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The organisation Charlie Kirk launched in 2012 has grown into one of the largest conservative student groups in the United States
The fatal shooting occurred while Kirk was addressing the audience (AFP)
The death of Charlie Kirk, a 31-year-old conservative commentator and activist, has put the spotlight back on Turning Point USA (TPUSA), the organisation he co-founded and built into one of the most visible right-wing youth movements in America.
Kirk was shot during a campus debate at Utah Valley University on September 10. US President Donald Trump confirmed his death on Truth Social, calling him “great” and “legendary,” and adding: “Charlie, we love you!”
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When Was Turning Point USA Founded?
Turning Point USA was launched in 2012, when Kirk was just 18. The organisation says its mission is to recruit, train and mobilise young people in support of free markets, limited government and individual liberties.
According to Axios, Turning Point has roughly 3,500 high school and college campuses nationwide, and has helped “thousands of college students apply for voter registration and access absentee ballots,” according to its website.
What Does The Organisation Do?
Turning Point USA sends conservative speakers to universities and organises large conferences that convene thousands of young people to discuss political issues such as economics, race and immigration.
Its most prominent platforms are large conferences such as the Student Action Summit and AmericaFest. The latter has become one of the right’s most high-profile gatherings. At AmericaFest 2024, Trump headlined the event, with Kirk drawing an audience of over 21,000, a striking show of youth mobilisation, according to Axios.
The group has also built a media ecosystem to amplify its message beyond campuses. The Charlie Kirk Show, hosted by Kirk himself, became a popular daily podcast offering conservative commentary and interviews. To broaden the appeal, TPUSA launched other programmes such as Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark, which mixes lifestyle and wellness content with right-wing themes under the banner of “Make America Healthy Again.”
Together, these platforms reflected Kirk’s strategy of taking conservative ideas outside traditional politics and into everyday culture.
How Has It Influenced American Politics?
The New York Times reported that TPUSA claimed a significant role in mobilising young people to vote for Trump in the 2024 election, especially Gen Z men. Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., once hailed Kirk as “one of the true rock stars of this movement.”
Axios also credited Turning Point with helping drive the youth surge that contributed to Trump’s 2024 victory, highlighting its grassroots campus networks, conferences and voter-registration efforts.
By building both grassroots student networks and viral online content, TPUSA helped Republicans connect with a generation that was not traditionally their base.
What Controversies Has It Faced?
TPUSA has faced sharp criticism. One of its most controversial initiatives was the Professor Watchlist, a website the group launched to publicly name and shame university faculty it accused of promoting “liberal bias” in the classroom. Many academics condemned it as a form of intimidation, warning that it could endanger professors and stifle open debate on campuses.
The group has also led campaigns against critical race theory (an academic framework examining systemic racism), gender studies, and the Black Lives Matter movement. Civil rights organisations have accused TPUSA of fuelling division and intolerance through these efforts.
Kirk himself became a polarising figure. Outlets like Marca noted that he was frequently criticised in mainstream media and by academics for spreading misinformation and inflammatory rhetoric on social media. Progressive commentators and rights groups labelled his style sexist, transphobic, and anti-Muslim.
What Was Kirk Doing At The Time Of His Death?
At the time of the shooting, Kirk was on his “American Comeback Tour”, a campus roadshow designed to engage students directly. His signature format, “Prove Me Wrong” tables, invited open debates on controversial issues and often went viral online.
A sniper fired from a nearby building, and Kirk was rushed to the hospital, where his death was confirmed. Hundreds of students fled the event in panic. Utah’s governor described the shooting as a “political assassination.” Campus police initially arrested a suspect who was later released, while the FBI detained another man, also released after questioning. A door-to-door manhunt is under way.
Earlier this year, TPUSA hosted what the NYT described as the largest gathering of conservative women in the country, where Kirk and his wife Erika urged the 3,000 participants to prioritise marriage over careers. The organisation was also preparing for its next AmericaFest conference in December, expected to feature conservative media personalities such as Greg Gutfeld, Glenn Beck and Jack Posobiec.
Why Does It Matter?
Kirk’s assassination has left a vacuum at the heart of TPUSA. His direct speaking style and ability to connect with young audiences were central to its growth.
About the Author
Karishma Jain, Chief Sub Editor at News18.com, writes and edits opinion pieces on a variety of subjects, including Indian politics and policy, culture and the arts, technology and social change. Follow her @kar…Read More
Karishma Jain, Chief Sub Editor at News18.com, writes and edits opinion pieces on a variety of subjects, including Indian politics and policy, culture and the arts, technology and social change. Follow her @kar… Read More
September 11, 2025, 12:10 IST
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