” He added: “I think it’s worth to have a cost of, unfortunately, some gun deaths every single year so that we can have the Second Amendment to protect our other God-given rights. That is a prudent deal. It is rational. Nobody talks like this. They live in a complete alternate universe.”

Kirk began his career as a teenage conservative activist on college campuses and eventually became a podcaster, cultural commentator, and close supporter of the US President.

He founded Turning Point USA in 2012 and according to Mint, the group focused on mobilising young conservatives and taking its message to liberal-leaning college campuses. Kirk and is survived by his wife Erika, a former Miss Arizona USA beauty pageant winner, and their two children.

Expressing grief and anger over his killing, Trump called the incident “a dark moment for America” and described Kirk as “a patriot who devoted his life to the cause of open debate and the country he loved”.

Calling Kirk “the best of America,” Trump said the assassin had failed in silencing him. “My administration will find each and every one of those who contributed to this atrocity and to other political violence, including the organisations that fund it and support it, as well as those who go after our judges, law enforcement officials, and everyone else who brings order to our country,” he added.

About the Author

Apoorva Misra

Apoorva Misra is News Editor at News18.com with over nine years of experience. She is a graduate from Delhi University’s Lady Shri Ram College and holds a PG Diploma from Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. S…Read More

Apoorva Misra is News Editor at News18.com with over nine years of experience. She is a graduate from Delhi University’s Lady Shri Ram College and holds a PG Diploma from Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. S… Read More

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